Saturday 20 April 2013

Confirmation


Today is my niece's Confirmation. I find it hard to make Confirmation and First Communion (my nephew, next month) cards. First, I'm not Catholic, so while I can appreciate the importance of these rites of passage, I did not experience them firsthand.  Second, I find it difficult to strike an appropriate balance between the sacred solemnity of the occasion, and the fun-loving ages of the kids who are receiving the cards. Especially the girls - they love glitter and sparkle and often have a limited appreciation of subtlety.

I can tell you confidentially, that I'm not 100% sure of this. Although it's almost all white (more on that in a minute), it still feels busier than I intended. I started with Papertrey's circle die - which fits perfectly on a 4.25x5.5 card front. I emptied out all the shapes, and then filled in the ones that form a cross, with a sandwich of one white circle, 2  hot pink and then one white one on top. This added a bit of dimension and is an old trick of mine for adding just a touch of colour. On the central circle, I embossed the 'e' (for Ellie) from MFT's Monogram alpha in glitter ep - it fits perfectly! And then I added the bling (maybe that's where I went overboard, but I know she'll like the sparkle!)

I'd love to hear what you think! Most importantly, I can't wait to hear what Ellie thinks!

PS - thank you for all your good wishes - I am now in love with the defense counsel who used one of his peremptory challenges to exclude me from this jury and free me up to continue with my life! All before lunch on Friday!


24 comments:

  1. Super blingalicious that a young lady will appreciate! So clean and crisp and lovely, solemn, yet still fresh and young!

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  2. Love your ideas here ... the touch of pink circles & the bling. Blessings to your niece.

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  3. The balance here is beautiful, Ardyth ... colours, design and bling. Your cross is perfect, there are seven downward circles and 12 in total ... seven gifts and twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit (p'raps not intended but there nevertheless!). As well as being a sacrement, Confirmation is a celebration for Catholics, and as bling is so celebratory, it's also perfect! Your niece will love it ... congratulations and blessings to her! Anita :)

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  4. Oops, for the cross, I meant to add in 7 down, 5 across ... counting the crossing circle twice, otherwise my counting's out! Anita :)

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  5. Wow! This is gorgeous - and I'm sure your niece will LOVE it! I think the touch of dimension and hint of pink is perfect.

    And go defence counsel! You're so lucky!

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  6. I think it is absolute perfection...so very elegant and 1000s of times better than what is sold at stores. I'm sure your niece loved it.

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  7. This is good for a confirmation. In many Lutheran churches the confirmands still wear white robes, but not so much in the Catholic tradition. The subtle cross is perfect. Your card and thoughtfulness are lovely. The blings are just the right size and I love the glittery E. Glad you were excused too! Bev

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  8. Lovely card! I'm sure your neiece will like it. ;-)

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  9. Beautiful card Ar! Ellie will love it!

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  10. I love how you've incorporated traditional symbolism with modern design. The pattern reminds me of the stone window tracery in old churches, and I love how the gems reflect just a hint of the pink. I bet your niece is thrilled with it, particularly with the monogram!

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  11. I think it's very appropriate. :) It's a beautiful card with a lot of thought put into it. I'm sure your niece will love it.

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  12. Wow oh wow oh wow! The layered cross, the hint of pink, the bling, everything is so perfect!

    Glad you were excused from jury duty, although doesn't it make you wonder why they didn't want you? ;)

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  13. This is brilliant--no pun inteded--LOL! I truly love this card & bet Ellie will be thrilled--no one else will have a confirmation card like this! Never thought of sandwiching color--very clever idea I'll try to remember.

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  14. Wow, this is stunning and so perfect for a confirmation card. You are so creative, what an amazing cross and I love that you layered it with the hot pink and your touches of bling, so nice.

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  15. Waaay cool design that respectfully notes the occasion but has a youthful appeal! Popping up the cross is a neat look. I bet Ellie will like it ... lots! :)

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  16. This is georgous and perfect for the occasion. She'll love it!

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  17. I think you've got the card just right Ardyth. The white balances the hint of pink and subtle bling beautifully in my humble opinion.

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  18. I think this is probably the best confirmation/first communion card that I have ever seen....it is going to speak volumes to any young person. And really, every young teenage girl is definitely going to think that bling on a religious card is cool!

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  19. I think it's brilliant, Ardy, and she will treasure it always as a memory of this special day!

    So glad to hear you aren't going to be away from us for weeks or months, altho I'm sure you'd have made a great juror!

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  20. Yay, I was wondering what was going to happen in court for you!

    Love your Confirmation card, so very creative, with lots of details, yet all very tasteful. Love the idea of having the hot pink "hidden" away!

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  21. You must be looking at a different card to the rest of is because this is gorgeous!?! I especially like the touch of hot pink in between the white layers - must make a note to try this Ardyth technique at some point :)

    Ellie is going to love this card - the bling is not over the top at all, I think it adds a nice bit of interest and is very girly :)

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  22. I think you've struck a perfect balance between religious and contemporary Ardyth, I love the purity of the white and the palest pink gems. I'm sure it will be treasured for years to come :0)
    Jenny x

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  23. I struggle with these kinds of cards too but you have rocked this! It's classic and fun all at once and perfect for a teen girl. Really awesome!

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