Monday, October 3, 2011

Poker Christmas

I wanted to write a quick post to join in the Moxie Fab World Card Play Challenge.

When I was about 8, my grandparents taught me how to play poker. They never went to casinos or were gamblers, but they had grown up in the pre-Depression-era playing card games and wanted to share all of the fun poker games.  Every time I visited, we played for several hours a day (for money, no less), and I learned a lot! Playing was all fun, and I'm sure my grandfather folded good hands on a few occasions to let me win. Although I never play anymore, I have very fond memories of playing cards with them. Sorry to ramble on!

I inked up my Unity Suzi Blu stamp again to make a card based on playing cards:


Her dress is (obviously) made from a playing card, and the heart in her hand is fussy cut from the five of hearts. In the stamp, she's holding flowers in her right hand, so I masked the flowers to only show her hand.  Otherwise, I just paper pieced the rest of her outfit and colored her with Copics and colored pencils. Here's a close-up of Suzi:


Very stylish! I wish I could wear her outfit!

I went back and forth on the sentiment, but I really liked this one from Waltzingmouse Stamps. It's a little quirky for a Christmas card, but I'm the type of person who likes a little quirkiness now and then (okay, maybe all of the time).

Once I finished the front, I liked it so much, I decided I would frame it for Christmas decor. Of course, I realized after I had cut the front panel that it's a non-traditional size and will require a mat. I wish I would think of these things in advance--ha ha!

Thanks for looking! Have a great day!

23 comments:

lostinpaper said...

She is fabulous Jocelyn! Love how you've used a playing card to create her dress, that's sooo Moxie Fab! I remember playing 500 with my grandparents... very serious stuff for a 10 year old!

Barb said...

perfect take on the challenge Jocelyn! love it!

Robin said...

AWESOME!

lisa arana said...

Eeeek! love her! what a fabulously creative idea! totally moxie fab.

Annette said...

Wow this is just so cute and very creative...great take..

onecraftymama said...

Jocelyn, this is so awesome! Love the shading, and the whole idea - the sentiment tied in, the funky-ness, the fact that it's the coolest Christmas card...and the fact that you forgot to think ahead and make it a frame-able size. I never remember that either :)

Cath said...

Hey Jocelyn! Thanks for linking this up to the Card Play Challenge in the Moxie Fab World! I'm so glad you joined in on all the fun! :)

Jingle said...

This is just too cute!

Karen B. said...

I happen to really really like reading stories on people blogs, so if it were me that were only reading your blog, please, ramble on more! I also happen to love this unconventional holiday car. It is perfect. The sentiment is perfect. Her dress is clever. I just like it all really.

Jen W. said...

I'm with Karen in the story department - the more rambling the better! Loved your story and it reminded me of playing gin with my grandma. :) Great memories!

And great card! Love the dress and your colouring is awesome - I can never get skin tones right but you rocked her!

Lindsey said...

Thanks for the memories! My grandmother taught me a lot of card games, too -- of course, she was known as a card shark, and I don't think ever let me win. :P
This card totally grabs the eye right away -- I love it! Brilliant to paper-piece her dress with a playing card. So fabulous, Jocelyn.

Lynnda Hosni said...

I love this card Jocelyn!!! hugs...xoxo

Brandi said...

The way you incorporated the playing card into the dress is FABULOUS and so CREATIVE! Oh the life lessons we learn from our grandparents. LOL!

Kary said...

Love this card, Jocelyn!! The girl is so sweet and love her playing card dress & the heart she's holding. Great card!!

kasia c. said...

What a sweet story and a cool way to spend time with your grandparents!!

This card is fantastic. I love that her dress is pieced froma plyaing card. :) So cool!

Vera Rhuhay said...

awww...so cute! Love this!

Erin said...

I love the different ways you use this stamp! You're so talented!!!

~Tammy~ said...

Thanks for sharing such a cute story! Fabulous use of a playing card and I love the story to go with! She is one cute mod chic! Love her! On my wish list! You are making me want her more and more! THANKS A LOT!!! Hugs!

Meg said...

Way to rock the Suzi Blu! And, no, I totally didn't realize her dress was a playing card but once you mentioned it that is so cool! I like that sentiment, too, although you're right, it is kind of an odd thing to put on a card. :)

(ps-I would think most corgi owners would be used to overzealous fans. Especially if it was A BABY CORGI!! I'm getting puppy fever just thinking about it...)

Emily Leiphart said...

Hey blondie, I LOVE your playing card dress. Just love it!! What a cute sentiment to go along with this fabulous Suzi Blu.

Diane Jaquay said...

She is utterly utterly DARLING!!!!!!

Amber S said...

I have a Jack of diamonds card sittig on my desk. I was going to put it on a layout about my handy man husband as some sort of "jack of all trades" thing. But it didn't end up matching. This is such a pretty card.

Angela said...

You pieced her dress. With a playing card!! Genius. I love the "hearts" theme elsewhere too -- it's just my kind of quirky :)