It’s Good to be Irish

It’s especially good to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!  But then again, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day right?  But you don’t NEED to really be Irish to get involved in the fun associated with the day.

Today I’m participating in the Waltzingmouse Stamps (WMS) Blog Hop – a fitting thing to do since Claire Brennan, owner of Waltzingmouse Stamps lives in Ireland.  In the days leading up to today, I did a little investigating on some of the history surrounding St. Patrick’s Day. While most of the world acknowledges St. Patrick’s Day a lot of the customs have evolved in the past 100 years. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, and is a religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years. On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Long ago, Lenten traditions prohibits the consumption of meat , but on this day, the restrictions were waived and people would dance, drink and feast (that much hasn’t changed) on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.  Now don’t you feel smart? =)

The WMS Blog Hop begins on the WMS Forum where you can find links to everyone participating.  Once there, you can chat it up in THIS THREAD.  I hope you will take a moment to hop around and get a true taste of some Irish inspiration.

I’ve really been on a kraft cardstock trend lately, but I just couldn’t resist using it one more time for this St. Patrick’s Day card.  On the top portion of my card, I stamped shamrock images in Olive and Cream White pigment ink.  The focal image was stamped in olive and then die cut using my labels 9 nestabilities and then layered upon another layer of some gorgeous Glossy Lustre Gold cardstock.  I used the same gold paper to create my border that peeks out beneath my layer of ribbon and twine.

I adorned my border with crystals and my shamrock with gold baubles.  My sentiment was stamped on the lower part of my card base in Versa Mark and embossed with clear embossing powder.

For some added fun, Claire supplies us with some “digital” leprechauns that I have placed in my full picture of my project.  Be sure to find all the leprechauns and then visit Waltzingmouse House to post how many leprechauns you found in my project.  You may even be awarded with a little pot ‘o gold….well, maybe not gold, but something just as valuable to a Waltzingmouse Stamps fan!

…and before you leave,  Waltzingmouse Stamps has sponsored another challenge at the Stamping Around blog.  The challenge will run for two weeks - until the end of March.  You can add your inspired cards to Mr Linky at the Stamping Around site and one person will win Sewing Box Hugs!  More gold for your pot.

Now if you’re ready to hop-along, check out the list of players HERE.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  I feel lucky already! =)

{Supplies}

Stamps: Irish Blessings, Celtic Heritage

Papers: Kraft, Glossy Lustre Gold (Paper Temptress)

Inks: Color Box Cream White and Olive, Versa Mark

Accessories: Labels 9 Nestabilities, Eyelet Border Punch, Ribbon (Michael’s) Crystals and Baubles (Mark Richards)