Hi everyone! I am happy to be participating in the Build Your Stash Holiday Hop & Linky Party where PolkaDot Orchard is a sponsor. Jessica, the lovely owner of PolkaDot Orchard has so generously provided a freebie download for you until August 1. Details are found at the end of my post.
PolkaDot Orchard has so many digi Christmas sets in their shop, but I was specially drawn to this beauriful Cardinal from their When a Cardinal Appears digi set. The set is not a Christmas set so I paired it with the Holiday Poinsettia set to create my little scene.
Since Cardinals are not endemic to my country, I searched online for color inspiration. That is when I discovered the meaning of “When a Cardinal Appears”. Do you know what it means when a cardinal appears? A cardinal represents a loved one who has passed. When you see one, it means they are visiting you. They usually show up when you really miss them or are thinking of them. It also means they are watching over you. A cardinal is a beautiful bird and one should be so lucky to be visited by one whether you believe in it or not.
I used Distress Inks to paint my Cardinal image. I will link all the colors I used in the materials used below.
After I finished painting, I used Prismacolor pencils to add a little more definition to the bird, the flower and the branches.
Then I cut the image using MFT stitched rectangle die then matted it with an olive green cardstock. As for the background, I used a Concord & 9th Turnabout stamp called Deck the Halls. Then matted it again with the same Olive green cardstock on an A2 card base.
And there is wonderful news!
PolkaDot Orchard has provided an Ephemera pack and a digital set called Peppermint Wishes for the duration of the hop which is on until August 1, 2020. Here is what the freebie sets look like!
Hurry and join the Build Your Stash Holiday hop, there are lots of prizes to be won. Visit PolkaDot Orchard to see how to download your freebie here.
‘Til next time!
❤️
Anna
Thank you for visiting my blog. I truly appreciate it! You can also find me on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest and Facebook.
Materials used:
Note: I am affiliated with some online stores including Altenew, Concord & 9th and Hero Arts. If you use any of the links above, I get a small commission from these wonderful shops at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Craftyanna Studio 
OH Anna! This card is stunning! I do have many cardinals that visit my yard every year and I do believe. As I lost my little sister almost 3yrs ago to breast cancer. So I do know she visits me and watches over us. Thank you for sharing the meaning! It’s precious! Love your colors, design, and your coloring is amazing. Just a gorgeous card! Thanks for the inspiration!
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Thank you so much Kim! I’m so very sorry about your little sister.. I lost my little brother last year just shy of his 48th birthday. I miss him terribly but take so much comfort in my memories of him 💕
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What a pretty card! I, too, believe that when a loved one is visiting you when you see a cardinal. I have seen many recently. I lost my Dad and my oldest brother last year within 3 months of each other. The same is said about monarch butterflies…I have many visit me also. Gorgeous coloring. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you so much! I’m so sorry about your brother and your father’s passing. I lost my youngest brother quite suddenly last October.. It’s never easy but a reminder like a cardinals visit or a butterfly reminds me that my loved ones who’ve passed watches over me and that gives me comfort.. 💕
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Yes it does give me comfort. Dad passed away on July 14 and my brother on September 9th. Sad days. 😓
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Sending you a big hug! 💕
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Beautiful card, Anna! I love the depth in your painting!
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Thank you Crystal! 💕
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So pretty
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