Monday 24 June 2013

Imagine the horses

As soon as I saw this sweet little image at my local scrapbook store, I just had to have it. When my girls were youngsters, My Dad, my sister, and my two girls would go out on horseback into the woods,  to get a Christmas tree. The dogs went along too, and Dad would bring a section of rope and tarp and drag the tree home.

My Dad was always great at making something out of nothing...I am sure he just sort of routed round in his garage and found some twine and something to make the "tree sled" from and off they would go. The girls were always excited to be included. Dad always got a couple extra trees...one for their house, one for my house, and one for anyone who came by and needed a tree!!! He would always stick the extra tree into the snow bank alongside the driveway in the front garden. 
So you have to imagine the horses. They are standing off to the side...just off the edge of the card. Two are ponies of course!  Now you know my Christmas tree tradition, you will understand that my grandaughter,  Pony Girl 06, comes by her name honestly! I would like to try this image again as a step card, and then perhaps I can fit a pony or two on it!

Recipe
Card and Envelope - blog candy win from Sassy Raggedy
DP - Carta Bella, Merry and Bright and also My Minds Eye, Winter Wonderland (snippets)
Cardstock - from my snippets stash
Mirror card - silver and red mirror card from my snippets stash (the red is just under the image)
Die - doily is Marriane I think, circle and scalloped circles are Spellbinders
Image and sentiment - unknown (forgot to write down the name when I was at the stamp off)

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
(I have managed to keep to 5 challenges only to meet the Rudolph rules...well done me for remembering!)

1. Pixies Crafty Workshop - must use snippets
2. Rudolph Days Stamping for Pleasure - must be Christmas
3. CHNC Extra - Anything Goes with a Christmas Theme
4. Sister Act - always Anything Goes
5. CHNC - Christmas greenery
6. MFP Speedy TV Christmas CArd Challenge - must be Christmas

31 comments:

Tracy said...

This is such a sweet card. I love the story that goes with it, so nice.

Mary Jo said...

That definitely is a sweet little image. And I love your back story :)

Anonymous said...

aw, cute card and lovely memories of a holiday tradition; sounds like everyone had a fun time. the dotted paper is very pretty and the joy sentiment suits the card perfectly.

Brenda Brown said...

I love Christmas traditions and this is a great card and story behind it.
hugs Brenda xxx

Christine Harrop said...

I love how certain things can bring the memories pouring back! Such a lovely tradition. Love your card! Christine xx

Sarn said...

What a sweet card. I love horses so am definitely imagining them! What a nice tradition.

Thanks for joining in.

Hugs
Sarn xxx

Craftin Suzie (Susan Wykes) said...

Hi Maureen! I could think of no better way to get a Christmas tree than by riding into the woods on horseback - how fabulous! Love your card too, brilliant design! Susan x

Anonymous said...

Beautiful card Mo and I LOVE the little story to go with it. It must have been wonderful to ride off into a snow filled forest in search of Christmas trees, sounds almost romantic, lol! Hope you're having fun at the lake.

Hugs
Brenda

Erika said...

Hi Mo, thanks for the visit, hope you are well?
Love this cute image of the girls carrying the tree...think I have a picture of my kids doing something similar too.
Take care, hugs and happy crafting,
Erika.

Heather Landry said...

This card is absolutely adorable!!! I don't blame you for having to have that stamp. It's awesome!

Lisa Rukin Swift said...

Love this sweet card! I can see why you love the image so much!

Jean said...

Pretty card and a lovely story to go with it. Family traditions are one of the things that make Christmas time special.
Jean x

Sue said...

Awww fab card and great memories huggles Mo xxx Sue

rachel said...

hello there - love your image and your whole card is just lovely! Thanks for sharing with us at hazels extra challenge this month and good luck x

mamapez5 said...

Lovely memories evoked by a cute image. I am sure I saw a tail twitching just off at the side! Happy Rudolph day. Kate x

Sassy Raggedy said...

Such a sweet, sweet card. I love your wonderful design. Great job...Hugz, joann

Di said...

Super Christmas card Mo - and such a lovely story too. How kind to leave a tree for someone else outside the house - your Dad must have been one very special guy.

I adore the stamped image, it reminds me very much of Elzybells style of stamps - sadly no longer produced.

Have a lovely day!

Hugs, Di xx

Darnell said...

What a beautiful story and beautiful snippets card, Maureen!! I CAN see the horses and ponies just off to the side and don't they look healthy and happy!!

Kathleen said...

Great story, great card.

Kath x

Wishcraft said...

Lovely card, so sweet and pretty :o) Hugs, Lisa x

Glenda Atkins said...

I thought I had left a comment on this gorgeous card, but guess I never said 'publish':O) Your Dad sounds like he was a wonderful guy, love your post!
hugs
Glenda

Hazel said...

Super card - love the image and the beautiful papers and, of course, that lovely doily die cut - thanks for sharing for both of my CHNC challenges - hope to see you again soon. x

Vicky Hayes said...

What a heartwarming story Maureen! It's family stories like this that need to be recorded for future generations. I love your card and I bet you had the best trip down memory lane as you made it. Vicky x

Carol L said...

Such a cute card that brings memories of Christmas adventures :) I really like the shimmery vertical banner!

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Love the story image and card, Maureen, and noted your yes please for offer on my post too, we will see if any more say yes too... :D Shaz.x

Daniella said...

I am so sorry Maureen that it has taken me so long to get over here!! It is hectic here this time of year. I LOVE your card and I LOVE the story!! What a delightful memory! I only wish I had one as lovely.
Have a great day!
xxDaniella

Mrs A. said...

It's nice to read about other peoples childhood memories. That is a lovely Christmassy image. Must get on and make mine for Sarn.
Hugs Mrs A.

Bonnie said...

An adorable card and a lovely Christmas memory! I can almost see the horses standing just off the edge of the card!

Cathy said...

What a lovely Christmas tradition, I'm sure your girls treasure the memory too, Love all the pretty layers on your card :) Cathy x

Hettie said...

Gorgeous card there Mo and lovely story behind it. It would work well as a stepper card too!
Hugs
xx

MaryH said...

Loved this one, and you did a fine job on the papers & your focal image. Very cute. It went so well with your wonderful story. What a lovely memory, to accompany your beautiful card. Hugs. Happy Canada day to you!!! TFS