Luck of the Irish

Just in time for Saint Patrick's Day, a Luck of the Irish card!!  Flourishes makes a great set for Saint Patty's Day with lots of shamrocks and classic Irish sayings.  It is called Irish Blessings.  They are highlighting it this week on their blog HERE.

I started by stamping the sentiment first and then stamped the shamrocks all around it in Distress Ink.  I lightly colored it in with Copics so I wouldn't smear the ink.  Then I die cut it with Labels 22.

For an added embellishment I stamped and cut out the Claddagh (story below) and colored it with Copics.  For the background paper I added a bit of Distress Ink with a blending tool to pick up the green from the shamrocks.

• Stamps: Flourishes - Irish Blessings
• Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black, Distress - Peeled Paint, Versafine - Black Onyx
• Paper: Neenah Bright White, Basic Grey - Out of Print 6x6, Black and Green cardstock
• Copics: RV11, R81, YG61, G12, E00, Y26, Y28
• Spellbinders: Labels 4 & 22
• Other: gems, SU! pink ribbon, Glossy Accents, Bow Easy, Perfect Layers

Story of the Claddagh: 

A young goldsmith gave a Claddagh ring to his lover and promised to marry her. However, before the wedlock, he was kidnapped by pirates. His love refused to believe that he was killed and was never to come back. She waited for five years until one day he escaped, made a fortune and returned to his love and they lived happily ever after.

Ever since that time, the Claddagh ring has been an ancient Irish symbol of love and commitment. The ring bears the design of two hands clasping a heart and a crown on top. It's a popular symbol of friendship and eternal love. This Irish symbol depicts romantic love, platonic love, promises, commitments and forever.