Best Friends Card, Pink Bunnies & The Velveteen Rabbit

Best Friends Card by Create With Joy

Happy WOYWW to you, dear friends! What fabulous creations, crafts and collectibles have you surrounded yourself with this week?

I’ve been inspired by one of my favorite children’s books and a furry pink friend (no, my cats are not sporting a new look!)

Let me explain…

Each week, I do my best to create something new and share a variety of challenges to help get your creative juices flowing!

Similar themes across various blogs frequently catch my eye.

One theme that stood out this week was the challenge to create something inspired by one of your favorite children’s books. This was the challenge put forth by both Laurelcraft (a new-to-me-blog) and Heart 2 Heart Challenges (an old favorite!)

The Velveteen Rabbit Illustration

I chose one of my favorite books of all time – The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams – as my inspiration. I’d like to share part of the Forward by Corey Nash from my version of the book, with its enchanting illustrations by Jean Chandler:

The Velveteen Rabbit is a timeless story that can be enjoyed on many levels by readers of many ages. For it is more than just a simple tale for children.

It is the guileless story of a stuffed toy rabbit, once so well-loved and played wth by the boy who owned him that he became shabby and his whiskers grew soft. Because the boy loved him, the rabbit was always beautiful to the boy; the boy needed him. And that was all that mattered to the rabbit. Nursery magic had made him Real to the boy. And when you are Real, shabbiness doesn’t matter.

But it is also the story of an abandoned rabbit, forgotten and sad. And through the enchantment of the nursery magic fairy, he later became REAL to everyone.

If you have the opportunity to read this wonderful story – by all means do so! I was an adult the first time I read the story and I fell in love with it!

Best Friends Card Inspiration - The Pink Bunny & The Velveteen Rabbit

Another popular challenge theme this week was Animals. Here to represent the Animal Kingdom – and The Velveteen Rabbit – is the Mama Reta Bunny! This sweet pink bunny was a gift from me to my beloved grandmother many moons ago. Her favorite color was pink and she had an innocent, childlike quality about her all of her life. She was a huge influence on my life and my best friend when she was alive. Guess who the two bunnies on the card represent?

I am always inspired by the beautiful, diverse creations that each blog’s Design Team creates each week, and one Design Team that particularly spoke to my heart this week with their gorgeous creations were the gals at The Shabby Tearoom! Be sure to visit them and all of the other amazing challenge blogs at the end of this post!

This week I am reflecting on life and loss. I quietly turned another year older while mourning the loss of my sister-in-law. This year I am reminded of how fragile and precious life is, and how short the time we have with one another is. Bless one another with your presence and have a wonderful week!

P.S. My Simply Irresistible Cat and Friends awaits your visit at this week’s Wordless Wednesday Party!

Magellan -Simply Irresistible

Creative Art Challenges

Looking for a place to stretch your imagination? Check out this week’s Creative Art Challenges!

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71 Responses to “Best Friends Card, Pink Bunnies & The Velveteen Rabbit”

Read below or add a comment...

  1. Melanie Backus says:

    I am so sorry for your loss and wish you well for your birthday. I grew another year older on the 7th.

    The Velveteen Bunny was always special to me. I read it every year to my second graders when I taught school. They loved it and I did too.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

    • Thanks Melanie – I hope you had a wonderful birthday too!
      How wonderful that you shared The Velveteen Rabbit with your 2nd graders when you taught.
      It is such a special book! 🙂

  2. laurian says:

    What a lovely story! I do not know this book but I will now have to find it! A very lovely creation and fits our theme perfectly! I hope you had a lovely birthday, sorry for your loss and what a shame it overshadowed your special day.

    Thanks for joining us at Dragonfly Dreams and I hope we see you again soon!

    Also thank you for your lovely comment on our challenge post!

    Hugz

    Laurian
    Owner Dragonfly Dreams

    • Thanks Laurian for hosting this wonderful challenge!
      It was truly a pleasure to discover your wonderful blog!
      I look forward to joining you for future challenges and I hope you enjoy the book!

  3. Sue Hickey says:

    Hi love your card bunnies are great .Thank you for joining in at Whoopsi Daisy and good luck xx

  4. A lovely card there. Good to hear the story behind it. Enjoy all the memories you have of your sister in law, as you mourn her death.
    Take care. God bless.
    Margaret #11

  5. Gabriele says:

    My best wishes for your birthday and I am very sorry for your loss.
    Living in Germany, I don´t know your book, I think it is a pity, it looks very cute. Your bunny creation is soooo cute!
    Cheers
    Gabriele 25

  6. Robyn Oliver says:

    Hi Joy and happy WOYWW, also happy birthday. Must say I haven’t read The Velveteen Rabbit but it is on my list now. Love your card too. Sorry about your SIL, as Darnell says Life Is Too Short – it’s precious and we need to live every moment and be happy. Cheers and have a lovely week RobynO#21

  7. Cindy says:

    Lovely story and a beautiful card!! Thanks for sharing your inspiration with us today. Happy Wednesday! Cindy WOYWW #32

  8. Judith W says:

    Ah bless super card hun love it and thanks for linking up at Fan-Tastic Tuesday this weeks hugs Judith DT

  9. Sue Pxxx says:

    Your card is a wonderful homage to your favourite book! Those little rabbits are gorgeous.

    Thank you so much for entering the Crafty Calendar Challenge this month, lots of luck to you.

    Hugs Sue Pxxx DT

  10. So sorry for your loss, it like hits you in the face and makes you realize Life is so Precious.
    Best Wishes for your Birthday, they come and go so fast as we age. Your special little card is so heart warming. I love the Velveteen Rabbit and it seems so perfect.
    Hugs to you and yours.

  11. Shoshi says:

    So sorry to hear about your sister in law. A friend of mine died of cancer on Sunday… so very sad.

    My hubby often talks about the Velveteen Rabbit – he grew up with this story and loves it! I haven’t read it, and have never heard anybody else mention it!

    Happy WOYWW,
    Shoshi #35

  12. I adore the Velveteen Rabbit! Your card is beautiful–I had to pin it. Thank you for posting all the creative opportunities! Happy WOYWW! Sandy Leigh #51

    • Thank you so much for the pin, Sandy – glad to meet another Velveteen Rabbit fan!
      Have a wonderful week and I’m happy to share the creative opportunities with you each week! 🙂

  13. Linda K. says:

    Wow what a cute card. I love animals but can’t have them in the house because Hubby is allergic to most of them. I always had a cat and dog as a kid but have to enjoy other peoples animals for now. I also love the Velveteen Rabbit and your card is wonderful. Thanks for playing along with us at Tuesday Throwdown Challenge this week.
    Linda K. DT

    • I’m so sorry you can’t have pets because of your husband’s allergies.
      You’re welcome to stop by anytime and enjoy mine vicariously!
      So glad you’ve had the pleasure of enjoying The Velveteen Rabbit too.
      Have a wonderful week!

  14. Sarah says:

    A beautiful card and lovely cute bunnies
    Thanks so much for sharing and taking part.
    Sarah xx
    Less is More

  15. Patricia H. says:

    I think any young girl would like to receive this sweet card! Love the darling bunnies and the story behind your card. Thanks for sharing your work with us at Cards in Envy!
    P.S. August is a great time for a birthday – mine is at the end of the month. 🙂 Enjoy another year!

  16. Gail Gross says:

    What cute little bunnies on your card. Thanks for joining us at H2H this week with your Velveteen Rabbit inspired card!

  17. Love your bunny card. It truly reminds me of childhood. PJ #59

  18. Carol N says:

    Hope you have a great birthday celebration. It’s so hard when one loses a member of the family, my mom passed away 2 months ago. The card is so cute! I’ve never read that book so may have to! Happy WOYWW!
    Carol N #52

  19. Ina says:

    What a cute card! Thaks for joining us at The Crazy Challenge!
    Hugs,
    Ina /DT

  20. Debbie/Daqa says:

    The part about the loss of your sister in law is the part that made me a bit sad, especially the post of yesterday and that picture of that child and her doll. It just breaks my heart, especially when it involves children.
    I’ll look for the story in Dutch, maybe I can read it to my neece of 12 who has been hospitalized after a car accident.
    Now on to happier thoughts as I’m getting teary a bit about it all again.
    I like the part of the card, and the reason why you made it – I always love to read the motivation or about the mental process when making something, it gives the project another dimension to me. I don’t think I know the story of the rabbit (I’m Dutch), but it does sound interesting. Congratulations on your birthday! In my opinion, in hard times it’s even more important to celebrate the good in life and to fully enjoy enjoyable things.

    Cute cat you’ve got 🙂

    Debbie/Daqa #18

    • Thank you, Debbie, for the birthday wishes, and I’m sorry I made you sad.
      I hope you are able to find The Velveteen Rabbit in Dutch.
      This is a classic story so there is a good chance you will be successful! 🙂

      • Debbie/Daqa says:

        Don’t worry, it’s part of life unfortunately, and plenty of things that make me happy! Late in the evening I am sadder then other times of the day, as I reflect on things and it’s quiet in the house, and I’m tired because of lack of sleep ;). In the morning all is well again!

  21. Roger Green says:

    Wow- 1) that you can do so many memes at the same time. Impressive.

    And 2) I LOVE the Velveteen Rabbit!

    ROG, ABCW

  22. What a beautiful card! I was sorry to hear again about your loss. I must admit that “Pat the Bunny” ranks slightly higher for me than the Velveteen Bunny. 🙂 Thanks for playing along with the H2H challenge this week.

    • Hi Adeline,

      I am not familiar with “Pat The Bunny” but you have piqued my interest – I will have to check it out!
      Speaking of bunny books – a few other favorites include The Runaway Bunny and Watership Down! 🙂

  23. LisaM says:

    Super cute card! Loving those bunnies. Thanks for joining us at Cards In Envy!

  24. Ellie says:

    Such a sweet card! I love those cute bunnies and wonderful card design. Thank you so much for playing along with us this month in our anything goes challenge. Hope we see you again next time!

  25. Ellie says:

    Ooops, forgot to say I visited you from the Penny Black and More challenge, thanks again for sharing your wonderful creation with us!

  26. Sandy says:

    Cute, cute card! Love all the layers and the bunnies! Thanks for sharing with us at Cards in Envy!

  27. Allie says:

    Joy, I too am a Velveteen Rabbit fan, what a beautiful choice of book. I love how you included the story and an excerpt from the book in your post. Your soft card is enchanting. Thank you for linking up with us at H2H this week 🙂

  28. Kelly says:

    The Velveteen Rabbit is a classic. I love those bunny items you used. They almost look like wood. Very nice. Creative Blessings! Kelly #62

  29. My husband says it is another orbit around the sun instead of another birthday so congrats on another round! Sorry to hear about your SIL.. It is hard to lose a loved one! I love the rabbits! My daughter is a velveteen rabbit fiend! Vickie #64

  30. Brandi R says:

    Your card is very pretty, I really love those bunnies. Sorry for your loss. Thanks for playing along with H2H!

  31. Michelle says:

    The Velveteen Rabbit is an all time favorite.
    I remember reading it to my boys when they were younger.

    I have been a bit creative this week and brightened up my blog.
    Wasn’t sure how I liked it, at first.
    But, it’s growing on me.

    Have a great weekend!!

  32. Lynn says:

    Wonderful project…TF joining us @ CIO hope you stop by again real soon.

  33. Awww, what a sweet card!!!…and such a classic story. I just love the Velvateen Rabbit…May have to scrap lift this one. Thanks for joining us this week at Hiding In My Craft Room for our “use ribbon” challenge. Hope you join us again this coming week.

    Kathy HIMCR DT
    UpintheNightwithKat.blogspot.com

  34. Hi Create with Joy,
    I feel like I just received a big hug after reading your post and the encouraging words on your banner. Thank you! I shall.
    🙂
    Take 25 to Hollister

  35. bj says:

    So so cute. Love it.

  36. Such a cute card, love the colours. Thanks for sharing it with us over at The Squirrel and The Fox.

  37. Annette says:

    Lovely Card ~ so cute.
    Thank you for entering our current challenge over here at SBC and good luck.
    Annette

  38. Kori says:

    The Velveteen Rabbit is a classic story and one that every child should be exposed to at some point. And even some adults, for the reminders within. I admire your creativity, that card is absolutely precious!

    Here via the SITS Sharefest. 🙂

  39. stampersuzz says:

    Love the Veleveteen Rabbit and love that your card is inspired by it. Beautiful card. Thanks for playing along with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge!

  40. Ellis says:

    Lovely card you made inspired by your favorite book! =)
    Thanks for joining us at Dragonfly Dreams!
    Hugs, Elenor DT

  41. Laura W says:

    Adorable, I just love the bunnies! Thanks for joining the Clear it out ‘anything goes’ challenge. See you Tuesday for a new challenge 🙂

  42. chanya13 says:

    Beautiful card, wonderful colour combo. Thanks for joining us at Clear It Out!!! I hope you get to join us again for our next challenge. Agnieszka

  43. Leanne says:

    Adorable card!
    Mahalo for joining our Aloha Friday Challenge #30 at Kitty Bee Designs

  44. Anne says:

    I love the Velvteeen Rabbit! Such a precious read! Your photos are lovely and I am glad I stopped by. HPS and enjoy the weekend. Hugs, Anne

  45. Thanks for joining us at the Corrosive Challenge for our B Unique challenge. Your card using bunnies, blossoms, and bling is perfect for the challenge. Good luck and please join us again soon!

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