Yoga, Books and Baseball

Just a few weeks after Polly celebrated her 60th birthday, her husband reached the milestone of 70. She wanted to give him one of my cards too, one that brought together all the things he loves.
The themes she requested were yoga, baseball (especially the Mets), and piles of books. The books had to reflect his wonderfully varied interests: genocide, the Hebrew Bible (Tanach), and sports statistics. Quite the eclectic reading list! 

Polly sent me some photos of her husband Marc to use as reference. I asked whether I should show him wearing the hat that appeared in every photo, to which she replied, "Yes!" Apparently, he bought it in Australia and wears it all the time.

My card shows Marc wearing his favourite Australian bush hat and sitting cross-legged in the Lotus Pose (Padmasana), the most famous yoga position. It is a traditional meditation posture where each foot is placed on the opposite thigh, with the soles facing upwards. One hand is shown in the chin mudra yogic hand gesture, which is believed to instil wisdom, improve concentration, calm the nervous system, and lift dull energy. The gesture is formed by touching the tip of the thumb to the tip of the index finger to create a circle, while keeping the remaining three fingers extended.
In Marc's other hand, he is holding a pile of books titled with the subjects requested by his wife. I added the Mets logo to the card, along with a big orange number 70 to mark his milestone birthday.
Polly told me that Marc loved his card. "Thank you Lisa for yet another amazing card!" she wrote.

* This post has been shared on Happiness is Homemade, Mosaic Monday, Monday Morning Blog Club, Busy Monday, Talking About It Tuesdays, The Happy Now Blog Link-Up, Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop, Thursday Favorite Things, Funtastic Friday, BFF Open House and Crazy Little Lovebirds.

Ma'ayan, Ella and Galia

Ma'ayan was turning 18. In the past I have made her netball themed cards. This year mum asked for one with a makeup theme. She wanted me to create a card with lipstick, eyeshadows and brushes on it. I was also to add the badge of Ma'ayan's mechina (pre-army programme) and the insignia of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), since she will be enlisting soon.

I have shown Ma'ayan with some makeup brushes in her hand. She is surrounded by various eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks and brushes. Mum said that she's not a fan of pink, so I steered away from that colour and added browns and blues instead. A big number 18 marks her age.

Mum told me that she loved the card.

Ella was turning 20. Last year I showed her in her olive green army uniform. She is still a soldier but when she's home she is into keeping fit. Every day Ella does one hour of exercise, dancing in front of the TV to the Fitness Marshall, a channel founded by Los Angeles-based fitness star Caleb Marshall. His videos have garnered over 2.5 million subscribers!

Mum sent me various photos of Ella in action. I copied her exercise clothes, even down to the trainers. The TV on the wall shows the Fitness Marshall team in action. A big number 20 marks Ella's age.

Galia receives of one of my cards every birthday. Last year her new puppy featured on her card. This year mum asked for a card with a yoga theme. I have shown brown-haired Galia in a yoga pose. I kept the background simple but added a lotus flower which, to a yogi, symbolises the expansion of the soul and spiritual awakening.
Mum was delighted with it. "The card is fantastic. Absolutely love it. You are so talented." she wrote to me.

* This post has been shared on Little Things Thursday, Creative Compulsions Linky Party, Creatively Crafty, Thursday Favorite Things, Craft Schooling Sunday, All Seasons and Creative Crafts Linky Party.