New Project - Sympathy Card

Ah, so today was the funeral.  I've been wracking my brain as to what I can do for my friend and I ended up making my macaroni & cheese and a gorgeous tossed salad.   I should've kept a photo of that because it was truly beautiful.  I dropped that off to her the other night, along with a note (on the back of a Michael's coupon - it was the only note paper in my purse!) to let her know that if she needed anything that all she had to do was call.  That was bothering me too.  Why didn't I know what she needed?  Why couldn't I just figure it out and do it? 

Last night I made her a sympathy card.  I did some research on line and looked up sympathy sentiments.  Then I headed over to the Fiskateer website gallery and looked for some inspiration, then set down to work.  I started with basic dark brown cardstock cut to 6" x 8" and folded it on the 4" line.  I was looking for muted colors, but pretty, and I ended up using this pad of papers by Colorbok that I picked up last fall.  I loved the colors in it but I haven't used it yet.  The description on the back of the pad says Earth Tone, but it's mainly blues and browns - both colors that are calming and subdued enough for a sympathy card.

I cut a 4" x 6" piece of blue glittered, flower patterned paper for the front and then just blue scroll for the inside.  I used polka dot brown paper to cap the fold and I used a Martha Stewart border punch to give it a little class.  I printed the sentiments I found on a stone look piece of cardstock so that it would pop on the card.  I used the Heritage Cricut cartridge to do the frame on the front of the card and the George cartridge for the inside.  The front frame ends had to be cut off so it would fit on the card but it worked out pretty well.  Last but not least I added Heidi Grace Designs flowers to the front.  They're brads but I ended up gluing them on with Aileene's Tacky Glue because I didn't want to punch them through.

On the back I added some scroll work from the Heritage cartridge with a piece of cardstock stating that it was me that made the card.

That said and done I gave my friend the card today.  I hope she likes it. She couldn't look at it there because she was trying to stay composed.  She's lost her mother.  But I'll be making another card for her soon, as her birthday is Sunday and she'll be celebrating that as well as Mother's Day with her own children.  I'm sure it will be a bittersweet day for her and I hope my card helps her along.

As for not knowing what to do - I spoke with her husband before I left and he told me.  Just be there.  Make the phone call.  Stop by unannounced.  Make plans and then tell her she'll be there.  Make her included now more than ever. 

This I will do.

So cyber friends - as always your comments are greatly appreciated.  I hope you like my card and if you do please let me know!

Be well!

Post Hop Drop Down

So it's the day after the weekend long hop and we're back again to no comments.  That's ok because I feel like writing and sharing.  I worked on a birthday card for my mom last night - her birthday is today and I couldn't post it last night just in case she took a look at my blog.  It was highly unlikely but I didn't want to ruin the element of surprise. 

I knew I wanted a flower on my card but I wasn't sure of the design so I went back to the hop and looked at http://polkacabana.wordpress.com/author/polkacabana/ because I had seen a lovely ladybug card that I kind of wanted to copy.  I didn't but I tried to tie in part of what she did.  If you haven't been to Jeannie's site go check it out - she's awesome!

The Project:
The paper is Colorbok and the flower is random cardstock that I wet down and molded.  I popped a nice pearl in the middle to add some class.  I brushed it with a dark blue stamp pad along the edges for depth. 
Here's what I came up with:

I also downloaded some great fonts from http://www.clubcreatingkeepsakes.com/ and used the CK Andie font.  I thought it looked really cool.  I also stamped it with this cute little hummingbird stamp that I picked up at Joann's for a song.  I hardly stamp - I just can't get into it.  My boyfriend picked up a bunch of them at a yard sale last year for me.  Not sure I'm going to keep them.  They may become a RAK in the future when I get my new craft area.

Well, I hope you enjoy the card.  I had a really good time making it and my mom liked it so I guess I did good.

On a different note, I took my seedlings outside today for a little while to weather them.  Here you can see the way I transported them back into the house - on a silver platter!  Nothings too good for my future food!

Art Journal Part 1

   My Fiskateer friends are at it again! Cheryl, one of the fabulous Fiskateer leads, has posted an idea that she wanted to share with the rest of us.  It was to create an art journal, and although I don't know what it's all about yet, I decided to try it.

 Tonight I created the cover.  I used a blank 7gypsies book and covered the front with pretty pink card stock.  I love pink! It's my favorite color this year! I bordered the cover on one side with a border punchout by Colorbok, Nocturne collection. I really like the black on pink, and yes, I know it's very 80's, but those were my years! 

(Did I tell you I love listening to 80's and 90's music while I create?)

   I used the limited edition Fiskars Flower punch to create my own embellishment that just pops out at the bottom of the cover.  I punched out three different colored flowers, secured them together with a purple Colorbok brad, bent the flowers up and glued it to the book with Aleene's tacky glue.  That's the first glue that I've used that holds like, well, glue.  LOL!

   Last but not least I wanted my journal's title to stand out.  I wrote on black paper with my white Galaxy marker, cut out each word, traced the edge with the same marker, and glued it to the front.  I'm really pleased with the way it looks!  I can't wait for the next step!