PAPERLICIOUS

A Special Sympathy Card

Decades ago I was truly blessed to meet Meg, a nurse/angel with the most wonderful British accent, who saved my life. Anyone who has ever suffered from clinical depression knows what a painful, difficult illness it is and Meg was there in ways that were transformational for me.  I owe my life to her.  More about that another time. 

I got a card from Meg earlier this week, letting me know that her husband of 50 years died last month.  She would be pleased if I could make it to the memorial service today.  Nothing would have kept me away.  And so I was there today for the most beautiful service.  What an amazing man.  I only met Meg's husband once -- at my wedding. Meg came to help me celebrate that day and brought her dear dear husband.  Died too young but lived more in his 73 years than most.

Meg is an artist, a watercolorist. So I was a bit nervous about making a card for her. But, I had to give it a try. This was the 4th attempt, but finally I was pleased. I hope she likes it.

And here's a closeup of the white silk ribbon that I soaked in Black Soot Distress ink stained water and then colored with some Copics in a random pattern.  

MOOD WHEN DONE = bittersweet

Polka Dot Hello

This card combines two of my favorite things  -- polka dots and a color gradient.  

 

Card Construction Details:

1.  Stamped the polka dot stamp (love the larger dots) from Waltzingmouse Off Beat Backgrounds repeatedly on the same strip of white cardstock.  I was careful to clean off the stamp completely before stamping again, but I started with the yellow and moved towards the darker inks.

2.  Trimmed the stamped strip and adhered to an A2 white card.

3.  Stamped sentiment.

MOOD WHEN DONE:  cheerful

Supplies:

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Off Beat Backgrounds; sentiment by Stampendous
Cardstock:  Papertrey Ink White
Inks:  Assorted Memento
Other:  adhesive

thanks thanks thanks

One stamp + one layer white cardstock + 3 inks (pink, purple, blue) + one corner rounder = a fast, fun card.  Briefly glanced at some embellishments and decided to leave well enough alone...

It took longer to photograph the card than to make it. 

Stamp is Stampendous Posie Greetings (snagged it at Archivers at Mall of America last weekend). 

Enjoy!

Sweet Smile

These sweet suckers remind me of going to church carnivals as a child and getting those lollipops that make one huge sticky mess!  After 5 minutes, I'd be looking for a trash can.  Oh, and cotton candy. And don't get me going on fried dough with Italian tomato sauce...now those didn't get tossed.  New Haven had its moments...

Speaking of childhood, last year I read this book for folks who struggle with depression.  Yes, me.  (And millions of others.)

Anyway, one of the ideas I got from this book was to smile (is this lame sounding or what?).  I started smiling on my way into the office (literally as I walk through the metal detector).  I started smiling and chit chatting with the guards, wishing them a good day.  It has paid off 10 fold for me.  I feel my own mood lifting when I can make someone smile.  As soon as I walk in the door, the guard I see on most mornings breaks out into a big smile.  We both talk about the injustice of having to work for a living, laugh a bit, and then get on with our day. 

I had a lot of fun making this 4.25" square card.  The lollipops are from Stampendous and the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.  The polka dot paper is from Stampin Up, although I colored in a few white dots with markers -- am I an artiste or what??  The background color is Real Red,although it is hard to see in this picture as I am the world's worst photographer.

I colored the lollipops with Red, Yellow and Orange SU markers, blending with the yellow marker and some Crystal Stickles.  The polka dot paper is popped up on dimensionals, as is the sentiment. 

I hope you find something to smile about!

I Do

Mike:  "ooh, I like this."
Me:  "Really?"  [always a dumb question]
Mike:  "Well, I like the colors.  I like bright colors."
Me:  "What don't you like?"
Mike:  Gesturing towards the pinwheel -- "It's kind of empty up there."
Me:  "It's all going in the blog..."

So, I added an Amuse twinkle in the center of the pinwheel and cut the bottom of the card. 

Supplies:  Stampin Up Orchid Opulence (still using it up) and White cardstock; Stampendous image and sentiment; very old Close To My Heart Gingham background; my Mom's pinking sheers for sewing (don't tell her I'm cutting paper with them!); SU markers and a Copic marker to color the SU Old Olive eyelet so it would kinda match the pinwheeel.

Since I haven't had an original idea in years, I must give a shout out to Julie Ebersole for the idea of stamping the pinwheel a few times to show motion....

For more of my life, click.  Some of you may not like what's beyond the click, but that's ok....