April 8, 2011

persevere


My daughter, Brianna, is a video arts major. In addition to her films, she also creates art installations. Brianna decided that it would be beneficial to take woodshop this semester. The first project for the class was a mallet and, during its construction, Brianna discovered that she is too small to easily use the equipment. She is 5’2” and has to stand on tiptoe to work the saw, and her hands cannot make it around the tools. Each time she leaves the shop, I get a call from her telling me what a challenge the class is. I hear about her bruises from the saw kickback and drawing blood with a chisel, but she is determined to learn the equipment and techniques and finish her projects.


This card was sent to Brianna to remind her to persevere with her woodworking. I used material symbolic of a woodshop and Brianna’s latest project. (She has completed her mallet.) There are wood grain alphas, burlap, corrugated cardboard and cork for the woodshop side. The pink and blue items represent Brianna’s latest project, fairy furniture.


I found a great quote by Thomas Foxwell Buxton on perseverance that I included inside the card:  With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable.

nancy

supplies:
paper:  kraft c/s (PTI); tutu dot (BoBunny); Let It Snow! collection (K&Company); corrugated cardboard (PTI packaging)
stamps:  Tim Holtz Paisley Prints (Stamper’s Anonymous)
paint:  Snow White acrylic paint (DecoArt)
dies:  Labels 14 (Spellbinders)
extras:  burlap (Jo-Ann’s); cork (Quartet); woodgrain alpha (K&Company); baby pink candy dots (Pebbles Inc.); floss #4180 and 4230 (DMC)

8 comments:

Jocelyn Olson said...

What a sweet card--it made me smile ear to ear! I loved reading the backstory. All of the details on this card are fabulous!

Linda Nicholson said...

What an awesome story behind this card! I sure hope that she appreciates the thought that went into it and is inspired by its message! Love the mixture of girly combined with the more rugged elements.


Linda

Marybeth said...

This is perfect for your daughter, what agreat idea. I love the quote too , Nancy. Have a good weekend.

Tricia said...

I really like all the texture on this card.

Chris said...

What a great story and way a wonderful thing to do and send to your daughter. You are a very thoughtful mom!

Monika Wright | I Love It All said...

I imagine that Brianna will display this in her room and grin each time she looks at it as she heads out to class. One day, she'll look back on this class as one of her favorites, at least I think so. It's good to step out of our comfort zones and challenge ourselves.

Your card is so lovely! : D

lam said...

So fun to have the story behind this card. I love all the texture

Jessie said...

What a great idea! I hope your daughter loves it! I totally understand the height thing when using certain things, i am 5'2" too.