saf2016: share your masterpiece

 

If I’m posting on my blog, it must be time for either Papertrey Ink’s anniversary celebration or Stamp-a-faire.  Since the weather is disgustingly hot and humid, it could only be Stamp-a-faire, a wonderful free online stamping event. To open the festivities, Nichole asked us to share THE PROJECT that we are most proud of, our masterpiece.

I looked through my photo file, remembered different projects, and thought about the why behind those projects I was considering. Should I pick that card because it was the prettiest? or that one because it was made to encourage my daughter as she worked on her last college film? or my first gratitude journal because of memories of blessings that it holds inside? or the “I Believe” mini-album that each of the girls in my Sunday School made because of the faith captured? After much deliberation, I decided to share a simple card. It is not in any way a masterpiece nor is it close to my usual style… unless I’m making a card for a guy.

Why this card? To understand, you’d have to know the way I approach card making. Usually when I make a card, I start with someone else’s card that I use as inspiration. I definitely try to make it my own, but it is rare that I look at a stamp or die and an idea for a card immediately comes to mind. That doesn’t bother me because I consider myself a crafter rather than an artist and I approach this hobby the way I would cross stitching or crocheting – with a starting pattern. To me, the inspirational card is similar to a stitching pattern, which I make my own with color, patterned paper and/or the actual stamps I own.

This card is my exception. When I saw the stamp set in Studio Calico’s Blue Note card kit, released in December 2013, I immediately knew that I wanted to use the stripes and stars stamps for a Fourth of July card. I even pictured it in my head! When I sat down to make my cards in June of the next year, I was so excited with how it turned out. The card was super simple, but with the layers of color that I love. To me it was perfect for an Independence Day card, but the best part was that it was all me from start to finish. And that is why this card is my masterpiece.

 

When I stopped by the PTI forum, there were a number of people whose plans for playing along were disrupted. Unfortunately, I’ve fallen into that group. My daughter has pneumonia so I’ve been playing nursemaid this past week, but still had hopes to sneak in a card. Last night, though, I got sick and spent the night curled in a ball with stomach pain. I’ve straightened out enough to be able to type this very wordy post and am determined to make a card on Monday. Such is life.

I hope you are enjoying your Stamp-a-faire experience.

nancy

PS - My daughter has joined the human race once again. The medicines and rest are working.

supplies:

stamps:  Let Freedom Ring (PTI); Blue Note card kit (Studio Calico)

ink:  pure poppy and enchanted evening (PTI)

paper:  white, pure poppy and enchanted evening card stock (PTI)

dies:  Super Star border (PTI)