papertrey january blog hop

Rather than explain this month’s PTI blog hop theme, I decided to rely on the expression that a picture is worth a thousand words. Here’s the picture:

Because I am in the midst of organizing and purging my paper crafting supplies, I didn’t think I’d be able to participate in the blog hop. I desperately needed a break from making difficult decisions, such as “should I keep this paper that I haven’t used in over a year or should I put it in the purge pile,” and decided to make a card. I think you’ll appreciate the irony, though. The paper that I used for this card… it came from the purge pile!

The card was inspired by this Melissa Phillips card (last in the post), the above photo collage, and an Emma’s Shoppe brad that I came across while sorting supplies.

My daughter is working on a documentary about pregnancy and has asked me to make some baby cards. One of the mom’s is expected to have her baby girl early next week, so I thought I’d go traditional with this very pink card. And it felt so very good to be using my supplies rather than just sorting them.

For a list of all the pretty pink projects, click on over to Nichole’s blog. Thanks for stopping by.

nancy

supplies:

paper:  white c/s (PTI); dots vellum (Paper Studio); silver POW! glitter paper (American Crafts); patterned paper from my purge pile

stamps: Purls of Wisdom and Simple Valentine (PTI)

ink and embossing powder:  VersaMark; silver glitter, rose and white Zing! (American Crafts)

dies:  LL: 2¼” ovals, seed packet, cover plate: hexagon and tag sale #3 (PTI)

extras:  Emma’s Shoppe brad (Crate Paper); crinkle ribbon (stash); wood veneer (Studio Calico)

joy

While making Thanksgiving cards, thoughts about the upcoming holidays kept popping up. One thing led to another and an idea for an Advent card came to mind beginning from a glassine bag by Melissa Phillips that had stayed with me.

The card is going to my two young great-nieces who love the colors purple and pink, which works out perfectly for an Advent card. I planned on sending it to them the third week of Advent so that I could use the word “joy” on it. The die cut is glittered using Heather’s MIM#141, applying glitter via heat embossing. After several attempts at different variations, I ended up mixing fine glitter into clear embossing powder and heating that. It required extra heat to melt, so the paper did get scorched. I’m sure that Ayla and Zoe won’t notice.

I don’t like to push my beliefs on others, but, since this is an Advent card, it really needed a verse or prayer that had something to do with Advent. (My niece and her family are the same religion as I, so I wasn’t concerned with insulting them in any way.) The prayer that I had on hand was too advanced for my great-nieces, so the Internet came to the rescue. I found a song, sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, that hit just the note I wanted.

So often cards do not turn out the way I imagine, but this surpassed my imagination. It shares a message of faith while being fun and girly. Even better, when I showed the card to my daughter, she started crying. No, I am not a horrible mother. It was the reason for her tears that touched me. Brianna immediately thought of my mom when looking at the card and shared, “Grandmère would have loved this card. It would have brought a smile to her face.” And that is one of the reasons why I make cards.

nancy

blessed

Last week’s Make It Monday was the starting point for a card for my DRE. This week’s influenced the design of a card for a fellow fifth grade catechist and her husband. A mood board from Studio Calico’s LOAW picked the colors for me.

 

Pam and Kevin allowed me to vent after my challenging class last Sunday. More than that, they offered me sound advice and pushed me to move forward rather than giving the situation just one more week. I often need that nudge.

One of the things that I enjoy about card making is the ability to put a piece of my heart into the process. I like to think about the recipient of the card while choosing colors or sentiments or even while taping down a strip of paper. Cards seem to be my version of a prayer shawl.

I always like to add a little something to the inside of the card, even if it is a strip of washi tape. On this card, the dotted paper used on the front added a pleasing softness inside, so I went with it. And those little pumpkins are just cute.

Enjoy your weekend.

nancy