When you see someone you admire make something you admire don't you just want to make it too? I do. That is what happened to me one day while reading my favorite Lori's blog elviestudio. She created a watercolor journal that spoke to me. I don't even watercolor...well not successfully. But I just knew I had to make that journal. I thought it might be wonderful for gifts to other creative souls I know. If you click on Lori's blog link it will take you directly to her excellent tutorial. Thank you very much Lori Dear.
For my birthday I received a wonderful surprise package from another of my favorite blog friends. She actually followed my blog so well that she knew my favorite color is blue, flower is hydrangea, and so on. Let's just call her Kathy and say that she also hand carved a hydrangea stamp for me. I was overwhelmed.
This year I knew what I would do for her birthday and I was able to surprise her as she surprised me.
Here is the journal on the left. It is simple and full of pages and folds. I added a band around the journal that uses some of the blue washi tape Kathy had given me. Then I made a panel card for the front of the journal that is removable. I used my hydrangea stamp and blue stamp pad. Added some Inktense watercolor pencil and smudged it all with my water brush. Hmmm...I like the result. A little more washi tape to tie the two together and I stamped FRIEND.
Here is the finished journal with card slipped inside the band. I included some watercolor pencils with the journal. I know she liked this as I have already gotten her thank you. Happy Birthday Kathy.
Isn't it fun and wonderful to be able to make and give gifts tailored to the recipient? From the heart!
Happy Birthday to lots of January blog friends...Daniella, Robbie, Kathy, Judy. I will surprise you one of these years. Happy Birthday to my sisters Renee and Wendy also. It is fun to share such happiness.
Today it is sunny and 63 and gloriously warm. Mr. C and I took a nice walk in shirtsleeves. By this weather it must be Spring instead of the middle of January. We are continuing to do our rain dancing as we are dry and desperate for water.
I'm off to make more pillowcases. After all I have fabric and thread and there is lots of need.
May you be doing what makes your soul sing...
Let's just say that Your friend kathy is overwhelmed ALL over again. You, my friend, are more creative than i can even dream... Thank you. Thank you. Love, me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely combo of colour and stamps and giftings!
ReplyDeleteTalk about a gift from the heart.....this would be it! A quite thoughtful gift of your time and talent.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great gift for your friend! I love how you used her gifts to create it too. Thank you for sharing the link from elviestudio.
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely gift for your friend and a lovely gift from her to you, I am sure the tamp will be put to lots of use. Water colour journal sounds interesting I am hopeless with a paintbrush! both on paper and also when it comes to decorating
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous and a true gift from the heart! xo
ReplyDeleteYou did a wonderful job! This is a true gift of friendship.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful gift you created! I have been seeing news reports of how very dry you are there.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned watercolor pencils, I bought some for Christmas and have not played with them yet, you have given me some inspiration.
xo
Deb
It's a beautiful journal and you are a wonderful friend to make such a heartfelt gift.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Sherrie, I love the soft blue, I am sure your sweet friend will too. Love how you are talented in so many different mediums, nothing seems to daunt you! Hope you get some rain soon. ~Diane
ReplyDeleteYou are just so darn creative. It's beautiful. I'm doing the rain dance too, sure hope it works soon.
ReplyDeleteKathy is a lucky lady to receive your beautiful heart-felt gifts!
ReplyDeleteHere's to more rain, and lots of happy creative time!
Sherry, this is just wonderful - you make gifts that make people's heart's sing, and make your sing whilst you are doing it...your hydrangea is beautiful - I would say you nailed it!
ReplyDeleteI am also drawn to watercolour painting but have not had much success - I keep trying though!
Beautiful Blues, is what I think of for this post...
Such a gorgeous, thoughtful gift Sherry. Hope you have a lovely weekend x
ReplyDeleteA beautiful gift in return for the one you recieved ... so lovely with your hydrangeas and the washi tape ,dear Sherry.
ReplyDeleteYou walking in shirt sleeves..I`m in heavy coat and hat in the snow, here !! So different from one corner od the world, to the other!! Weekend hugs from Dorthe
What a pretty and thoughtful gift!! I think you did fabulous on your water coloring...a true friend you are...I read where she LOVED it!!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is absolutely gorgeous!! What a beautiful gift this is!! The watercoloring looks amazing!! Have a great weekend :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
How lovely!!!have to tell you I lost my angel plug for my phone & was so upset,,BUT. Someone turned it in & I picked it up today!!!! I felt lost without my angel!!! Had to tell you!
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry, I just love your watercolor card. I know Kathy is loving this beauty from the heart. You are so creative and talented and give inspiration in all you do. Everything you touch turns to gold!!.
ReplyDeleteLove the blue.
Have a great weekend and I hope you get some rain soon.
Hugs
Sherry, what a gorgeous card and Kathys too!! How lucky you are to have such a great friend. I have never tried washi tape!! I know I am the last person in the world not to. 63 degrees and you are out in shirt sleeves.....We call that freezing in Orlando...It's all relative lol! I am joing in a rain dance...Hope it pours soon!
ReplyDeleteCarol
Isn't it nice to be able to send a hand crafted gift to someone knowing exactly what their colours and tastes are. This is truly a gift from the heart as were Kathy's gifts to you especially the hand carved stamp. hugs Mrs A.
ReplyDeletep.s. The Doc has just worked out that you are about 20 degrees warmer than we are here in UK!
ReplyDeleteHugs Mrs A.
What a lovely, thoughtful gift. I don't watercolor either, but I keep buying supplies for it. Like you, I see others who do such wonderful art journals and I so want to do that, too. Unfortunately, I seem unable to stick with any one thing for very long. I'm already way behind on the daily journal I started for this year. :( Best wishes,Tammy
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