Wrapping Paper Cards...

Last year for my birthday my sister, Marie, gave me several gifts and each of them were wrapped in doll themed paper.  She knows how I love dolls.  One of the wrapping papers had wonderful vintage dolls on it and she told me the story of the paper. 
You see, Marie is the most giving and kind hearted soul.  She cleans houses for elderly folks and also spends lots of time just listening to them and being a comfort.  One of her ladies knew that Marie was meeting me for my birthday (this was last August) and that I love dolls.  That sweet lady who doesn't even know me told Marie that she had some wrapping paper and went to get it.  It was a roll of vintage wrapping paper with these amazing dolls all over it.  How very thoughtful. 
So when I met Marie for our get together and she told me the story I decided that I would make some cards with the paper.  I made two sets...one for Marie and one for the lady who gave her the paper.  I made each card different and sometimes added lace or paper doilies.  I lined each envelope with pretty paper.  Then I tied the sets with ribbon and gave them to Marie for herself and to pass along to her client. 
This is such an easy way to use paper that would otherwise be thrown out.  I like to crumple the paper and give it a real worn look with all the wrinkles and character. Wrapping paper works really well because it is lightweight and easy to work with.  You can tear around the image for one look or cut around it for another version.  If tearing...remember the paper torn off away from you will leave a clean edge and the paper torn off towards you will leave a white edge.  That can also be part of the look for the finished cards. Try using tissue paper on cardstock.  You can either buy blank cards and envelopes or you can cut card stock and use that for the cards.  Envelopes are fun and easy to make from templates or just buy blank envelopes at the supply store. 
Hmmm...gifts for birthdays, holidays or next Christmas.   Make a few sets here and there and put them into that gift cupboard for just the right occassion. 
P.S.  It is always extra nice to stamp handmade on the backs of the cards.  I don't date them from experience of misplacing them and finding them years later...not good to give an old dated card set that has no vintage value. 
Do you make and give handmade cards?  Do you premake cards and keep a supply on hand for all those occassions that pop up at the last minute? 
Now I should do as I say and play in the studio making some card sets.
Joyful January 2012 to everyone...

Off to the Studio...

 Is this my studio?  Did I leave it in this condition?  I know I have been busy but who made this mess and where is my worktable surface?  Let me walk around to the other side...

 Well this is quite the crowded space.  Where ever shall I work?

Oh here is a small spot I can work in.  I need to wrap some gifts for mailing.  Wow...this table is over 4 feet by 8 feet large and here I am trying to work in about a 1 foot space.  Elves?  No, I see nothing accomplished by elves.  Well, let me work on another project that I might have enough space for...

Printing some business cards for an upcoming boutique sale.  I punched each card with a heart and tied some red ribbon so each card is uniquely mine and maybe the person taking it will remember me and need some gifts in the future. 
Maybe I should tackle the studio worktable and put things away and clear a larger space in which to work.  Hmmm...maybe later as I have much more pressing things on my list to work on and complete.  There is something about horizontal surfaces and me.  They never stay empty.  I always manage to fill them up and pile too much stuff on them.  Hmmm...maybe I will work on this in 2012.
Right now I am so thankful for having my spaces and being able to create gifts.  I am thankful for my family and I am thankful for each of you...my blogging friends. 
Please take time to enjoy the moments and the joys of all we have during this busy season. 

Squeezing Summer Sunshine Cards...

 I recently went into the studio with nothing in mind and this is what was created.  I took some fabric given to me by Sherry of http://sherrysimpleblog.blogspot.com/ and some card and envelope stock and began cutting, gluing, stamping and adding buttons and lace.
Our weather this summer has been so perfect that I just wanted to "squeeze every drop of summer sunshine" possible. 

I made seven sets and then mailed them out to some of my followers as a surprise.  I put the card and envelope into a larger envelope so they were receiving an unused card that they can either send along to someone else or put in their handmade stash of goodies.
I had fun and love spending time in my studio.  It is always extra nice when I have no preset notion and then the end result makes me very happy.  I smile each time I see these photos.  Of course I didn't keep one for myself.  You know how it is...make for everyone else and send them along.   At least I thought to take a photo. 
Very simple, very quick and very Summer!
Hope everyone is enjoying the remaining days of sunshine...For those of you with extreme heat I wish you cooler weather to enjoy.
In true Summer style I made potato salad for dinner tonight along with cold roasted chicken in pure picnic mode.  And of course watermelon for dessert!  What's for dinner at your house?

Lace Wrappings...

I was giving a card recently and decided the envelope was far too plain. So I wrapped it in some delicious lace and stitched the sides to hold all in place.

The back flap was now really too plain so I stitched some more lace onto it. Then as a closure I stitched a circle of lace to hold the flap closed by sliding it onto the envelope. No photo of this part but I added a name label to the front with some more lace. No more plain card envelope for this gift.

Now for the gift box. Wrapped it in gold foil paper. Then a sleeve of more delicious lace. And to mate with the card a band of lace to hold it all together.

Oh how can I stop yet? No. More lace. This time I made a lace flower complete with pin back that can be attached to the package and then removed for additional uses by the recipient.

Now you see the package completed with it paper, laces and flower. This is a gift I am proud to give.

What is your favorite style of wrapping a gift?

Happy middle of the week to all...

Happy Hearts...

Happy Hearts to everyone.

Aren't surprises just the most fun when they bring such creative joy and happiness? I certainly think so. In my mail was this super cute Birdie Valentine card and the little burlap package held closed with an adorable heart pin.

Surprise!

It held a beautiful charm domino necklace made by Sheila of Blessed and Distressed blog. I aplogize that my scan does not do justice to the glitter and beauty of this sweet little girl that Sheila made from a simple domino. Please visit her and see all that she does.

Thank you so very much Sheila. You are one of the wonderful and generous friends I have found here in blogland.

Heart Strings.

This scan definitely does not do justice to this lovely sewn string of hearts and butterflies and love that Miss Cory "Dogwood" handmade and sent to me. I adore it and its fluid movement as it hangs near my desk to inspire me. Thank you very much Dogwood of Pink Dogwood Blossoms blog. Cory and I actually live right near one another and have never met in person. We were matched up in last year's April Letter Writing challenge and have been corresponding ever since. Some day soon we shall meet especially since we both shop at the same Ben Franklin local craft supply store.

Creative Handmade Cards.

These are some Valentine cards I received from family and friends that are ever so cute and special as they are handmade. I must not scan so badly! I do cherish all of my Valentine goodies and the fact that they were created with love.

Chocolate...

Oh no lack of that. Just no photos or scans as I have eaten all of it. I did share a tiny bit with Mr. C since he likes chocolate also.

May you each celebrate this wonderful day and enjoy the love that surrounds us all.

Happy Hearts...

Five Friday Finishes...

To borrow from my blog friend Elle I am posting five finished things in a day. Please check out Elle's blog elle in da coop. I certainly will not be able to post this each day as I cannot imagine being able to get this much done everyday.
My first of five is this cute little bird that I tangled. I actually not only tangled this little bird I filled a spiral bristol book size 3.5 x 5 inches with outlined items ready to tangle. Just like this bird I took a stack of stencils I own and copied them into my little book. Now when I am out and about waiting for appointments or such I can tangle to my heart's content. Since I am not artistic to draw I am using outlines as a way to get started. And it is true, a zen type of calm comes while inking tangles.

This is a card and mailing package that I made . Super simple and very flat for mailing purposes as the cost is so expensive when there are lumps and bumps felt through an envelope (at least here at our local post office!).

This is the inside of the card and is ready for signing and mailing in a simple bubble envelope.

I also finished some laundry I had been putting off.

Finished a wonderful dinner for Mr. C. This is not my favorite way to spend my time because after all the creative part of cooking the food is gone in just a few minutes after spending hours preparing it.

I sorted my card and stencil supplies and found I have a lifetime supply. Of course I did that after I brought some card packages home from the craft store. A bonus is that I found my very old Aleene's (remember the Queen of Crafts?) box scorer that has been missing for several years. Of course Martha (Stewart) has a new one for sale for about $20 but mine is just fine and I certainly did not want to spend money on something I knew I owned!

Well by my count that is five finished things and I am so pleased. Thank you Elle for the inspiration.

I did do more things but nothing worth mentioning. Oh maybe the making of two road trip CD mixes is cool. When you make your own music CD's you can mix up the artists and put approximately 18-20 songs on each CD. That way you have all your favorite songs on one disc.

What are you finishing this Friday?

Have a wonderful and peaceful weekend. Enjoy the little things...birds singing, sunshine, the ground thawing, and being in the moment.

Warm Hugs and Sunny Smiles...

Tuesday's Creative Table...

This is my wonderful creative work table today. I feel so blessed to be able to play with my supplies.
I am using a recycled card front, some cotton fabric, pink and white papers and a sheer ribbon. Glue and my sewing machine will hold them all together.

Here is the finished card and bookmark. This photo is a little intense with the color as the actual card is much more subtle.

Super simple and super quick.

Now to package them and get them mailed to someone who can use some pink cheering up.

What are you working on in your creative space?

I also made a birthday card I forgot to photograph and I already have it sealed for mailing.

Do you recycle greeting cards? What is your favorite way to reuse them?

Please share your ideas.

Happy creating to all...

Cherry day to you...

Cherry day to you...or I should say cheery day to you.

A card I made and sent to someone just because.

The cherry paper inspired the button cherries with the ribbon stems.

A glitter butterfly just because they bring happiness.

Time spent happily creating.

I do hope it brought a smile to the face of the recipient.

I would like to say thank you to everyone who is reading my blog and commenting. I think I am seriously addicted to reading any comments I may get. I learn from them.

I also get to know you and appreciate your blogs and what you create.
I feel so very blessed to be able to make the things I enjoy, give them to family and friends, and share them with all of blogland.

Each day I think of what I might post and decide if it is something interesting or helpful or entertaining. I have varied tastes and follow lots of interesting blogs that have hugely differing venues and find I learn from each of them.

Focus? My focus is merely to enjoy life and be happy. I am energized by people and events. I am fulfilled by those who appreciate who I am and what I do. I am so grateful for the family and friends I have and enjoy so much.

What fuels your creative happiness?

Happy creating...

Snail Mail Fun...

April is National Letter and Card writing month and I am part of a great group of people who are swapping snail mail . I did seven of these cards and envelopes last evening. I have been at the local post office every day to confirm my mailings. My envelopes have been too small by as little as 1/8" and too bumpy which I admit the buttons were but flat ribbon? So some serious excess postage fees for me and my mailings but hey...I am committed and must send what I made for my swaps.
This photo also shows a page of postage stamps I purchased that are very artistic and oversized. They are the standard 44 cent and titled Abstract Expressionists. I think they are perfect for creative handmade and fun snail mail.
Now for the fun of what I have received...

Very sweet handmade card from New York.

Handmade and this photo does not do justice to the lovely squares of handmade paper.

An adorable pocket card with a very sweet tag. The colors are bright and cheery.

A fabric postcard that was hand screened and hand made.

And I love this card that shows a row of houses and a VW bug in San Francisco.

Funny thing about all my mail I have received is that where it is coming from the postage rates are very reasonable and obviously not worried about "bumps" like buttons or envelopes that are under-sized. Go figure! Maybe I should drive (yes the gas would be cheaper than the postage) to another post office to use regular postage that more than makes sense.

All in all this has been a lot of fun to receive surprise mail.

Well I must get back to my addressing and sending. I am only about 2/3 way through the list. I will admit I have been spending an outrageous amount of time with all of this mailing but I like to think of the ladies of previous days and the wonderful way they hand wrote letters in beautiful script and I think of life in simpler times. :o)

Making more cards to mail...

In my quest to honor April and Letter Writing Month I am mailing a lot of cards to a lot of people. So to keep the post office and my wallet a little happy I am trying to make my cards flatter and lighter yet still have interest and dimension. This batch of four should qualify. I have used vintage french floral wrapping paper. The feel of this paper is exquisite. To give dimension I am using some of my packing tape transfers as accents on the cards. I hope the recipients enjoy receiving these.

Then I was gathering the recycling the other day and there was a wonderful cosmetic box but it had writing and logo printed all over it which looked very tacky. So, I cut the box apart and glued some vintage gardening pages to each side. Then I shaped and punched a hole and stamped on the backside of the tag/bookmark. A little piece of ribbon and it is looking much better.

I like to think of these as finished now. I applied a packing tape transfer to the front side and did some more stamping with a subtle gold and silver floral motif. I think these will make a very fine bookmark or placeholder for someone. This was very easy and fun and saved our landfill. I have already prepared more of these for embellishing and gifting.

It only takes time and thought and not a lot of money if you use what you have to create something useful.

Enjoy your middle of the week and Happy creating...

More cards...

I would like to acknowledge Fiskars and thank them for great customer service. I began to make some cards and discovered my Seagull corner punch was broken. Somehow the metal parts had broken and fell out in pieces which meant I could not use the corner punch for making my cards. Before I threw it in the trash I took a couple of pictures and thought I would email Fiskars to let them know. I got an email response right away and they said they would send me a new one in a few days. Well today I did get my new punch and it works and I am very happy. Just when I was thinking customer service is a lost art Fiskars comes through with excellent customer service. Thank you very much Fiskars.

As for receiving cards I have done that this week. My Blog Pal Cory sent me this very creative card she made using recycled cards. It is multi layered and has lots of interest to it. She tied on a tea bag for a relaxing cup of tea. On the envelope she hand drew some little flowers to mimic the tree in the picture. Well done Cory. I like it very much thank you.

My other card I received from my Blog Pal is this one with a silk flower on the recycled cards she uses. I truly love the flower and it will be finding a new spot off of this card onto another project very soon. Cory included a package of Cosmos seeds and I shall be so happy to plant these as I love the flowers with their wonderful shades of pinks. On this envelope she drew some little cosmos flowers in the corner to carry out the theme. Very clever.

I have been busy writing and sending my April cards and goodies so it has been very busy on the desk top here in the studio. I must say I even had fun at the post office trying to mail my cards. Two envelopes were 1/8" too short so I had to bring them home and re-package them. Of course they still cost 64 cents each but 1/8"...come on! Some of my cards had "bumps" in them so that was an extra fee on top of the extra fees. I told the clerk I was trying to make them as flat and light weight as possible. A couple of the burly guys standing in line behind me suggested I take the envelopes outside and they could drive over them a few times with their big diesel truck! A good laugh was had by all except the clerk. Every single item I was trying to mail had some issue and excess expense and by now the guys in line are teasing me about maybe I used the wrong color of ink...purple. I was able to mail all except the two shorties that lacked 1/8" each envelope. Of course my wallet is now empty. Fortunately for me I had a mission of mailing some fun cards to some people I have never met and hopefully they will get a good laugh out of them.

Are you sending any snail mail this month of April?

I still have a long list of addresses I will be sending to so I better get very busy.

Keep those cards and letters coming...

A few more cards to send out for April Letter Writing month. I didn't realize just how much time it takes to address and write in each card. Making each card is fun and time just gets by while being creative. However when it comes to writing the notes inside each card it takes a lot more time and thought than I realized. For the past several days I have been doing not much else as I get these ready for sending.

This is the Easter card I made and sent to my special "blog pal". I had fun with this one. Darn those jelly beans on the paper always make me hungry. LOL

These are like the top one I did in purple but these are done with a copper embossing powder. I love this stamp and have owned it for many years. I believe it was made by Magenta.

The recipients of my cards might be surprised as I have tucked something inside them.

Tomorrow I shall take my armload of cards to the post office where I shall probably faint when I hear the total I owe for mailing my fun cards. Several different states and a couple of different countries are the destinations. I just know the cards will brings smiles to those opening them.

As for my FOCUS? Well, things do come along that are not in the line of what we planned. I am working on my jewelry designs. I am merely much slower than I should be. I shall have an update on what I have been doing by the end of this week.

Enjoy your days and do what makes you the happiest. For me it is puttering in my studio and sewing rooms. What makes you happy?

April = Letter Writing Month...

April is Letter Writing month. For those of us who still get excited over snail mail this is a perfect opportunity to send and get mail. I know how frustrating and expensive mailing something can be at the post office. I have been constantly disappointed by postage rules I have never heard of. However, none of this will stop me from sending mail. So in the handmade theme of my life I have made some cards to send.
Very simply I took 3 pages of coordinating 12" x 12" scrapbook papers, 9 pre-folded cards with envelopes, glue stick, pencil, ruler, tape and my favorite heart punches. I lined the envelope flaps with printed paper, punched hearts to embellish the front of the envelopes and kept them very flat and smooth so the postal company "machines" can do their jobs without my having to pay the additional 20 cents for "handling". I am being optimistic on this as I have not mailed these yet. I may still get stung.

For the cards I merely cut and taped and glued papers to the fronts along with fun hearts and then embellished some of them with my Sharpie markers. Once again I am going with the flatest dimension possible. I am also trying to keep the overall weight very minimal. It should not cost me USA 44 cents plus 17 cents plus 20 cents to mail one simple card! That is 81 cents and what are they thinking? For my local recipients I can afford to drive it and hand deliver it myself...except that would spoil the fun of looking in the mailbox. :o)

On the back of each card I stamp my favorite little stamp I have owned for decades:

"When you care enough...you make it yourself!"

Happy letter writing this month and always.

Can't you just see fine ladies in their beautiful dresses sitting at their fancy writing desks actually writing letters and sending them across the country when it took weeks to deliver. Can you imagine using a quill and ink bottle? I am afraid I would spill the ink and make a huge mess.

To this day I still love a scripted letter from the days of yore. I appreciate those who do calligraphy as it is so beautiful and follows in the old traditions.
Hmmm...are you going to make some cards? Write some letters? Send some mail? I am.