My Mother's Face

Tonight I thought I'd share a little of how a new card for my shop comes together. (I started to call it "the creative process" but it seemed a little over the top for a greeting card!) In this instance, I found the quote from George Eliot first: "Life began with waking up and loving my mother's face." I've had that quote for a very long time, trying to figure out what I was going to do with it. Something about it just touches me. It makes me think of the hundreds of hours I've spent looking at my own daughter's face over the last nine years. A few weeks ago I found this digital image of a mother and child looking at each other and I just knew it was the one.

Now, you would think at this point I'd launch right into making the card, but it actually took me about two weeks of thinking about it before I even tried. I used to think I did this because I was procrastinating, but I've come to realize that it is just my creative process (oops, there I go again, sounding like an ar-teest). Once I knew the "look" I wanted it to have (vintage, pattern paper that reminds of me of wallpaper, lacy ribbon,the handmade flower) I couldn't wait to put it together.

So, is it wrong to say how much I love this card? I love it because it's beautiful, it's meaningful, and I was able to create something tangible to express my own feelings about the mother/child bond. It's like writing a perfect sentence. It's so satisfying to get it right. Right for me, anyway. Selling it on my shop is just gravy (and helps me buy more supplies). The real satisfaction comes when someone tells me they like it, feature it in a treasury -- in some way communicate that they "get it." C.S. Lewis said, "We read to know we are not alone." This is kinda like that.

Thanks for looking. I've never had a comment on this blog before, but according to my analytics you're out there looking. Feel free to comment -- I'd love to hear from you. If you're the first to comment, I'll even send you the card of your choice from my shop!

Happy Birthday Cupcake

Well, I'm trying to catch up on some of my latest projects so here is my second posting in one day. I created these two birthday cards using chipboard die cuts. I covered the frame and cupcake bottom with pattern paper paper and the "frosting" is bright pink glitter on one card and pink flocking on the other. I just love the way they turned out -- so festive!

I also wanted to add that I bought these great bare chipboard die cuts from Amy at SpectacularStuff on Etsy. I also used one of her chipboard words on the cover of my "Friend" album below this post. I was so pleased with her product -- the chipboard was thin enough for cards but strong enough to cover without bending. I can't wait to order more from her!

Album for a Friend

I just posted a new album in my etsy shop this afternoon and promised to have extra photos on my blog, so they are posted below. This project is a little more complicated because of the many cuts around the edges of the chipboard album, as well as the handmade flowers and embossed chipboard embellishments. I do love the shape of this one, though, despite the extra work. A photo can be slipped under the frame in the front of the album as well.

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