When You Least Expect It...

Last weekend my friend Sandi (a Close to my Heart independent consultant) hosted my friend and I for an afternoon of card-making in her very first workshop.  She came up with 8 different designs and cut the paper out for us, and we came to assemble these.  My friend proved to be more creative than I did during the workshop as she had the insight to switch up the design's colours or stamps to try something new, all to work out really well.

Listening to Sandi talk about her creations and how she imagines up her designs, I was intrigued by her just going ahead and trying out new stamps and papers.  One of the things I struggle with is what to do with some of the stamps I buy?  I really like them, and I love the idea of what these stamps could be, but I never am quite sure how to use them.  So, I came home from the workshop and decided to just go ahead and not over think the use of my Aspire Stamp from Close To My Heart.

Below is the creation I came up with, and something about this card really got to me - I love it and simply can't stop staring at it now!  I have no idea what to do with it, so maybe this will remain in my own personal collection!  To remind me of what can happen when I least expect it to...

Mother's Day

There were so many different inspiring cards and images available that I spent hours trying to figure out what I wanted to do for Mother's Day cards.  After many different attempts with patterns and colours, and working through my stamps to come up with appropriate sentiments and stamp collaborations, I developed 3 different cards for this day.

My boyfriend chose this one to give to his Mom.

For my Mom, I created this card, which I, personally, really liked.  The ripped paper effect added a nice embellishment to the card, and complimented the background nicely.  I'll have to try this again sometime!

And this one I will save for another year!

For my Mother

My Mom has been there for me for all my life, supporting me, cheering me on, and always giving me the encouragement and freedom to go after any dream or idea that I may seek out.  As tough as it was for her to see me move to Calgary from Manitoba, she has continued to be there to talk about or through all types of topics and I always know that she is there when I need her.  For my Mom, I created this beautiful card to express how much I love her.  I hope it also gave me more points for using orange, her favourite colour!

Birthday Cards To Date

Working from inspirations from a friend's designs and images found in various Google searches, I have been trying to experiment and grow my creative side with birthday cards over the past five months.  


My friend's blog is here: http://stamped-by-hand.blogspot.ca/


Looking through her blog and her creations, I am always inspired by her creativity and the way she looks at different stamps and card stock, not to mention her ingenious ability to add those little touches that add so much - pearls, glitter, a partially hidden stamped design!   


This card was for a good friend, and I went for an earthy yet feminine look for her, as she has an ambitious and active streak that has pushed her to train and enter triathlons, as well join in various different fitness activities.

My nieces have birthdays about 2 weeks apart so each year I try to get together with the girls to spend some time with them and give them their gifts.  For two little girls with such different interests and activities, not to mention who seem to have everything, this year I decided the time spent playing in the park and some hand made cards would be nice gifts for them.  This went over well - the park was a blast and I even managed to help the youngest girl overcome her fear of the slide.  

For my wonderful best friend, I wanted to create something meaningful and express the sentiments I feel towards her, how much I appreciate her and cherish our friendship.  

And a card for my boyfriend's Aunt on her birthday recently.

Christmas Cards

It's been awhile but I have created many new cards since my last post.  Christmas 2011 was an interesting and busy season for making cards for all the people in my life, but I took advantage of the challenge of making over 14 cards in 5 weeks to relax and allow my creativity to bud.  Many cold Saturday nights were spent with my supplies strewn all over the kitchen table and island (much to my loving boyfriend's irritation), figuring out what patterns and colours worked together, along with what was the most appropriate sentiment for each person on my list.  Overall, I was happy with what I came up with, and here is a showcase of those I am most proud of.  Enjoy!