Last week a lady came to my booth at the market and asked if I could do her a special favor. She said she wanted some cards made, but could she sit down first. I quickly showed her a chair and asked her what I could do for her. She said she wanted some cards made for her children because she has a medical condition then started to tear up. She tried to talk through the tears and finally composed herself. She didn’t give me any details as to her condition, but I assume it’s not good as she wasn’t sure how much longer she would be able to get out to the market and could I please mail the cards to her. She asked for 3 cards. She has 2 daughters and 1 son and she wants to let them know just how much she loves them and she needs special cards. Of course, I said I would make them for her, but I was at a loss as to how to comfort her other than tell her that I would make some very special cards for her children.
I have finished the cards and they are sitting in a bubble mailer on my table, but I am afraid to mail them. I don’t want anything to happen to them because they are so important to her and they are the best cards I have ever made. I think I will call her and hand deliver them.
I took pictures, of course, so I will share them with everyone today.
Her children are adults so I needed some grown up cards. The masculine card was, by far, the most difficult because it kept turning out too childish. I chose colors and cut everything out and didn’t like it and rearranged and chose new colors and still didn’t like it. I didn’t want it to be too drab and depressing, but I also didn’t want it to be more patriotic than heartfelt and meaningful. After a couple of hours I took a break and had dinner and then it came to me that I needed to change the whole color scheme. It still took a few more tries to coordinate everything and it’s not exactly how it was in my head, but I really like it a lot and I don’t think it’s too childish anymore.
The cards for the girls were easier to choose paper for, but still very time consuming. This was the most challenging card technique-wise because I had to figure out what size circles I needed and how they were layered, especially at the edges of the cards. I had to go back and look at my inspiration picture a few times before I figured out to overlap the edges and just trim the excess off. Truly, a ‘duh’ moment for me. First, I picked out too many papers so I eliminated some and then each step was a stop and start while I figured out exactly what I wanted and how to achieve it. The flowers in the corner needed something in their centers so I thought buttons, but they were too big and didn’t look right. Next, I thought tiny pearls, but I didn’t have any. I was still figuring out where to get some and making the other cards when it hit me. I still have a bunch of beads from when I was trying to make jewelry. I found larger pink seed beads and they were perfect.
The next card came together the easiest and quickest and is my favorite of all of them. I cut the bird out of a sheet of paper and then made it pop out from the page with foam tape. I love the effect and how it kind of looks like it’s in a tree by its nest singing. The yellow paper in the background is embossed with sheet music so it looks really neat.
Here are my 3 inspiration cards from Pinterest:
As you can see, I used the inspiration, but didn’t copy. I really made each card my own. I’m so excited by how they turned out and I hope that Mrs. D likes them as much as I do.
Making the cards was very time consuming and sometimes frustrating, but I love the whole process and seeing the final results at the end. It’s much like quilting that way, picking out patterns and fabric and watching it all come together into something beautiful…hopefully.
Have a Creative Day!
Gardengirl
P.S. On Monday I return to Mom’s Recipe Box. I won’t be posting everyday, but about 4 times a week. The first recipe is called Chicken Carmen and it’s a keeper!