What goes around...

This month, I happened upon a couple of complete strangers who could use some cheering up, or at the very least some friendly support. So I made cards for them, and sent them out yesterday.

This one was to the lady I initially met:

The outside says, "Adopt the pace of nature;
her secret is patience. -Ralph Waldo Emerson"
Inside, I wrote, "I hope this card gives you an
excuse to smile and take a deep breath."
I used Tim Holtz Distress Inks in 'Vintage Photo',
'Walnut Stain', and 'Antiqued Linen'. I also used
Stazon ink in 'Timber Brown'. Embellishments
were 'antiqued' with Adirondack Acrylic in 'Eggplant'.
Ranger Stickles in 'Icicle' were used to decorate
the flower and flourishes. Stamps are 'Natures Secret'
by Stampin' Up, and flourishes by Hero Arts.

This card I made for her best friend, who was
recently diagnosed with breast cancer:

It was made in much the same manner as the first.

Inside, the quote by Richard Bach, says,
"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world,
the master calls a butterfly."
And I wrote,
"You don't know me, but that's ok.
I know you've recently been diagnosed with
breast cancer. I'm so sorry.
Even though I am a complete stranger,
I wanted to do something that might
lift your spirits during this possibly
scary and difficult time, so I made this card for you.
And even though I'm not Christian,
I asked my Christian friends to pray for you.
I hope you get well again."

I hope they get a smile and good feeling
when they get these, like I did while making them.

Bookmark card

Every year, I try to make a Christmas card for my mother and closer acquaintances. I usually spend hours designing something, that often takes as long to make. But this year, I took my card a bit further. For the people who read books, or want to throw something interesting on their refrigerator, there is a removable bookmark inside the card. Otherwise, it just looks really interesting and unique when left as is.

Front: Paperbilities 'Naturals" paper and other cardstock, colored with
Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Inks in Antique Linen, Vintage Photo,
Walnut Stain, Pine Needles, and Aged Mahogany.
Stampin' Up set 'Nature's Secret', snowflake stamped in
Stazon opaque Cotton White ink.
Handmade tag, wrapped with hemp,
natural weathered jute, and placed on dimensional foam.

Inside: Bookmark colored with
Distress Inks in Antique Linen, Vintage Photo,
Walnut Stain. Kitty and clock were stamped with Brown Timber Stazon ink,
the gears and clock numbers were heat embossed with
Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Embossing Powder in Walnut Stain.
An 'Autumn Leaves' ribbon yarn by Lion Brand Yarn was
tied to the top of the bookmark, and strung with a
square yellow AB finish acrylic bead.
A length of copper wire was twisted into a coil and
attached to the ribbon where it's threaded through the bookmark.
It was further embellished with a tiny watch gear,
a rhinestone, and gold eyelet.

This is the bookmark when taken from it's tabs,
which were just cut right into the card with a craft knife.
The sentiment was affixed to the inside with a small craft zot.
Aside from a signature, date and personal sentiment
written in dark ink on back of the bookmark,
I left the overall bookmark design
ambiguous for year round use.

Thank you kindly to Rachel Greig, for inspiration.
I was really taken with your tag card posted on Ranger Ink Link,
and this is what evolved from it.

Merry Chrismoose and Longfellow

I used Ranger Distress Inks applied with a felt applicator,
in colors of Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo and Tea Dye.
I used the Distress Inks for all the stamping too.
The paper is 'Neutral' cardstock by paperbilities.
The Longfellow stamp and snowflake stamp is from the Stampin' Up
set "Nature's Secrets". The lines on the front right was hand drawn
with Staedlter watercolor pencils, and was embellished just off center
with a sheer dark sage ribbon. The snowflakes on the dark
background were stamped with VersaMark and have
Bronze Pearl-Ex rubbed into it. Unfortunately, the scan
does not bring out the color of the Pearl Ex.
The inside sentiment stamp is from Hero Arts.

My 'Merry Chrismoose' was a really fun project I did last year.
I made this card 'book' style. I used burgundy and hunter green
corrugated paper, mulberry paper with grass in it, and
'Neutral' card stock from Paperbilities. I used dimensional
foam under the snout, Root Beer buttons by Lasting Impressions
for the eyes and embellishment,
'Jive Alphabet' by Stamp Craft, 'Greeting of the Season' by
Anna Griffin, vellum paper and Evergreen Versacolor Ink.
The ribbon is doubled sided 'chocolate and strawberry'.
The oval dies used for the head and lower jaw are from Fiskars,
while the ears, antlers, eyes, snout and nostrils were fashioned freehand.

At the time I made these, I really didn't have much to work with,
but I was very happy with the results none the less. Some of the people
I gave them to actually framed them!