Percolated Creativity

I know that's a weird title for this post, but it's what describes best the process I went through as I designed this set of monogrammed stationery. I've had two of these done for several weeks, using Basic Grey and Cool Caribbean (tryin' to use up some VERY old card stock from the first InColor collection in '06).

Then I lost my creativity--I think fatigue and the knowledge that I wasn't going to meet my initial deadline to give this as a gift for the holiday stole it--and it wasn't until Friday that it returned! Has this ever happened to you in the middle of a project? I'm cruising right along and then I just lose interest. I don't get it. Since the result of "letting sleeping cards lie" usually works out for the best, I'm posting this so you don't get discouraged by your process and persevere. Good things are in store, I promise!

This was the first card I created. I wanted this set to be usable by either the husband or the wife, so that set the tone for the designs. Clean, crisp, no frills. Very modern. The stamp sets I was inspired by were Fresh Alphabet and Simply Stationery by PTI. I also used Basic Backgrounds Retro, as it has a fantastic, hip look.

Since I didn't purchase the ink pads for the CC, I had to improvise. I went to the other InColor collections and on this card used Soft Sky from 2008. Then I walked away from this project for a few weeks and forgot that was the color I used! When I grabbed the ink pads again, I chose Baja Breeze, which is a bit stronger blue than SS, and it worked beautifully--and better, in my opinion.

The second card is a bit unusual, as it spells out the family's name across the front. Here's another example of where percolating works to one's advantage. When I set this card aside originally, it just had the center panel. Two days ago, when I compared it with the others, it looked a little drab, so I added the stamped images as borders across the top and bottom. It really jazzes up the card and grounds the center panel, don't you think?

The third card grew out of my love for circles and playing around with the two sizes of double-ringed circles that come in the Simply Stationery set. I had never used the little one before--I think it's 1/4" in diameter--and the design just kept growing as my creativity nudged me to "try this." Listen to those nudges! I added a strip of Basic Grey 1/4" satin ribbon to this, and I think it helps with the need for some visual relief from all the paper. See, a masculine-oriented card CAN incorporate ribbon! This is my favorite design of the set.

The last card began as a divergence from the earlier design with the bold border, and morphed into a card that was more feminine than any of the others. I decided not to fight it, did a little detective work to find out the wife's middle initial, and created this one specifically for her use. I started out working with this as a vertical orientation, but was happier with it as a horizontal card. The scalloped border punch really helped pull this design together.

I'll be giving the set to its intended recipients tonight. I hope they're as pleased with it as I am, and I know they won't mind that it's a little "after the fact" because it needed to percolate awhile.

ONE LAST THING: consider picking up this at-home kit for getting organized this month! I have plenty available, so disregard the need to wait until after Monday to let me know of your interest!

Just for Grandma

My mom's mom is the only one of my four grandparents still living, and she'll be 89 on Tuesday. As I thought about what kind of card I wanted to create for her, I struggled. I don't know her tastes as well as I do those I make other cards for. I don't know her favorite colors, I don't know her favorite flower, and these or something from a conversation we've shared are usually catalysts for inspiration. So I perused my own gallery and hit on something I know is near and dear to grandma's heart--quilting.

I'm not sure what the first quilt was that she made for me, but I remember sleeping under them during vacations at her house. My sister and I and our cousin Julie all had flower quilts made from octagonal shaped pieces on our beds. My mother stretched some on frames and hung them to decorate the walls of her home to honor her skill. She made one for Michael when he was born. I've made one--ONE--because of her influence.

So, now that I had the theme, I pulled out a technique I found somewhere 2.5 years ago, and got to work. I started with a 4" square of Pretty in Pink and scored it down the middle on the diagonal in each direction to create a large "x". Then, keeping the paper positioned like a diamond, I moved the point to the first half inch line on my paper cutter and scored the paper. I did this all the way across and turned it the opposite direction, still on point, and repeated the process. It's harder to explain than it is to do, I promise.

Once I had my quilt grid, I filled in the squares with a very small pattern from PTI's Simply Stationery set. The stamp is mounted on an acrylic block, which Stampin' Up! will begin selling next month--hurray! Having the ability to see through the block was critical to placing the stamp inside each little box. I chose Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, and Mellow Moss as my color scheme.

Of course, as I am finishing up, I boff one of the inkings and it's not quite perfect. So, I use my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to align the image so I can re-stamp it. Third one down on the left is the result. ARGH! I was not about to start over, so I had to improvise. Ribbon to the rescue! What mistake?

I matted the quilt on Mellow Moss and then on a Whisper White card base. It looked a bit stark, so I added a border element from another PTI set because it carried through with my sewing theme. The small sentiment is from Wow Flowers and is attached with glue dots.

Grandma's eyesight isn't all that good anymore. She can't do any handwork--besides quilting she knitted up a storm too (I received a beautiful large afghan and matching pillows as a wedding present)--so I hope she'll appreciate my version of handwork when she receives this in the mail. Happy birthday, Grandma! Your crafting influenced mine, and I'm so glad.

Although There Are No Words

A new acquaintance and customer of mine had a tragic loss in her family this past week. Her daughter-in-law, 31, died suddenly. As I was going on with my life, this woman was walking through shock, pain, and deep grief.

Does it strike you, like it has me, how very odd it is that this happens with great regularity? One mile away from my house, someone's life is forever changed, and I would've had no idea, had she not sent me a short email.

When I received her message, I was too paralyzed to do anything except send a short message back expressing my condolences. This afternoon, that didn't seem like enough. So I made her a card, even though we're not all that well acquainted yet.

The colors of the card are Whisper White, Always Artichoke, and Cameo Coral. I broke into a package of new paper I have called Bride Specialty Paper, which debuted in this fall's Big Idea Book. It was designed specifically for making wedding invitations, but stampers never limit themselves to what things are intended for!

Several places in blogland I saw examples of how this paper had been brayered to change its color, so I tried it. WOW! Adding color reveals this beautiful pattern! I really like how quick and easy it is to create texture and eye-catching detail with this stuff.

The sentiment is non-SU!, but conveyed my heart perfectly. I added a little Whisper White taffeta ribbon to pull the design together.

I hope her heart will be encouraged some, knowing I'm walking beside her through this, even if it's not as closely as some who know her better. Who can you encourage, even from afar, with a simple card and your words today?

Wedding Present

(This was supposed to post while I was gone last weekend, but I forgot to schedule it. Enjoy!) My cousin closest in age to me on my dad's side is getting married this weekend, and as you read this, I'm on my way via car to bear witness to the nuptials. Because funds are tight these days, my gift is my presence, but I didn't want to show up completely empty-handed. So I made these simple monogram cards using the color scheme from the wedding.

The base is Whisper White and the medallion is stamped on Real Red, matted with Basic Black. I hope they'll put them to good use as thank yous for all the wonderful gifts they'll receive.

Trip Postscript: Driving 1600 miles in 2 days to attend this wedding might be considered by some to be insane, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Time with family, whatever lengths you have to go to to have it, is time well spent, and you don't get another chance to experience some of life's events.

We were out of the car only about 3 more hours than we were in it, if you add it all up, but in that brief time I:
*saw my cousins, my niece and nephew, my aunts and uncles, my great aunts and uncles
*chatted with friends who met us along I69 at Starbucks (where else?) for late night coffee (decaf)
*listened to my niece play the few notes she knows on the flute she's learning to play
*made a spontaneous stop at a bakery on the way to the wedding and had great treats
*talked with my cousin about the narcissism of today's culture while speeding along I65
and witnessed a milestone event.

The happy couple is enjoying Hawaii, and I'm back in town, planning this month's Stamp-A-Stack and gearing up for the holiday card making season. And a good time was had by all!

So Long, Farewell

Katie is a fellow partner who is leaving my store this week. She is headed off to UGA and we need to say goodbye--but we don't want to! She's hilarious, fabulous, and quirky, and we love her to pieces and will miss her like crazy. That doesn't mean she's not going, though.

I found these American Crafts chipboard letters at Big Lots! for $2 a package. SWEET! The "NO!" border was created using Black Staz-on and a PTI alphabet and a retired SU! alphabet. I used my Real Red SU! marker to color the chipboard. It was quick, easy, fun, and it's a subtle nod to UGA, which has red and black as its colors.

The card is 5"x7", which will give everyone plenty of room to express their well wishes. Hope she likes it.

Inspired to Create...by a pair of SOCKS!

Two weeks ago at work, my fellow partner and friend Lizza showed me her socks. She wanted me to know that she'd purchased the entire six-pack at Target just for that pair. She really liked the color combination of gray, yellow, and pink. I was not a fan, but that color combo came to mind when I was making her going away card.

I used my Simply Stationery set from Papertrey Ink again, and went after a pattern I had seen on PTI founder Nichole Heady's blog. (You have to scroll down a bit until you see the teal teapot to see what inspired me.) The pattern came together rather easily after I worked it out on grid paper to get the spacing correct. The Basic Gray circles were alternated with Pretty in Pink circles, and the design that fits in the space created between the orbs is stamped with Summer Sun. You can double click on the photo to see it closeup. The base is Basic Gray and the patterned piece is mounted on PiP and tied with Gray Taffeta ribbon. The sentiment is from Heard from the Heart. I'll have another card to post sometime soon that will show my first attempt at this pattern. It's addictive.

Coincidentally (or not), when I was in Austin a few weeks after seeing Nichole's post (but before seeing Lizza's socks), I saw this architectural feature while Lydia was showing me the area surrounding the capitol. I asked her if she'd circle the block so I could photograph it. She didn't flinch; fellow bloggers understand the need for proper art for our readers.

I know I've said this a few times recently, but inspiration really is everywhere. Be on the lookout for it, and put it to good use as you create for those you care about. Lizza was tickled that I'd remembered and those you craft for will notice that you took the time to infuse your work with something special to them.

BTW: Thanks for sharing about your great friends. I've loved reading your tributes. If you don't know what I'm talking about and want to get in on it, check out yesterday's post.

Stationery for the 'Rents

When I was in high school, someone came up with a nickname of sorts for the term "parents". It was "'rents". Not exactly disrespectful, but, as I look back on it now, a bit too casual and sort of crass. Aren't you glad that the brain you had as a teenager didn't STOP growing? I AM.

My folks are coming in a week to spend some time with us. Both their birthday were in April, but I'm too pragmatic (and cheap) to send their presents when I could just wait and give them to them a few weeks late. Besides, then I get to see the reaction on their faces when they open them (and they get to cart them back with them in their car, saving me the postage)!

My PArents are "old school". They like to send physical mail. I like that and want to encourage it, especially if some of it ends up in my little black box at the end of the driveway. My parents also share the same initials (my sister and I do too, so we all four have the same three--follow that?), so it was easy to design a set for both of them. The trick was making the cards not too feminine so that my dad would be inclined to use them. The desktop organizer is from a template by Lauren Meader, who is selling her creations with Papertrey Ink, one of my favorite companies. You can download it for $5 and use it as many times as you want! It's really well done.

The color scheme I chose is one of my favorites and inspired by a pair of men's underwear that I fold regularly: Bashful Blue, Real Red, and Night of Navy. Classics, right? This card's pattern could go either way, right? I think it's bold, yet not too frilly. I'm not a baroquey kind of person--I know some people have this kind of wallpaper in their homes--but I like this pattern, which was created by stamping the NoN outline and then filling it in with that "thing" using RR.

The next one is may be a bit too feminine for dad, but I know my mom will like the buttons on it. This is one of 5 patterns you can make with this set. It reminds me of something old-timey from my grandma's house. Simple embroidery. Don'tcha wish times were as simple now as they were back then? I'm not sure I do, because there was no internet, no Tivo, no answering machines, and no microwave ovens. Progress is good, but so is simplicity.

You know how I love circles, so I had to incorporate this pattern into one of the cards! The larger circle on either side of the monogram is also in the set. It's quite the bargain at $24! (Please don't tell me if a certain body part comes to mind when you look at this one. It wasn't intentional or Freudian, I promise!)

This last card is SOOOOO retro, don't you agree? I could've spent all kinds of time coloring in those diamonds, but I only allowed myself to do so on the envelope.

The monogram letters are also from PTI, from a set called Fresh Alphabet. I think I used a 3/4" circle punch, which actually cut it just a tad close. They're just the right size, though. Those who know me from way back may realize that the monogram's not in the right order, i.e. first name initial, last name initial, middle name initial. We just never did it that way, so I know mom and dad will get it. We're not that formal a family, and none of these notes will ever land on Martha Stewart's desk.

I hope you enjoy all this card candy today! Thanks for stopping by! I love it when you, and when you comment so that I know you did.

A Simple Stationery Note of Sympathy

It's not often that I feature cards stamped with images by other companies, but I am a fan of Papertrey Ink, and one of the newer releases, Simply Stationery, has proven to be very versatile in the short time I've had it.

This was a quick creation for friends of ours whose uncle died. I wanted something that was masculine, because it was the husband's relative who had passed away. I went with Chocolate Chip as the base, and used Really Rust, Baja Breeze, CC, and So Saffron to create the focal image. I cut a slit in the design to thread a strip of Silver Metallic card stock with the sentiment (from another PTI set, With Sympathy).

There will be more posts featuring this set forthcoming. I'm going for short and sweet today, after yesterday's post. Happy Tuesday!

Before I Go Away for Awhile...

I wanted to be true to my promise (although a day late) to show you a cool template I bought online that coordinates beautifully with the Simply Stationery set I profiled on Tuesday. It's for a desktop organizer created by Lauren Meader.

She is an amazing artist, and she has teamed up with Papertrey Ink (PTI) to offer these as Timeless Templates. For a one-time $5 fee, I downloaded the template and also received 5 ideas for how to use it! I can reuse it time and time again, but I can't share it with you. You have to get your own. I may offer it as part of a class sometime this spring; it would be a great end of the year teacher gift, don't you think?

I thought you might want to see how these clear acrylic blocks help you position the images where you want them. It's really quite simple. I stamped this background creator image (also from PTI called Retro) after I lined it up on the grid that is etched into the block. Not all clear acrylic blocks have grids, so look carefully when purchasing them. I inked it up in Bravo Burgundy and was able to see where the stamp would "land" on the flap. I did this twice on the flap that folds up to create the pocket, and once on the edges around the organizer. It's so easy!

And now I take my leave...I've decided that I need to participate in Lent this year by giving up blog reading (I truly feel addicted and obsessed) and blogging. It has been a growing distraction, and I want to put it in perspective and not let it dominate my life. If I can do it for 6 weeks, hopefully I'll be able to keep it from being the first thing I think about in the morning! If you need to get in touch with me, I will still be reading and responding to emails. My address is in my profile. Or you can just leave a comment here; it links to my email.

Take care, and I'll see you after Easter!

Whether Stationary or Stationery...It's Just for Me!

I have to confess that the word in question tonight always give me pause. Is it "-ary" or "-ery"? I had to look it up to be sure. It's settled; it's "-ery" that correctly spells the word that describes this picture.

This card was made using a new set from Papertrey Ink (PTI) called Simply Stationery. It is so elegant and has so many elements. Check out the link and see what I mean. Tonight, I experimented with two sizes of ornamental circles designed to hold monograms. The alphabet is also from PTI and is called Fresh. Isn't that a perfect word for it? I know you're only seeing one letter, but, trust me, it's a beautiful, simple uppercase set of letters.

I chose Bravo Burgundy and So Saffron as my color palette because I really think they contrast each other so nicely. These acrylic stamps accept ink very nicely right out of the package. I am thrilled with the crisp images and the coordinating elements.

The pattern was created using two singular stamps that I positioned together on a clear acrylic block. This helped me stamp right where I wanted to, because I could see where the previously stamped images were on the card stock.

I photographed both sides of the envelope, since I used images for each that were coordinating, yet different. The smaller circle for the "seal" is 1.25". The element on the front is 1" in height and I alternated my two chosen colors to decorate the front.

Tomorrow I'll show you some very cool packaging for creating gifts of stationery!