a couple more cards

I did manage to get a couple more cards done and in the mail before the weekend. 


I used the same My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch at Splitcoast Stampers:

The first is another sympathy card - these photos were taken at the same time & I wish I could explain  the color differences, but I can't.

As you can see, I used a scrap of patterned paper to make a very simple finish to the inside of the card.

I finally finished the birthday card I planned to make - because these cards are a little lumpy they have to be hand processed by the post office, costing a few cents more. 

I'm crossing my fingers it arrives to surprise the birthday girl by tomorrow!

Once again, it looks like the photos were taken under different lighting conditions(?).

I just used a simple scrap strip of the patterned paper and a piece of white cardstock to finish the inside of the card.

I did manage to finish my spray painting and hope to post photos later this week. Our weather was glorious over the weekend and we did spend some time working on our landscaping - it is going to look worse before it gets better, but I think our neighbors are happy to see some progress!

cards under pressure

I had the kids make cards for YiaYia on Monday, so was under pressure to get my card done and all of them in the mail for her birthday early next week.

It always takes a bit to decide what paper to use, but in the end I was happy with the results.


For those that know me, please note there are TWO different trims on the card - yes, I am determined to use the ribbon & trim I collect!


The lighting is terrible - I should have waited until morning to take the pictures, but by then the card was signed, the envelope sealed and waiting for a drop off at the post office.

Following the lead of my talented friends, I now finish off the inside of my cards.

One of my goals this year is to be more accountable for my time. I love making cards and too often find myself thinking about making a card until it is too late to get one in the mail on time. I hope challenging myself to participate in the My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club at Splitcoast Stampers this year will help me develop the stockpile of ready cards that I need.

This is my entry for sketch 56 (posted today).

The plan was to do another birthday card (that does need to get in the mail this week), but after hearing the sad news that the father of a dear friend passed away this morning, I switched gears to a sympathy card. The sentiment stamp is one of my oldest and a real favorite.


In other news, I have a new can of colonial red spray paint and will be finishing off my painting project tomorrow if the weather holds - it was gloriously warm this afternoon and the windows are wide open. My spray area is a little muddy and needs to dry out before I head outside to work.

let's try this out

It's a rainy day, so my plans to spray paint are put on hold & I'm on to plan B - start a blog!

I've toyed with the idea of a blog for a while. I'm hoping the added pressure of needing something to post will help keep me accountable for my time. You know, the time that slips through your fingers as you think of great things to create, but too often fall down in the follow through. I really want to look back and actually have something to show at the end of the day (week, month, year).

So what was I supposed to be spray painting today?

Last spring we checked out the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College and I was smitten by this little garden piece - I knew I was going to create one of my own.

For months I've checked local antique and thrift stores hoping to find a very inexpensive chair to use and managed to put together this little collection of pieces by the end of the year.

I, unfortunately, like to agonize over things like color choice. In the end, you have to pick from what is available in the finish you want, so lesson learned - don't over think!

The baker's rack and plant stand are on their way to being colonial red - just need another can of paint and a dry day.

The chair is now a pale yellow, but I'm not sure if I'm loving it with the terracotta pot . . . can you see why nothing gets finished?

The weather is supposed to cooperate and let me finish these before the end of the week, so stay tuned for an update!