Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Ermagerd! Special Gift for a Special Friend


A few years ago, fate introduced me to someone who has become a great friend. A change in work assignments brought us together though in our company, "together" is virtual since she is on one side of the country and I'm on the other.  

Our paths had never crossed before and we quickly discovered we had many things in common. Our passionate love of our kids, our "wicked smaht" sense of humor, our shared love of the same TV series and movies and more. I don't remember exactly how the expression "ERMAGERD" (for OMG) became part of our daily discussions but it was probably from something that had happened on "Game of Thrones" or "Bates Motel". 

We'd always have the same take on something and that morphed into us saying we were like Forrest and Jenny from "Forrest Gump" ...."peas and carrots" which became "peas in a pod". She became Erma and I became Gerd and that's been our thing!  I wanted to commemorate our relationship which is what this gift represents. Still with me? 


I knew I wanted to letter something, and I knew I wanted to frame it so I started with these supplies: 
  • Unpainted Frame
  • Acrylic Paints 
  • Lettering Pens
  • Embellishments for frame
  • Heavy Paper ( I used watercolor paper)
  • Lightbox
  • Fun Font


I painted the frame black , then crackled it using my tried and true white glue crackle technique with metallic gold as the top coat.  Once dry I added the rolled paper flowers I picked up on one of my Michaels trips. 


For the lettering and pea pods, I chose a fun font, found a piece of clipart I liked, created the sentiment on my computer, printed off and then using my lightbox, layered watercolor paper on top. Traced with a pencil, then outlined with a high quality non-bleed pen ( I bought a pack of pens by Recollections @ Michaels, comparable to Micron Pens). 

Some might ask why I didn't just use the computer generated print but I wanted this to have a hand lettered feel (and the watercolor paper wouldn't fit my printer anyway). Since I wanted it to coordinate w/ the frame, I used a metallic gold gel pen to accent the peas in the pod. 



We also share a love of black and white clothing. Since I love making jewelry and had recently picked up some new supplies to play with, I made her a pair of earrings, and made a complementary pair for me! I wear big earrings, so I made hers a little less bold but using the same beads. 


I  can't have pierced ears so mine are clips and hers are pierced. I'd picked up a package of  connector links ( the silver ovals) and layered different sizes together for each pair, and then strung the beads on headpins as shown, connecting them to the links with jump rings. 

I've waited to post this until I knew she received ( and liked!) her gift which she did and does. As I told her, the BEST feeling in the world for us makers is the excitement we feel when someone loves something we made for them. My gift in return ( not that one was expected) was her excitement over receiving this. Best feeling in the world! 



Love ya Erma!



7 comments:

Unknown said...

So cute!! Its perfect for a friend gift.

Beth (Coffee Until Cocktails) said...

This is SO cute! I love how it turned out. I hope your friend loves it!!
Beth
http://www.thebethnextdoor.com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Aw, I love this so much. I'm sure your friend will too! DIY gifts are the best.

Erma Peapod said...

Oh my dear Gerd - I can't thank you enough!! You are so clever and talented and wonderful and I love love love everything!! It means so much to me that you took the time to create these beautiful gifts - I literally cried when I opened the packages! You really touched my heart and I will cherish these treasures forever! So very grateful to be a pea in your pod... Love you!! Erma xoxo

Our Hopeful Home said...

What a great friend you are! I had to laugh because my one daughter has been saying "Ermagerd!" for about two years now. She and her friends use it often and it always makes me laugh. Your story is so sweet:) Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home

srpprcrftr said...

You are truly what a good friend is and should be, How lucky Erma is to have you. Our women friends are so important in our lives.I have about 5 and I cherish them even tho don't get to see them either.
Love your little sign and those beautiful earrings, am sure she will cherish them and your friendship for many years to come.
Have wonderful weekend

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