Showing posts with label RAK. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RAK. Show all posts

Monday, August 2, 2021

Papercrafting: More Cards For Box Of Balloons !

 


I wrote in May about an organization called Box Of Balloons that works to ensure that children get to be celebrated on their birthdays. They were then partnering with several of my local Starbucks locations to collect cards, wrapping, decorations etc. and as a Cardmaker and a Mom, it was right up my alley. I did it for the sheer joy of combining those two loves and because I want every child to know the feeling of being special on their birthday. 

I was honored and humbled to receive the following email from the local chapter President, Amy:

"I'm so impressed with your handmade cards and gift tags and wanted to say THANK YOU so much for your wonderful donation.

I've been putting a card and gift tag in each birthday box I've been creating and it adds such a personal touch to each box. Thank you so much for donating these as I'm sure they took a lot of time and energy to create. They're so beautiful and made so well and I'm just blown away and grateful :) "


I was thrilled they were happy and would be put to use and immediately planned on making more! As I've written about (probably ad nauseum!) June was a bust for creating between prepping for a planned move and spending an unplanned week in the hospital. So once things had settled ( somewhat...life is life!) in July, I wanted to get back to it and on Saturday dropped another three dozen cards in the mail! 

Supplies:

  • Birthday Themed Papers (American Crafts, The Color of Memories Collection from JoAnn and Happy Cake Day stack by Recollections from Michaels)
  • Cardstock
  • Birthday Themed Washi Tape ( Park Lane, JoAnn) 
  • Glitter Papers ( Recollections, Michaels) 


 This time around I used some American Crafts birthday themed papers I found at JoAnn along with some Park Lane birthday themed washi tape I scooped up on sale there. 


Like some of the sheets from the Recollections "Cake Day" stack, this sheet had panels I cut up to use as the focal for the cards, matting each with coordinating glitter papers. The washi tape coordinated perfectly with the colors (and it didn't hurt that it was an additional 50% off clearance). 



The Balloon background paper is from the same American Crafts collection. I kept things simple, matting the image on glitter paper, then another coordinating paper ( great way to use scraps) and attaching to the card with foam squares. 


Since I still had plenty of papers from the "Happy Cake Day" stack I previously used (and may or may not have bought another stack when Michaels had another buy one get two free Hot Buy sale which is my kryptonite) I made some more using those. 



Unintentionally, I usually make my cards in a portrait vs landscape orientation...no reason...just do...but since these panels didn't lend themselves to that, made some that way too. 


It's very fulfilling to feel like doing something you absolutely love can make a difference. Especially now. Especially in a child's life! 





Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Holiday 2020: Gifted Cards


Like most Makers, I have a stash of supplies. Mr. Chocolate lovingly teases me about my paper addiction  which, as a result of its existence, has produced cards he's asked for "like that" ! And you know what? I make no apology! Because what it enables me to do is combine my love of making things with giving back. I wasn't even going to post these because I wasn't happy with the pics and I don't like to come off "look at me", but then I thought others might relate so here we go. 

Also like many Makers, I have moments of self doubt. "Do people really like what I make or are they just being polite?" Be honest. Have you felt like that?  Nonetheless, given the Pandemic That Stole 2020, my love of making things, and my paper stash, I risked the self doubt and decided to make some cards for my health care provider, The Mayo Clinic. 

No one has worked harder this year than Healthcare Workers. Doctors, nurses, admin staff, cleaning staff. EVERYONE! So I thought I'd make some cards to show my appreciation. Literally, beyond masking up and distancing, the least I could do. I made three dozen, packaged them up, and dropped them off, letting them decide whether to use them for patients, staff, volunteers...or at all! 

Last night, I got the nicest email validating I'd made the right decision not listening to that little voice that sometimes makes me doubt myself. The point of all of this? Trust your instincts. Have confidence in yourself. Know that doing something for others may be the one thing that day that helps them. 

I made sets based on white, green, and red cardstocks and coordinating papers: 



These pics don't do justice to the foiled goodness on some of the papers! 
 


I wish I'd bought more of these little wooden stickers I found at Dollar Tree!


Packaged them up with envelopes and put them in sealed bags. 


The email said they will be used for the staff which I absolutely love! 






Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Why Yes I Do Still Make Things! RAK Thank You Cards Essential Workers



Followers of this blog must wonder "does she actually ever make anything anymore?" and the answer is "she does!"

Things have been crazy busy for a while between a lot of work things, real life things, and some things had to give. I make stuff all the time. What I haven't had or made as much time for is taking photos and editing them to put up here on the blog, or writing blog posts besides my weekly party.  I finally made sure I did. 

Regardless of what our Governor decides next week (which is when he's supposed to make his decision) about relaxing our shelter at home order, we will continue to practice social distancing based on the modeling that shows we haven't yet hit our peak. I'm in a high risk group and don't want to take any chances and I'm also an only child to my little Mommy. So that's that. 

We go out strategically. Grocery shopping and essentials and do some takeout dining to help support local businesses. I've been making it a point to thank the people working who are keeping us going and don't always have a choice whether to be there. I wanted to do something more and one glance at my scrap paper stash gave me the idea to make "Thank You" cards that I could give to them. Maybe it's silly but I'm appreciative of them doing the work to keep us all going and unfortunately I've witnessed some people whose manners are let's just say, absent. 



I bought this great Park Lane Paperie in a curbside order from JOANN's. I like heaving (110 lb) card stock for my cards and this is perfect plus tons of colors to work with. Then I grabbed my baggies of scrap paper leftover from other projects and played. 


I cut each sheet in half so they measure 4.25 x 5.5.  The focal sentiment I did in PrintShop and printed out in three different colors. Measured and cut panels 4 x 5.25 from the scraps and then just mixed and matched. 




Some I did with more than one paper. Others just one sheet. Some embellished w/ glitter tape. Others just simple with the sentiment matted on coordinating scraps. 



I'm trying to be mindful of all that people are going through and I think the world can always use a bit more kindness don't you? 




Saturday, April 20, 2013

Scrappy Tags...Who Wants to Win Them?

Scrappy Tags


Creating things is therapeutic for me like it is for many creative people. After a week filled with less than happy news, I finally felt like making a little something. You may recall I had several birthdays this month and made a few cards. That always means scraps left over.  I decided to make some tags.  I’ve shared posts before about these being one of the best ways I know to use up scraps.

I also decided I wanted to give them away. Why? Just because. Consider this a “give-a-tute” or a “Tute-a-way” . Regardless, it makes me happy. Sometimes you just need to make things right? 

Black Yellow Grey Tags

This is a fast , easy, and stashbusty project. You will need:
  • Blank Tags. Pre-made or you can cut your own.
  • Coordinating Scraps
  • Adhesive
  • Embellishments ( I used rhinestones, washi tape, scrapbook stickers, and more scraps)
  • Twine or ribbon
Cover your tags with your preferred adhesive. Cover with scraps. I had pieces big enough to cover my tags completely and some pieces not quite big enough. No problem, combine the smaller pieces and trim accordingly.

Scrap Covered Tags 

Mix and match other pieces of your coordinating scraps in whatever combo makes you happy. Use the hole on the back side of your covered tag as a guide, punch through your covered side, add an eyelet.

Scrappy Tags Yellow Gray

Then just have fun embellishing. I punched some flowers from even more scraps and layered them. I used portions of stickers and strips of washi tape just wherever.

Scrap Tags Black Gray Yellow

Finished off by threading coordinating baker’s twine through the eyelets.

Scrap Tags Yellows and Grays

So who wants them? Deets below. I'll announce the winner at Friday's BFF Open House.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Sharing At: 








Monday, April 8, 2013

Thank You For Being A Friend: Earring and Bracelet Sets

Four Pair o Earrings

So here's the story behind this post. Several years ago, my husband's parents retired to a small town on the Washington coast. To say it's remote is an understatement, but that's where they wanted to be. They quickly settled in and made tons of new friends. A few years after they moved, my father in law's brother joined them and he became part of their bunch. I've never seen retired people keep so busy with so many clubs and activities.


Since we started going to visit them, we've always gone to brunch at a local historic hotel owned by a sweet couple who decided they'd had enough of city life. They've been great friends to my in-laws and present for happy occasions and sad ones like when my mother-in-law passed away.

We recently celebrated my Uncle-in law's 80th birthday and they were no less gracious when we went to brunch at the hotel. They have some equally warm and funny ladies who work there and we have lots of laughs with them . I decided I'd make these ladies some things to show our appreciation for always making our extended family feel so special. I made four sets of coordinating earrings and stretchy bracelets.

Black and White Set

The first set is silver, white, grey and gold. Most of the beads and findings are Blue Moon Beads.

Black Silver White Gold Earrings

The second set is blues and berries, using dichroic glass beads along with faceted acrylic beads:

Raspberry and Blueberry Set

The third set is shades of toffee and purples with antique gold connectors:

Grape and Gold Set

And the last set is copper and amber using more of the copper toggle clasps from my birds nest pendant necklace:

Copper and Amber Set

Sharing At:
Grab button for The Best Blog Recipes