Wednesday, May 29, 2013

A sneak peek, spring/summer cleaning, and lots of rambling...

Hello and welcome to my blog! I am so excited to have some new followers and hope that you get either inspiration, insight, or something to make you smile when you visit!!

I am in a 'bunny trails' kind of mood today, so I will share my cards (a sneak peek of my ABAC project for Sunday) first-just in case you don't want to wander the trails with me!





Challenge number 20 at Anything But a Card Challenges  is "Dust Off Your OLD Supplies". For this challenge we are having a bit of a spring cleaning theme. Go "Dust off your older supplies" for this challenge - and make something... ANYTHING GOES! Use up those paper scraps, break out tools that haven't seen the light of day, finish up one of those U.F.O's {unfinished objects}... or how about those hoarded stickers - we all have a stash. The theme is open so the possibilities are endless.... just remember create anything except a card... this is going to be FUN!!!

Now how easy is this?! Well... When your crafting space looks as horrific as mine, first you actually have to do spring cleaning (or for those of us who love to procrastinate, summer cleaning) to find most of your supplies and the table. I really wish I was exaggerating, but I'm not!  It's been a very crazy month! So after spending the morning finding my table (and several started projects), I knew what I would be doing for our challenge.  I am part of week 2 of the design team and usually finish my project Friday night or Saturday morning and rush to get it photographed, but this week it is ready to go by Wednesday afternoon!  I am sharing the cards today because I can't show the other part yet, and the blog is anything BUT a card...  Can't be flaunting any cards on Sunday, so the cards become the sneak peek for the main piece.

I spent most of the afternoon working on the cards for a very special friend from our  church.  She is one of the most caring and selfless people I know.  She made meals for my parents when Dad had his stroke, and still occasionally drops off goodies for them.  She has also been a wonderful mentor.  Last week, she stopped by to drop off some asparagus from their garden since she knows my oldest DD loves asparagus.  She handed me two HUGE bags of fresh asparagus, enough for many meals, and refused to accept any payment for it. "It will be a relief to get it out of the house." is all she says.  Well, if I have learned little else from the crafting community, one of the joys of crafting is passing on our creations to others.  Plus, I know she won't be able to turn down a handmade just for her gift! Pretty sneaky, right?  So I made a set of 8 greeting cards for her.

Now if you're still on the trail with me, I'm moving on to dusting off supplies.  I decided that while I was in cleaning mode, I would go through my DSP and clean that up too. OH MY!  We will not discuss just how much retired paper I have that can't be used for classes, not to mention the non SU things...  So I decided my summer crafting goal would include using up some of that paper.  I found a lone sheet of the paper above and have no clue which set it came from but I do know it was from a loooooong time ago. I managed to use almost the whole sheet for the 8 cards! Woo! Hoo! 1 page down, 4 million to go...  I also dusted off my daisies die which hasn't bonded with my Big Shot in ages. They were so happy to be together again!

I have really been slacking in the commenting and visiting of blogs lately.  Mom has been in the hospital twice this month with heart issues.  While her condition is not life threatening, it does sap all of her energy and messes with her heart rate.  They switched her to a new med this time so we are crossing fingers and praying that this one gets the job done.  I'm just thankful that I wasn't working this last time and could commit to being there for her and Dad.  Makes things a little less stressful!

Well, this is the end of today's bunny trail and post. If you made it all the way to the end, I applaud your tolerance! Hopefully Sunday will bring some less distracted blogging!  Have a wonderful rest of the week and I hope you don't have to clean before you do your happy crafting!

Card Recipes: Cardstock-wild wasabi, bashful blue, pumpkin pie, whisper white, old DSP, Stamp Sets-Word Play, Loving Thoughts, Ink-pacific point, bashful blue (sponged on daisy), Accessories-daisies 2 die, boho blossom punch, 2 1/2" circle punch, perfect polka dots & square lattice EF, non SU circle framelits, brights buttons, white bakers twine, bashful blue brad

11 comments:

  1. this is a great gift card set Margaret-your friend will love them-and the dsp is from the Jersey Shore collection-hope your Mom is doing better now

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  2. What a great set of cards and I am sure your family friend will enjoy them. I really need to do some spring/summer cleaning and not just the craft room.

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  3. Such lovely fresh colours to your patterned papers - fab cards!
    Alison x

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  4. Margaret, first of all...hope your mom is doing ok now! It's so hard on everyone when one is ill or hospitalized so you take care of yourself too!

    Great set of cards! I love the DP you used on them and think I have about one sheet left too! Thanks for the inspiration with this fabulous card set!

    Lynn

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  5. Hello, I remembered that you are were interested in my cloud tutorial. I just wanted to let you know that I had post it. It is at http://lesleysoriginalthings.wordpress.com/my-cloud-tutorial/ in case you are interest in it. Have a good weekend.

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  6. My problem is that I hoard favorite supplies and then they become outdated, lol I have been trying to use up my scrap pile too, but I think it's just grows bigger. Cute cards! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog, you are the sweetest! Waving hi from the hills of North Carolina ♥

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  7. Ohhh you have been busy- I just did some purging of old paper -- it multiplies! Lovely card too!

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  8. I love this idea for a friend and your set is awesome Margaret. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Sorry to be scarce lately, May has been a whirlwind and I'll be back to properly catch up. I promise. :)

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  9. Oh I love when we travel down the bunny trail!!! I had such a great time visualizing your mound of retired papers, your craft area playing hide n' seek with you, the massive amounts of Asparagus (LOVE that stuff so much), your very thoughtful friends and your love and devotion to your parents. I do certainly hope that your Mom and Dad are doing better with each day. Certainly they get enough laughs with you around!!!
    Gorgeous cards you've created here and by all means, that's the best way to 'repay' a friend in like kindness. :) She's gonna love them!
    Hugs n' Happy weekend...
    SIB

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  10. A Fabulous set of cards! I can't wait to see what you have on Sunday to go with the set!! I get it's amazing! Thank you so much for always stopping by my blog and leaving me such encouraging words! I'm always excited when I see that you've left me a comment! Have a blessed weekend!

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  11. I love your card set too! Sorry to hear your mom hasn't been well. I'll keep you both in my prayers Margaret! Hugs

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I would love to know what you think! Thanks for commenting!