Family Heirloom Calendar

So I have been creating these perpetual calendars for 2 years now, and I don't even want to think about how many of these little suckers I have created! Although it can be monotonous at times, occasionally I get to create one that means so much more. Yeah, there are tons of vintage pieces on each one with a secret history of its own, but never for us to know. We only can collect and appreciate its beauty for what it is. A few months back at the Girlie Show, I met such a passionate lady that truly treasures her history and family. After lots of phone calls and meetings, I finally created what I hope she & her family will treasure for many years to come. Rather than just having me create from my own stash of goodies, she provided me with MANY of her own to incorporate into the piece. How cool is that? Here are some of the absolutely fantastic trinkets of her family history she provided me...

-a Susan B Anthony $1 coin dated 1889 (the year of the Oklahoma Land Run) (day #1)

-an Indian Head/Buffalo nickel (her grandmother had been a collector of coins over the years and these were some of them from the collection) (used as day #5)

-an old wrist watch that her grandmother used to wear (used as day #12, added Prima gold flower to the base/band to give it more presence)

-an old glass doorknob that had been in her grandmother's old house (I used Prima diecut felt and a pokkadot cupcake liner to accentuate it at the top of the calendar for more visual interest) (see image at top)

-a little red glass knob (added a vintage #9 typewriter key for day #9)

-several letterpress numbers (used for day #4)

-a copper/wood letterpress block of Santa (used as day #25 for Christmas)

-as well as wooden letterpress letters that she had bought back when her son was just a baby, spelling out his name, Ryan (I used them to create/spell out 12 months of the year)

I will never forget creating such a special calendar for such a special lady. Thank you Cheryl for entrusting me with your keepsakes for awhile!

Twisted Card #038 & Joy to the World!

Twisted Card Sketch #038 is up over at http://www.twistedsketches.com/! What a fun sketch, and the twist is "chipboard." For my interpretation, I decided to do a Christmas themed card since the big day is only 1 week away! Yikes! Are you ready? I know I'm not! It's like everything else with me, I simply never finish...I just run out of time! :)

As for the actual card, I used lots of fun glittery details. My chipboard incorporation is the use of Pink Paislee's Glitter Chipboard Alphas in Limeade and the scroll shaped "raw" chipboard piece at the bottom is from The Paper Studio. Since the base of my card is simply kraft cardstock, I thought it would be a good idea to keep the embellishment, raw in it's natural state. I think it tied the card together nicely. The other goodies I used on the card are as follows....My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Portobello Road "Boy" Dapper Dots Paper, Creative Imaginations Art Wharehouse Epoxy Christmas Tree Sticker, Making Memories Vintage Findings Embossed Metallic Silver Alpas, CTMH Paper Tag & Love Letters Rub-ons, Baker's Twine, October Afternoon's Hometown Journaling Card & the lovely bird is a transparent shape from GCD's Melody Ross Homespun Chic line.

I have so much to do and so little time. If I get to post again before Christmas, that will be wonderful. If not, I wish each and every one of you a wonderfully joyous holiday. Merry Christmas and "Joy to the World!"

Twisted Card #035 "Alphabet"

The first time I saw this sketch & twist, I new right away what I wanted to do. The first thought in my head was the contagious Jackson 5 song, ABC. (You know you gotta love some Michael Jackson!) When I started thinking about the lyrics, I thought it was an absolutely perfect sentiment for an elementary school teacher! Teacher's Appreciation is in the early Spring, and I think this card has my son's 1st Grade Teacher written all over it. : ) So the outside is "ABC easy as 123" and the inside reads "or simple as DO RE MI." Then I modified the song lyrics just a bit and had Jack handwrite, "I'm so glad, you teach me!"

As for materials, I used lots of yummy new products....Pink Paislee's weathered wood alpha chipboard in cotton & scarlet, Webster's Pages' silver tinsel, KI Memories' School Days patterned paper & star lace cardstock, Fiskar's upper crest punch, Jenni Bowlin's chalkboard alpha in black, lots of foam squares, & kraft/black cardstock for the base. Other fun items I incorporated were red/white baker's twine, white crayon, red dymo tape & part of an old yellow measuring tape!

To see the actual sketch and other spectacular interpretations, please visit http://www.twistedsketches.com/. Come on, sing it with me now.... ABC, easy as 123, or simple as DO RE MI, ABC, 123 baby you and me....

Dad's Birthday Card

So my stepdad turned 49 on Sunday so I thought I would make him a sweet card. Imagine that! I have been a little fixated with the clear cards these days, so I thought I would create him one with bright, bold graphics and a simple sentiment. Supplies used: a clear acrylic card by CTMH, red houndstooth Hambly paper & a found clipart image of a VW bus. Don't you just love the wooden 49 in the center? It is actually from a vintage lotto game! The fun part about clear cards is that they have such a dimensional feel, and you can add your image to the front leaving the perfect hidden place for your personal message on the inside! Thanks for stopping by!