Two Life Changing Events for Two Life Changing Ladies....

There are events in your life and then there are events in your life that are "life changing".  As is your life from here on out will be changed.  Well these two ladies I'm making a card for are very special and have two totally life changing events that are and will take place. A new house and a new baby.

My first card made is for Lisa who recently just purchased a new beautiful home.  I have known Lisa for about 17 years.  We don't stay in contact as much as we use to and when we do get together it is like time never slipped by.  We are two very busy gals with busy careers and weekends filled to the max.  In order for us to get together it requires "booking in advance."  Which is very unfortunate because I miss her.  Her new home is green with a red door - I thought I would bridge the time warp gap and make her a "congratulations" card and send it to her new home. 

 My next girlfriend, Cristen, is the wife of my husband's best friend, Bobby.  Cristen too is part of the crafty bunch.  Her sewing skills are something to be reckoned with as she creates children and infant clothing and accessories. The four of us don't spend enough time together as well.  I last saw her in May 2011 when they just told us they were expecting their second child, another little girl.  Fast forward to January, last report, one hospital visit and release, contractions still coming and going.

"Pepsi" - a nick name given to her by their adorable first born, Haydn (and daddy's favorite drink) is expecting to "pop" any day now... her due date is tomorrow the 3rd.  I wasn't the card maker when Haydn was born, but I hope Bobby and Cristen will know we are thinking of them and are so excited for their new little arrival with this little paper sentiment.

Cristen's favorite color is orange - and with the pink for a little girl.  It actually came out quite cute as it isn't too often I get to make a new baby card.  I can't wait to know what they will name her!

A Card For Leslie's Niece

Where do I start to describe my friend Leslie.  Leslie is first of all one of the great great girlfriend's I have. She is a true definition of "friend" and she is also the one who introduced me to card making.  I get the special pleasure of working with this special lady.  I owe her in too many ways to count.  I thought I could come to her rescue when she called me into her office one afternoon.

Leslie was in the middle of packing and moving her family across town.  With all of her card making treasures boxed up, she asked me if I wouldn't mind making her 17 year old niece a birthday card with a gift card holder - with one condition, that she could pass it off as her own.  I was delighted to think that she thought my card making held a candle up to her own and gladly accepted her terms. 

Going home that evening, the usual over whelming process took place - a card for a 17 year old AND it has to look like something Leslie would make - and then a light bulb went off -  I just recently purchased the DCWV "All About Girls" mat stack with coordinating solids.  What girl doesn't like clothes, make-up, and glitter??? 

And this is what I came up with - Leslie was thrilled!

Kobe's 10th Birthday

Hi Paper Crafters!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while... I have creations to add but not enough time to upload them to here.  We are in the middle of selling our home, it is Christmas time, and also have birthday parties to attend.

My nephews impromptu belated birthday party is today.  This morning I managed to create a card.  Again, another reason to have an inventory.  I always perform better under pressure, but today is just not one of those days.

I'm happy with what I've came up with, however I'm having a problem with the age appropriateness.  Is he going to think it is "lame" "stupid" "for a baby"??? He is 10 - and I have no clue what a ten year old will think is cool. Kids likes and dislikes change at a drop of a hat.  I just found out from my girlfriend that her sons won't wear anything from Old Navy because it isn't cool.. I love that store!

My only direction came from Uncle Geek who says anything with race cars or tractors.

Well... going through my well overdue borrowing of my friend's Cricut cartridges (who has a son), I came across a tow truck. Wish me luck this afternoon and hopefully  I'm not called "Stupid Auntie Geek".

 

Ok everyone... we just returned from the party.  Only two hours and more quieter than I imagined, none of the less - it has been way too long seeing the other side of the family.  Kobe is so big.  I still remember him as the little boy who wouldn't walk down the isle of our wedding without holding his big sister's hand and the promise of a toy race car after the ceremony.

But I wanted to report back what he and his friends thought of my card.  At first the $20.00 bill distracted him, heck it would distract me!  With a hug and a thank you and how the 20.00 was going to his Xbox fund, his mother looked at the card and exclaimed "Kobe, this card is so you!"  And then she asked if I made it.  I said yes.  She then told Kobe to come back and re-examine the card... "Did you know Auntie and Uncle Chuck didn't go to the store to buy this card? Auntie Mel made this especially for you..."  Kobe came back over to the card to check it out... as he touched it and looked it over I got a "whoa that's cool".

YES!!! 

I also saw Kobe's cousin who is about the same age checking out my card after the other boys ran off to play arcade games.  He too said "wow that is a cool card" and then scurried off to be with his pack.  I was overjoyed - put a fork in me - I'm done, I am just good ol' Auntie Mel who isn't so stupid after all.  Wooo Who!

Christmas Cards for Grandma Geek

Well first of all, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Mine was short and sweet - walking away with a full belly and happy that I was able to catch up with family.  Secondly, referring to my husband's Grandmother as "Grandma Geek" makes me feel a little uncomfortable.  She is by far not a geek, but since it is my husband's Grandma (who he affectionately calls "Mamaw"), I thought the cute play on words would let you know who's Grandmother I was referring to :)

Grandma Geek received 6 new Christmas cards that I made in a day or so.  Man I wish I had more to give her.   My inventory of pre-made cards is like old mother Hubbard looking in her cupboard to find her dog a bone.  Yet another reason for this blog... to keep me honest. I can't whine that I have no cards if I don't make them and post them... right?   My goal is to always have several cards on hand made tailor made to whomever receives it or to even have enough for a hostess gift - which brings me back to Grandma Geek.

Me giving her 6 cards is enough to send to each one to her children and us should she choose to. When I handed her the modest box.  Her eyes lit up with joy exclaiming "I just love these! I use them for everything! Birthdays... Thank You's... everything!"  My heart melted... I wanted to run back home and immediately start making her more.  I told her how much that meant to me... and that be on the look out for Christmas cause she'll never have to buy another card again, she is set.

So on top of my Julie and Julia project, or projects, not quite ready to announce all I want to do... but I do have other things cookin' - after all my girlfriends don't call me "Tart" for nothing. I want to make Grandma Geek some more cards. These are just a tease.

I will deem what I make Grandma as the 

"Grandma Geek Project."  

http://tartscards.blogspot.com/p/grandma-geek-project.html

Please enjoy these for now. 

These definitely got me into the Christmas spirit so me and the Geek are having a tree trimming date tonight... and yes, there will be handmade paper ornaments on there ha ha.

With my first pictures of cards posted... I hope you are starting to get a smidgen of inspiration... let me know!

Julie and Julia? A blog is born...

Hello Fellow Paper Crafters!

It is a rainy Saturday afternoon here in Healdsburg, California... just 5 short days before Thanksgiving.  A perfect time for me to start making a hostess gift for my husband's Grandmother who loves my handmade cards.

Before diving into my "card making haze," I decided to update my I-Phone because my husband, affectionately known as "The Geek", has been diligently asking me to do so.  Technology challenged,  I barely know my apps from a hole in the ground - I mistakingly decided to update my phone through I Tunes without The Geek's supervision. Sadly, in the process,  I lost all of my pictures and videos.  All of our fur-baby pics, the pictures taken of my hubby's and my treasured summer outings that were meant to go into a future scrapbook, and the pictures I took of cards I made before sending them to love ones.

  After a nice good cry I decided get back on the horse again.   I know I will always have memories of the funny stuff our dog, Hurley, does - and the wonderful times Chuck (The Geek lol) have with each other.  I also know I will have memories of the joy I bring to people when they see my handmade creations.  I also know I can create more of these sentiments too!

All of the sudden I had an idea!

As you are reading this I hope you are a "foodie" or at the very least a movie buff.  Have you seen Julie and Julia?  A brief synopsis from IMDb... "Julia Child's story of her start in the cooking profession is intertwined with blogger Julie Powell's 2002 challenge to cook all the recipes in Child's first book."  Well I love the movie and even more so... love the concept.  I thought of taking this concept and applying it to card making.

I will deem this project as

"The Julie and Julia's Project - Go To Sketches"

http://tartscards.blogspot.com/p/julie-and-julia-project.html

   

My Inspiration: PaperCrafts "Go to Sketches"

The Challenge: Make cards from all of the posted sketches.

My Hopes: To inspire Paper Crafters who read this to do the same and share their own creations with loved ones.

With this blog, I'll never lose any more pictures of cards I have made in my life.  With this blog, I can still bring joy to the loved ones in which these cards are intended for and bring joy to you as you are reading this and getting your creative juices flowing.  This is only the first of many challenges I plan on doing.  I think this blog will be a wonderful hub for you to find ideas for many occasions.  I will post everything I plan on making, even things that don't have to do with this challenge.  Feel free to do the same!

My only disclaimer is that you be kind, I am by all means not a professional card maker, english major, or a blogging expert.  All are welcomed, and believe me there are going to be a lot of spelling errors, grammar mistakes, and posting faux pas that are going to happen.

Looking forward to your participation and seeing your creations... let the inspiration begin and we wish me luck!