Wednesday, October 22, 2008

The {Leaves} They Are A-Changin'



Gotta love a little Bob Dylan, right?

I set out to make thank-you cards last night (always behind on those!), but I gotta tell you my brain it's not a-workin'. See that beautiful sentiment? It's one of the quotes from Verve's Beautiful You set. (That was the one-year anniversary commemorative set where each of the Verve designers contributed a meaningful quote. SUCH a fabulous set, by the way, and totally worth checking out if you missed it back in August!) I digress, though. Back to the card. I wasn't thinking when I grabbed the sentiment that there aren't any blossoms on here, just leaves. Does that create a disconnect for you? (Can you see the sentiment? It looks a little fuzzy in the photo ... it reads "Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul" - Henry Ward Beecher.)

The card itself is deceptive in its simplicity. Believe it or not, this took me forever! I can't really say why, except that all my projects are taking forever these days. Must be an "advanced age" thing ... it's steadily been getting worse and worse ever since I turned 40 last month {giggle}. True story!

Check out this alternate version (which I like much better):



Here I've just mounted the branch and leaf panel onto a 4 1/4" x 3" Old Olive card base. Wouldn't this be a great little note to tuck in with a small gift? I could have used a slew of these a few years ago when I was returning dishes to families who had provided my family with meals after my daughter was born. I could also see this version working well as Thanksgiving place settings, with the person's name in place of the sentiment.

My oldest two are in school at the moment and the littlest is napping, so my hope is these hands they'll be a-stampin' very soon! But before I go, let me direct your attention to a mid-week challenge that posted today on the Our Creative Corner blog. Julee Tilman is hosting this one, and it's a technique challenge using "Vintage Values." All the how-to's are on the blog. It looks really fun and the samples so far are to die for. Best part for you is the free Verve set you could win if you participate. Head on over if you're interested! I know I'm still planning to try out this fun technique. Hope you will too!

One last thing ... a funny story that maybe you can all relate to? I picked up my daughter from a birthday party Friday night. One of the other mothers, a friend I hadn't seen in a while, actually suggested that I come out of my craft room and "get a life" (her words, really!!)! Well it didn't take much consideration to conclude I like my life - why do I want a different one? To each her own, huh? I supposed I could be spending my time on more valuable pursuits, like updating my Facebook status or giving away pieces of flair or even completing online jigsaw puzzles! (Oooooo, snarky, but she's gonna love it! Off to send her an email telling her I just posted about her on my blog. Better yet? I'll write it on her Facebook wall. Snort!!)

Thanks for stopping by, and do come back. I'm a nice person most of the time - really! LOL!



Stamps: Out on a Limb (Papertrey); Beautiful You (Verve)
Paper: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Very Vanilla
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Chocolate Chip craft
Accessories: brown twill (Offray); acorn charm (Karen Foster); distressing tool, paper piercer, clear embossing powder, and scallop border punch (Stampin' Up); Copic markers

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh WOW! Both of your cards are breathtaking. Love them!

Anonymous said...

Amy, your cards, as always, are absolutely beautiful. I had to LOL when I read your story, are you by chance referring to someone we both know and love who happens to live near me? If not, you could be. :-) Too funny! Stacey

Lydia Fiedler said...

LMAO!!!

Sue from Oregon said...

This is a stop in my tracks type of card...Simple and elegant and just darn pretty!

Catherine said...

Both cards are so beautiful and love that acorn charm :) And the stamp set...love it!

Anonymous said...

Your cards are absolutely beautiful and I, for one, love the fact that you spend time in your craft room! If it makes you happy, who is she to complain! I spend a lot of time making cards, as my DH works away from home many months of the year! It keeps me sane and very happy, so please do what you like and *do very well, I might add*!! I love your wonderful creations!

Ashley Cannon Newell said...

Both of these are amazing. The acorn charm adds the perfect touch! You're awesome!

Oma said...

I love the card you made and the acorn charm is perfect for it.

As for your so called "friend", she is probably jealous that she doesn't have a creative bone in her body!

Nancy Riley said...

Amy, these cards are GORGEOUS! ... they just scream "FALL"! The colors, the textures, and that cute cute cute acorn charm ... love it all!

I had to laugh at your friend's comment about getting out of the craft room and getting a life. I can soooo relate! There's no place I'd rather be than in my craft room creating, and not everyone "gets" that!

Unknown said...

I love both cards! There is a lot of art in that simplitiy, girlfriend!

Too funny about your friend. I have a friend just like that. She thinks I don't have a life. Like you, I LOVE mine, and wouldn't change a thing if I could! :-)

Karen Giron said...

wow, Amy! Both of these cards are just wonderful!! I didn't even notice the sentiment not 'matching' until I read about it - so no worries there, I'll take the card - ha!

I don't think there is 'life' outside of stamping and Facebook, come on!! I'm way addicted to Facebook, it's sad...

Missy said...

I absolutely love this card. It was just stunning and made me stop when I saw it. Thanks so much for spending some time in your craft room. I love the acorn ornament as well. So cute.

Alhambra Club said...

These are lovely

Anonymous said...

Amy, you so make me laugh!! Thanks so much for my comic relief of the day. Oh, and as usual your cards are simply fabulous!!

Unknown said...

I love both of your versions! So pretty!

I got a chuckle out of your story, too. All too often I hear something similar and I just laugh. Lately it's "why do you spend so much time on Christmas cards when people are just going to throw it away?". Well said - to each her own!!

marcyh said...

Beautiful card, as always. I think the sentiment is fine with the image..the bloom is behind the young leaves. You just can't see it yet!

I am sitting here trying to figure out who said friend might be....

I have a little addiciton to facebook myself, but to each their own eh?

Allison said...

Both of these are beautiful! I love the fall colours.

Kristie said...

Both cards are just gorgeous as usual Amy!
But what is it about people who think that creating beautiful things is not *life*? I had the same comment from one of my housemates yesterday....seriously twisted....as if *life* only includes what they value as opposed to anything else. I think your life is wonderful...if only because the gorgeous things you create enrich all of us who see them :)

Paula Barin said...

Lovely cards!

Stampin_Melissa said...

Your cards are oh so lovely (as always!) I'm soooo glad you don't have a life! *huge eyeroll* My thought is to say something like, "oh I guess I should go back to drinking then. . . ."

Sandra Smart said...

Amy, I love these cards, but the first one is a favorite for me!

Jessie/knightrone said...

I love my life too...good for you!! Gorgeous cards by the way..you are too talented!!

Lynda Benden said...

Beautiful cards Amy ~ I LOVE them both! I love Fall colors and the Out on Limb is fantastic the way you inked it up!

Oh, BTW, GET A LIFE!!! LMBO!!!! I think I need to get one too!!!!

Jami said...

Love 'em both Amy! And I'm happier now than I've ever been, I think it has a lot to do with this marvelous stamp/craft community we are a part of!! Glad you love your life too!!!
hugs, Jami

Anonymous said...

Just gorgeous! Love, love, love them!

June Houck said...

#1 You are always the nicest person. Truly! Seriously, you know me, Amy, and I tend to say exactly what I think, even when I should censor myself.

#2 While I love both cards, the first one is ever so slightly my favorite. For me it is the argyle (? I don't have that one)CB e.f.

Fall colors are my favorite, so these beauties really speak to me :)

Anonymous said...

No. She. DIDN'T! I can't believe she (whoever "she" is) said that to you!! As a facebook junkie myself, I can tell you that I appreciate your passion and inspiration. If you come out, I'm going to tell you to get back in your craft room and work on some inspiration for me!

Love these cards - as always. I actually told another crafty friend of mine about you recently. I think she's been stalking you in secret.
-Alissa

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous cards, as always! People say the darndest things...not just kids anymore! That's the younger generation now...it all comes out. I love my craft room and find it my refuge and place where I think of how I will make something pretty for others. I know you do as well. Keep doing what you're doing. You are inspiring many of us in cyberland who are sharing your ideas with our friends and families. TFS! (And consider not emailing her.)

Anonymous said...

Love your cards and the inspiration you provide. Thanks so much!. If spending your free time in your craft room (after 9 hours/day, 5 days a week at a job, grocery shopping, cooking meals, laundry, house cleaning, chauffering your childen to games, lessons,sleepovers etc, church, working with the youth group and doing the accounting for your husband's small business) I guess I don't have a "life" either. It's amazing what people will say!

Marisa said...

Lovely card, Amy. Who cares how long it took to make it, the final outcome is great (said by one who takes forever to make ALL her cards!!).

As for your friend, too bad so sad. Each of us has gifts and things we enjoy doing. WE ENJOY seeing your creations, that's for sure and sharing in your love for paper crafts. Maybe you need to post an address so we can inundate her with cards to show her the value of spending time in a craft room LOL :)

Keep up the wonderful work!

Becky said...

I like the first one best, just my preference. They are both great. I am a fall color person.

Danielle said...

I love both these cards Amy - your work is just so beautiful!

Shy said...

Your cards are beautiful. Love that acorn.

Conniecrafter said...

Both are so pretty, love the background texture in the first!

Anonymous said...

Wow, Amy! I LOVE these! So clean and cute!

Diane Gilbert said...

Amy I LOVE both cards! BEAUTIFUL!!!
~Diane

Shirley said...

Your cards are both BeautiFall~!

Nicole said...

great story! thanks for adding me over @ facebook :D

Jody Morrow said...

Beautiful, inside AND out!