Card # 48- silver doily

The bottom half of a package of scrapbooking pages was damaged in last year’s basement flood, and being the thrifty New Englander that I am, I decided that I could turn the top halves of the pages into greeting cards. I trimmed the raised edges and measured the remaining paper to fit some extra envelopes on hand. 

I’ve been coached regarding the merits of doilies in crafts by Nicole of Lavender Nest and thought of her immediately upon seeing a package of silver doilies in the sale bin at a craft supply store. Note to self: DON’T attempt to separate doilies over a brand new (pristine) table cloth! Duh… the factory DID NOT remove all the itsy bitsy pieces of paper from the design. 

The first one I separated from the pile and cut in half turned out to be FOUR doilies! Good thing my trusty furry assistant was on hand to supervise closely as I arduously separated them, thus creating hundreds of tiny pieces of shiny paper (onto the new table cloth).

All in all, I’m pleased with my foray into doily-land. I made a bunch of identical cards, but will only count this one towards the contest. Four to go!

What is your favorite crafty use for doilies?

Cards # 43-47 Inspirational Quotes Part 2

“Cleave ever to the sunnier side of doubt.” -Tennyson

I put glitter on the previous set of cards, and thought about re-photographing them, but am now glad I didn’t so this batch will have a new feature. How about that background paper?

I’ve had these pink envelopes for over a year, so now is the time to share them with others, bedecked.

Only one more set of quotes in the supply pile, though I may make the last 5 cards in the challenge out of photos again. A year ago, I thought making one card per week was a good pace, but since I’ve not created stunning layers and detailed decorations, creating themed sets (in batches) has worked well for me.

Cards #38, 39, 40, 41and 42: Quotes and Stamps

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” –Corrie ten Boom 

This week was “do it or give up” time on completing the 52 cards by March, so I used a sheet of quotes from a magazine ad to make 5 at once. After adhering the quotes onto cheerful paper, I stamped away, decorating the insides, backs of the cards, and envelopes!

The quotes are inspirational to me, and were sufficient alone on the covers of the cards...at first. I realized after photographing them, that I MUST decorate the fronts with glitter glue swirls!

How amazing in the background paper? I found it in Boston, and can't wait to use it on a black scrapbook page...though no idea which photos to place on top of the swirls. 

Hudson, NY

For our wedding anniversary, Mr. Spice and I drove to New York state for a weekend break. Being bibliophiles we headed to the used book store on the tourist map right away, and breathed deeply of the bookish fragrance inside.

If it hadn’t been raining, we would have taken advantage of this lovely outdoor area behind the shop. I was amazed to discover a memoir by Mary Higgins Clark- thanks, Rodgers Book Barn!

Once in Hudson, we perused antique shops, indulged at the chocolate bar (Verdigris Tea Café & Bakery), ate truck food and restaurant food, and picked up a tremendous poetry magazine, Ruminate.

It’s easy to take unusual photos when props like this one are plentiful!