Two consecutive holiday posts? Well, I could use a little Christmas, right this very minute!
They happen to be bookends to a less than festive week spent in a migraine’s grip. I nearly made it through this very busy summer without one, and then with one work week to go before some much needed time off, I was knocked off my feet, literally.
I’ve written a bit about my experience as a migraineur. Being in the thick of it is always surreal; I struggle with a constricted, pulsating brain, have difficulty processing and using language, and my sense of time (which is never good anyway) completely distorts.
When I recover, the entry into the “real” world often seems just as surreal. Today, I felt the most normal, and yet paradoxically the most alien. After a migraine, everything around me always seems so new and hyper-real. We headed to a favorite haunt (and in my opinion one of the top three bakeries in Seattle), Columbia City Bakery, strolled around the neighborhood feeling the hint of cool fall air, and made it to Impress Cards and Crafts for their Paperpalooza where I scored some sweet 12×12 for 25 cents a sheet! Itching to make some fancy envelopes!
It was good to get out. It was also good to productively create a bit yesterday and today. Though I feel like the summer simply melted away, there is a stirring of excitement within for the coming fall. The sweet Halloween and holiday cards at Impress urged me on.
Now, I’ve four cards queued up and ready to post, so without further ado, let the festivities begin!
This card was inspired by the current sketch and image over at Fusion, as well as Festive Friday’s image. It’s old country (Christmas) charm indeed.
I worked from the crimson and cream background colors, the rustic paint on the door, and background designs, as well as the sketch at Fusion. I pulled the wreath and black and cream of the sign from Festive Friday.
When I had completed this card, it made me think of the interior of a fabulous boutique in the neighborhood of Ballard, Horseshoe. It’s rustic, full of clothes I can’t afford, gorgeous jewelry, and lots of cowboy boots. I always love passing through, even if I have to leave empty handed!
So I’ve combined product from many different companies for this production!
A couple notable elements are the garland, a deconstructed laurel from the Spellbinders Laurel and Bee set; also, you will note that I have embossed my Lifestyle Crafts reindeer to add some interest and texture. I used Versafine Champagne embossing pad, Superfine clear powder, and a background stamp from Hero Arts.
Close up of the embossing. I’ve layered my die cuts to give them some heft.
The flowers are classic Prima, as is the wood frame; the banner was cut from some grungy, antiqued paper, and stamped with a sentiment from Amuse Studio.
As always, I’ve finished off the inside and back with My Mind’s Eye Market Street washi.
Here’s a selection of the products used.
Other products used:
Amuse Studio Wasabi paper
Mama Elephant Femme Frames
Gold glitter glue
POW Gold paper
Gina K Ivory Base Weight paper
Last Look
I always love how a design and/or color can completely change the whole experience of another color/design. I placed the card atop some off-white paper and it feels so different!
That’s it for me this evening! Check back tomorrow for more creations. And make sure to stop over to Fusion and Festive Friday.
If you are in the States, enjoy the last day of our holiday weekend. Wherever in the world you are, I hope Monday finds you feeling fine and inspired!