A few years ago, I started following boards on Pinterest. Of course, my favorite boards involve card making. So much inspiration out there that I starting pinning and pinning and pinning. Sometimes it was the color combination I fell in love with, or the layout, or the embellishments, or the ribbons, or subject matter, or the paper combinations. Even now I can go online and pin a dozen or more in a few minutes. I love the artistry and cleverness. I was able to produce some of my own (hooray). Time was my biggest obstacle.
The countdown to retirement for me started about three years out and it seemed an awfully long time away. I would think about how much more time I would have (and a little less stress), and what I wanted to do with that free time. I love making cards and sharing how I made them and what inspired me. Blogging was the natural answer as to what vehicle would best serve my goals. I have been thinking about being in this very place at this very time for quite awhile.
Having made the decision to create a blog, make cards based on inspiration from around the web and specifically on Pinterest, and share those cards, I began to think about format. Do you remember a movie called Julie and Julia? Well, that is what I want to do only instead of recipes, I want to make cards. I have decided to use the 1,859 (as of today) card pins as inspiration and try to produce my version of each and every one of them. Of course, the original artist will be given the credit. Even a one card per day, it will take me over six (can that be correct?) years to do each one.
Since I am still pinning, I will create a couple of more boards for the cards. One for my creations and a different one for new pins so I don't get confused and will still have a somewhat manageable (hah) goal.
Monday, November 9, 2015
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Newbie
I am a late starter when it comes to the blogging world. I've had it in mind for a few years but waited until I had the time to dedicate to blogging itself, and the purpose behind my decision to blog. There are so many talented and creative bloggers that share their thoughts, ideas and crafts with the world. I admire them and appreciate the time, effort, skill and stories they have invested in their blogs. I want to join the ranks.
Simply put, I like to make stuff and share it. I come from a long line of immensely smart and creative people. One of my grandmothers made quilts to support herself and her children after her husband died in an accident. My mother and her sisters are accomplished artists and published authors. Another grandmother crocheted and knitted intricate doilies, tablecloths and pillow edgings. I have samples of their works. My mother wrote biographies and family histories. She sewed most of our clothes while we were growing up. She was the best cook I know. As I already mentioned, she painted and drew and kept years and years worth of personal journals in which she filled with drawings and thoughts and daily life. She passed away a few years ago and I miss her everyday. I have been extremely blessed with a wonderful (and large) family.
I saw a sign recently that listed life's priorities as God, family, and everything else. I agree.
So here I am.
There are several factors that came together to bring me to this point. As mentioned above, God and family started me in this direction. As a young adult (yes, years ago), I made a decision to make sure I had a personal relationship with each of my nieces and nephews. The number back then was relatively (pun intended) small. I have 26 nieces and nephews now, many of them married with children of their own. I started out by memorizing their birthdays and making sure each of them received a card or some kind of remembrance from me on their birthday. Even now, I believe I can recite their birthdays (no testing allowed). Remembering their birthdays and staying involved has been rewarding. I know and love them all.
Another factor is about 20 years ago, I was introduced to scrapbooking by some co-workers. I wanted in and that began my addiction to paper crafts. I married my practice of sending birthday cards with my addiction to paper crafts. Card making is the natural outcome. This has been my focus for many years. At one point while making cards for family, I realized that some of the youngest members of my large family did not have the opportunity to personally meet or know the grandparents I had grown up with. I wanted to introduce them. Knowing who and where you come from, I believe, is essential is keeping you grounded. Even though our ancestors are gone from our sight, they are a great source of strength and stability. One year, starting in January, I began to dedicate that year's birthday card to a specific relative that had passed on. I include a paragraph or two with basic biographic information. That exercise brought me joy. Unfortunately, due to personal circumstances, I had to abandon my birthday cards for a season.
This is a long post... I am going to take a break for now, but there is more to come...
Simply put, I like to make stuff and share it. I come from a long line of immensely smart and creative people. One of my grandmothers made quilts to support herself and her children after her husband died in an accident. My mother and her sisters are accomplished artists and published authors. Another grandmother crocheted and knitted intricate doilies, tablecloths and pillow edgings. I have samples of their works. My mother wrote biographies and family histories. She sewed most of our clothes while we were growing up. She was the best cook I know. As I already mentioned, she painted and drew and kept years and years worth of personal journals in which she filled with drawings and thoughts and daily life. She passed away a few years ago and I miss her everyday. I have been extremely blessed with a wonderful (and large) family.
I saw a sign recently that listed life's priorities as God, family, and everything else. I agree.
So here I am.
There are several factors that came together to bring me to this point. As mentioned above, God and family started me in this direction. As a young adult (yes, years ago), I made a decision to make sure I had a personal relationship with each of my nieces and nephews. The number back then was relatively (pun intended) small. I have 26 nieces and nephews now, many of them married with children of their own. I started out by memorizing their birthdays and making sure each of them received a card or some kind of remembrance from me on their birthday. Even now, I believe I can recite their birthdays (no testing allowed). Remembering their birthdays and staying involved has been rewarding. I know and love them all.
Another factor is about 20 years ago, I was introduced to scrapbooking by some co-workers. I wanted in and that began my addiction to paper crafts. I married my practice of sending birthday cards with my addiction to paper crafts. Card making is the natural outcome. This has been my focus for many years. At one point while making cards for family, I realized that some of the youngest members of my large family did not have the opportunity to personally meet or know the grandparents I had grown up with. I wanted to introduce them. Knowing who and where you come from, I believe, is essential is keeping you grounded. Even though our ancestors are gone from our sight, they are a great source of strength and stability. One year, starting in January, I began to dedicate that year's birthday card to a specific relative that had passed on. I include a paragraph or two with basic biographic information. That exercise brought me joy. Unfortunately, due to personal circumstances, I had to abandon my birthday cards for a season.
This is a long post... I am going to take a break for now, but there is more to come...
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