Birthday Gift for a Friend

I have several friends that are avid canners and we pretty much all love anything mason jar inspired. One of my friends has a birthday coming up so I thought I would make her some note cards. For the one set, I used a coordinating papers on a background of kraft paper and each one has a mason jar on it. A couple of them are holding flowers, one fireflies, one buttons and a couple are empty. Us canners love empty jars too! We always have something in mind that can go in a jar.

I also made her a couple of canning journals. I have a couple of these myself, one I use to keep track of what I have canned and the amount that I canned, along with the date each project was canned. I didn't label hers though because I am not sure of the system she uses. This way, she can use them for whatever purpose she desires. 

Papers are DCWV, the stamps used to make the note cards are from Recollections, the larger mason jar on the composition book is from EK Success.

Another Journal for Card Cupids

I have another journal to show you, this time one for a girl. In addition to sending cards and other goodies to children in the hospital or with illnesses, Card Cupids also sponsor children at a homeless shelter. For the month of April the challenge is to create, decorate or alter a journal that will be passed along to children in need along with some school supplies. For my journal, I used an image from Michelle Perkett, some papers from my stash and some ribbon and flower rhinestones from Jo-Ann's. The journal is just a regular composition book that I decorated.

So you have extra cards you would like to donate? On the Card Cupid blog there are a couple of specific requests for birthday cards.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I was able to spend a lot of time at my craft table. I think I made more cards this weekend than I have ever made in such a short time! On a sad note though, my ATG gun finally bit the dust and I am going to have to break down and buy another one because this time I lost the screw that holds it together. It has been a great one, but it never quite recovered from being dropped on my sidewalk one day after a crop.

Have a great Monday!

Card Cupids

Have you heard of this group? From the Card Cupids blog:

They provide encouragement and joy to children by sending cards, stuffed animals, coloring books and art supplies to children that are facing difficult challenges in their lives. The organization is designed to send a bundle of cards to needy children  for their birthday or in a time of need, along with a cuddly stuffed animal. Card Cuddle care packages are sent to numerous children hospitals, foster care and homeless shelters. 

I am so glad my friend Karen told me about them. Learning about Card Cupids touched a special place in my heart, because as a child I spent quite a bit of time in the hospital. I remember how long and boring those days were, and how exciting it was when someone would bring in mail to pass out. I grew up in Cleveland, TN but most of my back surgeries were done in Atlanta, GA far away from friends and family. My parents were able to stay with me but three hours (one way) was a bit much to expect any other visitors. Getting cards in the mail was something I looked forward to each day. Of course I got cards from my family and people from my church, but I also received cards from people I didn't know from my grandparents' churches and their friends. It didn't matter to me where those cards came from. Even as a kid I remember being touched that those people that didn't know me took the time to send me a pretty card. The joy didn't just come from opening those cards either, my Mom would hang them up all around my room and all of those cards really brightened up my hospital room. 

The Card Cupids blog has a monthly challenge. and for the month of April and that challenge is to make a journal. I decided to make a journal for a little boy. I had bought a bunch of these plain journals because I got them at a great price and I realized they would make the perfect journal for a young child because the pages do not have lines on them. That makes them great for writing and perfect for drawing! I have lots of little girls in my life and rarely get to make little boy things. For my journal, I used an older dinosaur stamp set from Clear Dollar Stamps.

If you have the time I would love it if you would check out the Card Cupids page and help out if you can or participate in the challenge. If you are like me and most other card makers I know you probably have a stash of cards. What a great way to help bring a smile to someone's face.

I am also very happy to tell you that I will be a Design Team member!