Being Inspired by Others ...

Happy Sunday Evening Everyone!!
On this rainy, miserable weather day in NE Ohio, I decided to work on a couple of projects inspired by others that I have had sitting aside.

I was recently visiting StampTV and saw this clever "Memory Keeper Part 1" - "Memory Keeper Part 2" and couldn't wait to make myself a "template" to use when time permitted. I thought this was a great idea not only for photos but for a gift set of 4 cards which GinaK also demonstrated a few days later.

This is my interpretation of Gina K's creation and I thought I would give this set to my neighbor who thought of me when she needed those bridal shower invitations ... just to say "Thanks, I'm glad you like my work!"

The other set I will probably give to my mother to keep on hand just in case she needs a last minute gift. She's very active with the Red Hat Ladies as well as the church and other dancing & singing functions so I thought she might like to have a few of these sets on hand.

I only have these two sets made at the present time but I'm sure I'll be making many more to have on hand for my mom and myself. The boxes are so easy to make and look so attractive with the matching (or coordinating) designer papers. (Click for a larger view.)

I'm sorry my photo's are not the best! The designer paper used on the cards is of the same color ... cut from the same 12x12 sheet but I guess the angle I took the photos and possibly the lighting, makes it look like a couple of the cards are lighter than the other two.


This 2nd project was inspired by Deb Saaranen's creation for Sharon Johnson's Very Vintage Challenge this past week. Do you remember these notecards that folded to make a self envelope from many years ago? I hadn't thought about these beauties for years until Deb came up with it and I'm so glad she did! This is my version but PLEASE pop over and check out Deb's version ... it's awesome!!!


You start out with a 12x12 piece of 2-sided designer paper ... in this case, I also used K&Co. Ancestry designer paper ... as did Deb, but I picked a different pattern. I created my lace flower by cutting a 10" strip of JoAnn's lace ... running a thread through one edge and gathered it together to created my flower. I then adhered it with this beautiful vintage brad ... also from JoAnn's. I've used a gold Pilot marker for my edging.

Here is a view of this vintage idea in "open" position. I have added a piece of very vanilla cardstock on the "writing" section which I have embellished with a border punched strip and drew lines with a fine tip Creative Memories black marker. (I don't write very straight so I thought I'd add the lines). LOL!!!


I think I'll make up a few of these for my mother's friends too. They always comment on my cards ... maybe they'd like to see something a little different!

Hope you've had a wonderful weekend! Even though the weather has been "not so nice" ... we were able to get a few things done around the house and that always makes me feel like I've accomplished "SOMETHING!". Have a great evening!