The day I made this card, the assignment was to make a creature out of clay. Lisa made a sheep that happened to have wings. Her friend Alexis, made a tree. Alexis' childhood friend had just passed away and she was very sad. She didn't have it in her to make a whimsical animal, but her childhood friend had loved trees.
Lisa described the tree to me in vivid detail. It didn't have roots, but rather legs that were sitting comfortably stretched out. It will be painted in autumnal colors because that was her favorite season. Everything about this tree celebrated who her friend was and their long friendship.
I was very touched by the story, and feeling pretty emotional about, it just from Lisa's dynamic storytelling. I had been card making all morning, so it was natural to go right in and begin to choose stamps and paper and inks. (The paper never ended up getting used.) Everything was stamped, water colored using the ink pads and water brush, and the grass was sketched in with the new alcohol markers. I think I used some water color pencils, as well.
I stamped the sun, the tree top, and the airplane first in the lighter color ink, then rocked the edges in the darker ink.
Once the card was finished, I worried that Alexis, who I didn't know, and Lisa only knew from this one class, would think this was weird - or it that might make her more sad. I held on to it for a few weeks. Lisa just delivered it on Wednesday, and she really appreciated it.
It felt like the right thing to do at the time. Why do I doubt these things???
Wishing you all sunshine!! (Me? I've been holed up in a dark room, resting the head. Hoping for a productive day tomorrow!!)
I have to say that I love this stamp set: Splendid Day D1462. I must use it more!!
This is a very sweet card with a lot of thought put into it. Glad that you had your daughter deliver it.
ReplyDeleteThanks!! Me too. The thought didn't quite cover the artistic choice of the tree extending off the card, to how it was going to fit in the envelope nicely!! ;)
DeleteIt's so beautiful, Karen. Love the card and the sentiment, it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThe sentiment had me stumped for a little bit, but I figured trees still need sunshine, and when you are sad there is nothing like a sunny day to lift your spirits!! Thanks for stopping by, and for the wonderful comment. :D
DeleteSometimes a thoughtful and beautiful card is just the right thing at a sad time. I'm sure it was very appreciated!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bonnie, and I know that you are right!! I just don't want to intrude on anyone, even though it felt exactly like the right thing to do at the time that I was making it. I was so happy that she accepted it in the way it was meant!!
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