Fun Monday - Handmade, Not Homemade

Karmyn, home to "Dreaming What Ifs", is host for this week's Fun Monday.  She "asked everyone to show us their crafty side....post something that was handmade....junior high shop table, scrapbook pages, burnt meatloaf, knitting projects, muffins, whatever...."

A thousand years ago, I was very crafty... I've tried just about everything at least once, from knitting at swim meets (the season ended, so did my scarf, which looked more like a coaster), to a weekend scrapbooking retreat with friends (I got a few Disney pages done...that was the end of that!), I even sewed a pair of mint green shorts once (got as far as the zipper, never made it to the waistband).  As I write this, I realize I'm pretty doggone good at starting projects, but alas, that daggum same A.D.D. propensity I have when cleaning apparently rears its ugly head when crafting, too.  Hmmmm, hadn't noticed that before I saw it in black and stinkin' white.  The one thing I was able to start AND finish was cross-stitching--I started in high school and continued into my early years of marriage, but everything I made was given to someone else.  Now, I wish we had something I had completed...

Movin' on....

When I finally had children, I was in craft nirvana!  I had an excuse for playing with glitter and glue and squiggly eyes, oh, my!  I loved being the "craft girl" at Vacation Bible School.  Somewhere along the way, though, as my babies grew out of that phase, so did I.  I'm not very crafty anymore, if I do anything, it's gotta be fast and easy to complete.

Enter stamping :).

My friend Paige found a very sneaky way to introduce me to the art of making hand-stamped cards.  She gave me some.  Not once, but twice.  Wascally wabbit...!  I noticed on the back of them she had made them (a personalized "Paige" stamp told me so), so I asked her about them.  She invited me to a "free" workshop, and $$$ of dollars later, I was in the cult.  For five minutes, I was even a Stampin' Up demonstrator,  but then my father's health declined and I was otherwise occupied, so it was short lived.

What I discovered was priceless:  instant craft gratification!!  You can make a card in MINUTES and there's always a "wow" factor!  People love to receive these cards; they make lovely, original gifts.  But the most wonderful discovery was how much Rachel and I loved doing this together.  She was around 13 when we started, so it wasn't as if I had to do the work for her; we simply sat side-by-side and worked at the same time.   Conversation flows naturally and because we're learning that her love language is "quality time", it speaks that, too. 

Here are a few cards I've made in the past.  It's been a while since I stamped anything new...right now, our stamp room is covered in photographs--literally--because I'm going to get those organized if it kills me (which it dang well might)(but at least they'll be in order before I meet my unfortunate demise). 

Here are a few that are pretty cool; the first one "toggles" the stamp side, then the sentiment; the second one is called a "waterfall" and as you pull the ribbon tab down, the square stamped cut outs cascade down.

Thanks for visiting my Fun Monday post.  Unless you're posting Sunday (like me), I won't be able to see yours until I return from Washington.  While most of you are blog hoppin' to all the FM craftsmen, I'll be on a bus with a bunch of 14 year olds headed to our Nation's Capitol.  I hadn't decided whether or not I'd take my laptop for a break from the madness, but then Ree mentioned a little contest she's having, and daggum it....I get twitchy if I don't play along.  For some reason she wouldn't reschedule to accommodate me, imagine that!

 

Comments

[Hootin' Anni]

Wow....that's a lot of work, and so beautiful!! The way you have them displayed on your blog is great!! You should be proud.....

Mine's posted.

[Karmyn R]

Beautiful cards, Robin. This is VERY crafty to be sure!

I make cards too - but since I'm not a stamper, mine pale in comparison.

Thanks for playing - and have a fun time in DC - (you are very brave - 60 preteens? YIKES!)

[Beckie]

The cards are Beeeyootiful. I like!

I have made cards in the past and mine aren't nearly as creative.

Have fun in D.C.

[Swampy]

Hey Trashy Friend...have fun in DC. Love the stamping 'craftiness' in you. After being away from blogging for so long, I returnn to find everyone with new looks. Love yours.
Someone please tell Pamela I can't comment at her place. ?

[mjd]

Robin, you brave soul taking 14 year olds across the street is courageous. But the capital, bless you.

Your stamping crafts are lovely.

[Jenny]

Those are awesome! So, so cool.

[min]

LOVE it!!! Teach me how, oh please, please, please!
Sixty 8th graders that sounds like so much fun!!

[Pamela]

I make cards on my computer. I'm so lazy.
Except they say silly stuff.. which people enjoy.

I should send you a card when you get back from your trip.
Something like: Heard you took a trip? And some valium?

[John]

Nice post!

[theotherbear]

Those cards - particularly the last two - are so clever. What do you mean you're no longer crafty!!!

[Debbie]

Your cards are just great!!! I am not creative enough to make cards. I wish I was, it looks like fun!

[Pass the Torch]

You ARE a crafty girl! My sister-in-law does stuff like this, and I'm always impressed. I would like to be crafty. I really would. I just need one of those clone thingamabobs;)

[Sabrina]

Whoah, chica, that is SO much work! Those are absolutely gorgeous, and I know they are so meaningful to their recipients!!! Hope you survive, I mean, enjoy your trip!!!

[Kurt]

Stamping, huh? Quite the coincidence. I have a big collection of stamps and back issues of Rubberstamp Madness magazine.

[chrisb]

These are a great collection of cards I love them.

[Erin]

You're in DC? Swing by and say hello, Girl!

Um, did you bring your lemon curd with you by chance? ;)

[Joy T.]

I'm seriously thinking of getting into stamping and these are great incentives. Fantastic job, they all look so beautiful!

[Amy W]

I absolutely love those...

[Tiger Lamb Girl]

I have a friend who fell into the same cult of stamping and she hasn't been the same since. And we all get the most awesome cards at Xmas and on our b-days. I'm afraid to start....instant gratification with wow factor cost lots of money;).

[momto3cubs]

Oh, wow, your are my idol. ;) I'm not crafty, but have tried to be. I so want to be the "craft girl" at VBS :)

Thanks for sharing.

[willowtree]

Those are a real treat. I love all the colours, do they take long to make? Do you regret when you have to send them to someone?

Have fun in DC?

[Bethany]

Those are really great!

[Tiggerlane]

You will NEVER convince me that these are easy - they are way too fabulous!

Have a rockin' time in DC - it's bound to be a GREAT experience. Hope you get to stay a good long while!

[Tiggerlane]

...and I'm hurt that you didn't enter MY contest. Pout.

[Woodlandmama]

Those are fantastic.

[Melissa]

I especially like the cascading one. Very cool!

[Little Miss Moi]

Dear robin. Those cards are lovely! They look complicated - I'm not convinced they're easy.

[Stephanie]

Very, very, lovely!!

Safe travels, my friend!

[claudia]

Hey...I know I posted on this?? Anyways, I shall repeat...very cool stuff you've made there!!

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