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Good morning sweet blog friends! I spent the most wonderful day yesterday with two dear friends that I had not seen in some time. We were all managers at the same resort for over twenty years and when I sat with them yesterday my heart felt as though not even a day had gone by. Things change . . . in our case the resort was sold and it caused so many to scatter. Lots of memories rushed in as we sat on a balcony overlooking the beauty of the resort and the calming water on a day that couldn’t possibly be more glorious. Our jobs were hard and very stressful and over the years a lot of genuine and not so genuine people drifted in and out of our work existence. For quite a group of us, a bond was created . . . It may have been because many of us were the charter employees who opened the doors or because most of the crew hung around for about 20 years or because everyone is just plain old-fashioned nice.
I’ll tell you on the way home I got a little bit emotional and welled up . . . I realize how very blessed I am. So many of this group came to John’s wake. Most of them are only a call away if I need them and vice versa. I only pray that my kids get to experience the same thing – people who care after so long, names that don’t fade away, genuine friendships that stand the test of time. I don’t share many things like this, but today I’m simply overwhelmed with goodness and kindness . . . I’m down on my knees humbled by the sweetest things in life. Friendships that have gone on, even after change – these things are my butterflies. If nothing ever changed . . . there’d be no butterflies.
I do have a simple card to share. I’m really buoyed by yesterday, so this is what you get when I’m not stressed, although I am under quite a few deadlines this weekend, lol!! It was practically made without thought, just picking up things I have laying around, intending to blog with sooner or later. Oh the temptation to put pearls on it were fierce but they weren’t laying on my table so I just supressed the urge. I say that because it’s okay that someone will say – that’s not your normal style . . .
That magnificent paper is Kanban paper, the specific piece I used is HERE. Of course when I received it in the mail, there was no question in the world that I would put it with this Quietfire Design sentiment called If Nothing Ever Changed. Thank goodness my Spellbinders are right on my table! I used Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Rectangles mounted on top of Spellbinders Labels Eighteen. On top of my Peg Bow Maker, tied using the Figure Eight Loops technique, I mounted a little butterfly from the Spellbinders Fanciful Flight set.
| SUPPLIES I USED |
| Stamps: Quietfire Design – If Nothing Ever Changed Paper: Kanban, The Paper Company, Coredinations Ink: Versafine Onyx Black Accessories: Spellbinders Labels Eighteen, Spellbinders Fleur de lis Rectangles, Spellbinders Fanciful Flight, ribbon |
This is a quick look into how I compose and frame my cards — I’m using an very inexpensive tool you’ll want to know about!
Sweet friends, I want you to know that the same feeling I got from sitting with my dear friends yesterday is the same feeling I get when I sit down to blog, read comments and respond. Thanks for being so sweet. I treasure you all!
What a sweet story. I understand the bonding over the years…for better or for worse! I’m sure you had a lot of memories and laughs to share.
Now, this card is stunning. It floors me that you say ‘a quick little card’. tee hee! Amazing!!!
Becca, your cards are always beautiful, pearls or no pearls I haven’t seen one yet that didn’t captivate my WOW factors. Thank you for sharing all the amazing videos and most of all your time of sharing so that folks like me can be inspired.
Blessings, Lori m
Hi Becca
Love the frame tool you made. I used to use the same concept for ATC’s, but never thought to use a frame for a card making process. What a great tip/tool. Thanks for sharing the story of your friends, it was very sweet. Thanks for all of your inspiration. I really appreciate it!! Happy Mothers Day to you.
Beautiful! A very elegant card – love the paper.
Love your Becca Bit. What a great idea!! I always glue my cards together and then realize I want something else on there, so I have to tear it apart. I’m definitely going to use your idea!! Thanks so much!!
Becca, It’s beautiful. So simple and elegant. Edna
What a terrific idea! Thank you. And the card is amazing! Your talent is so appreciated Becca. Thank you for sharing!
Using a frame like that is such a good idea…as I often say, why didn’t I think of that?! Happy Mother’s Day, Becca. Loved your story today. Friends are such a blessing!
Well, Becca, you just made me very weepy! What a way to describe your friendships…you are amazing for sure!
Your card and the tutorial are amazing…thanks for sharing.
The card is beautiful, Becca, as always. Thanks for the Becca Bit – I love to hear about the thought processes talented artists use to create their pieces. Wonderful tip on how to create/visualize a workable layout before starting – I’m sure that’s why your layering is always so successful! Appreciate your sharing – so happy you had a precious day yesterday.
Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! Becca! I love it as I love all of stunning creations!
So enjoyed your story about seeing your lovely friends.
Love Sheila xx
How blessed you are to have so many wonderful people in your life.
Your card is beautiful!
Thank you for the Becca Bit, this was very useful.
Thanks Becca. That is a great idea to make a template for your cards.
Thanks for sharing.
Vicky
Sounds like you had a wonderful day with real friends funny – we don’t have to see each other every day to be close – always like those kinds of friendships CSS usual a beautiful card and I love that sentiment. Blessings.
Beautiful friendships! I’m so glad you were able to enjoy your friends and the deep, beautiful emotions they inspire. Great card…great tips! THNX
Thank you Becca for sharing a part of your day with us, and for a fabulous creative tip! Looks like a tool we should all try – thank you for your amazing blog and for sharing so generously.
Thanks for the wonderful story and sharing how you put your beautiful card together. What a great tip! I love it! Have a blessed Mother’s Day weekend!
Cards that were “failed????” No, No, No Becca!!! I refuse to believe that!!! You couldn’t “fail” at ANYTHING!!!!! You are SO GREAT to share us how you put your cards together!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! You are SO WARM & SHARING IS A TALENT for you!!!!!!!!! THAT’S how you come across to us here in blogland!!!! :) NO WONDER you have those friends for years!!!!!!! You are DEFINATELY BLESSED!!!! In case you didn’t know, to have those friends over the years, is VERY RARE!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven’t had a “girlfriend” in YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Matter a fact, I have to place a sign on my door that reads, “Be Nice Or Leave!” Just because of the nasty people that come around!!!!!!!!!!!! So, THANK YOU AGAIN for being my “blog girlfriend!!!! ” You ALWAYS make me smile!!!!!!!!! HUGS!!!!!!!!
WONDERFUL CARD by the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) I have that very verse!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the great tip – I love how affordable it is.
This is my type of card – not too much – not too little. I love the sentiment and the color combination and the way you put the whole thing together. It truly is beautiful.
Sally Gasparri
Good afternoon Becca,
What a lovely story you shared with us, thanks for passing it along!
I really enjoyed your tip today and know that I will be using for furture cards. Your card is beautiful.
Hi Becca,
What a beautiful blog your friends sound wonderful.
Love the card and I use that saying all the time. I am President of Women’s Institute here in N.Z. and a lot of my ladies don’t like change too much but they love that saying.
Hugs Linda
hi Becca, so glad to know that you are so blessed with life greatest treasure friends who have weathered the test of time. They are a priceless as is your talent that you share with us. Thank you Becca, I truly enjoy each and every card share and Becca Bit that you share with us.
We are all truly blessed who share in the wealth of talent on your blog.
Thank you my friend.
Sally
BECCA ISN’T IT NICE TO HAVE OLD FRIENDS THAT YOU CAN GET TOGETHER WITH NOW AND AGAIN AND TALK ABOUT OLD TIMES.
I DON’T THINK THERE IS ANYTHING NICER THAN THAT,ESPECIALLY
IF YOU SHOULD HAVE SOME STRESS IN YOUR LIFE. ESPECIALLY
TALK ABOUT CARDS, HOW , WHY, WHAT COLORS AND WHAT WORDS. AND WHEN ITS TIME TO MAKE THAT SPECIAL CARD, THERE
IT IS WITHOUT HAVING TO GIVE TOO MUCH THOUGHT TO IT.
‘
CYNTHIA
Your card is just as beautiful as ever. Simple can be very beautiful when needed. I love the idea.
Beautiful card Becca…thanks for the tutorial bit and such a good idea to cut the frame to figure out where to cut such gorgeous paper!
Very pretty card Becca. Also thanks for the tip, good idea.
Ter ;)
Your card is gorgeous Becca. Love the Becca Bit today, very clever and your right we all need to have them. Thanks for showing us how it all came together. As always Becca, TFS!!! :-D
Love the card !! And the great tip for making a frame to use when deciding how to put a card together. I must make those.
I know how you feel about old friends. I have one friend I have known for 44 years and another I known for 24 years . We have seen our lives and ourselves change and yet we are still close friends. We no longer live close to each other , but we talk on the phone at least twice a week and see each other a couple of times a year. The wonderful thing about old friends is you never need to explain something from the past, they were there with you when it happened.
I’m still misting over after reading about your beautiful relationship with dear old friends. Isn’t it just the most wonderful feeling. I can relate to your story so well, having precious work pals that I still see after 40 years. It just warms my heart. So does your card. I also have this Quietfire Design stamp and love it to bits. Thanks for sharing. I now feel composed enough to take a look at the Becca Bit.
I’m back. Wow! I am so impressed with your templates. Who’da thunk? You, of course. It’s just so darn clever. Thanks, Merci. It’s brilliant. I’m so grateful you shared this with us.
Simply beautiful Becca! Love the butterfly on the bow. Thanks so much for using the rubber stamp and the paper.
I don’t have the frames that you use, but I do lay out things like you did to see what works and what doesn’t. Then, I change elements as necessary to fit the size and shape of the card I want to make. I guess I’m just way too frugal to use the frame the way you do to choose part of patterned paper… I can’t imagine cutting a square or rectangle out of the middle of expensive paper! LOL!! But, I do think about placing things so the parts I want to show will show… like your big butterfly.
Your story about old friends is so wonderful. You are so fortunate to have this in your life. I’ve moved around the country so don’t have those long enduring friendships and have always felt sad about that. And with all the moves, what friends I do have are all over the country so no one is nearby if I needed them. My last move took me further away from friends than I’ve ever been… I love where I live in many ways, but do miss friends and other things from across the country.
How wonderful that you were able to slip back into memories with your friends sitting with you. A very precious day :o)
And your card took my breath away!
Hugs
Anne (UK) x
Hi Becca, Thank you so much for this wonderful idea! I’m sure I speak for many of us when I say that you are “AMAZING”!!! I look forward to your email messages, because I know that I will truly be inspired by your GORGEOUS cards and projects! And, I especialy love your “Becca Bits”! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and creativity with us ~ Happy Mother’s Day!!!
Good friends are a very precious gift and I am so glad you are blessed with so many. I have one very good friend that we may not talk on the phone for a while but when we do it is great. I have a fairly new friend that I made after we moved to a new state where we knew no one.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
A beautiful card, Becca!!!! I made a frame like you have for making cards but my cut out is atc sized… I just never thought about making them card sized but it is a great idea!!! Thank you!!!
What a wonderful way to lay out your card. Now I won’t have to guess at what part of the paper to use!! You have given me so many wonderful ideas and hints, that I thank you for that!! Also, I have to tell you, that my son is making a peg bow, like you made, and I know I will use it all the time!! Thanks so much again!
Thank you! I have so many sheets of paper that I didn’t want to “cover up” and your Becca Bit is a great idea. Now I can use instead of hoarding! LOL Although I have not heard of that brand of paper, it is beautiful and so is your gorgeous card. And thank you for that sweet inspiration, it made me think of old friends whom I haven’t seen in quite a long time.
Your card is so sweet and delicate. I love the lacy ribbon to add to the fragile nature of the butterflies! Love the tool technique. It really helps to plan a little, especially with paper as pretty as that sheet.
Isn’t it great to have people in your life that you know are only a phone call away? You must be a great friend as well to have such great friends in your life!
Thank you for sharing! Happy Mother’s Day to you!!! :)
Becca your words today have touched my heart! Although I do not know you, and I just recently found your blog I can tell you are a sweet lady and anyone who has you as a friend is blessed. Thank you for sharing your beautiful creations and also sharing whats in your heart! Please don’t change.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us all I just love this card! The colours and composition is wonderful Elegant but simple. The paper at the back is gorgeous and sets up the whole creation.The “Quote” is so true!
Becca thank you for sharing such a sweet story, it touched my heart! As I am new to scraping and your blog, I can still tell you are a lovely sweet lady with a big heart anyone would be so blessed to call you a friend! Thank you for sharing your beautiful work and your wonderful stories I feel blessed to have found your blog and get to learn from your creativity! Thank you so much for sharing!
WOW Becca! That card is beautiful. I love the paper. You are so talented and I love looking at your blog. Thank you and have a great day.
Dear Becca
Your card is so beautiful with the butterflies and the layered words.
I love the shades of brown.
You really are an inspiration to us all.
I am glad that you had such a special time with your friends.
Sending Stamping Hugs from Joyce SA.
Dear Becca
Your card is so beautiful with the butterflies and the layered words.
I love the shades of brown.
You really are an inspiration to us all.
Have a wonderful Mother day tomorrow.
I am glad that you had such a special time with your friends.
Sending Stamping Hugs from Joyce SA.
“that’s not your normal style” I beg to differ it is your style, stunning and beautiful!
So happy you got to spend time with dear friends. I have a friend I only get to see once every five years or so but 45 yrs later it still seems as though high school was only yesterday. I Love your frame tool. What a great tip/tool. I’ve just starting to use PP, and having a difficult time of it. I know this will help a great deal.
Happy Mother’s Day Becca and to all the lovely Mom’s out there.
Blessings Bernie
Oh, Becca, I am so glad you have such wonderful friends. They are a
treasure. I just love your card for today. Our son is currently waiting for
several butterflies to hatch in their habitat we have. We bought this kit
for him for his birthday last month. I can’t wait to see these butterflies
emerge from their coocoons.
Love the exquisite paper. Such an appropriate saying to go with it!! Love it, love it, love it!!!Thanks for another great Becca Bit!!! Another wonderful idea!!
Thanks so much for sharing a little bit of your personal life. There is nothing better than good friends and they can truly make difference in your life. My best friend and I just spent a marathon eight hours shopping today and we had a blast. My feet hurt but my soul feels wonderful. BTW, loved your Becca Bit today. Will most surely try it! Take care. Robin B.
As ever, a lovely composition of ALL things. I always enjoy your little conversations about what is going on in your life. I’m so happy for you that you had good friends to uplift you on a special day, share pleasant memories, and let you know that you are not really alone. I’m sure you perhaps feel that way at times, maybe get just a little lonely & blue. I pray that when you do get those times, you reach out to good friends or family or even to just us folks out in blogland that feel as though we ‘know you’, and keep you in our prayers. I appreciate that you shared this with your readers. Have a perfectly wonderful Mother’s Day.
Becca: Love your tip on putting together a card.I just wanted to tell all of the mother’s out there HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.
What a beautiful card! And thank you for the Becca Bit. I love your idea to have windows cut out of paper for each card size. I will definitely use that idea. Thanks so much for all the wonderful tidbits you share with us.
LOVED hearing from your heart, Becca :) As much as Iove seeing cards on people’s blogs, I love learning about them even more as you can see their personality shine through their cards all the more then :) Loved your fabulous recap and so glad to hear you have such amazing friends.
Great tutorial too. Have never heard about the card windows and it is a brilliant idea I’m definitely going to use.
Love the sentiment and your butterfly on the ribbon is fabulous.
beautiful card. I lay my cards out to but I never thought of cutting paper in all sizes of cards I make with the window ideal you showed today what a great way to use your paper and make sure to not to end up wasting any paper. thanks again for another great tip.
Great tip Becca…I just got some beautiful paper today and that tip will save me big time. You are the best!!! Happy Mother’s Day!!!!
Love your beautiful cards and check in to see them daily. You inspire me!! How do you keep your verticle cards standing upright as mine always seem to “collapse’ after a short time of standing them up even though I am using a quality cardstock?
WOW Your Becca Bit card size template is amazing. I always lay my components on my main paper, but when I assembled the card I often found some of the components to large or small for a balanced layout. This template shows exactly how things will look on a finished card. Thank you– Thank you!!
I hope this is not a duplicate reply. The last one didn’t show up
Wow your Becca Bit card size template is wonderful. I always lay my components on the main paper to see how they will look. But when I assemble the card I often found some of the components were too large or too small for a balanced layout. This template solves that. I can see exactly how the card will look . Thank you !!
I don’t think I’ve ever worked with paper as wonderful as yours, nor as busy (in a great way!), but now I won’t shy away from it. My cards are one of two sizes, so it won’t be difficult to make some windows like you did, and best of all, it won’t cost me anything!! Thank you for another wonderful Becca Bit, and for sharing your beautiful card.
Thanks for sharing how you go about designing your lovely cards.
Another great little tip!…thank you Becca. I just love that paper, but then I love butterflies! I am sure your friends value your friendship too <3
LOL Eileen
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.
Hey Becca, I love love love this card! What glorious paper! I so love butterflies. So I love when someone uses them on a project. Thanks for the bit about the frames. I have some plastic frames that I thinkI’m going to pull out and use for just this reason. TFS
Hugs, Jessica
Oh and thanks for sharing a bit of yourself on your blog. I love seeing the beautiful things you create. But I also love to hear about who you are too. Thanks again, Jess
Happy for you that you spent a day with true friends and came away with some more good memories…that is , as they say , PRICELESS.
Another great BB and thanks for sharing it.
Our lives are always changing. Sometimes we are not happy when the change happens, but then comes a time when we look back and see it’s ok. We sometimes change for the better because of those unwanted changes. God know what is best for us.
Love the butterflies and the BeccaBit. Great idea!!
Thanks for sharing.
What a terrific pointer! Again, you’ve taught this old dog something new! :o) Thank you!
Excellent Becca! I do something similar with transparent file folders. I cut them down to the finished size and I can sandwich elements inside, behind and on top of the card to see how it will play out. I mostly rubber stamp and I can use tracing paper images and see if masking will achieve the effect I want easily and I love doing this as it does cut down on alot of frustration. Framing is a great way to allow you to showcase elements you love!
Love you tutorials and Becca Bits!
Happy Mothers Day to you
Cindy
Hi Becca and Happy Mother’s Day! Been so busy lately haven’t had time to do much blog hopping so thought I’d check out what you’ve been creating for the days I’ve missed and came across this gorgeous, beautiful, awesome card! I’m calling it a Mother’s Day gift to me. I adore anything with butterflies and this one just captured my heart. Thank you so much for your inspiration both in your wonderful creations and in your words. Hugs, Judy
neat idea of having some sort of plan going into it, like the way you added a butterfly to the bow too, and your lace behind the ribbon, very pretty!
Becca,
You spend as much time with the people you work with as your family. Over the years they become a part of you. Friendships can carry you through the years when life happens. Thanks for sharing such an intimate part of your life with your cyberfriends.
your cards are so Amazing!
Becca, I’m glad that you had such a great day yesterday. It’s amazing the way that people come into our lives, isn’t it? It’s great that you have such a support system close by. Sometimes you just need face to face human contact. Your card is lovely, as all of yours are! I wanted to thank you again for sharing all of your knowledge and inspiration with us. Also wanted to thank you for all your Becca bits. I can tie a much better bow now, because of you! (still working on my peg bow maker, I’ll get it done one of these days!)
Thanks Becca! Happy Mother’s Day!
R/
Becca
A great practical tutorial. Tips like these really help us learn how toget the most out of our projects.
Thanks Becca
pat
Becca, your friend story tugged at my heart strings today, thanks for sharing. So glad you had a chance from the normal to have a sweet day with old acquaintances. Long time friends are one of life’s’ best treasures. I’m blessed with two long time friends, one since childhood (50 years) and the other 25 years. Our lives have seen many changes & placed many miles between us. In person visits aren’t very often, but we can reach out with a phone call, cards & email.
Adore this beautiful card! I love the butterfly bling paper and the delicate stranded ribbon. Thanks for sharing the excellent idea about using a frame to help with creating a project. I will put this nifty thrifty idea to very good use! With much gratitude –
Becca, such a simple trick, yet so incredibly useful! It’s like “now why didn’t I think of that??” (as I thump myself up-side the head, LOL!)
What a pretty, pretty card! I’m in love with that butterfly paper!!
SO inspiring!!!
Hugs, Ree
Becca you won’t believe that I was just thinking about you and how you make so many amazing cards and look at what you’ve done?! A bit of how you do it! Thank you so much. This will really help me. I have such a hard time w/the initial creativity and this really helps.
Becca, this card is gorgeous. Keep up the good work!
You video was helpful. I do something similar, but I like your idea of the window shape cutout for actual placement. What a great tip! You are very thoughtful for sharing your ideas with the rest of us!
Your card is very beautiful. But, I loved your story of old friends, who stay with us throughout the years and are there for us when life changes. You are blessed to have those beautiful friends. Take care.