Good afternoon friends! Well, I took a vacation that I didn’t expect to take. I had an event that was to take me away from my desk for a week, but that event fell through. At the same time my kids all ended up being in the same place, at the same time – with me! It was a surprise and what a pleasant surprise it was – a sure indication that everything happens for a reason. It has been four years since everyone was together at home so we set out to enjoy some of the beautiful things in my area that I rarely get to see. They literally unplugged my computer so that I wouldn’t be tempted to do just one more thing. What a blessing! I’m so sorry that I missed Day of Giving Friday last week, but let’s just say it was a good cause :-)
Today I want to share a classic card where the dies are the hero – they take center stage. This is the type of card you can definitely make ahead of time and let the little tag herald the event. Literally this card can cover any occasion because the tag will get you there. I’m using some of my new dies for the first time (here) although personally I’ve made this card quite a few times. Do I always say the dies are my favorites? Well these are. My heart is wrapped up in the dies I’m showing in this card . . . I want to reach for them all the time and I only hope I don’t over use them in the coming months.
Here is how the card sets up – I have a 5-1/2″ x 7-1/2″ card base and to that card base I’ve added another layer that is backed by silver foil. I’m using Spellbinders Swirling Grace as a halo type element so I cut one from silver and cut it in half. On top of that I layer the largest pennant from Spellbinders Arched Swallowtail Pennants – cut in silver. For the next layer, in white, I used the next largest Arched Swallowtail Pennants and at the same time cut the inlaid circle from Spellbinders Swirl Bliss. I stretched a nice wide bow across the card and taped it behind the layers and finish off with a sentiment cut from the scalloped tag found in the Spellbinders Favorably Simply Gift Box set. The sentiment itself was quickly print on my laser printer…
About Day of Giving Friday
Thanks for all my regular readers and welcome to new readers! Just to bring you up to speed, every Friday it’s my pleasure to give away a card. The card goes to a randomly picked reader (worldwide) who leaves a comment in our conversation. Want to know more about Day of Giving, here’s a link to my FAQ’s just check out #11.
Life is full of the unexpected. Although things didn’t go quite the way I thought they would, what a pleasant surprise and the downtime was wonderful for me. You can say instead of having lemons, we made wonderful lemonade. For your comment today – Have you ever had an occasion where your plans fell through and what you ended up doing was a bigger blessing than the original event?
Rubber Stamps: None
Craft Paper: Neenah Classic Crest – Solar White – 80lb smooth cover cardstock, The Fine Touch – Silver Metallic Poster Board
Ink: None
Accessories: Spellbinders Swirling Grace, Spellbinders Arched Swallowtail Pennants, Spellbinders Swirl Bliss, Spellbinders Favorably Simply Gift Box, The Paper Source Satin Ribbon, button from my stash..png)
The only down side to be out of pocket for so long is what’s waiting when you sit back down at your desk. So bear with me, I have quite a bit of catch up to do but am so thankful to be busy! Have a great weekend friends!
Beautiful and very elegant.
Lovely, lovely, lovely card. I can’t imagine these dies being “over-used”.
I’ve certainly enjoyed “the forced quiet” that has come as a result of the heavy rains in our area. I had a wonderful time “staying in” due to the weather last weekend.
So glad you had your family time.
My favorite is homemade lemonade with fresh raspberries. I make the lemonade with a simple syrup and add raspberries lightly pureed in the blender. I also freeze ice embedded with raspberries and add it to the pitcher. A simple mint leaf garnish tops the lemonade served in mason jars. Love your any-occasion card! This would also be beautiful in gold and copper die cuts and ribbon. You always give me so many ideas and inspiration. Have a wonderful weekend.
Hi Yoshiko sounds lovely I live down under have plenty of lemons
and raspberries !!! Would love the syrup recipe I don’t think Becca
would mind ! Pamxx
Hello Becca soooo happy you had a family week how precious
to all get together .
Often these things happen for the best reason !
I am so glad you are well was a bit worried lol .
Lovely card so regal have everything but the BOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Weekend stay safe Pamxxxxxx
OOOPS ! Sorry don’t know what happened !!!!!!!
What a beautiful card, I love white and silver cards. My lemonade days are when we go bird watching and see that different bird which are so hard to find. I am glad you were able to take time off. Christine S.
Oh what an elegantly stunning card! So, so beautiful. My lovely surprise was a call from my husband who is currently on a sailing ship, crossing the Atlantic. I wasn’t expecting him to get to the Azores, where he could get a mobile phone signal, as early as he did and it was wonderful to be able to speak to him for five days (not continually!). He’s now mid ocean again so I have to be patient until he gets to land.
Doreen R from Bournemouth UK
This is a nice card. Reminds me of a ribbon for winning a prize at the state fair but only more beautiful. Life has been good here so no lemons for lemonade. One day it rained so we could not work in the outside garden so I got some housecleaning done. I guess that would be lemonade. I am so glad that you took some time off and enjoyed your children and your down time. Do it more often. Have a quiet weekend.
Gorgeous “all-occasion” card, Becca. It is just beautiful!!
Hey – I am thrilled you had a wonderful visit with your kids. What a delightful gift for YOU!!!!
As for lemonade, so far 2016 has been nothing by lemons. So I’ve had my fill of lemonade for now!! LOL – I’d love it if the second half of 2016 was lemon-free!!
The only lemonade I’ve had lately is the frozen lemonade at ChicFilA. It’s pretty awesome! I love this simply elegant card! It could be sent for a variety of reasons! Thank you for sharing it!
It is always good to get away from work and smell the flowers (or whatever it is that needs to be done :)). It helps to keep the creative juices flowing as well. I am glad that you were able to do it. I love your creations. Thank you for sharing.
yes, I sometimes like to have my days planned so I have something to look forward to. I have been like this all of my life or at least as far as I can remember. one time in particular I had nothing planned and my friend and I got together and were doing the what are we gonna do now talk and just on the spur of the moment we got a call and had the best day on the lake boating and tubing and just a great time.
your card is gorgeous and the bow is divine. love how you make so many different things and all with a little bit of paper and ribbon. just beautiful work.
so glad your family tore you away from everything so you could enjoy life. have a great week.
This is simply beautiful! Thanks Becca!!!
Stunning card! My son and DIL always come up and plant a garden for me. This year due to some medical issues they were unable to come up. Today I found some tomato plants that are 24 to 28″ high (one with 3 tomatoes on it) and some large pepper and cucumber plants. I got some containers and will use these to plant them in on my deck. Now I won’t have to worry about the never-ending weeds I had last year. Easier to water too! :)
Hi Becca, love how you use the dies in different ways & can never get enough, so I am sure you can never over use them.
My husband was supposed to work last weekend & his plans fell through, so we took a trip interstate & celebrated our 23rd anniversary! It was only for the weekend, but it was nice to get some alone time!
Good to hear you got to catch up with your children. Life can be so hectic, so time like these are precious.
Have a lovely weekend xox
Wonderful elegant card! How lucky to be together as a family!! For the first time ever, my family is going their separate ways, so I’m experiencing the lemon phase. Looking forward to making lemonade as soon as possible, lol! I see travel in my future. I know how blessed I’ve been to be in the same city for all of these years and attend ALL of the grandkids events.
Beautiful dies and a beautiful card.
We have had plans that fell through and then “voila” wonderful times were had. Rare occasions to be treasured for sure.
How elegant and lovely to be able to use quite a few small sentiments on the little tag. Not quite there with all these dies but nearly.
Oh, Becca! What a beautiful card! I too havre not had any lemonade days this year, only lemons. I am waiting patiently! :D
Oh Becca! How wonderful to have all your children with you unexpectedly like that and to be able to go out and about with them all week. I hope you feel refreshed after your happy week.
We were expecting visitors to stay and so I worked hard cleaning, , baking, filling the fridge, tidying, gardening and finishing a few tasks that I had been putting off for longer than I should – and then they were unable to come as one was ill. Although it was a disappointment, the house was spick and span, there was plenty of yummy food to eat and with the weather turning warm, we were able to sit in the garden and have a mini holiday without feeling that we needed to be doing something!
Your card is beautiful, Becca – as always!
Hugs
Anne (UK) x
Hi Becca. Love, love, love your beautiful card, it’s stunning :-)
So glad to hear you spent time with your children. How lovely for you to all be together.
Hugs xxx
Becca, your cards are always elegant and beautiful! Question for you? Do you ever make one that isn’t lovely? Seriously, your cards are stunning!
I am SO happy for you getting to spend time with your children. Mine live about a half hour away from us so I get to see mine often. Most of my family & friends aren’t so lucky and I feel so badly for them.
I love it when my son surprises me and stops by to take me for coffee when I thought I’d be home alone all day. I am very thankful for those times!
Happy Friday, Becca,
After not seeing your post first thing this morning I wasn’t expecting to hear from you and…SURPRISE!!! a lovely creation to enjoy. Sweet lemonade, for sure. You also put at bay concerns about your well-being. How wonderful to have an unexpected experience that you may have been hard-pressed to plan. I am in awe when I have no plan and something grand happens. The divine workings of that BIG EVENT PLANNER EXTRAORDINAIRE who pulls these things off with aplomb and perfection. What blessings.
Wonderful weekend, everyone! I’m spending mine singing with my chorus and making appreciation cards for our leaders. What could be more perfect?
Another gorgeous card which makes my whole self smile, Becca! Yes, there is such joy in found time with loved ones whom you weren’t planning to be able to see. A simple thing like unexpected plan changes can make the most appreciated and beautiful memory making times ever!!
Just today I ordered some of your dies, so hopefully I can create a similar card soon. My lemon is pretty sour right now, I am waiting for the Lord to turn it into lemonade. He can do it! He certainly did it for you, and I am very glad for that. I just love your card, very elegant. Thanks for sharing.
How BEAUTIFUL!
SIMPLICITY IS ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL!
THANK YOU BECCA FOR ONCE AGAIN CHARMING US. Hugs, Sara
So very happy that you had a great visit with your children!
So very glad you had down time and a great chance to be with your children! I love the time I get to spend with mine.
I love the clean look to this anniversary card! It’s just perfect, especially for a 25th anniversary.
I would like to know how you attach the gems to the ribbons. I just added my first gem to a baby card by looping it through the ribbon, and it wasn’t really staying in place.
Have a great weekend!
Stunning, elegant, simple but makes a statement for so many occasions! There is never a card you make that I don’t love!!!! A
Some down time & unplanned at that is good for the soul…those can always be the best memories in the making ?
Becca, I am so glad you could be with your family.
I not had an experience like that but last christmas my youngest daughter drove most of the night to surprise us by being here for Christmas. She could only stay 2 days but it was wonderful anyway.
Hi Becca. Your card is just so elegant in its simplicity. Stunning. So pleased you had such a fun time with your precious family. It’s a warm feeling to have loved ones close to you. X
Since its family we’ll forgive your absence…they are a treasure and it’s so nice to have them back when they’re gone…
Lovely card!! Yes, it’s called life, we all go threw it…just glad your back and hope things are better for you..
OH goodness .My “perfect” wedding got changed and now we are to have our 50th anniversary on June 30. lol God always has other planes doesn’t He?
What an elegant card. I can’t remember a plan fall-through although I’m sure there was one or two. But I’m a “go with the flow” kind of person so that’s not a big deal to me….
Gosh, I thought there was something wrong with my computer when I didn’t get your email. Nice to know you had such a pleasant and unexpected visit with your children. No lemons for me so far as I do find staying very flexible helps adjust to any changes. Lovely card, Becca. Thanks as always.
Sounds like it was meant to be! Glad your kids unplugged you. Not sure that I have ever had this happen.
Beautiful Card Becca! Just in time for our 12th Anniversary on the 26th of June. I would love to be able to give this card to my hubby!!!
—
The only time when plans fell through that I can think of was a few years ago I had planned to spend the whole day just working on Crafts but the hubby had other plans ….. we spent the day in the mountains picnicking and walking and just enjoying God’s beauty in Nature. Every since then whenever my hubby wants to go for a picnic I just drop what I am doing and set out to enjoy myself which is so refreshing when you have been cooped up in your apartment for the past 4 years due to ill health and pain.
Love your use of the dies – such a beautiful card! My husband was recently laid off ?. But we’ve used the unexpected time off to celebrate our anniversary and visit family.?
Hi Becca, This is what I have been waiting for–your new dies. This is no disappointment. Since I have the dies, tomorrow I’ll turn out several cards for my ready-to-go stash. The design so simple, so elegant, so appropriate for all occasions and all recipients. Many thanks.
I happen to be an organized, prepared, planned individual but find most days plan A is abandoned by circumstances out of my control. So, when that happens go with the flow and enjoy the journey. What else can you do and my conscience is clear because I did have a plan to begin with.
So glad you had time with your kids–more important than just about anything else. Barbara
I’m so happy you had a great time, I have had many such times, but the best was being with my husband who was gone a lot being a truck driver, when we had to go to Houston MD Anderson cancer hospital for 3 months just the two of us for 3 mo before he passed away. Enexpected but precious
Oh yes that has happened a couple of times to me. In the end I was never so happy that it did. I had more fun and blessings than could be imagined. So glad you spent the time with the family, to me they are the most important thing in life to me.
Love the card and the bow is fabulous! Glad you had time with your kids,that’s what’s important.
What an amazing card Becca – love the elegance and the (apparent) simplicity of it.
What a blessing to have such an unexpected and enjoyable week with all the family together.
Yes I have had plans fall through only to be blessed by something much bigger and better – but for the life of me aI cannot recall a specific instance – no doubt I will once I leave the computer :-)
Blessings
Maxine
Lovely card today The circle die
fits just perfectly on the banner die. Wouldn’t have thought of doing that. The rain again this week has let me work in my craft room. My sons moved out their old toy box to the family room, the video cabinet to under the spiral staircase, and moved in a new bookshelf to hold my “stuff”. Can’t find my desk but soon it will be organized–hopefully! So happy you had all the kids together. What memories you all made this past week!
What a beautiful card Becca! I’ve been in your shoes when plans fall through and sometimes it does simple turn out better. What a delight to have your kids come home. God was watching over you and so was your husband.
Unexpected are the best! What a simple but beautifull card…
I can’t recall that kind of thing ever happening to me. It sounds like it was a wonderful surprise! Beautiful card – so elegant.
I hope I get a silver anniversary card this year that is as pretty as this one!! I am not much of a planner in the first place but there have been times when I thought we would do one thing and then something totally unexpected happens – those are fun times!!
Oh Becca, so glad you got to spend the time with your wonderful family, however, I was really getting worried about you as the previous week we had like three cards and then no Friday Freebie! If you hadn’t been on today, I was going to call your house and see what was going on.
Yes I had that happen to me and feel what happened was for the best. In the last case, what happened was definitely for the best.
Attending the Scrapbook Expo in Orlando this weekend. Loving it!
God Bless.
Hugs,
Mstgane
Ann Robbins
Beautiful card Becca…would love to win it!!!
Off the top of my head, I would have to say no….I am a planner, but when asked what I would prefer to do, I almost always say it does not matter – whatever you want to do. So, I don’t think this qualifies to be able to say yes to your question. However, I always enjoy whatever the plan winds up to be – LOL!
Paper Hugs,
Jan
Yes many times I’ve made lemonade from lemons. It just goes to show Who is really in control.
This card is so beautiful, it’s almost breath taking. I actually took a deep breath in when I clicked on your email. Wow.
So happy you spent time with your family…..sometimes we just need to take a break and smell the roses with the ones we love.
Stunning as usual…don’t think there has ever been a card of yours that has not be absolutely stunning! Thanks you…the gifts God gave you are truly amazing!
Wonderful – so glad you spent special time with your kids. What a blessing an unplanned visit can be. I have had a few special surprises that still rank as some of my most special memories.
Hi Becca. Lovely card and glad you had a lovely time with your family. Really love your bow. Several years ago now we were buying a house that fell through. We were so disappointed but the one we ended up buying was better. It’s funny how things work out sometimes. Happy weekend.
Good morning Becca, absolutely stunning card!!! Good for you, what a fabulous surprise and it will have done you the world of good!!!
Unexpected events are the best and what fabulous memories to have till the next glass of lemonade!!!
Have a good good one!!!
Loopy Lyndaxxx
Hi Becca
What a beautiful card you have created, lovely X X X
Oh my what a truly lovely card who wouldnt wish to recieve this !i know i would ! you never stop amazing me Becca with your talent .Hope you had a lovely time with your family you deserve some pleasure for all you give to others x
Oh yes, I’ve had moments of unexpected surprises that were results of cancelled plans. One such general meeting was cancelled at the last minute so I set out instead to do a field inspection and was surprised to find a group of volunteers assisting the elderly folks with the field tilling. They had even brought lunch and drinks for all. It was so heart warming to see the community come out on their own to help this group. It’s the little things like this that makes you appreciate mankind.
Such a lovely card created with your elegant toyches. Your dies are fabulous and I look forward to seeing more of your talents using all of them.
I would love to share an experience where changed plans led to something g unexpected and wonderful but it’s 3:40 am and I need to get some sleep. Today is my sweet Granddaughter’s 13th birthday so it’s going to be a busy fun day. Bless you Becca!
Hi Becca,
WOW! Love this, such a stunning creation, adore the dies you have used and have put them on my wish list lol! Just beautiful. So glad you had a fabulous day out with all your children, I was lucky to spend last weekend with both mine, a rare event and very enjoyable.
Take care my friend
Love & Hugs
Jacquie J xxx
Good morning Becca. I too was worried about you but I’m so happy to hear about your wonderful time with your family. What a blessing!
This card is absolutely gorgeous…I love all of the dies and must have them!!! I’ve had many experiences like yours over the years. One of them was when I was supposed to go on a trip with my husband and we had to cancel. No sooner did we cancel when our daughter called and said she was taking me on a trip with her family. What a fun time with my grandchildren at an amusement park out of state. Lots of roller coasters were involved lol.
Have a beautiful weekend!
All I could do is say WOW WOW WOW. I think it’s really the colors that brought this card out to say WOW. It is stunning and I would love to get these dies.
So glad you had a wonderful time with your family.
Hi Becca, What a fantastic coincidence, and how brilliant for you all to be together, sounds wonderful !!
This is a stunning card, so very elegant, as all your cards are, I love everything you create.
Lots of love from Patricia xx
What a lovely card, and our silver anniversary coming up!
We had a meeting be cancelled,money to have some of our favorite relatives show up for dinner! Much better evening!
Happens all the time Becca! Those sudden change of plans usually are blessings from above. It was a hard lesson to learn because I would become frustrated only to find out it turned out fine. Thankfully I did learn so now I can relax and enjoy whatever happens……love it!
Your card is beautiful and elegant! Anyone would love receiving one.
How do you mark the back of your cards, do you have a personal chop or mark you use or a stamp? Just curious….
Brenda
Hi Becca,
I was beginning to worry about you, I am glad the time you were absent you were spending much need time with your family.
What a lovely card.Hugs.
Hello Becca,
What a beautiful card, so elegant and stylish.
Any plans I make are usually scuppered by having to look after my granddaughters, now that’s a pleasure and a blessing!!!!
Maureen xxx
Another beautiful card. I do not remember having any plans fall through. I didn’t miss you friday because my husband of 48 years past away on May 25th. I’m devastated
Kathleen
Hello Kathleen I have been wondering how you are!
Sorry you are going through this please don’t stop visiting
this Blog there are many people who visit who have been through
what you are going through including our sweet Becca.
Kathleen,
I know you don’t know me, but I’ve been thinking about you and your loss. Praying for your peace and comfort. Blessings!
Your card is gorgeous, as always. I, too, was beginning to worry about you. So glad there was no cause for that. Very glad your children hijacked you to pleasurable times. Truly, we must catch those whenever we can. There are times when others can see what we need before we do. Kudos to your kids. Love prevails. Yes! Unexpected events have saved many botched plans in my past. Thankful to the One above. He always has a better plan.
Becca the above comment was for you. Don’t wwhy it was attached here. Sorry!
What a wonderful way to make lemonade! So very happy for you!
This card is stunningly gorgeous! And {squeal} I have these dies in my stash!!!!
Need to get them out & see what I can create with them now that I have inspiration. Wink, wink.
I went on a vacation once with my hubby that I was soooo dreading. But it made him happy, so I went along. It turned out to be such a delightful time! Don’t know why I made such a fuss! And of course he was very happy! So worth it.
What a beautiful card, Becca! There have been many times when “my” plan did not work out, but God’s plan was perfect! I’m so glad you had the opportunity to make some lemonade with your children! What wonderful memories!
Love, Love, Love this card. And I have all the dies to make a similar one! Yay for me!!! I so appreciate that you are showing us how to use these wonderful dies you designed. I need that visual. So glad things worked out for the better for you. You have been working so hard lately, I’m glad you were able to get away and enjoy your family. You deserve the “break”. Now to your question: “Have you ever had an occasion where your plans fell through and what you ended up doing was a bigger blessing than the original event?” I probably have had an occasion like that, but can not think of one this evening.
I would gladly give up any plans that I had to be with my family instead. I just love when we all can get together, all at the same time. For us it usually only thru the Holidays. But, this year we are having a huge family reunion next month. Can’t wait. It has been such a long time since we had four generations together. Glad you got to spend quality time with your kids.
Your card is stunning. Thanks for all the beautiful dies you have designed.
Marcie
Off hand, I cannot recall any specific occasion that did not go as planned. I’m an easy “go with the flo” type gal, as most my days are wonderful. Beautiful, beautiful card. I saved your tutorial for making hinged cards and want to try that soon. Just received your die for making flowers. Love it!! Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent with us.
Hi Becca, what a great treat for you to all be together it is 10years since my family
has all been together as my son is in Austaralia we are just back home after visiting him but thankfully the other four are still within visiting distance so see them regularly, so I know what it must have been like for you know you would have had a fabulous time.
Nancyd xx
I have! And it was better than original plans. Beautiful card, thanks for chance to win. Glad you got to spend time with your family.
A truly stunning card. My plans fell through one night when I was supposed to have a girl’s night out. But my boyfriend dropped by unexpectedly and insisted we go out. We went to Atlantic City and became ENGAGED!!! We also won $250 on the slot machines. A day that changed my life forever.
Becca,
I have been a little busy lately, went on a retreat our mutual friend can tell u all about it. I went back and looked at the posts that I had missed. As usual everything u do is phenomenal !! My favorite is the May 24 Oval card, that is unique & I must try that. I love all ur dies, and get them when I can. I really like the quarterfoil panel. Hope u are well, and so glad u got to spend time with family!!!
Hi Becca:
I so love your cards. They are elegant and beautiful. I have a request for a blog post or video demonstrating how to use your Spellbinders S4-596 Shapeabilities Bow Helpers and Closures Dies. I would love to see some samples of how these dies are used. I have done an Internet search and cannot seem to find any videos or blog posts on this product. Thank you in advance for your help and thank you for sharing your talents with us!