Good morning dear blog friends! I have a project to share with you that I gave you a sneak peek of here last month. In retrospect, it is one of my favorites so I thought I’d share it with you in its entirety. As cardmakers I think inside we always hope that we’ll share something that the recipient will think of as a keepsake. I don’t know how many times I’ve talked with other stampers and we’ve all cautiously agreed that we’re more likely to send one of our fru-fru, detailed cards to someone we know is gonna keep it. I’ve laughed out loud when a friend of mine said, “ummm….yeah…I don’t think he’ll be getting a handmade card.” Oh my goodness . . . no! So strategically sometimes I like to make something that has all the parts, pieces and effects of card but is a little bit more substantial – throw it away if you must dear recipient but since it’s not just paper and words, I’m hoping you want to keep it!! Mercy, where would we be if our ancestors threw away all their love letters and mementos. I hope that one day, someone who never knew me opens a box, pours over something I made and comes to know about me. Sure I’m here today, but one of the most important things on my heart is creating a legacy.
Well this is a simple project and laughably not a legacy piece, but at least you know one of the reasons I create. To me this felt like a pocket full of blessings and I love creating things that have tons on sentiments. This uses several of my very favorite Our Daily Bread Designs sets that give “that” kind of mileage because there are so many sentiments – Quote Collection 1, Quote Collection 2,Scripture Collection 8, Scripture Collection 9, Sentiments Collection. So the story of this is that during one of my trips to Michaels I picked up several of these little sewing kits thinking I could always use the contents but I was particularly interested in the shell. I figured out how to easily remove the contents, paint it and replace it with a bouquet of accordian folded wishes. The first picture show the gift box with the Pocket Full of Blessings inside; the second picture shows the gift box opened.
Here you see the shell opened up.
When you pull out the accordian there are five different sentiments that I’ve decorated with a little bit of bling.
Not one to waste an ounce of paper, I put an additional five sentiments on the back.
You can also see that I lined the inside of the shell with design paper and added a small amount of decoration to the outside (enough to let it fit comfortably in the gift box).
Here’s how to create this trinket:
(Click on pictures to see an enlarged view)
Start with your $1.00 plastic sewing kit from Michaels Bargain Bin. If you can’t find those, look around to see if you can find something else similar :-)
.
.
.
.
.
.
Remove the contents of the sewing kit (keep them for another project!!) and use a sand paper or a spongy fingernail file to sand the outside of the kit. The idea is to rough up the surface so that it will hold paint. Then go ahead and spray paint with your desired color – I gave mine 2 good coats with about 35 minutes drying time all together.
.
.
.
Using cardstock cut to 1-7/8″ (or the height of the inside base of your project) , score every 2-1/4″ (or the width of the inside base of your project). Stamp or decorate each segment, distress, then accordian fold and embellish as desired.
.
.
.
.
Once shell is painted, measure width and height of inside base and cut design paper to cover – mine are 2″ wide by 1-7/8″ tall. Glue the lining in place then glue the accordian to the bottom of the pocket so that it will pull out easily when opened. Close and embellish the top!
.
.
.
.
For gift box, cut a piece of cardstock 5″ x 9″. Score at 1″, 4″, 5″ and 8″. Then turn and score 1″ from each long edge. Add Scor-tape as shown above. Snip where indicated for a nice fold. Remove adhesive and assemble box.
| SUPPLIES I USED |
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs – Quote Collection 1, Quote Collection 2,Scripture Collection 8, Scripture Collection 9, Sentiments Collection
Paper: Mind Minds Eye – Lost and Found 2, Bazzill
Ink: Versafine – Vintage Sepia, Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Accessories: Michaels Sewing Kit from $1.00 bin, Prima Flowers, Recollections Pearls, Seam Binding, EK Success Scallop Punch
|
I hope you enjoyed my little project, I enjoyed sharing it with you. I’m happily creating in the background, life is so good!! Have a fabulous weekend and {{big hugs}} for being the best readers ever!!
Thanks for the picture…..you took me back home via the internet and I remember why I miss it!!
Even Maniacs wear parkas so I’m sure you would fit in!!
Oh my goodness!!! My husband and I drove our RV from our home in California all the way to Maine in 2009 (in the fall). I LOVED Maine!!! LOVED it!!! If I believed in reincarnation (which I don’t) I would have thought I had lived there in a previous life. That’s how comfortable I was there and how much I loved it! I could easily become a “Mainer”. Thanks for the gorgeous picture and your gorgeous work! BTW – my daughter’s name is Becca so you hold a special place in my heart!
OMGoodness I would love to see this in person your picture is gorgeous
I know that you had a great time
hugs Linda
Hi Becca, my husband and I visited Maine about 10 years ago and visited this lighthouse so I am so enjoying the photo you posted. If you ever have an opportunity you need to plan on spending a couple of days in Bar Harbour Maine and plan on sightseeing in Acadia National Forest and also downtown Bar Harbour. It’s absolutely beautiful and I know you will truly fall in love with that area.
Hi Becca. As a down easterner I can relate fresh lobester and all the above.
So happy you enjoyed your adventure. Blessings
Nice picture! I have been there too so I understand completely! Being a FL gal myself….I however did not take a parka. (Wish I had.) LOL Maine is a nice place to visit in late August usually, although this spring has been very warm for them. Good to see you’re getting out and about.
OMG Maine in April or May can be gorgeous but glad you took you parka cause it can also snow up thera in May. I am a Florida transplant from New Hampshire but very close to Maine and love visiting when I can. However, I would not trade our sunshine for anything. So glad you enjoyed your visit but glad you are back so we can see what wonderful things you have to show us
Oh Becca, what a lovely place to visit, I can see why it is a new favorite. Having been born and raised in California, and a little spoiled because of it, I really never wanted to do much traveling to the east coast. But my son got married 8 yrs ago in upstate New York, and we spent a week there in the fall. I have been hooked ever since. Maine looks lovely and would love to vacation there sometime. Would also love to visit Boston. So much history and beauty there also. Hope to do that soon. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day Becca.
Marcie
What a beautiful place!! So glad that you had the opportunity to visit there. It is on my wish list!
Beautiful photograph. I’m so glad that you enjoyed the adventures of the day. I want to wish you a very Happy Mothers Day. Blessing to you Becca. I still pray for you. As always Becca. TFS!!! :-D
I can so relate! Little in overload mode at the moment! I’m a California girl. The first time I ever ate lobster was in Maine when hubby and I took a trip to the East coast for our 25th anniversary. You can’t go to Maine and not eat lobster! Fun!
Becca, you visited one of my most favorite places in the world! I love Maine! Our family spends about 2 months a year in Maine! I’m sure you had fun! As a girl from Texas – Maine – the way life should be!
BEAUTIFUL picture Becca!!!!!!!!!! :) I’ve not been to Maine, but have been told of their “Pop Overs!” Which I make from time to time! Can’t wait to see your next creation! :)
Oh this brings back memories!! My mom took my sis and I there about 18 yrs ago. It was a trip of a lifetime!!
Jealous! I love Maine and all of that lobsta!! I’m so glad you had a good time!
OMG, I go to Portland, ME twice at year on a three-day mini vacation with girlfriends and then a few times during the summer with my husband. We also LOVE Maine. The land and sea cruises are excellent and I would highly recommend them if you were to go to Portland again. Did you by any chance eat at Dimillo’s Floating Restaurant? If not, that’s another thing that you should try while in Maine, their scallop rolls are to die for and so is their lobster stew, yum! I’ve never eaten anything there that I didn’t like. Thanks for sharing a picture of the Portland Lighthouse, it sure is beautiful.
Oh Becca I just felt a wave of jealousy! LOL! Not really but we come from Maine and I miss it so much! I get back there as often as I can, which isn’t often enough!!! I lived about a half hour from the Portland Head light, and very close to (Sr) Pres. Bush’s summer home! Such a beautiful area!!! Oh how I would have loved to enjoy a lobstah with you!!! There’s nothing like Maine lobster!!! Hope you had a great trip!
Happy Mother’s Day!
hugs,
Grace
Becca…it’s pronounced lobsta up hea in Maine……. (no those two words aren’t typo’s….LOL!!! Glad you could visit our beautiful state. Come back soon!
What a beautiful picture Becca, I hope you had a wonderful time in Maine. I never been there, but maybe it`s time to plan. The lighthouse looks like a great place for a retreat say..ay…. card making retreat featuring Becca as the host (smile). Excited to see what you created! TFS this lovely picture. Hugs! Patricia Tumpkin
OH MY….you were so fortunate to visit Maine! It is one of my fav places to visit with their scenic shorelines, lighthouses, Lobster Pounds and Bed and Breakfast Inns. We’ve camped across the state until Mama needed a bathtub and then we’d stay in a lovely B& B! LOL! Now that our lives are a little slower we enjoy the New England/Canada Cruises that port in Bar Harbor. You’ve brought back many grand memories of a wonderful part of the USA! And this beautiful Portland Lighthouse gives us a hint for making a masculine card..maybe for Father’s Day. Thank you for sharing.
So glad you enjoyed our state Becca! I live in Stonington, which is on an island in Penobscot Bay, half way between Camden and Bar Harbor. It’s about four hours from Portland. Yeah, the lobster here is great! I used to be my husband’s stern man. (The person who does all the work while he steers the boat) :-)
I just love that picture, Becca!! My future son-in-law is from Maine and my daughter and he got to visit his family there recently. April {my daughter} totally loves it, but still loves living in Colorado.
I am SO aware of crafters ADD…I get it a lot…;D. Hang in there, we don’t mind!
Hugz2u my sistah!
Sharon
Now that title caught my attention! Sounded a little like MN….the only state where you can experience all four seasons in one day!! Lovely picture! Looking forward to seeing what you have up your sleeve tomorrow…
It’s OK to skip posting tomorrow. It’s Mother’s Day. Enjoy!
BECCA BECCA WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE. REMINDS ME OF WHEN WE WERE THERE VISITING OUR SON AND HE TOOK US TO ALL
THE BEAUTIFUL SPOTS. HE PASSED AWAY IN 2000. SO THIS
PICTURES BRINGS BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES, GOOD ONES.
I HOPE YOU HAVE A FANTASTIC MOTHERS DAY,MAYBE WITH YOUR
CHILDREN.
YOUR FRIEND IF I MAY USE THAT CYNTHIA
That is such a gorgeous picture, and superbly done, I might add! Oh, how nice it would be to see anywhere on the east coast, would love to someday…how nice that you got to. Hope you had just an awesome time, how could you not in a place like that! Looking forward to seeing your next creation!
Awesome picture. Never been to Maine but grew up in Catskill mts of NY and moved to florida 37 years ago. We. Have a few lighthouses, one about 25 miles away in Ponce Inlet, great place for photographers. I hope you have a simply wonderful Mother’s Day and thanks for all the inspiration
You give to so many of us. The card you did on the 7th was one of my all time favorites. I made a pretty good attempt at this card and it turned out pretty well.
Ann
Love your cards, but this was a beautiful picture on a beautiful day. Edna
My daughter also has ADD w/hyperactivity. Now that you have placed a name on my designing style…hmmmmm. Maybe it came thru me!!! Happy Mother’s Day, Becka. I love your work and thank you for all your inspiration.
Gorgeous sight! Maine is on my list of places to go!
Great photo, I feel the same way when I’m in San Francisco. The wind is always cold there. Love your posts, creative or not….Happy Mother’s Day!
That is what you call picture perfect, I love light houses I think there is something so romantic and mysterious about them. I have collected a few and my bathroom is done with a light house theme thanks for sharing.
Alicia
Absolutely stunning picture Becca, and great you had such a wonderful time there. That´s the advantage of being on vacation, that we only see the good things about certain places and can avoid the not soo good places there, so luckily most places are like a dream, when we only visit them, but the light house really looks like a painting oalmost really gorgoeus, no doubt.
Happy Mothersday hun, hope you´ll be spoiled by your kids all day.
Becca
To you and all mothers everywhere A Happy Mother’s Day and many many more to come..
Your trip sounds wonderful and I loved your lighthouse…Have fun.
pat
Welcome to Maine! I live in Brunswick, Maine! Glad you brought a parka-The weather here in Maine is very changeable! Shorts one day- Parka the next. Hope you enjoy your stay!
How beautiful, if I ever get to the USA that is one spot I’d love to visit.
PS coming into winter in Australia and atm we are feeling the cold.
Hi Becca, what a beautiful picture,
Happy mothers day to all the mums,
I’m liking the sound of Maine!! its sounds like me a southern born girl (Oxfordshire) visiting friends in the cold North East England (Newcastle)…. brrr the wind off the North Sea is cold cold cold and what you would call a lazy wind!! it doesn’t go around you but right thru!!! love that pic too and sending you lots of love on this warm day as i sit at my desk and look out over the Bristol Channel towards Wales and the Sun is shining down on me
Lisa
xx
I love how you stand in life.
Thank you for charing!
Glad you enjoyed your visit. I live up the coast a good ways from the Portland Head Light. Actuallly last Saturday was quite a bonus day for us in Maine. I love the weather here but it is a fact that it is a good idea to have different options of weather gear in your car because the weather does have a mind of its own.
I knew just what you were going to say, when I say the title. I’m sure you didn’t stick out like you might have thought you did! The picture is gorgeous and thank you for sharing. That sight inspires me and I have several ideas for cards. Thank you, for all the you share and do.
Maine is good mémories for me ..From Montreal it is not so far and a very good place to go for summer holidays because they have the sea .
Hope you have a relax morther’s day. See you tomorrow.
Francine
We are usually in a hurry and just passing through when we are in the States. Would love to see this picture in real life. Maybe one day. Thank for sharing Becca. Dianne
Great picture!! :) I live in Maine not far from there either. So nice that you could come for a visit!! Lobstahhhhhhhhhh yum!! Had some last night for a pre Mother’s day dinner.
Becca, Nothing speaks to my soul like water, where ever it is. I love my beach weekends in NC. I feel so renewed after being at the sea. Your pic is beautiful. It could be a post card! I’m glad you had a great weekend and look forward to your post.
Such a clear, crisp photo! I visited there several years ago for a family wedding and loved the cool weather. You can’t really buy a whole new wardrobe (if you could even find the stuff in FL) for one trip! My one real concession was especially warm winter snow boots for the annual February trip to Montreal I took with my husband for the several years he worked for a company that participated in a trade show up there. Well, worth the investment!! Layers of clothes under my Georgia winter coat (pretty thin stuff), some gloves and a beret I do use to protect my hands and head in cold weather here in GA… they took care of the rest. I learned after that first year that none of my shoes would do for walks in the beautiful snowy evenings. I still have those boots just in case I ever go that far north again. BTW, I think lots of us have to move from one project to another. When the creative juices dry up on one, you hit another and then shortly an idea comes for the first. It goes round and round like that in my studio, too. Creativity cannot be turned off and on like a faucet. I think it has to be nursed and nudged along because it is in control, not you.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Beautiful picture, I bet the air is very clean, but it looks cold—I think I’ll stay here in good ol’ Florida for now… The picture reminds me of northern MN–very quiet except for the waves clapping against the rocks, and a sharp crispness in the air.
What a delightful picture!!!!! Glad you had a good time.
Wishing you a wonderful Mohter’s Day Becca!
Paper Hugs,
Jan
Gorgeous pic, we so enjoyed our time in Maine too, beautiful state!!
Well it doesn’t surprise me that this picture you took is so beautiful. It duplicates all the great qualities that we all enjoy so very much, in your cards. It has clarity, great lighting, wonderful color combinations, many pleasing details, a keen eye for placement, creates a smile, and make us all want to duplicate this in one way or another. If you can accomplish all of that with photos and cards, am thinking you don’t have much ADD at all even if most of us feel like that. It’s more like you know how to slow down, enjoy the moment and not rush what doesn’t want to be rushed. I think they call that taking life as it comes. I’ve been here to this beautiful place in Maine and hope to go again. Love and many more blessings to you always Becca.
This is a beautiful spot. I grew up in Maine and have been to Portland Head hundreds of times…it never gets old!! I love spending time on the coast. There is nothing like it!!
Oh dear! How did I miss this post? Maine is my next door neighbor (being in New Hampshire) and it is my favorite place on the entire planet. Well, not having been to any place outside of the US and Canada I know my vision is limited but I fell in love with Maine the very first time I went there!
And you had your own lobster, squeal, squeal… it has been many moons since I last had a lobster in Maine…hmmm, perhaps this summer?
Hugs,
Beth P