HOUSE OF HAIRBALL

I found the loveliest purple paper featuring a floral Provence theme. The many shades of purple were perfect for my first handmade Easter cards. Images of lavender bundles tied with ribbon, growing in terracotta pots, and fashioned into sweet, heart-shaped wreaths filled the pages of the 12×12 Stamperia cardstock. I adored the ornate French perfume bottles. Ooh la la! Some paper designs are so exquisite that you do not want to actually use them. You cut them up and they are gone! (Sometimes your desire to give must override your need to hoard.) I at least took photos before I mailed them to create a walk-thru video to share.

The Details: I created big tag pockets for the card fronts and transformed some of the prettiest artwork into bookmarks that I tied with organdy ribbon and adorned with Tim Holtz Idea-ology Thought Tokens. I used a Happy Easter sentiment stamp on the inside and added “Made By Ann” to a few. And then I distressed the card, rubbing brown or grape sherbet ink on the edges, antiquing them a bit. Looking back, it was a simply-designed card. Small and unpretentious. But it was great fun to hold a stack of cardstock and gently coax it into something unforgettable.

I hope all your crafty adventures are fun.