Saturday 13 October 2012

Inspired by the Kindness of Others - How Beautiful

Hi Everyone,

I trust you are all well and enjoying your weekend, whatever you are doing.


While I was choosing a sentiment for this card this one jumped out at me and sent me off thinking about the numerous times I have been touched by the kindness of others. For example, through this blog I have been shown much kindness. Take yesterday, for instance ... I asked a question in my last post about crochet patterns and, two lovely bloggers, Cass and Angie, were able to help and give advice. And then there is Neet who found the time to look up and kindly pass on a recipe I had loved and lost.


There are so many others who have helped me in some way throughout my life, for whom I am eternally grateful.

I think I've mentioned it somewhere before on this blog but I'll risk repeating myself yet again to mention that I didn't go to university until I was in my mid-forties ... I was obviously a late-developer :)) And whilst at university I had the good fortune to go to the US for a year as an exchange student and study at Wellesley College, MA. There I met many amazing women, it's a women's college, one in particular who befriended me is Dr Ruth Harriet Jacob, the founder of the Red Hat Society.

Now in her eighties, she is still an outrageous older woman - and she wouldn't mind me saying that :) Author of several books, she gifted me a copy of her autobiographical work, Women Who Touched My Life: A Memoir, in which she gives thanks for the women who, in some way, influenced and inspired her life ... it's a fascinating and thought-provoking read, and one that I will treasure always - thank you Ruth Harriet.


In the spirit of Dr Jacobs I'd like to give thanks to all those who have influenced and inspired me in some way. There are so many that I can't possibly mention everyone in one post alone so I intend to make it a regular spot.


And I want to start by thanking Teresa Kline at Paperie Blooms. I have been inspired by Teresa's beautiful work for a considerable time now and frequently visit her blog to check out the latest work she is kind enough to share with us. A published crafter, she is on several design teams, I would describe her style as shabby chic - my favourite I'd say. This card was inspired by this design of hers:


I was even encouraged to get out the sewing machine to add the row of zig-zag stitching just like Teresa's.


So thank you for that, Teresa. I'm sure I'll be getting the sewing machine out more often in the future.

About the card I made ... the starting point was the strip of card I'd decorated using the H2O and distress ink technique I'd been playing with recently - see it described here. It was the narrowest scrap but the result was too pretty to throw away. However, I remembered Teresa's card and thought the design perfect for my snippet. So after stamping it with the Simply Script stamp from Inkylicious and dusting with silver mica powder, it was embossed with the Kassie's Brocade folder from Cuttlebug. The papers are from Kanban's Vintage Tapestry Paper, a gorgeous collection, and the sentiment, embossed with gold powder, is from the Inkylicious Sentiments 1 set. The butterflies, a gift from friend Chris - more kindness, have been given the VersaMark and mica powder treatment to make them shine.

As a couple of snippets went into the making of this card I'll be popping over to Di's playground, aka Pixie's Crafty Workshop, for her Sunday Snippets Challenge #42 although I suspect she is absent, playing hookie  at some WOYWW workshop in Wiltshire and having far too much fun to even think about what is going on in the treehouse today :))

I hope you will visit Teresa, Cass, Angie and Neet and enjoy their blogs as much as I do and I also hope you will read the article I've linked for Ruth Harriet - she truly is an amazing person and I have nothing but admiration for her.

All that said, it's late and I should be heading to bed now so I'll bid you good night and wish you all a fabulous weekend.

Happy crafting,


14 comments:

Annie said...

Hi Elizabeth,
I must have missed your last post about crochet. I have a folder full of crochet patterns. If you are still struggling give me a shout and I will hunt it out and look to see if I have anything to help. Mine will all be UK patterns.
Hugs,
A x

Rita said...

Elizabeth, what a lovely post. It really brought a tear to my eye whilst reading it. Your card to-day really says it all I think. I love the card and the beautiful colours of the centrepiece. Enjoy your week-end. Hugs Rita xxx

Marie-Louise said...

Elizabeth I can only echo what Rita has said. It is a beautiful card and a wonderful post.

Dawn said...

What a beautiful post Elizabeth, such sentiment and deep feeling for your friends, absolutely delightful and incredibly touching to read my lovely.
I love your card too, so very effective, the sparkly panel sets it off beautifully.
Thank-you so much for sharing your thoughts today.
Huge hugs x x x x

Angie said...

Thank you so much for your lovely comment in your post. I am so glad I was of help ....normally I'm a hinderance lol.
I love your card ...the inspiration may have come from someone else but you so made it yours.xx

BJ said...

What a lovely blog post, a delight to read, and a delicious card too. BJ

Mrs A. said...

The panel on your card is so pretty. Reminds me of a rainbow. Hugs mrs a.

Darnell said...

That was very well said, Elizabeth, and a very beautiful card! Our blogging friends truly are the kindest.

It was fun reading that you know Dr. Jacobs!!

Julia S-W said...

Such an interesting post Elizabeth! We visit people's blogs but we don't often know about them and it's lovely that you've shared some of your life with us. The card is a little beauty too. (Good luck this week).
Juliaxx

Laura said...

Gorgeous pretty card Elizabeth!! Love the butterflies.
Laura xx

Jenny Marples said...

Hi Elizabeth, looks like we have both got some amazing crafting friends. Loving the beautiful almost irridescent colours on this one, and well done for getting out the sewing machine. I haven't managed to lug mine downstairs yet but love the stitched look. Happy crafting, hugs Buttons x

Di said...

Lovely post Elizabeth and such a pretty card too. Hugs, Di xx

scrappymo! said...

Very pretty...I love all the different techniques!

MaryH said...

It is always such a treat to visit here, see what beautiful thing you have to share. I enjoy your trip reports, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post. Your card is so lovely, but it was so thoughtful of you to write about the ladies who have been an influence on your life. We may sometimes think about this, but then not take the time to publicly acknowledge it as such. You did. I thank you! I'll check out these blogs. Your post will surely make ME more conscious of those who have provided encouragement or help in my own life. There were many! Thanks awfully much for this very gracious post. Hugs.