Card: My Love is a Tree

I know I haven’t posted for a week now. I have reasons. Partially, it was just being busy. I kid you not, every day for the past week I’ve had some non-work (meaning social!) outing, including a painting group I joined.  The other reason is the project I’ve been working on, which is the reason for today’s post.

This is the first time I’ve done a card, and by far the most complicated work I have undertaken. I was never too interested in cards, but the challenge at Cardvaarks was too much to pass up. I’m obsessed with trees. What can I say? What more, I had an idea, and a recipient. It ended up being much much more work than I anticipated, but the result was worth it.

Tonight, I greet my boyfriend as he returns from Thailand. He has been gone for four months, and sometimes we couldn’t talk for weeks. During his stay, he was even hospitalized with Dengue Fever, and I couldn’t be at his side. He is a constant source of encouragement, of comfort, and of delight. He is my best friend. And for four months, he’s been waaaay over there. The Pacific Ocean is much too big. Even though it is an “I miss you” card, and he will receive it upon his return rather than while actually away I think he will understand.  I can’t even express how excited I am to see him tonight. I am counting the hours.

An Aged and Worn Treasure Box (for my ATCs)

A year ago, a dear friend enlisted my help in creating a birthday present for one of best friends, a classmate of ours.  They both were passionate about J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan (which has since become a passion of mine as well), and she wanted to make an old looking treasure chest filled with photos from their 4 years in college, chronicling their adventures and good times. We went to Joann’s and picked up a pine box with a hinged lid, and some supplies, including a little carved circle that looked like a compass. She wanted the top to be a map of neverland. We worked on the box over a few nights while watching the recent Peter Pan movie and Stardust, mutual favorites. The end result was absolutely gorgeous. I wish I had a picture. I vowed I would make my own.

I picked up a much smaller box at Joann’s on sale a few months back that was the perfect size to keep my ATCs. Over the last few nights, I’ve completed it. I think our joint effort turned out even better, but I still really like my new little box.

P.S. I took pictures as I created it, so I will posting a tutorial on how to make one of your own over the next few days, probably in 3 parts.

Update: Part one is up. Check in tomorrow for part two.

Update #2: Part two is up as well. Happy creating!