Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Crosses and Flowers

Paper: Pink Pirouette and Confetti White CS; DP from CTMH Other: Kaiser Pearls; Prima Flowers; Pink Organdy ribbon Card Measures 5x7

♫ Good Morning! Good Morning! It's a Happy Day Today! ♫

I survived the hot weather and Maeve's crying/screaming fit of yesterday. It just came out of no where. (Maeve's tantrum) She just came up to me and started crying and screaming "MOM-MEEEE". Not in a "I'm hurt" way...in an "I want you to read my mind and know what I want and give me all of your attention RIGHT NOW" type of way. I am a believer in the ignore the bad behavior, praise the good behavior method of parenting. So I asked what was wrong and she just screamed and I continued to try and finish my blog post. Eventually she started to climb up on me and just demand all my attention. Several times I put her back down, but it just continued. My Goodness! That girl is one of the sweetest 2 year olds ever...but when she gets mad...look out! It is like Jeckyl and Hyde! MOST of the time she loves to hug and cuddle and kiss and sing and dance and is even really good at using her please's and thank you's. Declan and Orla weren't really tantrum throwers....I mean sure there was an occasional here and there....but less than a handful. With Maeve you know when it's coming. Eventually she calmed down and was back to her darling self. I think she just wanted my total attention at that moment. The day literally continued to heat up! It got HOT and I was happy that I turned on that A/C! And now it's over and we're back down to the 60's for the near future. I would like a few weeks of 70's and sunny, myself. But as long as there are no ice storms...I won't complain...too much! LOL!

So onto today's projects. My dear friend, Paula's daughter, Audra, was Christened this past weekend. Paula is a good friend, but absolutely does not appreciate our handmade cards. I feel more guilty about giving her a handmade card that she will throw out as soon as it's opened, than I do about folding a piece of typewriter paper and calling it her card. Seriously. I think what bothers me is that she doesn't even make pretend she appreciates them! That said, Friday night came and I realized I had no card for the Baby'sChristening on Sunday. I knew I wouldn't get out to get one on Saturday either. So I made the card with the pink cross on it. No stamps. Although I was brought up Catholic, I am not "religious". However, I consider myself extremely "spiritual". I very much believe in and pray to God. Anyhoooo....I am not going to go on and on about my beliefs and such....and seriously, I don't want to be counseled or chastised by anyone either. Although I enjoy discussing and learning about different religions and their beliefs...I don't need to be lectured. Thank you, anyhow. So I really don't have any stamps that are crosses or anything. I took out a ruler and drew a cross on pink cardstock and adhered all these little flowers on...one by one. It seemed a little "blah" so I added the ribbon and flowers to the center. Then I stopped. Less is more sometimes. And after all, this was going to Paula who wasn't going to care that it took me 45 minutes+ to put all those little flowers on! As I handed her the card I told her she better not throw this out. She responded (with a smile) "I will Kerry....What am I going to do with it?" I told her to frame it and put it in Audra's room! Not that I consider it my masterpiece or anything like that....but gosh...don't tell me you are going to chuck in the bin as soon as you open it!

Meanwhile, Orla will be making her First Holy Communion in a couple of weeks. (I still think kids need some sort of connection with God...and my husband was born and raised in Ireland...it would be 'catastophy' if we weren't making an effort to raise our kids Catholic...!! Don't even get me started on how hypocritical I feel. Or the things I have to bit my tongue on when she comes home from religion classes telling us what she learned.) I mean my in laws may not remember when the kids' birthday are (or even Pat's b-day for that matter). But the Communion cards and gifts have already started coming in from Ireland. Today Orla received (an admittedly beautiful) rosary and some other 1st communion necklace too. But back to my main point...We were given this white felt banner on a stick and told to decorate it to hang on our family pew the day of her Communion. Well, now they were talking! LOL! They provided some small pieces of various colors of felt gave us some suggestions of what to decorate it with..things that they learned about this year.... ie: the chalice and host, a cross, Light/sun...lambs...some other things that I can't recall. Now you know I wasn't going to be gluing some ugly felt on there to hang in public! For family and friends to see. Poor Orla wanted to help...I kept putting her off. I am a bad mother!!!! Well now we have to turn in this banner tonight (Wednesday) at a rehearsal. So last night (Tuesday night), I waited for Orla to go to bed and started my...um, I mean Orla's banner. After all, I didn't want her to get burned using the hot glue gun. I was only looking out for her! :oP So I did another flowery cross...this time bigger and with the base being purple felt. I used up that eyelet lace, that I have determined is too big for my cards. I cut out her name using an old Sizzix alphabet die set that I had sitting in the corner. And used Flower Soft to decorate that. Her name did not come out as pretty as I would have liked. :o( Hmmmm....now what? I need more than a cross and her name. Where is that suggestion list? A lamb? A lamb!! I just got the Tilda with a Lamb a few weeks ago! Plus I think the Tlda stamps kind of look like Orla. I am always telling her that she is so cute they even make stamps that look like her. :) So I colored her in....added some more Flower Soft and cut her out. My intention was to put her overlapping the cross a little. But it didn't look right when I had all the pieces layed out....It seemed unbalanced. Hmmmm....well maybe I will just forget about Tilda and leave the plain cross. It's fine. really. Where's that suggestion list? A chalice....um, I don't think so. How would I make that? The sun/light of God....I had no idea how to create "light" on a felt background... and not make it look Cheezy. Wait a sec! What about that Tilda that is holding the candle?! Candle/flame=light!!

I can hear Kristen already saying: "Kerry, did you really need to put Tilda's on there? Tilda's don't have to go on everything!" She just doesn't have the same love for, what I refer to, as my little Swedish friends! Tilda's do not have to go on everything...but if you can put them on there...why wouldn't you?! Really now!! :)

Well off to bed I go...It's 2am again.

Thanks for stopping by today! Sorry for all the chit chat.

Have a Glorious Wednesday!

29 comments:

Julie said...

Kerry

Your card and the banner are amazing. You sure had patience glueing all those flowers. I look forward to your posts, they make me smile. Best Wishes for Orla's upcoming 1st Communion.

Julie x

Suzy said...

Beautiful card and banner. Love those croses made from flowers. Great idea.

Moni said...

Waw you did perfect projects, love the crooss with the flowers and project for Orla is fab! Have a nice day! Hugs, Moni

Joey said...

Hi Kerry, I just love the way you have created your crosses with the flowers, they really do look very effective. Your daughters banner is just gorgeous, I would have done the project for her too, just to be sure she didnt hurt herself lol. I hope she has a wonderful firt holy communion :O) my daughter makes her in june she is so excited. Joey.xxx

Anne said...

Two fantastic pieces of work. You must have the patience of a Saint to glue those flowers individually!!
Anne x

Silli said...

Kerry, you make beautiful things... I love the flowerscard... very pretty... Thanks for the "copicinfos"...
happy day...;-) Hugs from Silke

Kathy W said...

girl, you always crack me up reading your posts. Love your idea of using flowers to create a cross. I bet you had the best pew banner out there! Reminds me when I me kids have school projects- what made out of construction paper and yarn? We always need to change that up!

Jacque said...

Kerry, both projects are exquisitely beautiful...and so much work!!! My goodness!!! Lovely...Hugs...Jacque

Stef H said...

First, I think the trouble with the world today is that not enough people want to know who GOD is. So, in my opinion, you can talk about it all you want. I believe in HIM to. After all HE gave us this talent. Although your talent is by far greater than mine!

Holy Moly! These are gorgeous! Like breathtakingly gorgeous! I love that cross card and that door hangar will be cherished forever!

You are truly blessed. Even with the screaming kids!

Hugs,

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

Lovely card. I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to peep up and ask WHY you went to all that work for the trash can? LOL!!!
You are too funny and too NICE. Ü
Your stories crack me up. Love the honesty.

Stefanie said...

Wow Kerry, I love your flower crosses! What a cool idea!! Orla's going to have the best dressed pew at the first communion. :)

Sally said...

Your crosses are absolutely stunning. I can't believe anyone would throw such lovely handmade cards in the trash. That in its self is sacrelige!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE THIS!! What a great idea. My youngest makes her communion next year, I will have to try something like this. Great job! Angela Wood

Ittybittyinkspotstoo said...

Gorgeous!!! Absolutely GORGEOUS!!
Your talent will outshine all pews!
Beautiful!!
hugz
deb

Unknown said...

I love your....., I mean, Orla's banner. You did a great job on it. Tell her Congrats on the big step.

Michelle Quinno said...

They're both beautiful!

I thought about stamping flowers in the shape of a cross when I recently needed a cross stamp but it was for a boy so I did something else.

Sharon Caudle said...

Kerry, this is beautiful! I think you did a fantastic job and your banner will be gorgeous hanging on your pew!
hugs!
Sharon

Anonymous said...

yes, the cards are adorable..love the pink flower cross..stunning...

susan said...

Your pink cross is BEAUTIFUL! And I have a different view thatn your friend about throwing THIS one out. THIS card ( and any other christening cards she receives that day) are NOT hers to throw away! They belong to her DAUGHTER!Therefore, they should be kept safely tucked away in a box on a closet shelf until her daughter is old enough to see them and appreciate them. It will be her DAUGHTER'S decision whether or not to keep them. The same goes for ANY cards the daughter EVER receives.

Lorie said...

She throws your cards away? She just throws away any card? Seriously? Oh, my! The cards from my mom and grandmother are now some of my most valued possessions! I agree with Susan by the way that she should NOT throw out her daughters cards!

Anyway, I LOVE your banner...that is SO neat and what a great idea!

Have a super day girl!

Christina C. said...

Kerry, this is absolutely stunning.
Congratulations on your daughter's Holy Communion. This will be a treasure worth keeping. hugs, Christina C.

Ida said...

Wow these are impressive! All those little flowers...You really did a fabulous job with both these projects.

Basement Stamper said...

Great card! I'm sure it took forever to do those primas!!!

Elena said...

Your card is beauitful! Wow! I can't believe your friend will throw it away...
Your banner is gorgeous! Here I don't need to worry - I know you will keep it!

Kim said...

Kerry that is a fabulous baptism card! And I know exactly what you mean about people not appreciating and keeping a handmade card (my mother-in-law is one of those people)! The pink flower cross is amazing! And Orla's banner is SUPER DUPER cute...that's going to be the hit of 1st communion if I say so myself! Gorgeous work...and I agree Tilda should go on everything! LOL!
Hugs~ Kim

Linda S. said...

O.K., so lets all gang up on this "friend" of yours, Kerry. So, even if she does throw them away quickly, or eventually, why in the world does she tell you that????? And, I agree with Susan and Lorie....they really are not her cards to throw anywhere. Was the envelope addressed to the Mom, or the child who was celebrating an important event in her life??? Not nice!!
Linda S. in NE

Judy H. said...

Kerry, omg! The patience you must've had to make that card - I love it! You did a fantastic job! That is definitely frame-worthy! And I loved Orla's banner. How'd you make the little Magnolia's? Are they cardstock and you just adhered them to the banner or ??? TFS. Awesome job! I always love to see non-card projects. Judy H.

Kristen said...

okay, so Tilda's don't need to be everywhere, but your banner is GORGEOUS, and shhhh ( I do like the Tilda's)! I know, I know!!!!!

Cassie said...

this took my breath away! so pretty and i ♥ the look! so happy to have you guesting with us this week at FBW!

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