Hello, my friends! Thanks so much for stopping by.
How is your weekend going? It's been a bit cool in my neck of the woods so I've been holed up and crafting for a few days... you'd think I'd be sick of it, but no way! I've got lots of good stuff up my sleeve for you, and I've also been able to finish a quilt for my new nephew and I'm almost finished one for my son. It's been pretty productive!
Today's card is a bit of a fun little mishmash, but it didn't come together quickly! About three months ago, I created this little piece of paper with the watercolour glasses on it. The stamp is from Day At The Beach - and sunglasses were not what I had in mind! I stamped and coloured this piece, then filled in all of the glasses with the Fine Tip Glue Pen to make them raised and glossy; it was a super cute effect. But then I had no idea what to do with it, so it sat with my UFOs (UnFinished Objects) until last weekend.
I had pulled out the Cool Treats stamp set for an upcoming Artisan Design Team blog hop, and the "You're cool" sentiment was staring me in the face... and I thought "OH! Those GLASSES!" It was a match made in heaven, and the resulting card came together in just a few minutes.
The funny thing about this? Glasses and "cool" were a natural combo for me. And I'm a big proponent of "geek chic." I love the imagery of glasses - heck, I even used them for my "About Me" icon on this blog! But did you know I wear glasses? You're not alone if you didn't!
I've had glasses since I was 12, and I'm virtually blind without them, but I will almost never wear them in pictures. Even if I'm not wearing contacts that day, my glasses will come off. I've been wearing them for more than 20 years and it's still a struggle! I think it's because I started wearing them at the most awkward, self-conscious age in my life, but I will never, ever feel pretty with my glasses on.
This picture was from Christmas of 1995, I think, wearing my first pair of glasses. I've cropped out my brother, dad, and stepmom to protect their dignity.
Things have improved since then - or at least I hope they have! - but truth be told, when I wear my glasses, that's how I feel. Like the awkward, dorky teenager with bad skin who hadn't learned how to deal with her curly hair yet (in fairness, I'm still trying to figure out this hair.) And as a result - I almost ALWAYS make a goofy face if I'm wearing my glasses in a photo... I feel like if I'm going to look goofy, I may as well go whole-hog, right?
Why am I telling you all of this? Because of the power of a handmade card. Think of how warm and fuzzy it makes someone feel when they receive a handmade birthday card in the mail. I'm constantly blown away by how much my friends and family appreciate a handmade card and a written note in the mail. Now think of what this card could do for that awkward, nerdy, self-conscious girl in the picture above. Small things matter. Kindness matters. And sometimes, girls (and boys!) with glasses just need to be reassured they're cool anyway. :)
When you make a card - SEND a card. Even a goofy one like this.
With love,
Shannon
Shannon
P.S. - Day At The Beach is retiring, as is Gorgeous Grunge, used to make the splatter in the background, AND the Tags & Labels Framelits. Eek! Hustle on over to the shop to catch these beauties before they're gone. And don't forget the host code!
Shopping in Canada? Use the links below
to view the products used to make this card.
