Thursday, 28 April 2011

Captured in a Card #1

If you were here on Tuesday, you might have noticed the quick card I made. Well, I have a confession to make. I've never made cards before. Alright, I've made a couple of half hearted attempts; but the whole process never grabbed me. Until now. When the beautiful Emma's Shoppe papers appeared in my Gotta Craft kit, I suddenly - just wanted to make cards.

As I played around I thought about how much fun working on a small canvas really is. And that gave me an idea. What if I made a card, loved it, wanted to keep it? What if I made cards to fit inside 4x6 page protectors? And what if I used those cards as tiny scrapbook pages? You don't need a 12" square to tell a little story. One small moment, one quip, one quote you love. You only need a card. Maybe with space for a tiny photo, certainly with room for a favourite embellishment.

"When Grandpa Lex was a little boy during The Depression, he used to take off his shoes and hide them in the hedge before going into school, because so many of the other children had no shoes at all. This story stuck in my mind I think because he grew up to be a clergyman."

I love the thought of someone on a rainy Sunday afternoon sitting down and leafing through an album of cards. Pulling out one here and there and reading the memory inside. Like a collection of old postcards, maybe, or visiting cards. I've made one already. One card. One memory. Captured.
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46 comments:

  1. ceruleanblue28 April 2011 at 08:38

    Sian, I love this idea, it's brilliant! And such a lovely story about your Grandpa. I started capturing some random memories in a digital format, but this really apppeals to me as a fab way to use up stash in a quick, and easy way. I predict a lot of people picking up on this idea

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  2. Lizzie28 April 2011 at 08:52

    That's so nice, Sian! Lots of people do those small bits & pieces, then make them into albums, in those multi-pocket protector sleeves; this takes it a step further and I really like it. The idea of "journalling" inside the card is great. You could use a slip-in photo album (so inexpensive!), to hold your cards. A set of those, documenting a special occasion, would make a lovely present, but so much quicker to make than a whole 12" scrap album!

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  3. Lizzie28 April 2011 at 08:54

    Oh, oh! Forgot - I would bind them into a mini-book... maybe with one book-ring on the corner, or maybe stitched together with Coptic stitch, so you could open out every card and have each front completely visible. But then you'd never lose one!

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  4. helena28 April 2011 at 09:01

    I love this idea. I've been thinking simillar with digi - make a layout that is normal photo size

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  5. scrappyjacky28 April 2011 at 09:24

    This is a great idea,Sian....a gorgeous sort of mini album....indeed, a mini card album.

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  6. Wanda28 April 2011 at 09:36

    Did you need another version of your hobby(ies)? 'Cuz it looks like you might have found one!

    The card is gorgeous and your idea is special too. Taking your thought of someone paging through an album of cards one step further...first they're attracted to card because of its design or color or whatever. Then imagine their surprise and pleasure when they open the card and find a mini-story to go with it. Nice, nice idea!

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  7. Fiona@Staring at the Sea28 April 2011 at 09:58

    What a lovely idea and a great little snippet of family history:)

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  8. Cheryl28 April 2011 at 10:09

    I think I remember you saying you weren't a cardmaker. Well, you've got the difficult part figured out (what to do with cards you don't want to give away). It's a great idea. I love it, and I think I will steal it, both to add another 'layer' to the memory-keeping, and to reinvigorate my own cardmaking.

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  9. Cate Brickell28 April 2011 at 10:09

    what a clever, simple idea. You'd never know you were a first time card maker, great job.

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  10. Amanda28 April 2011 at 10:18

    That's a lovely achievable idea. Gorgeous card. You may not have many to put in an album though once the family spot them :)

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  11. The whistling crafter!28 April 2011 at 10:22

    Sian, super dooper idea indeed! I've done this with an album of random memories - I made cards with embellies loosely based on the memory, wrote the memory inside them and then pegged them all together to make a mini album. Its one of my all-time favourite albums! Love the card too! I am *in awe* of Danielle Flander's cards - wish I could make cards even half as nice as hers ;) If you don't know her work, I would def. recommend a look at her blog!

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  12. Amy28 April 2011 at 10:43

    Yes a great idea Sian, I would imagine the detail would appeal to you :-)

    It is hard to believe you are a first timer - excellent results you should be proud of!

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  13. Anonymous28 April 2011 at 11:15

    Fabulous card, and fabulous idea!

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  14. Sandie28 April 2011 at 11:24

    I LOVE your card and I LOVE your idea! I came into scrapbooking and mini albums through card making. I have made cards for as long as I remember and they have evolved over time and taken a whole new form. But your take on adding a story is legendery! I have so many cards I have given away and wanted to keep for myself, so now I have reason to do so. Thank you for the idea and I look forward to seeing more that you make.

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  15. Cheri28 April 2011 at 13:17

    I've already done several albums with 4x6 digi or hybrid layouts, but I love this idea for total paper. My personal twist on it would be to only make the card front (rather than a folded card) and then put the journaling/photo on the back side. That way, once put into an album, nobody would have to pull the cards out to read the stories that go with (unless you wanted it like hidden journaling, then the folded card is perfect!)

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  16. Sian28 April 2011 at 13:43

    I really like the idea of someone pulling out the cards they especially like the look of to find the treasure inside. That's my favourite bit of the whole plan :)

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  17. Susanne28 April 2011 at 14:06

    Simply brilliant idea! And your wonderful scrapping skills certainly translate well to the smaller canvas.

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  18. laurie28 April 2011 at 14:26

    what a wonderful idea! and it really is the small stories that make up a life. i think you are really on to something here. the story about your grandfather is so very touching and the card is a visual delight.

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  19. Deb @ PaperTurtle28 April 2011 at 14:58

    Sian ~ Not only do I love the card and your idea for gathering memories in small bits, but I am touched by the little note about your grandfather's kindness even as a young boy. That shows amazing character at such an early age. It's wonderful! xo

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  20. Denise28 April 2011 at 15:03

    A truly lovely idea- I used to make cards but haven't for ages- I love what you've done and the story to go with it is very special. The idea of taking the little card out with the memory inside is perfect x

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  21. Jennifer Shaw28 April 2011 at 15:03

    What an amazing idea!! Sometimes when I make a card, I don't want to put too much of the "good" stash on it, as I figure it might end up in the garbage. With your idea, I would go all out! Your card is beautiful!! Love the idea of keeping them in 4x6 protectors. :)

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  22. Melissa28 April 2011 at 15:05

    Oh Sian, what a great idea. And so much fun to document the little stories that we might not want to create a huge layout for. Thanks for the idea!

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  23. Fun Mama - Deanna28 April 2011 at 16:59

    What a great idea! I hear people say to make cards when you have extra supplies left from making a page, but I don't tend to send handmade cards because people throw them away. This idea seems like a much better use of my time. Thanks for sharing!

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  24. Maria Ontiveros28 April 2011 at 17:16

    I love the idea, too! And, as I mentioned the other day, I knew you had the cardmaking gene.
    Rinda

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  25. Kirsty.A28 April 2011 at 17:25

    I did 6x4 for my JYC last year, and surprised myself by really loving the small format. I usually did a scrap page on one side and more extensve journalling on the other.
    Glad Blogger let you comment on me today. I got 20 comments out of 28 pageviews for my Day in Photos (love those Stats!) so I think the problem must have been your end

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  26. Gail28 April 2011 at 17:38

    Great idea! Like your first card.

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  27. Carrie28 April 2011 at 18:22

    Love all the layering & details on the card. What a thoughtful boy your Grandfather was. Sweet.

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  28. Linda28 April 2011 at 18:40

    Oh I do love that card! And the idea of little scrapbook pages with just one memory per page, fabulouso!

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  29. Julie Ann Rachelle Interior Design28 April 2011 at 19:01

    Making cards has never grabbed me either, and I make one here or there but you are a NATURAL my dear!!! WOW!!!!!!! I love it! So inspiring! xoxo

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  30. Connie Mercer28 April 2011 at 19:35

    awesome card!!! Love jenni stuff!!!

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  31. Jen28 April 2011 at 19:49

    Such a lovely idea - and love the card too - I think you might just ahve started a trend! J x

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  32. Gem's Crafts28 April 2011 at 20:15

    What a lovely idea, and even the children could get involved on that small a scale - if you don't mind sharing your stash that is!

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  33. Lisa28 April 2011 at 20:52

    how lovely, how original, how touching. love it.

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  34. Ginger29 April 2011 at 02:13

    Isn't it funny how we come up with great ideas after trying something we've not done before? I love this card... the amount of detail you have managed to create on such a small area... it's priceless... just like the story that it holds :)

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  35. Beverly29 April 2011 at 02:56

    The card is gorgeous, the story about your grandfather beautiful and your idea genius!

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  36. Winnie29 April 2011 at 06:58

    This is a really great idea Sian!

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  37. Unknown29 April 2011 at 08:24

    Clever you, I was at a retreat with my UKS friends and a friend there has a 6x4 photo holder at the front of her 12x12 album where she was keeping the photos she wanted to scrap in that album. I was struck athe time that to put in a photo on one side and a paper layout the other with a journaling spot on the other, but this is much much better. Inspired....and your layout is so perfect. It would also be thrifty as others have said, which appeals to me as I'm on a stash diet. Thanks Sian.

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  38. Alison29 April 2011 at 16:49

    What a brilliant idea Sian! I used to enjoy making cards, but put myself under so much pressure to be 'perfect' that I stopped. This way, I could enjoy the process again, not feel under pressure and have another way of keeping those memories-thank you for the inspiration...and mum is coping a bit better today thanks!
    Alison xx

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  39. scrappysue30 April 2011 at 09:18

    Sian, I have to admit, I am just replacing my jaw that dropped at (a) your beautiful card (b) the fact that you can create something this fabby even though you don't make cards normally and (c) at what a perfectly wonderful idea this is. Plus I have to admit that when I make cards, I hardly ever want to give them away!

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  40. scrappysue30 April 2011 at 09:21

    Oh gosh, that sounded like I didn't think you normally created fabby projects, and I do! Oh and what a wonderful thing your Grandfather did too.

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  41. Lou30 April 2011 at 23:08

    Sian, how did i miss this post!!!

    This is a fab idea and would you beleive I've just ordered some 4x6 page protectors....with all these lovely comments maybe you should take us through the whole process, card by card tutorials....one a month, so there's no pressure. Ark at me lol!! I'd definatley play along with you xx

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  42. Rachel Brett1 May 2011 at 20:34

    Fab, fab, fab! I love it Sian, I look forward to seeing more :)

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  43. Sandra1 May 2011 at 21:46

    What a great idea - and a lovely story to go with it.

    I truly think its such a wonderful idea, and a lovely thing to look back on.

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  44. Jennifer Grace2 May 2011 at 21:16

    Such a beautiful card Sian, I'm sure you'll be making many more. It's a fantastic idea too - I often feel I'd like to keep the cards I make, and if I use them to journal then I've got a great excuse - thanks! x

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  45. Tinkertaylor2 May 2011 at 22:21

    Welcome to the world of card making. Next you too will be collecting stamps. Beautiful card and if you can't bear to part with your card make two lol

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  46. Jane4 May 2011 at 22:24

    what a great idea!

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Thank you! I do love to know what you think