Sometimes life just happens when you’ve already got plans. In honor of that, I’m posting a special “Altered Wednesday” (instead of Tuesday). And it only seems fitting as this post is all about celebrating the little things - no matter how crazy, fun, or mundane.
While I was growing up my grandma wrote a letter to my family every week. As she waited at the hairdresser she started her letter and described her life. It was always full of talk of the weather, the garden, lunches and dancing (how fancy I thought! To have a lunch with dancing afterwards - every week!). She was an amazing writer and would include poems sometimes. My very favorite thing she added to her letters were sparkler cards. We would also write my grandma every week (a Sunday afternoon tradition) and she faithfully read and replied to our little thoughts. Sparkler cards announced to the world (well, at least to our family) that we had down something noteworthy. They were a variety of store bought blank cards (sometimes sparkly, sometimes full of stickers, always colorful) that the honored recipient got to keep. I remember glueing a few in my journals. I received sparkler cards for good report cards, musical performances, just any large or small accomplishment. One of my very favorites was when she sent me one for finding a great deal on a skirt at the mall. I was a young teen and somehow thought it worthy letter writing material. I never expected a sparkler card for that one, which is why it tickled my fancy and I still remember it.
How I would love to send my grandma a sparkler card now. To thank her for the many years of support and love. Since she is no longer on this earth, one of the best ways I can think to thank her is to carry on the tradition. Thus, my toolbox of sparkler cards was created.
I used Dani and Jacque’s fun lovin’ kit, Fun Land for the tool box and cards:
I started out with my empty tool box from Crayola. It had a pair of scissors, some modeling clay and crayons. Easy to find a new home for those. ;)
A few other supplies and I was good to go:
Some colorful ribbons, glitter, cards designed on the computer…mmmm. happiness. Just a little side note. I picked up some adorable Making Memories vellum envelopes at Archivers in the clearance section. They were from Christmas so they were half off. It’s not like vellum is seasonal. Anyway, I thought that was interesting that because the packaging said Christmas they were marked down. I couldn’t even buy vellum for as cheap as they were and make my own envelopes. Plus, how fun will it be to send these sweet cards to my nephews and nieces with the glittery designs peeking through the envelope.
I glittered the CK Jr. High Girl font on the front image and glued it to the tool box with my trusty tacky glue. I then tied ribbons all over the handle. I next trimmed my 4×6 prints made for my cards and glued them onto cardstock that fit my envelopes. I glittered up the front of a few of the cards and stacked them in the bottom part of my tool box. The top shelf will hold stamps, multiple pens and stickers. Perfect!
Here’s a peeksy at the inside of the toolbox.
And a close-up of the cards:
I made two of each card, but they are so simple it will not be hard to make more. Love that aspect of digital! The ferris wheel card has a fun quote by E.B. White: ”I see nothing in space as promising as the view from a ferris wheel”.
What an inspiring, fun kit for a project inspired by an amazing woman. Take care all!
*smiles*
Becky
p.s. Please take a small jaunt down the blog and find the ADORABLE desktop from Tracy. It is so bright and sunny. It made my morning a whole lotta bit happier. Thanks Tracy!
by Tracy
