Cartwheels In My Mind

Photo of the Day, September 13, 2010.

(c) Nora Griffin

Always love a crazy reflection photo.

Nice to Greet You.

Maybe it's just me, but when the seasons begin to change I am drawn to a whole new set of colors. When fall comes around I love all things orange, brown and olive green and they tend to make their way into my projects along with other symbols of fall. 

That is what this edition of Nice to Greet You is about...fall colors and themes being incorporated into everyday greeting cards.

I used falling leaves to send a birthday sentiment...

 

And then a apples help decorate a thinking of you card...

 

This month I asked Lisa Truesdell to help me with the theme. I have always been a big fan of Lisa's work...she just comes up with the best details! 

Here are the fantastic cards Lisa put together with such great fall colors... 

 

 

Seeing these makes me want to go make more cards...and I'm hoping you're feeling inspired to start using fall colors too.

Photo of the Day, September 3, 2010.

(c) Nora Griffin

This is the 5 millionth photo I've taken of flowers...you really can never have enough.

Happy Everything.

So it's the time of year when we have a relaxing lull before the fall and winter holidays get started. Unbelievable to think we will be celebrating Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas in the next few months. With that in mind I decided to use this time to make a home decor item to last throughout the fall. 

I have loved the idea of making your own wreath and have seen so many great ideas as I wander around online. I crafted up my own wreath with thick, wool yarn and felt.

 

I took a styrofoam form and simply wrapped the yarn in an even layer around it. When I tied my initial knot I left a long piece to have for tying a bow to hang it with.

For the felt "flowers" I punched out cardstock circles to use as various size templates so I would have a shape to follow. My circles still weren't completely perfect, but without the templates I wouldn't have had a chance. 

 

I went through my stash of wool felt and started building colorful layers. I thought of using decorative brads to adhere the felt circles to the wreath, but decided on t-pins. I thought it might be fun to tie small ribbons into them at some point.

 

I mixed and matched the circle sizes...having three larger flowers and six medium sized ones all with three layers of felt.

Can't wait to gather some other fall decorations together and create a little celebration of the new season on our mantle. Hope this has helped inspire you to get ready for fall as well.

  

Nice to Greet You.

Have you bought your pencils? 

Is your backpack all ready?

It's just about time to go back to school and I have a few cards to help your kids and their teachers start a great year.

Last year I started giving my son's teachers a little "Happy First Day of School" gift and these are the cards going along with this year's presents.

 

Since I can't draw to save my life, I Googled "apple drawing" to find some clip-to trace.

 

I have a card ready to send with my son Mac on his first day of 7th grade.

 

I also made sure there was a little extra love on the back of the card.

And my husband is a junior high teacher too so I can't forget him. 

 

Hope this has helped give you some ideas of what you can sneak into a backpack or lunch box on the first day of school.

 

Addicted To Patterns.

Hi my name is Nora, and I am addicted to wrapping paper. So I kind of hoard my very favorite patterns, but I thought I'd share a way I use every last inch of it.

 

When I wrapped one gift in this cute sock monkey paper I had a useless strip leftover. So I took the next box, wrapped in kraft colored paper and used the leftover strip to decorate the box.

 

I also am addicted to patterned paper...good thing I have an obscene amount so I could make this tag. :)