Friday, February 21, 2014

Blog Your Heart

For the first time ever, I'm joining in with Stephanie Howell for "Blog your Heart"...


I was so lucky, and for a long time I didn't even realize it.  Until I started participating in the online papercrafting community, I didn't realize that so many people have no local store at which to shop for supplies.
 
image source: here

See the store in this photo?  Until this year, we had half a dozen or so Archivers stores in the Twin Cities area.  No matter which part of the metro area--north, south, east, or west--I happened to be visiting, there was always an Archivers nearby.  But this week Archivers closed all its brick and mortar stores nationwide.  I am kind of in mourning.  I know that you guys, as papercrafters yourselves, will understand what I mean by that.  Shopping options still exist (big box stores, online stores, and the Twin Cities' one remaining independent LSS), but I'll miss the convenience of Archivers, not to mention its pleasant atmosphere, unparalleled selection of products, and friendly community.  An important part of my life has just changed in a big way.


But life goes on.  When I'm feeling sad, making something from paper always makes me feel better.  Does it work that way for you, too?  Anyway, when I started feeling sad this week, I found inspiration in this week's image at Cupcake Inspirations.
 
Supplies: paper from Crate; die cuts from October Afternoon; stamps from Lawn Fawn; stamping ink from Hero Arts; edging ink from Tsukineko; paint from Ranger; Candi dots from Craftwork; twine from Canvas Corp; corner punch from Creative Memories; pins from We Call Her Happydaks etsy; pink cardstock & elastic cord upcycled from a clothing tag.

Though the Cupcake Inspirations color scheme would be perfect for a Valentine card, I needed an Easter card, so that's what I made.  I think it turned out fresh and perky.  And creating it certainly helped cheer me up.


In this detail shot you see how I used a couple of straight pins that I won in a RAK.  Normally I avoid using straight pins in my projects, for fear that they will poke someone's fingers.  But the tips of these two pins are safely embedded in a foam adhesive square, which is hidden behind the bunny die cut.  So I finally got to use these cute pins.


Image source: here

I think I'll still be in mourning for Archivers for a long, long time.  But writing about it helped get the sadness off my chest a little bit.  And making something fun also helped cheer me up.  Hope that you will have a cheerful day!  Thanks for stopping by my blog today. 


ETA: My card made "Sweet Six" [top six] at Cupcake Inspirations.  Hooray!

15 comments:

Sandy said...

Super cute card! I too am heart broken over the loss of all the Archiver's stores. Thank you for joining us this week at Cupcake Inspirations! - Sandy

Ella Swan said...

I love your card Denise! SO glad something good came out of your sadness. What a pity Archivers is closing down. Very sad indeed. I have only one teeny store here & it is always so out of date I don't often visit it. I shop online locally & close to CHA time, when I want new lines quickly I order them from the States. It's something you just get used to living in Africa. So much is limited here & it is very frustrating having to improvise with everything from crafting supplies to furniture but that's the way it is. At least we have a lot of sunshine & swimming pools, etc :) And of course the African Penguin! Not on the beaches here but in Cape Town they have plenty. They favour the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean which is down at the bottom of Africa. We are on the East Coast with the warmer waters of the Indian ocean here :)

Nance said...

Super card! Love that you did Easter with the color combo! I too am heartbroken about Archivers. Here in the Triangle of NC, I had Archivers about 20 min north in north Raleigh and then an independent scrapbook store 75 miles away in Greensboro, that only mostly has stamps and ink. And of course there's Michaels and Joanns types here around the corner, but they don't carry alot of the cool stuff. I could get some fave stamps/supplies at Archivers and not have to order online and the mail. I hate waiting for mail. Anway, I digress. Thanks for joining us at Cupcake Inspirations!

Nance, DT Sweetie

Halle said...

Love the card...
I'm sad over the closing as well. I didn't buy a ton there but I loved the fact that it was available. Now I'll be ordering my favorite dry adhesive online instead.

Unknown said...

I really like this card Denise. It's got a vintage feel, but a fresh look. Well done!

Indy's Designs said...

Delightful card! So glad you were inspired by this week's colors at Cupcake Inspirations!
Hugs, Debbie!

Alycia said...

I'm in mourning too but for living in one of the biggest cities in the country (Houston) I had to drive 30 minutes to get there. Needless to say, it was a super nice treat to get to go to a store that was dedicated to the papercrafting we love as opposed to Michaels and Hobby Lobby, which are great but just not the same thing.

Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous art with us at Cupcake Inspirations! Your card is simply stunning. :) -Alycia

Mayras Designs said...

Great idea and , wonderful way to use the colors !!! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Cupcake Inspirations !!!

Mayra DT Sweetie

Chantalle said...

Its a terrible truth that, sadly more and mors stores are facing. But, you've certainly made something beautiful here - what a lovely card

Mary Jo said...

I am the same way!!!
I am actually kind of bummed they are closed. It was a nice option to have, and I did go and support them.

Pretty card!

Anonymous said...

I don't have a local store anymore. It's just not the same. : (

Svjetlana said...

Your card is gorgeous. Sorry to hear that your store is clothing down. I don't really have a any local store, there are some small shops that stock basics only. I order everything online and used to do it from the States, but with Finnabar's shop in Ireland and few others that are now more up-to-date I don't have to pay for international shipping anymore Yay.

stephanie howell said...

I'm so sorry. :( I don't think I've ever been to an Archiver's but I know it's a tremendous loss to the crafting community.

On the bright side...that's one adorable card! xoxo

Lynette Jacobs said...

I am with Helen on this one. Our local South African stores stock outdated lines and I buy from A cherry on top or Scrapbook Generation in the US if I need some new scrappy goodies.

Kelly Codd Greatrex said...

I too am sad about Archiver's - and I only ever got to visit it once a year when I went to Michigan for a scrappy weekend. I'm so lucky that I have a great local scrapbooking store....so I totally get why you're sad. Your card is really cute though :)