When a person says, paper, it can mean a variety of things, but in this case, I’m talking about ladies who have refined their skills to create beautiful memories with paper.
They come from far and wide, Canada, Michigan, New York, and Virginia, but have one thing in common – they are generous and share their time, patience, and skills with those of us who have definitely not acquired any refined paper skills, at least yet. ๐
Cards, portfolios, gift bag purses, gift box, and traveler’s notebooks – fun stuff.
Can I explain every step to finish the project? Probably not. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I could create a purse made of paper, but I did with a lot of help from a friend.
I don’t have the inventory of tools to create paper projects all by myself, but I’ve certainly learned more this year because the talented lady from PA often works on her projects where we can observe. I like it because it is similar to quilting in that I can cut paper to fit a certain space like I do with fabric.
A snowbird is defined as a person from the north who moves to a warmer climate in the winter. That is definitely true.
But, more important are the people you meet and the laughter you share over various events like craft classes or our Super Bowl pizza party last night.
Chiefs 31-20! We, former Midwesterners and season ticket holders, donned our red and white and happily cheered them on. For us, it certainly was a great way to start 2020. ๐
Happy first Monday in February!
I hope you get to see or talk to a good friend this week and share a laugh or two. It’s good for the soul.
Remember …
I love seeing all the many ways people bring their creative spirit to the surface. Paper craft is amazing.
Iโm so glad your Chiefs won. Itโs been a long time, and I felt good for Andy Reid. He seems like such a good man.
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Those folks have skills! It has been a long time, he does seem like a good man, and it was fun that you and I were cheering for the same team. ๐
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It was fun, that usually doesn’t happen. But you’ve been gracious in victory.
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Judy, these are beautiful. At first I thought they were samples from your class and then I realized you made them all! I can see that it would be a satisfying pass time, and similar to quilting in many ways. I used to make note cards from fabric stitched to paper, but haven’t done that in a long time. You always inspire me to pull out the sewing machine…you snowbirds have it all figured out!
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The first two cards with the green background were actually made by my MI friend. I buy as many cards from her as I can. The second two cards on the white background from my CN friend are what we are going to make this Wednesday. I made the rest. ๐ It is fun to share skills with like minded folks.
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What Dan said about the Chiefs…Andy Reid was in Green Bay for six years during the Favre era, so that is one of the reasons I cheered for them to win.
Those paper projects are gorgeous! When I was seriously scrapbooking, I thought about making cards and never got around to it. Perhaps a retirement project. I would love to know how to make paper into a purse – I have one made with duct tape (truth!) that someone else created, but I think using paper would allow a bit more creativity.
Happy Monday, Judy!
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So, some evening after work, feet up, cats at the ready, tune into Posh Paper Lady on YouTube. She gives some great tutorials including the purse. If anyone had told me I could make a purse out of paper, I would have thought they were out of their mind. Now, this is intended as a gift to be filled with smaller gifts, but in reality if you had some special outfit or fun occasion and needed something to not last too long, it would work. The lady from PA who taught me to do the purse was a scrapbooker to start. ๐
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I’ll have to look up the paper lady. Thanks for that tidbit, Judy!
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I love everything. You certainly caught on fast Judy. Yes, it’s easy to see the similarities between paper crafting and quilting.
So glad you’ve made so many new friends this trip. Enjoy all the belly laughs and shared meals and sharing your talents and interests. Perfect vacation!
Love the quote! ๐ค
๐พGinger ๐พ
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I like that quote too because it is realistic when thinking about friends. You, have yourself a great week!
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I hope I can go to SC next year and have as much fun as you are all having. Looking forward to makeing some of those beautiful paper projects
Sent from my iPad
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We’re certainly missing you, but understand you have exciting times right now. I’m going to be looking for photos of the new digs and hearing all about it. It sounds like a perfect next chapter. ๐
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I, too, thought they were samples from the class. However, I am not surprised that they were all your creations. I remember with awe all that you can create from a pair of worn jeans. But holy cats, a purse from paper? It seems to me that qualifies as extreme creativity. Impressed!
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You would have had a few chuckles the day I made that purse. As she was giving me directions, I kept looking and laughing, and thinking how in the world is this going to work out. But, it did, and I’m hanging on to that for a long time. ๐
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I can definitely see the similarity to quilting: both leave me sputtering. I just cannot imagine how such things come together. Hoorar for you and for all such busy snowbirds! And I do love that definition of friend! Happy first Monday in February to you, too, Judy!
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My Monday wish for you is that it includes sugar of some kind. ๐
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Thank you! I will see to it that your wish for me comes true!
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I don’t know who Bernard Meltzer is but I like how he thinks. I am fascinated by your paper purse which seems midwesterner practical to me. Happy February!
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Happy February to you too!
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Absolutely gorgeous, Judy!! You are definitely an experienced cardmaker now! I even see the iris-folding technique! How I would love to join your creative Snowbird flock! Isnโt it amazing how many tools we use for papercrafting these days? Your quilting talents certainly help with design, color palettes, paper piecing, cutting, etc. When I am together with my papercrafting friends, it always reminds me of the spirit of Quilting Bees of days gone by! Have a Super week in the sunshine!๐
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These particular cards were done by my fearless instructors. Class again on Wednesday. ๐ Yes, I think you have something there – paper crafting and quilting bees are similar.
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Your snow-bird convention is a vortex of talent! Those paper crafts are as well done and appealing as your quilting projects! The purse is just amazing – one daughter’s MIL makes beautiful cards but your PA friend goes far beyond. I’m impressed!
I watched the game for commercials and was disappointed. Where are the Budweiser horses? Although I liked the “typical American” one. I don’t follow football so didn’t care who won until I read your FB mention of KC – so it dawned on me that you’d be for your former territory and then they became my team, too! I was so happy when they popped back into the game and went ahead! And, as others have mentioned, that coach deserved to win. They said his players have always loved him – he exudes an aura of kindness – almost grandfatherly! I like that!
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If you were here, we could have art classes. What fun we could have! I just went and looked up the ‘typical American’ ad. Good, but I miss the horses. ๐ Yes, we rooted hard for the Chiefs. Fun for sure and time for someone else to win. Geez, I hope the Patriots didn’t hear me say that in public. ๐
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Loved that last quote!
And creations of all kinds make my heart sing! And your creations had my heart singing! Fabulous!
And what a great game last night! I am a big Mahomes fan so my heart was singing with joy again last night!
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Glad you liked them. Mahomes sure has some kind of career ahead of him doesn’t he? ๐
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Indeed!
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I’m glad you’ve found such a nice ‘home away from home’ with lots of good folks to work and play with. Life is good!
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Life is good, and you haven’t had to shovel much either. ๐
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True! ๐ Despite the cold, snowy start in early Dec. it has been a bit of a non-winter so far.
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And what about origami?? The possibilities are endless.
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Well, now you have me wondering who can teach us all about that? ๐
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Beautiful paperwork! I love that paper purse. I watched the game mostly for the commercials, which turned out to be pretty bad. Terrible halftime show (what are we teaching our young girls?).
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Thank you. I didn’t watch the halftime, but I sure heard numerous people today say the same thing you just did.
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Lovely post. You have busy under Patโs tutelage. Nice work, Judy.
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Aw, hanging around all you creative folks always helps me. ๐ I love your cards. You always do great work each and every time, and I’d rather send your cards than Hallmark. ๐
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THese are wonderful – love that folded paper heart!
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My friend from MI does those, and I love them too.
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Oh my, those cards and projects are beautiful! The purse is amazing! My mom made a dress out of yellow pages when I was a girl and I thought that was incredible. The people you’re hanging out with are talented you fit right in! Where will you wear your purse first?
I love that quote.
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The ‘card ladies’ are truly talented, and I love the uniqueness of their cards. Doesn’t that purse just make you smile. It’s intended to put small gifts in and use it for a gift bag, but can you imagine giving it away. I’m keeping it. ๐ I like that quote too. None of us are perfect, and we need to learn to accept that of ourselves and our friends. By the way, that photo shoot you did of your grandson was truly amazing. Again, I applaud your photography skills.
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I would keep it too! On a lovely day with no percipatation you could wear it if you don’t carry heavy things in it. Light wallet, lipstick, phone, and keys… a lunch date with the ladies or hubby ๐ Who knows you may start a new fashion trend in handbags! Don’t laugh last summer baskets were all the rage as handbags!
Thank you so much for the lovely comment about the photoshoot. It was so much fun, we laughed a lot. He’s so cute! I’m processing and culling images now so Baby Girl and The Handsome Surveyor can pick which ones they want printed and keep digital.
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What Dan said … itโs truly amazing how many different ways there are for people to express their creativity! I love pretty things, and I love paper. Pretty things made from paper are even better ๐
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Glad you liked them. Hope you’re keeping busy with your outside activities. I don’t imagine you’re kayaking right now, but I can picture you squeezing in a bike ride or two between storms. ๐
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The truth is, Iโve been relatively inactive since early December because of a foot problem that created a leg problem.
Instead, Iโve been exercising my creative muscles ๐
Iโm currently taking 2 art classes which are keeping me busy!
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Well, I know that’s a bummer for you, but you’re making lemonade and enhancing your art skills at the same time. Way to go!
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Thanks Judy. Some days I feel a little restless because itโs so mild this winter, but as soon as I sit down and start painting, the angst disappears ๐
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Did you make all these, Judy? They’re great! It inspires me to get back to making cards with handmade paper once we get moved and settled. I have lots of paper just waiting. Paper is one of the those temptations much like books. ๐
janet
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The first set of cards was made by my friend from MI, the second set was made by the card expert from Canada and I’m going to her class tomorrow to make those two. I made the rest. I must admit paper usually means a tablet of some sort to me, but since hanging with these talented ladies I’ve even gone to a paper store and been amazed at the selection. It is a whole other world of craft options. I’ve certainly been having fun with it.
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Oh, I so love these. I have resisted adding any more hobbies…but I sure do find the paper tempting. I cannot resist just regular ink pens and paper as it is.
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I must admit I wasn’t looking for a new hobby either, but I’m sure enjoying this.
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We enjoyed the Super Bowl. The Patriots weren’t in it, so without any skin in the game, we could just enjoy the show, though we skipped the big show and came back afterward. Garry thinks that both quarterbacks are going to be the hot quarterbacks for the next decade.
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I wore my Patriots shirt all day Sunday until I took it off and put on my Chiefs attire. ๐ It was a great conversation piece. I think Garry is right about the quarterbacks – whole new generation.
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Crafting with kindred spirits is always fun and good for the soul. I love that quote – it’s so true.
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Lovely to read you had such a happy day … Iโm with you on the fun you can have with friends. Since we are almost in lockdown with the bushfires…. the nights are warm & many of us in our neighbourhood are meeting up for a chat.. & having meals together while we wait for news of wind and weather. Lots of laughter and community spirit happening. By the way I shouldnโt mention there was an Aussie playing on the 49ers… but he was outplayed by the MVP
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I am sorry to hear you are still plaqued by the fires. I haven’t seen any news coverage over here in a while naively so thought they were under control. It’s nice that you have something good coming out of it by catching up with your neighbors. Hope your Aussie played a good game and was happy with his performance. There’s always next year for those two teams because they have young, talented quarterbacks and team members.
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The fires are still burning in the mountains, and much of it is forest …but some rural properties lost these last few days. However, they are predicting good rain this weekend. I don’t think the Aussie player did so well, but as you say …they are all young!
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My girlfriend has a paper quilt a artist made that is framed and hangs in one of her bedrooms. Perhaps you could try making something similar with your new found interests.
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Ooh, you have me thinking.
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I think I might have a photo on my blog…I’ll try and see if I can find it for you…if I can, I’ll send you a link.
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I find paper and fabric are very similar in vision. I find if you’re a lover of calico, you’ll soon be a lover of paper crafts. Some people even combine the two in ways other than this purse. Instead of thread, it’s yarn or mod-podge or glass…a lot of similarity.
You did a great job and isn’t it fun to travel and learn new things ๐
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