Saturday, April 7, 2007

Good Thing I am Not a Designer!

Well, today I have something new to show you. Believe me when I say this is not cause for excitement.

Next month I am hosting a group of my husband's female relatives for the weekend. This is an annual tradition in their family, and after attending the event over the last 10 years it is finally my turn to play hostess. (Basically, they wouldn't let me avoid it any longer!) In preparation for the event we have been doing every house project that we had successfully put off for the last decade or so...buying new furniture; hanging curtains, mirrors and artwork; cleaning out closets; vacuuming under beds; replacing throw rugs and hand towels.... I think you get the idea. It's been fun, fun, fun and is the main reason I have been spending so little time on my art. But I digress.

Last week I had to mail out the final details for the weekend to those invited. And, as I am prone to do, I got a "BIG IDEA". Big ideas always sound so good in my head. They are really hard to resist and this time was no different. I decided I was going to be way creative and come up with a fancy, stamped card which would cause all of the recipients to "ooh" and "ahhh" in wonder. (Sounds like this big idea was concocted when I was half asleep or after hitting the liquor cabinet doesn't it?!? Oh how I wish that were true.)

Anyway...I spent hours stamping and trimming and taping. I used my new stamps and some of my new inks. I created up a storm. And now you, my lucky readers, get to see the results of my hard work. There is only one condition...
...no laughing!

The first image is the front cover. I used my flower stamps since this big event is happening in the Spring. Genius, no?

The next image in the inside front cover. I used my cute little girl stamps since the event is called "Girls Weekend". Some of the girls are holding a bouquet of flowers or an ice cream cone or a balloon. The lucky ones are holding two things. There was a third page to this magnificient mailing, but since it just gave the schedule for the weekend it was far less interesting. (Can you imagine???). I decided to spare you any more pain and didn't include it here.

(The blurred areas are super secret information that I wasn't comfortable sharing with the world. In the real version it appears as black text.)


Well, at least I put my birthday gift from my sister to good use! I think for now I will stick to fine art and leave the designing to people more skilled than I.

Oh, and in case you are wondering, I haven't heard one "oooh" or "ahhh" yet. Maybe now would be a good time to visit that liquor cabinet. If only we had one.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think you did a great job. A 3 page card is no easy feat. I'm sure the girls will be impressed! And I didn't even laugh when I saw it.

Stacy said...

You are such a nice big sister! Too nice! No really, because if I have to do another one I was planning on hiring you. So it's best not to build me up too much. :D

M J Muir said...

I shall meet your expectations
and say OOOOOOH and AAAAAHHHHHH.
Actually the invitation meets your requirements, it is clean and to the point. What more can you ask for dahling. (I said dahling because that's what Silvergirl always says.)
I like the shade of blue. I like the cartoons in the design.
It is perfectly appropriate with a human touch.

Mary said...

Well I love it Stacy and I loved reading your post. Have a wonderful time and I hope you will post all of the details.

Jeanette Jobson said...

Oooooooohhhhh, you brave soul you...can you see that family gatherings aren't my idea of fun? However, you have my admiration 1. for actually hosting it and 2. for creating such clever little invitations.

I hope you have a great time. Now did someone mention a liquor cabinet???

Stacy said...

Thank you ladies! But I must say I am much more comfortable with a pencil than I am a stamp!

Jeanette, I don't mind attending family gatherings, but being the hostess is...let's just say...challenging. :D Plus all the prep is taking up way too much of my precious art time. I can't wait to have it back!!