A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

September 5, 2012

WOYWW 170 ~ Pressed Flower Card, Pardeux

Hi gang! 

Today is Wednesday.
Want to see what's on my workdesk?
Want to show me what's on your workdesk?
Then click here to link up with Julia Dunnit's What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday (WOYWW)!
 
I apologize in advance, but I'm reporting on a process and so my post today is very long and photo heavy and sub lime ~ some might say sub lemonal ~ but you can just peek in and out and move along.  S'cool.
 
 
If you only visit me on Wednesdays, at first glance my desk looks like I did nothing all week.  Not so, dearies.  It all got put away from last Wednesday, other cards got made, and then, well . . . let's back up a bit.

Psst, if you want to hop off the Dippy Train and go visit other workdesks, this would be a good time.
 
If you want to ride through to the end of the line, first, a quick reminder:  I recently inherited the pressed flower collection that belonged to Rae, my friend and neighbor for 30 years, who passed away over 5 years ago.  Last week, I made my first pressed flower card, which would have been difficult to mail to anyone.  My blogfriend, Redanne, suggested that I frame my card as a keepsake, which I thought was a fantastic idea.
 
So while I was out and about last Saturday, I found a frame that I thought might be deep enough to work.  The only problem was that it was for a new baby, with three cutouts for two photos (maybe of feets and hands) and one sentiment.  In order to use it, I needed to make another card, which I did yesterday:
 

I have to say I'm enjoying this.  I turned the little ferns backwards because I loved the yellow color on the "wrong" side.
 
Next, I spent some time removing that hard cardboard leaning part screwed into the back of the frame since it was a table-top frame, not a wall frame.

[Aside:  Did you know the author of "Fifty Shades of Gray" also designed the backs of cheap table-top picture frames?  Just saying.] 

I then nailed one of those teeny picture hookies to the top of the frame and cleaned the glass.  Oh, and I made a sentiment for the third compartment.  Then, finally, I moved my bulletin board over a scotch to make space for my new memorial art where I could look up from my desk and see it, like so:
 
 
Here is a close-up of the sentiment:
 
 
Cool, huh?  I apologize for the glare on the glass, but there are windows everywhere (praise be).  I need to get a piece of non-glare glass.
 
I put away the hammer and level, cleaned off my desk, and while doing so, I kept glancing up at my new artwork and pretty soon I found myself tilting my head a lot in that erhn? way that dogs do, when they are trying to speak a question, but they can only use their eyes. Something wasn't quite right.  Hmmmm?  Lots of hmmmming and tilting.  Then, AHA! 
 
Down came the frame, everything was unhooked and untaped, and boy, was it taped well, and then it was retaped and rehooked and rehung and Fang Shaway was once again restored to the Playhouse, like so:
 
 
Can you spot the difference?
~~~


 


I can't get them side-by-side without messing with the margins on the whole blog, but you get the idea.  Is it just my eye, or does the lower photo look more pleasing to your eye?  Or does the inserted card on the left now look upside down after you've seen it the other way?  You can be honest.  I'm trying to learn here.
 
Here is a final close-up of it sitting on the floor where there were no windows for glare.  I still managed to get the glare of the flash, duh, but it's a less murky picture. 

 
I mean it's not perfect; it would look tons better if the one on the left had the same matting as the one on the right, but you know, it's all about the flowers and I'm happy with how it turned out for a beginner.  I have to say it was a nice break from my normal card crafting. 
 
I should email a picture of it to Rae's daughter, the one who gave me the flowers, so she can share it with her four siblings and their father, Jerry.  However, as I'm typing this, I'm thinking again.  Better yet, I will take it over to Jerry so he can put it up on his wall in the retirement residence, where it can remind him of Rae every time he looks at it. 
 
Thank you so much, Annie, for your encouragement and advice!  I think together we will end up making one sweet old guy very, very happy!
 
~~~
 
Thank you, too, if you've stayed with me all the way to the depot!  If you ever get the opportunity to work with pressed flowers, go for it.  It's so pretty in real life!
 
As always, thank you for visiting.   Enjoy the rest of your WOYWWing!  Special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower or leave a comment!
 

33 comments:

Sarah's Little Snippets said...

This is SO beautiful Rae! I do love the the 2nd better picture than the first, it's more - what's the word? (I've just spent 5 mins trying to think of the word...) symmetrical! (I hope that's the right one...) I'm sure Jerry will treasure it :) Sarah xx

Redanne said...

Hi Darnell you have done the most amazing job on the frame, like Sarah above I do think the second one looks better, it is more balanced. So glad you got it all framed up and what a lovely idea to give it to Jerry, it will surely bring back lots of happy memories for him. Now you can do one just for you.......Happy WOYWW, Annie x #47

shirley-bee said...

When I first read your post, I liked the second arrangement better than the first. Then I went off to do two baskets of ironing (for fun - I like ironing), and now that I've come back to comment, I prefer the first arrangement. Not sure what that says about ironing. Or me.

J said...

Love what you´ve done with the flowers, they are beautiful

Jan S 124

Sandy said...

I know I am going to confuse you more but I like it with sentiment at the bottom and the 2 above so flip it is what I am saying. I was twisting my head to the side to look. I must look so weird sitting here twisting my head LOL. Such a lovely tribute to your friend and any way you have it will be fab. Sandy :)

Ardyth said...

I think it has better balance now - and what a lovely reminder of your friend - it will make her husband very happy to know that you're getting (and giving) such pleasure from something that gave her such pleasure!

jill said...

The picture with the pressed flowers are so lovely . happy crafting jill #78

Bernie said...

It's absolutely fabulous Darnell! Jerry will love & treasure it. You know what this means? You'll need to make another one for yourself. Rea would be proud of you.
Hugs
Bernie

Kara Lynne said...

Oh, yes, I love the change in position of the flowers. This is so beautiful and a perfect tribute to your friend, Rae.

Allisa said...

Love what you have done with the flowers. I am sure that Jerry will love it!

SandeeNC said...

I like the second arrangement better but I would turn the frame vertically for the sake of the sentiment. Where did you find out about the author of 50 Shades doing crafting? That's interesting. Have you read all 3 books? I was dissappointed in the ending of the first one :( waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

CraftygasheadZo said...

Beautiful idea. Take care Zo xx 98

Danielle said...

You did an amazing job showcasing the flowers. I agree with the others that the second photo is the better of the two. It looks more balanced. dani 137

Carole said...

I do believe I prefer the lower one...it's seems better balanced with the fronds pointing the eye down. How wonderful a gift that gives and gives. Lovely:)

Rita said...

Beautiful picture Darnell. I like the first one really. Hugs Rita xx 123

Anonymous said...

If they're both to be framed together, I like your second choice better -- the piece seems more balanced that way. If the cards were to be used *separately* I would probably orient the left one with the flower cluster in the lower corner. Does that make sense? I hope so. They are both lovely pieces and it is very generous of you to think of giving it to your friend's husband. Happy WOYWW from Laura #133 -- and thanks for visiting!!

BJ said...

Great way to display the flowers. Thanks for stopping by BJ#63

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Darnell,

What a beautiful tribute to Rae. I'm sure she'd approve!

Happy WOYWW
Hugs, Kay #15

...the yorkshire fox... said...

...I loVe the dried flower cards they are awesome, I had a flower press when i was younger and spent hours creating with it...thanks for dropping by me, have a super week...mel :)

Eliza said...

My goodness this frame has turned out fantastic you must be so pleased with yourself and now to give it to the family to show how beautiful it is that is one really special gift from the heart, I am sure they are going to love it. Do you have more of her pressed flowers or was that it? Beautiful work Rae is smiling at your from above.

Eliza #20

Unknown said...

Hi Dippy - this is gorgeous. Like Sandy I've been twisting my head as well (ouch!) and agree it would possibly look better in a portrait format but with the sentiment at the top - both the arrangements look well balanced that way round. Anyway, out of your two ways I prefer the second as well. What a sweet thought about giving it to Jerry - he will love it.

Hugs.

Karendipity x

Lunch Lady Jan said...

That is just beautiful - what a fab way to remember someone's life. I'd be honoured if someone took the trouble to do something like that for me!
Oh and I prefer the second one too - more balanced and pleasing :D
Take care,
LLJ #81 xx

Queenie Jeannie said...

I LOVE IT!!! Fabulous job!

There's a ton of wild flowers here where I live and I hope to get out there and pick a bunch to use on my cards as well. With love from Mother Nature, lol!

Happy crafting!

Kelly Griglione said...

Yep, I totally follow you, Darnell. The revised layout is more balanced, at least that's the one I like best. So how cool that you have a ton of pressed flowers to use! And that you made that memorial to give away, how touching.

BTW, you totally crack me up. I love your style of writing : )

kingstonmama said...

Beautiful flower arrangements, Darnell. What a lovely remembrance. Ann

Princess Judy Palmer said...

So.... good to know the author of '50 Shades of Gray' actually contributed something useful to mankind.

Meow.

Now then.... love what you've done with the pressed flowers in the shadow box frame, very classy and what a great memorial.

Mary said...

Darnell, your framed pressed flowers are beautiful. I know your neighbor would be proud of what you've done with them. I love checking in to see what you are up to and I love how you paint your story. Thanks for visiting my blog and good luck with the drawing....it won't be long now, I'm getting excited to see who will win.

Jean said...

This is beautiful ~ I prefer the second one as it feels more balanced. What a special gift for Jerry and a wonderful way to remember Rae.

Neesie said...

What a beautiful tribute to Rae...and Jerry is going to love it I'm sure.
I think I may even have a flower press hiding somewhere? But I wonder where? ;D

Apologies for my late visit this week but then I always seem to be late.
Happy WOYWW Neesie #13

Tertia said...

That is so beautiful and reminds me of the cards my mom used to make. I am sure the family would love to have the frame and then you have an excuse to make another one.
Happy belated WOYWW!
Tertia #70

Unknown said...

Stunningly beautiful.

Carol

Victoria said...

A truly beautiful way to remember your friend. The second one looks better to my untrained eye ;)
Always a pleasure to visit your desk!

Words and Pictures said...

I love your flower layouts, and I really like them beside one another (nope, doesn't look upside-down to me!)... glorious colours! Belated happy WOYWW!
Alison x
#92