Back To School Fun

I was asked by a good friend to make two back-to-school cards that she could send to her cousin's daughters. It was just a few months ago that their mom died of cancer. I think it's so wonderful that Ann (my friend) has been sending these girls cards throughout the summer, encouraging them in the normal things of life (something a mom would do). And because I think it's so wonderful, I wanted to do my part to make these cards a little extra special for them. I don't typically make cards for my customers this in-depth, but it was the least I could do to help in some small way.

The first thing I thought of when I thought "back-to-school" was "file folder". I had this file folder template already on hand, so I was good to go. This particular card is for the older daughter, it's a bit more teenager-like with the doodle paper.


As you can see, I used my JustRite Stamper (I got mine at Stamper's Dream) to personalize the front of my card. I'm loving my JR Stamper for this sort of stuff! I cut and embossed the personalized stamp with a Nestie, but before I took it out of the die, I sponged Cool Caribbean in the center of it so the inside was blue and the edge was white. Doesn't it pop (!) when you do this?

Inside, I wanted to make a little insert that looked like a piece of paper, which I achieved thanks to my lined paper backgrounder I got from CHF. I inked it up with Cool Caribbean ink and used a red marker for the vertical red stripe. I wanted to keep the insert inspirational in nature, and thought this quote, by Theodore Roosevelt (Motivational Centers by CHF) was the perfect quote for a teenage girl in a rough spot. "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are". Live in the moment. After you've lost your mom, I'm not sure there is much else you can or should do. I just felt this quote would remind her just to do the best she can given the circumstances.

On a side note, the insert could also be used as a book mark for a school book (although for a young teenager, that's probably not very cool!!). Maybe she could just pin it up on her bulletin board as a reminder this next year to just live in the moment and do the best she can.

I made another card similar to this for the younger daughter, but since it's so similar, I won't be showing it here. I've got to get the cards mailed off to Ann today so she can get them to the girls in time for the start of school. I really hope they like them!!!

Hugs,
Amy