ABC Friday~Back To Basics, Mom Update and The CHA Pics I Saved For Last…
Feb 15th, 2008 by Jen
The first portion of this post can also be seen on the Verve Visual blog. Check in there for more Back To Basic projects over the next few days.
When Julee first told us about the Back to Basics series on the Verve blog, I have to admit that I was a bit apprehensive. What project would I do? Basic…what is the definition of basic? So, I looked through some of my older projects when I did not have a lot to work with and went from there.
I took my creative self to “Remember When…” and this is the creative process journey that I experienced.
First things first, what was I going to do? I decided to do an alterable item. These days I pick up alterables just about wherever I go, but when I first started stamping/paper crafting, I worked solely with what I had. A glass jar, such as this Frappucino bottle is alway fairly simple to come by, so I grabbed one out of my collection as a starting point.
Next, what color scheme did I want to do. Think about it…when you first started stamping, what was the ONE color pad that you got initially? Black, of course. To go with that black ink pad, you probably had some basic colors of paper as well. At one point, I only had black, white and red, so that is what I chose as the overall color scheme here.
I had my project piece and my color scheme, so it was time to pick my stamp set out. Flowers, of course! Black and red flowers, you ask? Yep! Now was the time to get to work and make it work. This is what I came up with…
I did use some of my more current tools (punches), but made sure that this project could be done with no tools, except scissors. I created the scallop edge with my corner rounder punch. This could be done with scissors if you do not have the punch. I wrapped black twill ribbon around the center, which could be replaced with black paper. This also holds true for the ribbon around the edge of the cap. The small red matting square adds a punch of colors with minimal use of product, something that I still find very important. To complete the project, I filled it with Hershey nuggets. I wanted a plain silver look for the candies, so I left them in their “basic” form without fancy labels.
While I was apprehensive about this when I started, I must admit that it was fun to take a look back at where I started and where I am and meld those into a project.
Mom Update:
I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of support! You are all so wonderful!! THANK YOU!!! My mom successfully underwent a double mastectomy yesterday. They did not find anymore cancer in the lymph nodes. I spoke with her in the evening and she sounded a bit groggy from the meds, but overall in good spirits despite the day’s happenings. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers; they mean so much to me and my family.
It’s always better to save the best for last. The best thing at the CHA show wasn’t the sunny SoCal skies, the paper, the stamps, the inspiration, the stars…it was the real people that I met and hung out with!! I am not even going to try and make a list because we would be here until next month. There aren’t any pics of the Paper Pretties girls, tho {boo!!} They were really very sweet and fun to hang with.
Here are a *few* pics…
Me with Alli and Sherrie…
Alma of The Cat’s Pajamas and Kim of MFT {’tinis anyone?} 
Back Row: Alli and Sherrie
Center: Emily {THE EMILY from Staming Bella!!}, Kim, Nicky {waving Hi to Nicky!!!}, Alma, Me, Jamie {waving still}
Front: Carole {of course she would be front and center ;)} and Christy {MFT illustrator}
Yes, Julie is just as cute in person!!! THE JulieHRR!!!
Jami, Mary Jo, Carole, Taylor, Me, Jenn
Kim and Me at the show {LOVE this pic!!!}
The Bella chicas and Me {Hey, Em, don’t look too cheery! }
Gettin’ down and dirty with the Dirty Dozen {past and present} gals…
YAY I am so thankful that your mom is doing well.
COOL… simple project!
Hey, Jen!
I’m so glad to hear that things went well with your mom’s surgery. I’ll continue to keep her in my prayers! Thanks for sharing all the wonderful photos from CHA — what a blast it must have been!! That would truly be a dream come true to go someday!
Oh Jen, I’m so pleased to hear that your Mom’s surgery went well and that no further cancer was found…praise God!
Wasn’t CHA just the best?! I was truly “beat” when I got home, but in the best possible way. I was so happy to have the chance to meet you and hope to see you again soon!
Major hugs!
I’m glad your mom came through her surgery safely and wish for a speedy recovery. I can’t believe how great your back to basics project turned out. I guess simple can be beautiful. I haven’t even started mine yet.
Oh my gosh, Jen…I am so jealous of these photos! You girls must have had a ball!!! Thanks for posting so we can put real faces to the names!
Will pray for your Mom, Jen. Glad her surgery is over and went fine. Love your pics from CHA- what a fun time for all of you.
I’m so glad that they didn’t find any other cancerous tissue yesterday, what great news. I hope she makes a speedy recovery.
Great “basics” project too Jen. I can remember when I first started and I would get so frustrated and overwhelemed with all that was NEW - I’m taking my ginormous stash for granted and will have to try going back to the basics myself.
I’m so bummed we didn’t get any MFT/Pretties pictures, we should have done that when we were all hanging out, but I was having too much fun chatting. I also figured I’d get together with you girls for a sendoff on the last night and then decided to fly the coop to hug my boys. Rats.
Thanks for sharing all those great pictures, what a fun trip!
GET RID OF DAT PICTURE!! I DON”T LOOK LIKE THAT!!! (do I?) OMG OMG OMG..
p.s I love you and am thrilled about mom!
Em
Hallo,
Love the CHA pics!!! I am just catching up with my fav blogs after working the last couple days (12 hr. shifts) and read about your Mom - I am glad she is doing well after her surgery and I would love to send her a card!!! My Mom had a masectomy in October - thankfully I was able to be home with her (my kiddos are old enough and the DH is a gem). If your Mom ever needs someone to talk to who has been there/doing that I am sure my Mom would be more than happy to talk to her or email!!!
First I love the project you showed - I may have to try some Frappacino now
Prayers and Hugs!!!
Tera
i’m so glad the surgery went well–you’ve been in my thoughts. and thanks for posting so many people pics from cha. i so wish i’d been able to go!
Great pics!!! Thanks!!!