The Art of Giving: Vintage Clipboards

There is absolutely nothing that lifts the soul more than the art of giving. Especially when the gift is unexpected. And for me, especially if the gift is something that I made. It has been a very long time since my last post and a very long time since I have had a day to myself. I won't go into it today, but our family has been through a struggle over the last 3 months. But God is faithful and we are getting better day by day. Our Heavenly Father is faithful even in the little things. For example, last Sunday we had a family dinner. There were 25 people. I only had seating for 24, so of course I thought, now if I could just bring over that little folding table I have in my hobby shop, it would be perfect. But I was too tired to unload all the many crafting items, so we just made do.

Five days later, on the Friday after our Sunday dinner, I went on facebook before I went to bed. One of my friends had just posted a picture of a desk she was giving away to the first person who messaged her. Guess who got the desk? ME! It is actually a computer desk, but very nice with several open shelves. It has a glass top so I can see all my items stored below the glass top on what is really the keyboard shelf. So, my youngest son picked the desk up for me and last night I unloaded the little folding table that I can now have available for overflow guests, and I reorganized all of my crafting items onto my new desk.

Looks like I already need to reorganize! Sorry for all the junky containers. See the work in progress on the left? Recycling cans for making my craft items really cute in tin and burlap!

Today after breakfast and then a much needed middle of the day nap, I couldn't decide what project to do first. As I sat at my new desk, I started thinking about my friend Carla, who gave it away. She is a very kind, Christian woman who is also an awesome photographer. (Visit her Facebook page at Carla Carter Photography). I started thinking about some of the graphics I had printed from The Graphics Fairy and some other great blogs, and remembered I had some that looked like vintage photograph advertisements. I also had a couple of old clipboards that I have saved in all my pack ratting, so my wheels started turning.

I could make a gift for Carla as a THANK YOU for the FREE desk. So I spent most of the afternoon designing and creating her vintage clipboard. Carla and I also go to the same church, so I plan on giving her the clipboard tomorrow. I think she will appreciate the time it took to make something special that is personalized just for her. But she won't like it any more that I will love giving it to her. I can't wait to see her smile!

I chose images I thought Carla would like.

The ribbon makes it so feminine. Just like my friend.

Love these old looking graphics. Find these and hundreds more at http://justsomethingimade.com/freebies/ . I learned a lot about using Mod Podge today. When a tutorial tells you the bubbles will disappear if you have smoothed them out really well, believe it. Mine had some awfully big ones, but they are flat and smooth now that it is completey dry.

I decided the back had to look cute, too.

I used some distressing ink to age the edges of this card and other cut outs.

The old earring that has lost it shine is perfect on the old rusty clip.



I like the religious photos as well.

Added her name as a last minute decision. Yep, I think she's gonna like it!

I surely hope my friend likes her little surprise. That is the way God does us. Just when we need something, and just when we do not expect it, BOOM. Gifts from above. But then, should we expect anything less? After all, He gave the greatest gift of all. Blessings to you and yours. May the Son shine on you and warm your heart so that you will be able to give of yourself as a sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Love,

Becky

This week I am linking to Funky Junk Interiors. Come take a look at all the beautiful ideas posted on her blog!