An Octopus Valentine

Here's a romantic spin on my Octopus cards!

Hmm..the pink Octopus doesn't look as pink in this picture. She is more pink in real life. Trust me.

NB: this card will not be on sale on Etsy this year. If you are interested in it, please contact me: chelleline at yahoo dot com.

Bon Mardi Gras!

I made this card last year, after Mardi Gras. I didn't put it up on Etsy because it was after the fact, and also because I was unhappy with the way I'd calligraphed the greeting on the card. This year, though, after some work, I'm now happy with the script.

Mardi Gras falls on February 24, 2009.

The colors of Mardi Gras are, in fact, purple, gold, and green, which I didn't know when I made the card. I guess I got lucky!

Thank You Manatee

My sister and I both love manatees, so I created this Manatee Thank You card. I made star-shaped flowers to evoke the image of starfish (and the sea). Flowers will be available in other colors as well.

We're off to see the Wizard

I call this card "Poppy Dreams." I was inspired from watching the Wizard of Oz movie over Thanksgiving. It only took me a mere two months to put this inspiration to work. (nb: this is a long time in the craft world) Here, I've combined elements from the book and movie: the field of poppies and the silver shoes (since the book was a critique of the gold standard).

Sticking to it

Every year for the past four years, I have tried to make a commitment to improving my French (which I studied for five years in middle and high school). It's a goal that's been impeded by a number of other activities, such as depression from work, studying for the LSAT, writing a novel (which was later abandoned), cardmaking, and then law school. However, I recently found out about StickK, a website designed to make sure people stick to their goals. You make commitment contracts for certain goals and assign a referee to make sure you stick to those goals. You can also up the stakes by signing a financial agreement stipulating payment to a friend, foe, or charity if you fail to report on your progress or otherwise break your contract.

I figured, why not? I've now made commitment contracts for two goals: 1) a 16-week contract for improving French and 2) a 20 week contract keeping up with my reading for law school. I'll keep you updated on the results!

La Chandeleur

Candlemas (February 2nd) is celebrated with a feast to commemorate the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of the Baby Jesus. In France, it's also known as La Chandeleur, Fete de la Lumiere, or Crepe Day. The French celebrate the holiday with a bit of fortune telling. Holding a coin in your writing hand and a crepe pan in your other, you flip the crepe in the air. If you catch the crepe in the center of the pan, you will have good fortune for the rest of the year.

My fondness for crepes has led me to create these two cards in celebration of La Chandeleur.

Bonne chandeleur, tout le monde!

Inspiration Wall

A section of my study is devoted to card artists that inspire me:

Three of the cards are by La Familia Green, whose cards I discovered in Greenwich Letterpress last year. Mollie Green's cards, like mine, are completely hand cut original designs. (No die-cuts.) She is a constant inspiration for me. I picked three of her cards for this wall: the llama (due to my love for llamas), the birthday cake (the origami paper layers are so clever), and the porcupine (cute and touching and perfect to help nurse someone's broken heart).

I have also included letterpress cards from Dutch Door Press (the Dala horse reminds me of my trip to Sweden this past summer) and an Alice in Wonderland card from another card company in Asheville. They serve as a constant reminder to me to learn the art of letterpress.

Lastly, I've also included my own Queen of Hearts card. May all my future cards measure up to this one!