Many of you know my good friend, the talented Linda Callahan. Her work is absolutely amazing. To top it off, she is the sweetest person you could ever hope to meet. Linda is going to be a grandmother soon, and will be taking a short leave of absence from her position on the Freshly Made Sketches Design Team. As a surprise for Linda, some of her friends and fellow Design Team members have organized a blog hop to honor Grandmothers everywhere.
I only knew one of my grandmothers, and she lived a distance from us. But I can remember seeing her every Christmas, when she would come to visit. She would snuggle me up on her rounded lap, and pull a handkerchief full of pennies from her big black “Grandma” purse. “I love you, Grandma!” I would say, much to her delight. Her hair was always neatly pulled into a bun, and her calico bib apron was always freshly pressed. She smelled like lemon verbena.
As I grew older, Grandma would pull me down to sit beside her on the couch. She would fix her little granny glasses upon her nose, and pull a handkerchief full of silver coins from her big black “Grandma” purse. Her hair was still neatly pulled back, and the requisite apron was still freshly pressed. “I love you, Grandma!” I would say, as I kissed the lemon verbena scented cheek.
Sadly enough, I don’t remember the last time I saw my grandmother. Isn’t that strange? I know that it would have been at Christmas. And I know that her silvered hair would have been held in a bun. Her calico apron would have been freshly pressed, and the scent of lemon verbena would have permeated the air. I know that I would have said those four magical words, “I love you, Grandma.”
I designed today’s card with Linda in mind. I know that when the time is right, Linda will be instrumental in teaching her grandbaby the “ABC”s and “1-2-3″s. Cherish the moments, Linda! Time passes all too quickly!
This card measures 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″.
- Cherish the distressing! Cherish the Moments, from the Baby Prints set, was inked in Jet Black StazOn and lightly distressed with Crumb Cake. Paper piercing adds interest, as does spritzing with the Color Spritzer Tool. The Waterspots are courtesy of the French Foliage set.
- Cherish the pearls! For a bit of whimsy, Basic Pearls accent the ruled strip.
- Cherish the Designer Series Paper! The Storytime Designer Series Collection definitely tells a story! Its retro color scheme and cute sketches are reminescent of a by-gone era, conjuring up images of Dick and Jane! A Linen Thread bow accents the apple, while a Teeny Tiny Wishes “Baby” tag nestles neatly at the side.
I hope you enjoyed today’s card. Won’t you let me know what you think in today’s comment? Your comments are so important to me. Of course, if you ever have questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away. Now hop on over to the uber-talented Jennifer Timko. She never disappoints! Until next time…
ALL these cards are fantastic! I love the red emboss. Off to the order status bar again!!! The xmas card is stellar~! pleats and boxes and the school card, only pearly ann would think of counting in pearls…you diva you!!!
Beautiful Card! Great post and congrats to Linda! I’m a grandmother of 5 and I understand about taking time off from card making- she’ll be very busy scrapbooking her precious grandchild now! Best wishes to all!
A beautiful post, Ann! The love of a grandma is genuine and true. I miss my grandma’s so much but I know their memory lives on in me, every day. Thanks for the awesome perspective today. Big hugs! 🙂
After reading this, you almost have me crying. (I know, guys aren’t supposed to!) I am fortunate to have my maternal grandma still around – she is 96. Every time I come back, I wonder if this will be the last time I see her.
Maybe we will see you when we come back in August
Chris P – your former student
OH, your story brought a tear to my eye, Ann! So nice that you all are honoring the lovely Linda with a blog hop. She’s a wonderful lady!
Thank you so much for sharing about your gramma Ann ~ as I hopped here from LeAnne’s, I thought…there will be pearls here somewhere…..brilliant use of the pearls Ann ~ FABULOUS card!!!
this is such a sweet card for Linda and a great tribute-love all the wonderful details on this one Ann
What a fun card for you to create! You managed to add your pearls to the card which made me smile. I just love al the little details to the card! Linda was a teacher wasn’t she?
I won’t ever be a grandma but that is o.k. My paternal grandma died when I was like 3 or 4 and they lived in Illinois. My mom’s parents lived closer and eventually moved from Morning Sun to Burlington, But, one of my last memories was after her stroke and her broken hip she was in the hospital. Somehow she had her harmonica in the hospital and was playing it for anyone who would listen on the unit! I went after school sometimes and was sitting in one of the rockers working on some needlework listening to her play. Then, somebody complained and they took it away from her. She was aamazing on it though. That was my little special time with her. I don’t even know if I told my mom and dad about it.
Chris R. from Iowa
A-DOR-A-BLE!
LOVE those measuring tape pearls! I have fond memories of my GREAT grandmother, who I got to know better than any of my grandmothers. How I wish I could ask her questions today! I was only 13 when she passed away. I didn’t appreciate her wealth of knowledge, her domestic skills and her background and coming to America in the early 1900’s! Yay for Linda!!
Awesome post today. I do remember my grandmas, they were both very old and had so many grandkids, not sure they noticed me–lol. I love being a grandma, best job ever. Keep cool if you can, it is way to hot and dry here. Dar
What a cute card, especially with Linda’s former profession! I love the pearls for each number. It’s just sweet all the way around!
One of my all time favorite cards of yours – ever! This is total perfection in every way! Sweet Grandma memories – hope she passed some coins your way 🙂 And you’ve been holding out on me Ann Schach! This was such a wonderful surprise today – I am overwhelmed! How lucky I am to have made such wonderful stamping friends – you girls are the absolute best!
It is so wonderful to cherish our memories. Your grandmother sounds like she was a lovely and loving person.
I didn’t see my paternal grandparents a lot as they lived in Canada. My grandmother passed when I was 15 and my grandfather when I was about 25.
I was lucky as my maternal grandparents were minutes away. My grandfather passed 12 1/2 years ago and I was very fortunate to have my grandmother until 3 1/2 years ago.
Adorable card and I just love your signature pearl touches!
Ann what a gorgeous as ever card. I am LOVING this HOP.. and all the ‘gramma’ stories. I can’t wait for Linda to enter this life changing stage! Being a gramma is the pride of life … I never met any of my grampas, but I had two lovely gramma’s that lived long lives..(both into their 90’s) and enjoy the memories to this day, and I still tell stories of their antics. I just LOVE Linda stories and she always makes me laugh with her quick wit. I can’t wait for the stories to come. hugs.
Such a sweet post in honour of your Grandma, Ann. There is a special bond between a grandparent and a grandchild. I am sure that Linda will love this card as she looks forward to her new grandchild. I know that I adore mine.
Such an adorable card Ann. I’m sure Linda is looking forward to the “teaching” moments in her granddaughter’s life. Thanks for sharing your special memories of your grandmother.
WOW, I love this—what a great tribute to your grandmom AND to Linda! Such sweet paper, I just love this stuff!
What I remember about one of my grandmothers is that she grew great Violets.
I have so many happy memories being a grandmother to six – ages 4-13. And as a grandmother I know how much it means to me when the little ones come running to me with a hug and “Love you”. And how much more it means that the oldest one has once again started telling us how she loves us after a time of being “embarrassed to say it”. We see them all very regularly and I pray that someday that they can look back on these times and remember us with the same love you shared about your grandmother. TFS
Clever clever card Ann! As always, I had to go back and look several times in order to see all of the details.
Oh how darling! But GEEZ! There’s another product suite I didn’t think I needed…*sigh*
Wow, what an amazing card and I love your vivid picture of your grandmother. I can almost see her too! A perfect card for Linda!
Fantastic card, and so appropriate! I can honestly say that being a grandmother is a blessing in my life!
Your recollections of your grandmother made me smile. It’s amazing the things we are able to remember about our loved ones, especially the way they smelled. Your card is fabulous, and the way your incorporated your trademark pearls was pure genious!
Hi Ann! Great story about your grandma. So Sweet of you to share with us. And how sweet to hop for Linda! Such a treat today. I love your retro card. The bright colors and dsp I totally passed over in the catty. I LOVE the way you added the pearls to your measuring stick. SO clever! Love your style friend!
Ann, you are incredible. I enjoy your unique, innovative style and as always, you have posted an amazing addition to this wonderful blog hop!!
What a perfect card for Linda! And what a perfect story you’ve told! So sweet!
Ann, I love this! I just finished a MDS scrapbook using the Storytime CD! Such a wonderful MDS set to scrapbook my grandies!
OMGosh I love this! So cute.
I love your card, and your memories touched my heart! Thanks for sharing it, it’s early morning when I’m reading it and I’m sure the swetness of it will be with me all day… Thanks Ann.
Loly Borda
The card is just darling, and your story was very touching. Your creativity runs deeper – all the way to your heart. Thanks Ann
Ann, your story telling is amazing and attention to detail and your card is spectacular. I love how you used this DSP and placed everything along with distressing and Pearls.
you rocked this, sister. it’s SO perfect for a grandmother card (i have completely decided to get the DSP). you managed to use your signature pearls in the most clever way evah! hugs, m
Suych a beautiful card Ann.
Being a grandmother of 8…..soon to be 9 in about 3 months,it’s always a joy having them around. Can spoil them rotten and then send them home again. :}
ColleenB.
Congrats to Linda! Being a grandma or “Nena” the name my grandson calls me is one of the greatest joys that we can experience. Your card is adorable too!
Your creativity always inspires me.
Awesome to reminisce about Grandma’s! I have many fond memories of mine. Your card has so many great elements… From the basic pearls down to the distressing and paper piercing! I just love everything about it! REALLY great job!!
Fantastic post. it really touched my heart. Spectacular card! I just love it.
What a sweet blog post, Ann! Being a grandma myself (two precious granddaughters, age 3 and 3 months) I like to think that we play a special role in our grandbabies’ lives.
I love the sweet simplicity of this card!