Goodness, life is somewhat back to normal following the girls’ visit! The house is back in order, the laundry is about finished (how two little girls can go through so many towels is unreal!) and we are back in card class mode for today’s class. I was planning to share another card from the Grandkids’ Card Class today, but I had a special request yesterday, so off in a different direction we go!
One of our neighbor’s husband passed away this week, and another neighbor suggested we send the wife a special card from the Oakhill Drive residents. A little back history here – our street originally started as the driveway for Oakhill Mansion which is located at the end of the street when it was built in the early 1900’s. Years later some of the property was divided into lots, and the private drive became a street instead. There are 4 homes facing Oakhill Drive, and the gate keeper’s cottage is on the opposite side of the street. Our little neighborhood has gathered several times, we watch each other’s homes while people are travelling, deliver goodies to each other for holidays, etc.
By the time our texting thread had reached everyone, it was suggested that all of the neighbors sign their name, including the children. We are talking about 14 people signing, and one of the neighbors writing words of condolence, so I felt we needed to have a larger card versus the 4.25 x 5.5 inch card we normally create.
Today’s card is 5 x 7 inches, and thankfully Chris Howe had an envelope of that size for me to use. I designed the card using the beautiful Delicate Forest dies, the Thoughtful Journeys DSP and the Thoughtful Designs specialty paper. This paper is stunning, with the beautiful silver shimmer of the branches and the soft color changes through out.
If you look at the photo above, you will see where some of the leaves appear to not have been cut out. This is built into the die people! It just adds another layer of texture. Silver mats were added to enhance the silver branches of the specialty paper as well. Greeting sentiments are stamped in Night Of Navy and are from the Quiet Reflections stamp set.
Since Oakhill Mansion sits on a lake, I deliberately chose this DSP pattern. It has the look of the edge of a lake with grasses growing to the water. The lake originally was part of the Oakhill Mansion property and specifically built to water the mansion’s private golf course. Years later both the lake and golf course were given to the city of Macon.
Final Thoughts…..
So the unique thing about this request is that most of us have never met the lady who will receive this card. She grew up in the Macon community, but years later relocated to California where she met her husband and lives. The mansion has had multiple owners over the years, and having the close connections to Macon, she purchased and remodelled the mansion, restoring it. Because her husband’s health restricted his travel she hasn’t been back for some time, and the caretakers who live in the gate keeper’s cottage take wonderful care of the property.
Will she receive copious amounts of cards, flowers, and condolences? Without a doubt. But here is hoping she will find comfort in receiving a card from her Oakhill neighbors – many of which she has yet to meet. That’s community, people.
That’s what Creating Community Thru Crafting From The Heart is all about. God Bless!
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