Re-Gifting a Used Up Gift Card

My great niece in Atlanta is getting married soon. I was tasked with making cards for my sisters to give to her. Sista' Gail had a particular request (which is MUCH appreciated as making wedding cards give me HIVES!) They are my LEAST favorite card to make. Probably because I don't do 'traditional' very well. I do "mushy" even less well! Ask any family member...I did not inherit any sentimentality gene. I have no "Woo". My Omaha sister requested a 'celebration explosion' card (here).

My 'usual' response to a wedding card request isn't "pretty". As those around me know...I would rather make a card for a tampon factory retiree or a card congratulating someone on making it into a roller derby team than a wedding card. You would be hard pressed to find a wedding card post on this blog that does NOT include a fair bit of whining about making the card....

But...whatca' gonna do? Requests from my dear sissies for a sweet niece... Can't say, "NO!" That would never do....  I might want to pull the "tit for tat" card. Gail...a fabulous quilt maker... and Sista' Judy....well her talents include not only outstanding applique and quilt-making, but man can she cook!!!! I'm happy to make a card per her request...you never know when I may NEED a heaping helping of my favorite meal of her meatloaf and cheesy taters!!!! Or an emergency quilt from Omaha! So when they request a card...I comply. I may grouse about it (and for some reason this does not surprise either of them) but I do get their cards made.

The card I made for Judy to give to Tori  (here) was inspired by all the broach bouquets I saw on Pinterest.  I then realized I would also need a card to send down "Georgia-way". I made my niece a card. It sits near the unwrapped gift. I was unhappy with the card but had NO ideas what to do to replace it. After all...I was SPENT! I was DONE IN! I had completed TWO - yes...count them TWO wedding cards. My brain was fried. MY muse had checked out! So there sat the card...Every time I walked by it I would target it with disparaging thoughts...You are an ugly, uninspired, tired, crappy card - you are more appropriate as a DIVORCE card than a wedding card! You are not worthy of a stamp! Tori deserves something better than THAT! Yes...I had mental conversations with this hapless inanimate item... Go ahead....JUDGE!

And then...this happened. Sissy Gail gave me a Hobby Lobby Christmas gift card for Christmas. I admit to being a "Gift Card Hoarder"... Not sure why. But I savor EVERY swipe of the card! I finally used the last coins of the card and actually LOOKED at the card. First I pondered why the heck she picked this particular card. Then for some reason I put it back in my purse instead of letting the store clerk toss it in the trash.

While cleaning out my purse I found the sadly depleted gift card. And THEN experienced a nearly EXPLOSIVE collision of thoughts! Depleted but very cute gift card...Nagging dissatisfaction with the card I was planning on sending.....then BOOM!!! Why not put the cute image to work! My only hope is that Tori doesn't think...uuuuoooooo....yeah!!!!! A gift card!!!! hehehehehehe...

So....this is the zero balance gift card.....

This is what happens when ideas collide: very cute, too cute to toss but very depleted gift card + very unsatisfactory prior card = idea light bulb!

Bye Bye Previously Unloved Card
~Base card - white PaperTrey Ink
~Layer of Colorblok Pattern Paper
~Layer of PaperTrey Ink Pink Patterns -  gift card framed with black card stock
~Layer of black card stock from DCWV Glitter Stack framed with pink card stock
~Black card stock flourishes using Cuttlebug and Spellbinders dies; highlighted with Wink of Stella
~Silver glitter washi tape
~All used up Hobby Lobby gift card - with store name covered with pink card stock punched with SU Word Window, stamped with "always" sentiment (let's hope that NEVER pops off!)
~Two pearls

Challenges | Inspirations
Mojo Monday - sketch
{Pin}inspirational - anything
Double Click - use  pink
Sisterhood of Crafters - pink
Sentimental Sunday - bling + sentiment
Milk Coffee - lots of layers
Crafty Hazelnuts - anything + pattern paper

Thanks for clicking by!

Here's to repurposing, whiny weddings, talented sisters, and adorable gift cards,

Nancy in Iowa