Lovely Mother's Day Card

Learned a lot in the process of making this card, like how to be patient and keep drawing the flowers, but to give myself breaks and not do it all at once, and how to draw a passable bow. The download for the card is in the freebies section to the right, along with recommendations and downloads for the envelope liner. Wouldn't this be sweet accompanied by flowers or with a gift card tucked inside? If you need an envelope to fit this-size card, I have a cute scalloped-edge envelope template that wil fit perfectly. In that case, I'd use the recommended papers to make the envelope.

There are two versions of the card in the download -- printers have different margin tolerances so I made one without the thin-line border so all can print without resizing.

I absolutely must finish my work for the 380th Army Band today, so I'm going to do that next. If I get done, I'd like to make a damask patterend paper from the bouque of tulips in the card. We'll see. Maybe so.

P.S. It was last week when I made and posted a Mother's Day Garland D.I.Y. with printable, so I think it bears mentioning again. It would be such a nice touch at a Mother's Day luncheon or brunch.

All the best to you and yours for a very happy Mother's Day.

Classic Summer?

I would like to give my son (and myself) a classical education over the course of the next three, maybe four summers (his high school years). I have heard it is great for thinking. But, before I can begin, I must ask (and admit that I don't know), what is a classical education? 

Vintage Rome Postcard from Hub Pages.

cute & useful mood board

I redesigned my site today, so I did something you would think I would have done before...I made myself a mood board. Do you like how it turned out? The social media icons are availble in the new "Today's Freebie" section to the right.

Harmony in Blue and Silver: Trouville (1865); James Abbot McNiell Whistler | The Seashore Book (1912); Elmer Boyd Smith | cute and useful papers and social media icons

Color Palette Generator

If you are a very early reader of cute & useful, you might remember the color palette I made based on a dream-inspiring picture of a cliffside Italian villiage. Had I known of this color palette generator at DeGraeve.com, my task would have been a lot easier. As you see, it generates two color palettes from any image and gives you the swatches and color codes.

This is clearly useful for web design, but I also think of it for scrapbook enthusiasts who want to build a layout around a particular image -- this would go a long way in helping to decide which paper and embllishments to choose. Also useful for decorating a room; say you have a photo or picture that is inspiration; this would help you choose fabrics or wall colors.

On a what's going on around here...I've already had a big day. I played in a brass band this morning for a convention of medical professionals downtown. Trent Lott was the keynote speaker, heard a few minutes of his remarks while the band got in place. He was, oh what's the word, prognosticating. Had to be at the carpool point by 6:10 a.m., so this meant driving starting around 5. I'm pretty much, like, this is enough accomplishment for one day already, but I really want to do...later...

• Make my own social media buttons - which I'll share, of course
• Work on a new printable paper

Hope you're all having a good Monday!

Daisy Paper: Free Paper Friday

Love the subtlety of this daisy paper after working on the bright and vibrant Cinco De Mayo origami sombreros. Makes me feel relaxed, somehow.  Do you need to relax, too? Enjoy the paper, and have a very nice weekend.

• Daisy Paper 8.5x11
• Daisy Paper 12x12