There's a major reason I love what I do. Working in retail can be challenging, but I do love meeting all different types of people and seeing life unfold day by day for customers that I've come to know and become good friends with and for virtual strangers who I have never met and may never meet again. Like today. A mother came in with the cutest little baby girl, all plump and giggly with the rosiest cheeks I have ever seen. This mother plopped her baby on the floor by the paper racks while she shopped and I went to play with her baby and she was so cute. And so good. Playing with her was such a delight, I almost wanted to get pregnant again (that moment lasted but a second, though.....so if you are family reading this, get rid of the horrified looks and stop the fake gasping......) I mentioned what a lovely disposition her little girl had and she said, "no.... don't let her fool you, a minute ago in the car she was screaming like a banshee...." I laughed cause I remember when my kids made a liar out of me as well when I took them out. They were so horrid in the car and the minute we entered a store, they turned into little angels and everyone would comment at how good they were and I would roll my eyes and think....."yeah...if only you were with us half an hour ago...!"
Then there were these 2 Japanese ladies who were on vacation and they were so gracious and polite and so graceful. I love listening to the Japanese language. They hardly spoke English so we did a bit of sign language to get their purchase done. They bought some ribbon. They were so softspoken and gentle and I thought if I were a kid, I'd want them to read bedtime stories to me in their soft voices. Plus they were shorter than me, so I loved them right away!
And I have these regular customers -- a husband and wife -- and they are the sweetest couple ever (next to my Mom & Dad, when my Dad was still alive.....). They always come in together, he walks around with her and helps her choose her paper and if it takes her longer than he expects, he quietly sits down on a chair and waits for her patiently. They look to be in their 70's and I love to see them and know that love does last if it is true and authentic. It makes my day each time these 2 come in!
Here's a card I made using the same Botanical set as I used in the last post.
I used soft pastel colors which I pulled from the designer paper.
The outline images is stamped first then overstamped using the same image in a solid stamp (which I forgot to include in the pic....sorry.) This is called 2 step stamping. No coloring is involved cause the outline images are filled in when the solid stamped is used to stamp over top of it. So fast to do!
The colors I used are Certainly Celery and Pale Plum. Love how feminine this card turned out!
Enjoy!
Hi Eleonor!! Beautiful card!! I feel repetitive saying that because I say that about every one you do! Can't help it though, it's true and fitting each and every time! I really loved your anecdotes about your customers though - especially the older couple. So sweet, so touching. I love these little glimpses of other people's lives too! :)
Posted by: Jillian | March 13, 2009 at 02:05 PM