Kaisercraft Cherry Tree Lane Vintage Style Card for Throwback Thursday
Hello, Friends! For this week’s Throwback Thursday post, I have a Kaisercraft Cherry Tree Lane Vintage Style Card to share with you. There’s no tutorial this week, but I’ll share lots of helpful tips and tricks as we take a look at this lovely card.
Thoughts on Friendship
Do you remember your first childhood friend? I do. Her name was Robin, and we were born in the same year. She was born in March. I was born in July. She lived at the bottom of the hill. I lived at the top of the hill. But we both had 4 siblings and a dog. Her’s was a big old furry sheepdog. Ours was a mutt.
I don’t remember how we met, but we were both probably playing outside as kids used to do back when you only had 3 channels on the TV, no cell phones, and no computers to keep you inside. How lucky we were to be able to live free of these distractions from the great outdoors!
Robin and I became best friends immediately. We played together every single day. If it was raining, we played indoors, but mostly we played outside, riding our bikes, playing kick ball with the other kids on the hill, jumping rope, and pushing out baby dolls down the dirt road in their strollers. In the winter, we built amazing snow forts in the huge piles left behind from the snow plows. These had multiple stories, carved staircases and even furniture that we shaped from the packed snow. It’s funny how the cold does not bother you when you are a kid.
We walked to school together every single day. When the county built a “big school” we waited at the bus stop together and sat in the same seat. We fought, forgave, got into mischief and were as close as sisters. Even in high school, we still waited for the bus together and talked almost every day, even though our paths were by then heading in different directions.
Fast Forward to the Present
Then we both grew up and I moved away and we lost touch. Oddly enough, I managed to stay in touch with Robin’s little sister via Facebook. She contacted me in early March to let me know that Robin, who had been ill for quite some time, had passed away.
All these bittersweet memories came flooding back to me. Today, my heart is full of gratitude. How blessed I was to have had such a wonderful childhood friend. Robin will live forever in my heart.
I made this card for the family and wrote a note with my memories of Robin to tuck inside. When you lose someone you love, it helps to ease the sense of loss when you know others are feeling it, too.
Kaisercraft Cherry Tree Lane Vintage Style Card: Tips and Tricks
Since I was working mostly with scraps of this collection, I had to get creative. Here are some helpful tips.
- The background panel of this card is actually two long pieces laid side by side with the seam in the middle.
- Mat lots of small panels on complementary cardstock. This way, you can build layers, and cover the seam.
- Cut an ephemera piece in half. Layer half at the top, half on the bottom. This extra layer covers the seam at the top and bottom of the card.
- Die cut layers from cream cardstock to lighten up the card, and provide visual interest. Since I had not larger focal images from the collection, this was a good substitute.
- Pop a small fussy cut cluster of flowers up on an ephemera frame. Surround it with flowers, ribbon and buttons to draw the eye to the center of the card.
- Adhere cream flat back pearls to the die cut layer. This adds to the vintage feel of the card and provides texture and shine.
Kaisercraft Cherry Blossom Lane Vintage Style Card: A Peek Inside
- Now cover the inside of the card with patterned papers.
- Then cut a border sticker into 2 pieces. Attach one at the top to cover a “short” panel of paper.
- Next, trim around the rest of the border sticker and adhere on the bottom. Trim around the straight cut edges to give it a more organic look.
- Finally, sand around an ephemera tag. Adhere just the bottom edge to create a tuck spot. This is where you can insert your hand written note.
If you had a best friend growing up, take a moment to give thanks for all the life lessons that friendship taught you. I’m a better person today because Robin was my friend. I’m thankful.
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheerio,
kathy
SUPPLY LIST
NOTE: Since Throwback Thursday projects often use products that have been retired, I may not be able to find product links for you. When that happens, just use a supply from your own Closet of Shame to fill in the gaps.
- Kaisercraft Cherry Tree Lane Collection/2017 (retired and out of stock)
- Little Birdie Embossed Daisies
- Amazing Paper Grace Bella Luce Oval Die
- Antique Gold Delicate Stitched Satin Ribbon
- Twine and buttons from my stash
What a beautiful and heartwarming story, Kathy. I am so sorry for your loss. This is a beautiful tribute to your friend and I’m sure her family will treasure it always. Hugs my dear friend.xx
Loved your childhood memory of Robin! And that is a great tip about when you do not have the exact size of paper to cover the front of the card. Genius! Thanks, Kathy!
Dear Kathy, what a gorgeously perfect card for such wonderful memories to commemorate your beautiful friendship. Robin’s family will luv you all the more for such a beautiful tribute to their Robin. Thank you so much for sharing your heartfelt story. Those were the days when parents weren’t afraid to let their children out to play around ths neighborhood. I was blessed with tons of cousins that I got to play with when we went to grandma’s house! Hide and seek was our favorite! And then we moved far away and lost touch …. Luv your pinks and greens with a touch of gold flowers …and all from your stash! The inside is just as beautiful too! Thanks so much for sharing your tips when there’s just not enough paper for a page. Stay safe, hugs, Suzy Q
Kathy, what a gorgeous card to honor your childhood friend. The papers and die cuts are so elegant and the colors so soft and serene. And your sentiment is absolutely perfect. Your story is so bittersweet and heartfelt. I know the family will cherish this card. My childhood best friend and I are still in touch. After reading your story I will be more thankful for that. Thank you for sharing! Hugs!
Oh Kathy, what a special card! Thanks for sharing it at the story of your childhood friend. I’m sure her family will love this card and the memories you share. I have this Kaisercraft paper set…and just the person I know from elementary school days who will appreciate a card like this. tfs-Hugs. Stay well.
Beautiful card, love it!
When I counted up all the layers, I realized that this card must have been really heavy!! As beautiful as this card is, your heartfelt story has made it even more so. All your tips and tricks are definitely appreciated! Clever way to cover that seam. Cards like this will be treasured for years to come…and your enclosed note, even longer. Thank you for sharing this life story with others.
What a touching story, dear Kathy. Sad that you lost the connection in real life, but wonderful that you never lost it in your heart! I hope it is consoling for Robin’s family to know, that she lives in your memories.
I like that you chose a positive and colorful design for your condolence card. I like your layering and the greens.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Hugs
Anka
I am in a card making frenzy rift now using up my stash. You have just given me another lovely inspiration. Thanks xx Joyce
My sympathy to you, sweet Kathy. This is a beautiful card. I think you know I make group cards with lots of pockets for note tucking. I originally made spaces for people to sign but found they didn’t want to mess up the card, so I eliminated them. I never thought about doing this for my own use cards. The card could be reused, if the recipient can bear to part with it! Because of your generosity I have a steady supply of wonderful ideas. Thank you! The best always, Sandy
Just beautiful both the story of Robin and the card you made for the family. Very nice Kathy. I had a childhood friend too, and her name was Susan too. 🙂 We walked to school together, played after school and did was kids do. We had a fairly nice group of kids we played with and always made sure we were home by the time the street lights were coming on. We had fun, I had a great childhood! Stay well my friend and thanks for sharing such a lovely story.
Such a sweet, beautiful card to your friends family – and I remember a friend just like her – after 60 years, we reconnected at my sisters funeral. How strange life can be sometimes. I know your friends family will appreciate your shared memories.
stunning!
Hi! I remember having a child hood friend just like you .We also did everything together growing up and just like you life pulls you in different directions and we lost touch. Facebook was great in getting us connected again and we were able to share our memories and keep in touch now…Your friends family will definitely appreciate your beautiful sentiment and gorgeous card.❤️❤️❤️.
Beautiful card Kathy. The family will just love it. Best of all it does use up some of the scrap we all have. Be safe & TYFS
Gorgeous card….green is my favorite color and this masterpiece takes it to a new level! Such a thoughtful thing to do for Robin’s family. I’m sure they will appreciate this so much. Loved your childhood memory story.
That was a wonderful story Kathy. And how nice to make a card “with” a note of your blessings inside. Most of the time we just send a card and say sorry for your loss. It makes me think…this is a good idea for all sympathy cards. Let the recipient know how they touched my life. Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories. It was a joy to read. And thank you for the tips with scraps. Beautiful card!!
Beautiful card and the family will appreciate your memories of Robin.
Such a beautiful tribute to a precious friend. I know that her family will treasure the card.
What a lovely way to use the scrap pieces. No one would ever know.
Please take care, Kathy. And thank you for continuing to inspire us. 🙂