It's Isabella Time!

It's Wednesday already and time for another Isabella's Sketchbook Challenge and some DT inspiration.  This week, we are challenging you to use punches in your project - any punch you like, just punch away as much as you want!

Before I show you my DT card this week, I want to reminisce a little because that's just what I did when I was making this and, anyway, I like when there's a little bit of 'back story' to a project.

I was lucky enough as a child to know my maternal great-grandmother (and, actually, my paternal great grandparents too, though only for a short while.)  My GG, Lucy, was an amazing woman and even at an early age I appreciated her lively spirit and her wisdom.  She was a great influence on me as I saw her often, particularly in the school holidays, and I could listen to the stories of her life for hours on end, if she'd let me.  From being a young girl she was a 'tweeny' (between stairs maid) for the local doctor and eventually married the doctor's chauffeur - very 'Upstairs, Downstairs'! 

Every day, without fail, GG would don her wrap-around apron in the morning and do her chores.  She still used a mangle (the top-loader just didn't get things dry enough!) and I can remember being in her tiny kitchen, winding the handle as the clothes slid through.  She was meticulous - she would even wash the inside of the coal house door so that if she had to fetch coal in her 'good' clothes, she didn't risk the dust from the door gettting them dirty!  She always cooked a proper meal for lunch and ate lightly at tea time. And every day, chores done and lunch eaten, she would wash and change for the afternoon, hanging up her apron until the next morning.  I remember the smell of coaltar soap and eau de cologne whenever I think of her, which is often.

So, you will perhaps understand why she was on my mind as I made this week's card - take a look:

Image: Isabella's Sketchbook, 'Sunday Apron' and 'Time to Bake'

Papers: October Afternoon; Scenic Route (text)

Tools: Fiskars border punch

Ribbons and buttons from my stash and sentiment generated on the old 'puter!







To be honest, my mojo has been suffering these last few days  and I was struggling, to say the least, with what to make this week.  But as soon as I saw this apron and GG popped into my mind, it all seemed to come together, eventually. 

I knew I would paper-piece the apron - it was just crying out for this pretty floral.  And where there's an apron, there's usually baking or cooking too, so 'Time to Bake' seemed an appropriate partner.  (GG made the most beautiful cakes and bakes, btw!)

I coloured up 'Time to Bake' with my Copics and added a little Primsacolor for good measure. I also added a little shade to parts of the apron with Copics and my blender pen, to keep it subtle.

I don't have many punches (I'm working on it, don't worry!) but this pretty Fiskars border punch seemed like a good choice.  I punched two strips, one in cream, one in pink, and layered them.

I think GG would have loved this card - it has just enough old-fashioned charm, I think, and, of course, she was most definitely a domestic goddess of the first order!  So, GG, this one's for you - miss you loads!

So, it's over to you.  Remember, you must use an Isabella's Sketchbook image on your project and if you haven't checked out her store yet, why not pop over there now to see her great choice of digis.  Then get out your punches and show us your creations - we always look forward to seeing what you come up with. You could win two Isabella's images of your choice and a beautiful 'I Won' badge for your blog.

Don't forget to check out the other DT's work too - there's always much wonderfulness on show!

Happy crafting.
xx