My Legacy

“Didn’t you forget something Oma?” These words came from my gorgeous little granddaughter staring up at me while putting her still wrapped birthday present on the table next to her. “What might that be?” I said with a knowing smile. “Ummmm my card!!” she says now with her hands on her hips tapping her foot impatiently. Most kids would be excitedly tearing open the wrapping paper on their gift with their card tossed, given little thought. My grandchildren however were so eager to see what design I had come up with for their birthday card that year, their present now took second place or third really, second being their cake. This little exchange brought so much joy into my heart, what had started off as a little hobby of mine had now become something very meaningful to my family and friends. I had no idea landing a job at a newsagency some years ago would lead to so many wonderful memories and treasured keepsakes for those around me. I began collecting cardmaking magazines and the freebies that came with them that were about to be thrown out. I thought this creative outlet would complement the cakemaking I already did for my loved ones. As well as a cake of their choice they would also get a customised card for birthdays and special events. So my passion began. While I had amassed an assortment of papers, card and stamps etc, I didn’t really have the essential tools needed so off to Spotlight I went. That’s when I discovered Fiskars who thankfully have loads of reasonably priced good quality gear perfect for cardmaking with scissors being at the top of my priority list. There isn’t a card I have made where having a pair of super sharp scissors hasn’t been a godsend. From cutting pretty papers and card to size to meticulously cutting out tiny little pictures to perfectly enhance my cards, scissors are at the centre of what I do. Having seven children and three grandchildren at the time there was plenty of inspiration to get me started. This spread to friend’s birthdays and I even became the go to in the office to create personalised cards for some of my treasured colleagues as well. With seven more grandchildren coming along, friends giving birth and a few weddings to boot I am never short of an occasion to get creative for. Even when it has unfortunately been for the few funerals I have had to attend, I can express my sympathy in a way a store bought card and words never will. Everyone who receives a one is always so delighted by how “them” the cards are. I often get commentary about making them to sell at markets or online however given that the person at the centre of the card is the sole inspiration for the card design, making them with no one in mind or en masse is not something I could do. They are a love project meant to bring joy to people I care about and joy to me when I see their faces as they receive them. My little hobby now takes up a substantial portion of my living room, luckily most of the kids have moved out now and hubby doesn’t mind. As the grandchildren have grown they have also started sharing the love with their friends, coming down for cardmaking weekends when they have special events coming up. I have even inspired my super macho sons and husband to get creative every now and then when they want to show their love in a way only a personalised card can. This is the legacy I have passed onto my family that it really is the thought time and effort taken that means more than anything money can or more specifically cant buy and Fiskars scissors have been an essential part of that legacy