A renewed purpose

Hi all! Today I've got a bit of story to tell that has really nothing to do with the card I'm showing (I'll get to that at the end, although it's not too exciting). Like most of you, I go through periods of ups and downs with my creativity. It seemed like I was going through a really big down period right after Christmas, as I dealt with my whole brain issue (and the aftermath of making 120+ Christmas cards). After some re-assessment, which I told you about here, I scaled my cardmaking/blogging back a bit to be a bit more reasonable which has been working out well for me. But I just hadn't felt the creative urge for a while, and I even did a kinda-sorta workshop where I felt like one of the participants chastized me a bit. She made the point that while the cards I make are very beautiful, I use a lot of (non-recycled) paper and the cards ultimately just get thrown out, so really, what was the point??? (She also said that she doesn't wrap gifts either, and I decided I was glad I wasn't her kid, but I digress) My somewhat startled answer to her query was that, ESPECIALLY in this age of electronic everything, people still go to the mailbox every day or so, and when they open it up and find a totally unexpected just-for-the-heck-of-it card in there, it makes them happy for a moment, and my card is the reason why. It's NOT the same as sending someone an email or text, as she tried to argue, and I (amazingly) just let her go on with her argument and let her 'win'. It bothered me, although I did decide that she didn't understand because obviously no one sends HER handmade cards in the mail (and no, I'm not volunteering). But still, it got me down a bit and I've just felt like I've had no real creative juices flowing for a while. I did make one card for a wonderful friend of mine who is going through some rough times right now that made ME smile when I sent it off in the mail. She sent me a note the other day and told me that that card is sitting on her mantle and she smiles every time she looks at it. Well folks, that right there is why I love doing what I do. That email made me SO HAPPY I can't even begin to tell you. And once again, it brought me back some creativity. I have a renewed purpose in wasting all this non-recycled paper and sending out 'useless' cards. I'm going to do it more!!! For more people!!! May the landfills be FILLED with 'useless' card creations!!!
Okay, so that's my story of the day. After I got that email, I went up to my scrapbook room and started playing again. Tonight's cards are some colorful birthday ones I made using the new Create-a-cupcake punch and stamp set. The pompom trim is just fun, and I think it can work for both boys and girls (at least for the preschool set). I made a couple 3 x 3 cards just like these bigger ones to put in birthday gifts when my kids go to parties.

Card Supplies: (All supplies from Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Build a cupcake
Cardstock: Tempting turquoise, Melon mambo, Whisper white, Pretty in Pink and Pacific point DSP
Ink: Tempting turquoise, Pacific point, Daffodil delight/Melon mambo, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate chip
Other Stuff: Create a cupcake, Modern label and Word window punches, Pompom trim