Sending Smiles

Hi all!

It's been a long time since I've been able to craft--too long! May has proven to be a VERY busy month with tons of changes and challenges. Add to that the end of the school year stuff that needs to happen and, well, crafting time was very scarce. But, tonight I had a lot of fun in my room. A while back, Jennifer McGuire shared on her blog that we should really send cards to people "just because". I liked that! So, that's what I'm sharing tonight. It's a "just because" card I'm sending to a friend. I chose to use the sketch from the sweetest thing site, too. Here's my card and the sketch:
I chose to keep the sketch pretty much "as is" with a few exceptions. I did change the center shape and I added an embellishment on the small banner--but that was it. I used paper from My Mind's Eye and then brown and cream cardstock. The brown cardstock was embossed to just add some texture to it. I added some polka dots to the cream strip that runs diagonally. The stamp is from an old Stampin' Up set and I used my inktense watercolor pencils to color it in and then added glossy accents for dimension. I also watercolored the sky using distress ink. I added a small dragonfly brad to the banner--I've had that brad for YEARS!--and liked how it added that unique embellishment to the card. The sentiment is from Skipping Stones.

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! We'll be off to enjoy Seattle...Yay!

Thanks for stopping by!
Pat

Lily Pad's Hero Arts Sketch challenge

Hi everyone!

Hope everyone had a good Monday. Mine was really busy! And tomorrow doesn't look any less busy as I'm taking the kids to a science and industry museum. But, I did get about an hour to play in my room and I was dying to try my hand at Lily Pad's latest challenge that's being sponsored by Hero Arts (LOVE THEM!) If you want the details, check it out here.

Here's the sketch:

I liked this sketch. For some reason, it looked easy yet tricky--one of those "it-can't-be-that-easy" kindda deals...and I was itching to try it! :)













Here's my take on it:

I started out with some pattern paper from The Stack 6. Then, I took some aqua-colored cardstock and using a Fiskars texture plate, I embossed it to look like waves. Then, I did some faux stitching in blue and some in white. I knew I wanted to add either flip-flops or a beach ball or sunglasses in the middle circle and I remembered buying some brads at a great scrapbooking store while on vacation in Chelan, WA. Sure enough--these surfer type shorts were perfect! I inked the punched circle with chipped sapphire distress ink and adhered it with dimensional adhesive. Then, I stamped the sentiment in chipped sapphire distress ink. After rounding the corners, the card was done! :)

This card will go to some dear friends that always open up their home/ranch to us during the summer. It's right along the Columbia River and my boys get to enjoy rides on a wave runner and they get to swim and play all summer long. They're a blessing to my family and I knew I needed to thank them for their hospitality.

Hope you guys can play along! Off to make sack lunches for our long day tomorrow!
Pat