Wednesday, July 13, 2011

A beacon of comfort...

     That's what a very close, dear friend of mine offered up even if she wasn't completely aware of how huge her generosity was!  When the temperature here in Phoenix hit 118, she insisted I fly out to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin for a visit.  She and her husband have semi-retired there from St. Louis and have an absolutely beautiful home only a few miles from Lake Michigan on the East, and not much further from the Green Bay on the West, in scenic Door County.   It was a comfortable 75-80 degrees and breezy the whole time I was there. It was lighthouse and winery tours, visiting big boats, and lounging on a beach that was almost our own private little oasis.
     So, when I returned home and saw that the challenge for "Embellish It" was Nautical and had the perfect colors, I knew I needed to get right on that Thank You card!


Here's a peek....

I cut a small window out of the front and framed it in this adorable Click-Art life preserver.  Then I stamped the lighthouse image onto the inside of the card.  I had completely forgotten that I had purchased this Stampin' Up set at a yard sale while visiting another good friend in Tucson recently.
The background paper was run through my crimper and inked to resemble a weathered, tin wall.  I love the texture of it IRL. 
The cute little heat embossed anchor is one of the MANY Snag 'Em stamps I've acquired, not sure how or when I would ever use them.


I was so thrilled to see so many various kinds of lighthouses and get the chance to see a part of America that I've never ventured to before.  It is my hope that my gratitude shows in this card.

Inside sentiment:

Sorry about the poor quality of the photos, but I realize now how difficult it is to photograph a card that has a cut-out opening and still make it stand level and upright. I assure you that it is...LOL. 

Skipping Stones Design sketch used:

The stamp from Skipping Stones was the simple little "Thank You" on the front. It was important to find just the right sentiment, and this one seemed to fit the bill! 
All I had to do was bend it a bit to accent the curve!

Supplies:
Tools:  Fiskars crimper; Creative Memories Circle Cutter, Marvy Heat Tool
Click-Art Life Preserver Image;  Lighthouse stamp and sentiment, "Stampin' Up;
"Thank You" sentiment, Skipping Stones Designs, "Birthday Purses";
White cord, Hancock Fabrics; Helmar 450 Adhesive

Entered into challenges at:
Embellish It, Nautical/Color Trends Challenge
Skipping Stones, Sketch Challenge 
The Crazy Challenge, "Summer" theme
Simon Says, "Anything Goes"




17 comments:

Patty Sue 2 said...

Hi, I just posted my card to Simon Says and was looking at some of the other entries and saw your beautiful card. I love lighthouses and your card is so perfect. I know your friend will love it!

Tui Nathan said...

I love your card .... The weathered background is awesome and oh so realistic ... The life preserver frame and anchor create a beautiful and well designed card!!!

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Editor said...

Hey Jan! Thanks for linking this up to the Stamp It! Cards Week challenge in the Moxie Fab World! I'm so glad you joined in on all the fun! :)

Pam said...

Love the little window in your card! Thanks for joining us at the crazy challenge. Hugs Pam x

Anonymous said...

I love lighthouses! Fun take on the sketch this week!

~amy~ said...

Oh my goodness...this is a wonderful take of the sketch! Thanks for joining us at Skipping Stones Design!

Barb Turpin said...

Perfect card and sounds like a perfect get-a-way...thanks for playing along with Skipping Stones Design this week!

Cristina said...

Wow! This is stunning! A truly beautiful card. Thanks for joining us at Embellish!

Tamra said...

Love the card Jan.....we own a sailboat and I love all things nautical....great take on the sketch!

Wendy said...

Fabulous card Jan!! Thank you so much for playing along with Skipping Stones Design this week!!! Hope to see you this week, if you have time.

kari bell said...

wow, this is gorgeous! amazing work.

Jingle said...

This is fantastic! Thanks so much for playing along with us over at SSD!

Ginny said...

This is beautiful! The idea of the image inside the life preserver is brilliant!

Mandy said...

Beautiful card Jan, love the window :)
Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp for our anything goes challenge.
Please could you link your post instead of your whole blog hunny it makes it much quicker & easier for us to find your lovely card. All you do is click on your post title and copy the address of your post in the top addy bar.
Thank you :)
hugs Mandy xx

wendyp said...

Wpw! This is adorable! Love the way you created the window with the lighthouse peeking through!

Karen B. said...

This is beautiful, and a clever use of the sketch! I live in Wisconsin and although it isn't as bad as other parts of the country, it is awfully humid and warm out there today-something we aren't used to!

Brenda Weaver said...

What a great take on the sketch! I love it! Thanks so much for playing along with us at SSD!

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