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"