Today it was a wonderful day and this past week with my stamp classes. We have so much fun together, getting to know one another better and better each time we meet. This card makes me feel so very thankful, grateful and blessed to know these wonderful gal pals!  In creating it, I was feeling overwhelmed almost for the opportunity to meet and know incredible friends and good people in this life.  We all feel thankful, grateful and blessed for one thing or another walking this path called Life, but to appreciate our blessings, it requires reflection.  Daily. Reflecting on our life whether there be challenges, obstacles, grief, or even anger…if we stop to realize something good in our life, then being and feeling grateful for that good, we can find the blessing.  At least I do.  Not every day is perfect, but boy am I happy and fortunate to have my family, my friends, my health, my furry babies, and the beauty of nature around me, well….I consider my life complete and completely blessed.  For that, I am thankful and so very grateful.  So when I read or see “Enjoy the little things” it serves as a deepened heartfelt feeling for me….my relationships, my friendships, a sweet furry “kiss” from my Dusty boy and Maggie Mae girl… they have touched my life within the depths of my soul…  Nothing else compares. Nothing.  So…I hope my card inspires you get out your stamps, ink and make a few cards that show your appreciation for those who have made you feel grateful for.  And put that card in snail mail.  You will make someone’s day, week or month or year. I promise. Okay enough of that…want to know a little bit about my card?  Well, it was a blast! Guess why?  You almost got it!   I love stenciling!  Back about 20 years ago, I stenciled my whole house…practically!  I was so “in to stenciling” walls, toy boxes, furniture, gift boxes, anything that would…well…stencil!  Oh my goodness. My sweet hubby roo just rolled his eyes and just smiled. Gotta love that boy!

My background on my card is all stenciling from these new awesome stencils in our Annual Catalog this year and  they are legit.  In that, I mean, the stencils themselves are sturdy and stable.  I used my washi tape to hold it onto my paper just to get better precision for my stenciling, and I love these.  You will too, if you give it a try or want to try at it again, if you’re like me and haven’t stenciled since the 80’s!  I used Crushed Curry, Rich razzleberry, pear pizazz and some lush Crajun Craze.  Got out the ol’ sponge daubers and went to town.  It was so much FUN to do again, that I made I several different backgrounds using different shapes and different scrumptious inks we have!  So that’s my background, almost could pass for designer series paper?  No, yes?  I was hoping to “fool you” on this!  🙂 It’s a bit difficult to see here, but I embossed the sentiment in Copper!  It looks so nice in person, I just wish you  could see it!  AND, And, And, And…Those layer labels framelits can really make your card stand out with very little anything else.  See how I layered three?  There are actually 7 in this set! You can go smaller and larger from what you see here.  Folks, you should consider these for you stash.  I think you’d find yourself using them a lot. The stamp set I used is the wonderful Paisleys & Posies, it’s just so pretty.   Here’s one stencil here I used, but you get 4 total in the pack!  I did add a gorgeous grosgrain ribbon in Rich Razzleberry to the card to complement one of the Rich Razzleberries labels!  My base is Crushed Curry and Cajun Craze and Very Vanilla for the other labels.   I hope you give it a go with stenciling, ours are very well made.  I promise you and I know stencils that are NOT good to stencil with, they rip and are flimsy.  Not these babies. I just want you all to know how thankful I am each and every day for you, to stop by here and for your orders along the way and for your friendship, both virtually and in person.  I sincerely thank you.  May you always be blessed with all things that matter most in your lives. As always, let me know how I can assist or answer any questions.  Have a wonderful Monday!

Mucho grande hugs and love,

Debbie