Apr 6, 2015

Essentials by Ellen April Mix it Up Challenge


My colleagues and friends were very kind when I retired last week (seems like months ago).  As a result I need a lot of thank you cards.   

In the past I've shied away from challenges, as I find them challenging.  But I'm trying a variety of ways to jump the creative spark plugs, and ended up enjoying this one quite a bit. 



The Essentials by Ellen April Mix it Up Challenge is to use stamps/dies from both Essentials by Ellen and Lawn Fawn. I am a HUGE fan of Julie Ebersole and her stamps and dies and cards and videos, so I had plenty of inspiration.

For this card and envelope I paired Essentials by Ellen Bokeh Dots and the flower in Bold Blooms with Lawn Fawn's Violet's ABCs.   (Lawn Fawn makes the easiest to use alphabet stamps.)

Can you see the pale pink flower on the envelope liner?  My favorite part of the design.



 And a final picture:




MOOD WHEN DONE = Happy

Supplies:

Stamps:  Essentials by Ellen Bokeh Bots and Bold Blooms; Lawn Fawn Violet's ABCs
Ink:  Memento Angel Pink and Rose Bud; Brilliance Graphic Black; Hero Arts Tomato
Paper:  Neenah Solar White and Paper Source envelope
Other:  Clear and Simple Stamps envelope liner

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Thanks, again, for all the happy wishes for the blog and my retirement.  I'm still getting the hang of a whole new way of living and blogging may continue a bit sporadic until I get into a routine.  


9 comments:

Anonymous said...

sweet

Jennifer Scull said...

those subtle pink roses are the bomb-diggety, Joan! and happy happy retirement to you! raising my coffee cup in your honor! :)

Jeanne H said...

Am so happy for you! Welcome to retirement land! Making cards isn't quite enough stimulation for me, so I volunteer as a computer tutor at a library! It's fun.

P.S. Love the pink roses and all your various blogs! :-)

Anonymous said...

Great card. LOVE the envelope liner! Don't rush to get a routine set. Take the time to enjoy the fact that you no longer have to have a set schedule. I retired last year and had warned my husband the first month I was going to do or not do anything I darned well pleased. It was a great way to decompress. :)
Lu C

Laurel Beard said...

Well this is absolutely fantastic. I love the heart and your envelope liner design stole my heart!!!!!!

Leslie Miller said...

Sweet and perfect! I like the idea of taking the time to figure out your routine. When I retire in August I plan to plan nothing and simply take the time to get my bearings. I'm sure you're going to enjoy it!

Pat said...

Congratulations on needing retirement thank you cards! I just celebrated 6 months of being job-free and it is the best thing I have ever done.

~amy~ said...

This is beautiful!

Kristen said...

Beautiful.