So very proud of you!

The Simon Says Stamp Company has a couple of challenges you can join! There is a Monday Challenge and the Wednesday Challenge, and occasionally they even have challenges/contests on just their regular blog! I am always finding new ways to create from this company and their wonderful design team!
Anyway, since I had so much fun with the Lawn Fawn challenge last week I thought I'd give another challenge a try. The Wednesday Challenge blog's theme is Back to School. I must admit I do not have any stamps that is specifically 'school themed'. So, I decided an alphabet stamp would most likely work best. I love the way this card turned out. It's so happy and cheerful!

I started with an A2 size card and used Versa Mark Ink and clear embossing powder to randomly stamp Avery Elle's Avery's Alphas stamps all over the background.

 I then used Tim Holtz Peacock Feathers, Picked Raspberry, and Mustard Seed Distress Inks with sponge daubers to blend the inks over the background. After it was blended to my liking I sprayed a little water in my hand and flicked it over the ink. The little droplets of water create a speckled look.

 I then finished up my card by using Avery Elle's What's Up Stamp set for that fantastic giraffe and Avery Elle's Fill in the Blank set for the sentiment. To make the sentiment stand out a little I added some Clear Stickles over the YOU. Lastly, I used Clear Glossy Accents over the 'glass' part of the glasses.

In Hopes of Touching A Heart.

We recently had a friend of the family suddenly pass away. He left behind a wife and two children in their 20's. I wanted to be an encouragement to his family, so I created a card to send to them. I once again used The Sea Stamp set from Sweet 'N Sassy stamps along with the Sympathy set from My Sentiments Exactly.
This card while emotionally difficult to make is rather simple. I stamped the boat and sentiment with VersaMark Ink and then heated clear embossing powder over it.

The clear embossed image.

 I used Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Tumbled Glass, Mustard Seed, Faded Jeans, and Pumice Stone to color the image and reveal the stamped scene.

The image with the sentiment was slightly too big to fit a typical A2 card, so I matted it with gray card stock and used an adhesive tape runner to attach it to a 5x5 card base.

The final card

I did decide to post this card as an entry to my first challenge ever over at Word Art Wednesday! I love that I have found an uplifting place that encourages learning and reading God's Word and creating!

 In closing, a reminder- You never know which day might be your last. Take time every day to hug and kiss your family and friends. Tell them you love them.

^{God is in control. God is good. All the time!
8} For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9