Joy, Peace, Love

Hi, everyone! Happy Thursday! Hope it's been a good one.

Thankful Thursday

Today, I'm thankful for artsy, creative folks... and those that inspire creativity.

• The week started with a trip to our local cineplex to see Finding Dory. Animators -- specifically the animators at Pixar -- create worlds that are a feast for the senses. Combine their talent with fabulous voice talent and you have movie magic. I actually taught algebra to a future Disney animator. As much as I'd love to take credit for Tony's success, something tells me that his art teacher probably had a bit more to do with it.  :)
• I'm also so thankful for the creative forces behind Online Card Classes. Kristina and Jennifer are so inspiring. And, having a chance to eavesdrop on their conversations with Tim... Well, it doesn't get much more inspiring than that.
• Last, but by no means least, I'm thankful for the SAS4Kids family -- our designers who inspire us challenge after challenge with amazing cards and our wonderful cardmakers who continue to make the sweetest works of heart for our kids. Today's mail included a package of 18 adorable cards from repeat sender Celeste. Thanks so much, Celeste!

Today's Card: Joy, Peace, Love

Today's card was inspired by the Merry Monday Peace. Joy, and/or Love Challenge. I must have had crosswords on the brain, because I immediately thought about possible arrangements of these three words. When I realized they were short enough and had enough common letters to make a crosswords work, I got to work on a Scrabble-inspired card design.

Authentique glistening dp; stash wood "paper"; stash cardstock
Simon Says Stamp game tiles letters stamps (in StazOn jet black) and die
Paper Smooches holly leaves dies; Stampin' Up! linen thread
MFT shimmer spray; Glossy Accents
adhesives: Scotch ATG; Ranger multi medium matte

To pull this off, I pulled out the Simon Says Game Tiles Letters stamp set and coordinating three-tile die. I ordered this set when I started making cards for SAS4Kids. However, frustration with creating a background tile board quickly set on my first such attempt. So, TOO many months later, I decided to give this idea another go. 

This time around, I located the center of the paper, and placed my three-tile die there. I then used these three cut-out tiles to serve as my reference for placing the other tiles.

After all the tile squares were cut out, I stamped and cut out wood tiles for the letters. Next, I applied a layer of tape to the front of the card base, placed down the game board, and laid down the letter tiles. 

Then, I cut out tiles from various papers and placed them about my game board. I also cut out -- and shimmery misted -- some holly leaf accents and added a little linen thread. 

Finally, I "varnished" the letter tiles with a coat of Glossy Accents to make sure they popped on the card. They are, after all, the inspiration for the card.  :)

Since I used shimmery spray on the holly leaves, I'm also going to link this up at the Simon Says Add Some Shimmer Challenge. There's a great Punches/Dies Challenge going on over at SAS4Kids. Since this card might be going to a good friend. But, maybe I'll have a chance to make a Scrabble-inpsired card for SAS4Kids.

Parting Thoughts

A quick reminder there is a New Beginnings Challenge going on over at Words 2 Craft By -- with a chance to win a Simon Says Stamp gift certificate. So, if you are crafting for a wedding, new baby, new home, new job, retirement, we'd love to have you share with us over at W2CB.

Wow... This one was a long one. Sorry about that. Thanks for hanging in there with me. And, thanks for stopping. Happy scrappin'!