Sometimes as a teacher, you never fully recognize the impact that you have on the lives of your students. And thus we have the story behind this card! Thomas was a foreign exchange student from Germany. Every day that I had him in class was a delight! Bright and engaging, he was definitely a student that you would not soon forget. While studying in the States, he met another of my students, the vivacious and personable Catherine. Needless to say, love blossomed between these two. Although Thomas eventually returned home, their romance withstood the test of time and distance. When selecting a college, Thomas enrolled at the University of Iowa, where Catherine attends medical school, and the two married.
I recently received a letter from the happy couple. Thomas is a PhD candidate and plans on teaching computer sciences at the college level. Catherine is in her fourth year of medical school and is seeking a family practice residency. The reason they wrote was to simply thank me for the impact that I had on their education. Knowing the state of the economy and that many schools are making cuts, they enclosed a check with their letter to be used by me for the science department of my high school. However, their letter held more wealth than just the monetary value of their donation. It was a reaffirmation to me as a teacher that we really do make an impact on our students in ways that we may never know…
When it came time to design their thank-you card, there was no doubt in my mind what set I would reach for…Perfect Chemistry! Ready to make an all-occasion Periodic Table? Put on your safety goggles, and step into my card making laboratory!
- Prepare a 5-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ card base from textured Basic Black.
- Layer with the “Houndstooth“ pattern from Night & Day Specialty Designer Series Paper.
- Ink all of the stamps from Perfect Chemistry with Basic Black and stamp onto Whisper White. Snip out and mat onto Basic Black.
- Arrange the “elements” onto the Houndstooth paper as illustrated.
- Select the appropriate symbols for the sentiment that you wish to convey. Ink these with Real Red and stamp onto Whisper White. Snip out and pop onto the same symbols using Stampin‘ Dimensionals. In this case, I selected Thank You, Surprise, Hi & Hello and Happy.
- Using a printer and Whisper White card stock, print out “Periodic Table” in Ariel Rounded MT Bold 24 point font, and mat onto Real Red. Adhere to the card base as illustrated.
- Add a snippet of Real Red 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon. Position and adhere everything to the card base.
What a fun card to make! It will be winging its way to Iowa City tomorrow morning. I know that Thomas and Catherine will get a kick out of the design. Plus, I have always wanted to create my own Periodic Table!
Although deadlines are drawing near, there is still time to join “The Schach Pack” as my newest recruit. I would love to serve as your mentor. Click here for details and to see the incentive which I am offering. Plus, there is still time to play the latest Pals Paper Arts challenge. This week it is a Halloween challenge! Mr. Linky does not close until Noon CST Tuesday, so dust off the witches, goblins and ghouls and “treat” us to a Halloween project.
As always, please feel free to leave me a comment or drop me an email! Your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one of them. And if you are in need of any Stampin‘ Up! supplies, you can always order from me 24/7!
Click Here to Order Your Stampin‘ Up! Supplies 24/7!
Stamp Set: Perfect Chemistry (114383)
Inks: Basic Black (101179), Real Red (103133)
Designer Series Paper: Night & Day (116768)
Card Stock: Real Red (102482), Basic Black textured (108693—Assorted Neutrals), Whisper White (100730)
Embellishments: Real Red 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon (109052)
Stamp Set: Perfect Chemistry (114383)
Inks: Basic Black (101179), Real Red (103133)
Designer Series Paper: Night & Day (116768)
Card Stock: Real Red (102482), Basic Black textured (108693—Assorted Neutrals), Whisper White (100730)
Embellishments: Real Red 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon (109052)
I love, love, love this card!!! I have to admit that I had not seen this stamp set in the catalog until I saw your card. Now the sad thing about this, I am also a Chemistry teacher, how did I miss it??? I don’t usually buy a lot of alphabet sets, that’s my only excuse I guess. Thanks for sharing your story and your card, made my day!!
What an wonderful story behind this card. I have a special teacher that really had a great influence over me too. Excellent card!
I love this card and it’s story! In my 47 years as of tomorrow, you have always had a wonderful, positive impact on my life. I am so glad that you shared this story. Teaching gives you an opportunity to impact the world every day – one student at a time.
Love you story and love you card! It is always amazing how our students remember us, especially when we sometimes think we’re just wallflowers!
What a story Ann and obvious Perfect Chemistry between your students. Great card and what a testiment to the person you are!
What a perfect story! And how wonderful that they got in touch to let you know how it turned out! I sometimes wish I could find past teachers and let them know that they are still in my thoughts and prayers. One lovely teacher (Miss Rassmussen) in Jr. High quite literally saved my life with her kind attention and concern that got me the help I needed to decide that life was worth living. I went looking for her years ago but the school no longer exists and the county no longer has those records. Ah well she and all the others are still in my prayers to this day and I know that God will find her and bless her richly. I’m betting that you are just such a special teacher as your loving spirit comes through in your blog and in your creative projects that you share.
Blessings on you for choosing to make a difference in a kids life! Teachers are angels in disguise!
Hugs from a sister demo – Jean
What a wonderful uplifting story. Your card is so perfect for them. Hugs and Smiles,
Taking a break from the lab for lunch and loved viewing your card you created…and the story that goes with it. What a perfect card for a couple in the medical/science field. They are going to cherish your card and the memories.
Taking a break from the lab for lunch and love the card you created…and the story that goes with it! How perfect for a couple in the sciences. They are going to cherish your card forever.
What a great story!! The card is so perfect for them! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing this story. It is very touching, and yes, teachers do have an effect on our lives. Your card is very nice and creative. TFS
Amazing story!!! Teachers are pricelesss.
Love the card and the set!!!
Loved your story. I have a few teachers that influenced me in a big way. It’s wonderful that you heard from your students.
Beautiful card . . . only YOU, could make chemistry so pretty. Hugs, M
This is a wonderful story! It reminds all of us to show those that make a difference in our lives the gratitude they deserve.
Can you believe I learned the periodic table by singing the elements to the tune of 10 Little Indians? I can STILL sing it – ya know, for a party trick. 😉
And of course, your card has perfect chemistry!
I love this story! It is a true testament! I bumped into several of my past teachers when I moved back home after my husband deployed to Iraq. I introduced them to my kids, and thanked them for being the wonderful teachers they are/were. Following only family members, teachers impact a child the most.
I just knew you had this set! I love the card – it’s you! It’s absolutely wonderful – just like you!
Oh, Ann, what a beautiful story! Having worked with teachers for most of my career, I can attest to the impact they make on children’s lives…and I can only imagine how your students must feel about you! I love your card to them. It couldn’t be more perfect and more beautiful!
Love it! (and the card, too 🙂 So glad you were able to receive affirmation of your commitment to young adults, education, and science. This would make a good future PPA challenge: Create a card for a teacher who inspired you!
This card is terrific and so is the story behind it. I know that you do all that you do because of your character, but, how nice that you can occasionally get great feedback too! My son currently quotes one teacher and is constantly “testing” himself to prove whether he is a right or left brain dominant person because she talked about it in class. Teachers are so very special…thank you for investing in the lives of children/young adults!
What a great story and how nice of them to give back! I’m a chemical engineer and my sister is a chemist, so this set has a special place in my heart!
Ann, I never even noticed this set! I love that story, how cute and how nice you were a part of it!
Wonderful story – and a perfect card all the way around for the occasion. Let’s see for me it was my 5th grade teacher and 8th grade English teacher.
Wow, Ann!
What a fantastic card, but an even better story. A true testament to how teachers affect our lives.
I think we all have those in our past. Two high school teachers will forever be in my memories. My English (language arts) teacher and my chemistry teacher.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.