Are you ready to play this week’s Pals Paper Arts Challenge (PPA44)? It’s another fabulous sketch by Pal Margaret Moody. Margaret’s sketches are always classy, and this one seemed to be tailor-made for a very special card I wanted to design. As I enter into the final days of my teaching career, I wanted to thank my colleagues for their friendship and support. With 34 years of tenure, I have forged many wonderful relationships with faculty and staff alike. This card was made with them in mind. Thanks for the memories…
The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:
- Need an image that’s sharp and crisp? Jet Black StazOn does the trick! It is especially striking when used for black and white cards! And as a special bonus, it dries very quickly. No more smudges! Just look at that “Graffiti”!
- Neat a cute little flower in a matter of minutes? Create this Scallop Circle flower in four easy steps!
- Need a kiss of bling for good luck? “Smooch” your flowers with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz! Don’t you just love the shimmer and shine that a little smooch gives?
- Need instant texture? Make like a frog, and “ribbit“! In seconds, the horizontal strip, complete with Pinking Hearts Border, was zipped through the Crimper for a little extra texture and interest.
A. Using the Scallop Circle Punch, punch a circle from Real Red card stock.
B. Using a Stylus or scoring blade, score from one indent, across the circle to the opposite indent.
C. Using a Sponge Dauber and Real Red ink, distress the edges of each “petal”. Then fold along a score line, and distress. Repeat this until all scored lines have been inked.
D. Finally, “pleat” the flower and add a sweet little center using the Itty Bitty Scallop Circle Punch and Summer Sun card stock. This little punch is a member of the Punch Pack, a trio of punches which coordinate with the Itty Bitty Bits stamp set and Bitty Buttons, all of which are available in the Summer Mini!
I usually put a lot of thought into my designs, and this card was no exception. And believe it or not…there is a method to my madness. I selected three flowers, not only because “odds” are always better than “evens” when it comes to embellishments, but also to represent the three decades that I have spent teaching. The color red was selected because red is the color of passion, desire, and love. I have always been passionate about my teaching, tempered by a desire to be the best that I could possibly be. And there is no doubt that I have loved my job. Never has there been a day that I ever regretted the career path that I have followed…
I hope that you will join us for this week’s challenge, and I hope that you will leave a comment to let me know what you think about this week’s card. And remember, if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, please feel free to email me. Until next time…
Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7
Stamp Set: Gratuitous Graffiti (111636); Inks: Jet Black StazOn (101406), Real Red (103133); Card Stock: Basic Black (102851), Real Red (102482), Whisper White (100730), Summer Sun (100537); Tools: Scallop Circle Punch (109043), Crimper (101618), Pinking Hearts Border Punch (117649), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309—Summer Mini), Sponge Daubers (102892); Glitz and Glam: Black Gingham Ribbon (104832)
Fabulous card, Ann. Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! It’s honestly the best job I’ve ever had, and hope retirement is for you too.
Magnificent. I love the crisp (stazon) graffiti background . . . especially against the pop of real red. I can’t wait to make one of your flowers. The Vanilla Smooch was the perfect touch. Hugs, M
Great card. Thanks for the instructions on the distressed flower. It looks so real with the smooch! Have a great last week of school!
Great card Ann and I love the story and meaning behind it!!
Such a great color combo. I’m impressed with your computer skills putting the A B C on those flowers! WOW. Thank you for sharing the story, too!
Ann, your card is so beautiful. I love the black,white and red together. I love the sentiment behind your mking this card. I’m sure that you are very happy to retire from teaching but it must be a bit difficult to leave teaching. Thank you for giving us the instructions on how to make the beautiful flowers that you made.
Mary
Fantastic card – and such a clever idea with the flower from the scallop punch!!
It’s got to be a difficult time for you, happy to be retiring after more than 30 years teaching, yet sad to be leaving something that you obviously love so much.
Best wishes and congratulations, Ann!
Beautiful card…and I hope all children everywhere encounter at least one teacher like you in their school career.
WOW this is so beautiful — love that color combo, it’s so “RICH”, and your flowers are BEAUTIFUL!!
Cute card! Such a pretty flower, and yet so simple to make. I will surely add the smooch spray to my wish list. Thanks for the tutorial. I look forward to seeing your creations every day.
I love your card, Ann! Very different from your usual style, but I like it!!! Love the black and white paired with the red flowers! Love the symbolism, too! Congrats on your 34 years of dedication! We need more teachers just like you!
Great job, as usual. I love the scallop circle flower. I see these in my punching future! Congrats on 34 years of memories!
Mike
You always outdo yourself! This card is perfect. I love the black and white with red and yellow…and those flowers are magnificent! You always amaze me!
These flowers are gorgeous – 3 times over! Beautiful card – and thanks for the how-to – I might be able to do this one 🙂
How brilliant are you?!! Thanks for sharing the flower tutorial, and I LOVE your card!! 🙂
What a gorgeous card! Love the pink and black combo. With a different background, it would also work for a sweet 16 card!
Ann, your card – as usual – is beautiful. the red flowers on the black and white background look so elegant.
I love the fact that you did a flower for each decade. I love the fact that you used this particular stamp – not only because of the wording, but for the fact that we always associate graffiti with teenagers!
I know you are going to miss teaching when you retire next week, but you know how many lives you have so positively affected. It’s amazing to be able to retire and know that you have done such a great job
hugs
jaydee
Gorgeous Ann! Love the shabby chic look….I’m sure your co-workers will love it and miss you as well! I can’t imagine how life changing retiring is going to be! I hope you enjoy your time! {SMILES}
I love those flowers! You so inspire me, Ann. I’ve decided that this style should be called “elegant grunge!” XO
Wow, Ann! This is fabulous! Those flowers are so simple to make,yet add so much! I know that I can’t wait for your retirement. That means more cards for us to view. ~Bonnie~
Funny how many times you can go through a catalog and not notice a particular item. I don’t ever remember seeing the graffiti stamp! Gorgeous card. Your countdown to retirement is almost complete!!
Ann, Love your card girl. I must try this flower – it’s beautiful! And, congratulations on retiring soon. I know you have loved being there teaching all those kids all these years – but it is definitely great for you that you can leave it all behind now.
Ann your card is abosolutley gorgeous!!! your flowers are amazing. After reading your post it is so apparent how passionate you are about life, right down to the last details. I am sure your teaching staff and students will miss you dearly. But just think of all the time you will have to spend now on making missing you cards for them all..lol
hope you have a great day…
hugs
Darlene-Joy
How beautiful, I love the story behind the card. Hugs,
THANK YOU MISS ANN. YOUR SOOO GOOD AT WHAT YOU DO..AND BELIVE ME IT SHOWS WHAT KIND OF TEACHER YOU WERE…IF ONLY WE HAD MENEY MORE OF YOU. THANK YOU…YOUR FLOWER IS SOOOO PRETTY I’M TRYING IT.. AND RED JUST SAY’S SO MUSH DOSN’T IT…THANK YOU FOR SHARING WITH US.
HUG’S FRENCHIE