As I have grown older, Thanksgiving has become a time of reflection for me. In my youth, I was filled with grandiose dreams and lofty aspirations. But as I travelled down the path of life’s journey, I came to realize that many of these dreams would never be fulfilled…and a wonderful thing happened. These grandiose dreams and lofty aspirations were replaced by dreams and aspirations that formed a solid foundation and grounded me, shaping me into the person I am today. No, I don’t have the mansion of which I dreamed…but my home is warm and welcoming, filled with love and laughter. No, I am not a millionaire…but my life is infinitely richer in many, many ways. While I may not be counting gold and silver coins, I count family and friends among my treasures…and my life is full of blessings!
And so for my Thanksgiving card, I opted to create something from my heart for you. The image is a simple scene which reminded me of growing up on the farm…and my mother’s delicious pumpkin pies made from pumpkins picked from the patch…and not from a can! Enjoy today’s no-frills-as-simple-as-it-gets card.
The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips: Distressed and Simple Card
This finished card measures 5-1/2″ wide and 4-1/4″ long.
- Emboss resist! The Pumpkin Patch scene from Full of Blessings was inked in VersaMark and heat embossed with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder. Crumb Cake ink was sponged over the surface, and Crumb Cake Waterspots were added using the image from the French Foliage set. The edges were distressed with Soft Suede ink.
- Score! Diagonal lines were scored using the Diagonal Plate for the Simply Scored tool. It adds visual interest in the blink of an eye!
As I end today’s post, please know that I so thankful for those of you who take the time out of your busy schedules to visit me. I look forward to the time we spend together. And speaking of spending time together, I leave you with a picture of two of my blessings…my girls spending time together. Lexi looks like a Mini-Muffin!
As always, if you ever have any questions about the cards I make or the techniques I use, I am only an email away. Until next time…
Stamp Sets: Full of Blessings, French Foliage; Inks: VersaMark, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Marker; Card Stock: Naturals Ivory; Tools: Heat Tool, White Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Simply Scored, Diagonal Plate for Simply Scored, Stampin’ Sponge, Sponge Dauber, Color Spritzer Tool; Glitz and Glam: Basic Pearls
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I, too, think that the journey through life shows you that your youthful dreams are usually not the way things turn out. What a lovely testament to your life this blog presents. Isn’t it wonderful when you can truly say “life is good”!! I know the girls can’t have all the holiday goodies, but it looks like triptophan kicked in somehow. Oh, I enjoyed your card too.
thank you for sharing your inmost thoughts with us on this Thanksgiving holiday Ann-hope yours was a wonderful one-the card you are showing is beautiful and I love the white embossing on kraft cs-great photos of the girls
I love what your friend Kathi wrote about the simplicity of the Thanksgiving holiday – just family and friends. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy your newsletter Ann, and of course, your grand creativity. But most of all, I love reading what you write about your family and dogs, because that is where your heart is more assuredly.
Jan Ross
I love this simple white embossing on kraft paper….classic…and very nostalgic. Like you, my real life is very different from my “imagined” life…and infinitely better! Blessings to you this Thanksgiving, Ann!
Lovely card and very touching post. I’m thankful for you sharing your creations and insights with us. Have a blessed rest of the week.
Quintessential vintage art from the Stampin’ Schach done in that inimitable style~! 🙂
So many times you write about living on the farm. I can almost see you there in my mind. Those pies being made from scratch and the heart.
Love the pics of the girls.
Your card is wonderful…as always.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving Ann. Love your card and of course your babies. I loved what you had to say in your post today as like many of us, life takes us in many ways that we didn’t see when we were younger. All the best to you and your family.
Awwww, love the pictures of your babies. They are so precious! That is such a beautiful card you shared with us. It is amazing how we change as we get older and truly reflect on all we have to be thankful for. I find myself missing the family members who have passed and the Thanksgivings of my childhood more each passing year, and am trying to create special memories for our children and grandchildren. I am a small city girl, but my Granny had a farm and that is where I spent Thanksgiving until she passed. I digress. Thanks, Ann, for sharing yourself, your creations, and your babies with us!! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!!
Ann, thanks for sharing from the heart. This is such a nostalgic time of year for me, especially so this year as this is the first holiday season without both of my parents. I know what you mean about treasuring our loved ones as the reality of our mortality and the fleeting nature of life becomes ever more real for me. More and more, I am increasingly thankful for each person who helps me fill my life with those things that last forever and my heart with beauty and laughter. Thanks, Ann, for the joy that you add to my life. Happy Thanksgiving!
What a touching post, Ann. Truly you have discovered true wealth and source of happiness – family and friends, along with a grateful heart. Hope you and your family (four legged as well as two) have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
this is so beautiful. Happy Thanksgiving
I think Carol beat me to it on the comments! Wonderful reflections and a wonderful card. Have a good holiday with your family.
Hugs,
Chris R. from Iowa
Happy thanksgiving, Ann! Have a wonderful day!
beautiful card Ann, and wonderful words of encouragement! We have much and at times forgot about our many blessings! You have blessed me today my friend! Happy Thanksgiving!
Ann,
You, your card, and your post are beautiful!
Happy Thanksgiving to the Schach Family (including, Brody, Muffy, and Mini-Muffin!).
Hugs, Lisa
HAPPY THANKSGIVING Ann! May God bless you & yours. Love today’s card. Very beautiful. Have a great day.
Ginger
Happy Thanksgiving Ann to you and your family. Your post warms my heart, at the moment I am separated from mine by lots miles… I love the pictures of the girls.
Well said, Ann. Thank you for all you do for us .
Happy Thanksgiving, Ann! Thanks for sharing your special Thanksgiving card.
Happy Thanksgiving.. Your cards simplicity brought a tear to my eyes,it brought back to mind the simple Thanksgivings
I shared with my parents and siblings that have all pasted away. This card is a keeper for next year. Thanks
Ann ~ Thank you for sharing from your heart! What a beautiful card and post. I, too, grew up on a farm and I can remember as a teen thinking, “I sure wish I lived in town.’ The kids in town got to go to the movies, and shopping, go to a friend’s house after school, go to all the sporting events at school. They didn’t have to ‘make the bus immediately after school for fear of having to walk 8 miles home’. It sure appeared to be ‘greener on the other side of the fence’. As an adult woman, I see I was raised in lush green pastures blooming with the love a farm family has…work together, play together, love together, and cherish each and every moment you have as a family. I didn’t miss out on one single blessing and I am so very grateful daily.
Happy Thanksgiving, Ann from one farm gal to another. I count you as one of my blessings.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, Ann. Love your card and your reflection. I agree that as we grow older we come to appreciate what is truly valuable. Have a blessed day with your family.
Thanks to you for the blessing of sharing your talent. How lucky I feel to have met you! Such a lovely reflection on what matters most! Happy Thanksgiving, Ann!
Oh, Ann! What a beautiful and inspirational post. Thanks for sharing your reflections with us. Love your card, too!
Ann,
Your card is beautiful along with your quote of what life is really all about. We all need to be more thankful of our blessings that are bestowed on us daily, especially our health and family. Thank you for sharing your talent and I hope you have a very blessed Thanksgiving.
Ann, I think your card represents what Thanksgiving is all about, the simplicity of the holiday. No gifts to buy, no decorating, no commercialism. Just a day for family and friends to sit down and share a meal as those first Americans did. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! I too, think it is important to continue to have dreams as we get older, there is so much out there to explore! I am particularly thankful for you, your warmth and friendship and the way you share your life with us. It is something I look forward to everyday! Thank you for making all of us feel special and I wish you and your family the happiest of Thanksgivings! Give those furbabies a big hug from me!
This beautiful card made me think instantly of one of my sisters – she would love it. The scoring is sensational! It’s funny, you grew up in my dream – a farm. I loved your post today and knowing how you’ve tamed your wild dreams into thankfulness but don’t give up all your dreams. I’m convinced that why folks get cranky as they get older – no more dreams to look forward to. Keep a few! Happy, happy Thanksgiving to all of you, two and four leggers.