Hopeful Leaf

Tonight I sat down to work on a card for the Hope You Can Cling To challenges at Splitcoast Stampers.  I love that they are posting a new challenge each day this month and then having us send the cards we make to the MD Anderson Cancer Center.  That's here in Houston, so of course I want to do as many of the challenges as I can!  Jason's mom received some care there before she passed away so we are very familiar with them and the good work that they do.  

Do you remember this sketch?  I used it for my FMS one year celebration card a few weeks ago.  I remember when I first saw it originally on the blog.  My first thought was 'man, I'm glad I'm on a break so that I don't have to do THAT one'.   :)   Now it's kind of my favorite sketch...  Funny how things change, right?   

Here's my card for the first challenge that was presented by Lydia.  We were asked to make a card that reflects us and our stamping style.  I have no clue how I'd define my style, so I tried to think of a few elements that I enjoy putting on my cards.  I love mixing embossing folders to give a card several different texture elements.   I also love using nontraditional colors for my stamps.   Finally, I like a nice clean card.  I do some sponging and distressing sometimes, but I prefer them to be clean.   Here's what I ended up with once I put it all together.  :)   I even used my favorite DSP, Spice Cake.  

Stamps:  Gently Falling, Falling Leaves (retired)

Ink: Pool Party, Island Indigo, Soft Suede

Paper:  Soft Suede, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Spice Cake DSP (retired and hoarded)

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Woodgrain  and Stripes embossing folders, Neutrals buttons, Pool Party Baker's Twine

I went shopping yesterday and came home to find Laila in this cute outfit.   It was one of the first ones I bought for her and I love it.  Her daddy did a great job getting her all cute and ready to watch football.  :)