The Jazzercise Card

Why would I make a Jazzercise card? Because I can. That's what makes this hobby so much fun. If you have a reason to celebrate, you can design a card for it. The Roswell Jazzercise Center, where I exercise, is in the midst of their 35 Day Challenge – take 30 classes in 35 days. This challenge is perfect for February when the dreary weather can sap your mojo, and it's been even more fun with the instructors participating, too. I made this card to encourage everyone at the center who is aiming to meet the goal and win the cool t-shirt. (I know.. the things we will do for a free shirt.)

Sophia Loren's full quote is "Exercise makes you more graceful. When you exercise you walk as if you own the street –– with pride and fluidity." Some versions of the Proverb say "she laughs at the time to come". Put that all together and you're looking at serious mojo. 

Whether it is Jazzercise, yoga, boot camp, your favorite class at the gym, a long walk, swimming laps, or running miles, exercise is good for you. Heart and soul. 

Card Details: Folded yellow gold cardstock 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"; printed paper layered on grey cardstock; stamp dancer (Judikins) and "mad woman" (River City Rubber Works) on grey cardstock and printed paper; fussy cut dresses; print words from computer.  Paper credits: Stamping' Up and Recollections. 

Background stamp credits: girlfriends and "a fun time" sentiment (RCRW); "fresh" and dots (SU); "Friend" (Hero Arts); girl outline (The Creative Mode). 

The Synesthesia Card

Synesthesia affects only two percent of the population. It is defined as an extra connection among parts of the brain related to individual senses. People with synesthesia associate colors with numbers, letters, sounds, or emotions. This goes beyond the cliches of being "green with envy" or "feeling blue", nor it is not an occasional connection. I asked my middle school daughter if she knew this word, and she said yes, because she read a short story in her Language Arts class titled "Pain is Orange".  I'm impressed. 

I do not fall into this remarkable two percent group, but I have a friend who does. Her connection is between colors and numbers. Her favorite color is blue and her birthday is on the 14th of February.  So guess what color she associates with her birthday?

Happy Birthday, Gail, from one of the other 98%. 

Card Details: Finished card 5 1/2" square; white cardstock covered with party hat paper; white square is stamped with stonewash ink (Adirondack) using Batik Pattern (Impression Obsession) background stamp; over stamp 14 Blueprint (Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous) with grey ink (Stampin' Up); die cut with Pierced Squares (Spellbinders); layer with grey cardstock and blue mulberry paper, cut out 14 from mulberry paper; stamp HBD (Hampton Arts) in grey ink on pink paper; later with grey, adhere with mounting tape. 

A Reel Card

Happy 50th Birthday to my dear sweet husband. I can't wait to see his expression when he opens this card.  It's always fun (because it's so rare) to have a stamp just for his cards. This reel looks like those among his fishing gear; plus I used green ink - his favorite color. It's a winner all around.  

Robert loves to fish with his Dad and brother, and since the reel is a better image than a lot of the "masculine" stamps I own, I will use it for them, as well as, for future OWH cards. Yes, the challenge is to use the same image with a variety of techniques. I will do just that, and post them here – next year on his birthday if not before. 

In fact, if he didn't love to fish, we might not have married. Robert said he moved to Virginia Beach (where we met) in order to fish more. Hmm... I think I have an idea for an anniversary card...

Card Details: Folded card 4 1/4" x 5 3/4" vanilla cardstock; reel (Deep Red Clingstamps); HB (Stamping' Up); olive green chalk ink (Colorbox); olive and gray cardstock (SU); printed origami paper (Sterling Innovation); Washi tape (Wamon).

My First OWH Cards

Operation Write Home is an organization that supports US armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to deployed units for them to write home on. Here is the link to their website: http://operationwritehome.org

Since 2007 OWH has sent over three million cards. Does that number blow you mind like it does mine? Three million cards were made by hand. That's a whole lot of stamping and crafting! I found out about OWH in October and feel a little like I'm arriving late to a party, but since our armed forces are serving all over the world and will be for some time, I know it's not too late to get involved.  I grew up in a military family, and I am very excited about using my hobby to thank our heroes for serving our country. 

My first batch of cards is going in the mail to OWH by the end of the week. I have had a good time creating the designs; minding the details; and praying over the senders and recipients. 

Stamp Credits: 
W Card - Stampin' Up; Hampton Art Stamps
Car, Reel, Thank You - Deep Red Clingstamps; Stamping' Up
Ice Cream - Stampin' Up; Craft Smart
Banners - Recollections; Craft Smart