I have been in a bit of a creative block lately mostly due to lack of time.  Doing blog posts each week and staying original is a lot of work.  But it is a challenge I decided to take on so I would stamp more this year. The blog was one of my “goals” I tend to make after getting inspired at Convention.

So when my friend Jayne texted me the photo of this beautiful card,  I immediately texted back and asked if I could feature her as a guest artist on my blog.  Isn’t it a beauty? Perfect for fall and a perfect use of the Farmer’s Market DSP.  It also uses the “For All Things” stamp set from the main catalog.  A fall favorite for me. So, hence the title of this blog, I give thanks for friends!

Jayne is famous for creating elegant cards with beautiful layering, well chosen embellishments and wonderful color combinations.  In short, her cards are just really pretty.  I love going to her Stamp Camps myself just to make some really beautiful cards.  See what she is doing on her blog at www.stampnpunch.com

Recipe

Cardstock: Mossy Meadow, Hello Honey, Farmers Market DSP
Inks: Mossy Meadow
Stamps: For All Things
Embellishments: Mossy Meadow Striped Ribbon
Tools: Lots of Labels Framelets, Tags & Labels Framelets

This was one of those stamps set I did not think I was going to want until I saw some cards on Pinterest made with it!  This one was inspired by a card done by Gayle Blair that you can see HERE on Pinterest.  I liked her whole arrangement.  And while her card is a lot more artsy than mine, I had found using the basic black and very vanilla rugged stripe paper from the Farmer’s Market DSP and coloring it in and adding the broom was fun!

What finally spoke to me about the stamp set is that sometimes we have to just get out there and fight for what we want.  And so, getting on your big girl or big boy witch hat and riding that broom to what it is you want is an admirable thing and something we should honor about each other. Thinking about it this way, the saying “If The Broom Fits, Ride It!” is one we should all try to live up to!

And that brings me to the mention of a dear friend of our fabulous Stampin’ group here in St Louis who lost her battle with cancer a few days ago.  If there ever was a fighter, this lady was it.  She never gave up, never stopped.  She got on that broom and rode it as long as she could.  She was fearless and kept on living.  I admire her for it.

And I often watched with gratitude as I saw our wonderful group of Stampin’ friends so “demonstrate” the Stampin’ Up Statement of the Heart with her.  They made sure she was a part of every Stampin’ adventure we had and while Loving what they did and Sharing what they love, they helped this dear lady enjoy a restful time of Creativity and worthwhile Accomplishments…in this these Stampin’ Up friends made a Difference in someone’s life.  Its things like this that make me so thankful for Stampin’ Up! and all the cherished friends like these I have because of it.