Thankful for Good Friends on the Path of Positivity

When my son got married, her parents and my husband and I started a friendship that, just like marriage, became stronger as time went by. We even took a cruise together before hubby became too sick to travel. He's gone now, but I'm so thankful that we have and continue to get along so well together.
I'm also thankful for being able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this month. I created this card for them using a digi image from Scribbles Designs, one of the guest sponsors for the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog. The image is called Champagne Glasses, and it's a FREEBIE! I used Copics to color the image and pulled out all the gold papers and embellishments I could find from my stash to create the rest of the card..

 I decorated both faces on the inside of the card as well as the front. I found the perfect quote (top) and an awesome poem to congratulate them. The font I used is called Violetta.

I am sure they will like the card, as Toni (the other MIL) is a frequent customer when it comes to cards. In fact, she was over the moon last Christmas when she opened her gift from me - a dozen handmade cards. 

You have until the end of the month to create and link your project to the Path of Positivity challenge blog for your chance to win the following prizes:

Challenges I am Entering:

It's a Guy Thing at Scribbles Designs

Today's DT project is inspired by the theme at Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog. Crafters are asked to create something "FOR THE BOYS." I've had this piece of metal forever, it seems, and was inspired to create a sign for the backyard grill. We have a natural gas grill, so we've been known to grill throughout the winter (except when it's buried under a foot of snow). LOL

My sign is a little bit bigger than a US car license plate. I colored a cute digi image from the Scribbles Store called #920 BBQ Apron. The words are made from black glitter letters and I used Washi tape to make a border on each side. I dug deep to find some BBQ-themed buttons, using tiny gears from Tim Holtz. The rope came from my garage and adhered with a glue gun.

Whatever you are inspired to create, don't forget to link it up with Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog for your chance to win digis from the Scribbles Store.

Thankful on the Path of Positivity

When we are children, most of us take our moms for granted. She takes care of us, cleans the house, goes shopping, cooks for us - of course she does, she's MOM. As teenagers, we often pull away from our mothers; how can she possibly know the heartbreak when your boyfriend breaks up with you? Why does she have to embarrass you in front of your friends? Why can't you have the car tonight? As  young adults, we can be so busy with relationships, friends, work, and children that mom is put on the back burner, except as a babysitter. And as mom ages, we suddenly become the caregiver, the chauffeur, the banker, the emergency contact, while still juggling job, family, home and our own health.
Don't get me wrong, I love my mom and have been lucky enough to have a close relationship with her. But as the years fly past, I am constantly reminded of how much I have to thank my mom for:

  The money she saved from using coupons, keeping those small savings

until there was enough money for a movie or a trip to Kiddie Land,

   The years she chose a family vacation over having her 

1930's kitchen upgraded,

The money she would "loan" me to make ends meet 

(and I never paid back),

Her patience while teaching me to cook, to clean, to plan a party,

to take care of my first baby, to sew, to crochet, to drive,

(and a million other things)

Since my dad's death 25 years ago, I started to make sure that the people I know and love, KNOW how much they mean to me, especially my mom. As the roles are slowly reversing for us, I remind her of the things she did that I am so thankful for. I also remind myself of the patience, perseverance and positivity she had for me, and taught to me. She is my role model I strive to mimic.

Just saying the words I love  you and thank you go a long way to comforting and reminding someone how blessed you are that they are a part of your life. Frequent contact and little trips to treat her to breakfast; sending or giving homemade cards for no reason at all, except to let her know she is in your thoughts.
Spending time and talking with her is the most important way to show you love her. I like to drop off her favorite treat, a York Peppermint Patty, sometimes in between errands when my time is short. What do you do to tell your mom (or someone you love that she is appreciated?

This month, the Path of Positivity challenge blog focuses on Thankfulness. While it is an OPTIONAL twist, I always look for ways to share gratitude whenever I can. So my card is for my mom, 86 years old and still close to my heart. She is at the top of my daily list in my gratitude journal.

I used a digi image from A Day for Daisies called Mother's Day to create my card. I love the whimsical and gorgeous digis that A Day for Daisies offers. After coloring her with my Copics, I popped her onto a piece of digital paper I had printed up in my stash. I love that watercolor look, don't you?

Both my image and my sentiment are adhered with dimensional tape. I printed my sentiment using LD Handwriting font. And my embellishments are simple lines of adhesive jewels. I know she'll love it, after I write her a personal note inside. I'll give it to her the next time we're out together. Why wait until a holiday to tell someone thank you for being you?!

  

Kill Them with Kindness at Ike's World Challenge Blog

Today I have two projects to inspire you to always stretch your comfort zone. I've used the lovely digi, Spanish Dancer, from Ike's Art. It's one of my favorite images; maybe because my cousin dances and teaches Flamenco. I admire her for that.
Anyway, I was trolling YouTube videos and came across an artist who used all manner of items, food and supplies in his project, so I thought I'd have a go at it. First, I colored the top half of my image with Copics. Then I emptied my supply of flowers and chose these white ones with the colored jewel centers.
I then played with each flower like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle, slowly putting them together to form my dancer's flowing skirt. I love how it came out. So I tried another medium.

This time I used red lace. This was more difficult as I had to fold it over and back for the different layers of the image's dress. It was also harder to get the lace to sit right at my dancer's waist. I love the dimension of this one more, but I'll need to iron the lace next time so it lies on the canvas more accurately.

So which one do you like better? I'm definitely revisiting this type of mixed media canvas. The challenge at Ike's World Challenge Blog this month runs to the end of November, so you should have plenty of time to experiment and try new techniques or materials. Just remember, treat yourself with kindness as you stretch out of your comfort zone. Whether you succeed with your attempts, or it ends up in the trash, you are trying to grow in your art and that makes you a winner!

Don't forget you could also be a winner of free digis from Ike's Art Store, so make sure you link your project to the main blog!