Challenges ...

Good Sunday morning to you!  The sun is shining and it's going to be a very warm day for us here in Michigan.  Yesterday we visited one of our favorite nurseries.  My son selected Maltese Cross plants and they are the brightest orange flowers you have ever seen.  He loves them.  Since we were shopping for his garden, he gets to choose the plants.  I can tell you his space looks like a patchwork quilt ... and he couldn't be prouder.  It makes me smile.

I'll be busy creating cards over the next week to celebrate teachers.  They do so much for our children and our world.  Thankfully, there are only two male teachers for my children and I say that with the best of intentions ... I struggle with cards for men.  I tend to lean toward soft colors, flowers, and butterflies.  So one place I turn when in need of inspiration is Pile It On.  There you can find blog challenges listed by the day of the week.  By visiting the sites of many talented ladies, I was able to find a sketch, a theme, and a color combination.  Here is the card for my daughter's Algebra teacher.  Let me tell you what I did ...

Inspired by the gorgeous photograph on The Play Date Cafe , my colors are Lovely Lilac, Soft Suede, Certainly Celery, and Almost Amethyst.  It wouldn't be appropriate if I didn't have some numbers for this card and I found a scrap of some very old paper with a number pattern.  Since it's Algebra, "x and y" variables had to take center stage.  You can see more "numerical projects" on The Sisterhood of Scrap.  Isn't that the cutest name?  Tea Party and Patterns Designer Series Paper (in Certainly Celery and Almost Amethyst) brought in the greens and purples I needed.  My layout was provided by the ladies at Friday Sketchers.  Simple and not too fussy ... perfect for a man's gift.

Other thoughts and ideas came from Dutch Dare who challenged us all to use 2 papers, 3 colors, and 4 buttons.  Delightful Sketches and Easy Craft Project suggested texture and buttons.  The soft satin ribbon and the glittery letters (Violet Fine Cosmo Glitter on Lots of Letters chipboard) added texture and ... well, the buttons are self evident.

I hope that I've given you something to enjoy today.  I encourage you to take the time to visit the blog links I've provided above.  There are wonderful works of art to see and I'm sure they will inspire you too.  You can find many of my supplies on my website ... that link is on the sidebar.  Thanks so much for visiting.

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