Embrace Life

It is so lovely to be typing away while I can hear rain falling outside. Summer rain is wonderful, it smells fresh and clean and breaks the scorching heat of the day. When I get deep and meaningful about it - makes me appreciate life and everything that I have, I am and who I am with :) Told you it was deep!

And coincidentally - this loving life theme matches the Embrace Life stamp set from Stampin' Up! which is in their current Summer Mini Catalogue. It's a wonderful stamp set, especially if you love flowers (I do) and has the hibiscus! One of my all-time favourite summer flowers (must have something to do with my love for all things tropical like Fiji)!

Today I made this card for a good friend's birthday. The colours in the photo aren't true to life unfortunately (sorry - we are having lighting vs. electrical issues at the moment and are in good need of an electrician). And I couldn't go outside to take the pic - it's night and it's raining! So just put those thinking caps on and imagine the colour palettes! To help - the card is made from Groovy Guava, the Embrace Life box is from Apricot Appeal and I have used River Rock behind the blossom!

Stamps: Embrace Life

Inks: Stampin' Up! Classic Chocolate Chip & Rose Red, and Black StazOn™

Papers: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, River Rock, Groovy Guava, Apricot Appeal & Designer Series Paper - Ginger Blossom

Other: Eyelets, Scallop Edge punch, Crystal Effects™ & Souffle pens (pastel pink & green)

Note: I have used Rose Red ink with a blender pen to colour in the hibiscus flower. Give it a good coating of Crystal Effects™ to add gloss and dimension to the hibiscus. I have inked the 'Embrace Life' box with Chocolate Chip and adhered it and the hibiscus to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals to 'lift' it up from the card. Use a crop-a-dile for easy setting of the eyelets!

It was my second day back at work today and I am already looking forward to our long Australia Day weekend. It helps to know that I have a long weekend coming up. I so wanted to be home with my boys during the school holidays, but it wasn't to be (my leave ran out). All my crafting has to wait until the weekend or late nights again (so excuse any crooked lines).

I hope you enjoy this week's focus with Embrace Life. Don't worry - I will get away from using the Ginger Blossom DSP! Pity - they are SOOOOO lovely!