AEI{heart}U with Avery Elle: Oh Happy Day

The challenge at Avery Elle has a long sentiment panel and since I just got their Oh Happy Day set, I knew that I had to play along!


I really like the script on the sentiment - it's light and airy with just enough frills to be fun but not cutesy. There are eight long sentiments in the set along with those little flowers, birds and even an arrow.  

It's finals week for me this week.  I'm not going to say that I won't be making many cards because I think I may need to come up for air every so often and play with colors and patterns and sequins! I have a 10 page paper to write in a Business Ethics class on an idea for corporate ethics reform.  If anybody has any ideas - let me know.  I am really struggling with the fact that many of these white collar criminals don't need the money they are stealing - I think they simply have gigantic egos and believe they are better than the rest of us.  So I'm just not sure how to reform the system because there really aren't any new rules or any type of  punishment that is going to stop a big ego.  These criminals simply do not think they are going to be caught.  (I've also been struggling with the idea of the class the whole term.  Business ethics classes are now required but I figure you either have ethics or you don't - a class isn't going to change that!)  My second paper is in Intermediate Accounting - comparing the financial statements for Pepsi and Coke in 2007.  Which would you have guessed is the biggest?  I would definitely have said Coke - but Pepsi had 10 billion more in sales.  (That includes all of their subsidiaries too).  Are you bored yet?  Me too!!!!
The fun stuff...

• Stamps: Avery Elle Oh Happy Day
• Paper: Papertrey Ink Smokey Shadow, Echo Park Splash 6x6 pad
• Ink: Papertrey Ink Simply Chartreuse, Stampin' Up Strawberry Slush, Blushing Bride, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie
• Accessories: Divine Twine Black Licorice

Avery Elle Monthly Challenge

The challenge this month at Avery Elle is a wonderful misty ocean photo.  It reminds me so much of some of our favorite vacations on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  One of the best was for my husband's "big" birthday - we had a gorgeous house right on the beach and had all of his family together.  My sons brought friends so they were 100% occupied and I just got to recline on the beach and relax.  It's the same kind of beach as is in the inspiration photo - it's not bright, colorful and sunny.  It's misty and wonderfully relaxing!  I thought I would prepare ahead for our next anniversary and make a "love you" card that is reminiscent of that beach!

• Stamps: Avery Elle Ikat, Lots of Love
• Paper: Stampin' Up Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand
• Ink: Stampin' Up Marina Mist, Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand
• Accessories: Timeless Twine Krazy for Kraft, SU star brad

Ikat with Avery Elle

I have to admit that have not been 100% sold on the look of ikat that is popping up on so many cards right now, but there is a set at Avery Elle that is quite nice.  One of the three long stamps is clearly ikat - the other two you could build up into a pattern or just use as a jagged chevron or dots.  I got the set because of the various uses and I knew it would come in handy for a fun card - and it has!!!

This card is playing along with the Avery Elle AEIOU challenge.

• Stamps: Avery Elle Ikat and Hello
• Paper: Papertrey Kraft and Raspberry Fizz
• Ink: Papertrey Kraft, Raspberry Fizz and Summer Sunrise
• Accessories: Trendy Twine Krazy for Kraft, Papertrey Summer Sunrise button

Amazing, Fantastic, Extraordinary, Wonderful

I spent this morning preparing ahead (fingers crossed, knock on wood).  My 16-year old son has had a tough few years.  Of course, you couldn't pay me enough to go back to my teen years so I can totally relate.  Just this year, he enrolled at Lutheran High School for the significantly smaller classroom size and the Christian environment.  It's been a perfect fit!!  He went into mid-terms with straight A's (and a great attitude!)  But one of the things that developed over the last few years is a severe test anxiety - so it's always possible that his nerves got the better of him on his mid-terms.  The results come out at the end of this week and I want to have a card ready to go - so I can immediately hand it to him and he will know that I have faith!

I have had this set out on my desk for awhile because I wanted to play along with Avery Elle's AEI♥U Challenge to create a project summing up my personal style.  I love clean cards - either white or I also love kraft.  I love including something that is unique or different - in this case, the button, and the fun sketch from retrosketches.  (I'm also a big challenge player!)  I don't tend towards patterned papers and if I use it, it's usually just a dash.  I love stamps that can stand alone - in this case, the variety and arrangement of fun fonts makes the sentiment interesting all by itself.

• Stamps: Avery Elle Framed Fonts and Bright Days (the sun rays)
• Paper: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake and Island Indigo, MME Indie Chic Nutmeg "Hanging Out"
• Ink: Stampin' Up Summer Sun and Island Indigo
• Accessories: A Flair for Buttons Etsy Shop, Paper Crimper, Corner Rounder, Stampin' Up Island Indigo twine