Sunset Thanks

I have a lot of things to be thankful in life for. I have a home that we have paid off (yippee!). Several great kids (some that weren't born to me but are mine none the less. You all know who you are!). A man that I love to bits and who loves me back. And some amazing in-laws. I mean, I hit the jackpot with my mother-in-law and stepfather-in-law. They have always been supportive of our relationship and how we have raised our kids, they have an open-door policy for us to come and visit (even if I am alone and am coming in to town to do stuff for MY parents). AND they always remember my birthday and send me a card and money. Growing up, I was lucky if my parents remembered my birthday, let alone getting a card. I think I had one birthday party growing up, and my girlfriends decided to throw me a surprise party. Now in my hubby's family, there was always a cake and presents and cards. And a visit from Grandma Cece. And streamers hanging in the stairway door where my hubby and his brothers came down from their rooms. If we are in town anywhere close to a birthday, my mother-in-law still does all of this. Birthdays are a big deal in that family. I have tried to carry that on with our family.
All that was the lead-in for the fact that I needed a Thank You card to send to Irene, my wonderful mother-in-law. Who, by the way, told the kids to call her Grandma Weener. (One of her siblings couldn't say Irene and so she has forever been Weener in her family). You know this woman has to have a great sense of humor, haha!

This color challenge from Pals Paper Arts got me started. First I dug through my stash looking for a nice calico print. Nothing in these colors. Then I looked for a calico building stamp set. Nothing tickled my fancy. Then I thought, watercoloring!!

Then I found this sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping. I think I stuck pretty close to the sketch even!

I love how this turned out. And lookie! I remembered my sequins! It's a good thing when I start using a new embellishment in my stash as soon as I get it. Then I remember to use it more often :) And sequins are not bulky, they are cheap, and they are so darn cute. All of the stamps on this card are from one set. I don't often manage to do that. The big thank you is embossed in Early Espresso embossing powder for extra power.

• Stamps: Another Thank You photopolymer
• Ink: Summer Starfruit, Crisp Cantaloupe, Early Espresso, Versamark
• Paper: White, watercolor, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
• Other: Aquapainter, Signo white gel pen, Crisp Cantaloupe Stretch Ruffle Trim, gold sequins, Stampin' Dimensionals, Embossing Buddy, Early Espresso embossing powder, Heat Tool

 These are some of the wonderful women who welcomed me into their family so many years ago, and who continue to bless me with their wisdom, love, and beauty. From left to right- Marlene (aunt-in-law and my hubby's godmother), Grandma Cece (grandma-in-law), and Irene-aka Weener or Mom. Thank you my beautiful ladies!