Late-but-still-Thankful Hearts

Every month on the 20th, the Dirty Dozen Alumni -- or as I prefer to call 'em, the Dirty Old Ladies -- have a challenge.  Well, today is the 21st, as you may have noticed.  I had my card started yesterday morning, and had plans to finish it and upload it in time, but then, as Marcia Brady would say, 'something suddenly came up...'

I'll tell you about that in a bit if you're really curious, but first let me first tell you about the DDA(DOL) Challenge and show you my belated submission.  The fabulous Sharon Harnist issued our challenge this month:

Challenge Focus: Create a thankful card or gift, Thanksgiving table placecard or treat holder, or Thanksgiving home decor item.

Required Element: At least one heart on your project.

Restricted Element: Nothing

Here's what I came up with:
And check out this gallery to see what all the other participating Dirty Girls have come up with.

And now, for a little yapping...

As you may have noticed, I have a bit of a thing about repeating motifs and wreaths.  I like to stamp the same image over and over, and then sometimes, I like to put it in a circle.  I'm sure there's some very deep and/or troubling psychological reason for this tendency, but... eh.  I'm not feeling introspective at the moment, so forgive me if I pass on pulling something out of my... er, coming up with a random theory. (If you happen to have one, however, I'd be quite interested in hearing it...)

Instead, why don't we talk about ye ol' card?  The stamps are some new ones I just got in the mail-io from Verve.  I love this Tall Oaks set.  The Verve-y pumpkins are so pretty, and it has some lovely acorns and that great 'Tall oaks from tiny acorns grow' quote which is one of my all time faves.  I just love acorns and acorn stuff -- reminds me of my boys.  Both were preemies (in other words, tiny acorns) and I cross-stitched a birth sampler for Truman with that saying on it.  If I were home, I'd take a picture of it and show you.  Remind me to do that some other time...

Back to the card.  Pumpkins were masked with Eclipse Masking Tape (love that stuff) and colored with Copics, then mounted with Jody's foam boosters on top of the sentiment layer.  The heart is a metal embellishment in the upper-right hand corner (it's from my stash, but I think it's by Making Memories).  The patterned paper is from the Doodlecharms pad for Cricut, and the scallops at the bottom were made with a slit punch.  Isn't that orange ribbon yummy?  You'll have to ask Jenn Balcer who makes it.  It was in the door prize she brought to last spring's SCS Arlington Shoebox Swap.

Okay.  Anyone still reading?  Here's what suddenly came up yesterday: my DH and our dear friend Joel came into town to see Carter & me and take us out to dinner.  But first, Joel INSISTED I spend the afternoon at the St. Louis Four Seasons Spa and have a Four Seasons signature organic massage and antioxidant vitamin C facial.  *sigh*  He's so bossy, but I wanted to be a gracious hostess... 

The massage therapist -- Jason -- told me what every single massage therapist ever has: that I really need to get regular massages because I'm very knotted up and that I carry a lot of stress in my body.  Hmmm... when you consider that I've had high blood pressure pretty much since I was pregnant with my first child at 27, I think he may be on to something...

Regardless, me and my stressed-out body have a thankful heart for the Dirty Dozen Alumni, my DH & Joel, and every one of you that takes the time to read my rambling chatter!

Supplies used:
Stamps: Tall Oaks by Verve Stamps
Paper: Prism Suede Brown Dark & Kraft, Wasau Orbit Orange, Doodlecharms pad for Cricut
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Copics, Eclipse Masking Tape, Jody's Foam Boosters, ribbon, slit punch, Making Memories metal heart

Comments

[Holly aka Toy]

Girl, you are a rockstar! This is soooo fab! Going to have to remember this and use it :)

Hugs!
Holly aka Toy

[Alicia Weiman]

Love your card and I like your background you created too. I did bring stuff to work on my Christmas cards out to Philly. You can only surf the internet so much!!! I think we are coming home tomorrow!!!

I meant to tell you about a couple places to try out while you are in St. Louis. One is Little Saigon ( http://www.littlesaigoncafe.net/ ) and the other is Cunetto's (http://www.cunetto.com/ ) We ate at Cunetto's the night my DH and I got engaged. Needless to say he didn't propose there, but instead proposed at this hole in the wall bar in Rolla, MO where we both went to college. That is where we met, so I guess it was appropriate! I'm babbling now....I've been stuck in the hospital way too long. I think I need a massage when I get home too!!!

[Chris Mott]

Love this Carole! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Chris

[Jody Morrow]

Super cute card! Love it!

Lucky you with your massage! :) You TOTALLY deserve it though and I wish you could have one daily!

HUGS and miss ya! :)

[Michelle (mybelle101)]

I want a dear friend who insists I go have massages and facials!! Where can I find one? hmmmm....

Anyway, a theory on your repetitive stamping and wreath forming...I don't have a good one. The International Journal of Psychoanalysis states that "the repetition can be seen as the twofold expression both of the wish for a new benign relationship and of the dread of traumatic, repeated disappointment". Of course, if you try to put 'circles' and 'psychology' into Google, you end up with a bunch of elite societies for doctors asking for money. So maybe that's what you're dreading ;)

[Jessie/knightrone]

ooooo, I don't blame you...if someone twists my arm to get a spa day, I totally give in too, LOL!!! Love this card..hope all is well with you and Carter!!

[Michelle (mybelle101)]

Oi, I completely forgot to comment on how FABULOUS your card was, I was so caught up in the bogus psychology theories. *sigh*

I absolutely love this card, Carole!! The wreath idea is adorable...I'm going to have to try it myself! ;) I do have a question though...what is Eclipse tape, and what kind of masking did you do? (Sorry, I'm confused!) TIA!

[Jodi]

Girl...you ROCK...
This is FLIPPIN FABULOUS!!!

[Janine]

Carole this card is amazing!! Just beautiful!!!

[Libby]

Love the pumpkin wreath, so cute and clever! Glad you enjoyed your massage!

[SmilynStef]

That pumpkin wreath is fabulous ... glad you enjoyed some time at the spa.

[Tosh]

Love your pumpkin wreath Carole!! It's absolutely darling!! So glad you got some relaxing time at the spa!! What a treat!!

[Joan B]

this is adorable. haven't had time to look at blogs lately so had to catch up over here. love your polls!! Your cards are so bright and crisp. LOVE the looks!