Perk Up!

Hello from beautiful and temperate Pontiac, Michigan! The weather has been insanely glorious since we arrived on Sunday. Lows in the high 50's/highs in the mid-70's, sunny and clear. Perfect! I've been taking advantage of it while Carter's in therapy by taking long walks and getting lots of steps logged with my FitBit. Afterwards, I head back to the room, take a shower and get ready, then walk back over to the EuroPeds clinic. I sit and read for a few minutes, then Carter and his physical therapist come out and tell me what they've been up to over the past few hours. We head back to our room, grab a little lunch, do some homework, and then head out for the day's adventure. Not a bad way to spend a couple of weeks!

We're both excited for tomorrow (which is today, by the time you read this) -- a few months ago I bought tickets for us to see MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE; can't believe the time has already arrived! (Why does that same time seem to be dragging with regards to the house we're remodeling?! More on that in a different post...)

Anyway, I created today's card before I left Oklahoma. It's for the current Your Next Stamp Challenge (#23); YNS Challenges always have a sketch or color component, and if you're feeling really ambitious, you can incorporate both. This time, I went with the color challenge, which is:

Very autumnal, no?

I broke out the new PERK UP stamp set, which I had yet to use.

I like a cup o' joe in the a.m., usually, but if I don't get one, it's not a big deal to me. I'm definitely not one of those coffee fanatics that lose their minds this time of year because Starbuck's Pumpking Spice Lattes are back on the menu. Still, I couldn't resist this cute, kawaii caffeinated stamp set. Have you ever seen such a happy little coffee bean grinder or french press? I think my favorite is the standard coffee maker. I watercolored backgrounds for each image panel -- on trend and SO easy! Win-win.

My card was inspired by this sweet card by my wonderful friend, Wanda. One of the things I like best about Wanda's card is how it features lots of images from a single set.

YNS products used include: Perk Up stamp set, Stitched Rectangles die set, Stitched Squares die set, Spellbound Gumdrops, and Silver Tinsel Gumdrops.

Go to the YNS Blog and see what the other participating designers made with YNS Sketch/Color challenge #23. There, you'll also find graphics for the sketch, as well as info about how you can play along and possibly win FORTUNE & FAME (up to $20 in YNS moola and/or be selected as the YNS Top Pick. Top Pick-ers get featured on the YNS Blog and a nifty badge to wear on their blog, proclaiming them as a winner of this major award).

Thanks for stopping by today, friends! Have a fabulous first weekend of Fall.

Smiley from Millan.Net