Monkey, monkey, what do you see?

I see the school year creeping up on me.

Yup, been reading a lot of Brown Bear, Brown Bear lately. That Eric Carle! My three year old loves it.

Anyway, this card is for a teacher friend who is absolutely dreading the start of school. It happens each year. It doesn't mean we are bad teachers. We just LOVE our summers because we work ourselves to death for nine months of the year. My mantra to her is, "The year will start, whether we are ready or not. The first day will come and go. All will be well."

I have tried to... well... seize every day of summer. I have enjoyed each day for its merits. If it was busy, I thanked God that I had the ability to do all that was needed in the day. If it was gorgeous and sunny, I relaxed by the pool and marveled at creation. If I had a meeting, I soaked up the knowledge I needed. Job interview? I gathered up my nerves and my courage, and went in willing to let them see me and what "me" truly looks and sounds like.

I really think the summer has flown, but I have spent it well. Lots of time with friends. Quite a bit of crafting. I cannot complain. So hopefully, my card brings my friend some joy.

This card was inspired by this week's Featured Stamper, Michelle (shellapoo). She cranks out quite a bit of cards. Here's what her friend and nominator, Anne Ryan, said about her:

Hey everyone, I’m excited to tell you Shellapoo is today’s featured stamper! Michele, for those of you that might not know, is a major dog lover – check out her avatar! But, when she’s not dressing Buddy in all kinds of uniforms, she can generally be found in her stamp castle! Yes, I said castle! But she’s not there just making cards for SCS; she’s there making cards for hospitalized children. You see, Michelle, has a heart as big as the state she lives in! A woman of courage, faith and determination, Michelle can always be found making cards for children! Before going straight to Shellapoo’s gallery, there’s something else I would like you to know about Michelle: Michelle has advanced MS, a very debilitating degenerative disease. Despite her limited energy, coordination and horrific 24/7 headaches, she never looses sight of her goal to bring a little sunshine to hospitalized children!So, let’s get busy checking out Michelle’s gallery as today’s Featured Stamper! Let’s give her a little piece of that sunshine she’s always giving to others!Thank You, Anne Ryan

Wow, huh? Here's the challenge given by Beth, the moderator of the Featured Stampers:

Dear Splitcoast FS players: I am challenging all FS players this week to send a card to Michelle! It can be a blank card for her stash for the hospitalized children, or it can just be a RAK for Michelle! Have a wonderful week everyone! PM User Anne Ryan for the address! I know SCS is an awesome community which will rally this challenge! {Beth}

I do have Michelle's address, if any of my readers would be interested in sending her a RAK. Rather than posting it here for the world to see, I thought I would wait to see who might want it. Let me know!


Size: 4.5 x 5.5 inches (including the scalloped circle)
Paper: SU! Perfect Plum and Wintergreen, Papertrey white, Paper Reflections - forest
Stamps: School for Changito (Archiver's exclusive acrylics by Stampendous!)
Cutting tools: Cricut (George and Alphalicious for the circle and scallop), Coluzzle
Ribbon: Offray green grosgrain
Eyelet: Scrap Arts silver jumbo eyelets
Ink: Tim Holtz Black Soot distress ink; Copics (E29, E31), SU! Lovely Lilac and Positively Pink markers, Zig Millennium pure black marker