Today is blog hop Tuesday with the amazing Tech 4 Stampers Academy group. I am very blessed to be part of this talented and creative group. I joined a website school to learn how to build my website but found so much more than lessons and homework. I found a sisterhood of amazing and talented friends.

Our theme for July is Summer Fun. I love summer – the heat, the pool, outside cooking, summer vegetables, and relaxed time with family and friends. A month ago my daughter and son-in-law welcomed a new baby boy to their family. While they were getting adjusted to the new baby I had an opportunity to spend lots of time with my granddaughter, Hazel. One memorable afternoon in the pool inspired today’s card. There’s nothing like the imagination of a child.

Hazel’s Imagination

I have no idea where this sling shot originated or why we still have it. But Hazel loves playing with it, as anything but a sling shot. In the pool it becomes water goggles. I don’t think that’s what she calls it, but that’s how she wears it. Isn’t she the cutest thing ever? My title sounds a little insulting, but I only meant that Hazel was the inspiration for today’s Hippo card. I should just stop. There’s no recovery.

I pulled colors from her swimsuit to use on my card. I couldn’t have planned more perfectly. Fresh Freesia, Parakeet Party, Calypso Coral, even a little Tahitian Tide! Stampin’ Up! is always on point with the trendy colors. I’m so grateful that they are, because I am clueless!

I almost personalized the card with Hazel’s name using the Alphabest bundle but decided to recreate this in a scrapbook page or even in the memory book I’m ready to start working on with her. We are going to use the Love This Memory Notebook Kit and create a mini scrapbook of our summer adventures. This will be a great way to keep the memory of our time together when Nolan was brand new.

I used a couple of Sale-A-Bration stampsets in my card. The hippo image is from the Hippest Hippo (a FREE selection with a $50 purchase) and Amazing Phrasing (a FREE selection with a $100 purchase). I masked the OOPS! stamp to add the exclamation point to HEY. The designer series paper is from Butterfly Kisses in the 2022 Annual Catalog. It is bright and colorful and coordinated amazingly well with Hazel’s swimsuit.

I do have a couple of tips. First, I wish I had used the Adhesive Sheets for the goggles. They are perfect for adhering small or detailed pieces. Unfortunately, I sometimes don’t think to use them until after I’ve die cut. Don’t be Michele. Remember them first. Second, to place the water droplets as they appear in the die, use the negative as a place holder. I think the photos will explain best.

Don’t Forget Stella, Wink of Stella. I added Wink of Stella to the goggles, snorkel, and droplets. In person they add plenty of sparkle.

Should I have added any bling? I couldn’t decide. I’m still learning the ins and outs of getting the right amount of elements on my cards. Please let me know what you think of this adorable little hippo. I am in love with it and all the Sale-A-Bration selections that are available in July and August, while supplies last.

I know you will enjoy all the projects in the hop. Have fun hopping along. I’d love you to leave a comment and share a time that you leaned on your friends.

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More News and Events

Visit my classes page or my calendar page for more information and to register for upcoming classes. You need to subscribe for the monthly card club by July 20 in order to receive the July class featuring the He’s the Man Suite. Register by the 20th for the July class without subscribing. The Christmas Card Class Series kicks off this month with designs from All Bundled Up and Leaves of Holly stampsets. Both of these stampsets are found in the 2022 July-December Mini Catalog

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I would love to hear from you and know what you are creating today. Please drop a comment or email and let me know. hello@michelesalchow.com. If you would like to receive an email with every blog post please complete the form at the bottom of the post.

Stamped Blessings,

Michele

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