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.

Friendship is the theme for May and that speaks right to my heart. In the last week our friends and family have stepped in, lifted us up, and provided support and love that has left us feeling a bit overwhelmed. It can be uncomfortable to accept help from others. As a child I remember how much I looked forward to receiving presents. At some point I learned to be equally excited about the gift I was giving. As an adult there was another shift; it’s easier to feel the blessing of giving. It’s not been easy to graciously accept the gifts offered. Greg and I have been so touched by the gifts we’ve received that I want to send equally special thank you notes.

Forgive Me If I Repeat Myself

It started with a gorgeous day on Sunday, May 1. It was too nice a day to be indoors so Greg went out for a motorcycle ride. About 30 minutes into his ride he encountered some loose gravel that caused him to go down. His accident could have been much, much worse. We are very blessed that outside of a badly broken ankle, he’s okay. He always wears full protective gear, and it has proven its value.

He had surgery Monday and came home Tuesday. We’ve received cards, gifts to relieve boredom, loans of equipment, food, visits, volunteers to help drive, and offers of lawn care and more. What does all this say to a card maker? I need to get busy and send some thank you notes!

Today I’ve pulled out more new products from the brand new 2022-2023 Annual Catalog and created thank you notes. I debated on whether they should be masculine, coming from Greg, or even neutral. Ultimately I decided I could make an assortment of cards from the bundles I haven’t yet used.

So far I’ve used the Nature’s Prints bundle to create my samples for the May Card Club. There’s a not so secret sneak peek below. And I used the He’s the Man Suite last week to make a card for Greg. I’ll share that card another day.

I’m a little proud that while looking online and in the catalog for card ideas, this idea formed. I wanted a card I could make multiples of quickly. I am drawn to the bright colors and really like the twist of placing the greeting vertically. It’s meets all my needs. With the stamparatus I can quickly stamp the card base and die cut images. And then I can assemble the cards while watching a movie with Greg.

The YouTube Live

Full disclosure. I warned you that the finished card probably wouldn’t look exactly like the version last shown in the video. I made a few modifications to placement and added the embossed greeting. As long as I was adding embellishments I added a little Wink of Stella to the petals of each flower.

I hope the tip I shared for your photopolymer stamps will be useful. I find it very beneficial for stampsets with several greetings like Sending Smiles. Let me know what you think, and please share any tips you have.

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.

What’s up next?

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 May 15 in order to receive the May class. Register by the 15th for the May class without subscribing. The May event features the Nature’s Prints bundle from the new Annual Catalog. I shared a sneak peek of the card designs in the video.

If you subscribe to my YouTube channel and allow notifications you won’t miss my Wednesday YouTube lives at 9 am cst.

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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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