Heart 2 Heart Challenge, Sentimentally Yours

So this week at the Heart 2 Heart Challenge, we have to use a Close To My Heart sentiment stamp to create our project.  Be sure to check out the challenge blog here for all the beautiful artwork. 
Shortly after we started school, I met a woman who's husband works for the Royal Australian Air Force.  He is on the same project that my husband is on, but they don't work together.  Each of our middle children are in the same kindergarten class and she knows what it is like to live overseas.  She lived in Seattle for three years while her hubby was on this project. 
Anyway, this kind lady has taken me under her wing and showed me the ropes of living in Australia.  I'd be lost without her.  I decided to make her a card and here it is.

I used the Stay Left pattern out of Wishes and made my own background paper.  I took a piece of bamboo textured cardstock and sprayed it lightly with water.  Once damp, I crumbled it all up and then flattened it back out.  I let it dry and then stamped the KINDNESS stamp from the set State of Mind in Cocoa ink across it.  I then cut it to size.  I used Vineyard Berry and Cocoa cardstock for the rest and hand-stitched the edges of the Vineyard Berry.  I used a scrap of Vineyard Berry ribbon and stamped the Thanks in Vineyard Berry.  The Thanks is from the stamp set For Every Occasion.  It was also stamped on a bit of bamboo textured cardstock. 

I think that my friend will like the card and I'm happy with how it turned out. 
Thanks for looking!

Heart 2 Heart Challenge, week 17

I'm finely back to crafting after several weeks of moving.  Not being able to craft is like having an itch I can't scratch.  We've gotten all moved in and everything is unpacked.  We don't have internet at the house yet, but I am able to borrow internet on the weekend. 
This week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge is a color challenge.  It was pretty difficult for me as I don't use the colors very often in general so it was tricky to get them all together. 
This week we had to use Vineyard Berry, Blush and Creme Brulee.  Here is what I came up with:

I get to make quite a few more of these in order to send them out to close friends and family who will need our new address.  It turned out fairly well considering how much trouble I was having with these colors.  I used the flower from Extreme Happiness as well as the word Paradise. 

I am a big fan of having layers.  This card has lots of layers.  The pattern is from our Wishes book and is called File Pocket.  The little folder opens up to show our new address. 

I think that I will include a picture of the kids in front of our new house or something.  I haven't decided what to include in the card.  I could just include a picture of the incredible view from our new house.  We hope that we get to rent the house for the entire time we are here.  I don't think that I could complain at all if I get to wake up to this view for the next three years.