Simon Says Monday Challenge - "Homegrown Summer"

I have a friend who is a "Homegrown" friend.  Like a flower garden, friendships need tending, too. She has had a few really tough years with an aging (aren't we all) parent who has a devastating illness and another parent whose health isn't too great either.  We're about the same age and share many similarities such as being a Mom and a Mimi.  I met her in real life several years ago through a scrapbooking retreat. We had long admired each other's scrapbooking style via a message board before then so it wasn't unnatural for us to meet in that way.

My husband and I relocated 5 years ago but even before then my friend and I hadn't lived too near each other as she was in West Texas and I was in North Dallas, Texas.  But we communicated often via e-mail mostly.  Because we have moved several times with my husband's job, I know how really important it is to stay in touch, keep contact and keep those friendship fires burning.  I don't even know anymore how many cards I've sent to her.  But I do know that sometimes, the five minutes at the mailbox is the only tiny little break of enjoyment she gets in the course of a day.  When I started, my cards were okay, but they really weren't anything special.  Now I delight in surprising her with new techniques and fresh designs.  She hasn't had time, space or her belongings to do any papercrafting in a few years although I think she would consider it therapeutic.

Yesterday, I posted a new technique that I had tried the previous evening.  I played with the same technique this morning because I had a couple of cards to make and I wanted to try this out in a bit more of a practical application.

To make this card, I used Stampin' Up's new Heavy Whisper White Cardstock. The ink and the background panel are both Stampin' Up in Tempting Turquoise. I frequently treat my cardstock in order to give it a shimmer or twinkle.

Once I had completed the stenciling on the base white panel, I took my Versa Mark and inked up a 2  x 4 inch scrap piece of the turquoise, applied the Iridescent Sparkle Embossing Powder from Judikins and heat set it.  Once that was done I cut the larger center diamond and the two smaller diamonds from a set of Quickutz Diamond Dies that I have had for several years.  The diamonds were popped up on the panel with foam squares for the added dimension.  I love this Mama Elephant "Friend" die cut!  I cut just a single layer of the die in Shimmer White Cardstock that came from Creative Memories several years ago. I kind of arranged the sentiment how I wanted it to go on the card and then I was careful to put Tombow Mono Multi only where it would be attached to the raised diamond panels.  I finished it off with a few sequins from the Rhythm and Blues 8 mm Collection and Wild Peacock 5 mm Sequins.  I like using 2 or 3 sizes on a single card just for the asymmetrical feel.  This is a side view of the card showing the various layers of dimension.

Friends so enjoy getting a handmade card in the mail.  And they don't even seem to mind that sometimes they get my experiments too!  I usually like to surprise my friend but I couldn't resist sending her a text with a picture of this card in it this morning.  She will be stalking her postman in a few days waiting for its arrival.  *Ü*  This post is dedicated to my friend in honor of her unwavering devotion to her parents.  As she said recently, "Growing older is not for wimps!"