Back to School with Mary Margaret

First, I wanted to give everyone an update on Chelsey's condition.  She is still doing well in the hospital except for being tired of being in bed already.  She did have another minor setback last week...the doctors informed her that she has gestational diabetes on top of her other pregnancy problems.  Now, she is learning how to count her carbs and other diet issues with the help of the dietitian, so hopefully she won't need insulin.  She wants to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers.  My nephew came to visit us from North Carolina, so he is going to see Chelsey with another nephew and his wife today.  I'm sure that will help cheer her up!

Since school started last week for my grandkids, I thought I would make their teachers a card.  I wanted to use this image from Michelle Perkett Studio called Mary Margaret, and Michelle's challenge this week is a back-to-school theme.  As usual, I colored the image with colored pencils and blended the colors with tortillions and baby oil.  Mary Margaret is cut out and then popped up with foam adhesives for dimension.  Since this is for my DGD's teacher, I thought it would be good to make her a bookmark to go with the card, so I added a pocket to hold the bookmark.  The image originally got lost in the DP, so I backed her with some cardstock to make her stand out better.  The apple on the image and on top of the pile of books on the bottom right corner by children's author, Elizabeth O. Dulemba, both have Glossy Accents on them which doesn't show up to good in the pictures.  To finish off the front of the bookmark, I used a star eyelet to hold the cording from my stash that has a cute little pencil and ruler metal charms that are also a stash item.

The DP is the Classroom Collage and Stripe by daisy d's.  I've been hoarding them for a while, so I don't know if they're still available.  I've been dying to use my new little craft sewing machine, so I finally got it out of the box and used it on this card.  I'll need some more practice, but I'm sure I'll use it more in the future.  All of the edges are distressed with an emery board and inked with Distress Inks.  After distressing all of the edges this way, I think it's time to invest in the distressing tool.  The ribbon was from my stash and the rub-on that says, "thanks so much" on the top left is an American Crafts mini marks. 

The inside of the card has another digi of a set of books and apple from Elizabeth O Dulemba.  Her images are fabulous, and even better is the fact that they're free!  Just go to her site, Coloring Page Tuesdays, and you can choose from tons of fascinating images.  I've been coloring some of her Halloween images and I can't wait to make some cards with them.  Elizabeth is a accomplished children's author and a big supporter of libraries.  Since I volunteered in the children's library and at my kid's school library, I applaud her dedication to promote reading.  I was very lucky to be one of two Elizabeth's Coloring Page Tuesday supporters that recently won some autographed books.  My grandkids absolutely LOVE them! 

The thanks so much phrase and the dots are another American Crafts rub-on and the sticker is from my stash.  This goes to school with Chloe tomorrow, so I hope her teacher likes it!  Only two more cards to go!

~~  Lee  ~~

Challenges:
Michelle Perkett Studio:  Back to School
Daisy Doodles Creative Challenges:  Anything Goes
Cupcake Craft Challenges:  Let's Get Digital
Incy Wincy Designs:  Back To School
Little Red Wagon:  Back to School
Fussy and Fancy:  Back to School
Simple Doodles:  Back to School
Stamp Somethings:  Back to School Somethings
Crafty Hos Challenge:  Use Your School Supplies
Bee Crafty:  Anything Goes
Stampin' Sisters in Christ:  Use Metal
Paper Cutz Challenge:  Use Some Type of Metal