OLW67 - Thoughtsgiving ....

... this week's One Layer Wednesday - OLW67 challenge is being hosted by Jennifer at Styles Ink.  When I logged on last Wednesday I couldn't get to Jennifer's blog - it was being hacked, but fortunately Jennifer's husband is a computer whiz and repelled the hackers!  Good man!!!

The theme for OLW67 is to "to make and send/deliver a “Thinking of You” card to someone who is struggling with any kind of battle. I would also like all participants to make a five dollar (or more!) donation to the cancer research/cause of their choice." 

Edited:  I forgot to mention that my chosen cancer charity is Cancer Research UK - and I've donated.  They do really good work.  Jennifer - thanks for the nudge!!  Something I do on a regular basis is give blood, and a few years ago I went that extra stage and got added to the bone marrow donor list.  I've been called twice for additional blood tests - but so far haven't donated anything.  If you can - this is a great way to help. 
I've got a crafty friend in the village who is really having a tough time at the moment.  Last year her Mum died and since then her Dad has not been very good, and recently they've been told that her Dad is really ill.  Not only that, her son has got life threatening problems too.  And the icing on the cake is that my friend also has chronic health issues, which aren't getting better.  Yet, despite all this, she is cheerful, thoughtful of others and caring - so I've made my card for her.

I used one of my favourite stamps, which has not seen much ink lately, for this card.  I started off by using a bit of die cut waste as a stencil for the card.  I sponged several colours on the stencil to create a garden/sky scene.  Using my stamp-a-ma-jig, I positioned the tree in the center of the garden and then added a simple sentiment directly above.  I added some colour to the tree by using Flower Soft which I've had in my room for ages and this is the first time I've used it.  As we're now well into Autumn I decided that my tree would have the golden colours of autumn for the leaves.

Stamps:  Penny Black - Fantasy Tree; HOTP - Sentiments
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black; Distress - Bundled Sage, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky, Chipped Sapphire
Spellbinders:  Lotus Pendant (S4-269) - I used the waste left to create the lovely starry shape
Accessories:  Flower Soft - Autumn; Card from stash

I have to tell you guys how impressed I am with my decorators.  They were here bang on time - 8.30am and immediately set to work.  They've almost finished Ben's bedroom - it will need an extra coat on two walls as Ben's drawn on the walls!! Kids!!!  The guys will be back tomorrow morning for more! 

Yesterday I told you that we hope to be off to the States in the New Year.  Several of you commented on the crafty opportunities available to me!!  Now, you must realise that this in no way influences my decision to want to go to America!!!  :) :)  Yes, right!  Even Jonathan realised that I might go mad on crafty purchases - PTI goodies with no shipping charges, Micheal's stores and all sorts of stuff at prices much cheaper than in the UK.  Of course, I want to go to the US.

That's all for now - off to see my friend (above) and deliver her card.  See you all later.