Thank you, it was fun ....

.... Good afternoon all, I hope you're all having a super day.  We had the most fantastic time in Chicago; we got home last night about 10.30pm and (apologies to my UK buddies) it was still 31C!!!  Today we had to get up early and return the hire car and get ready for our visitors - Mum and Ben!!!  But before we head off to the airport to collect them, I've had just enough time to make a thank you card for my friend Cheryl.

It was so, so hot yesterday that we headed out of the city and travelled up the lake shore for a while.  We found beaches in Chicago!!!  It was weird, but oh so nice.  I took off my shoes and paddled in Lake Michigan and Kathryn simply went for it - she was soaked, but so happy!!  Photos at the bottom of the post.  Cheryl lives in Kalamazoo (love that name) which in on the route home from Chicago; we arranged to visit on the way home. I saw Cheryl in November last year, so it was good to see her again.  I also got to see her daughter, Sam - the last time I saw Sam she was only a year old!  And now she's a mum to two beautiful little girls.  Gosh, time flies.  Anyway, here's the card I made for Cheryl and Geoff,

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Text-it, Join Us; Hero Arts - Layered Flowers
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral; Memento - Nautical Blue, Danube Blue
Accessories: Papermania - Portobello Road 6" x 6" papers; Card from stash

I used several challenges as the basis for the design of my card:

• Colour Q - cQc144 - just love the bright patriotic colours
• Clean & Simple Stamping - FTL197
• CAS-ual Fridays - CFC60 - the team would like us to use text in our design

The backing paper comes from a set celebrating all things British and as Cheryl and Geoff are British - it seemed appropriate!  

I made the flowers by stamping text in coral and two shades of blue, stamping the flowers and cutting them out.  I stamped this fabulous sentiment in dark blue to match the paper.  It'll be going in the post on Monday.  Here are the challenge graphics:

Here are a few photos from our trip to Chicago - check my other blog next week for details of our trip and lots more photos!

That's all for now.  I've just checked online tracking and the plane is on time, so we are about to drive to the airport to pick up Mum and Ben - they're here for the whole of July, and I can't wait to see them both.  Don't forget to check back tomorrow for the start of the new CR84FN colour challenge - it's super!!  See you then!