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A Week of Gratitude: Day 1

Susan from Simplicity and I had so much fun with Kraft Week this past Spring that we decided that we'd cook up something special again. This is it, A Week of Gratitude. We'll be posting special thank you cards for special people in our lives all week, with a challenge and prizes at the end of our week.

So be sure to comment here and at Simplicity all week, we have 2 great prizes up for grabs:
  1. a $25 gift certificate for Shady Tree Studios stamps
  2. a copy of Paper Crafts Card Style and 2 Hero Arts shadow inks (soft sand and soft leaf)

More and more, Thanksgiving gets lost between Halloween and Christmas, so much so that Susan has started a new tradition each year. She sends out thank you and thankful for you cards to friends and family. I love this idea so much, because Thanksgiving is so much more than a feast and a football game.

I'll be honest, I sat and stared yesterday, I couldn't make one thing that wasn't ugly or wonky or smudged...I nearly gave up. A friend suggested I might be trying too hard, and perhaps she was right. I couldn't get anything to come together. And I thought today was going to be another day like that--Cait gave me fits this morning (more than usual), Collin would not stop talking, my coffee couldn't brew fast enough. But nobody missed the bus and nobody died of hunger (Collin!) and I thought all was well. But as soon as I heard the "WHOOSH" of the bus I realized that I'd forgotten to give Caitlin her medicine and that's a key piece to her puzzle. We had to rush to school and get it to her before Little Miss Hyde showed her face to her teacher. I enter the school office and tell the attendance officer that I need to see Cait and why--and not only does she call her classroom (without having to ask which teacher) she asks me if I need a cup. This is the same woman who asked if Caitlin had had lunch yet one day last week when we'd brought her back after an appointment with the doctor. Her thoughtfulness overwhelmed me, we didn't get that kind of treatment at her last school--I had to show my ID there. It's such a relief that this school is so different. And I'm so grateful for Miss Wanda today, so this card is for her. It just poured out of me this morning, which was also a relief.


 stamps: school basics by mint motif
card stock: pti
patterned paper: pti
ink: pti, hero hues chalk, recollections pigment 
tools: ek success edge punch, corner chomper
accessories: diamond stickles,  pti vintage buttons, american crafts and prima paper flowers, wright's crochet cotton
adhesive: scotch atg, glue dots
 

51 comments:

Lorrinda said...

Found my way here through Susan's blog...so thankful that I did! Lovely card!

Sue D said...

Great story of the everyday events we need to be thankful for.

kristen said...

Love the card...and the sparkle! I so appreciate the honesty of your post...I know both extremes of elementary office staff and the good ones are just such a relief and a blessing!

Anonymous said...

Oh I love the story!! And the card is just too cute =)

Rosemary said...

what a sweet card! so glad that you have found a school that is so kind and helpful to you and your daughter!

Kimberly Crawford said...

LOVE it!! And glad that this school is so wonderful! ((HUGS))

Susan Raihala said...

Wow, Mary Dawn!I thought my morning was rough! Hugs to you, and huge praise for your card. I love the school-themed details but especially how they don't overwhelm the message...and your flower treatment is dee-vine! Miss Wanda will surely appreciate that you thought of her in such a wonderful way!

GirlGeek101 said...

Love the edge on the bottom! Really cute card and wonderful message this week. Thank YOU!

Super Jen said...

This is a lovely color combination and I love the sparkle.

It's great that you are willing to thank people for doing their jobs well, I think most only hear complaints. I try to show my appreciation to the ladies at my kids' daycare in the same way. They give such loving care and those dearhearts get paid next to nothing for doing a job that I think is one of the hardest out there. And not because of the kids, because of the parents! Another class of people who usually only hear complaints. Sigh. Thanks for the inspiration.

Natacha said...

Just loved your story. Your card is just gorgeous!!

Tracey Jean said...

So today your pain gave me pleasure because I am loving this card. Wow! It is just gorgeous. Love all that glitter everywhere...

~amy~ said...

Well, that is one magnificent card...absolutely beautiful! My goal is to send a bunch of thankful/grateful cards this october/november:)

Nancy L. said...

Great card and school :)

Allison Rankin said...

Beautiful card and matching thoughtfulness from your school administrator. I think this is a super idea and I am gonna try to squeeze some in (but our Thanksgiving is way earlier than yours!).

Ruthie said...

Ooooo - my friend is living a year gratefully - she has done a week! Here is her blog...

http://livinggratefully.co.uk/living_gratefully_blog.html

Ruthx

Lee Anne said...

What a wonderful story. I teach, so I know the importance of our front office staff. Ours are wonderful, but I know other schools where that is not the case. I know that Wanda will appreciate your card!

Barb said...

What a gorgeous card, Mary! Love the story behind it too! Won't Miss Wanda love this?!! :)

Meg said...

What an awesome card for what sounds like a very awesome lady! Those front desk gate keepers rarely get the acknowledgment they deserve, so I bet this card will make her week!

Denise Bryant said...

Great card! Love the colors! Miss Wanda will be delighted.
DeniseB

Melinda aka Passionfruit said...

many thanks for sharing this wonderful card. What a lovely idea, Thanksgiving is so important and you are helping us remember that!

Bonnie said...

What a sweet card for an awesome teacher! I'm sure she will treasure it!

Karen B. said...

My my, nothing like some excitement to get you geared up for your day! Love the subtle stamping in the background, making me want this set too. You are quite an enabler. (yes, I said that again!)

Susan said...

It's been years since my kids were in school, but I remember how great it was when I could walk in and the teachers and staff recognized me and made me feel welcome. Beautiful card...she will appreciate it!

Lindsey said...

Such a pretty cerd! Love the layout and colours.

Smilie girl said...

Beautiful card. Thank you for reminding me how important it is to give thanks.

Natalie Winterstein said...

Such a cute card! Thanks for sharing! :)

Tiffany Ervin said...

So amazing, really love the colors on this card!

Anonymous said...

Beautimous design!

Beach Girl 115 said...

What a beautiful story! The front desk staff at schools are often unappreciated, so I think your card will make her day.

annesatx said...

Such a pretty card -- and a lovely story. Thanks for sharing both!

Sharon Wheet said...

I love your card, and I just know the recipient will cherish it. I completely agree with the loss of Thanksgiving. And, I will be making some special cards to send out to all of those folks I am grateful for. Thank you for the inspiration!

A Consuming Passion said...

What a great little card! Love the note pad card and the pretty flower. I'm sure it will be appreciated and treasured.

Tee said...

Thanks for sharing this wonderful card..I love its soft blue colors!

Theresa's Studio said...

Lovely card and thanks for sharing your story of how nice people can be.

Karen (TLgirl353) said...

What a great looking card and the gratitude behind its need is evident!

Karen Dunbrook said...

cute card....love the blues....

Chrisd said...

Great to hear about a wonderful school and staff. Your daughter is so blessed as are you in that area. The card is lovely.

Marie said...

What lovely fresh looking colors. I am so happy in my life right now; I find myself expressing gratitude almost daily. Isn't that a great feeling? : )

Terri (blindstamper) said...

What a good reason to make a card! I also like the school-like elements to it.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful, happy card! And what a wonderful reason to send it! :)

Janet a.k.a. swanlady21 said...

This is a wonderful idea. We can all jump on the band wagon. Love your card - such fresh colours.

Ravengirl said...

What a beautiful card! It's heartening to hear about such wonderful staff at your daughter's school. I work at a school and know just how much the woman will appreciate the card!

Colleen Dietrich said...

I'm so glad to be reading your and Susan's posts on thankfulness. We all need reminders now and again to be grateful for what and who we have.

s said...

I, too, found my way here from Simplicity, and I too am grateful! What a lovely card. I just got that set and I hadn't a clue what to do with it. Thank you for the inspiration.

Amanda B said...

lovely card!!! that colours are wonderful!!! I also found my way from simplicity!!!! love susan's cards, maybe i found another must follow blog!! :)

Tiya-B said...

a week of gratitude before Thanksgiving... good idea, and i love the layered flowers, thanks

Sue McRae said...

Great design and colours!

Heather said...

Gorgeous, I just adore the colours :)

Sheila H said...

Simply lovely - love the colors!

LaNell said...

Sweet card and thanks for sharing your story.

scgustaf said...

Great flower details ~ TFS!