Friendship Is a Gift

Kelly, Barb, and I usually share our Ready, Set, Go creations on the third Wednesday of each month so today is the day.

Not sure what Ready, Set, Go is? Well, it's a lot of fun! And a bit of creativity. And an extreme challenge theme.

Ready, Set, Go is an idea that Kelly came up with over two years ago and she invited Barb and I to join her on the adventure. We take turns choosing the theme, but the idea is for it to be a bit more challenging than just the average theme.

It was Barb's turn to choose the theme this month. She actually gave the theme a title: A Little Help from my Friends. I have a stamp with the Beatles quote on it and thought about using it on my card, but then I went a different direction. 

Here's what Barb had to say about her theme...

I like to look up what happens in history on our posting date as we all have many times in the past, or what odd holiday appears on that date.  So—June 17^th, 1883 is the date I am highlighting.  The Statue of Liberty arrives in New York as a gift from France.  It came in 350 pieces in 214 crates. 

We all love gifts—both to give and to receive.  They can be things that we can see or feel—gifts and presents.  Or, they can be things we feel in our hearts and memories.  That is what is going to inspire our cards.  We each need to think of a “gift” we have received from each of the other two in our trio.  I am not going to give any examples-but we now have ample time to ponder and figure out it out.  Thinking of what we have received from each of the other two in our group-use those thoughts to inspire your card. A certain stamp or company, technique, holiday, etc.  As I type this in my stamp room, I look around and think of both of you and see things that inspire me--thanks to each of you.

Such. a. sweet. theme. 

Thank you, Barb! 

My card front doesn't really give anything away, regarding the theme. It has some pretty flowers that I colored with my Karin Probrush Markers. The markers are really very vibrant in color but I was able to achieve this soft muted coloring by adding water (via an Aqua Brush Pen). 

The Ready Set Go theme element is actually inside my card. One of the things I really appreciate about both Barb and Kelly is the fact that I can share with them my heart. I'm a pretty private person - it's unusual for me to share with others things that trouble me or even the things that excite me. I'm a listener and will gladly chat with others about what is happening in their lives, but when it comes to mine, I often sit quietly. For someone like me it is a true blessing to have a friend that I can share prayer requests with, knowing she will pray and offer encouragement and/or guidance... but at the same time keep it confidential. It is nice to have a friend to whom I can vent, knowing she'll see past my angst. It's nice to have a friend to laugh with, to cry with, to dream with.

I have not one, but two such friends! I am doubly blessed!

Kelly and Barb, 

this sentiment truly speaks of each of you:

A friend who

understands your tears

is much more valuable

than a lot of friends

who only know your smile.

Thank you for being that kind of friend,

Barb and Kelly!

Be sure to check out Barb's blog and Kelly's blog to see what they did with this Ready Set Go theme!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Unity Friendship Blooms stamped with Versafine Onyx Black Ink and colored with Karin Probrush Markers and an Aqua Pen

Papers: Canson Cold Press Watercolor Paper and SU Lemon Lime Twist CS

Dies: MFT Stitched Mod Rectangle and Stitched Rounded Rectangle and Pink & Main Friend

Embellishments: SU Metallic Edge Ribbon and Your Next Stamp Enamel Dots