Refreshing

This is my entry for this month's smART-word Challenge - this month's word is FRESH. Soooooo many ways that word could go... my first thoughts revolved around fresh fruits and vegetables (for that one I was thinking of using inks that were named after foods), but then I started thinking - what about a fresh perspective? The last few months have been busy ones, and on top of that, there have been disappointments and opportunities for hurt feelings. I looked through my catalog of sentiments and this one from smARTworks' Cookie Plate jumped out at me. I know that in my life the only way a fresh perspective comes is through setting aside all that is cluttering my mind, and turning my attention to the Lord. So that's what this card is about!

The other stamp I used is from a smARTbucks-only set called Vintage Variety - it's a large branch image with a bird on it. Love that one! My background was created by swiping some chalk inks directly onto watercolor paper, then spritzing to make the inks run. After that was dry, I sanded the piece a little, then stamped the branch image and sentiment. I filled in the florals with white gel pen, and kept the rest of the card clean and simple with textures on white. That bit of trim is from my Mom's stash, which I remember admiring as a child - guess I've always had a fascination with buttons and trim. Thanks Mom!

There's still time to enter this month's 'Fresh' challenge, and you can view all the details and rules at the smARTword site. You'll see my card posted over there soon, along with a few others by present and former team members.