A Card For Joan

She lives! Ahem...

Pardon my absence. Lots has happened over the past few months, but most of it doesn't bear mentioning. In fact, it would sound more like a laundry list of excuses. Just know that I never meant to stay away so long. Sometimes things just get away from us...for months. Again, my apologies.

In any case, I had the great pleasure to head to the Northern Virginia/Washington DC area this past weekend to attend one of the customer-organized Stamp-A-Faire get togethers. The delightful Joan B graciously invited me to stay with her so I could meet (or in some cases, see again) the wonderful group of ladies there on the East coast. I jumped at the chance because these women are some of the most genuine and kind people I've ever had the fortune to meet. Cheryl is the sweetest and a perfect hostess. She and Jenn set up tables and chairs, a kitchen full of treats, and a video screen so we could watch all of the tutorials. They thought of everything and it culminated in an event that everyone thoroughly enjoyed. I think I sufficiently proved my geektasticity to that entire group of ladies repeatedly, but by the end of the day my sides ached from laughter and I was completely uplifted.

Like I said, Joan B (formerly of Paperlicious fame and newly of Creating White Spaces) invited me to stay even though she had plenty on her plate otherwise. I couldn't let her hospitality go unnoticed, so I made this card to give her as a parting gesture.

It's a pretty simple number (as mine usually are), but the message is heartfelt and I hope she enjoyed it (or enjoys it - depending on whether or not she found it yet). Joan is a very special person and I am so very happy to have gotten to know her through crafting. I love how a simple activity like stamping can bring such varied people together and give them common ground. I just feel bad that Joan's husband Mike (who is also just swell) had to listen to stamping talk for three days. He's really good about making it look like his eyes aren't glazing over. A skill to be sure.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I have a few more cards in the pipeline, so I'll be back to share them soon. Cross my heart.

Recipe:
Stamps: Trendy Tree Tops, Modern Wood Mats, Everyday Classics (Anniversary Set) - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Rustic White, Classic Kraft, Terra Cotta Tile - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate, Simply Chartreuse - Papertrey Ink; VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Trendy Tree Tops Dies - Papertrey Ink; White Perle Cotton (colored with a couple of Copics that I borrowed from Joan and don't know the numbers for, sorry!) - DMC