I Thought of You Today...

In November, I "discovered" a new (to me) challenge blog, The Path of Positivity.  In a world of negativity, this challenge blog seeks to actively look for and promote positive things.  Each month there is a theme and participants are encouraged to make a project or write a post inspired by that theme.  This month the theme is Unique.  According to the dictionary, unique can mean something that is one of a kind (an antique manuscript), something found only in a certain place (an animal species found only in one country), or something that is different or unusual.

In our world, we sometimes do not look kindly on those that are "different."  Sometimes, your values are different.  In that case, just remember the saying, "What's right is not always popular, and what's popular is not always right." If your difference is a visible medical problem, our society may have more concern for you.  However, if you are one of the many who suffer with an invisible illness, all too often, part of the suffering is from the insensitivity of others.  Just about every person with an invisible chronic illness has heard more times than they can count, "but you don't look sick."  Ugh!  Chronic illness is not a bid for attention or because the person is "dramatic." If you have someone in your life with a chronic illness, no doubt, you want to do something to lighten their load.  The #1 way you can be a help to them is to BELIEVE them. 

A young woman I know was diagnosed a few months ago with a chronic illness that requires a complete change of diet.  Our daughter has some of the same dietary restrictions so they have been able to exchange ideas.  As this young lady is learning to navigate these new waters, she's also having to deal with the insensitivity of others.  I'm so proud of her because instead of becoming bitter towards those who have hurt her, she is instead going out of her way to do something extra nice for them.  I made this card to not only let her know that I love her just the way she is, but that I'm so proud of her for her unique response.

 
I chose an unusual (for me) card design and made a shaker card. This was also the first time I added sequins to the front of my card. The sentiment was heat embossed on vellum and then backed with flamingo patterned paper.  Inside are iridescent sequins, floral sequins and clear bangle beads. Plenty of glitter, bling and flowers complete the front.  I really like how the card turned out.  Very girly and sparkly....perfect for this extra special young lady.

Tip:  When making a shaker card, using your anti-static bag or tool on the acetate before adding the sequins will help your sequins and beads move around more freely.

The inside uses a die I recently purchased.  The wavy edge made a perfect border for the flamingos.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific (white), Bazzill (pink)
Patterned Paper:  Blitz Design (Felicity 6x6 pad)
Specialty Papers:  WorldWin Vellum, Crystal Clear acetate
Stamp: Studio G wood mounted stamp
Ink: VersaFine (Onyx Black)
Tools/Embellishments: Staedtler fine tip marker (black), Stickles (Crystal), Prima Flowers (blue), Michael's Flowers (pink), Mike's Crafts Inc. (white tipped with blue), iridescent sequins (unknown - I misplaced the packaging), V's Sweet Ideas Sequins (Peony Floral 5mm), Cousin Corp glass bugle beads, Spellbinders dies (Circle Small, Picot Edge Circle), My Favorite Things die-namics (Wavy Edge), Stampin' Up! embossing powder (Crystal Clear), Want2Scrap Baby Bling rhintestones, Prima Say It In Crystal (blue flourish)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Path of Positivity Challenge #22 - Uniqueness
Craft Your Passion Challenge #245 - Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash Challenge #185- Not Your Normal Paper (I tend to hoard my vellum and acetate)
Papertake Weekly - Get in Shape (I used square card base and layers, circle window and frame, and floral shape sequins)
Tuesday Throwdown #228 - Embossing (I used heat embossing)
Top Tip Tuesday Challenge - Something New (My wavy edge die is new and so is adding sequins to the card front)
Cuttlebug Mania - Wildlife (flamingos)
4 Crafty Chicks #229 - Flowers

I truly do appreciate you taking the time to stop by today.  I hope you'll come back again soon.