Never Too Old

Today was my grandson's first day back at school. He's now a third grader. How time flies! My card today  is for all those students going back to school, no matter how young or old.
I started my card with a panel cut from Graphic 45 paper. The print is tone on tone and light, but it is there representing schoolwork. I then embossed the school paper over the print using distress stains and a Sizzix embossing folder. The children eagerly heading to school (my words) is a stamp from SweetStamps. the sentiment is a Quietfire stamp.
My card is being entered into these challenges: Bloggers Challenge -- back to school; Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge -- back to school; Marks Finest Papers Tutorial Time on Speedy Challenge -- distressed stains pattern background; ePlay Blog Challenge -- embossing

Hope

My card layout today is based on the Mojo Monday challenge layout. I created the background using the distressed letterpress technique. Putting distress ink over one side of an embossing folder and then embossing the cardstock results in a cool background. I cut a piece of burlap paper for the back layering panel. The next panel was stamped in white ink using the Sweet 'n Sassy birch trees stamp and the tops of some trees from Mark's Finest Papers. The bird and sentiment are also MFP stamps and the little squirrels are from SnS. Except for the squirrels, I only used parts of all the stamps to get the look I wanted. I used the sentiment "Hope" because I'm tired of this winter weather and hope that Spring will be here soon! Please!!!
I am entering my card into these challenges: Mojo Monday Card Sketch challenge -- sketch; Mark's Finest Papers Tutorial Time on Speedy TV challenge -- distressed letterpress; and the Sweet 'n Sassy Friday Feature challenge --delightful backgrounds.

Sail Away

I had a little chance to play today  and here is a card I created. I'll be entering it into several challenges. I created a variation on the sketch at Critter Sketch. City Crafters has bon voyage as its theme. Mark's Finest Papers Tutorial challenge is to create a tent top card. This month ArtisticStamper wants to see circles.
To make the background panel I used the sand background stamp from Rogue Redhead's Beach Babes and then diecut the circles. The boat and anchor stamps, as well as the sentiment, are also from Beach Babes. I used the outside the nestie technique from Technique Junkies for the boat circle..