That's What Friends are For

My youngest son Simon finishes primary school in our local village today.  We have decided to put him into a specialised school for children with special needs.  Initially it was to be a partial integration but he loved his week long observation, so he will be attending full time when school commences in September.

I was more than a little sad as I was preparing these cards yesterday for his class mates, many of whom he has spent the last seven years with.  I can never thank them enough for the assistance they have given Simon during this time, for always watching out for him and including him in their games even though he isn't the ablest of players, but mostly for their friendship, for seeing the person behind the handicap(s).  

My friend Jaine of Basement Studio was having a sale on paper sets so I picked up this I Love Sunshine set from Echo Park for a steal.  Some women love shoes, but I love pretty papers.  I find it difficult to use them mind, but with 14 cards to make in one day (plus a few others for teachers etc.) patterned papers can make a simple design effective and quick so I dove right into this pack!   I knew it would work very well with the Partly Cloudy die set and Rise Above Stamp set which came in my most recent Verve order.  This sentiment made me think of the Dionne Warwick song That's What Friends are For - Keep smiling, keep shining … so it seemed appropriate on more than one level.

 I was inspired by Mojo Monday 456 which had this cool sketch - I saw a sun in that circle.

The trouble with sketches is I think I remember all the elements but when I finish my card(s) I take another look and realise I have something backwards or something omitted.  Last week I had the banner the wrong way around, this week I have the panel tilted in the wrong direction.

Here's a few more using various papers in the set.  I used Ranger Enamel Accents for the enamel dots - I wish this came in a range of colours - I'd buy them all as they are so convenient !!!

In the end I changed the sketch so I could use up all the little left over strips of paper, this gave me a way to minimise the pink (for the boys) without them becoming too bland.

Inside is a little poem I wrote to thank them (one of my older sons helped me translate it into Luxembourgish) and a photo of Simon.

Time Out Challenge #61 has the following text as inspiration so I'll be entering there as well

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine"

Anthony J. D'Angelo

Thanks for stopping by, especially if you take the time to leave some feedback,

Kate