Monday, July 18, 2011

Growing in Unity Week!

I'm so excited that I was able to get on the list to be a Growing in Unity Gal!  Every day this week I'll be showing a Unity project and, yup, there's a prize involved. Every comment on a GIU post will enter you to win your choice of the following Unity Stamp sets: Sending My Love, Bitty Backgrounds, Little Me, Bella Fiori, Homegrown, Hugs & Kittens, Handmade Holiday, Bella Trees, or Imagine It.
(One comment per post please, but you can comment each day to increase your chances)

My first card I have to share was made with a stamp set I had coveted for quite a while: Melody Ross's Brave Girl Boots.  Because although I live in Birmingham now, I grew up in Texas and was even in FFA in high school. [1]  I finally bought it last month and then when the Splitcoast CAS Designers had a "state flag" challenge on the Fourth of July, well, I knew what had to be done and I did it:

I have a metal Texas flag in my garden and wanted to my card to have that nice worn look about it, so I used the direct-to-paper technique with PTI Fresh Ink, SU Not Quite Navy and SU Riding Hood Red, using squares of magazine pages to block off the sections. The full boot pair image looked too big for the card, so instead I stamped it twice and cut the same boot out to make a pair, using foam tape on the top one.  I decided to add a little dimension by stamping the sentiment in white first, then stamping it again and embossing it. It's not like I tried it without embossing first, and then failed to line it up correctly when I stamped it again. Nosiree, that's not what happened at all!

In other TEXAS FOREVER news, did y'all[2] see that Friday Night Lights got a nomination for Best Drama? Plus Coach and Mrs Taylor were nominated as well.  If you have not watched this show yet, what are you waiting for?  (The entire series is on Netflix streaming).  I may or may not have cried during the last episode.  Also Coach may or may not be a screen saver on my Kindle, and I may or may not play the theme song repeatedly in my car when I'm feeling happy.

Stop on by the blog again this afternoon (1:00 Central) to see my Gallery Idol card for round 2 and to vote.  CLEAR EYES, FULL HEARTS, CAN'T LOSE, right?!?![3]

[1] FFA used to stand for "Future Farmers of America" but its name is actually "FFA" now.  There's your little bit of trivia for today.
[2] Yeah, I'm totally Texas-ing it up today.
[3] OMG, seriously, at the end of the last episode?  When he tells the team we'll work on that next time?  Did your heart just fill up with happiness at that point like mine?

22 comments:

Sue from Oregon said...

I have to watch the final episode, but my sweetie already spilled the beans darn him! Fun card and looking forward to all your upcoming posts!!!

Stephanie Washburn said...

Haha! Can I tell you that you put a big ole smile on my face every time I visit your blog?! I have a sick obsession with Friday Night Lights, too- I can totally relate to the misty eyes... Your card is beautiful! Definitely achieved the worn look and I LOVE the whole Americana style/feel- you nailed it! Can't wait to see your card for Gallery Idol today! I'm cheering you on!

Emily (stampingout on SCS) said...

This is fabulous, Meg! Love those boots with the Texas flag in the background. You are a rockstar! :)

Diana said...

Meg, love your card! Plus, a BIG congrats for making it to the next Gallery Idol round!! How cool!

Emily Keaton said...

Congrats on Growing in Unity this week, Meg!! I'll be back for sure each day this week. Can't wait to see what Unity goodness you have in store for us!! This card is very, very clever and so very, VERY Texas. Way to go!! So did you have one of those official navy corduroy jackets when you were in FFA? Parliamentary procedure? Can't wait to see your Idol card in {time check} 35 minutes. ;)

Jessi Fogan said...

That kind of thing would never happen, failing to line up on the second try. Never. Foolish you'd even suggest it.
I love this - love the weathered wood look, and the fantastic sentiment. You're making me love Unity....

KER said...

oh my i love this card...and my big girl boots...i grew up amongst a bunch a crazy texans...fond memories...and i was in FFA to boot...lol

Emily Leiphart said...

Oohhh, now why don't you use Unity MORE, girlie?! LOVE this.

Gwen said...

Great card!!! Our dd lives in Texas and I know what FFA is...dh was in it in high school...yeah, we farm!

Lindsey said...

Mission accomplished! Weathered background? Check. Boots perfectly proportioned to the card? Check. Cool bit of dimension to the sentiment? Check. ;) Extra added bonus -- you added to this Canadian's Texas knowledge! :D Love this card, Meg!

Jocelyn Olson said...

As a former Ft. Worthian, I'm shocked that you didn't use a single "fixin to" in your entire post :) Cool card--seriously cool. The stamping the same boot twice--genius! I never think of stuff like that. Did you learn that through FFA? Maybe I need to go bac to high school.

SHartl said...

Wow, so glad I found your blog! I grew up with a corgi as our family pet so I'm very partial to them! Don't see many around though...so yours caught my eye!

Victoria said...

Super cute card! Love what you did w/ this set! It's so awesome! I have it and u have I spired me to get using it!! Thanks!! :))

Renee V said...

Ok, your humorous post has talked me into watching this Friday Night Lights show! I am new to your blog, love your writing style! AND your cards!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Card!!

Laura (sandytoz) said...

Love those brave girls boots!!

Jessica said...

love this! such an awesome card!! :)

Erin said...

LOVE the all american feel of this card!!!

Morissa Sweeney (YT - ShamrockShe) said...

Great card! DH tells me the same about FFA. Saw that and it made me smile. Take care!

Carol said...

Love the worn look of this card, it is perfect for those boots!

Carol B
ciaoitalia2007(at)gmail(dot)com

emily said...

This card is very cute!

Angela said...

omg, we haven't discussed the final episode yet -- how did that happen? I can't believe you managed to keep it all to yourself for all those months, you direct-tv lucky gal, you!

Ok, the card? TEXAS FOREVER. Awesome boots.