February Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

I have been contemplating doing a Papertrey Ink Blog Hop for months and months (sounds better than years and years), but I have been chicken until now.  Suddenly I am fearless.  I have a brand-spanking new blog, attempting challenges (one challenge rather) and a blog hop.  Watch out world! 

As it is Design Team Appreciation Day, February's blog hop challenge was to use a card or project done by one of the ladies of the Papertrey Ink Design Team to inspire your own.  Honestly, this was a pretty difficult assignment for me simply because:

1. I had to chose one from a bevy of talented ladies with a tremendous ability to create inspiring cards and projects; and
2. Once I decided on one design team member I had to chose a card/project (I imagine I could have chosen more than one designer and/or project, but I am still getting my sea legs).

Nichole Heady of Papertrey Ink mentioned we could use this post to voice our appreciation and I really should because all of the ladies of Papertrey Ink's Design Team (of course also Nichole Heady and the whole Papertrey Ink family) are magnificent.  Their blogs and projects have brought not only inspiration, but happiness into some days that needed a little creative happiness and beauty.  Even good days were better for their efforts.  So, thank you Betsy Veldman, Dawn McVey, Debbie Olson, Erin Lincoln, Heather Nichols, Kim Hughes, Lisa Johnson, Maile Belles, Melissa Phillips, Michelle Wooderson and Niki Estes (I was going to write their first names only, but I felt I was being too familiar like referring to Martha Stewart as only Martha) for making life sweeter and prettier for sharing your talents with us all!  

Ultimately, I picked a truly darling card by Betsy Veldman (when does she ever disappoint?).  I happened to need a sympathy card for clients who lost their beloved dog this week and thought why not do a card using my With Sympathy and With Sympathy: Loss of Pet sets using Betsy Veldman's card as my inspiration. 

Betsy Veldman's card (didn't I tell you it is darling?):

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My card (not anywhere near as darling, but then I am no Betsy Veldman):

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Beloved Pet Card
Supplies (all Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted):
Stamps: Squares (from the Borders & Cornes {square} set),  Lines (from the Guide Lines set), Flowers (from the With Sympathy set), Sentiment and Paw Print (from the With Sympathy: Loss of Pet set)
Inks: Spring Rain, Aqua Mist and Raspberry Fizz
Cardstock: Spring Rain; Natural White and Earthstone, Neenah Papers
Punches: Border and Royal Butterfly, Martha Stewart; 1" Square, EK Success
Other: Gems, The Paper Studio