You Can Do Hard Things

Yes, you can!  At 44, I have learned this lesson many times, but those much younger and greener to the experiences of life could probably use the encouragement.  I have someone in mind who is getting this card and it will be at the God-prompted moment (The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl. Proverbs 25:11).  

I turned to Sketch-N-Scrap's Card Sketch #149 for some help in making this colorful summertime card.

I took some liberties with the three star elements but those little images are SO cute!  And it was fun to pull out my Stampin' Blends to color them.  I added some straight stitching with black thread and my sewing machine along the top and bottom of the Whisper White cardstock panel, just like in the sketch.  The stitching could be drawn in with a black journaling pen, also.

Making this card reminded me of when I had my first lemonade stand around the age of 7.  I made an eye-catching sign, stacked the paper cups on my table, prepared batches of lemonade, filled my change box with coins and dollar bills, then sat there with a big smile, positive that crowds would soon flock to my little business on the corner of 7th and Maplewood in Ambridge, PA.

People did come and it was great!  Then during a slow period, one woman came and sat next to me and began to talk to me about expense and revenue, profit and loss, cost accounting, and the value of my time.  I remember feeling utterly bewildered at the big words and ideas she was tossing at my 7-year-old brain.  I remember swinging my legs in boredom and thinking, "Why can't this lady just buy some lemonade?"  She meant well, of course, and was trying to teach me a great business lesson.  As I grew into my pre-teens and teens and had other businesses I was better able to understand and use those concepts that nice lady had been trying to teach me.  

If you found yourself getting enthused as I related my profit and loss lemonade stand story, then consider joining my team of Joyful Stampers.  If you love being a smart shopper and getting a discount on high-quality products, then you also should consider joining my team of Joyful Stampers!

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