Happy Retirement

A very good friend recently retired.  We met at the school bus stop, when our oldest kids were beginning kindergarten, and we've been friends ever since.  (PS our kids are now 36 years old!!) . She moved to North Carolina about 10 years ago.  We recently went to visit.  We have the kind of friendship, that even though we don't see each other nearly enough, it is so easy to be together!

Challenges:
1) Addicted to Stamps and More - photo inspiration:
Oops -- I missed the deadline -- so I'll put this into Addicted to Stamps and More! - Anything Goes

2) CASE this Sketch - 

Card Details:

I used Distress Oxide inks to sponge the background, and sprayed it with Perfect Pearls spray. 

The chair is from a stamp set by Stampendous - which I embossed and fussy-cut and popped up on the card.  The sentiment is from a set by Taylored Expressions. 

I embossed a piece of paper with a set of embossing powders, also by Stampendous.  I used this as the "beach".  I mounted the panel on yellow card stock to give the impression of sunshine.  

We live on Long Island (NY).  So I decorated the card with real shells I collected from Fire Island.  I am hopeful it will remind her of "home".  

On a side note, I recently (June) retired from teaching.  I was really conflicted about retiring, as I loved my job (teaching science to 6th graders).  But if I were going back, then I would have been at school today setting up my classroom.  Instead I cleaned out my kitchen -- every cabinet and drawer was emptied, cleaned, and many items thrown away or set aside for a garage sale.  

I am feeling very happy!!! 

Thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek.