Remember the children’s book, “The Little Engine That Could?” It was written in 1930 to help children understand the value of optimism and hard work. When I saw the stamp set, Designer Tee, I thought this little engine must have been taken from that story.

My idea for the card developed from the requirements of the Less is More challenge #341. I needed to do a “one layer” card, as well as feature a vehicle. I hadn’t realized I was lacking in vehicle stamps, and had to go back to last year’s Sale-A-Bration to find one.

I could see the little engine chugging up a hill, but I needed some background scenery. Hometown Greetings Edgelits Dies from the new Holiday catalog provided my village. I used two of the dies to cut stencils from Kraft paper, then held them in place while sponge daubing over them with Night of Navy and Lemon Lime Twist.

You might notice the snowman is missing. I could tell you he melted in the summer heat, but the truth is, I snipped him from the stencil with scissors. It seemed to me he was the only thing that shouted Winter, and I wanted to have options for the season.

I like stories with happy endings, so this sentiment from the Feel Goods stamp set was perfect for making this a “congratulations” card. 

“She believed she could…so she did,” is, after all,  a nice moral for adults too!