Topic for Discussion: "Stamper's" Techniques

Do you ever wonder if non-stampers "get" our cards?  I remember a thread on SCS about someone's friend commenting the cards she sent that had all the "headless women" (aka MFT) on them.  I also wonder if people "get" TCP stamps with penguins dressed up as all sorts of characters and then I remember penguins are always appropriate. 

The reason I bring this up is the following sympathy card.  I stamped with clear embossing powder, then used my new distress inks to get that gorgeous color (yes, I want every color of distress ink--what are some of your must-haves colors?) and embossed the whole panel twice with UTEE.  And it looked pretty good. Then I asked DH if I should go ahead with my planned cracked-glass technique and he said yes (I love that my DH knows what I'm talking about when I ask him these things).  Anyway, now I'm not sure if it's ventured into stamper's-only territory (remember you can click on the pic to enlarge).  As in, will the recipient be asking herself why I sent her a dirty, broken card?  You can be honest here, I personally still like it but I'm not sure I would do it again.

FYI: I used Wild Honey, Tumbled Glass, and Vintage Photo distress inks, then PTI chamomile on the "glass" after it had been cracked.  If you don't know about the cracked glass technique, you put on a thick layer of clear embossing--either two of UTEE(ultra thick embossing enamel) or many layers of regular.  Then pop it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes, take it out and bend your image where you want the cracks to form.  Then to show them off, apply some ink and then wipe it off-it will just stay in the cracks. 

This will be my last sentence because I don't want a sentence about "wiping it off" and "staying in the cracks" to be my last sentence of my post.  So I guess this one will be my real last last sentence. 

In Memory of Cindy

My sister should be celebrating her birthday today with our parents, her husband, and her two wonderful boys.  Instead, breast cancer stole her away from all of us last December.  She was one of the most generous, caring, drop-everything-to-help-you person, so I know she would be happy knowing this card was being sent to MD Anderson as part of Splitcoast's Hope You Can Cling To card drive.

To celebrate her birthday, I'd like to ask you to go tell someone you love them, be it your husband, your child, your dog, your cat, your brother, your niece, your aunt, your best friend, your second-cousin-once-removed, or your sister. 

Because you never know when life will be too short.