Forestry Tour Thanks

For my summer professional development opportunity, I applied for and was chosen to attend the 2011 Florida Division of Forestry Teacher Tour. The tour included four days of touring and learning about the forest industry from the science behind growing the trees, managing forests, and protecting natural resources, including endangered species, to all the products that are made from trees.
Some of the products absolutely amazed me! Thousands of scents and flavors are made from the turpenes in pine trees (turpentine). Ya know that burst of minty freshness in your gum, mouthwash, or toothpaste....turpenes. And the lavender scent in your fabric softener....yup! And so many others. The screens on many of our tvs, cell phones, and computers are made from a form of cellulose, another bi-product of the timber industry. And the list goes on and on!
Besides all the learning and riding around in a bus to all the different sites, they kept us in a most amazing style. The food was incredible!! Various companies sponsored the meals that were served each day. Seafood, BBQs, and so much more it would take too long to describe. I felt totally pampered in my hotel suite...king size bed (just for me!!!), big screen TV, fully equipped kitchen including a dishwasher (not that I needed one!). We didn't spend much time in our rooms, but it was oh so comfortable for the time I was there.
So....the mission is to send thank you notes to the various entities that sent representatives to be a part of our tour and open their facilities to enhance our learning experience. I have twelve thank yous to send out and these don't even include the numerous companies and individuals that sponsored each of us to be able to go on the trip. A shout out goes to Georgia Pacific who sponsored me and two other teachers on this trip. I can't begin to imagine how much it cost them to pay my expenses! Besides all the different state and national forest groups that we visited, we also owe thanks to Rayonier, Rock Tenn, Renessenz, The Weeks' Family Tree Farm, Dee Dot Ranch, and West Fraser Saw Mill.
The card above is the card I mass produced to send as my thank you. What other choice did I have than to use Lovely As A Tree? Use the baby wipe technique to make a variegated ink pad for the pine tree image. Card stock is crumb cake, early espresso, and garden green. Gold Krylon paint pen adds a faux layer.
I didn't really mean to bore you with so many details about my trip....it really was one of the most interesting trips I've ever been on! Most of you probably stopped reading long time ago. But if you're still with me, thanks for stopping in and happy stamping!!! BTW...did you know that the labels on cardboard boxes are done with GIANT rubber stamps?