A Tribute to a Dear Friend

Can you believe I've managed to sneak a third post in this week! Maybe I've started something that won't end? Actually, I've really needed my creative therapy this week and maybe that's why I've been so productive! It's been a very reflective week for me, my friends, and I'd like to share a little bit with you about why.

There was a friend on facebook that I hadn't seen a new status from for a while, so I headed to her wall to check up on her. I was shocked and heartbroken to learn that she had passed away. Now, as you know, I don't usually share bad news on my blog. I like to be positive and encouraging. So please bear with me, and I'll get to that part as I tell you about my friend! (Who I will call Jane, although that's not her real name.)

I met Jane many years ago when she visited our Church Youth Group. Jane enjoyed it very much and continued to come for many years. Jane had a difficult life with many struggles. She was born with a disease that made her different than others. People were cruel...some people were very cruel! Jane's family sent her off to a boarding school. Jane made the best of the situation. Then Jane met the Lord, and what people thought of her just didn't matter. She lived her life to glorify God! When others were cruel, Jane was always kind in return! Jane was thankful and generous for everything! I went off to college and then got married and left the province. Jane and I lost touch. A few years ago, through the wonders of facebook, we were able to reconnect. Jane had built a wonderful life for herself! She had a great career, and a fabulous community of friends. She had become the kindest and most compassionate, giving woman I have ever known! Jane was a shining example of the love of Jesus! 

My goodness...it's really taken me FOREVER to write just that paragraph! lol Just as it took several days for me to finish this page that I made in memory of my friend. I kept having to leave it and come back to it. I took the photo without Jane's picture or name and dates on it. I've got the little envelope to include my journaling, Jane was "one of a kind", and she loved music! The picture...that you can't see lol...is one that was taken outside at Bible Camp, and is just perfect for this layout! :o)

Papers: K & Co - Julianne;

Cardstock - Recollections;

MM Slice Design Card: Grandma's Attic;

Flowers: Prima Fancies;

Ink: Stampin' Up - Soft Suede;

Sizzix Dies: Envelope w/ Ornate flap,

Sheet Music Decorative Strip,

Tim Holtz Tag & Bookplates;

Bling: Piece by Piece

* * *

I will miss my dear friend. I thank God that I knew her. 

She taught me much and I will always think of her when I read the following verse:

Colossians 3:12

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to share this with you. 

It was important to me and I appreciate it!

Nancy :o)

Yes, I Made Him A Card Of His Own! :o)

Hello, and happy Tuesday to you all!
Today is my sweet husband's birthday! You know that I just had to make him an actual birthday card of his own and I'm sharing it with you today. I couldn't believe it when I found a Bugaboo digi image in my files that looked EXACTLY like me! ;o) So I colored that up for the front  of the card. My intent was to have the "Happy Birthday" look like graffiti but my letter stamps were too big. This was the only sentiment I had that fit. Since the bricks were embossed the image didn't stamp solid, so it kind of worked the way I wanted! lol
Here's the front of the card:

And here's the inside:

C

Isn't that cute? It's a pop-up! I should have taken a side angle photo too. I will the next time I use it. I had to take this photo before I wrote in it or I'd be adding a lot more color to the face of my image! haha The rest of the writing was really funny and so cute! I had made the card for him yesterday. So last night I asked him what I should bake him for his birthday. His answer was..."Ice cream!" lol Have a happy day, my friends! :o)

Materials Used:

Papers: Recollections Cardstock;

Dies: MM Slice Design Card - Jungle;
Tim Holtz Alterations - Styled Labels,
Sizzix - Ice Cream Sundae;
Sizzix - Card, Scallop Circle 3D (Pop-Up);
Embossing Folder: Tim Holtz Texture Fade - Bricked;
Digital Image: Bugaboo Stamps Store HERE
Colored with Prismacolor Pencils and Odorless Mineral Spirits;
Ink: Stampin' Up - Pacific Point;
My Stash: Sentiment, Bling.

A Die For A Sketch - Challenge No 2

Hello, my friends! Can you believe a month has already passed since Challenge No 1 at A Die For A Sketch! A special thank you to all of you that linked up a project! Another thank you to everyone that just came by to take a look! We had a wonderful response for our very first round!

It was so interesting to see how many of the projects included colored images on them. Now, I know for a fact that some people do not like to color. I actually know someone who has an intense dislike for coloring. Yes, I know it's hard for some of us to understand but we will not judge them, will we? lol So it was with these people in mind that I created my card this month. There is no colored image on my card! So you see, even if you don't color you can join the fun at A Die For A Sketch. Remember the rules are simple; follow the sketch and use a die!

So here is the sketch for Challenge No 2:

Here is my card! I guess I must confess to a tiny bit of coloring. I used my Versamark pen to color some bits of the teacup. Then I heat embossed it with gold embossing powder so it would look like one of my special china teacups. I'm afraid it was difficult to get it to show properly in a photo. We've had such crazy storms around here the lighting has been interesting. The doily behind the teacup was misted with Ranger Perfect Pearl Mist so it shimmers beautifully. The pretty corners are an old Cuttlebug die. The wonderful sentiment that inspired this card is from my most recent card kit from Simon Says Stamp. 

If you like to color...or not...I hope to see you join us this month for Challenge No 2! :o)

Papers: Prima - Romanitque Collection, Colorbok Cardstock;

Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Walnut Stain;

Mist: Ranger Perfect Pearl Mist - interference red;

Dies: Provo Craft Cuttlebug Dies - Vintage,

MM Slice Design Card - Grandma's Attic;

Stamp: Simon Says Stamp - Absolutely Delightful Stamp Set;

Seam Binding, Pearls, Doily - From My Stash.

Just a Happy Card!

Happy Thursday, my friends! I just had to put aside all my other projects and make this card this afternoon! A very sweet friend sent me a very special package and it arrived today! Guess what was in the package? It contained SEVEN Slice Design cards!! Can you believe it? Not only that but there were even some additional goodies! I just had to make something right away! If you've been coming to my blog for any length of time, you may have guessed that I really enjoy using my Slice Machine on my projects! I used FOUR of my new design cards to create this card! I think it really gets my message across! :o)

Here's the inside of the card:

Yes, that's me doing my "happy dance"! Aren't I the graceful one? lol

Papers: K & Company - Sweet Nectar;

Punches: EK Success;

Inks: Martha Stewart;

Slice Design Cards: Words and Expressions - Family,

Words and Expressions - Holiday,

Wedding, Music & Dance.

Thank you very much, Friday!