On expressing sympathy

This is probably going to sound selfish but I hate making sympathy cards. So hard ... what images are too cheery, what colors are disrespectful, when would being a tad bit upbeat be the wrong emotion to convey. Way too much STUFF going on to be creative in the midst of.

This card was created for a fellow co-worker of David who lost her father. I had a time with the patterned paper - it was suppose to be So Saffron from an older Prints Pack of SU but when photographed it came out looking like Apricot Appeal. I have to assume it's the lighting. The design of the card was taken from the latest issue of Stampin' Success.

Details of the card:
Cardstock: So Saffron, Brocade Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Pattern Paper: So Saffron selection from Patterns Pack (I or II escapes me which right now.)
Ink: Whisper White Craft, Basic Black Classic
Ribbon: So Saffron 5/8" Grosgrain
Stamps: Fresh Cuts, Sincere Salutations
Embellishments: Colorbok White Metal Dots

As always, thank for looking and yes HE stamps.

Back from vacation and a card

Well, we've been home from our little Florida vacation for a couple of days and I am having a horrible time getting back into the swing of things. It's crazy but I feel the seasons changing far too fast. It's 5:44PM EST and the sun has set ... in another hour it'll be dark. Winter is coming ya'll. I can't stand it!

Here's a card I did as thank you notes for gifts Kammie received for her birthday in Florida. It's a sketch from Mojo Monday and it's titled MOJO101. This card is CASEd heavily from the incredibly talented Mary Fish and her terrific blog Stampin' Pretty.

Details of the card:
Cardstock: Ruby Red, Sahara Sand, Whisper White
DSP: Retired Sweet Slumber Specialty
Stamps: Circle Circus, Retired Note of Thanks
Ink: Ruby Red
Punch: Scallop Circle
Embellies: Unknown Mfg. Clear Gemstones
Techniques: Paper Piercing

Vacation Day Four

It's our last night in Tampa tomorrow we will drive to Orlando and become entrenched in the World of Disney. There's this little Ben in me, probably about 7 or 8 who remembers watching the "Wonderful World of Disney" every Sunday night at 7 o'clock that is leaping around trying to get a look. My family never travelled beyond the states of Kentucky and a one-time trip to Tennessee so this is something super special to me. I'm not sure how much of it Kammie and Jasey will remember at 4 (Kammie's birthday was yesterday) and 2, I certainly hope they come away with great memories.

Today we said goodbye to Eileen, David's sister. She was heading to the cancer center to begin the mega chemo sessions. She's a beautiful person strong, independent, loving, proud ... and she just wants to go home. She has been in the cancer center (Moffitt) since June, after this current round of treatments and then the bone marrow transplant she will go home. It was so profoundly sad to say goodbye to her. Hopes, prayers, mantras whatever are needed so much during the next coming weeks.

I have not done one crafty thing or gone into any craft stores. It's just so nice to take some time away from even my most favorite activities. Today, we did lunch, tried to do a bit of shopping but two little guys with voices that could shatter glass had other ideas, so for the moment I sit here alone in the hotel room while everyone takes a nap. I'll do another update if it gets interesting. :-)

Thanks for looking and yes HE stamps and vacations!!

The road to a long overdue vacation

Well, we debated and debated and decided on Thursday to go to Florida for the coming week. We left this morning and checked into a mid-point room just 30 minutes ago (12:09 am EST.) Traffic has been unbearable. The kids having been doing well considering all things. Kammie simply refuses to use most potty's so that's a ton of fun. Jasey is hungry and wants a DVD playing at all times.

I really tired to use this as an opportunity to get away from "IT" all but I had to bring a bag of crafting goodies. So I decided to take this time away to get in some practice with my marker coloring skills. So if anyone has any ideas or suggestions please, please pass them along. If anything worthwhile comes up I'll post it if I brought the correct cables.

Update on David's sister Eileen she is in complete remission. She is out of the hospital, although staying at a hotel nearby. She starts a mega round of chemo on August 19. So seeing her really prompted this visit to Florida and taking the kids to Disney World.

Thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!

I'm Back ... Part Four

A while back I talked about the pregnancy of my daughter Julie. I offered to make the invitations to the shower and she and the hostess graciously accepted. This was my four or fifth take at the card. As this was my first "BIG" project I learned many things! Most important when supplies are shipping from Utah make sure you order enough ... a week of waiting for cardstock is a long, long time.

This card needed to have space for a LOT Of verbage. Not only was space needed for the party details but also a request to bring a book rather than a card (a small dagger in the heart to a cardmaker.) So I opted for Beate Johns Joy Fold Card I really liked constructing a card within a card (if you will.) I will be the first to admit I could have admitted some more embellishment but with 40 cards I was worried about even finishing. While I'm having a confessional moment I'll freely say what you're all thinking -- my markering skills are sad, not one teddy bear looked like the next and many looked liked they were striped!

Stamps were the retired Something to Celebrate, Bundle of Joy and the retired background Stippled Plaid. Ink was Stampin' Classic Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink (Stampin' Write marker too!) and Stampin' Craft Whisper White. Cardstock used Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and So Saffron. Embossing was the retired Sizzzix Textured Impressions Embossed Folder Baby Set. Finally the Stampin' Up Scalloped Oval punch provided the shape for the sentiment and the always useful Scallop Punch.

I'm Back ... Part Three

A thinking of you card. I made this card for my Dad who was in the hospital at the time. Unfortunately, first class mail being first class mail it never arrived in Kentucky. I totally CASED this card from Karen Giron and from the sketch orginator Jodi Collins.

Stamps used were the ever fateful Pocket Silhouettes (!?!) and sentiment from Perfectly Clear Stamps' Changito Notes by Stampendous. Ink is Stampin' Classic Night of Navy, Brillant Blue and Stampin' Craft Whisper White. Cardstock is Night of Navy, Brilliant Blue and patterned paper is selections from Stampin' UP Patterns Pack III and the retired Stampin' UP Patterns Pack II. Faux stitching was done with a Uni-ball Signo Broad White ink pen. Punches were Marvy Uchida large scallop circle and Stampin' UP Scallop Border punch. I really enjoyed making this card, I have tried the faux stitching before with black marker and didn't care for the result -- the white ink makes a big difference.

Thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!

I'm Back ... Part Two

This card was made back in July at the request of David for a new grandmother on his team. At that time I didn't have much in the way of baby-related supplies (which has since changed!) So this is probably a non-SU card.

Stamps used are Studio G Series 8 and an unmarked Studio G set. Ink is Brilliance Graphite Black and Stampin' Craft Whisper White. Cardstock is Whisper White and Bashful Blue patterned paper is DCWV Nan's Kids. Ribbon is from the Target dollar bin area. This one has a brand new SU punch used for the squares. Another very simple card.

Thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!

I'm Back ... Part One

Well, it probably appeared that I abandoned this blog but I'm BACK! I'm going to do a marathon of posting today (if some little ones around here leave me be!)

A Get Well Card

This card was made so long ago I don't remember the circumstances. I'm sure David asked me to make it. Freely admitting that I do not have an original design bone in my body this card is CASED from one I found somewhere. To the original creator I offer my gratitude and ask that on the completely off chance you visit my blog and see your creation let me know and I'll more than happily give credit where it's due.

Stamps are Pocket Silhouettes, background stamp is the retired Dots & Dashes and sentiment is Series 16 from Studio G. Ink used is Stampin' Classic Garden Green and Craft Basic Black. Cardstock is So Saffron, Garden Green and Whisper White. Ribbon is 5/8" So Saffron grosgrain. Unfortunately, my square punch died a horrible death by crumbling the top left corner of just about every punch so she's gone to the great punch heap. This was an incredibly easy card to make.

Thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!