Sympathy Vase Card

Good Morning Friends! Needed to make a sympathy card for a friend last week as her MIL passed away. I think this is an area that so many have a difficult time with....not sure if it is just the concept or finding the right colors and words to say. But, remembering the cards that our family recieved last year with Dad's death, I remember the understated ones most.

I tried to get that feel here, I hope. This stamp has been in my stash for a very long time and I have never used it. Don't know why really. It is quite large for a standard A2 card so, I went up to the next size. And the color is a bit brighter than is showing up. Popped up the hydrangea bloom for some dimension.

Made me think of a painting that my Dad did for me some time back. Back before I had met Wayne, I had seen a picture of vased flowers in still life. I loved it and wondered if Dad could make it larger for me. Of course he could and did. Then we had a seven year split.....over stupid things in retrospect. He never gave up on me and kept the painting. When I found out that he was sick and I came back to the family in 2007, the first thing he did was bring over the painting. I had no idea the work that he put into it. I will post it tomorrow and tell you all about it.

I kick myself for having missed 7 years of relationship with my folks but, especially my Dad. And I am so grateful for having had the opportunity to be close to him at the end of his life. Life is too short friends, put up with the crabbiness and things you don't like about family....one day they will not be here....live without regrets. Okay, off soapbox now......

Thanks for looking and have a happy crafting day!!
Cindy

• Stamps - SU Warmest Regards (hostess), Hero Arts
• Paper - SU Whisper White and Lovely Lilac CS
• Ink - Ranger Archival Black Ink
• Accessories - Prismacolor Pencils, Baby Oil, Blending Stumps, Dimensionals

Just Like You Thank You Notes

Good Morning Friends! Finished these up last week for my sister, Lisa. I had sent her a card mid-summer last year similar to the turquoise ones letting her know how much I love her. She made the comment that I should sell my cards because "they are just so lovely." Isn't she sweet?

Took me a little over three days to get all these finished. Don't know about you but I go into production mode when I have this many to do. All the cutting one day, stamping another and another to put together. Had fun and I hope she asks me to make some more again!

Thanks for looking! Hope you all have a great crafting day!!
Cindy

• Stamps - SU Just Like You
• Paper - SU Temping Turquoise, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Lovely Lilac and Whisper White CS, SU Flowers For You DSP
• Ink - SU Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Lovely Lilac
• Accessories - Stamp-a-majig, SU Grograin Ribbons (some retired), MS Butterfly Punch, Unknown Self-adhesive Bling, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, SU Scallop Border Punch, Paper Piercer
  

Good Morning Stamping Friends! Finally getting around to posting my St. Patrick's Day cards. When I was looking at various galleries for ideas, the thought hit me....why not use it. Family and friends loved it, especially the one with the colorful striped ribbon.

The more muted one was my attempt at doodling around the letters and making a glittery punched shamrock. It's okay.

Did you know that when you wish a Happy St. Patrick's Day to someone here in the US and you want to shorten it....you say Happy St. Paddy's Day and not Happy St. Patty's Day? Why? Well, glad you asked......Patty is a girls name and Paddy is the Irish way to shorten Patrick....Paddy. It's also how Paddy Wagon got it's name....in New York so many Policmen of the day were Irish and the name just stuck. Also, in Ireland it is a religious holiday and not a drunken brawl. Just some random thoughts on the holiday.

Thanks for looking have a great day!
Cindy

• Stamps - SU Headline and Short Line Alphas, Tag Time
• Paper - Unknown DSP, SU Whisper White, Gable Green, Garden Green, Very Vanilla and Old Olive CS
• Ink - SU Garden Green, Gable Green, Green Galore, Pumpkin Pie, Creamy Caramel
• Accessories - Stamp-a-majig. Assorted Michael's Ribbons, Miscellaneous Buttons, MS Scalloped Border Punch, MS Shamrock Punch,
  

A Good Egg Easter

It has been far too long since I have posted on here. I feel bad about it too. Those of you who check in on me from time to time know that my life is very busy. I hope you understand.

This is my Easter card for this year. Made a dozen to send to family and very close friends. Stamped the image on the WW cardstock and positioned previously stamped, colored and paper pieced chicks to it. Ran a couple of swipes under thier feet with watercolor brush and re-inker. Very easy.

Hope you have a lovely Easter week and time with family next weekend. Hoping to post the cards I have made since February soon. Happy Crafting!!
Cindy

• Stamps - A Good Egg
• Paper - SU Whisper White, Barely Banana and Textured Whisper White CS and Tea Party DSP
• Ink - SU Basic Gray
• Accessories - Stamp-a-majig

Huge Prima Blog Candy

Prima blog is going to reveal something really big. So in honor of that event, they are giving away candy. Look at this....worth about $100!! Go to their blog found here http://prima.typepad.com/ You have until tonight to enter.......hurry friends!!!

Valentine's Day at the Zoo and Hope Cards

Good Morning Friends! Yes, it has been a week since I last chatted with you. I have been busy, of course, working on my studies (first exam tomorrow), working on taxes, taking care of Clark's issues, always (big care plan meeting on Friday) and working on cleaning up my desk. Which means the parts and pieces of stamped cards that I never finished.

Oh, you know you borrowed a set and stamped off a bunch of images but, just ran out of time or lost interest in that project. Well, that is me (raising my hand) on both accounts. I have so many projects that I want to do or have in the works that I forget that I have other responsibilities that have greater priority.

Like on Valentine's Day, Wayne and I really had nothing planned except to spend the day with each other. Well, then you really can't spend time working on your crafts can you. It was a fun day spent a good portion in the frosty cold watching some of the penguins get to waddle out of their cages for a bit. This was the first time we had seen this. So, it was fun! The rest of the zoo animals were pretty much non-existent except for the ones in the heated houses. We are zoo members and love going and walking around one of the last free zoos in the country.

Then we went to Whole Foods for some dinner fixins. Made a couple of nice grilled steaks with baked potatoes, huge tossed salad and ice cream for dessert. We were stuffed....kind of looked like those penguins! LOL! I was such a pleasant day to just relax and not think about the other things in our lives for just a bit.

Wayne and I have been very fortunate that we have not had anyone in our family or known any friends that have had breast cancer. Known folks, including Dad, with other cancers. But, which ever form it is a terrible disease to have to suffer under. My thought is that you have to give up your will to God but, still fight the disease. I had Ovarian Cancer so long ago I can't even tell you how I felt at the time.

I was just 18 when I found out. I was stunned and really did not know what it all meant at the time. That was in 1976. And at that time the treatments were okay but, not like today. So, I agreed to have a total hysterectomy to save my life. It was tough for quite a few years dealing with that removal.....the loss of hormones and the never being able to have children. I think it weighed heavy on Dad for a long time (he told me this later).

Today, I am healthy and have an adopted son. I am grateful for each and everyday I wake in the morning and put my two feet on the ground. I know that there is hope of a brighter tomorrow for all of us......whether we face that disease or another one.

Thanks for looking at my cards (these will go into my stash and some will get donated) and listening to my story. I appreciate your loyality to my blog even with my absences. I hope you have a great day!
Cindy

• Stamps - SU Hope Is
• Paper - SU Whisper White, Pretty in Pink CS, Basic Grey DP and SU DSP (retired), Creative Cafe Notecards
• Ink - SU Basic Gray, Pretty in Pink
• Accessories - SU Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, MS Lacy Scallop Punch, Buttons

Anniversary Blog Candy Giveaway

Update.........And the winner is:

Larisa

Congratulations!! Please e-mail me at cvansluys@charter.net with your address so I can get these goodies out to you this week!

Thanks everyone who played! I enjoyed looking at your galleries and blogs too!

Cindy


This will stay at the top of the page until February 15. Scroll down for newer posts.

Good Afternoon Friends! Well, I told you I would give away some candy and here it is. I am celebrating my 1 year Anniversary in Blogland (which was at the end of January).

I am giving away all this to one lucky Follower. Here is what you need to do to win..
1-Put my candy on your blog with a link back here.
2-Become a follower if your not already.
3- And leave a comment here letting me know you have done so. If you do that you will have 2 chances to win, if you do not have a blog you still have a chance to win...blog or not!! You have until February 15th to enter!

This is what you will win:
K & Co Greenhouse DP pack
K & Co Greenhouse Phrases & Icons Chipboard
K & C0 Greenhouse Embossed Stickers
Clear Scraps Friendship Stamps
Making Memories Gem Pin Findings
Making Memories Flower Pin Findings
3-Studio 18 Rhinestone Packs
9 ft. roll Ribbon
Spare Parts Alpha Buttons
Daisy D's Green Metal Photo Corners
Teresa Collins Journaling Spotz
Handcrocheted Flowers and Trims to Match

Good Luck!
Cindy

Check out all the other blog candy on my sidebar!!!!