Kathy's Sympathy Card

I know that my sympathy cards will never look like anyone else's, because I make my own.  But in this case, my card doesn't even look like a sympathy card, and that was on purpose.  I'm sending this to my friend Kathy's daughter, and I simply wanted a beautiful card that was reminiscent of the things Kathy loved:  the color pink and flowers.

I chose some papers from the Curio collection by Basic Grey.  The main image was colored with Prismacolor Premier pencils, still my favorite coloring medium.  The pearl flourish is also by Basic Grey.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great week.

Supplies:
Brown cardstock by Bazzill; patterned papers by Basic Grey; very vanilla cardstock from Stampin' Up; black Stazon ink; stamp unknown; Prismacolor Premier pencils; odorless mineral spirits; round and scalloped round Nestabilities by Spellbinders; Martha Stewart border punch; Prima flower; Basic Grey pearl flourish; antique linen and crushed corduroy distress ink.

In Memoriam

I was in a blue funk all weekend, and still am, after receiving word that one of my dearest friends passed away.  Kathy had been in declining health and had lost a significant amount of weight, so her death was not a surprise.  But I am still deeply saddened and will miss her terribly.

She was a strong and unique woman, and in spite of any troubles she may have had, she made you feel as if you were the most important person in the world.  Spending time with her was always uplifting.  She had a generous spirit and was so supportive.  I always looked forward to showing her my latest projects and hearing her comments about the cards I sent her.  Being with her just made you feel good; good about yourself and about life in general.

I consider it a privilege to have known her and to have called her friend for more than 30 years.  Rest in peace, dear one.

For Kathy

This is a 5 x 7 photo album I made for my friend Kathy, who is one of the dearest people I know.

I may add some journaling, captions or light embellishments, after I have a chance to show this to Kathy and to ask her some more questions about the photos I chose.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Kolo mini photo album (purchased at Barnes and Noble); decorative papers by My Mind's Eye (Meadowlark collection); kraft cardstock from Stampin' Up; black cardstock by Bazzill; border punches by Martha Stewart and Fiskars; die-cut border by K and Company; various Nestabilities by Spellbinders; copies of old photos.

Get Well Soon

A friend of mine recently fell at her fitness club and fractured her hip. Thankfully, it did not require surgery, but she is staying at a local rehab center while she undergoes physical therapy. I know that she likes this stamp by Artistic Outpost, so I decided to use it on a card for her.

I just love these black and cream decorative papers by K & Company. They look so classy with the dark red cardstock.

We're having an absolutely gorgeous day here! I hope you are, too.

Supplies:
Stamp: Artistic Outpost; red cardstock by Bazzill; very vanilla cardstock from Stampin' Up!; decorative papers by K & Company; Colorbox black pigment ink; clear embossing powder; black grosgrain ribbon; Martha Stewart border punch; flower buttons from my stash; gold embroidery thread; pop-dots.

A Real Natural

Last week my friend Kathy invited me to her house for lunch and then we spent a delightful afternoon looking at old photos and reminiscing about the past. But it's not what you're probably thinking, as Kathy and I did not grow up together. In fact, Kathy is almost 30 years older than I am; her daughter Anna was a close friend of mine in high school. Sadly, Anna was killed in a motorcycle accident at the age of 18. That event had a profound effect on me and I am so glad to have reconnected with Kathy since returning to my home town several years ago.

It was so much fun to see pictures of Kathy as a child and young woman, and to walk down memory lane with her. She generously allowed me to bring home some of her photos (including photos from the 1920s of her mother and father), and I have so many things I want to create with them.

I started with this card that features a photo of Kathy as a young girl, posing with her dolly. I thought it would make a cute Mother's Day card and because I just got her photos last week, I know she won't be expecting anything like this. The sentiment inside says, "Happy Mother's Day to a real natural."

I also made her this bookmark featuring photos of Herman, the dachshund she had as a teenager. Herman's full name is the very regal sounding Herman Lowboy Eric Von Auchit Wiederhalverson! Like true royalty, he appears completely at ease (albeit a little bored) with having his picture taken.

One thing that Anna's death, and my subsequent adult friendship with Kathy, has taught me is that time is truly one of the greatest gifts we can give another person. I hope I never forget that lesson.

Supplies:
Cardstock by Bazzill; decorative papers from Basic Grey; sentiment stamp by Stampin' Up!; border punches from Martha Stewart; oval punches from Stampin' Up!; Nestabilities; Cuttlebug embossing folder; blue button brads (purchased at Target); white twill ribbon.