The Reunion Heart

For a double whammy, Color Challenge 164 and Try a New Technique Challenge 166, I decided to make some cards for a gathering tomorrow. For the past 13 weeks, I have participated in a Grief Share group. It has been an amazing help in working through the passing of some key people in my life. The women in my group have been such a great support system for me. There's something about being associated with people who know EXACTLY what you are going through. If you are suffering a loss, and are wanting a Scripture-centered (but not overly preachy) way to work through it, I strongly recommend going to the Grief Share website and checking out the program. I am at such a more positive place than I was a couple months ago.

The Two Way Open Card was the display I needed for the gifts I am giving the ladies in my group. Great instructions for this, provided by Beth (showmestamper), can be found here. I also have provided a close-up of the heart pendant and the inside of the card (sentiment purchased at Berean Bookstore). The back of the pendant is engraved with "God will wipe away your tears." They can either choose to keep it all together in this card, or remove the pendant and place it somewhere else.

I am so proud of my McGyver skills with this pendant. I had to make my own little "hoop" for this (I know there's a different name than "hoop," just can't think of it right now). I was at a loss, as I don't do much with wire and/or jewelry. Enter the paperclip... the crafter's salvation. I cut it, shaped it with pliers, and... voila... I had a hook up for the ribbon. I'm sitting a wee taller tonight.

The colors to be used were (SU!) Pure Pomegranate, Basic Black, and Soft Sky. I used the Paisley background stamp in Pure Pomegranate ink on Soft Sky paper... and I love the outcome. The black patterned paper (All My Memories) was also challenging as it was one sided! I simply used the triangle I had to cut off and adhered it to the white side. I inked the edge so no "unsightly white" would show. Again, I felt empowered! The wide, sheer ribbon really finishes it off nicely, I think.

Infatuations

Today's entry has nothing to do with cards or crafts. I wanted to stay up to document some recent obsessions.

First up: flip flops. Not just any flip flops... these stinkin' Nike flip flops of which I now own four pairs. They are so "flippin'" comfortable. It was freezing and even SNOWING today here in Central IL, and, by golly, I wore my new flip flops. That and I gave myself a stinkin' pedi yesterday and, with as long as that took, I would have walked through a foot of snow without caring. The flip flops will be on until someone tears them off of me.

Now, for something more cerebral. I have a current infatuation with House. That show filled the void that The West Wing left in my world. The dialogue is as well-timed as Gilmore Girls (another show I miss, sadly), the humor is outrageous, and the medical situations are engaging (at least to me). You come away thinking your brain was entertained via many dimensions. How crazy-talented is the cast, especially Hugh Laurie?!

The writer's strike has pissed me off. New episodes are very hard to come by (tonight's is DVRed waiting for tomorrow, I hope). However, it has given me the opportunity to watch some of the episodes I never saw.

One such episode was from 2006 entitled "Lines in the Sand." Absolutely fantastic partial soliloquy from Dr. House as he and Dr. Cameron discuss a ten-year-old patient with autism. I was so enamored with this writing that I transcribed it. So, here's to you, writers of House. We desperately miss your talents.

CAMERON: It's normal to want to be normal.

HOUSE: Spoken like a true "circle queen." See, skinny, socially-privileged white people get to draw this neat little circle. Everyone inside the circle is normal. Anyone outside the circle should be beaten, broken, and reset so they can be brought into the circle. Failing that, they should be institutionalized , or worse... pitied.

CAMERON: So, it's wrong to feel sorry for this little boy?

HOUSE: Why would you feel sorry for someone who gets to opt out of the inane courteous formalities which are utterly meaningless, insincere, and therefore, degrading? This kid doesn't have to pretend to be interested in your back pain or your excretions or your grandma's itchy place. Can you imagine how liberating it would be to live a life free of all the mind-numbing social niceties? I don't pity this kid. I envy him.

As a parent of a child with autism and another with extreme anxiety, I say, "AMEN, Dr. House!" Over and out.

Yet another sympathy card

This week's Featured Stamper, Michelle (sf9erfan), had some pretty great work in her gallery. I chose to case this one for a sympathy card I needed.

You know, I am pretty sick of cancer. With all the research we have done, there are some cancers that seem to still be automatic death sentences. Lung, pancreatic, stomach, bone, ovarian...just to name a few. We have come so far, but still people have to suffer horribly before dying of these. I understand that everyone has a time at which s/he is slated to "go." It's not really that which I am fighting in my mind. It is this: Why do very good people die very painful deaths? Could a little mercy be shown to them? Must they struggle for air as their families watch on? Oh well, you can probably tell it's 2 AM as I post this. I have been distressed ever since about 5 PM when I heard at church that a woman I knew had succumbed to lung and bone cancer. She was a wonderful, spiritual lady. She will be missed by her family, whom I am sure is glad that she is out of pain and on her way to heaven, while at the same time sad to let her go. This is the part of grief I don't understand... Why do some people endure what seems like torturous death and others die within the blink of an eye? I would like the latter, please.

Now, back to the card. Here are my specs:

Size: 4 1/8 x 5 1/2 inches
Paper: SU! Bravo Burgundy and Bordering Blue, Papertrey white, Tinkering Ink Yuletide
Stamps: SU! Hope for Comfort
Ink: SU! Always Artichoke
Ribbon: SU! Theater assortment
Brads: Spare Parts

Changito Challenge

Today's Inspiration Challenge has a safari theme, so I knew exactly what I wanted to use: my new Changito Notes set from Archiver's. I have to say, I was wanting some Copics, but the SU! markers worked just fine, too. I decided to use some green Stickles on the sign and the U, but I ended up also "faux embellishing" with them. I like how he card turned out. So fun. And with this set, you can change the message. Very cool.

Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches

Paper: SU! Perfect Plum, Ultrasmooth Vanilla, Going Grey, and Garden Green

Stamps: Changito Notes

Glitterati: Stickles

Ribbon: SEI

Just marvelous!

Today's Limited Supplies Challenge was to use scraps, and man, do I have scraps. I guess it's cheating to call this "limited." I just won't throw much of anything away.

I had very little idea of direction for this. The scraps were from various projects. The velvet paper was left over from an SEI accordian album I did at CKC St. Louis. You'll notice the idea I used was also from that album. I wish I could take full credit!

I have used the Prints Certainly Celery DSP for several projects, including my Snoopy card. So, there was plenty of that to go around. Certainly Celery cardstock also was readily available. The Bazzill cardstock in the background saw many a card, such as this one.

Size: 4 x 4 inches

Paper: SU! Certainly Celery, Prints DSP, Bazzill

Ribbon: leftovers from a QVC package and from an SEI project

Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip

Stamps: SU! Amazing to Zany

Sympathy for a Friend

My card today fulfilled the purposes of the SCS Ways to Use It Challenge. We were supposed to use scissors to snip. I cut out the three medallions on the bottom of the card, mounted them on DSP, and then cut them out again.

Unfortunately, I made this because I needed to use it. A friend lost her sister today. Those of us who work with and love her are going to need to sign the card, so I needed to make it from a full 8 1/2 x 11 piece of Bazzill textured cardstock. The rest just flowed. I do like how it came out. I hope it gives her comfort to know how many of us share her sadness and are praying for her family in its time of grief.

Size: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches
Paper: Bazzill, SU! Baroque Background and So Saffron

Stamps: SU! Hope for Comfort and Baroque Motifs

Ink: SU! Almost Artichoke and Basic Black

Brads: Spare Parts

Ribbon: Wide brown sheer

Sketch Challenge 173

I cannot believe I stayed up and did this card. I will be soooo tired tomorrow. But, I am happy I did, because I really like it. I bought this American Crafts paper... I dunno... at Archiver's?... and I have been itching to use it. Tonight (ahem... this morning) was the time.

The sketch for this challenge is shown. Seems easy enough, but I really was stuck on some of my layering decisions. Didn't want to cover up my DSP too much.

Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches

Paper: SU! Basic Black, Bazzill textured cardstock, American Crafts Sixth Avenue Little Italy

Ink: SU! Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Cranberry Crisp

Ribbon: Orinetal Trading sheer blue

Bling: Spare Parts Gemstones

Stamps: SU! Spring Garden, Amazing to Zany