A Community College Retirement

I don't think I have ever made a retirement card before - and this one was SUCH fun. This special lady devoted her career at our local community college to overseeing the scholarship department.  She was so dedicated to every one of those students and she knew their hopes and dreams and rejoiced in their successes. She touched the heart of everyone who met her.  So I am sad to see her leave, but excited for the adventure ahead of her. She deserves to travel and kick up her heels!

So when I found a this "paradise" image among the stenciled clip art designs that I have, I knew it was the one to use for her card.  I wanted to make a happy, colorful card, and I think I managed that.  It was fun to use up a variety of paper scraps and emboss some of them for detail.

You can see the design in the sand from one embossing folder, and a different

one was used on the tree trunk.  Also used Nuvo Glitter Drops on the layers

of the water.  I sprinkled glitter onto the sun after it was coated in Glossy Accents.

The sky was painted with Distress Oxide inks - those are so much fun to use and they glided and blended easily over the glossy card stock.

I hope she is on an island somewhere...... sipping a cocktail and soaking in the sun...... AND relaxing!

Bon Voyage my friend!

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Happy Birthday Neighbor!

A very special lady in the neighborhood has a birthday today.  She has the most beautiful yard around because that is her love - flowers, plants, vegetables - you name it, she can grow it.  And she is really a master - she isn't just successful at it, but she understands why it does well or what needs to change in order to improve the results. She is amazing and her backyard always reminds me of the most enticing, welcoming park with the birds always singing and the butterflies fluttering among the greenery.....

Design from Dover Clip Art - converted to cut file

Paper is Paper Temptress Mica

We both love orchids, so I added to her "collection" both in the simple gift and in the card I made.  I used an image from Dover royalty tree Floral Stencil Designs and turned that into a cut file -  so easy.  The background is another Brusho experiment using the yellow ochre and sea glass.  The more I play with the Brusho colors the more fun it is but will try not to overdo it!

The stamp is from Hero Arts and I used my MISTI to double stamp to get the best color intensity from the ink.  Absolutely LOVE the MISTI - it's getting me to use my stamps again!

Sea glass and yellow ochre Brusho colors on watercolor paper

Closeup of the design and pearl embellishments.  Simple but effective, I think.

Happy Birthday, Lo'Vetta!

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Sending Words of Sympathy

I have talked about it before.... making a sympathy card is without a doubt the most difficult card to make.  And there are certainly situations that make it even harder.  This was one of those times.

I have been blessed to have a lot of warm and wonderful people enter my life.  The dear lady who is the recipient of this card is truly one of my guardian angels. She came into my life when I moved back to CA after having lived in Arizona for 12 years.  I was not in the strongest physical shape and needed a part time caregiver.  That is when this special woman created a "forever spot" in my heart.  She not only helped me for a year (I was in wheelchair at the time and couldn't drive) but she challenged me to live - really live and reach for all that I could do.  Over time and a lot of tough love on her part, I found the will and the strength to leave the wheelchair behind and fight the system to drive again.  She saw the strength inside of me even when I couldn't, or didn't want to.  I owe her so much.  And even though we mutually ended the employer/employee relationship, we have remained close friends for the past ten years.

A week ago I received a very short email from her. She is now in her 80s,  but living a full and active life. Sadly she shared that her oldest son had recently passed away and that the healing would now begin.  My heart ached for her and I felt/feel so helpless.  So this card is for her - this special lady who was a transforming light in my life.   I hope it reminds her that she is dearly loved...now and forever...

God bless you and your family.....

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