Maja 'Thank You' Cards!

Hello my dear friends! I am back. It felt good to be creating in my craft room again. It is wonderful therapy, and I probably should have done it sooner.

I have missed you all! I thank you with all my heart for the amazing support and kind comments you have shared with me, both here and on Facebook.    

I have the honor of hosting the Friday Focus on Maja Design Papers at the Frilly and Funkie Blog this week. I crafted a coordinating set of  'thank you' cards showcasing the Vintage Summer Basics and Vintage Spring Basics collections.    

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Your visit means so much to me! It is an incredible blessing to have such wonderful, crafty friends. I look forward to visiting your blogs as well. I have missed out on a great deal of creative inspiration these past few months.   

Hop on over to the Frilly and Funkie Blog for more information on Maja Paper collections and simple instructions for assembling these cards. 

Sending heartfelt wishes for your happiness and many joyful days of crafting!

Hugs,

Ranger Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet	Tim Holtz Tonic Studios 9.5" Titanium Scissors	Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents	Ranger Inkssentials Wonder Tape - 1/8"	Ivory/White Jute Twine
Dina Wakley Media Mediums - White Gesso	Maja Design 6x6" Scrapbook Paper Pad - Vintage Spring Basics	Maja Design 6x6" Scrapbook Paper Pad - Vintage Summer Basics	Venise Lace Trim - 1.75 Inches	Venise Lace Trim - 1.875 Inches
RANGER MIXED MEDIA CARDSTOCK 8 1/2" X 11" 10PK	KAISERCRAFT Pearls - Self Adhesive - Snow

With an aching heart...

Hello my friends. It's been over two months since my last post. That last post was of the Mother's Day card I crafted for my mom. The very day of that post my sweet mom, the best friend I will ever have, had a severe change in her neurological status. Melanoma had taken over her brain. I was blessed to receive a last hug, kiss, and 'I love you,' while she still recognized me. She slipped quickly into a coma and passed away in a Hospice Center eleven days later. She was never able to see the card I made for her. We held her funeral and buried her ashes the day before Mother's Day. I placed her special card and a long letter for her into her burial vault.

This is the reason for my long absence. I needed time to gather the shattered pieces of my heart and reassemble them as best I could. I'm still in the midst of that process, but am beginning to feel the urge to create again. My mom was the person who fostered my love of art and crafting from the time I was a little girl. I think she will be happy to see me working in my craft room again. 

I'll be back in a few days with a new project for Frilly and Funkie. I hope these past couple of months have seen sunnier days for you all. I send you my love and wishes for all that is good and wonderful.
Hugs,

Pion Mother's Day Card

Hello, dear friends. I hope all is bright and sunny in your part of the world. Spring has arrived in Charleston, filling the air with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. The bird feeder outside my mother's nursing home window has already attracted several pairs of songbirds to serenade her during the day! My time with my mother is so precious. For those of you aware of my mom's illness, please continue to pray for a miracle for my her. Cancer is such an evil thing. I pray it is banished from her body and that her health and strength are restored.

We're excited to announce the start of a new challenge at the Frilly and Funkie Blog! Nicole is our hostess and her theme is 'Springtime Die Cuts'. She asks us to dust off our stash of flower, foliage, or butterfly dies this time around. You may create any type of project, card, or layout, just remember to think SPRING! Check out all the entry details simply by clicking on the link above.

I crafted this card for my mother, because she IS my favorite! I was planning to give it to her on Mother's Day, but I think I'll give it to her today instead!

I'm using Pion's Paris Flea Market for the second project in a row, because it's just so pretty! I distressed and layered my papers. I love the way the designs in this collection work together.
I decided to create a garden of fragrant roses using my Tim Holtz Tattered Florals and Mini Tattered Florals dies. The entrance to my garden is through a pair of white washed iron gates, courtesy of Kaisercraft flourishes.

I finished everything off with some Prima pearls, frayed cheesecloth, and a twine bow, then shabbied it all up with a touch of Gesso.

Thank you for stopping by to take a peek at my card. Your visit means so much to me! I also want to thank everyone who is praying for my mother. Your kind words, prayers, and positive thoughts mean the world to us. I wish you good health and a future filled with crafty fun! 

Hugs,

Ranger Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet	Tim Holtz Tonic Studios 9.5" Titanium Scissors	Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents	Ranger Inkssentials Wonder Tape - 1/8"	Ivory/White Jute Twine
Dina Wakley Media Mediums - White Gesso	Pion Design Paper - Paris Flea Market 6x6" Scrapbooking Paper	Pion Design Paper - Paris Flea Market 12x12" Scrapbooking Paper	KAISERCRAFT Flourishes - Gates	Prima - Say It In Pearls Collection - Mini Flourish with Roses
Sizzix Alterations Die - Mini Tattered Florals Movers and Shapers Die by Tim Holtz	Sizzix Alterations Tim Holtz Tattered Florals Die

Paris Flea Market Card

Welcome, friends. I'm sorry I have been absent these past couple of months. I share the following sad news with a heavy heart. My sweet mother suffered a severe stroke on February 2nd. It was caused by multiple areas of metastatic cancer (stage 4 melanoma) to her brain. It came as a complete shock, as she has always been very healthy and energetic. She has been transferred from the hospital to a nursing home. She has lost function on her right side. She is very weak and must sleep most of the time. She has stopped eating. My mother is my heart. I am praying for a miracle for her. If you would like to join me in prayer or in sending up positive thoughts, it is so very much appreciated.

Today begins a new challenge at the Frilly and Funkie Blog.  Linda is our hostess, and she asks us to create a project, card, or layout that includes Ribbon. Just click on the link above to check out the simple entry guidelines, then start crafting! 

I created a card featuring some lovely May Arts ribbon that Linda kindly sent me. I also broke out a luscious new paper collection, Paris Flea Market, from Pion. It's so pretty I almost hated to cut in to it...almost! I distressed the design papers, then layered everything over a background of the gorgeous lace.   

The flower spray is made from purchased paper flowers that I've been hoarding in my stash. I fussy cut the sweet butterflies from the paper collection. The finishing touches are a simple scattering of pearls and a twine bow. 

Forgive me if my work is not up to its usual caliber. I craft only in the spare moments I am not with my mother. It is such a privilege and an honor to care for her and be near her. I keep praying that The Lord and the power of love will heal her.

Thank you so much for joining me. I send wishes for health, joy, and happy crafting!

Hugs,

Ranger Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet	Tim Holtz Tonic Studios 9.5" Titanium Scissors	Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents	Ranger Inkssentials Wonder Tape - 1/8"	Ivory/White Jute Twine
Dina Wakley Media Mediums - White Gesso	Pion Design Paper - Paris Flea Market 6x6" Scrapbooking Paper	Pion Design Paper - Paris Flea Market 12x12" Scrapbooking Paper	KAISERCRAFT Pearls - Self Adhesive Latte	May Arts 1.5 Inch Natural Silky w/ Woven White Checkered Edge

Other Supplies: paper flowers, chipboard flourish, Magnolia rose leaf die