For all the precious babies in Heaven

I chose to make baby sympathy cards, today, in honor of my son and two nieces... who never had the chance to grow and play. My son would have been 9 years old, today.

Today's Splitcoast CAS challenge is to make a sympathy card. This first card is my CAS card for the challenge. The second two cards are more frilly for girls and not CAS.

Stamps: Beary Special (Taylored Expressions), sentiment (Gina K. Designs)
Paper: bashful blue, white
Ink: Palette burnt umber, Copic markers
Accessories: organdy ribbon, Diamond Stickles, dimensionals

Stamps: Beary Special (Taylored Expressions), flower (not sure), sentiment (Our Daily Bread)
Paper: white, pink pirouette
Ink: black, pink pirouette, creamy caramel, Copic markers
Accessories: taffeta ribbon, eyelet, SU scallop edge punch, scallop rectangle die cut (Wish RAK), sponge, paper piercer, template, SU mat stack
Techniques: sponging, faux stitching

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers (Stampin' Up!), grass (DRS Designs), rattle (TAC)
Paper: regal rose, close to cocoa, white
Ink: close to cocoa, regal rose, garden green
Accessories: taffeta ribbon, Martha Stewart edge punch

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Pet Sympathy

I guess you could say I like this sketch. It's my 3rd card! And it uses my 3rd new SU stamp set. I absolutely adore this image. It went on my order, first!

This is another pet sympathy card that I will be donating to our vet.

Stamps: Peace Within, Warmest Regards
Paper: white, creamy caramel, bashful blue, bashful blue DSP
Ink: black, creamy caramel, bashful blue
Accessories: circle punches, eyelet, ribbon, paper piercer, sponge, Copic markers

Pet Sympathy

My family and I are still having a difficult time healing from the loss of one of our cats. I decided to donate some sympathy cards to the vet clinic. This is my first design.

Stamps: Peeking kitty (Rubber Stampede), Whispy grass (Unity), Warmest Regards (Stampin' Up)
Paper: white, bashful blue, dsp
Ink: black, bashful blue (sky), mellow moss
Accessories: taffeta ribbon
Techniques: masking, sponging

Veteran's Day

This Veteran's Day is more meaningful to me than past years. It's a day to remember not only all who have served our country and have since passed away. It's a day to remember my grandpa. My grandpa was the only grandpa I knew. He was fun, lovable, and unique. I remember his whistling. I remember his tongue twisters. (I wish I could remember the one about the Polly's pink plastic pills that cures everything... one he used when we were sad over something silly like not being first. LOL!) I remember his hats. My DS was the only great-grandchild he remembered in his later years. And he had a fascination with Grandpa's hats. I have a wonderful scrapbook page, but I don't think it was ever photographed. Grandpa loved to talk about his war days. He worked with a priest. From what I can remember, they were on and off the battle fields. I was young and wish I had journals to read. What I remember most was the food and the meticulous way they had to pack their uniforms. Guess what? That's now how I pack my suitcases. And if I'm careful, I have no wrinkles!!!






It's a sad day. It's a day for tears. It's a day for remembering. With myself. I know Mom and Grandma went to a special service. I was busy with DS. He had a medical emergency. But I'm not sure I could have handled it. I remember being numb for awhile after he passed. I didn't cry until I heard Taps. Now I just want to cherish the memories.









So today, I chose to psot some sympathy cards I've made in the past. I seem to use light blue on most of my sympathy cards. It seems soothing to me.

This Thursday would have been his 89th birthday. I will post something more festive to celebrate him on that day.

October 19 - The Sad Side

This card was made in memory of my second son who died during delivery on October 19, 2000. I made it a couple of years ago, hoping I would never have to use it. I did end up using it when a student of mine passed away. I'm so glad I had it on hand, because I wasn't in the crafty mood at the time.

Many of us have known someone who has had a miscarriage. Some of you may have known someone who has had a stillborn baby, a baby die as an infant, or a young child die either tragically or from an awful disease. In all of these situations, we need to proceed carefully.

What do you put inside a sympathy card for the loss of a baby or child? You can always use a search engine to find a verse or poem. There are lots of good ones. Don't ever say you understand.... unless you do. You can very appropriately say, "Just want you to know I care". When offering to help, be specific. Offer to go grocery shopping, help with older children's homework or car pooling. Maybe make a meal or do some laundry. Think concretely.

When do you send cards? At the time of death is just the obvious. But don't forget these times: at the anniversary of the death, the first Christmas or significant holiday, the child's birthday or due date for a miscarriage or premature birth.

{{Hugs}},

Miss Boo


Stamps: Favorite Teddy Bear, Houndstooth, Hope for Comfort, Mini Mates
Paper: sage shadow, creamy caramel, white
Ink: close to cocoa, sage shadow, apricot appeal
Accessories: organdy ribbon, markers

A Busy Week!

Wow! It's been a week since I updated! Most of the week was spent with doctor appointments and continuing the unmounting project in my craft room. That led to major reorganizing because of more space. I think I might actually be organized enough to start scrapbooking again! :) And I have more unloved items to put on eBay this week. I also discovered two brand new blog challenges that I will add soon.

On the topic of challenges, I've been participating in the weekend Wish RAK challenges where we donate the cards for the troops. I'll be adding those soon. The only other stamping I did this week were 2 color challenge cards. I LOVE this combo: rose red, kraft & black.

Sympathy Card

Stamps: Garden Silhouettes, Hope for Comfort
Paper: rose red, kraft, kraft DSP, black, white
Ink: black, rose red, always artichoke
Accessories: markers, taffeta ribbon


Happy Birthday Card

Stamps: Polka Dots & Paisley - SU, sentiment - Gina K Designs
Paper: rose red, kraft, kraft DSP, black, white
Ink: black, rose red, sahara sand
Accessories: markers, eyelet, ribbon

Prayers

My prayers go out to the families of those who have lost their lives in storms and floods around the midwest.

Stamps: Petal Prints, Baroque Motifs, Words of Wisdom
Paper: basic gray, soft sky, white, soft sky DSP
Ink: basic gray, soft sky
Accessories: soft sky ribbon, dimensionals
Techniques: stamping off


All Stampin' Up supplies were used to make this card.