Where I've Been...

 I took a sabbatical (few months off from cardmaking) to make wedding flowers (silk) for a very good friend's daughter who I've watched grow up and has played an important role in my life.   Before she could drive I paid her to come clean my house and after she started driving we would go "eat lunch" together after she finished cleaning.  She would drive us (I was in various kinds of cancer treatment during these years).   I was always so cheered up to be with her and she was very attentive to what I asked her to do  and how I wanted it done!    Her name is Sarah and she is all grown up now, a college graduate, an elementary school teacher and this year on October 4 shortly after 3:00 PM she became Mrs. Christopher Bowen.       

Here are some photos of her flowers

 Cousin Katie, Aunt Sue (dress corsage), Sarah, Pam/her mom (wrist corsage), and sister Emma

We started off with a "fall mix" from Hobby Lobby and as the process went along I ended up taking a rather large yellow flower out and adding in the same size burgundy flower, baby's breath and ivy cutting the stems to the same length and tying it with off white wide wired ribbon...securing with decorative straight pins

not sure you can see the boutonnieres but again went to  hobby lobby bought some burgundy boutonnieres and stripped everything off  then added ivy and baby's breath and wrapped in tan twine for a masculine fall look.

the bride's bouquet was made from champagne  rosebuds, baby's breath and a different ivy from any

of the other flowers.   It was hand tied and included 3 striated roses of several matching colors that matched the champagne roses.  They were chosen in honor of her grandmothers (both deceased) and her deceased grandfather.    They were positioned in the bouquet so she could look down and remember them.   The groom 's boutonniere was composed with this same rose to match the brides bouquet and to honor  his father who passed away during Covid.

It was such a joy to be a part of this sweet girl's wedding!

me,  Sarah,  Pam (mom) Emma (sister)

I love them all!

Thanks for looking

a special thanks to Lindsey, Kimberlee and Debie for holding and bowmaking assistance!

SU Stippled Roses Sympathy...

 

I haven't used a Freshly Made Sketch in a very long time,  but I do go there often to see the beautiful cards.  To be honest I haven't made a card in quite awhile.  I've struggled with my eyes for a couple of years now, and have had three surgeries.  I also have multiple myeloma, which is uncurable only manageable so there are ups and downs with that, but I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak these days.   My energy level and eye sight are good right now.  In my browsing around for a sketch to make cards for the ladies in my local swap group I came upon the current sketch at Freshly Made and it caught my eye (pun not intended).   From time to time my SU demonstrator and special friend  (her family-my family) was clearing out her stash and I fell in love with the Stippled Roses (so vintage).  Immediately I knew it would be perfect for this sketch.   I tweaked it a bit, but you can still see the intended design.   Everything is SU and the sentiment strip is from the current "Happy Hibiscus" collection.   The sentiment was created in a label program on the computer.   My card really speaks to my heart and although, if you're like me you don't want to ever need a sympathy card, you want to send one that will perhaps comfort and encourage the recipient.    Thanks for looking and may you seek Jesus' comfort in your times of sorrow and pain.   He cares about you!    Smiles,   Kathy

Cutest Onesie Baby Cards...

February Challenge--Anything Goes

Challenge #  324    "Tie it Up"

A few weeks ago I purchased this cutest onesie baby stamp set from SU.    A girl in my life group at church is having a baby and I gave the bottom card to her.    I made the top two cards (boy and girl) for each of the ladies in a local swap group.    I linked my cards to the above challenges....I used many die cuts on cards and used twine on the tag.       I love how the die cut for the onesie has a cut to insert the little hanger.   I would say it is "just too stinkin' cute!   Thanks for stopping by!   Smiles   Kathy

 PS  I stamped the sentiment on the bottom card, but for some reason on the two tops card, my ink pad didn't cooperate and I ended up computer generating the sentiments.   Also  I used the pencil eraser on brand new pencil to make the dots on the boy onesies.   

It's your Birthday...

After I made the first card (here) with this sketch, as I was putting my Honey Bee papers away, I was struck with how lovely these 2 would be to make a birthday card.   I hope you like it.  The background on the floral piece may actually be deep navy, but it looks black so that's what I went with.   Both the fall card and this card look clean and simple in my book...thanks for looking and may your week be blessed.     Smiles,   Kathy    

I also linked this card to Seize the Birthday 

                                        TicTacToe  Middle Row Across  Cased the first card I made for TMS (green                                             Foilage) and DSP

Fall Assurance Card...

 

It's been a very long time since I participated in a challenge over at Tuesday Morning Sketches.  So last week I checked it out and I absolutely fell in love with this sketch!   Over the past year I have had some eye problems, that have necessitated 4 surgeries and my eyesight is not quite normal yet.   So  since I also have a slight hand tremor, stamping can be a big challenge for me.   I have started doing some digital stamping (filling in the color online in Paint and printing it.) But I also love designer papers and this sketch is just perfect for showcasing some fall paper I bought a few years ago from HoneyBee.  Fall is beautiful but sometimes when the weather gets colder and the leaves are falling I find that I can become sad, especially on the rainy overcast days.   I wanted to put an encouraging Bible verse on my card, one that speaks truth not only to me, but also to the person that receives the card.  It is comforting to know that my days and seasons will change, but He does not change.   I can count on His love for me no matter how I feel.    Thank you for stopping in and I have another card I made with this sketch to share here.   Smiles,  Kathy

Linking to:  Word Art Wenesday

wreath Christmas card

It's been about one month since I posted a card.   My card was made using the 52 CCT  November color challenge.   The  wreath is from a collection I bought a couple of years ago on Etsy..  And the sentiment is from Stampin up.  Some green rhinestones add the finishing touch and if  I ever find my wink of stella brush I will use that on the poinsettias!     Thanks for looking!    Kathy

 

"monochrome" Christmas Card

While I love using lots of color when I make Christmas cards, I really like today's challenge over at 52 CCT.   Monochrome--I chose green and I really like the way it came out.  Thanks for stopping by and have a nice week end.   Smiles,   Kathy