Thursday, March 1, 2012

Crafters of Faith February Challenge Card

Good Morning!
I hope you've all been well.  I did have this post all typed up & ready to post on Leap Year but as you may have noticed; I have been absent from my blog for almost a month.  After mulling over the right words to say & as you may also know.....I'm always quite honest about my feelings so this is what's been going on in my neck of the woods these last few weeks......

After several phone calls informing us that a loved one has passed away; I had to take a leave of absence to get my head & heart right.  I think any normal person can deal with 1 or 2 deaths but several?!!!  We were beginning to think that there was some evil conspiracy going on!  Even though words can't really express how we feel right now; I can say that we're doing much better as a family despite the tremendous hurdles we've encountered.  You know that saying that God doesn't put more on you than you can handle?  Well, we're beginning to question that just a bit but we're still going strong despite everything that's happening outside our walls.  We realize that we have no control over who lives or dies & we're just taking it one day at a time.  I myself personally have not attended any funerals since my brothers' and that doesn't mean that I don't care.....I'm just emotionally drained when it comes to that.  Honestly, I am still pretty raw inside when it comes to my brother & even though I'm in a much better place emotionally; I alone know my limits and refuse to let *the world* tell me how to grieve for other family members.  I'm choosing to remember people in my own way through memories & photos and if they don't understand; well, that's too bad.  I have to do things the best way that I see fit & this is how I'm dealing with everything.  My husband completely understands where I'm coming from & he appreciates my show of support for him through this very difficult time even though I'm not attending funerals with him.  I thank you for sticking with me through my ups & downs and I'm very happy to be able to show a bit of creativity with you today!!!

I am the February host for our blog group Crafters of Faith & I challenged everyone to come up with a LOVE creation using non traditional Valentine colors with a nature theme & have a circle shape somewhere on their card/project.  Sounds fun right?  Well, as you can see; I used Early Espresso & Wild Wasabi along with Confetti White for my color scheme and I grabbed Kind & Caring Thoughts stamp set to fulfill the nature part of my challenge.  I went with a pretty basic layout, some awesome hardware & cute butterfly along with some scrumptious ribbon to finish it off and this lil' baby is ready to mailed off to my son when I get his new address.....yes; there was definitely an ulterior motive to my challenge LOL!!!  Enjoy the rest of the creations as well & be sure to leave them some love:
Patti Sue
Carolina
Olga
LizW
Melina
Cynthia
Liz D
Linda
Carol
Kelly

Thanks so much for stopping by & have a great rest of the day!
Until Next Time,
Hugs & Love,

Supplies:  Kind & Caring Thoughts & Three Little Words Stampsets; Early Espresso, Wild Wasabi & Confetti White Cardstock; Wild Wasabi & Early Espresso Ink; Antique Brads; Early Espresso Quilted Satin Ribbon; Big Shot; Stripes Embossing Folder; Beautiful Wings Butterfly Die; 1 3/4" Circle & 1 1/2" Circle Punches; Dimensionals

29 comments:

  1. This is beautiful! I love the colors and the design. I am so sorry you are going through all these trials and deaths in your family. I am keeping you in prayer!

    Psalm 34:18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
    And saves those who are [a]crushed in spirit.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love it Jackie.
    That is such a nice green thanks for sharing.
    Praying everything get's better for you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. your card is absolutley breathtaking!!! You deal with what ever how ever best for you........I for one totally understand. Prayers going up for you and your family!! Love & Hugs, Olga

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh Jackie, my heart goes out to you, do what you have to do, We all show our love in so many ways.

    I loved the Twist you gave all of us this month, You really made us think.

    I love the colors you used , the hardware is so cool, Your son is sure to Love this card

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jackie--your card is beautiful. I hope that your life calms down soon..............

    ReplyDelete
  6. Prayers and hugs to you Jackie during this trying time, hugs and prayers to you and your family. Your card is so stunning and love the soft green colors. Beautiful as always.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jackie, your card is gorgeous. I love the embossing folders and the color choice. I am sorry for your losses. My heart goes out to you and your family. Dealing with death is never easy and everyone needs to grieve in their own manner. Your are so strong!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sending hugs and prayers your way during this difficult time. So glad you have a supportive hubby and God with you as you walk through this all.

    Your card is beautiful (as always!) I love the soft green and brown combination and those brads are gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh sweetie, my heart goes out to you and you've already had my prayers - but sending more. What a tough space to be in and such an uplifting wife and mom of support you are being right now. You are right, even though the cross to bear is heavy and the burdens are many, He is right there and lifting you along. Thinking of you as you all make this new journey with your son!

    Now your card - WOW! Just a vision of loveliness - love the elegance that it beholds and a wonderful example of nature :) Love the green, of course, lol! Beautiful work, as always!

    Be well and just let life be life in it's own time - the rest of the world will always be here for you whenever you are ready :)
    Love ya, girl! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello Jackie. I am so sorry life is throwing so much sadness your way. You are right that you must deal with what you are going through the best way for you. Sending you hugs and prayers and hoping your find happiness in the little things around you.

    Beautiful card - love they layers and the antique brads are fabby.

    XXX

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jackie, I am very sorry to hear that you and your family have experienced multiple losses this month. Please take care and accept my sympathy.

    Your creation today is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Big Hugs Jackie! love ya girl

    Your card is wonderful! I love how you used the brads and then that sentiment piece is adorable! Great creation

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Huge hugs to you Jackie, I love your card but your strength is so admirable. I am such a people pleaser I forget to tell people NO that is not what is healthiest for me.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Jackie, your card is beautiful. Thank you for an awesome challenge. I'm so glad to see you posting and back with our blog groups!!!. All the best, God bless you and your family!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Jackie, I am sorry to hear of all that you are going through. The Lord will continue to give you strength to press through this. Continue leaning on Him. Hugs.

    Your card is so pretty. The colors are beautiful together and the textures, I love!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. beautiful card
    I'm sure this post was hard to type,
    keeping you and family in prayer. My sincerest sympathy - Heb 13:5 "I will never leave you or forsake you".
    hugs GF

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love this soft, comforting green that is so soothing. Dealing with loses is difficult and I pray God is soothing you just like this green is soothing to the eye, and holding you in His arms at this difficult time in which you find yourself. Hugs to you!

    ReplyDelete
  18. awww Jackie,
    my heart is heavy for you....but hopeful that HE will sustain your needs from above...

    Love love LOVEEE your card! such clean and elegant layout with a soft tone to it, and those brads are D-vine !!
    I ma sure your son will cherish it...*hugs to you* ♥

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beautiful card Jackie! I need to get this stamp set out and ink it up. Your colors are very soothing.

    ReplyDelete
  20. This card is so pretty, Love the layout your choice of stamps is geat...

    now for you, yes please please grieve your own way... we all must... I have been ridiculed for my way, but it is what it takes to get thru each day... I lost a husband of 38 yrs and a DADDY in a 3 month span... but the loss is forever...so there is no time limit on our feelings... Hugs to you and prayers that Peace can come to all of you...

    ReplyDelete
  21. i was starting to worry about where you were and i apologize for not calling! i am so sorry to hear of another loss. i'm here for you ALWAYS.... just a phone call and 20 mins. away.

    your card is, as always, stunning.

    will keep you in my prayers.

    hugs :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love the colors and the textures of this card, Jacq. As to the other stuff - Go you! I know the outside world 'thinks they know best' but they can't feel what you feel or see inside your heart. We are individuals and it's up to us to do it our way. Hugs to you, sweetie. And a one for hubby for being ever so supportive.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Very pretty card, the colors are so calm. I pray you continue to find peace through these tough times

    ReplyDelete
  24. Big hugs and prayers to you and your family! Everyone copes with death in their own way and there are many healthy ways to deal with your emotions. Hoping you find comfort in whichever way you choose to mourn.

    Your card is fantastic and your son is so fortunate to have such a wonderful and caring mother!

    ReplyDelete
  25. So sorry to read of more loss in your lives. You are right to grieve in the way that feels right for you, nobody else.
    Your card is gorgeous. Soft and lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  26. This is so pretty, wonderful colors and I love the butterfly!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Such a pretty card. I love the embossing on your butterfly. Hope all is well now.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting my blog today! I'm so very pleased that you enjoy my creations & leave wonderful comments! I appreciate each & every one of them....they totally make my day!!!! Don't forget to become a follower & I look forward to your visit again soon!!!!!
Hugs & Love,
Jackie