Spring is Sure to Follow

Can you believe it? I actually made it into my craft room! really hope to get back in later today if I can. :)

the mother of a special bloggy friend of mine recently passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. it's a nasty beast, isn't it? I wanted to send her a card to let her know I was thinking of her, but also send her a bit of encouragement, too. I so remember the days feeling so hopeless after my dad died. it was really hard to find the joy, even though I loved Dave and  my boys so very much. the little bits of pink pay tribute to her mom's hard fight and the hearts represent not only the love the 2 of them shared, but the love she can find in so many of her friends.

it's a lot to pack into a card, isn't it? this is the reason I prefer to make sympathy cards as I need them. I try to put little touches into the card that might not be noticeable to anyone else but me, but are so representative of the people. I also like to pray for the ones I'm making them for and think about them the whole time I'm crafting.

the image is by From the Heart and papers are from the Basic Grey Highline collection. flower is Prima, leaf flourish dies are Cheery Lynn while the heart banner die is from La La Land. little touches were added to the flowers on the main image with my spica clear glitter gel pen and faux stitching to the 2 decorative paper panels. the heart banner was cut from a piece of transparent packaging, and then the edges were painted with acrylic paint. buttons & floral trim finish the card.

Challenges:
i {heart} sketches - sketch #63 (flipped on side) and insp. photo twist (colors and flowers)
From the Heart - monthly progressive ch
As You Like it - fave item to recycle and why: I really like to re-use the transparent packaging. it's great because it can be die cut into so many shapes and then either left clear or painted. I re-use many of the containers as they are for altered projects. my other fave item is buttons. I take them off of any clothing that is too worn to go to a charity store. of course almost every project I make has buttons somewhere on it! :)
Card and Scrap - add metal (staples)
Outlawz Twisted Thurs - anything goes
Shelly's - April showers bring May flowers
Crafting by Design - April showers bring May flowers
Creative Moments - anything goes/spring
Inky Impressions - recycle it (clear packaging & buttons)
WAW - anything goes encouraging
Card Makin' Mamas - recycle (clear packaging & buttons)
Creative Fingers - anything goes/bingo: die cut, pearls, flower
Craftitude - anything goes or Spring/Easter
Sister Act - anything goes
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - Spring or Easter
Fan-tastic Tues - anything square or rectangle goes
Created with Love - in the garden
Squirrel and Fox - use a die cut or punch