For My Friend

Last week, a friend of mine, a stamping sister and sideline SU demonstrator, lost her battle with cancer.  I am still dumbfounded, because we had just had lunch together a couple weeks prior, and were making plans for Convention and to get together for brainstorming project ideas for our customer friends.  My heart breaks for her two teenage sons, as well as her husband.

This card was sent to her family with a personal message inside.  I'd like to tell her sons how much their mom loved them, and some of the funny stories she told about them in stamp club  when I see them. She loved her boys so much!

More bad news; my father is back in the hospital. The infection has reappeared, and this time it's around the stent holding together his abdominal aortic aneurism.  They're pulling out the heavy artillery to try to knock the infection down.  He says his appetite is still good, so I hope he can keep putting on some weight, despite the hospital food.

And, since bad news seems to come in threes, my cousin's daughter Rayanna, who has been fighting leukemia so bravely for the last five of her eight year life, is in the ICU with a brain infection.  They have never been able to get her well, despite the perfect-match bone marrow transplant. It's been one thing after another after another, and I'm really afraid this might be the last straw. Her little body just can't take any more.

So, dear visitors, I am sorry to be a Debbie Downer today, but it's really hard for me to put on a happy face. If you're the praying type, please keep Cindy Ring's family, my dad, and Rayanna in your prayers. They all could really use it.

Stamp: Loving Thoughts
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Mocha Morning DSP, Crumb Cake DSP (retired Hostess Pack)
Ink: Basic Black, Soft Suede
Accessories: Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon, i" Square Punch (cut banner ends), Stampin' Sponges

Another Get Well

The old salt (my father) is back in the hospital, this time with a staph infection.  He's going to be in there for two weeks, getting pumped full of antibiotics, so he won't be doing any stamping in the near future. I feel so badly for him....he was doing so well after the last hospital stay, and putting on some much-needed weight. At least this time he sounds much better, and his appetite is still good.

There were a few images left over from my Stampin' Addicts swaps, so this card went together really quickly. I know he's going to love it!

Stamps: Lovely As a Tree, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: River Rock, Basic Black, Shimmery White, Mocha Morning DSP
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, and Marina Mist Classic
Accessories: Metallic Brads Pack, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool

SUOC31, Thinking of You

The challenge this week at SUO Challenges is to make a card that tells someone special that you're thinking of them. I loved ALL the cards the SUO Design Team made for this challenge, especially Robin's bright, cheery Daffodil Delight doily card.

When I thought of making this card, I thought of my BFF, and how much I'd love to sit and share a cup of coffee or tea with her. We do get the giggles when we get together, and I sure miss that. (Love you, Barb!)

Stamps: Morning Cup, Three Little Words
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Mocha Morning DSP
Ink: Esrly Espresso, Soft Suede
Accessories: Blender Pen, Stripes embossing folder, Big Shot, Soft Suede 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Antique Brads, Stampin' Sponges