Life is a gift we can never take for granted. The life of one man's family changed in the blink of an eye when they lost him at the young age of 49, a couple of weeks ago. My life changed. Tyler was a man who helped me out of what seemed to be the big black hole of computer problems. He is missed around here and his family is constantly in my thoughts. Tyler and I shared some wonderful laughs as he worked on our computers. We would joke about how as parents of teens and preteens we could best be employed as taxi-cab drivers and videograpers/photographers.
Creating during times when I feel down helps bring me through some of lifes tough moments. As I created this card I thought about Tyler's wife Andrea and the challenges she now faces. I also thought about his two boys and the loss that they are going through and now face at such a young age. Andrea shared the following quote on a special website and I feel compelled to share it with you.
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children…to leave the world a better place…to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I wanted to create a card that was feminine, yet had masculine touches to it. I poured my soul into this little creation and was able to smile when it was completed. It's odd that now when I sit down to type and share the details of how to make this card - I find this part difficult. What an emotional being I am?!? So following are just little snippets - I hope that this helps you to be able to recreate something similar that you can pour your emotions into.
Adhere the Sticky Back Canvas to your non-stick craft mat and use the ink blending tool to add color.
Stamp using Palette Noir Ink. Allow to dry.
Stick the two pieces of sticky back canvas together (opposite side is the vine pattern shown above) and cut out flower using non-stick scissors.
Add color to copy weight paper using ink blending tool. Copy weight paper on the opposite side of your sticky back canvas will give you a little stability to shape your flowers and have them hold the shape.
Adhere the sticky back canvas to your colored copy paper and cut out.
The wood product you see in this photo is a fabulous new product that will be arriving in our store soon. I had to use it because of the soft masculinity it brought to this project.
The beautiful brass butterfly is also from a new line that we will be carrying. The Vintaj products we have ordered fill a huge hole I have felt is missing from the products we carry.
I'd like to bring this post to a close with some additional words that Andrea has shared. I can hear Tyler saying them and I would like to encourage you to do at least one of the things on this list when you finish reading this post.
Tyler would say:
- be with the living
- hug your kids
- call your grandma
- what are your goals
- what is your vision
Tyler was appreciated around here so very much and I hope that he knew that when I would say THANK YOU each time he would leave I sincerely meant it. I breathed easier due to Tyler - Tyler's life was a success! Once again I silently say, "Thank you Tyler."
stamps: Studio 490 Rose Art Part 2, Hero Arts Big and Small, Kim Hughes Silhouette Blooms I, Scrapblock Vintage Text
paper: Graphic 45 8x8 A Proper Gentleman, Memory Box Licorice CS
ink: Palette Noir, Antique Linen Distress Ink Pad
accessories: Sticky Back Canvas, Wood Veneer (to arrive soon), Jenni Bowlin Vintage Button, Jenni Bowlin Pearl Flower, Hero Arts Felt Flower, Vintaj Brass Buterfly, Prima Lace Black Banner, Nestability Large Labels
