With Sadness. . .

My husband and I recently received news that the wife of a good friend, with whom my husband worked for many years before retirement, lost her battle with cancer.  In Mary Ann's memory, I made this card to send to her husband, Gary.

The inside is composed with some lovely words that we recently received on a sympathy card in memory of my husband's mother's death.  I hope Gary finds them equally comforting.

Though sympathy cards are not always easy to make because of their subject matter and their need, I have often found that during the process I am able to thoughtfully think of the person that has left us for a better place.  In some strange way, those memories bring healing and comfort.

A 2012 Valentine for My Daughter!

I made this card at a card class given by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com).  It uses a Mo Manning digital images and Copic markers.  I earmarked this card for my daughter, Jackie.  The little girl is so cute peeking out from behind the Valentine.

Following is my design for the inside of Jackie's card and poem a little poem I composed.  I know Jackie will like her card!

Valentine for Son & Wife

This next card is for my son Mark and his wife, Ginger.  The designer was my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner), but I enlarged the card, by adding one more paper strip and matted it on black and white backgrounds.  The original design remains as the original. . .how can you improve on perfection!  I just loved her idea with the shaker heart filled with silver and red hearts!  I know Mark and Ginger will be thrilled!

Inside decorations and poem for Mark and Ginger's card, which is my design and verse.

Sorrowfully Out of Commission

So far, it looks like I've been out of commission most of the time during the month of January to early February 2013, and I do apologize.  We are all re-cooperating from a sorrowful, yet joyously bittersweet occasion.  My wonderful mother-in-law, Alice, past away on January 30th.  She was 97, going on 98, years old!  Sorrowful, in that we will all miss her dearly, yet joyously bittersweet because we know she has certainly gone to her specially reserved niche in heaven.  Never have I met a woman who gave her life and love to all those around her, family and strangers alike!

Bless you Alice, and my God keep you in his care!