The Tide Recedes

This is one of those cards that brings mixed feelings; it's the kind you dread having to make, but enjoy the challenge of trying to convey depth of meaning, the sadness at the passing of the person and beauty without ostentation to respect the dignity of the receiver. But you're never sure if you achieved all that.

I created the wording on my computer, using two text boxes so I could have the large letter at the beginning, and used a black fine-tip pen to fill in the parts of the 'T' that were missing because of the overlap of the other text box.

The poem is 'The Tide Recedes', as follows:

The tide recedes, but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand.

The sun goes down, but gentle warmth still lingers on the land.

The music stops, yet echoes on in sweet refrains.

For every joy that's lost, something beautiful remains.

~ Author unknown

The shells stamp was a lucky find. It's a cheap, foam-backed stamp that was part of a set of wildlife stamps from many years ago. I stamped it in black Versafine, then coloured it with diluted grey from a combination of inks and added some fine Glamour Dust from Decoart for just a touch of bling to echo the 'bright sunshells' line. I blended some 'Cool Grey' ink from Versacraft around the edges, and added some silver/grey sequins.

The rest of the poem is printed on the inside fly-leaf of the insert.

 

White Easter

This one could just as easily be used for a sympathy card. It's pretty obvious how this one was made, so I won't insult you with the details. If you have any questions, though, please do feel free to ask.

Sad Christmas

Doesn't look much like Christmas, I know, but this is just me marking my own losses, and thinking of all those who are grieving the loss of loved ones which always comes into much sharper focus and hurts more at this time of year, and we miss the people we've loved who are now physically absent from our lives, even more than we might at other times.

The tide recedes, but leaves behind

bright seashells on the sand.

The sun goes down, but gentle warmth

still lingers on the land.

The music stops, and yet it echoes on

in sweet refrains.

For every joy that passes,

something beautiful remains.

~ Author unknown ~

I love this poem, and it lends itself so beautifully to this purpose. The first two lines are printed on the front, and the rest of the poem on the inside front of the insert. It's a very quick and simple design, with the shells stamped on a piece of crisp, white card using graduated blues from a Kaleidocolor inkpad and then painted with iridescent Craft Planet glitter glue. The panel is then simply mounted on foam pads.

Sending all of you big hugs, as you remember people you've lost. xxx

Sad Story

This card is for a lady in America (Sarah) who lost her three year old son (Henry) suddenly and very recently, after he contracted a virus. Such a tragedy. I don't know this lady or her family, but when I heard about this, I wanted to express my condolences, but how do you? What can you say? So I didn't. I just left it and felt useless, like you do when you see tragic stories on the news.

Then through Kath's blog, I saw that a friend of Sarah's (Kim) has had the brilliant idea of organising the crafters in blogland to shower her with cards. What a lovely way of mobilising the wonderful spirit of camaraderie that exists in this global online village to offer one of our number some comfort and show her that we care.

As an incentive, Kim put together some stash for a blog candy draw, but this has been added to by so many suppliers of craft materials who have donated items to increase the prize.

For details, follow this link HERE.

To enter, you will need to send your card to arrive in America by 25th November. The address is:

Kim Gruetzmacher

PO Box 223

Suring

WI 54174

USA

Then follow the instructions on Kim's blog.

__________________________________________________

I am not entering the blog candy draw, but have made a card for Sarah and her family. It was inspired by the lovely poem 'Do Not Stand By My Grave And Weep', which is attributed to Mary Elizabeth Frye.

There are a variety of versions around, but this is my favourite:

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

(You'll get a better view of the card if you click on the image to enlarge it.)

I have used Cuttlebug 'Snowflakes' embossing folder, glitter card, Glamour Dust spotted onto some of the raised bumps, Kaleidopunch snowflakes, Nestabilities Labels #8, Cezanne font from ITC Fonts, Gem

The tide recedes..

Sadly, I have had occasion to make a sympathy card for someone I work with who lost their mum last week. I would be in bits, I know, so my heart breaks for her.

I love this poem, and it lends itself so beautifully to this purpose. The first two lines are printed on the front, and the rest of the poem on the inside front of the insert. It's a very quick and simple design, with the shells stamped on a piece of the same crisp, white card (from http://www.madaboutcards.com/), using graduated blues from a Kaleidocolor inkpad and then painted with iridescent Craft Planet glitter glue. The panel is then simply mounted on foam pads.

The tide recedes, but leaves behind

bright seashells on the sand.

The sun goes down, but gentle warmth

still lingers on the land.

The music stops, and yet it echoes on

in sweet refrains...

For every joy that passes,

something beautiful remains.

~ Author unknown ~

Hugs,