Stamping, Coloring and Crying

GIU Day 3
 I hit the half century mark this year.  I know, I know I can not believe it either. If you were to see me in person, you would say by my hot muffin top belly that moved in for good after menopause and my sultry dark eyes that match the bags under them from my lack of sleep, I had barely left my twenty's. Ahh, the twenties, remember them? I want to go back and tell that hot mess of a twenty something girl, that body of hers was as good as it was going to get and I should have worn that damn bikini all the time. But hot mess twenty something year old body girl would never believe that 50  year old body girl. She never really listened to anyone back than. She would never dream that 50 year old body girl would be screaming through the mall, willing to pay 130.00 for the miracle slimming swimming suit dress the night before you go on that beach vacation, just to hold it all in and cover it up. Nope, twenty something body would be thinking I will forever just be able to run into Target grab a suit off the rack and jet off.  Don't even get me started on if you had told twenty something year old body girl about that minivan in her future. 

Oh my I really am off track here.  The point I started out trying to get to? Oh yes, now I remember.  As we get older another one of the things that starts to happen is there is more and more sympathy cards needed.  Our older relatives pass, maybe our parents, and many of our friends parents pass.  I am finding it harder and harder when I make these cards.  When I am making them, I start to think of all the times I spent with them and the memories.  What do I start to do... I cry.  My kids or husband have often come in and found me with my stamps out, coloring cards and crying.  It is therapeutic but let's face it after awhile you just need to stop.  I tell myself I need to make a bunch up in advance to avoid these episodes.  But truthfully if they are close friends I like to make a special card.  I grew up on the prairie and a farming life.  I like to make cards that have that feeling of familiarity of that life.  I was recently back and it was harvest.  You look out and see the golden fields with the grain stubble and nothing but blue sky in the background.  To me it symbolizes a time of rest.  All that hard work you have reaped what you have sown. That is what I want this card to convey.  What a better message, your loved one seeded, grew and the crops are harvested.  This is their time to rest and for you to continue on the journey around the sun.

Here is my card.  I am not sure what I think of using distress crayons but it did give me the cut grain look I wanted for the fields and the blue darkening sky. By the way 20 year old body girl would never believe that 50 year old body girl would have a been making cards.  I told you twenty year old body was a Hot Mess. Using those wacky crayons made me want to cry even before I started stamping. Mental note,  I really need to not try new things when I am doing GIU week. Plus check out the awesome windmill from Um Wow Studios. It just brings a feel of the past. I used Tim Holtz distress ink on it to give it a darker color.

Supplies:
Everything Stronger Stamp Set-Unity Stamp Company
Windmill Chipboard- Um Wow Studios
Burlap- DCWV
Metal Dots- MME
Wooden Dot- MME
Twine- studio calico kit
Distress Crayons and Distress ink- Tim Holtz

Don't forget to comment. You could win something.
That's right two lucky winners will be drawn at the end of the week for a chance to win a prize pack from Unity! Plus, because I do so LOVE coffee and I started out my week with a coffee themed Unity Girl Card I am giving you all a chance to win 
a Starbuck's coffee card from me.  Yes, I will be giving away two 10.00 gift cards from Starbucks.  Even if you have won the random 25 stamp grab bag from Unity in the past 6 months you still qualify for the coffee card give away.  My way of saying thank you for supporting me through the week. So come back and check out my work, leave a comment each day.  Because the more times you comment the more chances you have to win.

Thanks for looking!
Now go forth and drink coffee and enjoy the day.