Tuesday, September 6, 2016

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.

42 comments:

  1. Love that you used Distress crayons, they are on my list of things to try. They give a lovely effect.

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  2. wow i think we are twins haha. we think alike. love the windmill i have not tried distress crayons but do have a few. I judt need to try them now I have an idea. thx for being real

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  3. wow i think we are twins haha. we think alike. love the windmill i have not tried distress crayons but do have a few. I judt need to try them now I have an idea. thx for being real

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  4. wow i think we are twins haha. we think alike. love the windmill i have not tried distress crayons but do have a few. I judt need to try them now I have an idea. thx for being real

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  5. Love the card! I really like the use of the Distress Crayons, I love mine and use them as much as I can. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. I love your card and the beautiful words you used to describe how it came to be. As for the 57 yr old me? I would tell the 20 yr old me that you don't need to spend the time worrying about what others think and the best was yet to come!

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  7. This is a BEAUTIFUL card! Wow whomever you made it for it will brighten their day! Nice work!!!

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  8. I like the distressed crayon, I have never tried them.
    Love the windmill too, different

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  9. I like the distressed crayon, I have never tried them.
    Love the windmill too, different

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  10. Love the texture and colors of your pretty background! I have not tried the crayons myself, but I love the colors!

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  11. Love windmill. Have not tried crayons yet....might need some for upcoming birthday in two weeks :).

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  12. Love the texture from the distressed crayons!

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  13. Love the texture from the distressed crayons!

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  14. Love this card. I like your use of distress crayons and I laughed and cried during your post.

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  15. Love this! Love your humor and your view on things!! Keep sharing please! Love from Maryland

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  16. Beautiful card. Love the sky & wheat look you achieved with the crayons. (And I can totally relate to your post! lol)

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  17. I know the feeling...I hit the 1/2 century mark recently also. Tough to feign we are young anymore. :(

    Yes, more sympathy cards...this one is wonderful.

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  18. Enjoying coffee and your blog before I go to work, happy day to all

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  19. Enjoying coffee and your blog before I go to work, happy day to all

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  20. I love your card. Beautiful work

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  21. I love your card. Beautiful work

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  22. I have never used distress crayons, the coloring came out great! Such a serene card. Perfect for this sentiment.

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  23. I like how your card turned out. It made me think of the fields I've seen in Kansas.

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  24. I like how your card turned out. It made me think of the fields I've seen in Kansas.

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  25. Nice sympathy card, great use of burlap

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  26. Your card is warm & peaceful, perfect for sympathy giving. Love the burlap & chip board!

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  27. Your card is warm & peaceful, perfect for sympathy giving. Love the burlap & chip board!

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  28. Love the windmill! This is beautiful! Love the warmness of the colors and the burlap.

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  29. I love this beautiful card and the emotion that it evokes. There is just something about that farming/prairie scene that reminds us that life goes on amid all the sadness. I am also really loving your ruminations on life and crafting along the way. Here's a high five from a 60 plus crafter who wouldn't go back to my 20's if you paid me in M&M's!

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  30. What a beautiful card! I love the thought that you put into it, and the reasoning behind it. And don't worry about that "hot mess" of a twenty-five year old. You have , just like a fine wine (or whiskey, whichever you prefer) gotten better with age!!

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  31. Such a thoughtful and sweet card... Love the sentiment!

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  32. I love this card! I hate sympathy cards. I really do... But as far as cards go. Wow. I love the windmill. I'm a farm girl. My husband used to climb the one on his grandfathers place when we would check cows. Aw memories! Beautiful card!

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  33. I love the texture the crayons give to the background! Great card!

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  34. Wonderful card. The windmil is a great idea for both the setting and the theme. Hugz

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  35. This is a gorgeous card. Love the windmill.

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  36. This is a gorgeous card. Love the windmill.

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