Today I’m blogging about someone else’s creation, not my own. This beautiful card was created by my wonderfully talented nephew, Tag. He made this card from a stamp that he carved by hand. He made the stamp and the card for me as a Christmas present probably about 5 or more years ago. It was a beautifully thoughtful gift from an incredibly thoughtful young man. His artistic talent was only out done by his kind, gentle, and giving spirit. The image that he created was the image of a Sunfish sailboat at sunset on sweet Little Traverse Bay. Tag and I both loved Bay View, a chautauqua nestled on the banks of Little Traverse Bay, where we spent our summers. He knew that I loved to stamp and create cards. So he hand carved this image for me and then stamped the card. He was always doing thoughtful things like that. When he went to Hungary with Ohio University on a summer ceramics study abroad, he purchased a textile stamp for me. It sits on my stamping desk and reminds me of the wonderful young man he was who was always thinking of others.
My life and the lives of all my loved ones was changed forever this past March when we lost Tag to suicide. The impact of his death is far reaching and will be everlasting. Tag touched so many people with his infectious smile, easy nature, and kind soul. I want my life going forward to spread the kindness that he can no longer spread. That is why my new logo is a tribute to him and a daily reminder to love others the way the Lord has loved us, unconditionally, just as they are; just like Tag did. The stamp and the card Tag made are simply representations of what Tag has given me- beauty wrapped up in creating. He was so talented, artistically and musically, but even more so in that he appreciated the beauty in people that most so often overlook. Find that beauty in others and go create something to share to make this world a more beautiful place. Share joy in every creation in whatever way you can. Me, I’m going to do it in loving others through paper crafting!
You’ll notice the image above in my new logo and will be in my email, Facebook, Blog, Instagram, and Pinterest going forward. I’ll be rolling out the new look in the coming months. I hope when you see the sailboat you’ll think of Tag and spread kindness!
If you know someone struggling, do all you can to get them the help they need. There is help available every hour of every day:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 – Available 24 hours everyday.
Or Text : 4HOPE to 741741
In an emergency call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.
This was the card I created for my sister & her husband to send as a Thank you to all who supported them following Tag’s death.
Every year Stampin’ Up! makes a difference through charitable giving. Mental Health is the initiative now through January 3, 2020. You can be a difference maker by purchasing the Nature’s Beauty stamp set. Stampin’ Up! will donate $3 of every sale of Nature’s Beauty stamp toward Mental Health Organizations. Check back here to see my Nature’s Beauty creations!
This year I’m doing something special for my peeps! I’m going to help you to get prepped for the holidays! Each week for 12 weeks I am going to send you a instructions on how to create a holiday project! Four will be card designs, 4 will be gift projects, and 4 will be gift packaging projects. You’ll receive the instructions on how to create the projects with pictures of the steps and links to purchase the items if you want to make it yourself.
If you sign up for my 12 Weeks of Christmas, you will receive an email with project instructions once a week for 12 weeks. I am so excited for you to see all the beautiful things I’ve created with the amazing products in the Holiday mini catalog from Stampin’ Up! Here are some of the elements I’ll be using:
Nature’s Beauty Stamp Set Frosted Foliage Stamp Set Shimmery Crystal Effects Ice Stampin’ Glitter, Frosted Frames Dies Feels Like Frost 6×6 Designer Series Paper Seaside Spray Metallic Ribbon
Mercury Glass Designer Acetate
Wrapped in Plaid Designer Series Paper Perfectly Plaid
Pine Tree Punch
Shaded Spruce/Gold Striped Ribbon
Jingle Bells
Gold Mini Pizza Boxes
See if you can spot them in my unboxing video!!
For a sneak peek of the Feels Like Frost Designer Series Paper, check out this video!
Sign up now so that you don’t miss out on even one of the projects!
I’ve been thinking of a spa day lately and relaxing in general. Did you know that August 15th is Relaxation Day! Who doesn’t love to relax! I don’t even need the day to be set aside as Relaxation Day to relax! The irony of this is that on August 15th I was in no place to actually relax. We were anxiously getting my son supplied and packed up for his freshman year at college and leaving the next day for an impromptu family trip to Chicago the weekend before we drove him down to start his college days at Ohio University. Now that that is all behind me I think it’s time to schedule a massage! My favorite way to relax is with a massage. My recent favorite place to be pampered is RG Foot Spa in Twinsburg, Ohio! They give the absolutely best massage of your feet, legs, and even back and arms! My day to day form of relaxation takes place in my craft room! I often say that stamping in a form of therapy for me. Knowing when I need to set aside time to relax is easy the hard part is actually setting aside the time!
Who in your life needs to be encouraged to set aside time for themselves? Would they be more likely to do it if you invited them to relax with you? Perhaps for you it is setting aside time to talk over a glass of wine and some cheese or maybe a cup of coffee and a pastry? Maybe a hike or a bike ride is more your style. Here is a card I’ve created to send to two friends to invite them to come to RG Foot Spa and enjoy a morning of relaxation!
This card was simple to make!
Ingredients:
Whisper White Card Stock 2 1/4 x 3 inches and a scrap piece for a sentiment
Pool Party Card Stock card base 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches
Old Olive Card Stock 2 1/2 x 3 1/4 inches (bottom layer for the Whisper White)
Basic Black Card Stock 1 inch x 5 1/2 inches
Stampin’ Dimensionals
Snail Adhesive
Cut a card base from Balmy Blue 8 1/2 x 11 inch card stock. Cut to 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches. Score at 4 /14.
Cut a piece of Whisper White to 2 1/4 x 3 inches to use for the stamped image of the name relaxing in the chair.
Begin coloring in the image beginning with the shorts in Light Pool Party Blends marker.
Color the chair in Light and Dark Bermuda Bay Blends. Begin with the Light Bermuda Bay Blends on the chair and then highlight the chair with the Dark Bermuda Bay.
Next color in the shirt in Light and Dark Old Olive Blends. Again, start with the Light Old Olive and highlight with Dark Old Olive.
Color the ground with Light and Dark Crumb Cake.
Next, color the hat with Dark Crumb Cake and Bronze blends. Start with the Dark Crumb Cake and highlight with the Bronze.
Layer the completely colored image on to a piece of Old
Olive card stock to 2 1/2 x 3 1/4 inches using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Layer a piece of Basic Black card stock that measures 5 1/2 inches by 1 inch onto the Pool Party card base.
Add the Old Olive and colored image layer to the right hand side of the card over the black layer. It should be positioned about 1/4 of an inch from the right side of the card and toward the top.
Stamp the Relax Your Way sentiment onto a piece of scrap Whisper White (needs to be at least 3 inches by 1 inch).
Use the larger label die from the Merry Christmas Thinlits Dies. Place the label over the sentiment so that it is centered. Run through a die cutting machine. Tip: I use a Post- It Note to secure the die over the stamped image just in case it might move.
Adhere the sentiment on top of the Basic Black layer to the left of the colored image.
Next step for me is to send these invitations out and make the appointments for our spa day!!!
The content in this blog is the sole responsibility of Christy Woods as a Stampin' Up!® Independent Demonstrator. The use of and content of classes, services or products offered is not endorsed by Stampin' Up!
