Sunday, February 11, 2018

A Special Birthday

Birthdays are always a time to celebrate the gift of life.  Tomorrow I turn 67 which isn't a "special" BD to most people.  However, my mom died of pancreatic cancer when she was 66.  I'm feeling especially blessed & grateful to be healthy & celebrating another year.  My mom wrote the birth announcements for all 3 of us kids & my dad always carried them in his wallet.  In case you didn't see mine a few years ago, I thought I'd share it again.  The picture is on the front & it opens to the poem.  That's my dad's handwriting.


I also have some cards to share.  First is my entry for W&W BD Bash Use Your Scraps challenge
A few weeks ago I die cut the True Multifaceted Border die from black cardstock attached to an adhesive sheet.  I'd taken off the outline, but the little pieces were still in my die along with the outline release paper.  The release paper actually stayed in place pretty well for me on a white scrap while I put each piece in place.  Then I just took off the release paper.  My favorite In A Word: Hello die cut was in a ziplock where I put left overs.  It was brushed with Wink of Stella & mounted with foam tape.  The black panel was also on my table needing to be put with the scraps.  Finished off with PPP Sparkling Clear confetti.  I'm also entering CAS on Friday & HLS Anything Goes with Dies.
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Next is my entry for the PTI Retirement List Set Challenge.  I think it's the first year with only one of my sets on the list & that is Mat Stack 3 Collection. 
I got 2 sizes of the dies years ago, not even knowing there was a matching stamp set.  I did discover it a year or so ago & got it, but had only used a sentiment.  I picked the fancy image & white embossed it on the white die cut.  Then I blended on PTI inks Amethyst Allure, Blueberry Sky & Spring Rain with the blue shades toward the center.  The sentiment is stamped in Brilliance Starlite Black multiple times to get it dark enough.  I die cut 2 Butterfly Hope butterflies from PTI vellum & stitched them together with silver thread.  I used an extra fine white Sharpie for the white dots.  Needed something under the butterfly & didn't really want more die cuts, so used the silver thread to make a nest.  The silver glitter negative was still on my table & decided it worked for a bit of sparkle.  Before attaching everything I splattered the card front with Distress Stain brushed pewter.  Decided not to add any gems or sequins & it's already in the mail.  I'm also entering WAW

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My final card is for the PTI Use Only Dies Challenge.  The die cut word is from Counting My Blessings & the Leaves are Fancy Foliage Details. 
I colored the leaves with 2 green Zigs & a water brush.  The Word was watercolored with Gansai Tambi Yellow gold.  I also added a bit of the gold watercolor to the leaves & splattered it on the kraft card front. 
I didn't glue down the ends of the leaves to give a feeling of some movement.  This one will probably end up being a Thanksgiving card.

I'm having a minor outpatient procedure, so may not be around Blogland for a few days.  Thanks so much for taking time to stop by & I'll catch up with you as soon as I can.

27 comments:

  1. Happy birthday and hope all goes well with your procedure. Hugs

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  2. Hi Greta happy birthday and i love that your dad carried his childrens birth notices in his wallet.
    I love your card well done my friend xx

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  3. Oh happy birthday, what a sweet, sweet memory!
    And I love your beautiful creation too!

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  4. HAPPY BIRTHDAY for tomorrow Greta. All birthday's a special. Love the birth announcement. Enjoy the day. PS... all your cards are simply perfect.

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  5. Happy Birthday my lovely friend!! I love your cards but that photo and poem brought tears to my eyes... What treasured keepsakes for you ... Sending hugs and love and hoping you enjoy your special day!

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  6. what a cherished memory you have - not only that you mom wrote the little poem, but your dad carrying the announcement in his wallet - i know having the procedure isn't a fun way to spend your special day, but it's still your day - so have a great birthday week - hugs.

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  7. I'm so impressed with your mother's talent to write that birth announcement. It is so precious and that your dad carried it makes it even more so. Your cards are just wonderful. I love the butterfly one best. You reminded me I have that mat stack and it is put away. I should be using it! Good luck tomorrow and happy, happy birthday my treasured friend.

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  8. Oh Greta I did so enjoy reading that beautiful poem, you must cherish it so? x Gorgeous trio of cards, love the striking black and white one, so contemporary and perfectly CAS....hey who am I kidding love them all!! Enjoyed your post Greta x I shall wish you a speedy recovery and hope all goes well...sending hugs x

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  9. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Greta! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! Your cards are beautiful, as always. But I want to tell you how much I admire your photo as a baby!!! Oh, how cute!!! And I really love the poem of your dad. Our parents are always alive in our minds! Kisses, my friend.

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  10. Greta, what a wonderful thing your Mom did with the announcement and that your Dad carried it in his wallet is so sweet.

    Your cards are fantastic. The stunning graphic black and white card is an eye catcher. YOur vellum butterfly looks as if its about to take off such nice movement. YOur zig colored leaves have a wonderful texture to them.

    Happy Birthday Dear Greta! Smooth sailing and speedy recovery.

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  11. your cards are pretty darn fabulous, but just this once they are eclipsed by that sweet photo of you!!! happy, happy, happy birthday my dear friend!!!

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  12. Greta, so pretty. And Happy Birthday.

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  13. Happy Birthday Greta! What special mementos!!!! So precious! All of your cards are beautiful! I hope you have a healthy and speedy recovery!

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  14. Thank you for sharing your precious photo and the poem - I love that your Father carried that with him. I hope you enjoy your Birthday despite having a procedure. Your cards are lovely, I especially like the way you left the leaves loose to create movement.

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  15. Happy BIRTHDAY too YOU! What a sweet Poem... Thanks for sharing a little piece of YOU with all of US! :) Your cards look awesome! Love all the different designs!

    Theresa
    Theresa’s Crafty Creations

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  16. So pretty! Lots of beautiful creations! So happy you could share this with us at Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes w/ Dies Challenge and good luck!

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  17. All three cards are awesome, Greta! So glad I stopped by to see and read your birth announcement and lovely poem that your Dad carried in his wallet. Priceless! Good luck with your procedure and Happy Birthday!

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  18. Aww, Greta, Happy Birthday! Love hearing your story of why it's a special year for you, and really adored the poem your mom wrote for your baby announcement. Then your three lovely cards! What a wonderful post this was : ) Your scraps card turned out so well, and love the b&w theme to it. So glad you were able to join my Use Your Scraps challenge!

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  19. A really interesting post from you with such a lovely memory poem and picture. You must treasure it. Always wonderful cards from you Greta and these don't disappoint, they are lovely. I know what you mean about your age, we had the same in our family, so your birthday IS a special one for you. Wishing you many more.
    Faith
    x

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  20. Happiest of Belated Birthday Wishes to you, Greta. What a wonderful baby picture and poem. Obviously, a keepsake. Oh, and I love your cards today...especially the grateful one.

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  21. Beautiful cards, Greta! Especially love the dies only card - gorgeous colors!! Happy belated birthday wishes & hope all is well with you!!

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  22. Hope you had a wonderful birthday, Greta! Such a sweet baby photo and precious poem...so special! Very pretty cards! I'm especially drawn to the one with the butterfly!

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  23. Sweet photo and poem! Happy birthday and welcome to the 67 Club! Hope you get your energy back quickly!

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  24. I hope your day was as wonderful as you are Greta!
    Your Mom sounds like she was a talented artist in her own right and Dad must have been so sweet. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree ;-))

    Love your cards!
    BIG hugs~

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  25. I do remember seeing this poem before! Loved it then and love it now, a treasure for sure. All of your cards are marvelous Greta. That Mat Stack is one of my favorite PTI set and I hardly ever use it..I need to fix that! Praying that all went well for your surgery.

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  26. Happy belated Birthday, Greta! Hope your day was wonderful! Also hope your procedure went well and your recovery will be quick and smooth.
    Your cards are fabulous from the b/w graphic one to the pretty butterfly to the gorgeous delicate leaves on kraft, which is my favorite!

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  27. Wow awesome cards...the black and white is so striking. Happy Belated Birthday to you!Thanks for joining us at Happy Little Stampers!

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