I will miss you my friend.

Karen was one of the best people who have ever come into my life. Her smile lit up a room like no other. I so enjoyed her perspective on many of life's challenges. She had suffered things I couldn't imagine, yet she was still happy and willing to serve the Lord.
She retired last year and was enjoying some well deserved relaxation time with her husband. We joked about all the projects she had to do that kept her from actually relaxing :).
Soon after though, they found a tumor in her brain and it was massive. It had to be operated on immediately. When I heard that news my heart just hurt in a way that it hasn't in a long time. The operation was performed and things seemed okay. Afterward, she was still her cheery self but her speech was sometimes incoherent. When we would visit it wasn't uncommon for her to repeat herself many times but she had an indomitable spirit and never stopped enjoying life.
Unfortunately, the tumor regrew and spread deeply into her brain. Recently Karen fell into a coma and this morning she left us to return home.
Working alongside Ms. Karen was something I will never forget. She made me want to be a better version of myself. I know she'll do that for those on the other side as well.
LOVE YOU! MISS YOU!
(I'm so grateful to have scrapbooked this picture of the two of us).

Chicken Wire Stencil and CHALLENGES!

I've been feeling a little out of it lately. Lazy days with the kiddos and my desk just kept getting piled higher and higher with the detritus of crafting. I stayed up until 2am this morning cleaning and purging. Everybody needs a good purge, right? Then this morning I went in search of some challenges I could get to work on.
I picked three

CAS(E) the Sketch! #42

Pinspired Challenges #15

Sweet Stamp Shop's Use What You Have Challenge #13

                    

And using these goodies, some Tim Holtz Distress Inks and a chicken wire mask...

I came up with this!!!

I've had these plastic letters for at least 7 years. Good to be using them again :). I love the colors in the Pinspired Challenge photo and used the chicken wire in reference to the birds, and that CASE sketch is perfect for this set up. The graphic triangles from Sweet Stamp Shop's new Triangle Style are SO AMAZING! and affordable.

Hope you're having a creative day too. I'm headed out with the kiddos to do some more fun things before they head back to school.

80's Charm Necklace

I'm so glad that I still have this little gem from when I was Tess's age. She loves looking at all of the charms and wearing it around for fun.

I've lost many charms over the years but the ones that are here still crack me up. A pink toilet, a pipe, a cigarette lighter, and a handgun. Now those are all things a little girl loves to wear around her neck. :)
Hope you're having a great week and find some sweet gems of your own.

WHOA mama!

YOU'RE AWESOME!

I love this new set, Spin Me, from Sweet Stamp Shop. It's so versatile!

Havin' a bit of a girly time out this weekend and I wanted to let my grilz know how awesome they are. We're 80's chicks so why not have some neon love. I used Tim Holtz distress inks in bright colors to get the NEON look.
Thanks for stopping by.
Have a great weekend.

Happy Birthday Hottie

Love the fun sentiments in Sweet Stamp Shops "Spin Me" set.

A little MME and some Sweet make for a beautiful pair.

Have a wonderful day and keep creating