My World is Brighter Because of You

I tried to start up cardmaking again in December, and it just wasn't the right time.  The holidays weren't easy for me, and I was going through too many firsts without Ellie.  It was overwhelming & I just didn't want to sit at my crafting area.  So I did the right thing, and closed it up again.  I chose to just focus on surviving the holidays without any additional stress.  January has also had some firsts that I needed to deal with....moving into a new year without her & turning 36.  I was supposed to have an almost 4 month old when my birthday came around this year.  In some really illogical ways, I just felt like a failure.  We did some small things to celebrate my birthday, but for the most part...I just needed to let it pass by.  The good news is I've come out on the other side mostly unscathed, and feeling a bit more inspired to pick up my crafting supplies again.

I've actually got a card to share with you today...and I actually like how it turned out.  (Falling on the floor fainting over here.)  It's pretty simple in design, but uses one of my favorite things....rainbow colored watercolor.

How to create:
**Supplies will be linked below for your shopping convenience.**

1. Trim & fold an A2 card from Cupid's Bow cardstock, set aside.
2. Stamp & heat emboss the Origami Map to a piece of watercolor paper.
3. Tape the paper block to a hard surface, then wet down the inside of the embossed map.
4. Paint the inside of the map in a gradient rainbow using distress inks.
5. Dry completely with a heat tool, then sprinkle some water droplets to the front.
6. Let the droplets sit for a moment, then pick them up using a paper towel.
7. Adhere the watercolor block to the Cupid's Bow card front.
8. Diecut the word 'hello' from aqua glitter paper & adhere to the front with foam dots.
9. Stamp & heat emboss the rest of the sentiment to black cardstock, and cut into a thin strip.
10. Adhere the strip to the top of the 'hello' diecut word with foam dots.
11. Accent with colored jewels to finish.

Here are a few more detail shots of the card:

Well, that is my first card of 2016.  It took 25 days to get it done, but it is coming a bit easier to me now.  And that is a good thing!  I am sure my creativity will ebb & flow as I continue down this road of firsts, and learning how to live and grieve my daughter.  As I was making this card, I kept thinking about how true the sentiment is in regards to Ellie.  Though her death & absence has left me heartbroken, my world truly is better because of her existence.

Supplies:


Until later,
~L.


Challenges:

• Little Tangles #64 - Hello
• House of Cards January - Embossing
• Word Art Wednesday #218 - Anything Goes

 
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). When we think of this verse, we usually think about “good works” as ways we can help others, and that’s true. Remember though: In the beginning when God was getting creative and bringing everything into existence, He evaluated His creation and decided it was “good.” Creativity can minister to a person’s heart the same way a meal or a hug might.
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