Thursday, March 24, 2016

So Grateful For You

Not everyone can say that their best friend has been around for them for over 45 years, but I am lucky enough to be able to say that mine has.  I met my BFF, PattiLyn, when I was four years old during the summer before we started Kindergarten together.  Both of us have been through some really tough stuff over the years, and it has been SUCH a blessing having her in my life through it all.  She has gone through more than I have, and I feel SO BLESSED and SO GRATEFUL to have had the opportunity to be her friend through it all. I've become a better, stronger, more aware and educated person through the experiences I have shared with her.  After all these years, I am finally starting to see some healing come to her troubled heart that has been a long time in the making, and I look forward to seeing where it will lead.  I couldn't be more grateful for her friendship, her love, her wisdom, and just for her in general.  My life is better because of her friendship and unconditional love.
We created over 20 cards togethr while she was here visiting for a week, two mini albums, two pocket cards, and two home decor type decorations using embroidery hoops (those posts are forthcoming).  These two cards are among those we created together, and the sentiments really say so much.  If you have a friend for whom YOU are grateful, I encourage you to let them know it this week.  Tell them how much they mean to you, and tell them you are grateful to have them in your life.  We never know how short our lives may be, and we should never pass up an opportunity to share our feelings with those we love.
These two cards were made using all scrap pieces of paper.  I found these small pieces in my stash, and was determined to make them work.  I stamped the sentiments on shipping tags, added seam binding bows, some pearl strings, solid baker's twine in cream and red, a Sweet-N-Sassy Scallop Border Die in deep red wool felt that I stitched on, some sequins, machine stitching, and kraft lunch bag note cards.  Oh yes, I also used a PTI postage stamp die-cut to add this little patches of turquoise gingham patterned paper.  I've always got SO much going on that I often forget to mention little elements I've implemented.  Thank heaven for PTI.....they're the cutest ever!
The butterflies were cut using a Papertrey Ink die-cut and were cut from a sheet of cork that I had in my stash.  I layered two butterflies together on each card to give them some depth.  I just love the sweet little heart hole in the center of this PTI butterfly die-cut.

I will be sharing my cards in these challenges:

Choux Choux Paper Art - Challenge #5 - Easter/Spring - I love using butterflies on my Spring cards.

Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge/Come Rain or Shine - This is more of a SHINY DAY CARD when the butterflies come out!

DLArt -Thankful Thursday - Challenge #177 Anything Goes

As You Like It Challenge Blog - Favorite Line on Bingo Board and Why - My "Bingo" is crooked.  Mine don't go in a straight line, but I covered four of the elements (Pearls, Gems, Dies and Ribbons).  The reason "WHY" I had to go crooked on the Bingo board is because "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things", after all.

Thanks for stopping by, and please know that I am very grateful for your visit and for any feedback you might leave.  I look forward to visiting your blog to see what you've been creating this week, and I hope that you will be sure to link up ALL your projects this week at Word Art Wednesday.  We invite everyone to play along.

Blessings,
Karen

32 comments:

  1. Gorgeous card for special friend,
    I am blessed in my life with 2 friends from my childhood times
    have a lovely Easter
    hugs Tamara

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  2. It's so much fun to craft with someone -- especially when it's your best friend!!
    Love your cards -- the colors and textures are so much fun!

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  3. You are truly blessed to have remained friends and in touch with your childhood friend for all those years. You must have had a blast spending a week crafting, based on these two gorgeous cards. Happy Easter to you and your family, my friend!

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  4. Hi Karen, my cyber friend! First your card made of scraps is fantastic! I love the scallops and butterfly as added touches. I am glad you got to craft with your friend and it sounds like you burnt the midnight oil...all those projects you completed! I think God has a hand in finding us friends and making our paths cross! He is pretty smart!!

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  5. What a treasure it must be to have had a friend that long - my daughter has had a friend for 37 years! Love your cork butterfly on your gorgeous card.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  6. Hi Karen! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the sweet comment. Love your card and all the yummy papers you used. Looks like you and your friend were busy and had fun. Unfortunately all my crafting buddies don't live close to me so I usually craft alone. But that's OK cause I still have fun stamping with my two loyal Jack Russell Terriers by my side...lol!

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  7. Absolutely beautiful. Just the love the vintage feel of the papers you have used and gorgeous layering. Yes friends do help us cope with curve balls life throws at us xxx
    Hugs Desíre {Doing Life}

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  8. Karen, thank you so much for your sweet words on my blog and for the tip about the new Cre8tive Hands challenge. I'll have to be sure to check that out!
    Your cards are so lovely! That cork butterfly makes a beautiful embellishment, and all your stitching adds so much to these cards! Those bows are gorgeous!

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  9. Well, the card alone would be worth the post, but adding the history of your friend PattiLynn just makes it all the more worthwhile! Blessings to you both!

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  10. Awe this is sooo very Beautiful! !!!!! I love it all!!!
    So happy for you to of had a friendship that long of a time. I have several long time friends as I am a military brat and had to constantly make new friends and I am grateful for all the ones that have stayed in contact with me over the years.Facebook plays a huge part in that.
    Have a Fabulous weekend! !!!

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  11. Your work inspires me every time...it's so beautiful! You are so blessed with creativity.

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  12. Hello Karen, I found your blog. Really love your work so will be keeping an eye out for your posts. I am not always online, especially not when on holiday, but will try to pop in with a comment now and then. Thanks for your encouragement. x

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  13. Wow, Karen, you and your lovely friend are blessed to have each other! What a wonderful post...so inspiring! And what a great time you must have had together crafting and visiting for your precious week! This card you made for her is so sweet and I'm sure she will treasure it. I am amazed that you can take scraps and make them look as they were completely meant to be exactly where they are . You have a talent for composition and an eye for color! I was looking through some of my homemade cards gifted to me from my blog buddies today, and I cannot tell you the sense of love I got from doing that.

    Thank you for taking your time to visit my blog, and my apologies for not being a better blogger. I've had computer issues and just trying to keep my blogging head above water right now! Your visits do mean the world to me! Have a blessed Easter! Hugs!

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  14. Your cards are awesome...I love all the details! How wonderful to have such a great friend, what a blessing!

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  15. How delightful to spend time with your special friend!! You accomplished so much during your time together. What a wonderful card created from your gorgeous scraps. ~ Blessings, Tracey

    Garden of Grace

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  16. A gorgeous card Karen, a lovely design with gorgeous papers and super details. A beautiful card for a close friend!!

    hugs
    Heather xx
    Thanks so much for joining us with Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

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  17. So lovely Karen - My best friend moved to Tenn - my former best friend passed away four years ago - it is lonely without a very close best friend that lives near me - you are blessed beyond measure - I am sure you guys rocked the night with Coffee and ICE CREAM! the crafting was fabulous, I am sure! Have a blessed Easter He has Risen! Hallelujah!

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  18. Beautiful card Karen! I love butterflies too. Thanks for the lovely comment you left me. Hugs, Robin

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  19. This is so beautiful Karen, I always love to see how you put all the different patterned papers together and add fun elements.I love it.
    Thank you for joining my DL.ART Thankful Thursday Anything Goes #177 Linky Challenge. Have a blessed day
    DIANA L.

    DL.ART DESIGN TEAM MEMBER
    DL.ART crinkle ribbon
    http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com
    http://dianamlarson.ctmh.com

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  20. What a pretty card! Love the colors and texture on it! Thank you for your kind words on my card; that was so kind of you! :)

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  21. What a beautiful card for your special friend. You have such a kind spirit and I appreciate your friendship through Paper Crafting land. It's amazing how you have never met a person yet you feel they are truly your friend at heart. Grateful for this craft. Thank you for your visits on my blog. Be blessed!

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  22. I love the story of you and PattiLyn. It is amazing that you have grown your friendship over so many years. Thank you for joining the DL.ART Thankful Thursday Challenge Katie-DL.ART DT-Member

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  23. Loved your post....I have a friend that I have known since church preschool. It's nice to have someone you have that much history with, just like family. Glad you got to spend time together. Your card is so beautiful. I love that you used scraps to put it together, wouldn't have realized that if you hadn't told us. It is so nicely designed. Thanks for playing along with us at AYLI Challenge!

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  24. Love your card Karen! All those layers are awesome!

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  25. Such a pretty card and how wonderful to have such a good friend that you got to spend time creating with! So glad you linked this to my Easter/Spring Challenge!

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  26. Gorgeous cards for your wonderful best friend that you have had for so many years! How lucky for both of you! I love how you made these two cards all from scraps! Love those cork butterflies! Thanks for playing along with us at DL.ART Challenges!

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  27. Beautiful card, Karen! Love the mix of papers with the cork butterfly!

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  28. Gorgeous card Karen! It's so pretty and you have written such a beautiful post about your friendship.
    Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
    Mandy xx

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  29. I am so blessed to have you in my life. I love and thank God for the time we spend together. You have been an amazing friend. The fun stuff we create is an added bonus!

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  30. This is just gorgeous hun, and what a fabulous reason for making such a special card! Thanks for playing along with our Bingo challenge at AYLI, although I'm not sure if a crooked "line" will count!. Hugs Squirrel xx

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  31. Waw this looks really lovely. Thank you for joining us at As You Like It Challenge. Hugs! Mojca

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Thanks for your comments. They mean so much to me.