My Card for an Alzheimer's Caregiver

Here is the card that I'm mailing off today to the Staff at the Artman Home in Ambler, PA. I don't know any alzheimer's caregivers, although I certainly do know and have known other caregivers, so I truly appreciate what they do. It's cancer that seems to take all the people I know and love. Sending a card to an alzheimer's caregiver is a requirement by Carolyn King (Cammie) for her awesome blog candy sponsored by so many wonderful companies and individuals. You can find the details on Cammie's blog. Even without the opportunity to win prizes, I'm very happy to make and send a card to brighten any caregiver's day because they do have the most difficult jobs. It takes great strength to tend to one who is seriously ill, especially if it is also someone you love. I pray for God to bless those people... and something tells me that He does.

I finally bought one of Anna Wight's stamp sets... one of her newest releases from Whipper Snapper Designs. I've been meaning to do that for awhile because I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Anna's artwork (and her blog). When I saw Harvest Blessings and Crazy for Chickens, that did it! Since they are the newest rubbah in da house, I reached for them when I sat down to make my card tonight. It was hard to choose, but since I LOVE autumn and I'm so happy it's finally here (even though you can't tell by the weather), I chose Harvest Blessings. Besides, we're talking about blessings, aren't we, when we talk about caregivers? They certainly are blessings in the lives of others.

If I'd had more time, I would probably have tried different versions of my watercoloring... I'm never happy the first time around... but I think it turned out okay. I mostly used my new Stampin Up In-Color re-inkers, plus Creamy Caramel and More Mustard. Oh, and the sky is Cool Caribbean. I ran the card base through my Cuttlebug embossing folder that looks like branches... sort of reminds me of straw (I need to start writing down the names of those folders when I open the package). I couldn't find the right verse, but came across some of the Papertrey Ink DSP while I was riffling around and decided to just punch out the word Gratitude since that's the idea behind the card.

Recipe:
Stamps: Whipper Snapper Designs Happy Harvest by Anna Wight
Paper: Stampin Up Pacific Point, Tangarine Tango, Kiwi Kiss; Canson watercolor paper; Papertrey Ink DSP (greeting)
Ink: Staz on Black ink pad, Stampin Up reinkers Pacific Point, Tangarine Tango, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Creamy Caramel, More Mustard
Accessories: Stampin Up Tangarine Tango striped ribbon, scalloped circle, 1 3/8" circle and oval punches, Cuttlebug embossing folder

Today was Nick's funeral. It was truly a beautiful send-off, but still so sad that he passed so young (age 61). My dear friend Marianne is holding up well under the circumstances, but she has a long road of grieving ahead of her. Luckily she has lots of people who love her and will help her get through... me included. It's times like these when you really stop and think about what's important and who is important. On the way home from the funeral, Paul and I almost got hit head on by a crazy driver in a truck. That's not the first time, either. Every time there's a near miss, I fall to my knees (so to speak) and thank God for saving us. But you never know. So live your life to the fullest each day, and remember not to sweat the small stuff or harbor grudges. Make sure your priorities are straight. I remember my mom saying that if she had it to do over again, she'd clean the house less and play with us kids more. So maybe it's not so bad that the dust bunnies are overtaking my home????

Thanks for stopping by!