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Saturday, December 17, 2011

Where I've been... plus a Christmas tag and a special Sweet Saturday

My sweet crafty friends,

While it's not completely foreign that I've gone a week without posting, it is unusual that I haven't visited all of your wonderful blogs, sprinkling sparkly notes about your projects. I wish it was due to the busy holiday season... but instead it has been from a fairly traumatic situation. A week ago, I was happily working on a Whimsical project as I often do on the weekends... then the next minute I was racing to the hospital. My sweet mom had a heart attack. :( Thank God it was 'minor'... though at the time, it looked anything but. Her whispered words for me to be with her "just in case" haunted me over the next several days spent in the hospital. I pondered going into a bit more detail here, but I'd rather forget it all. I'm trying to.

The important thing is that she survived, has returned home, and will soon begin rehabilitation in an attempt to strengthen her damaged heart. Prayer is far more effective than that, so we of course welcome any prayers. She cannot do much of anything as she recovers, so I am doing my best to take care of everything I can. I tried to craft once for a DT project, but never had I felt so far from creative or crafty.... just drained from a tough week. I still am. A card was just too hard.

I set it aside for later and instead made a simple little Christmas tag to put on a present for my mom. (Picture taken with my phone... sorry about that.)

"No Peeking"
I whipstitched around the layers for some fun texture, using a beautiful vintagey Christmas twine. It and the Santa (I believe from Winter Frolic?) were sent to me by my dear friend Jayne to use on some Christmas crafts. I love them! I centered the snowflakes with pretty green rhinestones and finished it off with some dark green ribbon and beautiful Prairie Bird Boutique crinkle ribbon. I sparklified Santa with Star Dust because he told me to. (Really!) The Whimsical Designs sentiment makes me smile, both in wording and the gorgeous swirly font. (If you click on the photo, you'll see the pretty curlie-Q letters and some fabulous camera blur.) It is from the Snow Much Fun set, which I completely adore. This particular stamp was perfect because I know my mom will be trying to peek at the gift beneath this simple little tag.

I will be catching up with your fantastic blogs in the next couple of days as things begin to settle down a bit in regards to my mom. I'm doing all I can for her and spending extra time with her, but your projects make me happy. Since the storm has eased, I will be visiting soon.

I mentioned that this is a special Sweet Saturday. I've posted all sorts of sweets over the last several months. Delicious cupcakes, muffins, fudge... and of course some tasty cakes. But today is sweeter than all of that combined. I get to hug my mom today... and nothing is sweeter than that. Smoosh your loved ones extra tight. And maybe even wish them a Sweet Saturday. :o)

Have a beautiful weekend-before-Christmas! :o)

Key Recipe Components:
 * Cricut cartridge: Classic Font, Winter Frolic (I think)
 * Stamp: Whimsical Designs~ Snow Much Fun
 * Paper: Recollections
 * Crinkle ribbon: Prairie Bird Boutique
 * Miscellaneous: iRock, Stickles

Photobucket

16 comments:

  1. Oh Karen, i am so sorry to hear about your mom, but so happy to hear she is doing better... you have been so heavy on my heart the past few days.. just this morning i was praying for you....Don't worry about leaving comments, you just stay by your mom's side and give her all the love and attention you can. Know that i will be holding you both up in prayer. Please keep us updated on how she is doing... sending you an extra hug from ukiah

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  2. Oh Karen, I have been praying day and night and I am so so pleased to hear your mom is home. Your words are so beautiful and remind me that life is so precious. I'm sure you just being by her side is comfort in itself. All my very best for a full recovery and healthy beginning for your mom. Sending you big hugs and sweet thoughts.
    Shelly

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  3. Hi Karen, So sorry to hear of your mum but pleased she is recoving and will fully recover quickly it does drain you so its understandable that you haven't been around your time should be spent with your mum and not to worry about not doing any postings or visiting any other blogs give her our love and your tag is just beautiful this will be so special to you because of the reasons around you and you take care too!:) Sandra H

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  4. HI Karen! I'm so truly sorry to hear about your mom. I'm glad that she is home now. I wish her speedy recovery.

    Wishing your family a very Merry Christmas

    Catarina

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  5. So sorry to hear about your mom, Karen. I will be praying she has a quick recovery. She's so lucky to have such a sweet, caring daughter to help her get through this. I'm sure she will love the adorable tag you made to put on her present too!

    Karen
    craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com

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  6. I am so glad to hear your mom is doing better, Sweets! I've been sending up prayers and happy to find they're working. Your tag is wonderful, and I know your mom will love it. How could she not? I love the "no peeking" sentiment and all the sparkly touches. Perfection as usual! <3

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  7. I love you Sunshine...with my whole entire heart. Without question, this is the sweetest Sweet Saturday ever. Having your mommy back home is the most extra special Christmas blessing we could ever pray for. I love you both more than I can ever possibly say. You have made God so proud this week as you turned to Him when things seemed impossibly hard. And because you placed your entire heart and soul in His hands, He is now leading the way and showering your precious mommy in all His most sparkling healing love. You have been so strong sis. My heart glows everytime I think of how you handled everything with so much bravery and grace. I have never been prouder of you than this week. And neither have your parents. You are the forever sunshining ray of light in all our lives, sis. May God bless you oodles this week and always as your heart also works to heal from the trials of this week. *replaces all the ouchies with super sparkling Christmas candy cane hugglers instead* YAY!!!

    Um...I need some of those tags sis. My parents are equally sneaky too!!! You wouldn't happen to have any extras around, would you? TEE HEE! *hugglers happy guarding Santa all up* I'll keep an eye on your mommy too sis and make sure she doesn't peek. Me thinks Santa could use some help guarding the pressies while he oils up his sleigh this week! TEE HEE! SOOOOOOOO LOVE YOUR SUPER HAPPY TAG!!!!!!!! *hugglers it forever*

    "The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him" Lamentations 3:25

    I LOVE YOU MY PRECIOUS SUNSHINE!

    *monsterous mega Christmas squishies*
    ~~~Christina :)

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  8. Oh Karen, my sweet friend.

    *sends HUGE hugs and loads of prayers your way*

    I am so sorry you had to deal with so much hardship this week, and I wish I could have offered a physical shoulder for you to lean on. BUT I am so happy that your mom is home and recovering! Yay for Christmas blessings! Know that I am PRAYING super hard for you and your family today...and tomorrow, and the next day...you get the idea. :)

    I love that your Mom is a present-peeker! hee hee! So cute! :)

    Nita

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  9. Karen, I am SO sorry to hear about your Mom. I will keep her in my daily prayers and hope she fully recovers real soon. Keep the faith, stay srong..hugs your way my friend.

    Your tag is just darling Karen. I love the stitching you did and the jolly Santa is adorable. Cute sentiment:)

    Take care...I will be thinking of you!
    Sherrie K
    http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com

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  10. Karen you have been in my thoughts and prayers ever since I heard about your mom. I can only imagine how scared you were. You know that both of you will continue to be in my prayers always. I am so happy she is home, and on a way to recovery. Well, even through it all you managed this beautiful tag. It is gorgeous, and I am loving the vintagy feel to it. Your stitching is perfect! Love the way you jazzed up santa with some inking, and the star dust...I am sure he is thrilled that you obliged with the request. Perfect finishing touches with the ribbon, twine, and my sentiment. Hugs!

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  11. Just wanted to pop in to see how you are doing... i pray your mom is getting stronger every day and that you are getting the rest you need. Keeping you in my prayers... hugs from ukiah

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  12. Karen my dear friend, I am so sorry about your Mom. I will for sure have her and you and all of your loved ones in my prayers. God id so good isn't He? She is home and recovering, and spending a lovely Christmas with you! Special praises, this week!

    Hugs, big and squishy, Pam
    http://craftycards4u2.blogspot.com/

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  13. Oh Karen, I am so sorry to hear that terrible news but it warmed my heart to hear she is recovering well. Sending hugs and prayers your way.
    Your tag is just beautiful! Lovely vintage fee. and the whipstitching is fabulous!

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  14. Hi Karen,so sorry to hear about your Mum but pleased to hear she's recovering.
    Your tag is beautiful as always.
    Sending you and your Mum love and hugs.
    Jayne x

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  15. Hi Karen,I am so sorry about your mom,but so happy to hear she is doing better..
    FANTASTIC job with your sweet Christmas tag!I LOVE the sweet little Santa,TOO CUTE!!FANTASTIC job as always!!I really enjoyed working with you,Merry Christmas my friend and thanks for everything!:)

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  16. Oh Karen, first of all, please forgive me in the delay in sending prayers to you and your mom. I was out of town since last Friday visiting my sister. I am so very sorry to hear about her heart attack, but so very thankful she is doing better and is home now. I am sending healing prayers right now...

    Your tag is just gorgeous, and that you could create something so fabulous when you are tired and stressed just shows your incredible talent! I love the whip-stitch around the edges and the Santa from Jayne is so adorable! This is so awesome and your mom will love it :)

    Big comforting hugs my sweet friend, Lisa :)
    indymermaid.blogspot.com

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Thank you for leaving some love! Have a beautifully blessed day. :o)

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