Awning Card for a Special Little Girl

Happy Saturday, my crafty friends! I hope you're having a gorgeous weekend. In lieu of the Sweet Saturday recipe I had lined up to post, I'm sharing a card that is far sweeter. (And a wee bit difficult for me to write about.)

See these lovely people?

This is Olivia (now 9 years old) and her mom Erika... they mean the world to me. Erika and I met on the first day of kindergarten. The first day of a lifelong friendship. We gravitated to each other and I'm pretty sure the HUGE 5th graders felt our fear as we huddled in the kindergartner hallway. As it turned out, we lived in the same small neighborhood. The memories we shared from that day forward are permanently etched upon my heart. It is a blessing to grow up with someone and never lose track of each other.

Over the years we shared everything from school desks to dreams, from first crushes to forever loves. Sometimes when we were little my mom would have to send us to my room when we'd get in trouble with my older brother, scheming around the house... but it was fun punishment because his room was next to mine, so we sent notes back and forth through the register vent thingy. Ha! Kids can always find a way. ;)

I'll never forget the day Erika shared the news of her cancer diagnosis. I didn't know how to handle it. She was not expected to live long, but she is a fighter. Against all odds, she battled that wretched disease for years to make memories for Olivia and in the process showed us all what inspiration truly is.

Erika passed away last year. I was devastated, angry, and sadder than I'd ever been in my life. Sweet little Olivia has had a hard time, but she is a fighter like her mom. Shortly after our dear Erika passed away, Olivia founded Kids Involved in Cancer Research. At merely 8 years old, she was determined to do all she could to fight the disease that took her mother at such a young age. She is strong, loving, and inspiring... just like Erika.

Many of you know Madison of Funky Cards, the creator of the I Feel the Love Project of which I faithfully participate. Each month she highlights a particular person, family, or organization in need of some extra love and sunshine. This month she is honoring someone in my life... and words still fail me at that incredible blessing. Olivia is the new recipient for August and it fills my heart with indescribable joy that cards will be created just for her. Knowing that people are thinking of her will be such an encouragement when she opens that box of crafty love (and long after).

I certainly will be using some Create a Critter cuteness on another card for her.. those critters are magical. But I had it on my heart to create a new-to-me card style first. I made her an awning card, as if she and I are strolling downtown, enjoying the summery sunshine, and stumble upon a sweet bakery for cupcakes and hot cocoa. (It's never too hot outside for any form of chocolate.)

The interior and a peek at the "shelf/counter" that sticks out below the goodies, as well as the love I tucked below the awning:

The creative process was extra special and I pray that Olivia feels healing love in every millimeter of it. My heart was even sappier than usual. Since the story behind this took quite a bit of space, I'll only give the bare minimum in terms of details here. The images in the 'bakery' are from Whimsical Designs sentiment stamp sets, which I colored with Copics. I made the cupcake stand with pretty pink rhinestones, used glittery SnowTex for the cocoa's marshmallows, and sparklified the cupcake hearts because my love for her and Erika will forever sparkle.

I used a Spellbinders Fancy Tags Three die for the Whimsical Designs sentiment and added some cute Blossom twine from My Craft Spot. The bottom is lined with Wild Orchid Crafts sweetheart blossoms, as though the flowers are along the walkway of the bakery. The final touch was the little butterfly resting atop the awning... clearly drawn to the beautiful heart and fighting spirit found in Olivia.

Challenges entered:

 * Crafty Catz~ Use Pink

 * Die Cuttin' Divas~ Anything Goes

 * Divas by Design~ Flowers

 * DL.ART~ Happy Birthday Linky Party and a chance to win Pretty Pennants. Happy Birthday, Diana! :o)

 * I Feel the Love~ Cards for Olivia

 * Make It Monday~ Anything Goes

 * Moving Along with the Times~ Summer (downtown walks in the sunshine!)

Thank you for fluttering on by! I hope your day is filled with love and blessings. :o)