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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Love Bug Shaker Card: I Feel the Love

Happy Tuesday, my dear friends! I hope everyone is having a beautiful week! :o)

As I always do on the 1st of the month, I zipped to the I Feel the Love blog last week, eager to discover the new recipient of Madison's beautiful cause. Each month she highlights a particular person, family, or organization in need of extra love. In turn, we have the honor of using our crafty passion for a far higher purpose. We have the privilege of reaching out to people who are struggling mightily. This month I was stunned when I saw the recipient... a story already very well known. A story so huge that it is a two-part collection... as multiple people are in need.

In loving memory, we are paying tribute to Vicki Leigh Soto, a first grade teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary. She lost her life on December 14th, but due to her selfless actions and beautiful heart, six or seven of her students survived that tragic day. One part of the collection is for those survivors... those precious 6 and 7 year olds who went through unimaginable trauma in that classroom. They suffered tremendous loss and are not to be forgotten. We are creating Valentine's cards/ cards with hearts to shower them with the outpouring of love they need.

Even before the fresh tears subsided after reading about our mission this month, ideas mounted... there is so much I want to do for them, and I know God will help me. Will it be emotionally difficult this month? Absolutely. But I am so thankful for the opportunity to give them a piece of my heart...

.... via a Valentine's shaker card, for starters!
Before beginning my work for this collection, I spent some time reading about Vicki. It hurt, but I felt compelled to fill my heart with stories of her love... and maybe it'll help make her love sparkle through my creations for her surviving students and family, too.

I made a garden of love blossoms on an Elegant Edges base, with a sweet sparkling love bug to deliver my hugs. :o) The heart shaker (cut from Gypsy Wanderings) isn't as full of iridescent microbeads as I intended, but there's still a nice amount to dance around in there. (A mistake never to be repeated!) The heart is accented with rhinestones and I used ruffly American Crafts ribbon for the stem. Love rises and blossoms above all... especially when ruffled with a love so strong that it heals and protects.

The smaller hearts are from the Spellbinders Fanciful Holiday set. The sparkling Core Couture cardstock stems are Cheery Lynn Designs Mini Fanciful Flourishes. The little hearts are safely nestled beneath the larger one... much like Vicki sheltered her students that day.

The ladybug is from Create a Critter and since she has the vital task of sharing my and God's love with all who see this card, I used heart rhinestones for her antennae and heart. She is popped up with foam tape for dimension, reaching ever closer to the sweet child who receives this. The Whimsical Designs sentiment is from the With Love stamp set, which I stamped upon a Spellbinders Labels Four base and secured with a Bella Blvd flower button.

The Doodlebug and Imaginisce patterned papers are all new, courtesy of my sweetheart as an after-Christmas gift. I showed him Madison's post right after I read it, and after he helped me through the wave of tears, we headed to the craft store for heartfelt supplies. (Turns out Archiver's closed early on New Years Day... but we zoomed back there first thing the next morning!) The papers are so pretty in person.

The interior, engulfed in a circle of sunshine:
The second part of this month's IFTL drive is cards for Vicki's family... anything uplifting that one would send to a family member after a loss. I'll be starting that phase after a couple more blessings for the children she adored. I hope you will consider joining us for this very special collection in loving memory of Vicki.
Challenges entered:
 *Craft Us Crazy~ Inspiration Photo (The hearts and 'made with love' inspired me)
 *Crafty Catz~ Anything Goes
 *Cute Card Thursday~ Something New (Patterned papers)
 *Fantabulous Cricut~ Incorporate a Tag (Used CAC, Elegant Edges, and Gypsy Wanderings cartridges)
 *Little Miss Muffet~ Anything Goes
 *Little Scrap Pieces Fun Friday~ Anything Goes
 *Make It Monday~ Anything Goes
 *Pause, Dream, Enjoy~ Use Ribbon
 *Really Reasonable Ribbon~ Something New, plus ribbon (Patterned papers)
 *The Pink Elephant~ Celebrate (Celebrating life, love, and Vicki)
 *Word Art Wednesday~ Encouraging/Uplifting

Thank you for fluttering on by! I wish you a day of love, blessings, and sparkles. :o)

26 comments:

  1. Hello Karen.
    Oh, I am so touched by your post today. I shed a few tears as I read about Vicki and the poor children. It is impossible to imagine what those affected must be going through but I am certain that your stunning card will be gratefully received. The design is so beautiful, the papers are gorgeous and the details are perfect.
    You always put your talent to such good use Karen and you have reminded me how lucky I am. I shall be giving my children an extra big hug when they return home from school today.
    Take care
    Love and hugs Sue

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  2. So beautiful is your creation Karen with lots of detail added its simply gorgeous!! xx

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  3. Karen that little ladybug is so precious just as the lives lost on that horrible day. Her sweetness is sure to lift some spirits.

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  4. This is so adorable Karen and the thoughts behind it are beautiful, they are all in my prayers, especially Vicki.

    I spotted you on MIM and came over for a closer look, I am so glad that I did.

    Hugs
    Cathy
    xxxxxx

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  5. What a beautiful post to the story behind of your card. Love it and hope this will brighten up the family of their loss. It saddens to just hear about it.... Your card surely represents all the details on this beautiful card and they will treasure it always...
    TFS you are so remarkable Karen!

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  6. A beautiful card for a beautiful purpose. I trust that it will be a blessing to its recipient, and that their hearts will be blessed by the generosity of others like you, Karen. Thanks for sharing this in our challenge, and have a very blessed week.
    Karen
    Word Art Wednesday

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  7. Such a wonderful card Karen. Your thoughtfulness and good heart shows through in this wonderful creation. Hugs, Karon.

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  8. This card is amazing. So beautiful. Love the papers and cuts you choose.

    Be blessed, Beckie

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  9. This is absolutely stunning, my sweet friend!! What a gorgeous card for such a heart-breaking cause. You can feel every bit of love you put into making this. The micro-bead shaker heart is amazing!! The ladybug is so sweet with her heart antennae!! The entire design is beautiful and perfect and will brighten the day of whoever receives this!! You are such a blessing to so many people, and your kindness and huge heart shines through each of the amazing projects you create!! I hope you have a wonderful, happy day my dear friend!!

    Huge hugs, Lisa :)
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  10. Wow very very cute card. I love colors and embelishments. Thanks for playing with us at Little Miss Muffet challenge.
    Nathalie

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  11. Karen your card is beautiful.I love the papers,design,ladybug,shaker heart..everything.You can tell it is filled with so much love and for such a special reason.
    Hugs
    Jayne x

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  12. Karen,
    Your heart is overflowing with anguish;and that pain has propelled you into affirmative action, to help ease PTSD, and to honor the memory of a beautiful courageous woman. The card will help ease someone's pain not just because it is beautiful, colorful and playful BUT because of the love and prayers you send with it.
    Thank you for joining us at Word Art Wednesday.
    Carole Robb Bisson
    May the Blessing of the LORD be Upon You and all those affected by this atrocity!

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  13. So sweet, such a great post! This card is sure to be appreciated! Thanks for joining us over at Little Scrap Pieces! DT Member Carri~Abusybee

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  14. Oh Karen as always you are such a blessing to so so many with your amazing talent. Whoever receives this will cherish it an be filled with joy.. Thank you for always obeying our Lord, I am sure He is smiling down on you. May He bless you and your family with many precious memories and much laughter in 2013. Hug from ukiah

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  15. Hi My sweet Angel,
    As per our previous conversation,I too did not know how to begin this post but asked the lord for his strength and for happy words so that my can contain my tears.
    As for your card,is so Beautiful and so Sweet!Just like you.The micro-bead shaker is Stunning!Love it!You must show me how to do this.Love your adorable ladybug and the rhinestones add a perfect touch of sweetness.I am a big fan of shaped cards ,so I appreciate this card so much especially for this amazing cause my friend.Your addition of the sweet button on your tag is Simply precious and the pearl are so lovely.The sweet angel that receives this card will know & feel your LOVE.Just like I do.
    Sending a HUGE amount of my love,hugs,& smiles to you my sweet Angel,
    Your sweet friend,
    Migdalia

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  16. Your card is so beautiful Karen. It just pours out love! Your thoughtfulness has touched so many already. You have the biggest, kindest heart of anyone I know. You truly are a blessing to so many!
    I love the design of your card and the micro-bead shaker is
    such an amazing touch to this card:) The ladybug is so adorable and sweet. Wonderful card my friend!
    I hope you have a sparkly rest of the week:)

    Thanks so much for joining us at the challenge at LSP!
    Sherrie K
    http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com
    DT Member

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  17. Gorgeous card, thanks for sharing with us at CRAFTY CATZ x carol

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  18. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful card and the story behind it with us at FCCB this week, it truly touches our hearts and souls xhugsx Nikki x

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  19. Great card, and a wonderful cause. I'm so glad this is the iftl project this month. Your tag you added looks terrific as well! Thanks for joining us at FCCB this week!!

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  20. Stunning! Absolutely beautiful.

    Thanks for joining us at FCCB this week!

    Susie

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  21. Just beautiful! So glad you entered this tag in our FCCB challenge this week!

    ~Tammy

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  22. Karen, wow! Another piece of art. You are so talented but even more than that you are so inspirational. When I read your posts I can feel the emotions behind them. You give so much of yourself in all the cards that you create. I cannot begin to thank you enough for all the lovely words that you write each month. You are such a blessing to the IFTL Project.
    ~Madison

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  23. *shake, shake, shake* Hmm. I wonder what that sound could be? *shake, shake, shake* I KNOW! It's the sound of our sweetest Karen's love dazzling through every inch of this incredible gift of the heart! SQUEEEEEEEE!!!

    TEE HEE! Not only will the precious recipients "feel the love" of my Sunshine's heart shining through this card, they will hear it too! I have never seen anything so beautiful, sis. I am just in awe over how you made the garden of love. Truly sis it is blossoming with joy and faith so much more than you will ever possibly know. Your love will be the most extra special gift ever received sis. I am so proud of you today it isn't even funny. *hugglers you with all my heart and beyond*

    *cries just thinking about all the smiles this precious little love bug is going to inspire* SQUEEE! I love him soooooooooooooooooooooooo smooshy much sis! Have you ever seen a more adorable little guy? *hugglers him forever*

    God bless you for carrying God's love to where it is needed most, Beautiful. I love you more than more than more!!!

    *forever sparkling love bugness squishies*
    ~~~ Christina (aka the one who can't stop shaking your card today because I love it something silly) WHEEEEE!!!

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  24. Wow, Karen, you outdid yourself this time! Everything about this card is gorgeous! The papers. the rhinestones on the cute ladybug, the shape of the card, and button and sentiment are just perfect! And I love that you made it a shaker card! This will surely brighten the day of some children who have been through so much.

    Karen
    craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com

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  25. Super Darling card! Thank you for playing along with us at Really Reasonable Ribbon!
    Hugs
    Heather

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  26. This is so pretty! I love the shape all round and ruffly. There is so much going on with all the elements, too. A true work of art.

    Thank you for participating in the Craft Us Crazy Challenge!

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

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