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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Varied-Flap Folded Mini Booklet

Hello, my sweet friends! Thank you for your lovely words and encouragement all week as I've worked on my last contributions for this month's I Feel the Love Project. I'm ecstatic that I finished this last project on time.. and I'll celebrate by seeing what you've been up to the past two days while I was holed up in my crafty area. :o) Then I'll write a little note for the Sotos to accompany this gift.

I had it on my heart to make a little something for each of Vicki Soto's immediately family members. She is the heroic first grade teacher who sacrificed her life to save six or seven of her students in the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy... we've been creating in her honor this month.

At 27 years old, she was the oldest of four kids. One of her younger sisters said the pain was unimaginable. Since Madison gave us the opportunity to reach out to Vicki's family and her surviving students, I wanted my final project to be a little keepsake.

Five different little minis to store favorite pictures or memories of their beloved sister and daughter... one each for her parents (Carlos and Donna), two sisters (Jillian and Carlee), and her brother (Carlos):
I used my Cameo and a Samantha Walker cut file to create these folded goodies. They can be cards or little booklets... I'm using them as teeny mini-albums. I've spoken at length about this collection over the last few weeks. All that's left to say as I wrap up my work for it is that I love this family with all of my heart. I pray they see and feel the love I've poured into these little gifts... creations that Vicki inspired. I hope they know how much they are thought of and that God loves them dearly. And I hope they use these, keeping a few treasured memories tucked safely inside.

A few more pictures... they probably need to be enlarged to see the little sparkles and pearls sprinkled throughout the flower clusters. I used Wild Orchid Crafts flowers and my Cheery Lynn Designs Mini Fanciful Flourish for the arrangements. The flowers were Shimmer Spritzed for a sparkly finish.

I bet you want to see a peek inside, don't you? An abundance of love, in varying patterns... eager to hold extra special moments from Vicki's life:
I didn't mean to cut off the blue one that much... the interior panels are lovely blue scrolls and vines. The gorgeous green and light blue glittery one is made of papers from a Susan Winget collection. So beautiful in person.

And a glimpse of the other three, ranging from fluttering hearts to bright floral to sweet elegance:
These were a joy to create, particularly knowing where they were headed. I've tucked my love inside them too, so it'll always be there as they face their new reality. It's been an honor to craft in Vicki's memory this month and I hope all my work engulfs the students and her family in an endless hug. :o)

Challenges entered:
 *Cheery Lynn Designs~ Tickled Pink (the heart one)
 *Die Cuttin' Divas~ Anything Goes
 *DL.Art~ Linky Party
 *Make It Monday~ Anything Goes
 *Moving Along with the Times~ Punch it Out: Favorite punch or die (Cheery Lynn flourish)
 *Simon Says Stamp~ Anything Goes

Thank you for visiting me today! You make my blog sparkle. :o)

19 comments:

  1. Oh they will love these beautiful little mini's... it looks like you are so enjoying your cameo. So glad you were able to find Hello Kitty. Thanks for checking up on me. You are such a wonderful person. i am doing well. i did go to a crop last week but was only able to stay for 2 days (it was a 6 day crop).. Sweet hubby called and had to go to work so i had to come home to take Alex to and from work. But that was ok, because my back was killing me. :-( i have been to the dr.'s so many times lately. I haven't posted on my blog in so long... thank you for your prayers my friend... i love all your beautiful projects... hugs from ukiah

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  2. Dear Karen, I am totally blown away by these mini albums. Such wonderful designs made with gorgeous papers and beautifully detailed.
    You deserve to be very proud of yourself for finishing this worthwhile project. I am certain that they will be able to see and feel the love you have put into each and every detail.
    I am so pleased that you have shared these creations with us.
    Take care
    Hugs Sue

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  3. WOW, my sweet friend, I am speechless at these stunning minis!! They are jaw-dropping gorgeous!! The papers, the design, the flowers, the heart bands, everything is so absolutely beautiful!! Your love and selflessness and huge heart shine through in each one of these!! How kind you are to make one for each member of Vicki's family!! You truly are an angel...you bring joy and love to so many!! Love, love, love these!! And I know her family will appreciate them!! I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing evening!! Huge HUGS :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  4. These minis are so elegant, and I'm sure Vicki's family will treasure those mini album with special memories of her. Love all the decorating and details of each and everyone...You are so thoughtful and generous to make these for her family...
    TFS Karen - we need a lot of people in the world like you...

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  5. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are incredible and I love your heart so much, you have the biggest heart I have ever seen in anyone and I sure hope it is contagious so we can have a world of people like you Karen. This post touched me deeply, I know vicky will cry out of happiness knowing the love that went into these stunning mini's. You really outdid yourself here you beautiful soul. My jaw honestly dropped and dropped more with each picture. I love your style so much. We are going to have to sit and have a cup of tea or coffee someday.. lol
    Lots of love
    Naomi

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  6. WOW Karen - these are stunning - so full of love and I'm sure the Soto family will see that when they recieve them. You are so thoughtful, loving and kind and I only wish that there were more of you out there. I love all the details and you can see how much time you have put into these. Thank for sharing you wonderful inspiration.

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  7. Beautiful I love them, I am so inspired
    Thank you for joining my DL.ART Thankful Thursday Anything Goes January Linky Party
    DIANA L.
    http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com

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  8. Oh my goodness Karen they are stunning x

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  9. Karen these are stunning..and gorgeous~gorgeous~gorgeous!! What a wonderful gift to the family...one they will treasure and cherish forever!!
    How very thoughtful and caring...I am so happy to know that there are people like you out there...makes my day!!

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  10. Beautiful mini albums. A wonderful gift for a grieving family to treasure memories of their daughter and sister.
    The world needs more people who care!!!
    Thanks for linking your creations up with Make It Monday this week.
    Remember, to be in the running to win the prize from our sponsor this week just leave a comment for another entry. Be sure to mention you saw them on Make It Monday. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning!
    Hugs, Sandy

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  11. I'm so glad that I saw your project at Make It Monday and I love what you've done. What a kind heart you have. They must love the mini albums, that are so beautiful and I can see, made with love!
    Hugs,
    Starr

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  12. GORGEOUS mini albums Karen! What a beautiful gift this makes. The papers are so beautiful and the way you decorated them.....So stunning my friend!!! For sure a treasure.
    Thank you so much for your sweet comment today..we are definitely missing our Gizzy:(

    Sherrie K
    http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com

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  13. What a very sweet thing for you to do - lots of love went into these. Thanks so much for joining us at the Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge and good luck!
    hugs,
    Gini

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  14. *needs to huggler my Sunshine so tight cause I am crying so much right now after reading her most gorgeous posting*

    Gosh Sunshine...these gifts are just out-of-this-world special. I am typing through tears right now as I think about all the love that went into them and all the love they will soon deliver. They are the most perfect tribute to such an extra special girl. Vicki would be so honoured sis (and IS honoured as she sees all you have done). Only a heart as God blessed as yours sis would think to design pressies for each member of her family. These gifts are just bursting with your all the love of your heart sis. I can literally feel your hugglers flying through my compy screen as I look at the pictures of the masterpieces you created. They will bring more healing joy than we can ever imagine, Sunshine. I can't even begin to express what it means to be able to say that I am your sis today. I am truly the proudest sister alive and I love you with my entire heart and beyond. God bless you for delivering God's heart straight to the hearts who need Him most of all. You are one extra special girl, Sunshine. Always know just how much you are loved in return.

    I SOOOOOOOOOOOOO LOVE MY SIS!!!!!!!!

    *forever sparkling rainbow and flutterby hugglers for my hero Sunshine*
    ~~~ Christina (aka the one who is gonna make you a bigger bloggy now cause you need a MEGA big one to hold all the gorgeous awards and honours you have won* SQUEEEEEEEEEEE!!! SOOOOOO PROUD OF YOU BEAUTIFUL!!! :)

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  15. It was so sweet of you to make a gift for each of Vicki Soto's siblings and her parents. These are amazing and will mean so much to her family! Beautiful work! :)

    Karen
    craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com

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  16. These are all very lovely and wonderful gifts. Good luck and thanks for joining in on the fun at Cheery Lynn Designs challenge blog.

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  17. These are beyond beautiful, Karen. What a kind and thoughtful way to express your love and sympathy. Each one is gorgeous and obviously created with an abundance of care. I just don't know how you managed to do it without staining them with tears. (I'm crying from reading your post...)

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  18. Wonderful set of minis. Thanks for playing along with the Anything Goes challenge over at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog this week!

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  19. Hi my angelic friend,
    I am visting bloggie world and had to stop by to say to you,"WOW"!!The mini's are just BEAUTIFUL!!Absolutely AMAZING!!The pattern paper is just GORGEOUS!God Bless your Heart my friend.Everyday you take more and more of my heart.I always have a box of tissue with me whenever I am going to visit your blog...LOL.But HAPPY tears of course..I am feeling much better and thank you for leaving me as always your sweet and loving words.
    Sending you a HUGE amount of bloggie love ,Hugs and Smiles and well...I just LOVE you!!
    Migdalia

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

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