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Monday, May 13, 2013

A Father's Love...

Hello, my dear friends! I hope everyone had a blessed weekend. :o)

Today I'm happy to share a Father's Day pocket card that I made for a very special dad named Reggie, who is the recipient of May's I Feel the Love Project. Each month the amazing and talented Madison highlights a particular person, family, or organization in need of some extra love and sunshine.

This month we are honoring an amazing father who strengthens and encourages his family during heartbreaking tribulation. He has faced a parent's nightmare not only once, but twice. For the second time he is helping a beloved daughter battle cancer.

I had no sentiment stamp that expressed what was on my heart, so I typed up my own. Since his beautiful children are in on this Father's Day surprise, I wanted them included in the sentiment.

"A Father's love shines through the hearts of his children." In their family, that couldn't be more true.
A closer peek:
After printing the sentiment, I cut it out with a Spellbinders Classic Circle. I used Dried Marigold distress ink to create a small nature scene with a stamp from the Tim Holtz Artful Flight set. I sponged around the circle's perimeter to surround it (and him!) in heavenly warmth. The circle is set upon a scallop base that I cut out with my Cameo, using one of the scallops in a Lori Whitlock Nested Shapes Set.

The patterned papers are from Pebbles and Basic Grey, which I thought worked well for a masculine card. I fussy-cut extra leaves to layer them with foam tape in the corners for extra dimension. The satin polka dot ribbon is from Papertrey Ink.

A little surprise is tucked in the pocket. This card is not only from me, but it will be from Reggie's children, too!
I cut out eight Spellbinders Nested Hearts, layering the small and medium ones to create four main hearts... one for each of his children. They are heavily inked with Barn Door distress ink and secured together with a jump ring. I get the feeling their hearts always beat as one. To avoid difficulty in fitting them in the pocket, only the first heart is adorned with red sparkles.

The four hearts don't merely represent the loving hearts of Ashley, Andrew, Raelynn, and Ryan, but they are also a personalized gift! I lined the backs with a filigree patterned paper, light enough to beautifully showcase handwritten messages. The fronts are bursting with red love, while the backs will be filled with heartfelt words from each kid. I realize the rhinestone one will be a wee bit tricky to write on... but a touch of sparkling love overrides a few sloppily-written words. ;)
The love they have for their father is truly tangible. That's why I wanted to incorporate them into my creation via sentiment and a special little surprise that Reggie can keep wherever he wishes. It will always remind him that his gorgeous love is shining brightly through his family... and that our heavenly Father's love is shining through HIM.

The family, in their Ashley's Angels shirts:
His daughter Ashley is currently battling cancer. She successfully defeated it as a child... but in January, 15 years later, she was diagnosed with a completely unrelated cancer. This month we also have the option of creating for her. While I work on that, my little blog may be quiet for a bit. Although I'll be visiting you all regularly, of course. :o) I have something special in mind for her, but it will take some time as I've never done it before. Cue panic. But the Lord will help me bless her with this special gift. :o)
Thank you for fluttering on by! Have a blessed and beautiful day. :o)

Challenges entered:
 *Crafty Catz~ Anything Goes
 *Crazy 4 Challenges~ Photo Inspiration (The orange stamped central focal point)
 *Creative Cutting Challenge~ Father's Day (The scallop base file was cut with my Cameo)
 *Cupcake Craft~ Lots of Layers
 *DL. Art~ Thankful Thursday May Linky Party (Anything Goes)
 *Fussy and Fancy~ Anything Goes
 *Make It Monday~ Anything Goes
 *Pause Dream Enjoy~ Happy ______ (I chose Father's Day)

22 comments:

  1. Beautiful card Karen. Love the hearts for the children.
    Hugs
    Jayne x

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  2. Fantastic pocket card Karen, love how you made hearts for the children this will make it such a special attachment to the card as well. You are so talented my friend, hope this will bring some comfort and smiles through the ordeal they are dealing with too....
    TFS Karen - you are such loving giver....

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  3. My dear friend, this is a truly wonderful creation. I love the sentiment and the hearts that you have crafted for the children to write their own special messages on are really so special. My heart goes out to Ashley and her family. I am sure that the project you are working on will be so special.
    Take care Karen and I hope you have a good week
    hugs Sue

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  4. Beautiful creation, I love the wonderful sentiment and the gorgeous hearts. Another heart felt piece of art. This is so thoughtful. Cannot wait to see what you have created for Ashley - I am sure it will be amazingly beautiful. Have a wonderful week.

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  5. My sweetest friend, this is absolutely gorgeous!! The sentiment is so perfect!! I love, love the hearts and the fact that you made them from his children, too...you are so amazing!! What a beautiful card that I know will be treasured!! As always, the details you put into this are stunning!! What a blessing you are to so many...me included!! Have a wonderful evening my dear friend!! Huge HUGS :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  6. Hello my sweet angel,
    I was hoping that you would post your 1st project for the IFTL....as I am still working on mine. Love the sweet idea of the 4 hearts representing each child. The sentiment goes so Perfect.
    Reggie will love and treasure this card. He will know how much he is LOVED and BLESSED!
    You are a beautiful inspiration to all of us....
    I can just see the Angels doing a HAPPY dance!
    Thank you for joining us at PDE challenges.
    Sending you my love, hugs and smiles as always my angelic friend,
    Millie
    ♥ Crafting With Creative M ♥
    ♥ 2 Creative Chicks ♥
    ♥ Silhouette Challenges ♥



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  7. Such a lovely card, thanks for joining us at Fussy and Fancy for our challenge.

    xx Sazzle xx

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  8. Hi Karen, Your family are a credit to you and Wow what a beautiful card take care xx

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  9. Gorgeous card and Hearts Karen. I saw this on MIM..Loz

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  10. Karen, this is wonderful!! Your printed sentiment is just perfect and what a special touch to include those four hearts. I absolutely love the dimension you've added to the front with the layered leaves. You're so good about the little details and extras!!

    What a wonderful idea to extend love to the dad too! This will be a treasure.

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  11. What a very special card this is! Thanks for sharing it with us at Creative Cutting Challenge.
    Cindy
    DT Leader

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  12. How beautiful and touching, thanks for joining us at Crafty Catz this week, Jac x

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  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  14. Thank you for sharing your beautiful card with us.
    CCC DT Member

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  15. Karen, thank you for this amazing card. This is really beautiful. Masculine cards are really hard for me. I need a lot of inspiration. I love how your card comes together. the patterns, the colors, and design... it works so well. Thank you again for being you and the angel that you are. Madison says hi and thank you too. She is one busy young lady right now getting ready for graduation. We love you and all that you do for the IFTL Project.
    Cindy

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  16. Karen, this is beyond beautiful! It is so gorgeous and so much thought has gone into this wonderful, inspiring card! I love the four hearts and the sentiment is absolutely perfect! You are truly amazing and I am so touched that you share these beautiful creations with us. You are such a wonderful person, so thoughtful, caring and we definitely feel your love for this project.
    I hope you have a wonderful evening my friend!
    Hugs,
    Sherrie K

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  17. Beautiful, sweet card Karen, truly inspirational. Thanks for joining us at Cupcake this week xx

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  18. Just gorgeous! Thanks for joining us at Cupcake. keeley

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  19. A beautiful card and created for an inspiring Father. Thanks for sharing with us at Make It Monday, sorry this is a bit late but we are a bit short on DT this week.
    Hugs,
    Sandy

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  20. Awesome card. Great work on the card. Thank you for joining with us at Creative Cutting Challenges.

    Carolyn
    CCC DT

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  21. Your cards are always so amazing Karen. You can really see the love you put in to them-- I will keep you in prayer for the special thing you have planned -- You will certainly be blessed.
    Thank you for joining my DL.ART Thankful Thursday Anything Goes May Linky Party
    DIANA L.
    http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com

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  22. I don't know how I missed this, Karen! It is beautiful! Such a sweet idea to add the hearts. I love the sentiment you wrote! He will be sure to love this card! :)

    Karen
    craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com

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

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