Sunday, April 22, 2012

Friendship is the Sweetest Flower

Good Sunday Morning to you! (Or whatever time of the day it is in your part of the world)

**Woohoo This card was chosen as Stampendous April's Monthly Challenge Winner **

I started this card by adding some white paint to my kraft card base for a bit of a shabby touch. If you have visited me lately, then you know this has been a touch I like to add to my cards. I then pieced together my patterned papers and added them to my card base adding some aqua ric rac trim.
A trimming of burlap was cut and added to the left side of my card front. A tag was die cut and stamped using Waltzingmouse Chicken Wire.  The sentiment was stamped in Versafine Vintage Sepia and comes from PTI's Green Thumb stamp set. A die cut fence was created using the same Cheerios' box from one of my previous projects seen here.
This makes the perfect chipboard
This is the recycled chipboard after it's been painted.
All that is left is to apply the fence to the tag and tie a fussy bow to the top and dress it up with some paper roses!

I found my inspiration for my card at The Shabby Tea Room : Beautiful Roses.  I was inspired by the photo and we had to use  AQUAPINK, NEUTRALS and FLOWERS!
The Kraft Journal - Use Your Stash 
Pixie's Crafty Snippet Challenge - Waiting in line for the slide with this one *wink*
Stampendous - Recycle
Berry 71 Bleu - April Inspirational Challenge 

It's with a heavy heart that I am closing my post. As many of you know, I don't usually get too personal on my blog, but if I can steal a little bit more of your time to share something that has hit close to home after I had originally scheduled this to post. 

As some of you know, my husband is a Black Hawk pilot in the Army.  We recently moved from Hawaii after living there for 9 years. He deployed 3 times to a war zone for a year and sometimes longer.  In most cases you are a single parent, (and I have the upmost respect for single parents) head of household trying to figure out those honey do things on your own, but you are daily living with the stress and concern for that dear one deployed. I can tell you an unexpected knock on the door can send chills up and down your body. As this post goes live, my husband is on his way to Dover, Delaware to meet the fallen soldiers who were killed in the Black Hawk crash in Afghanistan on Thursday. They were from our battalion in Hawaii. One of the crew members on board was a crew chief that worked with my husband. He was just 23 years old and as my husband put it " He would do anything for anybody and give the shirt off his back." He played around with my son and kept him entertained if we stopped by the hangar. He had his whole life ahead of him.

I guess my reason for sharing is many have got complacent and forget that we still have many deployed. In fact, I didn't see much coverage of this at all. Let us not forget our Men and Women in harms way and please do not let us forget and let's honor our fallen who sacrificed. This crew all had families and my heart goes out to them. 

Below is a video that someone has brilliantly put together by Tim McGraw titled: "If You're Reading This" I never have a dry eye when watching it and I always get a chill when I hear the song on the radio. 


Thanks for letting me share and remember hold those you love tight! Each day is precious!
I hope you have a wonderful rest of your weekend and beautiful week! 
~Tammy~
{Recipe}
Stamps: Waltzingmouse: Chicken Wire, PTI: Green Thumb
Paper: CS: Stampin' UP!, PP: Scraps (MME)
Ink: Versafine: Vintage Sepia, Distress Inks: Antique Linen 
Other: Dies: PTI, Ric Rac: Fabric Store, Seam Binding: Etsy, Roses: Michael's, White craft paint

41 comments:

Debbie said...

Pretty card for the Tea Room this week, Tammy ... I adore that week picket fence! Thanks for sharing with us all :)

Tenia Nelson said...

I just love this dearie!!! Thanks for playing in the Stampendous! April Challenge!!!

Annette Allen said...

wow this is so cool...I love how you made this fence...that little tag is amazing...great card Tammy..

Happy Sunday..

Always with a Sentiment said...

Hello Tammy. What a beautiful card. Gorgeous colours and a pretty design too.
I have shared your thoughts and watched the video. Bless them all Tammy.
Love Sandra xx

Colleen Dietrich said...

Tammy, I can't even bear to watch that video, if I know it'll bring me to tears.

Thank you for reminding all of us that there are still families incomplete because of deployed loved ones. We have to remember how blessed we are, and deeply grateful that US men and women are putting lives on the line each and every day, so that we can be safe.

Hugs to you, my dear. :)

Debbie said...

First of all your card is beautiful! Secondly...I was also one of those military "single parent" whose husband went to Bosnia etc, and always feared for their lives or their comrades. Thank goodness he is now retired!
We should never forget that it is because of them that we enjoy our freedom!
Sending you (((hugs)) to help you through your day!

Linda W. said...

I am happy you shared everything Tammy - you are so correct. We do tend to forget! Wonderful blog post today - and gorgeous art work (as usual). We keep all our troops in our prayers daily.

sandi said...

This is just so sweet! Love what you did with the fence...looks fab!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

I am so sorry to hear that about the crash...so sorry for those lost... everyday I am thankful to those that serve....

I love your card! I love the burlap and the fence!

Jessi Fogan said...

Oh, Tammy, I am so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine what it's like to fear the knock on the door, or the sadness of losing someone so young & vibrant. My heart goes out to you & your husband. Thank you for sharing with us & reminding us that freedom isn't free.
(and you know I love your card too - especially your fence. You rock, girlie!)

Mary Ann said...

Love your card...Love your vedio...God Bless All The Men and Women

Denise Price said...

What a cute little fence! Hard to believe it's made from a Cheerios box. Great recycling!

Bernie said...

Oh Tammy I am in tears and didn't even watch the video. I am an Army Vet from a long line of military. I had a husband in Viet Nam and a son in Iraq so I know what you mean about that unexpected knock on the door. My hearth goes out to everyone who has been touched by this tragedy. It angers me that these things are no longer given coverage in the news. When Iraq started I pledged to go to all the funerals of those lost from our area. Thankfully there have only been three but we were faced by those dreadful protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church at two of them. It is time we bring our loved ones home. Thank your dear husband for his service and thank you for yours as I've been in your shoes.
BTW your card is fabulous.
Hugs

Catherine said...

Gorgeous card, love that picket fence.
Sending hugs....

Ryann said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your husband's former teammate's passing. I agree that sometimes "real life" takes over and we forgot things we are not around first hand to see. Thank you for the reminder that I, and I'm sure many, need to see and hear.

Your card is gorgeous and very fitting to reuse the cereal box on Earth Day!

Jennifer said...

Thank you Tammy for sharing your heart with us as well as your art! Thank you for the reminder that we must love each other today because we are not promised tomorrow. I pray that you find comfort in the Lord Jesus as you grieve the loss of your dear ones.

Hettie said...

Beautiful card there Tammy. I am sorry to hear about the loss of your family friend xx

Anonymous said...

I heard about the crash on Diane Sawyer I think. But you are right it wasn't much that was said. I am the wife of a Veteran & I am saying prayers for those families that lost loved ones & those that continue to have loved ones being deployed. Thank you for sharing with us. I love your card. Will you share how you tie your bows sometime? They are always so gorgeous!!! Thanks.

Dawn B. said...

I am so sorry for the loss of this young life. I will keep the soldiers in my prayers tonight. Thanks to all those that give of themselves so we can have a safe life. Your card is beautiful. Love the picket fence..Thanks for joining us at The Kraft Journal this week.

Dorcas said...

Such a pretty card! Thanks for playing with us at the kraft Journal!

Unknown said...

Tammy,

Hello..I am so sorry to hear about your sad news..My thought and prayers goes out to his family.

I know it is not easy having your husband away especially going on missions where they don't like Americans and life is cheap. Please tell your husband THANK YOU from me and my family for everything he's done and doing for our country.

I am a big supporter of our military. I served both the Army and USN as a reservist. Our military is not getting enough credit for what they're doing to protect us..everyday, they put their lives in danger. We need to open our eyes and hearts and think that a lot of young men and women are dying so we can have our freedom.

Anyway, on a lighter note. This card is gorgeous. You should include this on our challenge at http://berry71bleu.blogspot.com/. The pallette looks so much like the colors you used.

Take care..check your mailbox soon.
Marivic

Di said...

Another beautiful car Tammy - great use of snippets as always. Love the pink and turquoise you use so well.

Your personal thoughts were very sobering, so sad. As someone else said, freedom doesn't come free - we should never, ever forget that.

Hugs, Di xx

Jules said...

Hi Tammy

A very touching post .. .. thank you for reminding us to count our blessings.

We selfishly forget what so many people are going through each and every day.

Love Jules xx

p.s. It doesn't feel right to mention snippets in the same breath .. .. but you used your beautifully. xx

Stamps and Paper said...

Beautiful card Tammy..so sorry to hear about your family friend....


Anne

Benzi said...

A sad story...there are so many..too many. I'm hoping to see an end to all this someday but it seems to always be with us. There can never be enough prayers said for these brave men and women.

Your card is gorgeous and I love your 'cheerios' fence. Very creative!

Unknown said...

Fabulous card Tammy, love the picket fence and the flowers and the ribbon is gorgeous, Hugs Elaine

VanessaB said...

so sad to learn about the fallen soldiers. :( sympathies go out to your friend's families. Thank you to you and your husband for his service.

your card is beautiful!

Anita Rex said...

First off Tammy this is a gorgeous card, I love your shabby cards! You do it so well! Secondly I am sorry to read about the fallen soldiers who were from your battalion. It really hits home when it's soldiers you know and love. I am so sorry for all the loss and what is going on. :> Sending you hugs. :>

Unknown said...

Sorry I missed this post yesterday but glad I'm here now. Your husband and the family of the fallen soldiers will be in my prayers. My son is in Army BT in Oklahoma so my journey is beginning as the mother of a soldier. I can't even imagine what being a wife must be like and you have my utmost respect. Thank you for sharing this and for your family's daily sacrifice for our country. We must never forget the people who protect our freedom!
Your card, as always, is beautiful and I enjoy my time here so much.
God Bless,
Lisa

Lisa Petrella said...

Oh my goodness, Tammy...I had not even heard about this. I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you and your friends and their families. And a BIG THANK YOU to your husband, his fellow soldiers and their families for all of the sacrifices they make each and every day to protect our freedom.

GORGEOUS card!!! I LOVE how you upcycled to create your fence!!! AWESOME idea!

Theresa said...

Hi Tammy, your card is absolutely stunning.

I am so sorry for the loss of friends and to the families of the men and women that give their lives for our freedom. I wish I hadn't hit the play button - now I am in full tears!! I hope people don't forget that there are still many in harms way.

Sherrie K. said...

Your card is just beautiful as always Tammy.
I am so sorry to hear about the fallen soldiers from your husbands battalion. I will keep them all in my prayers. THANK YOU to you and your husband for your service also.
Hugs,
Sherrie K
http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com

Cathy said...

ADORE your card Tammy.. your altered fence chippie looks fantastic and the colours are so pretty!! Thanks so much for sharing with us at B71B :))

Unknown said...

Beautiful post, Tammy, and a good reminder for ALL of us, that there are still so many good soldiers out there working hard for us, and having to be away from their families & putting their own lives at risk, too. So terribly sorry for this sadness you and your husband are facing. Thank you SO much for your kind words on my blog, too, about my grandmother's passing. VERY BIG HUGS (and obtw, your card is FABULOUS!!)

Tan's Hobbies said...

Oh dear, thank you so much for sharing your personal thought with us. I never see the video, but by just reading your story I already get a chill and feel so touch. Your husband is such a gentleman and a hero!! So sorry to heard the news about one of your husband's crew member!!

Anyway, your card is (as always) AWESOME!! Love the gate; love how you designed it (too brilliant)!! Love the overall layout. Simply stunning!!

Carol said...

A touching post Tammy.

Your card is beautiful, love all your snippets. Carol x

Jen W. said...

I love these gorgeous little fences you've been rocking lately and that fabulous crinkle ribbon!

So sorry to hear about the fallen soldiers. I can't believe there hasn't been much coverage on it. Thinking of you...

Mrs A. said...

Another lovely card Tammy. I love your white picket fence. Inpossible to tell how it first started out. hugs Mrs A. P.s There is plenty of fencing in the park if you fancy a paint job!

Mrs A. said...

Another lovely card Tammy. I love your white picket fence. Inpossible to tell how it first started out. hugs Mrs A. P.s There is plenty of fencing in the park if you fancy a paint job!

Jingle said...

What a great way to recycle! Your card is so pretty! Thank you for playing along with us for the Stampendous! Challenge!

StampendousGraphics said...

Thanks for playing with our challenge! Your card is just lovely! And please extend our thanks to your husband for his service and our condolences on the loss of a good man.