Hello my sweet blogging friends! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and look forward to an awesome 2012! Wow! I know I have been gone for so long. I have a little explanation below of what all has been going on with me, but in the mean time I have a card for the Wild Orchid Crafts Challenge!
For those of you that have that awesome Maja Designs paper pad Vintage Winter, you know that some of those papers can be used year round, so I gathered the reds from the collection. I noticed that the red is a bit more subdued than my gorgeous reds from Wild Orchid Crafts so I dug into my stash and found these Mahogany colored roses that blended very nicely with the reds in the paper. I seem to grab these Mahogany ones quite a bit! I also used some Lt. Mocha Brown Roses that go so well with kraft paper. I added a two-toned Chocolate Rose, some Natural Cotton Lace and some jute string to finish it off! All my flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts!!!
One of my Christmas presents from my hubby was a cricut cartridge by Close to My Heart. It is amazing! They have stamps to match the shapes!!! I love it! So on my card that shape and sentiment are from CTMH. I bought mine from Niki.
My sweet image is from Lili of the Valley. This stamp was released last year, but will always be a favorite of mine. I think these little children are sooooo adorable it makes my heart melt.
Just a little update as to why I have been gone. My very sweet father in law passed away on Jan. 1 after becoming ill early in December. He lived an hour and half away from us and we were going back and forth and staying in the hospital waiting room all day and night for several weeks. We will miss him greatly!!! He was a wonderful man! I am so proud that I have a little piece of him in my hubby because he acts and looks so much like him. We are fortunate that Tom has a wonderful family support system to get through this very big change, he is the baby of 8 children and they are very close. Anyhow, that is where we have been.
I will be back soon! I am slowly getting back to a groove.
Have a wonderful day and thank you so very much for stopping by!!!
Hugs, Dena
Woww what a wonderful card! The colors are so beautiful! Fantastic work.
ReplyDeleteHugs Kizzy
Hi Dena,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely card I love the colours they are wonderful and vintage looking,
hugs
Heather & Bronwyn
this is simply devine Dena loving the rich tomes and as always your image is coloured to perfection!
ReplyDeleteso sorry to hear about your loss...sending you hugs
Ali x
OMG, Dena, I am so sorry to read of your father-in-law's passing....losing a parent is always traumatic! Sooooo glad you're back.....with such a precious card!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite images as well. Your coloring is amazing and that adorable sentiment caught my eye right away....love it!!!!! Amazing what one can do with those machines! Phenomenal creation!!!!
Looking forward to a new year of inspiration from your talented hands!
Hi Dena. So sorry to hear of your sad loss.
ReplyDeleteYour card is stunning, very beautiful
HUGZ Fleur xXx
OH this is beautiful! Your coloring is awesome as always, and that image is way sweet! Love the sentiment too, how cute!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of your loss, take care.
your card is just gorgeous dear and I so love those colors.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your father in law. My prayers are with you and the family. Hugs
wow this is just gorgeous!!! Hugs Juls
ReplyDeleteAwesome card as always Dena, I love these rich, warm colours.
ReplyDeleteI did keep checking by and wondered where you'd vanished to..I thought you were on vacation. I wish that was case rather than the real reason. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Father-in-law.
Sending my condolences and biggest hugs to you and all your family.
Love Elaine xxx
Dear Dena,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your father in law. I hope you and your family will find peace and comfort in eachother.
I am very glad that you are back to your blog. I check every day as your cards are all so amazing!!
I love your colour choices and designs and this one is no disappointment.
Wishing you a happy 2012!
Sincerely, Clara
I am really sorry to hear that your FIL has passed away and I am glad that your husband has a close family to help him through this very tough time. My condolences. I have also missed seeing your lovely cards and I am delighted to see you back,
ReplyDeleteJane x
Hi Dena, glad to see you're back. Missed you hun!! Love your gorgeous card and that shape with the sentiment stamp is brilliant. I can imagine you're pleased with that Christmas gift! HUgs, Frea
ReplyDeleteYour card is gorgeous Dena, and I love those papers. So sorry to hear your sad news!
ReplyDeleteClairexx
Oh Dena!! So very sorry for the loss of your Father-in law you and your husband are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteAs always a gorgeous card love your coloring.
hugs Linda W.
Dena .. first of all .. I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father in law. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
ReplyDeleteNow as for your creation ... wowowow .. you don't miss a single second of being magically creative! How should I describe this piece of art? Vintagey, amazing, gorgeous, stunning .. all of the above and more?! hehe ... I could stare at your colouring forever my dear!
And lucky you! That Cricut cartridge sounds amazing! And look what it does!!! Oh my word! I totally LOVE it!
Glad to see you back Dena .. I've missed you! ;)
Big Hugs,
Elise
Awww, Glad to see you back Dena, but sooooo very sorry for the loss of your Father in law. This time of year only makes it harder. Take care
ReplyDeleteTracy Valure
Dearest Dena, I was just going to send you an email to see what you were up too. I am so glad you are back. So sorry to hear your father in law passed away.
ReplyDeleteYour card is so adorable. You sure know how to make the most beautiful cards....they sure are ones to treasure that is for sure. I love the colours on this one! Beautiful work!
So sorry for your loss Dena..take care of each other...
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card, love the image and amazing colouring.The flowers and papers are beautiful.
Luv CHRISSYxx
Wowzers, this is stunning!!!! Those gorgeous vintage colours, oooow, how stunning are they!!!?? Those papers, I dream of them lol!!! A wonderful assembly of all sorts of gorgeousness!!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read of your recent loss, but what you describe is a beautifully strong family that will lean on each other for support, that is indeed a blessing!! My heart goes out to you and your family!!
Welcome back and looking forward to seeing your work through 2012!!!
hugs, stephanne
So sorry for your loss Dena. luckily you have a warm family to comfort each other.
ReplyDeleteYour card is gorgeous. I love the warm colours and the LOTV image is so adorable! hugs. Marlies
Love the scrappaper you used on this card. Your card is really very beautiful.
ReplyDeletehugs Yvonne
Oh Dena! I am so sorry to hear of your FIL's passing. My sincerest condolences to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteTake care Hunny
Hugs Kylie x
I am so sorry for your loss! Your card is stunning, fabulous colouring and love the colours!
ReplyDeleteHelen x
Oh, Dena! I'm SO sorry to hear about your FIL, your new year obviously didn't get off to a good start! Do pass my sympathy to your hubbie, as having lost both of my parents I understand how devastating it is.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, I love your card, and hope that the year will only get better for you.
BIG HUGS
Judi xx
This is a stunner darling and I love all the olde worlde colour goin on, im ever so sorry to hear of your loss and mythoughts are with you all xxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteOh Dena this is is gorgeous and love sweet image.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear your sad news.
luv
Debby
Wowww Dena this is sooo stunning dear! Such a great work!
ReplyDeleteHugs Kristel
So sorry for your loss. Sounds like a sweet man. Thanks for the wonderful card and the different color combinations. Edna
ReplyDeleteHi Dena...I've been missing you, girlfriend! I'm so sorry to hear about your father-in-law's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband and family. Your card is stunning, sweet pea! I love LOTV images...this one lives in my collection too! hehe! Your coloring and designwork are just stunning! Have a great week sweet friend! Hugs. Pat Frank
ReplyDeleteI am so sad to hear of your family's loss and i just know he'll be watching you all from where he is and will smile very proudly! Love your card hunni and welcome back, gentle hugs, Vick xxxx
ReplyDeleteune pure merveille, ta carte est sublime. bravo.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card, as always, Dena. I'm sorry to hear about your father-in-law. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Hun! Your card is beautiful! Love the vintage look. The image is so sweet. I can't believe i still don't own it!
ReplyDeleteYour hubby is such a sweetie for getting you the fab cartridge. My hubby gave me cash lol. I did spent it on crafting goodies so it's like he bought me crafting goodies :)
Sorry to hear about your father-in-law passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. If you need anything give me a call.
xoxo,
Lori
This is soo cute!! Simply adorable and I must have that stamp!
ReplyDeleteOoooh Dena, sorry to hear about your loss but thank god you have a strong family and know my thoughts and prayers are with you....
ReplyDeleteYour card is as beautiful as ever, love your colouring, the gorgeous papers and beautiful details.
Hugs Corine
Hello Dena,
ReplyDeletei have missed you!!!
Iam so sorry to hear the reason why you were not able to post.
My deepest sympathy to you and your family
big hugs
Claudia
Hi Dena this is so very beautiful, I totally adore the colours you have used, the flowers look gorgeous, that image and design are stunning.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Lorraine x
Tour card turned out gorgeous as always Dena. You have such an amazing talent for paper crafting. I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your father in law. Sounds like he was a fantastic man. You and your family are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Shannin
Stunning card Dena, I have just been watching your distress coloring tuts and I am full of inspiration now to try it myself, can't wait!
ReplyDeleteThanks, hugs Teresa xx
Hi Oh my what a sad time for you & your family and especially at Christmas Time !. I loved how you describe that your hubby has his bits of his character in him that made me smile !. I have had my eye on that cartridge too ! It looks super ! to see it in your design. So glad your back as needed to visit as you always give me so many ideas !! Gorgeous as always ;0)
ReplyDeleteMy condolences Dena! My father-in-law also passed away recently so I know what a difficult time this must be.
ReplyDeleteOn a positive note, you have created the most beautiful card here. Your coloring is gorgeous as always! Love the colors you chose here! Beautiful job dear! big hugs, Angela
My condolences to you and your family Dena.
ReplyDeleteLove the color combo and image on your beautiful card!
Hugs Laila.
Hello Dena,
ReplyDeleteWOW wat a lovely card :) and a realy good colourwork!!Super colour combo, brown with red!
Hugs
Sylvia
Hi Dena, Beautiful card dear..... I am sorry to hear that you have had not so fun times at your house. Sending blessings your way...
ReplyDeletehugs.....
Aaaaaw Dena - I'm sooo sorry to hear of your loss! Please know I am thinking of you and your family and sending you the BIGGEST cyber hugs EVA!
ReplyDeletexXx
Such an awful time in our lives losing a loved one. I too have just lost an Auntie and couldn't be there. So glad you were able to spend some time with him. My thoughts are with you all and sending you big hugs.
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
Oh and not to forget your card which is awesome!!! xx
Hi sweetie wow this card is just sooooooooooo gorgeous I love your colouring so so much.
ReplyDeleteI am sooooooo sorry about your father-in-law hun my thoughts are with you & your family hun.
Sending you big big hugs
Vicky xxx
oh no Dena sweetie, Im so sorry for the loss of your lovely father in law, my deepest sympathy to you and your family on your great loss
ReplyDeleteMina xxx
Oh I'm so sorry Dena, to learn that your Father in Law passed away. Poor Tom. Please convey my deepest sympathy. Warmest of hugs! Lesley
ReplyDelete