Tuesday 22 December 2009

Just for my Dad


Good evening everyone. I was not going to do a post today for reasons your will understand in a moment, but when I picked up some more new goodies from Sir Stampalot today one stamp in particular told me I should make a card today for a very special person.

Later in this post I will also share some if the things that were tumbling out of boxes from today's deliveries.

It is a year ago today that my dear Dad died, I am an only child and cared for him for the last three years of his life after my Mother decided their marriage was at an end and Dad was too poorly to look after. He was the most caring person you could wish to meet, asked for so little yet gave so much and I still miss him every single day. His life was his family, farming, animals and his garden where he produced enough vegetables and flowers especially roses and chrysanthemums to provide for the whole village.

This stamp is one of the new Hero Arts releases S5316 Silhouette Grass and to me epitomises the Country hedgerows and fields around the farm where Dad used to take me for walks with the dogs and my pony when I was a child.

The grasses were stamped with versamak and embossed with detail copper and I shadow stamped with Hero soft sand, onto a background piece stamped with Hero F5042 Leaf Flourish and H2365 French Scrip, embossed with detail clear and distressed with Tim Holt Spiced Marmalade.

As Dad grew such wonderful roses he would approve of the three I have made for this card. The swirls are cut from a new Sixxiz "Swirly" die that arrived at Stampalot today along with the TH Adage Tickets which fit the sentiment of my card perfectly.

Now new goodies, lots of Hero Stamps, new Martha Stewart punches and Nesties and to store them all just look at this:

Appalling pictures I know, but the combination of no daylight and shine from the Nesties, this is as good as I could get, but you can get the idea. These magnetic sheets are brilliant, there are three in a pack and hold your nesties all in one place. Up till now mine were in envelopes, but this is so much better and easier to see what you have got.

And a few of my new stamps and one of the new MS double border punches which are just gorgeous, as are the new round the page ones which create a fabulous mat, punched all round, corners as well to fit a 6x6 square card. I have lots of creating to do with these new goodies and will be sharing very soon.

35 comments:

Sally H said...

Oh Brenda! That is so beautiful. It does get easier, honest. It is nine years since I lost my Mum, and although there are times when it is still painful the good memories get stronger. I hope you have a lovely time playing with your new goodies and thank you for sharing on such a poignant day x

Ludkasz said...

amazing card:)

shelly said...

brenda very touching story and what a beautiful card you created. i hope you frame it.

pinky said...

Beautiful card for a beautiful person, you have portrayed your Dad in a very special way. I like to remember my mum through crafting as well, remember mylittle atc box? It helps and as Sally says the good memories eventually drown out the sad ones even though we will miss them forever. Saw those magnetic sheets on telly last week, brilliant yet so simple. Enjoy your goodies and have a lovely Christmas Brenda.
Pinky

Juls said...

this is just gorgeous Brenda, Love the fab colour tones! and the big brown swirls, fab how you can make roses and swirls look masculine!!

P.S finally got round to buying myself a flower punch today..(I can't beleive I have not got one before now!) So I am hoping to have a go at some of your roses!! hugs Juls

helencreaty1 said...

adorable card, thanks for sharing a part of your life whit us all,it 's very sad the lost of a special person, my grandma died 2 years ago, and sometimes i remember her teelling me about her " child memories ", she was so funny =), and .... i wish you a very merry christmas, anddddddddd all the best =),ok
bigggggg hugsssss
helen

SannaS said...

Gorgeous card! Really beautiful! Thanks for sharing the "lovely" story behind it! =)
Your new toys look yummy!
Have a Merry Christmas!
Hugs, SannaS

chris said...

When I read this Brenda I had a tear, your Dad would have been very pleased with this card, its great. your childhood is reminding me of mine farmming background and all that hope to see you soon love chris xx

Scrappymax said...

Oh Brenda, my heart goes out to you being your Dad's anniversary. I can imagine it must be very difficult but I think you have done a wonderful card in memory of him.
Looks like you are going to have a fun crafty time over the festive period so have a lovely time and I look forward to seeing what other creations you come up with using you lovely new items.
Max x

Kat said...

Beautiful card Brenda, I'm sure your Dad would be delighted with your way or remembering him. As others say it does get easier. My Dad died 2 days after Christmas when my kids were quite young and I still often think of him, not just at Christmas. Enjoy your lovely memories of your DAD and have a great Christmas and all te best for 2010.

Kat xx

Fleur said...

Brenda - your post is very touching, I'm sure from your description your dad would've loved your card. Your card is beautiful - I didn't go to sir stamp on saturday, but that was the stamp I was going to buy, may nip over to sale tomorrow. Hope you have a good christmas & you will be in our thoughts.
Hugs Fleur xXx

Always with a Sentiment said...

Hello Brenda. Thank you for sharing that lovely story of your Dad, and yes, it does get easier in time, I know that, but I wont share that here.
I love the card you have made and I am sure your Dad would have loved it too.
Looks like you have been having some fun, enjoy your new goodies, cant wait for more creations. Thinking of you.
Love Sandra xx

Zoechaos said...

Beautiful card and for a very special person am sure your Dad would have loved it, he must have been very proud of you. Wonderful new toys as well gonna have fun playing with those.

lisa said...

Evening Brenda. My thoughts are with you today, a very special day. Your card is so beautiful and seems to epitomise your Dad perfectly from how you described him, how clever you are.
Your new goodies look yummy, I especially like the Nestie magnetic sheets.
Sorry I haven't been around this week, I'm definitely not like the Tesco lady, last minute Tess, that's me!!!! but your creations are stunning as always.
If I don't get to visit again before the big day I'd just like to wish you and yours a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.
Hugs

Lisax

Anonymous said...

Hi Brenda, can I just say thank you for sharing your story, I am sure it's been a hard day,this time last year you were in bit's I bet....
I know that you know I understand your heartache, with my MIL passing away recently and it's such a hard thing for other's who have not experienced to realise how sad we feel, especially this time of year, when all we should be doing is celebrating christmas...

I lost my Dad on my 22nd birthday, it's been some year's I know, but I still feel sad and wish he was here, especially to see my boy's grow up....they have made me so proud...

My Mom is a Johovah witness, so without MIL it is going to be very different christmas this year, she alway's visited christmas day, so it will be a hard day....

I thought your card was beautiful, and the reason behind it a tribute to your much loved Father.....

Your goodies look fabby, I have a guest DT on the 28th I thought I had finished, but I never think my work is good enough, so I am still trying for a better one...

You take care Brenda and have a wonderfull christmas
xxx
Vicky

Fliss said...

An absolutely gorgeous card Brenda. Thinking of you today as it's so difficult when you lose a parent. I lost my Mum due to Alzheimers 5 years ago and miss her loads.
Hope you manage to have a good Christmas in spite of missing your Dad.
Sending hugs, Fliss xxx

Jo said...

Brenda, your card is beautiful! It's the perfect tribute to your Dad. What wonderful memories you have of him ... I know they must be very comforting.

Wishing you a happy Christmas,

Jo xx

Liz said...

I am thinking oh you Brenda know exactly how you feel but great you have such great memories Love your card its very beautiful

Liz xxxx

Lynne K said...

A very beautiful tribute to your father, Brenda. I do know how you must be feeling - I lost my Mum to Alzheimers in January this year, the day before my second grandson - her great grandson - was born. I'm sure that you, and I, will in time be able to look back with nothing but happy memories.

I've been making a list of all the new goodies I want, as soon after Christmas as I can afford them! I will simply have to have some of the gorgeous new Hero Arts stamps, at the very least. Anyway, I hope you have a lovely, peaceful, relaxing Christmas, and lots to look forward to in the New Year. xx

Merry said...

Such a beautiful card Brendan and even more beautiful after I read about your Dad. What a wonderful collection of goodies too.

Allyson said...

Brenda, what a beautiful card, truly made with love. Your father sounds like a really special person. I lost my father 5 years ago after a long battle with cancer and the loss does get easier to bear.
I'd been looking at that Silouette grass stamp and thinking "I must have it", now I know what to do when I get it. Thank you.

Lynsey said...

Hi Brenda, what a wonderful card. I am sure your Dad would have loved it. Your post made was really touching.
Hugs Lynsey x

Tracy said...

What a wonderful daughter you are and your Dad would be very proud, your a lovely person and the way you have honoured your Father with this card is a beautiful thing to do, he sounded like a real gentleman.
I do hope you will still have a good Christmas and you and your family have a peaceful one.
Love the goodies, Oooo your so lucky you'll have a lot of playing to do with them.
Happy crafting
Love
Tracy x

Beryl said...

This card is fabuuous Brenda 0 I love the way you've made the light are in the centre as if there was a light source there. I really wish I could do stuff like that. I'm sure your dad knows it's been made specially for him and his memory. Great to see you're keeping Sir Stampalot in business. I'd love to get that lot through the door.
Beryl xx

Lynda said...

Oh Brenda how lovely to make a card in memory of such a special person. You really do miss him don't you and I'm sure he'll be watching over you.

Love the new stash!

Love Lynda xxx

Lou said...

Very lovely card Brenda and so special for your Dad.
Nice crafty treats you have there B and look forward to seeing your creations.
Special Christmas wishes to you and your family.
See you soon,Lou.xx

eiyiyi said...

What a lovely tribute to your Dad. I'm sure he would have loved your roses. hugs to you, eileen

cheryl said...

oh hunny really feel for you and your dad would have been so proud of you,and this card as you say well its perfect,thanks for sharing that with us hun,
I know were you are coming from as someone very close to us this will be the 3rd,year so hang on to those memories hun,and take care and wishing you all the love for a happy xmas and a wonderful new yaer lots love cheryl xxxx

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. My own dear Dad has suffered two strokes, and has his good days and bad days. Altho I'm Thankful he is still with us, he gets upset when he has his bad days and cannot do the things he wants to.

But on a cheerier note, I must say your card is lovely! I adore the rich sunsetty colours!

Nilla said...

Oh, Brenda, you made me cry, not because of your gorgeous card (they always makes me happy), but your words. I lost my mother in December two years ago but still lucky to have my father! Brenda, I wish you a Merry Christmas!! Hugs Nilla

Jules said...

Hi Brenda

A wonderful creation for what sounds like a wonderful man.

We just have to be grateful we had brilliant Dads for as long as we did - not everyone is so fortunate!!

Love Jules xx

debby4000 said...

Oh this is gorgeous, it reminds me of a warm sunny september evening.
luv
Debby

Lisa said...

Hi Brenda, Gorgeous card! Your dad sounds like he was a very special man and I am sure he would have loved this card. Like you I lost my dad last year but they are too special to ever be forgotten and will remain in our hearts forever.

Hope you have a lovely Christmas with your family.

Lisa x

Christine (All She Crafts) said...

Oh, Brenda.. what a lovely card, and so fitting. Just perfect.

Hope you're OK.

Hugs,
Chris xx

craftimamma said...

What a beautiful card in remembrance of your lovely Dad. I'm sure he knows how much you love him still.

The goodies you bought look fab and can't wait to see what delights you cook up for us with them.

Hugs
Lesley Xx