Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Papertrey Ink - 7th Anniversary - Day 1

  
Hello Sweet Crafty Friends,
Here with a card for Day 1 of the Papertrey Ink 7th Anniversary Festivities!  There are so many wonderful things happening all over the web - Facebook, The Forum, Capture the Moment etc.  I am just trying to take it all in! 

Here is the color recipe and sketch that I used to create my card:




Okay...since it is an Anniversary I am going to get a little mushy about my sweet Stuart and Papertrey Ink so you can skip this next section if you want to....but it is kind of a nice true story in my opinion...

In just a few more days it will be two years since my son and I said goodbye to our beloved Staurt and there is a story related to Papertrey Ink that some of you probably do not know. I posted a portion of it on Facebook this morning when they asked, "How long have you been a customer of Papertrey Ink?" but I thought I would share it here too.

I started this blog in November 2010 just 4 months after my sweet Stuart was diagnosed with cancer.  I went from working outside the home as a small business accountant to becoming a full-time caregiver after my husband's surgery left him with cognitive deficits requiring constant care.  I left my job to care for him daily and when he was resting  -which was often after difficult treatments- I would retreat to my craft room.

The outpouring of love that happens when someone you love is diagnosed with cancer is unbelievable and I had so many people I wanted to thank.  And so I started using my scrapbooking supplies to make thank you cards - and lots of them.  And this eventually led me to Papertrey Ink after seeing some of their lovely products used in a "CARDS" magazine I purchased.  I carried that CARDS magazine with me to waiting rooms and studied how to make a card.  And I started learning little by little.  I still remember the first thank you card I made using the Year of Flowers: Roses Stamp set.  The people I gave that card to still had it displayed in their waiting room even after my sweet Stuart had passed away.  Sharing our thankfulness and love in a card can mean so much!

My husband and son encouraged me in my card-making endeavors and as time permitted I began to join in the Make it Monday challenges and meet sweet crafty friends on-line.  Lisa Elton of My Paper Tales and Marybeth of Marybeth's Time for Paper were some of the first people to comment on some of my PTI challenge cards.  And then Tracey, Leigh, Kara, Kelly S, Helen F, Julie, and so many others. This gave me encouragement to keep trying.

To this day I feel that the connection I made to stamping and Papertrey Ink stamps during this difficult time has helped me through one of the most challenging times in my life.  My friend Sue Lelli calls her blog "Card Therapy" and I have shared with her that I find it to be just that for me also!

I share all of this with you because the culmination of Papertrey Ink's Anniversary celebrations each year is always with their release on February 15th and it is always something that I look forward to and enjoy!  The challenges, the products, the fun anniversary activities!  It all brings joy to my life and my husband knew how very much I loved the celebration and Papertrey's wonderful products!  And I wonder sometimes if Stuart planned it - for this was the day that my Staurt went to heaven.  So while it is a very difficult day for me it also is a day that has something to look forward to that evening - the Anniversary Release!  It is something to make me smile in the midst of my sadness and to share with all of my crafty on-line friends who love Papertrey Ink as much as I do! And I know Stuart smiles down on me as he sees me enjoying and nourishing my artistic side!  And Papertrey Ink is what started it all for me!  So thanks Papertrey Family and all my crafty friends who visit and encourage me here at Greenwood Girl Cards!  Your support over the past few years has touched me far more than you may know or realize!  You are a great big blessing in my life!   

Okay...so if you are still with me and hopefully not crying like me...back to the card...here is a close up of the tiny tags:






    And one last picture of my card:
Thanks as always for looking!  And I hope you get to enjoy all of the fun over at Papertrey Ink as we celebrate their 7th Anniversary....I am so happy that I have so many wonderful friends to share this craft that I love with!  
Hugs,
Jill

  

25 comments:

  1. Beautiful. You are a special lady. Happy 7th to Paper Trey Ink. Enjoy the party.

    Blessings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jim! I will! I try to always count my blessings! You and Jill are two of the newest ones! :)

      Delete
  2. What a beautiful card Jill. And such a touching story. I'm so glad you've been able to find joy in crafting.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Okay, Jill, now you have me crying...after reading your above comment...for me this week it was Feb 4 th I was weepy that day too. so I certainly understand this post. On that date 4 years ago...I received so many home made sympathy cards from on line friends that I had never even met in real life...Their support meant so much to me. Never realized until then what an impact just a "card" can make!

    On to your card...smile...It's beautiful...great job with the sketch and the colors. Now go on with the party!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hugs to you Jill! We all have angels that we miss more than words can say! And yes the cards make all the difference in the world when the world as we know it has just changed forever! :)

      Delete
  4. What a sweet card, Jill! Love the flower print

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for sharing your touching story with us, Jill. I'm tearing after reading it. Your card is beautiful, and great choice of patterned paper. Hope you have a wonderful evening!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jill, I am so sorry for your loss. It is great to see that you have found some great friends through cards. You brought tears to my eyes. Your card is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Well, I am crying, but only because this is one of the most touching posts I have ever seen. What a beautiful story and the love you feel for your husband is so evident. I am so glad that there will always be something happy for you to look forward to on Feb. 15th every year...I am hoping you order yourself up a great big package this year. Your card is beautiful, love the doily and lace, but it is your story that I won't be forgetting anytime soon!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you Jill for sharing your story with us again. It's something that will be in my heart for many many more Feb.15th-s to come. This card making blogging community brings so many of us together in such a special way, what a blessing. Your card is lovely, such sweet paper.Tiny tags were one of my first PTI purchase, love them!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a wonderful post, which speaks from your heart and soul, Jill! Thank you for sharing your story. You are so right on how making cards bring such joy to the maker and those receiving them. Such a precious gift! You have a wonderful talent and I enjoy viewing your creations! Take care, hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  10. {{{hugs}}} to you Jill - love the tiny tags on the card!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beautiful post Jill :) Your card is so so pretty...love the tiny tags! Hugsx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Well, you know we are crying but that is ok. Your post is beautiful ! So nice that PTI family has brought us all together. Feb. 15 was my younger sister Maryellen's birthday ....she also passed away from cancer. Small tie in . I know losing a sister in no way compares to loosing a husband ..but it's a date i will always think of Maryellen and you ...Jill. Thank you for sharing and always being supportive of all of us. You are a treasure and a gifted crafter. Hugs and blessings to you my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know I already replied via email Marybeth but I just wanted to say that I will think of Maryellen each year too! When we lose someone we love our world is changed forever and we never forget or stop missing them. So thankful for your sweet friendship and support! :)

      Delete
  13. First, your post is amazingly touching. What a sweetie you are. Second, your card is stunning. You have the eye for blending details without overwhelming the card. Gorgeous. Finally, thanks for your comments. I'm now subscribing to your blog through feedly!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Joan! I had so much fun reading your blog this morning! And your cards are GORGEOUS! Your use of white space is incredible!!!

      Delete
  14. Love the new blog banner… did I miss this for long or is it new? Love it and I am in need of a update.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your card is beautiful! I just love the beautiful blue doily over the pretty floral background.
    Thanks so much for sharing your story. It was so touching.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Jill...such a sweet story, it is hard to write with the tears streaming down my face. You are an amazing lady and I always love coming to visit your blog to see what you have been up too. I love this card and those sweet little tags at the top, just perfect! Take care Jill.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I never know what to make for baby cards since I make so few and I have no supplies so I want you to know I think the tiny tags are Brilliant and I am so casing this if I ever need another baby card! LOVE it, Jill!

    ReplyDelete
  18. It's so great that crafting helped you through that time. Great card - I love the blue doily die cut. I've tried to get that die in the past and it's always sold out!

    ReplyDelete
  19. This card is awesome! Cardmaking is the best therapy for all those things that bring us down. I'm sorry for your loss and grateful that you have shared with all of us. I need to get more Papertrey so I can play!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your story is amazing. God works in mysterious ways! Thank you for sharing that bit of your heart, it was so touching to read. Love your card! Thank you for always supporting me and my blog, you're so sweet, Jill! xoxo
    Danielle

    ReplyDelete

Hello Friends! Thanks so very much for visiting Greenwood Girl Cards! I enjoy reading your comments!
Crafty Hugs,
: ) Jill