Do you believe in Unicorns???

Do you believe in Unicorns? I certainly do, and there are many reasons why, one of which has a lot to do with this post!

Seems it took one of these magical mystical creatures to lure me back to my Copic markers again.

Yes, it indeed has been a long time since I coloured let alone posted anything to my blog. Let it suffice to say that my absence from both colouring and my blog has been for good reason, and will likely continue for some time to come unfortunately.

Simply put, I am not well. I suffer with a medical condition that makes sitting and standing for extended periods of time difficult and painful. We all know how creating can capitalize on both of those tasks don’t we? So without going into details and making this post about me rather than my recent creation I will not bore you with details.

What I will say though is that there are several wonderful people I’ve had the great fortune to meet through this crafting community that stay in contact with me. I want them to know, and you know who you are, that I cherish and appreciate every email that you have sent that offer me words of encouragement, and prayers. Each of you hold a very special place in my heart, and your kindness will never be forgotten!

I am posting today because I was given the opportunity to be a guest designer for the latest Through The Craft Room Door Blog challenge.

I was given a considerable length of time to work on my creation in order to participate, so I would like to thank Sandra van Blaricum for extending me the opportunity to do so. Big hugs going out to you my sweet friend!

 

I went for a CAS theme for two reasons, one being my obvious need to be less labour intensive. Secondly because I wanted this beautiful unicorn created by Anne Rodrigue for Kraftin’Kimmie Stamps Shop to be the focal point.

This image is part of the “Three Wishes” Krafty Klubhouse Set. The set includes two other gorgeous stamps, sentiments, coordinating designer paper, cardstock and embellishments. However, on this particular card I did not use any of the included paper, opting instead to use some from my stash such as collections by DWCV and MME.

I originally fell in love with this image when I first saw it on one of my fav Copic artist’s blog; namely PaperBlessingsbyMelanie. 
If my memory serves me correctly unicorns are usually white, but I found it difficult to get the depth in my shading without it looking like a dirty unicorn, so I decided to follow Melanie’s lead and go with a black unicorn as well. Perhaps she too had that issue?

The colours I used were as follows –

Body C00, 01, 03, 05 and Colorless blender for texture

Mane and Tail B91, 93, 95, 97, 99

Horn Y19, 21 E17, 18

A few Stardust stickles and wah-lah!

 Here is a close up ...

 

Now may I suggest to you that you hop over to TTCRD blog and see what all the regular design team girlies have created for your inspiration.
Speaking of inspiration, even if life has you running around in circles or has handed you a tough situation to deal with, don’t let things get the better of you. Steal some time away for yourself whenever you can and go to your happy place like I just did.
 Trust me, it is some of the best medicine in the world that no Doctor can prescribe, or do whatever you can at your own pace. I always try to remember; no matter how you feel; get up, dress up, show up and never give up.

 It is my hope to be back here one day soon on a more regular basis, but for now I’ll take what I can get. Please know that I miss sitting on my computer visiting your blogs, but know that I am watching from afar!

 Thanks for stopping by peeps!

JS         

 



The search for the perfect image...

Well hello there crafty peeps. I really must start including friends in my salutation too because I do have some dedicated followers that happen to be friends that aren’t the crafty type. They help keep me motivated as well by simply telling me how much they love seeing and being the recipients of some of my work.

So, a big thank you is going out to all of my wonderful followers for all your words of praise and encouragement; both on and off this lil ole blog of mine. They are truly appreciated.

I hope you are all well and settled into the new year of 2014. As I sit and type this post there just so happens to be another blizzard taking place outside my window. It started last evening and will continue into tomorrow. I don’t know where you live, but here in Southern Ontario this winter has been a non-typical one. I’m sure the vast majority of us living here feel that we are definitely going to be entitled to the best spring/summer that Mother Nature can conjure up!!! Do you hear that Madam???

I’m here to share with you a card that I made for a friend. It’s probably the most difficult one that I’ve ever made. It is a sympathy card; made out of respect for what I perceive to be the most difficult loss in this world; the loss of a child.

I had to search for the perfect image because just anyone wouldn't do. You see, my friend lost her beautiful 5 year old daughter, and I choke on those words each and every time I say or write them.

 

Sweet Tayah lost her brave battle with Neuroblastoma just before Christmas. This unimaginable loss has deeply affected me and I cannot imagine what it is like for her family that are left behind. The only comfort to be taken is the fact that she is no longer suffering.

 I found what I perceived to be the perfect image for my card at A Day For Daisies.

It is called Mama Snuggle and I hope you can understand why I chose it.

 

 

I printed the image onto Neenah cardstock and then colored it with my Copic markers.

Hair – E99 Y23 YR23, 24

Skin – E50, 51 E21, R20 E000, 0000

Flowers – YG61, 63, 67 RV91, 93,95

 

 

Here is a closer look at this gorgeous image...

 

 

 

 

The next difficult task I was faced with was finding words, where no words exist to express how I feel about a loss of this magnitude.

 

 

You can see what I wrote on the front and this is what I wrote on the inside…

 

I truly don’t know how anyone survives this loss; perhaps they never do and are simply forced to tuck it away somewhere deep inside and carry on.

I followed a sketch, but unfortunately I can’t remember where I saw it. I really should write it down because by the time I finish something using it the sketch challenge is usually over, LOL. However, I do like to give credit where credit is due, so sorry about that.

The papers are from my stash and I made the flowers using a Martha Stewart punch. The little extras are Viva Decor pearl pens, stickles and a pearl stick pin.  

Well crafty peeps and friends alike that’s it for today.

I hope you all have a pleasant weekend, no matter the weather. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today, and I hope to be back before too long.

 :) S