Monday, March 21, 2016

        ~~HERE'S  TO  POPPY~~ (* and a note)
Our grandchildren had a name for my husband Alan; it was "Poppy."
And this name was 'adopted' from his own grandfather - who was called Poppy as well.
After Alan passed away, a "Scrapbook.com" friend of mine made a beautiful card with a sweet 'poppy' focal point.   I happened to share with some of my SB.com friends about Alan being called poppy, and she ended up sending me the card!  To use as I wanted.  Thank you Laura : ) 
 I had hoped to use it for a lay-out of Al,  but when I ran across this photo of grandpa (Poppy); I felt some inspiration and created this.  The reddish foreground paper and also the poppy embellishment  were from Laura, with a few of my tweaks~

His real name was Charles.  Grandma called him Charlie (or Chuck if she was 'not happy'!lol : )  but to the rest of the world, he was simply Poppy~
Born in 1911 in Brooklyn Heights Ohio (near Cleveland I think.) He was the middle child with a sister older and a sister younger.
As a young man he was a produce seller at local markets and became a gardener for a private (well-to-do) family. 
He later built and started his own greenhouses and was self-employed until the greenhouses were sold in 1981.


This photo is a bit closer.  He looks like he's a little 'spit-fire' in this shot!! : ) But really, he was the most gentle man I knew.  It is his picture I featured here > GENUINE  on my blog in January~ 
I have been working on a few décor changes around the house and I hung 2 -100 year old windows in my living room; and am adding family photo's to them.  This small lay out will be proudly hung there : )
Thanks so very much! For stopping in today~
I am sure most of you know I do not have internet @ home - and so when I get to work on Mondays, I sometimes see 20+ posts from my friends! and I get a bit overwhelmed; wanting to get a visit in to each one. Please know I do stop in! and hope to comment if there is time~
God bless,   Karen


***May I please add, for any of you who have read to the bottom here : ) That it has been difficult for me to blog lately; well, for a while.  Let me tell you why~
My grief is still so real, and difficult.  I often feel like "nothing really matters" - although I know that that is not true~  I still feel it - and that makes for a hard time creating, and a hard time in expressing myself.
Yet, in these waves of pain, I know the Lord is with me and teaching me; thru the grief and pain that I experience. It is the place to grow and learn.  If I don't 'experience' it, how can I move past it?
Each one of us is unique in how we grieve, I know that, but (for myself) I must 'feel' it, in order to move beyond it;  and it comes in waves for me.  Perhaps that is a good thing! as God knows how much I can handle (and it still be beneficial - not overwhelming) vs. me trying to guess my way through all this and navigate my own course.
So, Thanks be to God! for His guidance and safe-keeping over me.
And a full-hearted Thank You to all my dear blog friends; for your love and support!
 Though at this time I am not the full/real 'me', I hope you are seeing glimpses' of
her, : ] and some day we can truly meet~ 
As I journey on . . .
God bless,
Karen









18 comments:

  1. Karen, you are such an inspiration to me. Blessing my friend, hoping things get better for you :) Love your creation~gorgeous as always!

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    1. Thank you dear dear Connie! I appreciate you so very much! Have a great week~ Karen

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  2. That was so sweet of your friend to send you the card.
    Dear Karen, I can relate to you grief and feel your pain. Time will heal and we have the memories.
    Sending big hugs your way,
    Marie

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    1. Yes indeed Marie~ Thanks for the thoughts and visit my friend. You are an inspiration always~ Karen

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  3. A beautiful page Karen and a lovely tribute to your Grandpa 'Poppy". Thank you so much for your sweet comment on my post at the Megs Garden blog. Have had a little look around your blog and I love your creations .. beautiful work. Have become a follower and hope you will continue to share your gorgeous works. Blessings xx

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    1. Oh my goodness Margaret what an honor for you to stop in and visit! I'm thrilled! : ) Thank you so very much~ I love your blog! and all the beautiful inspiration I find there. Karen @ Roosterhead Designs~

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  4. Karen, what a lovely card from your friend. Both Poppys must have been wonderful people. I can only imagine your grief and know that light will shine on your life soon. You, your writing, and your art are such an inspiration to me. Hugs and happy thoughts to you, Sue

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    1. Thanks so much for your friendship Sue! I appreciate you very much and always find your blog a wonderful place to visit~ Have a great rest of the week; and Easter too~ Karen

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  5. Karen, your project is absolutely beautiful! Its lovely to here the background behind the photo and page design....every piece that goes onto your page is meaningful.
    Hang in there, everyone has a different healing process. Never force things, let your creativity be your therapy as well. Create when you are ready to and know that there are so many that care about you. (((((hugs))))

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    1. Gabi you are the sweetest peach ever : ) Thanks for the words of wisdom and encouragement; they mean so so much to me~ And knowing 'there are so many that care about me' is one of the greatest things about blogging! You are a dear friend and I thank you. ~Karen

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  6. Oh Dear Karen, what a lovely tribute to Poppy you have done, this will look great in the window panels of your old window panes! So sorry to hear that you are feeling the pain so hard at times, May God grant you peace as you continue this new path and journey in your life, may you have comfort when needed and may every morning be greeted with a smile. Sending ((((HUGS))) your way!!

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    1. Thanks dear Connie~ I appreciate you friend. I am indeed looking to God for guidance and peace. And I know that even in times of pain & sorrow, He is teaching me~ Bless you! and have a wonderful Easter holiday~ Karen

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  7. Dear Karen..
    Your posts always touch my heart. What a thoughtful gesture for your friend to send you the card of your husband. And then for you to be able to use it in card to remember his grandfather... how very special. I love the dear stories that you share here. You are doing a wonderful job of keeping up with your blog and most people have no expectations. It's understandable that you need time and it's so good that you are taking the time that you need. I was very young when I went through my loss and felt pressured to move on. Thank you for sharing your heart and allowing us to be there for you. It's a privilege. What I've seen of you so far is a beautiful, sincere person! Blessings to you and prayers for you as you continue your journey to feeling a little bit more yourself!
    Thank you for sharing your charming creation. You're SO talented at blending, layering and bringing it all together just right! You inspire me <3

    Hugs,
    Tamara

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    1. Well dear Tamara you always bless & encourage me! Thanks for all the kind words my friend~ I hope you are having a wonderful day! We are in a blizzard here : ] I thought this would probably happen! CO; sooo unpredictable in Spring. Blessings 2 U my friend, Karen

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  8. Every part of it is made with love. What a lovely story, a lovely man and a gorgeous layout. I enjoyed visiting. I will add to follow. Also ... Please feel free to pop along and see whats in my Dezinaworld enchanted garden today. All images are free

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    1. Thank you so much June! What a pleasure to have you visit and comment~ Though my internet access is limited, I will stop in when I can : ) Have a great day~ Karen @ Roosterhead Designs

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  9. Oh my Karen, I will keep you in my prayers and send positive thoughts and big hugs your way. Your Poppy work of art is so full of love and emotion. Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us. HUGS and LOVE!!!

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  10. Dearest Karen,
    I am so sorry to hear that you are in such a time of sorrow. I have been in such places and I know what you are saying. It takes a long time for the heart to heal and for us to be fully alive and ourselves again.
    I will pray for you and I wonder if you might email me your address so I can mail you a little bird like I shared on my blog. My daughter and I make them to give away as blessings and I would love to send you one as a hug from us and a reminder that you are special and loved.
    My email is littlegraycottage@gmail.com
    Love to you and lots of hugs
    Shirley

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