Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Blessed . . .

Dear dear friends,
I do not feel ready to re-enter the 'blog world' as of right now, except to stop in your blogsites (when I can) and see what you've been up to~
I am always blessed to read your news and see your beautiful projects.
Right now my life is upset & complicated -  and of course my heart is still so crushed after loosing my younger daughter in a car accident in October.
I am working on making changes in my life- and  move (900 miles) to be close to my elder daughter; hopefully by this Summers time.

But I could not delay any longer - the blessing of being published; and I wanted to post this.
Early in 2015 I had entered a challenge for Somerset Life magazine ( one of  over 20 magazines published by Stampington Publishers.)  When I did not hear back from them, I chalked it up to a good experience and quite a courageous thing for me to try : )


Then October 1st happened, when my younger daughter was killed in an auto accident and my life was turned upside down, and inside out.
I will not linger there friends, it is waaay too hard.  Please know God is seeing me through this (horrible tragedy) and I know He will keep me in His care.  I am believing by His grace I  have hope for better days.  Many of you have been praying and I THANK YOU most 'profusely'.
Well,
When I returned home in late October (after the services and all the things that needed to be taken care of-  she lived out of state ...)  I found out that Stampington had lately published my Bookmarks in their Somerset Life Autumn 2016 magazine.
I must say that thru all my pain and grief, all my . . . deflation and emptiness, this brought a little
'spark of light'  to my weary and mournful heart.
It was like a little - "Atta girl"  from God (thru Stampington : )


Somerset Life Autumn 2016

A 'chink' of daylight through all the black leaves.  And a bit of reassurance that perhaps someday again, I will feel like I can 'create.'

So here are some of the photo's that I had taken of the book marks; before I mailed them to Stampington. 
PS:  THEY (not me)  did the lay outs and photo's that you see in the magazine (if you can still find one. They were only in stores thru the 31st of Dec.)   I only sent them the actual physical book marks.  Somerset Life did the rest.      But these photo's are mine before mailing~

The top marker shows the simple back side of one.
It's really just a few folds.
 
 
Washi tape, cut-out paper clocks & pretty pink "Maja Design" papers. 
Here is one using a 'fence' punch & a watering can die cut from Memory box. I hand cut a cloud, distressed it and added glitter glass~ The bk-ground paper is Prima.
 
It's pretty easy to do.  I first found this idea @   http://www.craftygoodies.com/ - Connie Mercers blog.
I used a 3" X 3" square of paper.
**See the white one.
-Mark the center (1.5") along the top edge with a small dot.
-Draw a horizontal line thru the center of the square (1.5")
-Fold the 2 top corners in, at the center (dot); lining up the flaps with the horiz. line. (crease folds sharply)
-Then erase the pencil lines & dots.
-Use washi (or reg.) tape (see the brown bookmark) to hold the flaps together. I also used washi on the underside of the seam for strength.
-Round the bottom corners if you want.
-Embellish the front as you like~
 
 
I wanted to personally say THANK YOU  to Stampington Publishers and Somerset Life Magazine for the great privilege  of being highlighted and published.  What an honor for me; and especially at a time in my life where there was NO bright spot ANYWHERE to be found.  To come home and see this - (standing in Barnes & Noble - in disbelief!)  was like a warm fire on a bitter-cold day.

Friends, when you click on the link to their website, I am sure you will be overwhelmed with beauty! as I am, each and every time I visit.  Their magazines are "commercial/advertising free" and are of premium quality - both in content and materials.  I've never seen better magazines.  And so many enticing choices for all of us who love to create; AND read about it : )
Please check them out~  Stampington.Com

Wishing  New Year Blessings  to each of you who happen to visit.
My hope is for a year of rebuilding . . . and lots of courage to face the future.
Hugs to you all,
Karen



18 comments:

  1. Hello dear Karen. So lovely to hear from you. I want to reach out across the world and give you a big hug. I know how difficult life must be for you right now but I am so happy you found the strength to do this post. Your bookmarks are delightful and I am so happy for you that they were published .. huge congratulations .. totally deserved!
    Hoping that moving house will go smoothly for you and that you will find great comfort in living closer to your eldest daughter .. I am sure you will. Sending you lots of love and hugs and wishing you many Blessings for the New Year. xx

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  2. Dearest Karen,
    such a joy seeing you here, dear friend. I am happy you have been able to post this both so very sad, but also very beautiful post. You know I feel so sad for you, for all the sorrow you have experienced the last years, for the awful chock of loosing your daughter to that terrible car accident, and I know how hard it must have been and still is, to carry on. Therefore it make my heart happy for you, that you now can post this. Your book marks are so lovely and beautiful , adorable colors, and details. And thank you for giving the how to, to us all.I`m one of the lucky ones, whom also have the magazine you are featured inside, and am so happy for you. Congratulations again , it must have been like a little wonderful gift, in the middle of your big sorrow. Karen thank you for your lovely e-mail, you will hear from me soon. I`m so thankful, you answered my note ,thank you dear friend. Warm hug and blessings to you. See you soon !!!

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  3. Hello Karen! My heart took a leap this morning when I noticed your post. I have been thinking about you and the awful tragedy that you suffered. Your bookmarks are so beautiful. I know that feeling of accomplishment and validation when your work is published and I can't think of a person more deserving than you. I hope that this will ease you back into crafting and blogging soon. I wish you the best with your move and pray for happier days ahead for you. Hugs and love, Sue

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  4. Oh Karen my heart just leaped when I saw the update that you had posted on your blog, I have been thinking of you so often and praying you are ok. Sounds like you have a big move ahead of you and I am sure it will be so very nice to be closer to your daughter. It sounds like the publication of your lovely bookmarks were all in God's timing. I am so thrilled for you getting your lovely creations in the magazine, yes they do make such pretty posts in their magazines, I do enjoy looking through them. I remember making these bookmarks a few years ago.... Wishing you all the best in the days ahead and I hope it isn't too long between times we hear from you.

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  5. Hello dear Karen,
    it is so good to see a post from you:)Big congratulations on being published - doing the happy dance for you.
    I must say you have been in my prayers and thoughts; wondering how you are doing and dealing with the loss of your daughter.I wish you all the strength and courage you need to rebuild your life and hope we will hear from you from time to time.Best wishes and big hugs,
    Marie

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  6. Dear Karen,
    I didn't know about your daughter. My heart is broken for you. Thinking of you as you go through difficult times. Hoping you will be back with us soon and until then I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Congratulations are in order for being published in Somerset Life. (one of my favorite magazines) That is amazing and I am so happy for you. Take good care. Sending love, Linda

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  7. so so awesome!! They are beautiful:) So proud of you Karen. Keep on doing more, it helps to heal you. (((hugs))))

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  8. Sweetie, this is beautiful and such sweet timing from God, to give you a little blessing after so painfully loosing your daughter. I'm thinking of you and pray for you and your moving, take care my dear, xx

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  9. Dearest Karen, I want to send you a very big thank you for all of your visits and for the kind words on my blog. I cannot even express how glad and happy I am to see your sweet name! And I also owe you and every one of my readers a big apology for not sending a thank you sooner. I had no idea my comments were being blocked and I was overwhelmed by the amount of comments I saw upon fixing the issue. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for all that you do. Even when you are in tremendous pain and amidst so many life changes, you still find the time to stop by and say hello and leave kind words for us all. Your warmth and kindness inspire me and I do not think this publication could happen to a kinder, more talented or more deserving person. I know it's overdue, but I want to wish you the biggest congratulations! I hope that your achievements with this beautiful publication are only the start and that they inspire your beautiful craft and talent to continue on for a very long time to come! I send much love and many healing hugs your way. xo Ivana

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  10. Hello Dear Karen. I don't know if you will see this but I am hopeful you will. I just want to say hello and how happy I was to see your lovely comments on my blog .. you made my heart sing. Not only for the sweet words but the fact that you are reaching out to the world again. You are often in my thoughts and I have been praying for you and hoping you will soon feel able to return. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful craft again one day and sending you love and hugs. oxox Marg

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  11. Hi Karen, I just stopped by after you left such wonderful comments at sb.com. I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful it was to hear from you. I have been thinking about you and keeping you in my prayers. I am so happy to hear that your art was published by Somerset/Stampington, but I can honestly say it's no surprise to me. You are so very talented and your art is amazing!!! Your work always inspires me and I have been missing it and you so much. Take care of YOU throughout your difficult journey and please know that you have lots of friends praying and thinking about you. HUGS!!!! Sharon

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  12. Oh my dearest Karen I am so sorry to read all of this sad news - just catching up! I have been on a sad journey of my own with my husband's cancer but I, unlike you, have a happy outcome! Life throws things our way which we can't explain but it is all about how we deal with these and keep our fath and hope in life just as you are at the moment!
    You are a wonderfully loving person with great strength and I know you will come through with joy eventually. I wish you all the best with the move. I am sure you are still readjusting and I will one day find your creative heart once again especially now that you have been published with such gorgeous artwork.
    Bless you girl and thanks for always loving my artwork too!
    Big warm and loving heart hugs to you,
    Suzy

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  13. I hope you are doing ok. Saw your name today on another blog.
    Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

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  14. Dearest Karen, I am so very sorry for your loss. I've been away from blogging too and just catching up now. My heart is broken for you and my deepest sympathy comes your way. Congrats on your published feature. I am so thrilled for you and how God gives us these comforts to lift our hearts right at the time they are needed. I know one day your heart will be ready to create again when it's time. Thank you for visiting me and leaving such a kind comment. Sending you big hugs and heartfelt thoughts and prayers. xo

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  15. Dear Karen, I just saw your post after my own long battle with depression which has kept me away from creativity and blogging and even my computer for more than a year. I'm so sad for you. I hope you are starting to heal a little with time, as I am. Congratulations on being published in Somerset Life. I love their magazines! How exciting for you. Try to get good sleep as I have found this makes a huge difference to how you feel both emotionally and physically. Love and hugs,
    Jesse XXX

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  16. Karen, just stopping by to say "hi" and to let you know that I have been thinking about you and you have so many friends out here - I will continue to send prayers your way and to send hugs, too.

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  17. I'm here to thank you wholeheartedly for the lovely comment you left on ~ My little old world ~, I sincerely appreciate it so much ... but after reading your post ... well, I have no words to express my pain for your loss ...

    Sending prayers to you, I'm going to follow your so beautiful blog and hope you'll follow me in turn, when you'll have the strenght to come back amongst us all

    XOXO Daniela

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  18. Hello, I love VINTAGE too and I like your crations A LOT! xoxo

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