To everything, there is a season
And a time to every purpose under Heaven . . .
Ecclesiastes ch 4
Dear friends and visitors,
My mother has died : ( and I am once again dealing with grief; while also learning some important life lessons in this mean time.
It was in April that I decided I better get myself to Colorado and be with mom & dad.
I spent the entire month of May with them and I'm so so glad I had that opportunity. We celebrated her birthday (3 different party's! : ) and also spent Memorial Day together. I was able to 'work from home' at their place so I had lots of time with them. We created some wonderful memories which I will cherish always~
In May, Mom seemed to be rebounding and doing pretty well - -so what a shock/surprise it was to us to lose her suddenly in mid-July. (insert broken-heart here)
I of course went back to Colorado for her funeral services and have since returned home to Montana.
I often fail in the "thank you" department dear friends - but PLEASE know I really truly appreciate your love and support~
Sometimes we learn to 'grow; under the load' - that is to say, we learn from difficulty and actually grow in grace and character because of it. Even while 'in' it.
I hope that will be me~
I also hope my love and passion for crafting and creating will return again and the ideas and excitement for it will once again flow : )
I'm including a card I created a few months back, for a very dear friend; using a beautiful image from Suzi @ Etsy's:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/suziqu
I will be offering this photo @ Wen's blog http://appleapricot.blogspot.com/
for submission in her monthly Link Up "Simply Neutral Tuesday"
I'm snitching a bit of color into this 'mostly neutral' party; but I'm hoping that's ok : ) <3
PLEASE take a moment to view her beautiful blog and all the lovely 'Neutral' entries~
This card includes washi tape, white corrugated board, layers of distressed paper, and a bit of ribbon.
The image was trimmed with antique-edged scissors and white paint.
Here is another view with white background~
I'm beginning to feel like the "downer blog" !!?? Sigh* With much in the way of sad news.
It seems as though I start to get 'back on my feet' and something else happens to bring pain and heartache.
But I'm still determined God WILL see me through and I will have much happy things to report as time goes on! <3 One happy thing for me is that Summer is still very much here in MT; and I'm enjoying flip-flop weather! Lot's of sunshine and even hot days.
And if my creativity will find it's way home, I will welcome it with open arms : )
Wishing you much love and hopes for continued beautiful weather!
Hugs,
Karen
And a time to every purpose under Heaven . . .
Ecclesiastes ch 4
Dear friends and visitors,
My mother has died : ( and I am once again dealing with grief; while also learning some important life lessons in this mean time.
It was in April that I decided I better get myself to Colorado and be with mom & dad.
I spent the entire month of May with them and I'm so so glad I had that opportunity. We celebrated her birthday (3 different party's! : ) and also spent Memorial Day together. I was able to 'work from home' at their place so I had lots of time with them. We created some wonderful memories which I will cherish always~
In May, Mom seemed to be rebounding and doing pretty well - -so what a shock/surprise it was to us to lose her suddenly in mid-July. (insert broken-heart here)
I of course went back to Colorado for her funeral services and have since returned home to Montana.
I often fail in the "thank you" department dear friends - but PLEASE know I really truly appreciate your love and support~
Sometimes we learn to 'grow; under the load' - that is to say, we learn from difficulty and actually grow in grace and character because of it. Even while 'in' it.
I hope that will be me~
I also hope my love and passion for crafting and creating will return again and the ideas and excitement for it will once again flow : )
I'm including a card I created a few months back, for a very dear friend; using a beautiful image from Suzi @ Etsy's:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/suziqu
I will be offering this photo @ Wen's blog http://appleapricot.blogspot.com/
for submission in her monthly Link Up "Simply Neutral Tuesday"
I'm snitching a bit of color into this 'mostly neutral' party; but I'm hoping that's ok : ) <3
PLEASE take a moment to view her beautiful blog and all the lovely 'Neutral' entries~
The image was trimmed with antique-edged scissors and white paint.
Here is another view with white background~
I'm beginning to feel like the "downer blog" !!?? Sigh* With much in the way of sad news.
It seems as though I start to get 'back on my feet' and something else happens to bring pain and heartache.
But I'm still determined God WILL see me through and I will have much happy things to report as time goes on! <3 One happy thing for me is that Summer is still very much here in MT; and I'm enjoying flip-flop weather! Lot's of sunshine and even hot days.
And if my creativity will find it's way home, I will welcome it with open arms : )
Wishing you much love and hopes for continued beautiful weather!
Hugs,
Karen
Dearest Karen! My heart breaks for you, sweet lady. I am so sorry that your Mother lost her fight but, she is now with Our Lord and is not suffering any more. I remember how difficult it was for me when I lost my Dad and then my Mum a few years later but you have had more heartbreak in the past few years than anyone should have to bear. You will know it is not something you ever get over but, hopefully, with time, it does get easier to bear. I still miss my folks terribly but I have so many wonderful memories to look back on that I feel they are still close to me. Hoping your memories will be a comfort also. May the Lord Bless you and shine His light upon you. I will keep you in my Prayers and send love and hugs. Take care my dear friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Marg for your visi, and comfort & support. Please know I appreciate it so very much~
DeleteGod will see me through - until we meet again.
Yes this will take lots of time to 'ease' but I was glad I had been there with mom earlier this summer and made
many happy memories to carry~ Love & Hugs, Karen
Dearest Karen~ how nice it is to see a post from you, and though it may bear sad news, it's good to see you active.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss...
How wonderful that you had the opportunity to be with your mom for a good amount of time, I'm sure you were a blessing to her heart.
Your card is quite beautiful and I'm sure your friend enjoyed it very much. The fact that you made it with your own hands is special in and of itself.
May you find your way back to creating and blogging as time goes on and you heal from your sadness.
You have certainly had your share of heart aches, but never forget, God is with you in every circumstance and He will never leave your side.
Keep looking up. :}
Much Love to you~
Thank you for the visit Debbie~ I was so happy to see your comment. And to see your remark; Keep Looking Up.
DeleteI needed that : ) Thanks and wishes for continued healing for you~ Love & hugs, Karen
Dear Karen...
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry for your loss. I'm so glad that you were able to get that special time to make some cherished memories. You and your family will be in my prayers, Friend. Your words are an inspiration. Blessings and hugs to you.
Tamara
Hi Tamara! I'm glad to see your visit my friend~ And thank you for your loving support. I will miss mom terribly; but yes, I have a lifetime of great memories~ Wishing you a blessed rest of the summer. Love & hugs, Karen
DeleteDearest Karen,
ReplyDeleteSo happy to see you here, my friend.
You know how sad I am for you, that you lost your mother, in spite of her feeling so much better , for a period. You have been so hard affected for years now, and I`m sure the Lord will take gentle care of you, and let you find happier times again.
Thank you my dear for your lovely comment on my blog, which also made me smile happy.
I hope you have found my note, send a week ago .
Karen your card is adorable, the most beautiful lovely art piece- I love what you did, and the colors too - she is so lovely, on that amazing background you have created.
Hugs, and love to you my friend.
Dorthe
Thank you dear Dorthe, I always appreciate your visits and comments! You touch my heart with your kindness. I am happy I was able to create a little something a while back and hope to do more as time goes on~ I just answered your note, which was a breath of fresh air! Much love and hugs friend, Karen
Delete"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." -Isaiah 43:2
ReplyDeleteThis verse has always been comforting to me and I hope it's the same for you. Thinking of you and lifting you up in prayer, sweet Karen. Love and hugs being sent your way!
Oooooh I love this scripture too~ Thanks for sharing Stephanie. I appreciate you! <3 love & hugs, Karen
DeleteDear Karen, Your blog is not a 'downer' blog. You always have something beautiful and strong to say, and your artworks are superb! I love this card with Suzi's image. It surprised me to see how the orange spot paper blended in with the rest to produce a lovely colour palette. It's just beautiful! I am sure it is neutral enough for SNT - my roses would fail otherwise, too! Time will help you, and I think the only remedy is to dive back into life, especially into things that make you happy, as soon as you can, and get back into 'the flow'.
ReplyDeleteJeanne Nakamura and Csíkszentmihályi identify the following six factors as encompassing an experience of flow:[2]
The Flow:
"Intense and focused concentration on the present moment
Merging of action and awareness
A loss of reflective self-consciousness
A sense of personal control or agency over the situation or activity
A distortion of temporal experience, one's subjective experience of time is altered
Experience of the activity as intrinsically rewarding, also referred to as autotelic experience" from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology)
We will all have to face our parents' death at some time, and our grief will be the measure of how much we loved them. How lucky you could spend the last weeks with your mother and add that special memory to your life. I'm sending you love and hugs,
Jesse XX
Hello Jesse, and thank you for your visit! I'm sorry for the late response~
DeleteI appreciate the encouragement you give me; Please know I mean that sincerely
and from the heart~
I hope you are well. Hugs to you <3 Karen
Oh Karen I am so sorry to hear about your mom, what a blessing to be able to recall so many happy moments you were able to share with her these past months, I imagine that it meant the world to her too! Praying for God's peace at this time.
ReplyDeleteYour card is absolutely stunning, it has a mixed media/Vintage/Shabby Chic feel to it, everything is just brought together in such a marvelous way!! I do hope you can find your way back to creating again, big hugs to you!
Hello Connie and thank you for the visit!
DeleteI'm a little slow in getting to my responses; things have been pretty busy for me.
I truly appreciate your visits always Connie; and the prayers and support you are so
kind to offer me. I know God will direct my path - and I hope to create again soon <3
love & hugs, Karen
So sorry to hear of your dear Mother's passing, Karen. But I appreciate your thoughts. I'm glad you had some time with her. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. My blog to me is probably something near to what your beautiful collage work is to you. Something fulfilling and even necessary, but challenging to find the time and positive heart space for at times. So glad you came by. J.
ReplyDeleteHi Jacqueline and thanks so much for peeking into my blog~
DeleteYours is something really special dear lady; a place we can visit
and Truly be transported away for just a while~ I enjoy and
appreciate your blog and stop in often~
Have a great week-end ahead~
Karen @ Roosterhead Designs
So happy to have found this post on Pinterest, Karen. Again, I'm so sorry for another loss you've had to endure. I think of you often and you are in my thoughts and prayers. I love the card you made for our special friend. Sending hugs, Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth~
DeleteWow, I made Pinterest did I? LOL : ) You are such a peach to come over to my blog and pay a visit~
Thank you for taking the time to do so~
I truly appreciate your condolences. I'm glad you liked my 'Marylou' card! My creativity has been
low; so it really was great to find inspiration to make that one~ Hugs to you, Karen
always gorgeous!! Good to hear from you and so sorry for the loss of your mom. ((hugs & prayers)))
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping in my blog last week Connie. You are such a breath of fresh air, and inspiration to me!
DeleteI appreciate you <3 Hugs to you~ Karen
Dearest Karen, I am so, so saddened to hear of your loss. I've thought about you and your sweet mom these past few months quite a bit. I am so sorry that you are on this journey yet again, dear friend, and I hope that you are doing ok. It warms my heart to know you were able to share some special moments with her these past few months - I can only imagine how much she loved having you near. After reading this, and commenting on your newest post, I realize how hard it must have been for you to find your crafty mojo and it also makes me so glad that you did. I hope it brings at least a tiny bit of comfort at this very hard time. I am thinking of you often, and so thankful for your friendship and your bright effervescent soul! Sending so many hugs, prayers and comforting energy your way! xoxo
ReplyDeletep.s. I can't believe I forgot to say how stunning your page is! It's absolutely delightful in every way!!!
ReplyDeleteHello sweet friend, I'm so sorry to hear your dear mom has passed away, my condolences sweetie. I'm glad you were able to stay with her and spend some time together. Please don't worry about your blog, it's so sweet of you to share with us what's going on in your life and I'm glad we can be here for you, be it only virtual.
ReplyDeleteYour card is gorgeous, so so beautiful! So romantic and sweet! Thank you for sharing it at Simply Neutrals dear, and I'm sorry I was not able to visit you sooner. Sending you big hugs and love, xx Wen
Dear Karen, I am sooooooo very sorry for your loss of your Mom, sweet friend. I understand your pain, my Mom has been gone 17 years and it feels like yesterday "(
ReplyDeleteTime will heal,but slowly. Wrap yourself in those precious memories and cry all you want-these things help. My Mom used to wear those long houserobes and I have one of hers that I wear often and it really is comforting especially on those missing her most days.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and send healing wishes to you.
Jackie xo
I do love your card, it truly is a masterpiece,in my opinion xx