I made this card on Monday but waited to post it and you’ll find out why at the end of this post. Once again, I used the colours from the Embellish Decorative Trim Color Trends Challenge. This card uses some gorgeous Melody Ross stamps from the set She Did It Anyway. I also used the same crochet trim and twine as yesterday’s card except this time it’s front and centre. This being my second entry, I used three greens instead of a yellow. The ink for the birds matches the darkest cardstock. The lighter cardstock and the twine are the other two greens for the challenge. The sentiment is inked in black and the card base is ivory. The entire panel of green cardstock with embellishments and sentiment is popped with foam adhesive.
My weekend was pretty uneventful on a personal level but I did get two pieces of bad news, one of which I’ll tell you about today. The first call was from my best friend who lives in Montreal. She’d been travelling back and forth from Montreal, Quebec to Woodstock, Ontario to take care of her ailing father who’d been diagnosed with leukemia many months ago. Her older sister has a disability and her younger brother lives in Greece so they obviously weren’t able to take him to treatments. My friend ended up having to either drive or fly to Ontario at least a couple of times a month. She has a three-year-old son and a ten-year-old stepson to care for, as well as a full-time job with a lot of overtime. In the middle of all those treatments, her father wanted to go back to Greece to see his family and friends there so my friend flew there with her three-year-old son.
As you can imagine, this is a lot of stress. I honestly wouldn’t be able to handle it myself and I don’t know how she functions on a daily basis with all that she has to deal with in life. My friend told me on Saturday that her father’s cancer is acute now and the doctors have told them that they’re stopping treatment because it will no longer prolong his life. He has about two-to-three months to live now and my friend has to take her parents back to Greece where her father wants to die. We both just cried over the phone. I’m extremely grateful that we have compassionate leave here in Canada so that my friend can spend the last two months with her father without losing her job and also have part of her salary. Our conversation ended with me telling her what a great daughter she is and how lucky her father is to have her. She’s leaving today to fly to Greece with her parents and I’m sending her this card to give her strength.
Sources: Gina K Designs pure luxury ivory cardstock; SU Certainly Celery & Old Olive cardstock; Unity+Melody Ross She Did It Anyway; SU Old Olive ink; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Scor-Tape; SU Victoria 5/8″ crochet trim; The Twinery Honeydew baker’s twine; Stampin’ Dimensionals
ohh such a sad story and your friend is really brave. I am sure this card will make her feel better and give her the strength to take it all in.
Way to make me cry… Beautiful card and I'm sure your friend will appreciate it.
Emily your friend is so very lucky to have you. I'm so sorry to hear about all of her hard times.
I only hope that her father can find some peace at home and take comfort in having his family around him. And as terribly difficult this time will be, she will have plenty of support from family and friends.
I'm so sorry that your weekend was filled with such sad news.
P.S. Your card is GORGEOUS.
Beautiful card for your friend. I don't know how she does it.
sad…
Emily, what a BEAUTIFUL card!!! I just love the image and colors you used. The sentiment is perfect. Your friend is lucky to have a friend like you. To let her know how brave she is. Very sad… I'll keep her and her family in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh, Emily! This was such a touching story, I had tears in my eyes and it's a perfect card for your friend, because from what I read, she is truly brave! And I want to wish her all the best and hope she's able to enjoy as well, these last monts with her father. It's so sad that things like this happen! It's wonderful you know the compassionate leave, because it's really important to spend as much time as you can with your loved-ones, when you know they only stay with you for a short time left… She has done so much for her parents already! Must be difficult in times like these, to be living so far apart all! I live 45 driving from my dad and mum, but when they need more care, it already seems like a long road, to do three times a week or so, so can't imagine about this! Please send my love to your friend and her family, so she knows people from around the world are thinking about them and sending them positive and caring thoughts! Your card will surely bring a smile on her face, dear Emily!
Hugs, Wendy
Compassionate leave really is a blessing – and wonderful that your friend can use that to help her family through this awful time. I can't imagine.
Of course I love the card – the sentiment is perfect for her. She is a brave girl 🙂
A lovely, caring card from a lovely, caring friend — I'm sure she'll be as touched as we are.
Also, hooray to Canada for having such wonderful policies — must make a hard time at least a bit easier.
Your friend sounds like an amazing, strong woman. My heart goes out to her and I hope that the love and support of their family will help to somewhat ease the pain for the rest of her father's time . This card is gorgeous and I'm sure will mean so much to her.
Love this card! Your story is very touching. It's heart breaking when our dear friends are in pain! This card says it all! A great big hug from you! Love it Emily!
Oh Emily, I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers will be with your friend and her family. Beautiful card and so appropriate for your friend. I am sure she appreciates you being there for her.
My heart goes out to your friend…I'll keep both of you in my prayers..for her to stay strong and for you to be her strength…
I know what it means to have a friend who will stand by you..sometimes they're not with you..but you can feel their strength with you when times are rough!! I'm sure she appreciates your support. The card is gorgeous..it will mean a lot to her.
What a beautiful tribute to your strong friend, what a wonderful friend in you! This card is amazing, so clean and simple and powerful.
Oh Emily, such a sad story but as everyone here has said, she is lucky to have you, such a wonderful supportive friend. Your card is adorable and I know she will treasure it.
Big Hugs :0) xxx
Oh Emily…my heart goes out to your friend…you are such a terrific friend…she is going to love the card that you make for her.
Gorgeous card and a touching story. You in Canada are fortunate indeed. My best to your friend…
Beautiful sentiment for your friend and the colors are really gorgeous, love the card. Indeed you are so fortunate in Canada where there is such a thing as compassionate leave. This is a situation that I think about for my own situation. One day I will have to care for my parents and what will happen then… I wish your friend's family peace and comfort during this difficult time!
This is so pretty! Love the use of the Unity bird stamp and the trim! What a beauty! Thanks for entering again! 🙂
A beautiful card. Your friend is sure to cherish it. She is brave and also blessed to have caring friends and family.
What a wonderfully made and beautifully supportive card for your friend, Emily! She is sure to appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Just think how much more that card will mean because you made it specifically with your friend in mind. Beautiful in many ways.
such a lovely card for such a wonderful daughter, emily:)
Oh wow, your story made my heart sink! I can feel for your friend and what she is going through! Your card is truly amazing and so touching and will help giver her strength as she will know you are with her if she needs you! Thanks for sharing this touching story!
OH! I loved this card then read your story and got all teary! So perfect, you are an AMAZING friend Emily, she is lucky to have you!!!!!!
Beautiful card and the story is just heartbreaking. You are a good friend.
Oh Emily! Your friend is so lucky to have someone like you that she can share her sorrow with! The circle of life is a tough one to bear, especially for those left behind! You have made your friend the most heartfelt card which I am sure will help to give her strength along the way! Today, you have me grateful for the abundant life that I have! Sending some very warm hugs to let you know that you too are very special!
Such a wonderful card for a wonderful person. It is a subject very close to my heart – I believe everyone has the right to be born in the best way possible and also to die in the best way possible. What this usually means is in our homes – our real homes – with our loved ones around us. It's good that your friend is getting compassionate leave so that she doesn't have to be penalised for helping her father to be with those he loves when he dies. It will be a comfort to her to have done so.
Oh, Em, this card is gorgeous, and your friend certainly needs reminding that she *is* a very brave and strong girl to go through this with her dad. What a wonderful way to let you know you're there for her.
That's a beautiful card Emily and I am certain your friend will feel the love and support that comes with it.
I have taken Melody Ross's Brave Girls online workshop (and am repeating it a second time now) and love the Brave Girls stamps!
Your story makes me realize that the little problems that seem so monumental sometimes pale in comparison to another's so we should be thankful that our situations aren't as bad. In a recent song, there's a line that goes "We're just a phone call from our knees." One day, we'll get that phone call, so we should live it up now!
Your beautiful card will be much appreciated, I'm sure…
*smile*
simply beautiful. love the elegant design and the ribbon treatment. your friend will love this. and i hope all the best to her and her family. they are in my thoughts.
Wow, Wow, Wow! I love this card! Great design, image and details.
–Cheryl–
**Check out my Meljen’s Designs & Whimsy Stamps blog candy!**
I got choked up reading your post… I love the card even more hearing the story behind it! Beautiful, beautiful card. I wish your friend well in this difficult time–she's a remarkable person!
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend–dealing with diseases/etc. is very hard. But thank God that you are a great friend–supporting her and lifting her up! Praying for their trip–that it would be a blessing!
What a beautiful card–GORGEOUS! This is soooooooooo beautiful! I love those birds–and your lace….the twine on top–you are amazing! BEAUTIFULLY done:)
Gorgeous card and God bless you for blessing your friend with it!
Oh Emily, your story has me sitting here with tears streaming down my face. Your friend is so lucky to have someone as caring as you in her life 🙂 I wish the best for her and her family, that sure is a lot of stress for one person to handle.
This card is so appropriate for her! and wow, is it GORGEOUS! I have this stamp set and I sure hope you don't mind if I case your beautiful work of art!
Hugs to you 🙂
Your friend's dutifulness to her father has brought tears to my eyes! In a world where most people don't care for much beyond themselves, people like her strengthen our belief in humanity!
Love the trim on your card. And the sentiment goes perfectly!
This card is wonderful… in many ways 😉 Thanks for playing along with us!
Beautiful as always and hope your friend is better…
This is a beautiful card and the story of your friend's father is so touching.