Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Some days...

...I get a reminder that I am not the only one grieving. I am not the only one in this world that has suffered a huge loss. I usually try to remember that, but it's not a lie to say that grief is a very self-centered thing. You get so wrapped up in your own emotions and loss that you forget that others have lost that person too, or someone else close to them.


After camping this weekend, my brother-in-law invited me to go to the RennFest with a group of his friends. His close friend Eric lost his sister in a car accident last spring. Eric and I got to talking about it. He said his mom is having a really rough time, understandably. I can't imagine losing a child. He mentioned how his sister loved frogs and even had a few pet tree frogs for a bit. Since her death, his mom has taken to collecting frog knick-knacks to memorialize her daughter. I recently redecorated at my house. My one bathroom was decorated entirely in frogs, but I had already given most of that stuff away. I remembered that I have this really cute ceramic tree frog that wraps his legs around a jar candle. He's got such a sweet face and is wearing this big yellow hat. I told Eric about it and he said his mom would love something like that, so I offered to give it to her.


Well, this woman doesn't know me from Adam, so I decided I needed to make a sympathy card to go with the frog and write a little note in there for her. Guylou's Gabrielle angel seemed perfect for the card. I had already colored her dress but hadn't figured out what to do with her wings or hair yet. Since Eric's sister was blonde, I colored the angel's hair blonde (it also goes well with the blue of the dress). Then I remembered that I have this awesome new glitter flock. I put a really thick layer of KI Gloo on her wings and sprinkled what seemed like half of my container of flock on top. Once dry, it resembled sparkly feathers. Perfect! Here she is:



The papers are from DCWV's linen closet line. The image is colored with copics. Her dress is four shades of blue - B01, B00, B000, and B0000. Her hair is Y32, Y21 (I think), and Y11. The coloring is a bit brighter IRL.



You can get your own digi of Gabrielle by joining Guylou's Inimitability at CDAC (link in my sidebar). Her store has many other fab images, as well. You can see for yourself, just take a peek at guylousinimitabilitystore.blogspot.com. Here's an example of another image from G's store:




Thanks, as always, for looking and for any comments. Have a fun day!



6 comments:

Trina said...

Gina, I hope she enjoys the thought you put into it... Great looking cards!

Two Dogs and a Book said...

Gina!!!! Both cards are absolutely gorgeous!!! The sympathy card is out of this world! Love the fluffy stuff on the wings and the papers are so beautiful! Love the way you did the ribbon on the card with Louise and the Hello right blow! I might have to copy that! :)

Brenda said...

Wonderful cards Gina, made by a wonderful person!!! Love the glitter flock!

Charlene said...

Stunning cards Gina...and the sympathy card is "heavenly". I love what you did with the wings...will have to look into some of the glitter flocking...I have used some flocking on some of my cards and love the effect...just haven't used the glitter stuff. I'm sure that she will love the card.

Tracy S said...

I know that angel card is really going to make her day! I think you are the most unselfish person I know.. even when grieving. You are always so thoughtful towards others.

Elizabeth-FlourishinProgress said...

Gina...*hand to heart* that is so compassionate and thoughtful of you. I can't even imagine how big her smile must have been when she opened your package.