Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Valerie's Gift Blog Hop


Happy New Year! It feels great to be back stamping and blogging again (for now)! The year is already flying by and I am getting deeper and deeper into the wedding plans :) It will be October before I know it! Next stop is the dress shop!

This evening I am joining in on a very special surprise blog hop that has been put together for one of our dear stamping friends, Colleen. This precious stamp that was used can be found at Whimsy Stamps and was named "Valerie's Gift" after Colleen's daughter, Valerie, who passed away in a car accident a little over ten years ago. This one's for you Colleen - you will be in my thoughts and prayers today.

Valerie was colored using Koh-I-Noor pencils that I blended with Odorless Mineral Spirits. The fur on her coat and hat were made shimmery and dimensional with some Frosted Lace Stickles. My base card is Gina K. Designs Pure Luxury card stock in Green Apple. Designer paper is from Basic Grey Marrakech, and was attached to my card with some stitching. Sponging was done in SU! Soft Suede. For embellishments, I created some unique snowflakes using my Martha punches and some designer brads.

I hope you are having a wonderful time on our hop! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog :)

The next stop on the hop is over at Betty's blog Bee Bee Stamps! Betty's cards are always so creative and beautiful - I can't wait to see her card using Valerie :)

Enjoy the rest of the week and stay warm!

20 comments:

  1. What a lovely card Dee! Beautiful layout.

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  2. Gorgeous card, you have done Valerie proud! Love the warmth yet brightness!

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  3. Lovely card and colors. So bright! Great snowflakes.

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  4. Morning, sweetie! Thanks for joining in. Colleen will be shocked to see you surfaced. This is just adorable! I think we were thinking alike with the little brown slouchy boots!

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  5. Gosh dang Dee Marie it's great to see you! Love what you've done with Valerie, super cute!

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  6. Dee Marie, this is such pretty dp and your coloring is so pretty with it, you really brought her to life. Like the stitching.

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  7. Very nice - love the colors you choose and the DP is great. Love all the embellishments.

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  8. Your card is gorgeous Dee Marie. Your coloring is perfection. Love the bright colors. Happy dress hunting.

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  9. Hello dear girl! I understand you've been out shoveling snow -- as I said to you mom, why don't you just come stay with me for a while? I love the soft blue of Valerie's outfit and your shading gives such dimension!! Beautiful card!

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  10. Your card is so precious! I love the frosted Stickles - great three d effect! Your background is wonderful, and your shading and coloring are perfect!!!! Great job - it's been fun hopping with you!

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  11. Love how you surrounded her with a comfy quilt, Dee Marie. This is a gorgeous card.

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  12. Your card is gorgeous...love the quilted background paper.

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  13. WOW! Awesome card Dee!!!! Fabulous coloring!!

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  14. Dee,
    Yes your mom is right I'm stunned and honored! I'm so thankful you took time out of your busy schedule for me. This is a gorgeous card. I still can not believe they kept this a secret. I'm speechless you gals have made what was a very dismal week full of warmth and love. I know how close you are with your mom, as my daughter and I were. I'm sure she is beyond happy there are so many wonderful gals out there. I never expected this hobby to lead to such wonderful friendships. Thanks again.

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  15. I love your card - it is just beautiful.

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  16. Hello Dee Marie! Crissy here, the one who drew Valerie's Gift! I have hopped through all the blogs and have come back to leave comments. Let me say first of all, that I have never before done a blog hop with tears streaming down my face. But I sure did today.
    What is even more significant that you may not realize, is that I also have a daughter named Valerie. And so I feel there is even more of a connection there.
    The fact that I could be a part in touching Colleen in this way has made me feel so emotional, I can't stop crying.
    I go about my life, not really thinking about small acts of kindness having so much impact in another person's life. When Denise (of Whimsy Stamps) and I agreed we had to name this stamp after Colleen's daughter, we had no idea of the ripple effect it would have.
    There is such a significance to the things we do, whether good or bad. And today I was honoured to see some of that right before my eyes. Thank you for doing this for Colleen, and thank you for honouring and multiplying the small act of kindness from Denise and I. I am really touched that I was able to be a part of it behind the scenes. What a gift you have given not only to Colleen, but to me and Denise as well. Sending hugs to you and your friends.
    Crissy Armstrong

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  17. adorable! so glad to see you again...
    now after seeing those snow pictures - we wont see you again until Spring !!
    hang in there sweetie..it will all eventually melt...hope the next storm misses you!

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  18. Hey Dee! I was just cruising your blog. Your cards are beautiful. Love all your sponging details. It was really fun at the get-together yesterday and nice to meet you. :)

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  19. Hiya Dee! I'm so glad we had the chance to meet one another on Saturday! I had a total blast and look forward to the next time! You make some gorgeous cards here and I'm really loving that the one & only Chrissy Armstrong left you such a heartfelt comment! You go girl! I can't wait to see you working all those Copics now:)

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