These are some tough times we are in.  I’m not talking about the current political issues going on in the United States…  I’m talking about the every day lives that people are living.  Just in the past week, I have had two friends laid off, two friends had parents pass away, four friends have parents or children in the hospital, and a good friend going in for breast cancer surgery today. The thing to remember is that God is in control.  There is nothing more that can be said.

In fact, this week celebrates the 6th anniversary of my fathers massive heart attack.  The one where they were calling code blue when we were sitting in the waiting room.  The one that put into into a medical coma for 3 days while they kept his core temp freezing.  The one that changed our lives forever.  But, the one that he fully recovered from.  The one that God had a plan for. Not sure what the plan is… but He has one!

Dad is thriving and living everyday to the fullest. You never know when might be his last.  We never know when might be our last.  So, why spend all your time hidden in the corner stamping away on cards you are never going to give to anyone?

Yesterday, I whipped out a card that is elegant yet so, so easy.  This one is for my friend going in for surgery today.

Isn’t it great.  And, honestly, it did not take me more than 15 minutes from start to finish.  And it was the first time for the Faux Stained Glass technique.

I used VersaMark ink to stamp the rose and sentiment onto vellum.  I added and heated white embossing powder.  Then, this is when the magic happens.

I flipped the vellum over to the back.  Using Stampin’ Write Markers in So Saffron, Crushed Curry, Pear Pizazz, and Garden Green, I just colored the leafs.  Then, I used a baby wipe to smudge it around.  I did this twice.  There is no messing up with this technique.  I added some of the So Saffron behind the sentiment because it made it pop more.

This Rose Wonder set is perfect for times like these!

I also made a card for my son’s girlfriend.  Her birthday is tomorrow.  Since he is away at Navy Nuke School, I thought I needed to make this day extra special for her. She misses him so much! Anyway, she loves roses…  So I did the same technique with a different color scheme for her.  I did NOT use the baby wipe to smudge this one.  It needed to be crisp!

I think she’ll love it!

Here are the other presents I made for her.  Well, Yankee Candle actually made the one, but I uploaded the prom picture!

My only issue with this, is now, what will I do for her for Christmas???

So, what do you do for friends going through a tough time?

Until next time…Keep it Simple, Stampers

🙂  Joanne