Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The Lady in red

(Gayla--please contact me through my email address [macdonald.tracy96 at gmail dot com]so I can answer your questions.  I have no way to contact you.  :-)  Hugs!)

     This card is rather bittersweet for me.  A few weeks back I placed in the top picks at Jackson's Digital Expressions Challenge.  This is a brand new challenge blog sponsored by an amazing artist named Robert Jackson.  Mr. Jackson draws the most fabulous African-American digital images and has them for purchase in his store.  If you follow my team mate Carla Suto, you've seen her use several of the JDE images on some amazing cards.  Well, sweet Chana Harris, the DT Coordinator for JDE invited me to do a guest spot for one of the challenges.  I was thrilled cause, well, I just love to do guestie spots!  LOL  Especially when there are great images to use.  It was super duper hard to pick one out I'm telling you, but I had chosen to do the sketch challenge and this image worked perfectly for me.  Plus it reminded me so much of one of the ladies from my church.  Ms. Josie didn't wear hats to church often, but I remembered her wearing a outfit similar to this one at one time and I picked this image with her in mind.
     Ms. Josie was a 70 year old retired special ed teacher.  She had been a community leader when her health had been better.  In fact she was a bit of a miracle woman because she had lived well past the age she was expected to for someone with Sickle Cell.  She loved being able to shock a new doctor or nurse with that news.  She had so much to share about what she'd seen and dealt with in her life and I just soaked it all up like a sponge.  That little lady just stole my heart.  We lost her last Wednesday.  The years of battles with blood transfusions and heart problems had taken their toll.  It's been a long long time since I've lost someone I was really close to and although I know, and rejoice, about where she'll spend eternity, my heart is heavy with sorrow.  I'll  miss her tremendously.
     So this card is bittersweet for me because it was supposed to go to her and it didn't make it.  She didn't know about this card, but she did know about the white chocolate bread pudding and long visit my husband and I shared with her the Monday night before she died.  She had told me that she had dreamed about my bread pudding when I ran into her at the store.  I'm so glad I got the chance to make it for her and spend some time laughing and enjoying each others company.  My last words to her were "I love you" and that makes my heart rejoice.  The card won't go to waste.  I plan to give it to her sister at the funeral tomorrow.
     I hope you get a chance to play along with the sketch challenge this week at Jackson's Digital Expressions Challenge.  The winner will receive (3) images from Jackson's Digital Expressions, (2) images from Guylou's Inimitability, and an invitation to be a Guest Designer.  There will also be three Top Picks chosen.
     May you have a blessed week!


Supplies

  • Paper:  Making Memories, Bazzill, Recollections, Copic XPress-it Blending card
  • Stamp:  Jackson's Digital Expressions "Sunday Hat VII", sentiment from Create with TLC
  • Ink:  Copics, Sakura Gold gel pen
  • Tools:  Nestabilities labels Eighteen, sewing machine
  • Miscellaneous:  Michaels gemstones, Martha Stewart seam binding

26 comments:

Laine said...

Hi Tracy

What a stunning card and a beautiful post, it really moved me. You have a wonderful way with words as well as art.
A very fitting tribute to your friend. Sending Deepest Sympathy on your sad loss.
Laine
X

Catherine said...

What's gorgeous card, I'm so sorry for your loss....

Nancy said...

Oh, Tracy,
I'm so sorry that you've lost such a special woman in your life. How wonderful you and your husband were able to spend some time with her so recently! What a sweet memory to hold in your heart! It sounds like she set a fine example for you follow...women like that are treasures indeed! Your card is beautiful and I'm sure her sister will treasure it! :o)

Dotty Jo said...

I've recently lost a very special friend and know just how painful this can be. She sounds like a really amazing lady and I'm sure she treasured her friendship with you as much as you did with her. A gorgeous card and a beautiful post. Big hugs hun, Jo x

Lisa Minckler said...

Well this brought me to tears Tracy. What a most amazing tribute to an outstanding lady. I am so sorry to hear that she passed away, but I know her sister will love what you've made in honor of her. So happy you got to tell her that you love her. Have to go blow my nose now, but what a super special and heart warming card this is. :)
Hugs to you,
Lisa xx

Audrey Pettit said...

Oh, Tracy, your story almost has me in tears! I'm so sorry for your loss! Ms. Josie sounds like an amazing lady and someone you were truly blessed to have in your life. I'm sure her sister is going to absolutely treasure this special card! It is beautiful! ((hugs))

Doreen said...

This is gorgeous,great image,love the colours.xxx

KimCreate said...

Tracy, I have goosebumps from your beautiful story. You are sweet, my dear. Your card is stunning!!!
Love the layout and that gorgeous pop of red. I will check out the Jackson images.
Kim

Arabella said...

This is such a beautiful card Tracy! I love that bow! Thank you for sharing the sweet story of the Mrs Josie with us... it did made me water up a bit though! She sounds like she was a pretty amazing lady!

Hugs!

Arabella

Alyce Kit and Clowder said...

Tracy this is such a lovely card. All of the colours are stunning and it is so special that the image has a special meaning for you. I am so sorry to hear that bad news and sending big hugs :) xx

heidy said...

Oh she looks amazing Tracy,very beautiful card!
Hugs Heidy

Renee B. said...

Tracy, what a beautiful tribute to a lovely lady! Your memories will keep her alive in your heart!
Hugs,
Renee

Whimcees said...

Hello!

This card is perfection! It is so beautiful and has love written all over it! I am so sorry that you lost your friend but it sounds like you have many wonderful memories of time spent with her! Wishing you a happy day!

Hugs,

Barbara Diane

Jovan said...

This card is FABULOUS! I love the colors and papers!

angelwhispers said...

So sorry to read your post Tracy the lady sounds like a real treasure and how nice you where able to have spent some quality time with her and to have told her on your last meeting that you loved her such a special memory!

I bet her Sister will treasure your card its just so beautiful and such wonderful colours! Chanelle xxx

Sheila H said...

Your card is beautiful, and so is your story about the lady for whom it was meant.

Sarah said...

Tracy, your card is gorgeous and what an beautiful tribute to your amazing friend! Hugs

Ros said...

Oh my ... This is such a lovely post ... I'm sure your friend will get to see it ... and I'm sure her sister will be thrilled ... it is a beautiful card made with love

Dawn @ LilyPinkScraps said...

So very sorry for the loss of such a special person - the card is beautiful and I'm sure her sisiter will love it and the thought behind it.

Sassy Raggedy said...

I am so sorry for your loss and your card is beautiful. A wonderful tribute to your friend. joann sassy raggedy

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry to hear the story about Ms. Josie, she sounds like she was a lovely and remarkable lady. How wonderful for you to get to know her... Your card pays respect to her, such a wonderful tribute... Hugs, Ira

Scrappin Sista said...

This card is just fab, love the colors, the papers and the image.. nice work!!

Cheryl said...

Tracy, your card is stunning! I'm sorry for your loss. She sounds like a very special lady.

Heidi said...

Beautiful card!
I'm sorry for your loss.
Ms. Josie sounds like an amazing lady.
Hugs, Heidi:)

Crafting Vicky said...

It's such a beautiful card. I really sorry to hear about your loss. I'm sure she would have adored this card.

Hugs

DT Vicky at Jackson's Digital Expressions

Dawn B. said...

I am so sorry for your loss my friend. I am sure that her sister found great comfort in this card. Her memory will live on in your heart and you are right. Her eternal life with our Father in Heaven will be amazing. Hugs.