Warning. If you hate depressing news, you may want to skip this first paragraph and start at the second. 😉
This past week, my husband’s grandfather, Tataw (my husband couldn’t say Papa when he was little, and it just stuck), fell in the parking lot at the mall where he walks almost every morning. For whatever reason, he wasn’t able to block his fall and his head took the brunt of the fall. What started off as needing some stitches and fractures of his face and neck has now been discovered to be severe enough that doctor’s are afraid he won’t be able to breath on his own. And today, it was shared with us that he has now acquired pneumonia and a staph infection. I don’t really consider myself to be a pessimistic person, but I don’t really hold out much hope for his recovery. Needless to say, my father-in-law is beside himself with grief. What he’s been through in the last year is a whole ‘nother story, but safe to say it’s been a very trying year for him (and my dear hubby and mother-in-law).
This past week, my husband’s grandfather, Tataw (my husband couldn’t say Papa when he was little, and it just stuck), fell in the parking lot at the mall where he walks almost every morning. For whatever reason, he wasn’t able to block his fall and his head took the brunt of the fall. What started off as needing some stitches and fractures of his face and neck has now been discovered to be severe enough that doctor’s are afraid he won’t be able to breath on his own. And today, it was shared with us that he has now acquired pneumonia and a staph infection. I don’t really consider myself to be a pessimistic person, but I don’t really hold out much hope for his recovery. Needless to say, my father-in-law is beside himself with grief. What he’s been through in the last year is a whole ‘nother story, but safe to say it’s been a very trying year for him (and my dear hubby and mother-in-law).
I knew sometime ago that I wanted to make a one page layout for this week’s Heart 2 Heart challenge. I’m not sure why, as I don’t often do single page layouts, but it’s just what popped in my head. I kind of had a general idea of what stamp I wanted to use and how I wanted to use it, but it wasn’t until I came across a photo I had of my husband’s grandparents and my children that I knew exactly what I wanted to make….a gift for my father-in-law.
The challenge this week at Heart 2 Heart is a 1,2,3 challenge. Use 1 stamp, 2 pattern papers and 3 embellishments, so I used the flower from the new Word Puzzle stamp set, and two patterns of paper from the new CTMH paper line and decided to use 3 “different” embellishments…rhinestone brads, ribbon, and a paper butterfly.
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| I removed the glass from the shadow box for photography purposes. http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js |
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| The challenge calls for 3 embellishments. I chose to use three different embellishments in my project, but it would be okay if you just want to use three of one kind, like 3 brads, or 3 buttons, etc. |
When I put my photo on the background paper, it just didn’t work, as there were soooo many colors going on (especially with that hideous wall paper) :p So I went on over to picnik.com (which will be closing in April…google will take them over…along with the rest of the free world…just kidding). I thought I was going to create a sepia tone or maybe even a black and white, but after playing a little I ended up changing the saturation of the photo and really ended up liking it. The color is super subtle and the pink in my daughter’s t-shirt got washed out enough that it didn’t interfere with the layout. It also made Nanny and Tataw’s shirts muted and gave the photo an overall aged appearance that I really liked. I think it also made the flash reflection in the picture frame less noticeable, too.
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| Before photo-editing |
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| After photo-editing |
Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Pemberley B&T, White Daisy CS
Stamps Used: Word Puzzle
Inks: Outdoor Denim, Buttercup
Embellishments: Rhinestone Designer Brads, Just Blooms Flutter Paper Shapes (Butterfly), Designer Ribbon Blue Collection, Creme Brulee Ribbon Rounds (Ret.)
Other: Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, Gypsy (Provocraft), Micro-tip Scissors, Sponge, 3D Foam Tape, Paper Trimmer, Mini Glue Dots, Tape Runner (3M – ATG), Shadow Box (unknown)
Inks: Outdoor Denim, Buttercup
Embellishments: Rhinestone Designer Brads, Just Blooms Flutter Paper Shapes (Butterfly), Designer Ribbon Blue Collection, Creme Brulee Ribbon Rounds (Ret.)
Other: Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, Gypsy (Provocraft), Micro-tip Scissors, Sponge, 3D Foam Tape, Paper Trimmer, Mini Glue Dots, Tape Runner (3M – ATG), Shadow Box (unknown)
Now…I challenge you to play along. I look forward to seeing what everyone else comes up with.
You have until the end of the month to submit your creation…plenty of time, right? Just click on the H2H link to link up your project. It’s important to remember the rules of the challenge. 1) 1 stamp, 2 pattern papers and 3 embellishments AND 2) you must use mostly Close To My Heart products in your project, but it doesn’t have to be 100% CTMH. If you don’t have Close To My Heart products and would like some, simply contact your Close To My Heart consultant or click here.
I, along with the rest of the Design Team, will be checking out your work to help pick the Top Ten creations, so play along with one challenge or all of them this month!
Have fun and until next time…
tamythascreativecottage.com 
Beautiful layout with such special memories. Thinking of you and your family during this worrying time.HugsDesire
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My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your layout is very beautiful and special.Take CareMary
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Firstly, sorry to hear about your grandfather-in-law, I hope he has a speedy recovery. Secondly, I love your layout. The details are wonderful, especially the photo editing, it makes such a big difference.
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Hope your GFIL gets better quickly! You created a beautiful layout to help you and your family through this difficult time. I really love how you stamped the roses on the background and then on the layered patterned paper. They are really striking!
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Wonderful tribute of love, and amazing attention to detail. Thoughts and wishes for a speedy recovery for Tataw.
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Tamytha, what a beautiful memory you have created! I am so sorryto hear about your GFIL, prayers for him and your family….
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Your layout is stunning.
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