Thursday, September 20, 2007

An outpouring of compassion

Wow, I just have to say THANK YOU for all of your kind and compassionate comments over the past few days. So many of you took your precious time to write me long, detailed messages providing hope, encouragement, and cost cutting ideas. I am moved beyond words by this outpouring of compassion. So many of you have been in my shoes, and that gives me incredible hope that my family too will weather this storm and will be better off because of it. Tons of you quoted the old saying "when God closes a door, he opens a window" to cheer me up. I will hold strong to that thought over the next few months!

In some small way, God did open the window ever so slightly yesterday. Grab on to the edge of your seats, girlfriends. I have some good news for a change! Drum roll, please............I found out late yesterday afternoon that one of my cards was accepted for publication in the February 2008 edition of CARDS!!!!! WOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOO! Can you believe it? I am so geeked, I can hardly stand it. I think God knew I needed a little pick-me-up this week. He is so good. I so wish all of my blogging buddies had been here with me when I first discovered Alisha's email yesterday afternoon. I could have jumped up and down and screamed really loud and I know all of you would have been screaming right along with me. Instead, I told Eldest Son (who only wanted to know how much I was going to be paid for this masterpiece), and my husband, who had the phone glued to his ear and didn't really do much except smile and hold up his hand for a high 5. Men. Jeesh. Don't they realize how cool this stuff is to us? Apparently not!

Today is my final article for Craft Critique. I resigned my position as Senior Reporter there because I have been so busy, and something had to give. This week we're reviewing the new Cornish Heritage Farms Thomas Kinkaid stamps that were released earlier this year. I was hesitant to give them a try because I'm not a huge fan of images like these. And, I was skeptical they could really deliver a superior image of such fine detailed artwork. I was determined, though, to make the stamps fit MY style of card making instead of adapting to fit the style of the stamp. So, I got out some really fun designer papers (I used three on this card), and did it up like I normally would. Bright and bold. Did the stamps pass my critical eye? You bet they did. The image IS superior when stamped on paper, and I think the stamp did adapt well to the way I like to make cards. What do YOU think?

One last special thing to fill you guys in on. Today marks a new {Caardvarks} challenge, and it's a fun one! It's called "Do these pants make my CHIPS look big?" !!!! Your challenge this time is to make a card using chipboard on the front. Deadline is midnight October 1st and you can upload your creations into the Chipboard gallery found here. It's being sponsored by Dream Designs, which is an online store owned by {Caardvarks} DT member Bety Jennings! Here's a peek at one of the cards I created for this fun challenge....

Have a great day.

Hugs,
Amy

21 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:10 AM

    Your Kincade card is beautiful! I haven't really liked them until I saw yours because I am not much of a watercolor person. I would still like to know who makes the sentiment that you used on your bag two days ago! I have searched online but I can't find it! I'm so happy for your card getting published! Way to go!

    Judy

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  2. Anonymous9:41 AM

    Amy congrats, and no men do not realize that the achievment is phenominal.

    Your cards are fantastical. I really didnt like the TK when I originally saw it elsewhere. You again have made me love this particular stamp. I love it in B/W. Thanks.

    Well done.

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  3. Anonymous10:03 AM

    Great card Amy, I love it!! The comments you have received are wonderful, how nice to know you are not alone - non of us are! I got some great cost cutting ideas too.
    blessings, your bud Christine

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  4. Anonymous10:38 AM

    The Kincade card is one of your finest. Glad you shared it.

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  5. Amy, your creations are beautiful so it is no surprise to me AT ALL that you are getting published, CONGRATULATIONS!! I am catching up on my blog reading (have dialup at MIL so slow) and heard about your husband and I just want you to know that I have you all in my thoughts and prayers BUT I feel strongly that God has a plan that sometimes we don't find out about until later and then the light pops on and you go aahhhhhh!! I believe firmly that this will all work out, your husband sounds like a great guy and will have opportunities presented to him before you know it! Hang in there girl! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

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  6. CONGRATS! I was just talking about you yesterday - were your ears burning? I was at one of my local scrapbook stores and we were talking about being published and I mentioned that none of your work had been accepted and I couldn't understand why since your work is phenominal. Soooo, today the good news!

    Love this card usisng TK - you always put such a spin on stamps that seem difficult.

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  7. Anonymous11:00 AM

    Congrats on your great news! We're in your corner, so keep smiling:) Beautiful cards too!

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  8. Congrats AMy on your Cards pub! Can't wait to see it! We'll be in the same mag together! :) Loved your TK cards, especially that Christmas one! So sorry to have you leaving CC. I'm sorry about your husband's job. My BIL had the same thing happen to him after almost 25 years a week b4 Christmas a couple years ago. It is really hard. God provided through it and he now works my with husband's other brother. It has been great for both of them. I'm so glad to hear of your faith. God has brought me through the very difficult days when my mom was ill and I especially felt his presence as I held her hand when she passed away. Each day is hard but I know my faith is stronger because of it.

    Thinking of you!

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  9. Amy, I couldn't be happier if it was MY card that got accepted for publication! I do think God knew you needed something good to happen to you, and he provided it. Of course, it could also be because your work ROCKS! :-) Congrats!

    BTW....this card rocks too!

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  10. Hi Amy-that Kincade stamp is gorgeous and you really did a great job with it! No, men don't get it. My boyfriend watches with amusement as I go at my supplies like its a well-paying job.
    Congrats on being published! You ARE super talented, after all! Glad to hear that things are picking up a little bit!!

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  11. Anonymous12:48 PM

    WAHOO to you!!! How exciting and what a huge achievement!! And yes, usually that is men for you! Great cards again today!! Thanks a ton for sharing and also for telling about your news. Kudos to you! Keep in mind that he will never give us more then we can handle....and just keep your head up!!!
    Debbie J.

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  12. that's wonderful news, Amy! Congratulations - I really like your card as USUAL

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  13. Congratulations on your publication, Amy!! Woo hoo!!

    I love your TK card! That image looks so nice with your layout and paper choices!

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  14. Amy, I am soooo happy for you and can't wait to see your card in "print"! God is so good and always provides a lift at just the right time!

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  15. Congratulations on getting your lovely card posted. I just read your news re your hubbie. That happened to both me and my hubbie last year( we both worked at the same place that went under). Its amazing how you can cut down when you really try. Kind Regards jenny

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  16. Hi Amy

    Good to hear you sounding chirpier. Great, fantastic, swell, brilliant news on the card going into a publication..you deserved the pick me up.

    Loving the cards too.

    Take care - Sadie

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  17. Congrats on getting published! You sooo deserve it! You are very talented! These cards are no exception!

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  18. Anonymous7:19 PM

    WOW Amy that is a beautiful TK card! You certainly kept your style alive!!! Well done!!!

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  19. Big congrats Amy!! It was bound to happen and I'm so happy for you! Love your Kincade designs - the papers you used are beautiful!

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  20. Wahoo! I'm jumping up and down for you and getting picked up for publication. Yay you! Way to stay true to yourself and not give up!

    Since I am by no means a master watercolor, I had been wondering about whether or not these Kinkade stamps were something that would work well for me. I think your card turned out beautifully.

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  21. Amy, your TK card is fabulous! I love it combined with this bright paper!

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