The last couple of days my DH and I have been away for the visitation and funeral of a friend he and I have had for about 30 years. I took along some supplies because I knew I'd need some art therapy after the emotional time at the visitation. I grabbed my stack of CitraSolv magic papers and my Poppies and alphabet stamps. I found a sheet that had pretty blues at the top and stamped my Poppies in Versafine Onyx at the bottom. I colored with Poppy Parade, Real Red and Always Artichoke and used a Sharpie pen to add some black to the centers. I also used a red gel pen to add some highlights. The memorial card for Lou had an excerpt from this great verse of hope so that was what I decided on for a Scripture to add. I spritzed with my blue reinker spray and sponged some added blue also. Now that we're back home, I decided to use a cross stencil that I cut out of cardboard and used the reverse (I really wanted to add a cross and don't have a die cut for that). I started by sponging it, but basically that ended up removing ink rather than adding too much. So, I then sprayed with a walnut ink spray. Then I went back and redid some of the lettering that got removed or smudged from my sponging. I framed part of Lou's memorial card by cutting an oval to frame the words then diecutting around that. I also added some sponging so that the colors matched better. I added the burlap ribbon and put it all into a frame that I will send to our friend's widow.
Date: Saturday, April 13, 2013 GMT Views: 1238
Favorited:3
Registered: August 18, 2008 Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK Posts: 31972
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 @ 9:07 AM
I'm so sorry for your loss, Gail...you've created a beautiful and moving tribute for your friend, it really shows how something beautiful can be brought from a difficult experience when we allow creativity to be an outlet for our feelings - lovely.
Registered: February 5, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 92578
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 @ 9:17 AM
Your beautiful work of art created with love and caring is sure to be treasured by his wife. It is so thoughtful for you to have framed it too, Gail. The poppies are flowers of remembrance so they are perfect.
Registered: November 25, 2007 Location: Rudolph, WI Posts: 14498
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 @ 9:40 AM
You have my sympathy and will include your family and Louis family in my prayers. Even though you think some smudged - I think it has an awesome effect! Beautiful! tfs
Registered: September 8, 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 3798
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 @ 10:39 PM
I'm speechless, this is phenomenal. You've captured emotion and made it into a beautiful honor to your friend and his family. I hope your hearts will softly mend from your loss and leave sweet memories.
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- Janelle
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Registered: March 13, 2012 Location: Southern Florida Posts: 5253
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 @ 7:01 AM
You always are able to layer so many techniques successfully, Gail. This is a lovely tribute to your friend. So sorry for your loss.
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Registered: December 15, 2011 Location: Abilene TX Posts: 11275
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 @ 7:45 PM
What a loving tribute you have so beautifully created. It is truly gorgeous! I'm so sorry for your loss.
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Registered: November 21, 2007 Location: Regina, SK Posts: 22971
Tue, Apr 16, 2013 @ 3:22 PM
Gail, so sorry for the loss of your dear friend! This is such a beautiful tribute! Your poppies are so beautiful against that wonderful CitraSolv background!