Thursday, January 23, 2014

Tribute to Charlene


Hi everyone.  Today's card is to honor a stamping friend, Charlene Merrick (LilLuvsstampin' on SCS), who lost her battle with cancer at the beginning of this year.  Charlene was a talented crafter and an inspiration to all that knew her.  I was lucky to have met her during our time together on the SCS CAS design team, back in 2011.  Yesterday would have been Charlene's birthday, so her fellow DT members at CCEE arranged a tribute to Charlene on their blog.  I first read about it on Benzi's blog, and wanted to join in.  I have had the card below in my favorites folder for a couple of years, so thought it would be good to CASE it for the tribute.

Here's Charlene's card that I CASED (copy and share everything):




My plan is to make Christmas cards all year long ... hopefully at least one a week, so I'm keeping that going with this card.  I haven't been making many cards lately as my mojo has gone on vacation and hasn't returned yet.  I'm hoping to see it soon! :)  I'm hoping that CASE'ing this wonderful card of Charlene's will kickstart my creative juices again.

Tomorrow I'm starting my very first On-line Class ... this one is on stenciling.  When I saw the notice, I was intrigued because apparently there are 16 different ways in which to use a stencil that will be covered in the four days of classes - who knew??!!  :0

I have several stencils in my studio that have been collecting dust for a while now.  Looking forward to learning something new ... and a new way to use something that I've had for ages.

I don't know if I mentioned earlier, but hubby gave me a Silhouette Cameo for Christmas.  For those who haven't heard of it before, it is a cutting machine for digital files.  I've been playing a little with it, but there is a big learning curve ... for me that is :)  I have managed to cut some stencils (on card stock), but hope to get out to pick up some heavy plastic sheets (transparencies), as I think they will work well at stencils.  So this on-line class is perfect timing.  I'll keep you posted.







Stamps:  Traditional Christmas Sentiments (Pink Petticoat)
Paper:  White, Cherry Cobbler; Seasons of Style DP, Holiday Treasures DP-retired (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Holly & Berry Die (C.C. Designs), white gel pen



22 comments:

Kristie Goulet said...

What a beautiful tribute, Loll! I am pinning this to CASE, hope you don't mind. :)

Bonnie said...

It looks like Charlene kicked your mojo into gear! Love this holly and the mix of patterns! I'm excited about the stenciling class tomorrow too. I bought a stencil a while back and need some incentive to use it. I'm wondering if SU's cardstock vellum would work well for stencils? Can't wait to see what you do with that Silhouette when you get going good on it!

Kylie said...

LOVE this, Loll! Can't wait to see how you go with your online class, too! xx

Susan said...

I heard the sad news that Charlene had passed away. Even though I didn't know her, I'd always liked her cards and often favourited them on SCS. You made a lovely tribute card to her!

Colorado Crafter said...

Lovely tribute card today, Loll!

Can't wait to see what you post on your blog from the "Stenciled" online card class. I just found out this afternoon that I won a spot in that class! I'm so thrilled and excited! I hope the stencils I have on hand will be useful in the class since I have only purchased one new one since this latest stencil craze started. Like you, I've wished I had a way to make some stencils on my own. I hope you'll share your "journey" of learning to use the Silhouette. I've been wanting one for a long time, but have worried that I might not "get along" with the software. LOL! I'm visually impaired so learning new software on my own is not usually an easy task for me. But, you should really be able to cut some fantastic stencils with that machine! I'm always amazed to see what some people are able to create with their electronic cutting machines.

Karen Davis said...

What a gorgeous tribute Loll. You have cased your friend beautifully. :-)

Gramma Sarah said...

Lovely tribute, Loll, and perfect CASE.
Looking forward to seeing your "stenciling" in coming months.

MaryH said...

I just saw Benzi's wonderful card & now this lovely one to enjoy. I think this is such a very special way to remember your friend. You really did a most beautiful card to honor her, and a great take on her card too. Both are as pretty as can be. Your red bkground dp looks like may be a velvet texture. So very effective. I have had a Cameo for 2 yrs now, and still don't really know how to use it. I download from the store every month just the same! I signed up for the Hero Arts online class that is featuring stenciling, embossing paste & I forget what else. Is this the one you're taking? It's my 1st online class too. I'm expecting to have a lot of fun. Again, TFS such a beautiful card in for such a special lady. Hugs

Lee-Anne said...

What a beautiful tribute to Charlene, Loll! Love the mix of patterns and traditional colors! "See you" at the stenciling class!

Hugs,

Joanne (jojot) said...

I am so happy that you joined the CCEE Stampers in honoring Charlene...she was a great gal who will be missed......she would love that you cased her holiday card and made a fab one of your own.....I too was lucky enough to meet Charlene.....so sad that she is gone so young

Sandy said...

How very sad and what a nice way to honor a crafting friend. Your card is wonderful and such a beautiful way of remembering Charlene by casing one of her cards.
Sandy

Barb Ghig said...

Your card is just beautiful, Loll...and such a lovely tribute to Charlene. I'm sure if she were here, it would warm her heart to know that you CASEd her pretty card!

Benzi said...

Loll, this is a wonderful tribute to Charlene. She would have loved that you cased her gorgeous card. And, you've made such a beautiful one.

Sixteen ways to use a stencil? That's very interesting. I have some stencils that need using, too. I'll be anxious to see what you do with yours.

I almost ask for a Silhouette Cameo for Christmas but have a Cricut so didn't think I needed a new machine. My sis has one and really likes it.

sandie said...

Wonderful tribute to Charlene and I think your mojo is kicked! Your course sounds fun, I haven't got any stencils so will be looking forward to seeing what you create xx

Marianne said...

What a great way to pay tribute to a dear friend. As for the OCC class, I'm sure you're going to have fun. I succumbed and signed up an hour ago. Couldn't bare to miss out on all the fun after haven taken a few other classes. So be warned: these classes are addictive. Also sounds like we are thinking alike, because I have just (finally) downloaded the Silhouette software to my current computer, and am now downloading all of the designs I bought. I thought it was high time to dust off my old Silhouette and maybe cut a few stencils to use for this class LOL. Guess I will be seeing you in class!

Canonbury creations said...

What a lovely way to remember a crafty friend Loll, loved your card. Hope you enjoy your classes, the Silhouette is amazing and makes fab stencils:)
Val x

Joni Andaya said...

What Gorgeous tribute! Love it Loll.

Anonymous said...

So sad about your friend. I love the card you did as tribute. I, too, got a Silhouette but have not started on it yet. I hope all is well with you and know you stay in my mind. Your Christmas Card (JOY) was my very favorite! What paper did you use as the musical background? It was beautiful!

Anita in France said...

A lovely card and a wonderful tribute, Loll! Anita :)

Liz Williams said...

Isn't it great we have her blog and galleries to revisit to still be inspired by this talented lady? A big loss for us, a huge addition to heaven.

Darnell said...

Oh, man, Lolly, your tribute card in honor of Charlene's birthday is just stupendous! She would be so pleased! I think you should bookmark this already as a top card for 2014. Wow!

Enjoy the class and the new Cameo. It is mind-blowing to me what those machines are capable of. They really produce things those of us w/out a Cameo cannot compete with, as I'm sure you remember from last year when you didn't have one. That Gord is a keeper! I can't wait to get lockjaw as you share your creations!

Enjoy the weekend! Hugs, Dolly

Unknown said...

Stunning as usual! Nobody does CAS like you :)