As many of you may already know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in early August of this year. I was incredibly devastated by the shock of this diagnosis, and I did not handle my new reality very well. For several months I wandered around in a state of such terrified stupor that I had all I could do to put one foot in front of the other to get through each day.
I am fortunate to be blessed with scores of devoted friends but they are scattered all across the country, and my local support system is slim to none. When my dear friend Cindy (Mothermark) found out about this, she started a thread, the Maddy Mason RAK Request ( Forums at Splitcoaststampers ) which she has run with tireless devotion for close to 5 months. I was soon deluged with scores of gorgeous and supportive cards, along with many other beautiful and comforting gifts. It has been this endless outpouring of love, support, comfort, prayer and all the beautiful cards which have sustained me along my slow road to recovery, and have made such a profound difference in my life. I savored each and every card I received, and stored them all in shoe boxes, organized by state. I will be putting them all into scrapbooks to be cherished forever and shared with others. I figured I'd gotten some 150 cards, with many people having sent me 2, 3, 4 or even more cards.
For a long time I didn't think I would ever stamp again, and, in fact, this is the first card I have made in over 7 months. But I am feeling so much better and more optimistic in the last few weeks that I began cooking up a plan- I would stamp simple Christmas postcards that would double as thank you notes to everyone who had so kindly sent me a card. With fewer than 150 to send out, this seemed very doable. But last night I finally sat down and counted my cards, and was totally stunned to discover I'd received well over 350 of them! Wow! And they are still arriving nearly every day! I then realized that sending out nearly 400 postcards was simply an impossible task; I would not be able to do it. Therefore, this is my thank you card to all of you wonderful SCS Angels that I am unable to thank personally.
Card details are:
This is for Wednesday's Sketch Challenge #154. I chose the retired SU stamp set See with the Heart, as it perfectly epitomizes the depth of my gratitude for my beloved friends here on SCS. The main image of the lovely young woman (with the words Friendship and Hope printed next to her) is stamped with Olive Staz-On ink onto paper vellum, and the edges distressed by tearing, curling, and burning with a match. I then adhered the vellum to a photograph of a tree peony flower I took in my garden last summer. The edges are gilded with Versamark and Gold Detail EP. The fuzzy pink fibers are attached through 3 eyelets on the left hand side. I mounted this panel at an angle to 2 other pieces of CS, with all corners punched with the ticket punch. The background panels are stamped with the Fine Lace background stamp in Regal Rose ink. The sentiment, *An act of kindness is long remembered* expresses so much how I feel. It is embossed in Gold Detail EP, and mounted over the pink breast cancer support ribbon. Everything is popped up on foam tape.
Once again I would like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the love and cards that continue pouring into my mailbox almost daily. I do wish I had a way to send each and every one of you a personal thank you note, and a Christmas card, too!
Love,
Maddy
Date: Thursday, December 13, 2007 GMT Views: 3132
Favorited:19
Registered: February 7, 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 13937
Sat, Dec 15, 2007 @ 1:50 PM
What a wonderful gift to see one of your beautiful creations...so happy to see you feel up to a little stamping!!! I send warm wishes of health and happiness to you...Merry Christmas, Maddy!! Thank you so much for sharing your heartfelt words and beautiful artwork with us!!! {{{HUG}}}
Registered: March 9, 2007 Location: CHOCOLATE ANYONE? Posts: 4671
Sat, Dec 15, 2007 @ 9:01 PM
An amazing card from an amazing woman of strength and character. It's lovely!
------------------------------ I'm Misti, and I've approved this message! MYGALLERY "Brace for Impact"-Capt. Sully "Brace for Impact"--Congress to America Proud mom of 2 soldiers-
Registered: October 28, 2004 Location: Castro Valley, Ca Posts: 49248
Sat, Dec 15, 2007 @ 9:45 PM
It is so good to see you back here Maddy. This is a lovely card. I am looking forward to seeing new cards in your gallery -I used to visit it daily! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
------------------------------ Harriet aka hskelly
My blog: Allycatcards
Registered: June 10, 2007 Location: BC Posts: 44872
Sun, Dec 16, 2007 @ 4:28 AM
Maddy, I am thrilled to see that you have stamped a card!!! I so delighted that you are feeling well enough to do that!! Thank you for this beautiful card that you have created for all of us on SCS - and don't worry one whit about sending out thank you cards!!! Just sit back and enjoy Christmas!! Maddy, I am so happy for you! Hugs - Deborah
Registered: March 9, 2005 Location: OH Posts: 28552
Sun, Dec 16, 2007 @ 7:18 AM
Maddy I'm just seeing this, and I am praising God that you are stamping again. I am also praising Him for all of the wonderful cards you've received. Prayers continue for you!
------------------------------ My Blog- Trusting in the Lord for Everything Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight. My Stampin' Up WebsiteMy Gallery, BRAK New Member Mentor. New Grandmother to Mia Lou. 1st Grandchild.
Registered: July 13, 2004 Location: Wishing I lived closer to my kids! Posts: 61028
Sun, Dec 16, 2007 @ 11:27 AM
Maddy, this card just brought tears to my eyes, as I was so glad to see you back!! We have missed you and are thrilled that you are feeling well enough to stamp and make this gorgeous card!! Still sending daily prayers and hugs!
Registered: June 2, 2007 Location: Regina SK Posts: 17494
Sun, Dec 16, 2007 @ 1:59 PM
Maddy thank you for sharing this beautiful creation with us, and it brings joy to know that we will continue to see you posting again. Thanks,
------------------------------ Kathleen
For by grace you have been saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God... Ephesians 2:8