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: 3130
Favorited:19
Registered: March 6, 2004 Location: Casa Grande, AZ Posts: 28932
Mon, Dec 17, 2007 @ 1:24 PM
This is an amazing card - well, probably not for you. It is simply a gorgeous work of art.
I must admit to being a recent lurker to Cindy's thread. I would like to add my words of encouragement and thankfulness for your progress to now - as well as for the stamping you are able to do at this time. With prayers and best wishes...
Registered: February 7, 2006 Location: Out West Posts: 24437
Mon, Dec 17, 2007 @ 7:45 PM
What an absolutely beautiful card. Your kindness shines through. You continue to be a wonderful inspiration to so many. Wishing you a very Blessed Christmas, Maddy.
------------------------------ Just another beautiful day at the beach. **** KAY****
Registered: March 29, 2005 Location: Nevada Posts: 11671
Tue, Dec 18, 2007 @ 8:00 AM
Maddy, this is such an awesome card and a wonderful way to thank all of us. What a blessing to be stamping again. You have been in my prayers and thoughts so very often. Continue to do those things you so love!!
Maddy, this is just so beautiful! Tears are rolling down my cheeks to know that you found the strength to stamp! What a wonderful thing for you to do! We have missed your beautiful creations!
Registered: April 12, 2005 Location: SW Michigan Posts: 63356
Thu, Dec 20, 2007 @ 3:53 AM
Maddy, your card is beautiful. Your touching words are even more wonderful though. I am so glad to see you using your artistic talents and sharing with us here. Cyber cards are almost as good as happy mail! Blessings to you my friend, I think and pray for your continued recovery each and every day!
------------------------------ Shelly Gallery BLOG
Registered: November 17, 2006 Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia Posts: 52798
Tue, Jan 01, 2008 @ 10:32 AM
Maddy, this is one beautiful card.... your work is wonderful.. I am so happy to see you are feeling better, and stamping again. Sending you hugs and best wishes on your continued recovery....
Registered: August 9, 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 16812
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 @ 3:27 PM
Maddy, this is so beautiful! I've been praying for you over the last several months and hope that everything is going well for you now. I'm so glad that you are stamping again and look forward to all your beautiful creations.
------------------------------ Jerri Kay My Gallery My Blog - A Touch of Grace Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing, power and majesty, praise to the King!
Registered: October 11, 2006 Location: Oakville, Ontario Posts: 3159
Thu, Jan 03, 2008 @ 12:53 PM
It's wonderful that you are feeling better and are back stamping again. I wish you all the best for continued improvement in your health. Your card is beautiful - a piece of art, really.