Right before the holidays, a special stamping, scrapping, blogging friend, named Colleen Dickinson (her blog is The Creative Paper Room), contacted me to tell me she had something special to share. She had entered a contest at Whimsy Stamps to name one of their up coming release images. The image of a little girl, had reminded Colleen of her DD, Valerie, who had lost her life in a car accident about 10 years ago. Whimsy contacted Colleen, stating that she had not been the winner, however they were releasing another stamp of the same little girl, and would love to name that stamp Valerie's Gift, in memory of her daughter.With Christmas so close, and everyone so busy, I had to temporarily sit on the idea for this hop. After mentioning it to a few friends, everyone seems to want to join in! Thus, the Valerie's Gift Blog Hop was created. I hope that if you stumble upon this little RAK, you will hop along, and leave some comments for the sweet stampers who have joined in to honor Colleen's, Valerie.
My card was created from mostly scraps from my bin. Seems that we have all been on a mission to use up some of our stash! The sentiment is from SU!. Coloring was done with Copics, stitching is with my new machine which I have not mastered, pearls, swirls, and a sugared flower are my accents. This sweet little image called Valerie's Gift, is the star of the show!I believe we have 14 blogs for you to visit! Isn't it amazing how awesome people are when it comes to doing something nice for another? We meet so many wonderful people with this fun hobby! A special thanks to Olga, for helping me put this together. Colleen, I know you saw hints on blogs about something special happening, surprise, it was all for you! So without further ado, let's hop over to Patti J.'s blog, Cherish Each Precious Day, to see what she has created for us!
Thanks for stopping by!
28 comments:
This is beautiful Mary-Ann. Beautiful colors and details.
Dear Mary Ann,
This is just beautiful.
What a tribute to Colleen and Her precious daughter.
It is just so awesome to be supported and loved by such a great group of ladies.
My story is similar to Colleens and Valerie.
Have A Sugar Sweet Day
Simply Debbie
You have a beautiful blog and are full of talent.
Wonderful Mary-Anne!! What a fabulous thing this is that you girls organzed for Colleen. I've enjoyed seeing all the cards and projects that have been made.
Mary Anne, thank you for asking me to be a part of this hop. Colleen will be so thrilled to see "Valerie's cards". Your card is lovely...love the pearls.
Hi Mom! On my way out to shovel with Shaun - it's going to take hours... Your card is stunning! I love your color combo and how you cut Valerie out. So sweet! Love you!
What an adorable card, and knowing the story behind the image makes it even sweeter! I love all the details and colors! Gorgeous!
Got snow?!?
Mary Anne, thanks so much for all your hard work and for including me in this hop. Your card is a Wowzer...love your coloring on this (perfect) and like Dee Marie I love how it looks cut out. So glad we are friends.
Hi Mary Anne! Your card is simply amazing... your coloring perfection! Thanks so much for blessing me with the honor to play along!
Your card is so pretty Mary Anne. I want to thank you for inviting me to participate in this blog hop for a special blogging friend. You and Olga did a great job in organizing it.
What a gorgeous way to start this hop! Valerie is colored so sweetly -- all dressed in pink; and the swirls of pearls are so pretty! BTW, I think your sewing looks awesome!
Thank you, Mary Anne for asking me to join you and Olga in this RAK hop. Your card is stunningly gorgeous and I would just love to come and raid your scrap bin sometime. Hugs.
Beautiful card, Mary Anne! Love the pearls, and isn't it just so much fun when your scraps make such beauty??? Thanks for including me in this hop today, dear friend! Hugs...
Your card is gorgeous. What a way to use scaps. but most important, this is a wonderful tribute to Valerie and I am sure it will give Colleen a huge hug from her stamping friends.
The stamping community is such caring givng group.
Rita Crabbb
What a wonderful idea. I am sure Colleen's heart was touched by the love expressed by her stamping friends. Your card is lovely. Thank you for doing this. We should all reach out to those we know. hugs!
It was a wonderful hop, Mary Anne! Loved seeing all the different versions of Valerie; no matter what the colors, she looks perfectly sweet in all of them. Thanks for inviting me to be a part!
I noticed when I came back at the end of the hop that my comment wasn't showing on your blog. Since it wasn't waiting for approval, guess I did something wrong!! Your card is gorgeous -- love how you cut out the image and the swirls and pearls are lovely!! Also, great job on the stitching!!
Beautiful image and nice coloring. :)
I want to color like that! Wonderful Card!
Mary Anne, your card is gorgeous and love the way you colored her!!
Thank you for inviting me to do this meaningful hop!!
Beautiful card love all the pearls and th"scraps" came together very nicely. Love the softness of colors.
I think the hop is going great, your card is fantastic!!!!
Mary Anne,
OMGosh, and to think I was giving you such a hard time yesterday! You have left me speechless and full of tears of gratitude. I love this card everything is just perfect! I can't thank you enough for bringing such love and warmth to my otherwise sad week. I still can't believe you gals all pulled this off! WOW I'm still speechless. I'm sending all these links to Bob and he will look at them tonight when he parks.
Adorble card Mary Anne! So sorry I wasn't able to join in the hop this time, thanks so much for asking! It's a such a wonderful RAK!!
Mary Anne,
I just finished the hop, how amazing it is to have the best GF's around. Thank you so much for organizing this special treat. I will never forget this. I will call you either later or in the am. I really need to get a bit of shut eye. I'm just drained.
Beautiful card!
Hello Mary Anne! Crissy here, the one who drew Valerie's Gift! I have hopped through all the blogs and have come back to leave comments. Let me say first of all, that I have never before done a blog hop with tears streaming down my face. But I sure did today.
What is even more significant that you may not realize, is that I also have a daughter named Valerie. And so I feel there is even more of a connection there.
The fact that I could be a part in touching Colleen in this way has made me feel so emotional, I can't stop crying.
I go about my life, not really thinking about small acts of kindness having so much impact in another person's life. When Denise (of Whimsy Stamps) and I agreed we had to name this stamp after Colleen's daughter, we had no idea of the ripple effect it would have.
There is such a significance to the things we do, whether good or bad. And today I was honoured to see some of that right before my eyes. Thank you for doing this for Colleen, and thank you for honouring and multiplying the small act of kindness from Denise and I. I am really touched that I was able to be a part of it behind the scenes. What a gift you have given not only to Colleen, but to me and Denise as well. Sending hugs to you and your friends.
Crissy Armstrong
beautiful image, beautiful card, beautiful story. how nice to feel your daughter is still making a difference. this is wonderful for Valeries mom
beautiful card!
thanks so much for inviting me to join - so glad the hop helped Colleen through this difficult time..
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