Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Freshly Made Sketches: Peace on Earth

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by the amazing Jennifer Timko.


I've been very focused on using stamps and dies from my unused pile, but I have a tree and snowflake die that I just love and knew that they would make a great little scene on top of that banner!

FMS Peace on Earth

The tree and the snowflake are both from Reverse Confetti so that led me to the die and stamp set for the sentiment.

Do you ever have an emotional reaction while making cards?  I doubt it's just me. As I was creating this card, I realized that I had the perfect recipient, which then brought back a flood of memories along with a lot of tears. There's a wonderful gentlemen that I know through church. Recently he lost his wife to cancer - they were an amazing couple and I worried about him, but he seems to be keeping active. He follows me on Facebook, and on FB, I'm a bit political - OK, maybe a lot political. Every so often he replies via email, but I think the account must be in his wife's name, because I get emails from his deceased wife. It's very jarring, but at the same time, it causes me to remember this wonderful lady.  Just a year before his wife's cancer diagnoses, they lost their oldest son who was a first lieutenant in the Marine Corps and died in a mid-air collision between a Coast Guard aircraft and Marine Corps helicopter off the coast of San Diego. This is where the tears started. I was making this "peace on earth" card while being overwhelmed with memories from his funeral. I remember how long his commanding officer knelt in front of the family with the folded flag and spoke softly to them, sharing memories of their son and probably a message of hope. I remember the 21-gun salute echoing through the church. The deep faith of this amazing couple throughout all of it remains an inspiration for me to this day.

Of course, there needs to be laughter too.  I was one of two pianists for our church. For this funeral, I was playing the organ and the other lady was on the piano. Both of the instruments are toward the rear of the church near the open door outside of which the 21-gun salute was happening.  So as we watched the flag ceremony, we looked at each other with tears streaming down our faces. Then the guns went off and even though I knew it was coming, I about jumped off the organ bench. After that we were supposed to start a powerful rendition of "Eternal Father, Strong to Save". My hands were shaking so badly that I wasn't sure that I could find the right organ keys - and the pianist later said the same. We made it - it doesn't take long with such amazing and meaningful music, to feel the power and the peace of God wash over you - but, maybe inappropriately, we still laugh over the mental image of standing up and telling the congregation they would have to do it a cappella!

OK - back to cardmaking!  

I hope to see you play along with Jen's fun sketch - it's a great layout, but with so many options to take in the direction you wish.

SUPPLY LIST

The patterned paper is an older 6x6 pad - Fancy Pants Timbergove.

17 comments:

  1. Perfect take on the sketch - love these colors, too!

    ReplyDelete
  2. A beautiful and meaningful card!
    yes the snowflake, sentiment, trees, it all fits perfectly together.
    This wonderful gentleman is going to be so pleased with it, for sure!
    That's quite a story and so many warm memories...
    Thanks for sharing such personal ones.
    It must be so hard for him to lose someone who's been a part of his life for so long. All the shared moments...
    And to lose a son like that...
    For the loss of a child there are no names for that.
    if you lose a wife or husband , you become a widower/ widow, if you lose your parents you become an orphan, but when one loses a child, there's not a single word that can used...
    The grief. loss is just to big...
    I'm grateful for him that The Lord can comfort him.
    And He provides for strength, hope, love and grace every time for as long as we live.
    And that's such a comforting thought!
    Bye and may God Bless you and this wonderful gentleman,

    Marjolein


    ReplyDelete
  3. A beautiful card and a beautiful story, Kim! I love those trees and how the branches cover the dsp. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love your card, there's a lot to catch the eye, but it's CAS too, a difficult balance to achieve. Karen x

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kim, this is a beautiful take on the sketch. I know your friend will treasure this card!

    ReplyDelete
  6. How terribly tragic, yet poignant, your story (or rather, this gentleman's story) is. I'm sure that this beautiful card will be treasured by this man, considering his recent losses, especially considering how his Son fought for "Peace on Earth". Blessings & TFS.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I thought your card was pretty when I saw it, but your story makes it all the more special. Have a Happy Thanksgiving Kim!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful card! Love the funky trees! And it is amazing how something so simple can trigger such a memory!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful story, Kim and it's matched by an equally beautiful card.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your card is just wonderful Kim as is your story. I love the fab dies you've used and the layering of your card is perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great card, Kim, and a lovely story to go with it. Tears here as well as joy knowing God impressed this man on your heart to create this card for :) Blessings to you as you extend God's grace and love.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your story has brought tears to my eyes...powerful and poignant. Your friend is an amazing man, able to carry on after two significant losses in his life. I lost a friend, several years ago, to a peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan; he fell victim to a roadside bomb. Anyway...thank you for sharing the depth of your emotions as you crafted. The tenderness at the essence of what you felt has been infused into the card. He will love it, just as we love it. Peace on earth...I pray for that, too.
    ~c

    ReplyDelete
  13. Such a lovely card. And your story was so touching. It's amazing how something simple can trigger such powerful emotions.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great job with the sketch. Sometimes the cards I make are inspired by a story too. Your story brought tears to my eyes too. I will say prayers for him...he has had some very deep losses. He's fortunate to have a friend like you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a beautiful card Kim! I love those trees and that lovely sentiment! I loved that story...so sad but so wonderful to know this man is remembered and will receive a card made especially for him! I would have loved to see you jump off the organ bench!

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is why we do what we do. The power of these emotions both for us, the card maker, and for the recipient make the world personal and special. Thanks for sharing this story with us all!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you for sharing your very moving and personal story Kim. Your card is perfectly lovely and the CAS layout and colors caught my eye - so stunning!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment on my card! I do get spam comments so your comment will be held until I read it and release it!