No Greater Love...

Of course no greater love than Christs love for mankind.  But then there is the special kind of love a mother has for all her children.  You invest money, time, wisdom, kindness and hope that at the end of younger tender years of teaching your children will blossom into the kind of adults that you are proud of.  The kind of adults that are leaders full of love and kindness.

As a parent, love has been the motivating force in all that I did as a parent, even the bits that maybe I could have done better or wished I had done better.  My husband and I are very proud of all our children.  All are leaders in some measure in their daily life.  All take care of their partners and children.  All make sure just as my husband and I did to ensure our children have the chance to blossom and be strong individuals with rounded characters.  And I do think they blossom rather nicely.

So here's a quick card make dedicated to all those mums who loved their children with the kind of passion for love to blossom in the lives of their children.  To those kinds of mums who love unconditionally. So with my daughter by myside and a parcel from my God mother it certainly makes a great day perfect the next.    My Godmother has been such a mum who has always loved unconditionally, always imparting wisdom and showed the very best kind of friendship to my own mother all these years and been the best kind of God mother even into my adult years. I've always said my mum chose wisely.

With a surprise knock at the door, in a parcel, carefully wrapped in bubble wrap and yards of fabric I find a beautiful pink and gold trio set to add to my collection along with some vintage lace.  My Godmother always finds ways to inspire and encourage.  Whether that is in a postcard from a far off land (as she used to travel quite a lot) or in a kind word, a friendly and timely email or fwd, and of course in a most thoughtful gift.  This gift is one to be especially treasured as it belonged to my God mothers mother.  I am still in awe how it all arrived in one piece.



Treasured Trio



How exquisite is this trio and vintage lace!. How exquisite is my Godmothers love.  And I  love being surrounded by "love" gifts for it expresses and represents a reminder of the person whom I love and who has loved me....in this case all of my 50 + years.

When you leave a comment on the card why not share about something you treasure.

Maree Long.

I have always thought children a gift from God - Psalm 127:3.  did you know the greek word philoteknos appears in reference to mothers loving their children? If you love your children you will want to affectionally embrace them, pour out your love on them, knowing that each child is unique and a special gift from God. Titus 2:4  I sometimes wonder if I embraced, hugged and told them enough how much I love them, but every time I see them I make especially sure they are told because they are a unique and treasured gift from God. 

Silhoette #2

 

Have you ever thought of the word Cherish or To Cherish?  Anyone remember their wedding vows?  To Love Honor & Cherish.  For me, the word invokes a deep sense of worth and warmth extended to another. A perfect card for a wedding acceptance.  I thought this combination of again using the Brocade Window Embossing PLUS by Cuttlebug and Swiss dots with the Chandelier embossing folder from the set "Love's in the Air" and just cut around it adding the diamonte bling.Spellbinders Nestabilities Long Classic Rectangles Large Set was used for the matting at the top. 

Don't you love the way this product cuts & emobsses in one go?!  I found these simple to use and run through my cuttlebug quite easily.  I stamped the word cherish from Stampin Ups collection Baroque Motifs #116340. 

Ok, maybe not everything in life is black & white, maybe life doesn't have to be all or nothing,with some room for shades of grey. But this card is perfect in Black & White, don't you think?

Perhaps it's in the grey you find the understanding and reasoning & then, are better able to make the choice of living in either the black or white. 

Maree Long

Todays blog I think would be wise to end on John 7:24 (NIV) "Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment." O'ladies to be so wise......

Acceptance Card

Welcome to another day of winter chilly bliss.  As I nervously go solo creating my first  unassisted post.  This being my second attempt, when everything I had typed went to érror' page cannot be found. 

As I look out my window to view blue skies the wind whipping around my largely monocrhomatic yard without a skerick of flower or rose, I realise that I pretty much like it that way.  And I tend to enjoy creating cards mostly in monochromatic tones.

This was an Acceptance Card for my dear Sister In Laws Wedding held earlier this year.  Cream with a touch of vintage was perfect.  I utilised the elements from my Monthly Challenge - Vintage Romance kit.  A mountain fold A5 Card with a matting of cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder.  The damask pattern on the left was from a vintage wall paper I rescued from an op shop when I was redoing a friends bedroom.  I created and printed out my own "Love" definitions distressing and inking the edges.  Then simply added a row of ribbon flowers topped with a heart.

A phone call I hurriedly cut short,  a you hoo at my back door I quickly send on their way, and even the craft package delivered to my front door I quickly accept and put it aside in the hope of finishing off my first solo post.  So fingers crossed hoping that I have clicked on everything I needed to.  Trying to remember the tags, labels and how to add pics.....I am sure with practice and a lot of time I will manage a half decent blog as I also learn how to take decent pics of my created cards before they are sent on their way to a new home and not just sit idly in pretty boxes....

Have a great day everyone....

Maree Long
Acceptance - that which we give approval to, that which we desire to include