A Special Card for a Special Man

This past Friday, my Doctor retired. I have been dreading this day for a long time. I knew it was eventually coming.

Let me explain.

This is no ordinary Doctor. He is someone who treated me like a daughter. I have been going to him since I was 17 (you do the math...it's a long time!). When I was a teenager, I got Hepatitis. That was when I started going to him. The care and concern he showed to me during that time was like none other. He would actually phone me a few times a week at home before he started his day to check in on me. What Doctor does that? He does. And that is just one of the things that makes him a not just a great Doctor, but a great man.

Since that illness, I have been to see him for the ocassional cold, yearly checkups and the normal stuff. I was always greeted with a hug and smile. His bedside manor is soothing and comforting.

So, Friday was his last day. They had a reception at his office so that patients could come and wish him well. It was a mad-house! There were so many people, and no parking! I could say I was amazed, but not really. He has a lot of patients who adore him as much as Ed and I do. It was no surprise that despite the snow and weather, so many people came out to thank him for his service. So, we waited in line, and got to give a last hug, tell him how much his care has meant to us, and sadly, how much we will miss him. Those are some big shoes to fill.

I wanted to make a card that was regal...that was worthy of his years of service. I realized as I went to my stamp cabinet, that I don't have many masculine stamp sets. I guess I need to do something about that.

So, I reached for my new favorite, the old standby that can be a wedding card, shower, sympathy or in this case Retirement Card.

Medallion.

Here is what I came up with.



The paper is Soft Suede, Brushed Gold, and Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper. I stamped Medallion in Versamark and embossed in Gold. I then took a large flower from the Pretties Kit and painted it using my Aqua Painted and Soft Suede Reinker. Once it dried, I went over it with the Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint. The smaller flower I only used the Shimmer paint. Then I added a 1/2 back pearl to the center. The ribbon is the Soft Suede Polka Dot (I used the plain side...love that we have an option!).

We wish our Doctor many years of enjoyment in his retirement. He deserves to enjoy his life, and go sailing and skiing, and all the things he loves. We will sure miss him, but we are happy he is getting to enjoy his time with his family and friends.

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a great day!

Mad about Medallion

I haven't used Medallion in awhile. I don't know why...it's such an awesome stamp and you can do so many COOL techniques with it. Embossing and Poppin' Pastels are two that I played around with yesterday.

This is a card we made at my Stamp Club Weds. night. It's a pretty straight forward card - but it truly is gorgeous. It's Very Vanilla and Whisper White Cardstock. I stamped Medallion with Versamark ink, and heat embossed with White Embossing Powder. I then sponged over the image with Sahara Sand ink. I added a pearl to the center from the Pretties Kit, and added a Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon. I think it looks elegant! :) It could also make a nice Anniversary or Mother's Day Card. The gals all loved it.

Now, this card is a bit softer, and uses our chalks, Stampin' Pastels. I haven't pulled these out in a long time, and I don't know why! LOL. They are so much FUN to play with! :)

This card uses Pretty in Pink and Whisper White Cardstock. I inked the stamp in Versamark ink and stamped on the Whisper White Cardstock. I then used our sponge daubers with the chalks to "pop" out the color (thus the name Poppin' Pastels). You really have a lot of control over the shading with chalks. I wanted this to be soft, so I daubed very lightly with the chalks.

I stamped the Medallion a second time on scrap white, and went a little heavier on the chalks, for a darker look. I then punch out the center with the Scallop Circle Punch. I added a Rhinestone Brad (also from the Pretties Kit) to the center with a little flower. I then popped it up on the original image with Stampin' Dimensionals.

The ribbon is the White Satin Ribbon from the Mini Catalog, and just a small piece of Pretty in Pink Taffeta to coordinate with the cardstock.

The greeting is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. I use that set ALL THE TIME! It has 24 greetings in that set and they cover everything from Christmas to retirement. It's a great, versatile set that I reach for over and over. And as a bonus, the greetings fit nicely inside the Word Window and Modern Label Punches.

And before I leave you, here is Bella and my honey looking out at the rain. Ed loves this dog....and he didn't even want to get a dog. He can frequently be seen laying on the floor with Bella, hugging her. :)


So, thanks for stopping by on this rainy, dreary day....
Now, go stamp something! :)




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