March 12, 2007

Stamper To The Rescue!!

I HAVE to share this story. As many of you know, my Mom has been pretty sick. I mentioned on the blog the other day that she's developed these mysterious tremors -- not shaking like Parkinson's, but full blown weird snake like tremors that left her unable to walk safely. Her doctor and a neurologist were coming up empty. I was beside myself as she really couldn't be left alone at all and couldn't go anywhere without assistance. Major bad development. Stamper to the rescue! I got a message from a total stranger who explained that her Mom developed similar symptoms due to KIDNEY issues. Duh! MY Mom has KIDNEY issues! I think the mystery is solved -- as my Mom's medication was adjusted, her kidney function improved and the tremors are GONE. [Don't even go there and ask me why the doctors didn't figure this out...I literally could write a book....] I can't begin to explain what an amazing act of kindness this simple message was -- I was on the verge of quitting my job or placing my Mom in a nursing home and a stamper took the time to write to me with what in all likelihood is the cause of these tremors. Amazing. Speaking of amazing, Mike and I have been married 17 years. Good grief, he must be old! This is the anniversary card I made for him. How I made this card: Stamped the fish from Stampin Up's Very Punny (omitted the saying) once in Memories Black ink on Shimmery White paper. I wanted two fishes looking at each other. So, I inked up the stamp again, stamped it onto a solid stamp and then took the solid stamp and stamped it onto the paper. Voila! Two fishes swimming towards each other. (If you look closely you'll see that the fish on the right is not as crisp an image as the one on the left. Have to work on that.) The rest of the layout is obvious. I used SU markers to color in the fishies, spreading the ink around with an aquapainter, and adding some "waves" underneath the fish. I also added a couple of Amuse Arts Mini Heart Twinkles from Ellen Hutson's store to the bubbles. (Have I mentioned how great Ellen is??] You can see those here: Other supplies used: Marvy scallop punch; Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White cardstock from SU; Pumpkin brads from SU; Rob and Bob patterned paper; non SU grosgrain ribbon; and a black SU marker to hand write the saying "Wanna Swim?".

26 comments:

  1. That is AMAZING about your mom!! So happy for you and her!! Your card is gorgeous! Love the coloring!!

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  2. That is good news about your mum Joan!

    Thank you also for the tip on how to do reverse images. I have been pondering how to get a reverse image of the butterfly wings in the Goin' Buggy set, and while I don't have a plain slab big enough to do what you describe (yet), at least I know what to look out for now!

    All the best,
    Sam
    ACT, Australia

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  3. I guess it's not surprising at all that someone in the stamping community was so kind and thoughtful to E-mail you about a possible cause. In general I have found stampers to be kind, caring and generous to a fault. Blessings to your mom and glad that you've found a help for her. Cheers!

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  4. Thrilled to hear that your mom is improving. I too am not surprised by the generosity of stampers. I was talking with head of our ab club today about this very thing. Happy Anniversary. Terrific card.

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  5. Happy anniversary! Glad to hear of your Mom's improvement with adjusted meds. The "little" things can make such a huge difference sometimes...

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  6. Happy Aniversary to you and your hubby. Glad to hear that your mom is doing better. Just a side note since I'm studying to be a veterinarian remember that Drs. are only human. Medicine is a science but there is a lot of art to it as well. You base things off of what you've seen and heard. Perhaps these particular doctors hadn't seen a case quite like it before. After all most that go into the profession do so because they want to help. :)

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  7. OMG! How awesome....I know sometimes I wonder what kind of students are they letting out of the medical schools...???? This is fantastic news and I am happy for you! MOM's on the mend....you met a new GOOD friend...stamping friend at that..what more can a GIRL ask for??? LOL

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  8. amazing! i am so very happy for you and your mom! great! you could "hear the happiness" in your story! GREAT!!!!
    p.s. loved the card!

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  9. Hi - glad your mom is doing better. I wanted to tell you how I do "reverse" stamping. I stamp my image onto a small piece of acetate (SU! "Window Sheet", overhead projector sheet, ...) and then carefully turn it over and gently place it where I want the reversed image to appear. Hold it firmly in place and gently rub the back to transfer the ink from the acetate onto your card. Viola! I prefer the acetate to using a reverse image stamp because I can see exactly where I'm placing it and the ink stays wetter which gives a better transferred image than the rubber will. After a few trys, I was able to get a nice clear image. Hope you give it a try!

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  10. So happy about your good news! and cute, card, too! ;)

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  11. I am so moved by the discovery of your mothers problem. Tears came to my eyes when I read your post. People can be so kind it really helps the human spirit that this kind of gesture can change a persons life.
    God works in mysterious ways!

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  12. OH I hope that's the end of the tremors and the right diagnosis! YAY for online communities that can bring us together in such a way. Love the ann. card! Cute cute. 20 years? Yep...he must be getting up there. Good thing you're around to keep him thinking young, huh?

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  13. Joan, So glad the tremors are getting better. TFS this story. What a nice reminder of how a simple gesture can do so much good. Happy Anniversary!

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  14. so glad to hear that your mom is improving. Great idea on the reverse stamping. I've got a bird stamp that I want to have facing the opposite direction, now I have a way to make that work.

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  15. That is so awesome about your mom! Hugs to her and your whole family!
    The fishy card is just darling!
    ~Angie

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  16. I'm so glad that you found out what was going on with your mom!

    On another note, this is a very cute card! The little bling is the perfect accent to this card--it embellishes it perfectly without overdoing it.

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  17. Joan, that is such wonderful news about your mom!! I am always amazed at how some things come about.

    PS - You are on a serious roll, that card is aweseome!

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  18. First off...glad to hear that your mom is being taken care of!

    Secondly...that fishie card made me LOL! Too cute! Especially with the saying!

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  19. I'm glad to hear your mom is doing better. I swear, why is it that we have to figure out the problems and not the doctors? It's happened to my illeness and even my dogs illness!Gees

    Happy Aniversary. I love your card!

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  20. Joan, I am so glad that someone was able to help you diagnose your mom! Love the fishies as well!

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  21. Love your card, its just too cute and says so much!
    Wow to your mom. great going. Regarding docs: if you don't help yourself, nobody is gonna....

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  22. Thanks for the idea on how to do reverse stamping susan p. I'll give it a try!

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  23. WOW! How clever of you reversing the one li'l fish like that and your coloring job on them is just amazing! Way to go! So realistic, 3-D and prfessional looking. And happy anniversary as well! I bet he was thrilled to receive such a fantastic card from his sweetie. :)

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  24. PS... FABULOUS news about your mom! I hope she is back to her wonderful self soon.

    Aren't stampers wonderful?! ;)

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  25. This is SO precious!!!! I love it!!!!

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  26. Absolutely adorable card...Love it. When I first saw that set I thought...these are just too small, I won't use them...But I absolutely love them and have used them alot! Wow, I have missed alot you have posted here, some great things to view!

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