Followers

August 28, 2014

Brighter tomorrow...

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by today, it's an honor to have you here! This is very much a period of transition for me and our family, but for me it is in another way too, as I've recently joined Stampin' Up as an Independent Demonstrator. I'm still getting to grips with everything behind the scenes with that, so please do bear with me.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my upline, Vicky Hayes and all the Pinkies team for all your support and indeed patience these last few weeks. Each of you, and all of you, my regular readers and friends are helping me look to the days ahead.

I created this card yesterday and it's so appropriate for me personally at this time...


Recipe ~ All available in My Shop
Whisper white card 106549 ~ Petite Petals Clear stamp set 133155 ~ Gifts of Kindness Clear stamp set 130444 (sentiment) ~ Night of Navy Blendabilities ~ Pearl Basic Jewels 119247 (colored with the medium Night of Navy Blendability ~ Memento Black Ink 132708

Method
I started by stamping the sentiment in the center of  a piece of card then randomly stamping the adorable petite bloom around it and also onto some spare Whisper White card. I colored the extra ones in the lightest Night of Navy Blendability, then cut them out and stuck them over 3 on the card. I've colored the centers of the other flowers using either the light or medium shade and then added the pearls. Before adhering the panel to the base I carefully went around the edge with the brush tip of the lightest shade.

Today is the first day that products are available from the new seasonal catalog and I'll be bringing you some inspiration from that as soon as I can. In the meantime I have lots more creations to share with you from the main catalog. Here's to a brighter tomorrow for all of us...

Hugs,

August 26, 2014

Wow, wow, wow!!!

Hi everyone,

This is the first time I've seen my website since I handed control to my amazingly talented friend Naomi from Creative Bug on the Loose for the revamp and I'm truly lost for words! Wow, wow, wow!!!

Thank you isn't enough, but I'll say it anyway... THANK YOU SWEETHEART! Not only for this amazing, stunning makeover of my site, one of the best birthday gifts I've EVER had, but also for your support during what has been a very difficult time! I love you so much! While you've been working on the site, I've been working on my own surprise for you and although that isn't ready yet, it will be soon and I'm sorry, but there won't be any sneaky peeks for you as you've shown me lol!

While I've been away from the site I've been getting back into the studio and will be sharing some of my creations with you soon, as well as sharing pix of Dad's book of condolence. Thanks again for ALL your support, prayers and hugs during what has been a very difficult time. Each of you means so much to me!

Now Naomi's joined me here, I'm not letting her go! She's stuck with me and will hopefully be posting occasionally, not that she knows it yet! We'd LOVE to know what you think of the new site, so please do let us know by leaving a comment. I'd also like you to please stop by her Facebook page and leave her some love, telling her I sent you :)

My birthday has barely begun, but already it's the BEST ever! To celebrate, grab yourself a slice of cake...

Hugs,

August 15, 2014

Thanks again everyone!


Hi everyone,

I just wanted to stop by quickly and once again thank all of you for your messages, thoughts, prayers and hugs. Each is very much appreciated by us all at what is a very difficult time and they truly do mean so much to us.

I've totally focused on the family this week, compiling, transcribing and creating the book of condolence. I'll share some images of it at some point.

Thanks again,
Hugs,
Em x

August 10, 2014

Dr. William L. Graham ~ Dad


Hi everyone,

On behalf of Dad's beloved family and myself, thank you ALL for all your comments and condolences. They really do mean so much to us all at this very difficult time. We lost Dad's older sister, Janice, just two days before Dad, on August 7, so this is an unimaginably difficult time for us all.

Each and every message received will be added to a book of condolence that I'll create for the family. Can I ask those of you who have already left messages to please leave another comment mentioning your location, because I'd like to add those to the book too.

I'll share the full eulogy I've written for Dad when I've shared it with the family and or on the day of his funeral services, the arrangements for which I'll share when they're announced publicly. But for now I'll tell you about who he was, what made him a hero, not only to his beloved wife and family, but to me and everyone whose lives he touched.

Born in Oakland, Maryland, his love of horses began at a very young age and continued throughout his life, he loved going and watching the races. Dad's strength, determination and love of his country, my beloved America, shone through when he joined the US Navy on Pearl Harbor Day, Sunday, December 9, 1941. His parents, Spencer and Maggie had to sign his papers because he was only a minor, he was so determined that he wanted to serve his country.

After the war ended, he settled in Morgantown, West Virginia and attended West Virginia University where he studied dentistry and gained his Doctorate. He would later serve as Professor Emeritus and Associate Dean of the WVU Dental School. The family have a long association with WVU and indeed his son, my best friend Spence, still works there. When Spence graduated a second time from the university in 2002, Dr Graham, although retired by then, was given the honor of hooding him.

Dad has served on many committees, boards and has literally through the various positions he's held throughout his life, touched the lives of possibly millions of others. Many of whom, like me, refer to him and love him as if he were our biological father. I'm so honored, so blessed and so proud to be his honorary daughter.

This time last year he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and given 12 months to live. He showed then the determination, strength and love for his family that he's always shown. He fought his battle courageously, staying at home with his family until his very last breath yesterday morning at 5:55 am, when his Lord and Savior called him home.

Dad is my hero, he's my inspiration and I know that he's forever by my side, just as he has been for the last 5 years since I got to know him and his wonderful family. Thank you once again for helping me to honor a great man, a true American patriot, a true American hero.

I love you Daddy, now and always.

Hugs,
Em x

August 9, 2014

Another heroic angel

Hi everyone,

It is with a very, very heavy heart that I bring you news that at 5:55 am this morning, Dr William L. Graham, beloved husband, father, grandfather, servant of his country and our Lord, ascended to heaven. I'm honored and blessed to know and love such an amazing guy and to call him Dad and I'll be sharing a further tribute soon.

Dr. William L. Graham, December 18, 1925 - August 9, 2014

On behalf of his beloved wife Midge, children Spence, Janice, Christine and their families, I thank you all for your love, hugs, thoughts and prayers during his courageous battle and at this time. All comments left on this post will be passed to the family. Thank you!

Hugs,
Em x

August 6, 2014

Chester history #3

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by today and for your continued hugs, thoughts and prayers for Dad, for that's how I truly know Bill, for the family and for all of us at this very difficult time. We truly do appreciate each and every one of you!

I thought we'd continue our look at some of the sights in Chester and our brief history lessons too. You can see the other posts HERE and HERE. I've also now added the tag "Chester" to both of them and will do to all of the city, so if you click it in the side bar, or in the posts, it will bring up all other related posts. :)

Before we continue our mini highlight tour, I'm not sure if I've said this before, but I spent 8 years of my life living in one of the suburbs of the city, so I truly know it like the back of my hand! Indeed I'm often back for meetings and sometimes I play tourist too, although I don't need a guide LOL! So although the pix in these posts are years old, I have many, many others and will be sharing more with you in future posts.

And so we continue...

Our first stop today is the turf racecourse, the "Roodee", the name translating from Rood Eye, meaning "Island of the Cross". The site was first used by the Romans during their occupation, when it was then their harbor on the river and in the pic below you can see some of the city wall to the far left...

It is the oldest racecourse still in use in the UK, the first recorded race having taken place in 1539. The date is now the name of the on site restaurant. It is also the smallest racecourse in the UK at just 1 mile, 1 furlong. In the pic below the winning post is just visible where the track is shaded...

A bit further along the road above the Roodee is this depiction of the Roman Quay and city walls, with the Eastgate Clock on the center right...

From the Roodee we head back into the city center, to exact center point within the walls and the Chester High Cross, although it's more commonly known without the High in it's name. The Cross stands at the junction of Northgate, Eastgate, Bridge Street and Watergate Street (which is the road up from the Roodee). The original structure dated from the 14th century and was later replaced in 1476. That one was damaged during the Civil War in 1646 and further replaced, although the piece that is now the top was saved from that one and now sits atop the current one, seen below, which was constructed in 1949...

The last pic for today shows the view down Bridge Street from the Cross and the gorgeous black and white timber topped buildings which can be seen all over the city and indeed outlying areas...

I hope you've enjoyed this further peek into some of the history, as I'm enjoying sharing it with you!

Thanks again for your hugs, thoughts and prayers for Dad, they do mean so much to us all.

Hugs,
Em x

August 5, 2014

More Chester pix

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for your comments, prayers and positive thoughts for Bill and the family at this difficult time, they are very much appreciated by all of us. Please do keep them coming.

Because I've not been into the studio yet this week, today I'm sharing some more pix of Chester that were taken on the same day as the one I shared with you in the Our Beautiful World ~ Time post. In comments on that post, Di mentioned how much she loves the city, so I thought I'd share some more of it with you.

This first one is of the West Window of the cathedral, taken from Town Hall Square...

This one is of the Eastern side, taken from the gardens...

Now down on the river Dee, this is the view looking upstream to the Queen's Park suspension bridge...

and downstream toward the Grosvenor Bridge that was first opened in October 1832, by Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Traffic first passed over it in November 1833 and at the time it was built it was the longest single-span arched bridge in the world!

Last but not least for today, the river is one of only a few in the UK which has a completely straight mile and the Chester Rowing Regatta is one of the oldest in the world...

I hope you've enjoyed this peek into more of Chester's history. I'll share more with you soon.

Thanks again for all your hugs, prayers, positive thoughts, they really do mean so much to us!

Hugs,
Em x

August 4, 2014

Quick update and request

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by today, I'm honored to have you here and very much appreciate all your comments.

The studio reorganization is happening slowly and also the behind the scenes changes to the website, but right now real life is my priority and that's where the request comes in.

Please say a prayer or send up positive thoughts for a very special man, my best friend Spence's Dad, Bill, his beloved wife Midge, daughters Janice and Christine and their families. Dad has fought his year long battle against cancer courageously. I look on him as my own Daddy, so would very much appreciate your prayers for everyone at this very difficult time. Thank you!

Hugs,
Em