March 29, 2009

My Mom, and a Color Challenge

Alright friends - Dawn has posted another color challenge on her blog. YUM-O look at those colors. They're just fab! I couldn't figure out what I was going to do...so I searched through all my stuff and found this great butterfly image... and I got to work.

















Everyone always thinks their Mom is the best. And everyone is right. No matter what age you are, alright, maybe teenage years excluded, but the relationship between Mother and child is like no other...only because I have now seen it myself.

Growing up, I was very attached to my Mom, incredibly shy, always hiding behind her when meeting someone new. She encouraged me to break free a bit, and be my own person. I was pretty lucky, I'm the baby of the family...but not only just the baby, there's a 5 year age difference between me and my brother, so when I was born, he was going off to Kindergarten, and I had Mom all to myself. Lots of good times there.

I'm a snuggler, always was, always will be...Mom never turned down a snuggle. She takes a good teasing too, as kids, we had an Atari 2600, and Mom would play Pitfall...and she really got into it...let's just say, she's great with the Wii ;). Growing older, I became a fresh mouthed teenager, and took Mom for granted...just as I think many teenagers do. Mom was no longer cool...I had a gaggle of friends I hung out with, and certainly wasn't hiding behind her leg anymore, but somehow I knew that no matter what, she'd be there for me.

I started dating my first real, official, boyfriend...she didn't make a big deal (she left that to my Dad) but I knew she was watching. She has a good eye for great guys...I would have known if she didn't like him, but she wouldn't push - she's too smart to do that. She didn't though - so I knew he was a keeper (he must be, I'll be married to him for 10 years in October!). Anyway...that freshness started to subside, and I started looking at my Mom in a completely different way. She was the one and only person in this world that would love me more that I could ever imagine...unconditionally. I feel that same way about her. There's NO ONE like Mom.

My Dad got real sick in 2001, and was hospitalized for months, has brain damage, and short term memory loss. Many people admit they would have ran for the hills, not Mom. She put up with the attitudes, the frustration, the anger, and worked with my Dad until he was able to come home. It's not been an easy road, and she is AMAZING to do what she has to do on a daily basis. There aren't many women like her, and I hope that I'm HALF of what she is. I thank her for always leading the way, without me even knowing, and for the love and understanding she shows to me. For still loving my father, even when he is downright nasty, because he is feeling sorry for himself. She shows me how to be a better person. So Mom - I love you - more than you'll ever know.

This will be her Mother's day card (so I'm hoping she doesn't read my blog!! :) )

The Butterfly image is from Outlines Rubber Stamps, I've had it for almost a year before it saw ink, crazy right? I also went back to watercoloring...gasp! I didn't even TOUCH my Copics :). Added lots of pearls and bling to this beauty, but to me it still classy, not overdone.

The 'Mother' is from Papertrey Ink's Mother set. It's got some GREAT sentiments, like the one stamped inside... "Someone who can take the place of all others, but no one can take their place" Perfect.

Thanks for stopping by today - hope you start off your week with a smile!

Supplies:
Stamps: Mother (Papertrey Ink), Butterfly (Outlines Rubber Stamps)
Ink: Memento Brown, PTI Dark Chocolate
Paper: Spring Moss, SEI Black Orchid designer paper
Accessories: Kaiser pearls, K&Co jewels, PTI Dark Chocolate Ribbon, PTI Vintage buttons

24 comments:

Lee said...

Oh WOW! This card is stunning. I love your butterfly.

Unknown said...

Beautiful card and story - must go! Lump in throat! lol.

Terri Trotter Earley said...

Fabulous butterfly! Fabulous job on the color challenge.

It's a good life!
Terri E.

Meredith said...

Beautiful card! You did a magnificent job paying tribute to your mother. I got a little teary! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful story!

Meredith

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous card and a wonderful way to honour your mom :)

Maureen

Rebecca said...

This is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS! Such a beautiful card and wonderful color combo!

Renee V. said...

Tracey - This is 'over the top' perfect! You're mom is going to love it! Great post too. I got a kick out of the mentioning of the Atari. :-)
Have a great day!

Barb said...

BEAUTIFUL!!! The card and the love you have for your mom!!! You are so blessed to have such a wonderful mom, and she is also blessed to have such a wonderful daughter!!!!

Holly Young said...

Oh this is just a beautiful card, and telling us of the love you have for your mom just made me miss my mother so much. I lost my mom before I was really grown up myself, and I so wish I could let her know now that she was a wonderful mother to me.

Lynn P. said...

WOW -- the butterfly is breathtaking - love this. Love the tribute to your Mom too - I'm close to mine and she's been through a lot during her 90 years and still going strong.

Jessica Rosario said...

Wow!! This card is stunning!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely beautiful!

Jenn said...

What an amazing post. Your mom did a wonderful job raising you! She sounds like a wise woman. I'm sure she will love your card, it is stunning!

Unknown said...

Tracey this is just beautiful! You mom will LOVE it! She sounds like an amazing person.

Joan B said...

Oh a great card and a better story about your Mom. A thousand hugs!!!

Maureen V said...

thats beautiful. The butterfly looks like it should be a piece of jewelry or something

Daniela Dobson said...

Beautiful.

Sylvia said...

Your butterfly is perfect, the card beautiful!

Winter said...

This is so pretty! Love that butterfly!

~kelly marie~ said...

gorgeous butterfly!!! amazing!

Agus said...

Super cute!! love the butterfly!! thanks for the nice comment in blog. LOL :)
agus

Heather said...

I absolutely love butterflies and this is one of the most beautiful butterfly cards I have ever seen! Beautiful story too!

Shellys Crafts said...

Your card is the best.Your story was like reading about my mom. She's the best too. I'm the youngest and 6 years difference than my brother. So yes, I got a little spoiled, but I didn't lose my place in life. I enjoy each day with her, and I hope she enjoys them too.. thank you for sharing. Your card enspired me..

designer pens box said...

so good!