~~~

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

MMSC51 Celebration of Friendship...and a bittersweet goodbye...

For everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven......

As I sit to write this post, so many thoughts are entering my mind.  I have had the best time sharing and playing with my MM Design Team sisters.  I have learned from them, laughed with them, cried with them and shared much of my life with them as they have with me.  We have become a sort of family if you will.  It is with a heavy heart that I am ending this journey with them and stepping down from the team.  This week will be my last DT card for Midnight Madness.  I will treasure every moment that I have spent on this amazing team with so many amazing women, but I have come to a time that I am needed much more here at home and with my family.  I do not have the time to dedicate as I should to be an active member of a Design Team anymore.   My husband just returned home from being away on a job assignment for a year, and we need to get our lives back to the way they were and also get many things done to prepare our house for selling....not to mention most importantly my kids.  We are coming up on summer and the outdoors will be calling us.  We want to do more active things with our kids and to also give them the attention and care that they need in all areas.  I have to have this as my main focus. 

I will by no means be leaving altogether.  I love crafting and I love my blogging friends, but I will say that there may be longer stretches between posts.  Maybe along the way though, I may let you in on a little bit of what life is offering me too, so my posts may not all be craft related.  Please do stay with me, and we can venture into not necessarily a new journey for me, but rather combining what has always been there...my love for my family and my home....and my love for crafting.

Now, I would like to present to you my final MMDT card.....A tribute to Priscilla and the team.... I used Priscilla's digi birds and some Martha Stewart punched butterflies to gracefully flutter around this lovely friendship poem that expresses what I feel for my DT sisters and family.   I hope you enjoy my creation and that you will consider giving this sketch a try as well.  I would love to come visit you and see your interpretation of this week's sketch. 





The envelope box was made with Priscilla's envelope kit that you can find here.

Congratulations to our MMM- #18 Sue Drees and MMR winners this week:
#2 Valarie F, #25 Leigh, #35 Charlene, #37 Risa, #39 Holly, #43 America

A big thank you to our MM sponsors this week:  D'Amour Allure (weekly sponsor) and Sunflowers & Dragonflies (monthly sponsor). We appreciate your support.   Please visit the MM blog for details on what our sponsors are offering this month. 

Now, my sweet friends, it is time that I must say goodbye and a huge THANK YOU to my team mates. I hope to visit them every chance I can get to see what they grace this blog world with...and what they inspire all of us with.  Perhaps, we will all come together again at some time.  I won't say goodbye to the rest of you, as I do hope to continue to drop in and catch up from time to time.   Enjoy life and take each opportunity as it comes.

"I shall pass through this world but once.
Any good, therefore, that I can show to any human being,
let me do it now.
Let me not defer nor neglect it,
for I shall not pass this way again."

~~Stephen Grellet~~


May many blessings be showered upon you my friends. 

Hugs,




Couldn't resist entering some challenges:
Allsorts: Photo inspiration
Bizzy Becs Creatalicious: Flowers and wings...my flowers are subtle as they are a part of the background designer paper that the poem is on.
Charisma Cardz: Quotes
Crafty Creations: Distressing
La-La Land Crafts: Shabby Chic
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge: Anything goes
Prairie Fairy Fridays: Distressing
Saturday Challenge: Distressing
Simple Doodles: Something old..my ribbon is old
Stamp, Scrap, & Doodle: Girly
Die Cuts R Us: Double Duty... Mine is card and envelope set
Flourishes: Vintage

34 comments:

Gwen's Busy Little Hands said...

Carolyn this set is...simply put...beautiful. You have taken such care in the details. The way you decorated the front and back of the envelope...Wow! Breath taking!

Smiles!
Gwen DTC@DCRU

Lovely Linda said...

Oh Carolyn - why did you have to do that - make us all cry - that a beautiful post my friend and what a treasure you are! We are all sad that you are moving on - you are such a blessing to all who know you! Thanks you Carolyn for all you have given to not only the MMDT, but to me personally - I {{{heart}}} you my friend - it is not goodbye, I will see you when I am looking at you!!!
Your card is divine, ,as always - I will be coming to your blog regularly for the inspiration you constantly give and the heart that goes with it! God bless you Carolyn, I wish you everything good in this next season and look forward to seeing you along the way - BIG {{{HUGS}}}

Cheryl said...

So very beautiful,love the gorgeous sparkly images and the beautiful swirls!!! Thanks for joining us at Creatalicious!!
xx

Gunn (MsPlum) said...

This is so beautiful Carlyn! I wish I could read what it says, but I guess it would just make me cry, and I have just put my make-up on ;o)

Thank you for the encouragement you have given me through your comments on my blog. They have ment the world to me and I will always appriciate you for that.

Take good care of your self, and the best of luck to you and your family!

Hugs
Gunn

Georgia said...

Beautiful! Thanks for playing at CCC.

Sheri Gilson said...

Gorgeous set!! I love how you made the coordinating envelope!! Thank you so much for playing along with us at DCRU this week!!
Sheri~DCRU DT

loz said...

What a beautiful card Carolyn. I will miss your beautiful creations. Lots of hugs..Loz

Tracy Vinson said...

Ooohhhhh...I am going to have to get this envelope template. I love it when cards are finished with lovely insides and envelopes. You have really gone the extra mile here. Lovely, lovely, colors and overall design. Tracy

Priscilla said...

Hi Carolyn, you are such a sweetheart, and you have shown us that your original MMDT award was truly meant for you. You will always be the MMDT Sweetheart! Your post did bring a tear to my eye and I am trying to be strong…I think I have done just about all the crying I can do these days as I have known this day was coming. What a fitting way to end your journey with the MMDT. I love your card and it pretty much says it all. Your love of crafts, your love for your fellow crafter, your love for your husband and kids just helps you be the awesome creator that you are. We gain inspiration from so many places and I for one will be visiting your blog often. You can’t get read of me that easy. If on my rounds I stop by and you have no recent posts, I will be stalking your archives for my “Carolyn FIX”…You can count on that!! That will be fun, and I can comment on all those posts I have missed..LOL Carolyn, thank you for bring such style can class to the MMDT this past year. The MMSC would not be what it is today with out you my friend. Best of luck with all your endeavors.
Priscilla

Denise @ kc242 said...

Stunning use of Priscilla's birds! Wow. I love every single thing about your set! I know that I will sure miss you on Midnight Madness and hope that you will be able to join us on the DT again in the future. Blessings to you and your family!
Denise

Sue McMahon said...

Beautiful card and beautiful post, Carolyn. It's so hard to leave the MM family. Your final quote is spectacular! Thank you for sharing that!

(((HUGS)))
Sue

Carol Hurlock said...

Carolyn, what a beautiful farewell creation. Your work is always so inspiring and beautiful. You pay such attention to detail. Best of luck to you my friend in your future endeavors. May the lord bless you and your family. I will still be around to pop in once and a while to see how you are doing. Wishing you all the best!!

Bear Hugs,
Carol :o}

Maureen said...

Absolutely gorgeous!! ~Maureen, La-La Land Crafts DT

Jeni C Slack (^0^) said...

Carolyn, This is such a touching Moment , especially the poem on the card and your explaining, it brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for your wonderful self, your creations, We'll still be around checking in on you and your progress with the house and kids. Much Love to you Sweetie, xox ~Jeni

Jessica G. said...

Gorgeous card, Carolyn! Those birds and butterflies are absolutely stunning and I'm so impressed with the coordinating box envelope.

Best wishes to you as you embark on a different path; I admire you so much for placing your family as top priority!

Fuzzy Slippers said...

What a beautiful card! Such a lovely tribute. Thanks for sharing this card with us at SSDS. :)

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

Hi Carolyn!!! Your card is so exquisite!! I just love your coloring and the glitter on the birds!! So elegant and vintage!! You are always such an inspiration!! I love the envelope too!! You rock girl!! I am so going to miss being on the team with you. You have been such a dear friend and our time together will not be forgotten. You won't be able to escape that easily though my friend because I sure do want to stay in touch!! I too will be visiting your blog and chatting with you!! Big hugs to you!!!
blessings,
Chris

designsfromwithinbycharlotte said...

Carolyn, this is such a beautifully worded post with such heartfelt thoughts. You know how much we all love you and will miss seeing you on a weekly basis but your heart is in the right place, and taking care of your family most certainly should be your priority. On our journey through life we meet people who come and go but there are some that just capture your heart. You are one of those people and I thank you for that. Your amazing talent will grace the blogland I know for sure and I will be right there checking out your creations or perhaps catching up on what's happening in your life. So this is not goodbye but just see you later.

Take care of yourself!
Sending much love and hugs
Charlotte
XXX

ps:your card and envelope are truly gorgeous...perfect display for your last MMSC!

Unknown said...

This is so stunning!! It's such gorgeous details and design. Beautiful job, Carolyn.
Thank you for joining the FTTC with us.

Grace said...

Carolynn first off... I know you will be so missed! Your creations for MMSC have been gorgeous, every week! I do hope you'll pop in and say hi as you can... but you are doing what your family needs and that's the most important thing! Now what a way to go out with this incredible creation!!! I love the pretty feminine colors and sparkle on the bird... love the inside with all the layers... and I love the envie! Awesome set!!!

Irina Blount said...

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your card with us this week at La-La Land Crafts!!
Hugs!!
:) Irina

Vee said...

Such a beautiful card. Lovely colours and a lovely quote. Thanks for joining us at Charisma this week.
xx Vee

Helen said...

Beautiful card - love the poem!
Thanks for joining us at the SCSC!
Helen x

Unknown said...

Wow! What a gorgeous card!
Enjoy your family now, we so often forget that someday they may not be there to enjoy.

Thanks for joining Fairy Fun Fridays this week!

xoxox

Jane, at Thepaperaffair said...

I am touched by your blog post... there is a time and purpose for everything. Do hope you post and fill us in on your life happenings, I feel I have gotten to know you so well. Until next time {soon}. Hugs, Jane

Cor* said...

Nicely said and nicely done! This is just so fantastic....I don't even have the words to tell you how obviously talented you are. Dont let that go ,but don't let your family go either!! Take Care and thanks for playing with the fairies at FFF ! Hope to see you next week

Phyllis said...

Carolyn, A gorgeous, gorgeous card!! Your birds are just AWESOME!! Love the sparkle and those wonderful colors. Such a fitting sentiment too!! We will miss you, but we will be checking out your creations often. Blessings to you and your family in the future.

Phyllis MMDesign Team

Betty Wright said...

Carolyn, this is just amazing and so gorgeous! Wonderful detailing and vintage styling! Beautifully done! Thanks so much for playing FTTC!

Edith said...

What a beautiful card Carolyn! I love the colors and every detail you added. I love the poem also. Everything works very well in your card:)

Fleur said...

Beautiful card, really pretty
Thanks for joining ALLSORTS this week
Hugz Fleur xXx

Amber said...

So elegant and lovely!!
DCRU Hugs
Amber

~*Joni said...

Carolyn this is so wonderful! I nearly choked up reading your post about the DT...you will truly be missed but alas, life outside the craft room truly does exist and matter more!! Beautiful double duty, the intricate details are so stunning. Thank you for joining us at DCRU this week!
~*Joni DCRU DT

Susan Payton said...

What a beautiful card and envelope to match. I am also enjoying the music on your site. Thank you so much for letting me visit.
Susan
http://amazingcouponanddiscountdeals.blogspot.com

Rose said...

fantastic card!! love the sparkly birds
thanks for playing on SD