Monday, October 10, 2016

CAS(E) This Sketch #193 and The Flower Challenge #1

Blog Alert! If you came just to see my card, scroll down.

Some of you may have noticed that I haven't posted many cards except for my Design Team obligations and am way behind in my commenting on your wonderfully creative cards.  I thought it was time for a little explanation.  My parents passed away within four months of each other and I was left with the responsibility of selling their house and cleaning out 55 years of accumulation.  Two of my brothers and my sister, who all live out of state,  took things they wanted and what was left was handled in several different ways. My sister and I had an estate sale in August which went better than I expected and any furniture that was left I posted on Craig's List.  The local service agency picked up a lot of things, there were numerous trips to Goodwill and five trips to the dump.  We were able to donate the washer and dryer to a young family whose house burned and the furniture that didn't sell on Craig's List is now at a local online auction house.  I had stored a lot of things at their house when we downsized 13 years ago so we had to clean out and rearrange our garage, shed and house to accommodate it all. At first we thought we'd have to build another shed but somehow we squeezed it all in.  We closed on the house on Thursday and now things are getting back to normal.  You'll be seeing me around a lot more.

Now it's time for my card for CAS(E) This Sketch.
The dotted diamond from MFT is the background for Altenew's hibiscus watercolored with Distress Ink.  The sentiment is from PB. I love how the dots tie in.

I'm also going to make this my second entry at The Flower Challenge.

Thanks for dropping by.  I hope your week is off to a great start.


21 comments:

lostinpaper said...

So sad to hear about your parents Bobby, I can't even begin to imagine what 55 years in a house would accumulate along with the memories. So happy to hear that you have finally sorted everything and will be able to find some time for yourself, and we get to see more beautiful cards like this one.

Bobby said...

You're so sweet, Therese. Thank you. Why is your blogger set on no-reply?

Lisa Elton said...

Oh wow, that pop of color is beautiful Bobby!!

Leigh Penner said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Bobby! That's a lot of work you had to do, too! I'm sure your siblings appreciated it! Hugs!
Your card is beautiful! Wonderful take on the sketch!

TK said...

LOVE that dotty background, the sentiment that matches so well, and OH THAT HIBISCUS!! Wow!

Lynn said...

Goodness Bobby. I had no idea. I am so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. I have no doubt your siblings are so grateful for you. xoxo

Maria Rodriguez said...

Hello Bobby: First of all, I'm so sorry to learn of the loss of your parents, the incredible task of dealing with this sadness and having to dispose of their things must have been so very difficult. I hope you and your family are coping with this, please know all of you are in my prayers.
Let me thank you for sharing your card with us at THE FLOWER CHALLENGE on it's first run, we hope you join us again next time.
Big Hugs,
Maria Rodriguez.DT

I Card Everyone said...

You've managed it all so well, Bobby! I'm so proud of you ... and just look at this beauty! Your dotted strip does certainly work well with the sentiment ... or is it the other way around? Fabulous addition to our gallery at CTS - thanks for playing!
=]

Joyce said...

Your card is just lovely, and it is nice to see you crafting for fun again. It sounds like your hands were really full, and I am sorry that you had to go through all that. It must have been really rough.

Kate said...

Your card is fabulous, Bobby!! Such a lovely design - so striking!

I'm sorry that you've been so busy. Although keeping busy takes our minds off our grief, it is also important to find time to grieve. I hope that things really do settle so you can take some time for yourself to reflect on the happy memories you have of your parents. xox

Viv said...

Such a beautiful card here Bobby!I just love that amazing purple flower too.
So sorry to hear of your terrible loss too.......so hard to bear.You have been very busy too,I hope you have things sorted soon. Take time for yourself .....grief can be a long process. Lovely to see you making cards though.....that will help I am sure. Thank you so much for sharing with us at The Flower Challenge and we hope to see you again soon ;) hugs Viv DT xx

Leni said...

Beautiful card!

Unknown said...

I want to tell you I am so sorry for your loss. It is very difficult when you lose a parent, and so often the second one passes shortly, That was my situation. It can be overwhelming.

Your card is very beautiful. The coloring is wonderful Take care of yourself and thank you for sharing you art. Hugs.

Aileen said...

Perfect, love it, CAS and beautiful.

Bonnie said...

I love this sketch and how you've designed your card around it! Gorgeous flower too! I'm glad you've got through all the work after your parents passing. Now on to some fun!

Loll said...

Gorgeous card Bobby. LOVE the colour of your flower ... so beautiful paired with the lattice-look stamp.

Such a huge job you've had. It's good that you are all done with the house, not only a lot of work to sell things, donate things and figure out what to do with the rest, but also it is very emotional to go through everything. I hope that you can now relax a bit and like you said, get back to normal. Take care ... sending hugs. xx

Karen Dunbrook said...

I just read your post and wanted to say how sorry I was for your loss. What a blow to you it must have been losing them so close to each other...my deepest, deepest sympathy mf. My parents are gone and I was an emotional wreck going through all their stuff, the memories, keep, sell, what to do? I really feel for you.
Sending many hug, prayers and support.

Your card is amazing and so beautiful take care

Jen W. said...

Bobby, I'm so sorry to hear about your parents. Losing them both so close together seems doubly cruel. Big hugs to you.

With all you've been doing I'm impressed you've made any cards at all. You are a wonder! And this is a beauty. I love the contrast of the soft flower against the graphic pattern and yes - the added dots on the sentiment are perfect!

Anita in France said...

Good to hear that all the hard work you've been dealing with over recent months is at last done, Bobby ... hoping and praying that emotional charge that goes with it all will now ease. Your card is beautiful ... crisp and wonderfully vibrant ... that bloom is gorgeous with the 'trellis' behind! Hugs to you, my friend, Anita :)

Hannelie said...

I am so sad to read about the difficult time you went through Bobby! I am sending a big hug when I hit the enter button to publish this comment
♥♥♥
Your card this week is A+mazing!
Thanks for joining us at CTS!

Jeanne H said...

Love the simplicity of your card and the pop of color. Sincere condolences to you on the loss of your parents.