Embossing Experience

I enjoy stamps. No, not the kind that you put on envelopes to mail letters, but those little pieces of art carved in rubber. Over the last little while, I have been experimenting with embossing stamp images. For those who aren't familiar with this process: I use a rubber stamp (usually hand-carved) and ink pad to stamp an image on a piece of paper. Then I sprinkle special embossing powder over the image (which will adhere to the wet ink on the image), and then heat the powder, causing it to melt. After it cools, the image is embossed --raised and usually in bright, glossy colours. It can create a beautiful effect.

There is a special heat tool (that looks a little like a hair dryer) that can be used to heat the image to the required "melting" temperature. However, I don't have one. So instead, I use an old frying pan set over a burner on the stove on low heat. This method seems to work well for me.

Well.......the other night, Bethany (age 9) wanted to make some cards, using a rubber stamp. We were talking about ideas, and I asked her what colour of paper she'd like to use and what ink colour. After making those choices, she excitedly asked, "Can we fry them, Mom?"

So, after we stopped laughing, I told her that, yes, we could "fry" her cards too! :)

Thank You

How does one say "thank you"? I have a stack of cards sitting on my dining room table...waiting for me to write words of gratitude. I am grateful to so many people who have helped our family through this time of loss....and yet I am at a loss for words.

How does one put down on paper how much an act of kindness means? To you, it may 'just be a meal' that you dropped off, whereas to me, it meant that our family would actually be able to sit down to dinner that night. To you, it was 'just a donation'...to us, it is a gift that was made in Gram's name that will allow her legacy to live on and to help others. To you, it was 'just flowers', and yet to us, they are a beautiful symbol of remembrance and love. To you, it was a 'small part' in the funeral service, and yet to us, it was someone coming along-side us in our loss and need. To you, it was 'just a prayer, a card, or a hug', but to us, it meant the world. It gave us the strength that we needed to take that next step through this process of saying good-bye. Without all of these things, we would be hurting alone. Instead, we know that we are loved, and surrounded by friends and family who care. By each one of you giving of yourselves, we have been supported and carried.....and most of all, loved. You have been the hands and feet of Jesus, ministering to us.

So, thank you to each and every one of you, my friends, from the bottom of my heart.