PTI Celebrating the Past, Present and Future 2008

Hello, Friends!

When looking back over my Papertrey Ink stamps, the set that I have which was released before any others is the sentiment set, "Everyday Blessings."  It was released in February 2008.  Because I didn't become a PTI customer until 2015, it had been around long before I found it.  However, it's one of my very favorite sentiment stamp sets and the stamp I used from it for this card is why I love it so much.

When I was in college, I was walking to a friend's apartment at 8:00 at night.  I was on one end of the block and the house, which had been separated into apartments, that I was going to was on the other end.  I called ahead of time.  I told people standing around to keep an eye on me.  However, there was one little spot with a great big tree where it was dark.  Based on the fact that I was being observant and paying attention to my surroundings, I believe that is where my attacker must have been hiding.  

As I passed the tree, suddenly an arm was around my neck, I was pulled slightly backwards and a voice in my ear said, "You have to come with me."  With God's help 100%, I remembered the self-defense moves I had learned in a class I had taken the semester before on how to defend yourself.  I stomped on his foot and elbowed him in the stomach.  He let go enough that I was able to get free and start running.  I ran as fast as I could to my friends house which was just a few doors down.  When I got inside, I let out a scream that was so filled with terror that everyone in the other apartments came out to see what had happened.

I filed a police report but the person who attacked me was never caught.  

At first, it was a big deal, especially on a small campus.  People were really supportive and very aware that I was dealing with this trauma.  As time went by, though, life went back to normal for everybody except the people that were in the apartment where I showed up screaming and shaking.  However, I was changed forever.  When I could sleep at night, I had nightmares.  I never went out at night by myself.  I was scared to go out even with other people.  To this day, I still won't go shopping by myself if it's dark outside.  If I had something to do, I would do it, but I would never randomly decide to go to Walmart if it was already dark outside.  

All of this brings me to why I love this sentiment stamp so much. 

"Someone remembers.

Someone cares.

Your name is whispered

In someone's prayers."

What I wouldn't have given to have received a card like this when I was dealing with the aftermath of being attacked!n A card that said, "I know everything else seems like it's gone back to normal, but I remember for you that it hasn't, so I'm still keeping you in my prayers."  

There have been a lot of other times that I could have used this card.  When my back was such a mess and no one could figure out the problem or when my spinal fusion surgery was labeled a failure, this sentiment on a card from a loving friend or family member would have made it a lot easier to deal with the difficult circumstances.  

During the past year, we have had two familes who are very dear to us in separate incidents loose loved ones to suicide.  One family lost their son and more recently, another family lost their grandson.  Enough time has gone by for both families that I think things are probably getting back to normal for everyone, except them.  Normal will never be normal again.  So I made two of these cards, one to send to each family.  I want them to know that they have not been forgotten, but that they are loved and prayed for on a regular basis.

I paired the sentiment on this card with the bird and branches from the Spring Woods Stamp Set.  I think it added to the peaceful look I wanted to achieve when I made these cards.  This is the card I started making while I was still sick.  This simple little card took three days to make!  One day, I die-cut all the pieces and stamped the birds.  The next day, I stamped the branches.  On the third day, I stamped the sentiment and put it all together.  That gives you an idea of how sick I have been and why my blog has been on hold for most of February.

If you know someone who needs a reminder that they are loved and cared for, please don't hesitate to send them a note that they have not been forgotten.  Speaking from experience, it will mean more to them than you will ever know!

To see more cards based on Papertrey Ink's stamp sets from 2008 or the Papertrey Ink post about stamp sets from 2008, click here.  

Happy Stamping!

I used the following Papertrey Ink products to make this card:

Everyday Blessings and Spring Woods Stamp Sets

Sweet Blush, Prairie Grass, Ocean Tides, Cocoa Bean, Honey Nut and Dark Chocolate Ink Pads

Stamper's Select White, Fine Linen and Dark Chocolate Card Stock

Spring Woods Dies

Dark Chocolate 1/2" Satin Solid Ribbon