Design Thoughts: Well, I didn't think much on this one, actually. These two sets work so beautifully together. Placement of the half-pearls was trickiest. I wanted them to be balanced and harmonious to fit the theme of the card, so they are spaced pretty evenly with a bit of white space around each one. There are five because three looked lonely and an odd number usually looks better than an even number. I love these shades of blue and green together. They are so peaceful. Not sure why I rounded the two corners except that four pointy corners looked odd.
How-To Tips: The easiest way to place pearls is with a craft knife. I cut the glue strip holding the pearl down, then lift the pearl with the tip of the knife and place it where I want it.
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I picked up Hoover's remains today (we had him cremated like his big sister Shemya, but I simply refuse to use the term "cremains" which just sounds wrong to me). It was so hard! The boys were with me, and Jack just couldn't understand where Hoover was, even though I explained several times what happened to his body. When he saw the box we bought to hold the remains, he said, "That's too small for Hoover!" He just can't understand yet.
Nick did understand and was very helpful picking out a box and answering the very chatty lady's questions with lovely poise. If I'd had to answer her, I would have completely fallen apart and blubbered. He even joked as we pulled away from the pet cemetery that he'd be taking Hoover with him to college...his fur will be with us for a very long time.
I think a huge part of grieving for a pet is how everything you see in your house or do reminds you that the pet is gone. Hoover always "prewashed" the dishes as I loaded the dishwasher. Now I load alone. He always licked our ice cream bowls. Now the ice cream goes to waste. He slept by the side of our bed, so we'd have to step over him in the middle of the night. Now we step over him and then remember he isn't there.
Oh, how we miss him.
Supplies
stamps: PTI Turning a New Leaf and Signature Greetings
ink: Versacolor bamboo and atlantic
paper: PTI (of course)
accessories: half-pearls, corner rounder
size: 4.25" square
AS I was "decluttering" last week, I came to the dish and the leash and kept them. Do we need them? No. Will we use them even if we get another dog? No. I just couldn't bear to throw them away.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, have you seen Nicole's projects today with the ticket stamp and die set? I'm in trouble again this month. I knew I wanted the "books" set, but the tickets are too cute to pass. Help!
Love how you placed the pearls...just the right balance.
ReplyDeleteAlso loved Jack's comment. Pet fur is the gift that keeps on giving! Never heard the term "cremains" before....what an awful word.
Thank you, Susan G.! I had never heard that word before, either, and find it truly icky.
ReplyDeleteYour card is beautiful - just the right amount of pearls in just the right places. As for 'cremains', I think it sounds disrespectful, and tries to make light of a bad situation. There are some things that just should not be 'slang'ed, and remains is one of them. We still have tags and collar in the 'doggie' cabinet from several years ago. I too, cannot bear to just throw them away. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThe arrangement of elements works beautifully. I don't know that I would have even thought of the pearls but they belong.
ReplyDeleteHello Susan,I find myself wiping tears away after reading your post this morning. I’m very sorry for your loss. Hoover was a beauty; I saw the pictures from your other blog.
ReplyDelete7 years ago we had to put down our beautiful dog. She too was very sick. She was twelve and a half – she didn’t make it to thirteen. There is still a pang of sadness today, but mostly only happy memories remain.
This beautiful poem was sent to me at the height of our grief. Although it makes me cry to this day,it made (and still makes) me feel better:
If it should be that I grow frail and weak and pain should keep me from my sleep, then you must do what must be done for this, the last battle, can’t be won.
You will be sad,I understand.
Don’t let your grief then stay your hand. For this day, more than all the rest your love and friendship stand the test.
We’ve had so many happy years,
what is to come can hold no fears.
You’d not want me to suffer so
when the time comes, please let me go.
Take me where my needs they’ll tend. Only, stay with me until the end. And hold me firm and speak to me. Until my eyes no longer see.
I know, in time, you too will see
it is a kindness you do for me.
Although my tail, it’s last has waved, from pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don’t grieve that it should be you
who must decide this thing to do.
We’ve been so close, we two these years, don’t let your heart hold any tears.
Hi Susan, your card is classically beautiful the pearls are placed in just the right spots although it's difficult to say that the colour is green, on my monitor it's coming up a light sand colour:)
ReplyDeleteI still find hairs in funny places (in books?)from my beautiful cat that left us a year and a half ago. I don't think I'm too slack but they got everywhere, she was white!
I find it reassuring now to be reminded of her, it's not so painful anymore and I find myself smiling in her memory.
I am so sad for your loss. xxx
I have my dog's remains, too. It's soothing somehow to have him here with me.
ReplyDelete(((((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))
ReplyDeleteLovely card. *sniff*
Every November 1, although we are neither Catholic nor of Mexican descent, we celebrate our beloved Junior, Retha and Bob by making a little altar in memory. Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is one of the most beautiful celebrations I have ever witnessed. In Mexico truckloads of marigolds are brought to the cemeteries and relatives of the deceased clean up the graves, scatter flowers and have picnics to celebrate the lives lived. Altars are erected and items pertaining to the lost relative are placed in them. The most common are beer and whiskey bottles and packs of cigarettes along with pictures. It's a sight to behold! I think celebrating a life lived is much better than mourning the dead. We miss our beloved pets but we celebrate the pleasure they gave us and the fact that they knew they were loved. This November we will light a candle for Hoover, too.
ReplyDeleteSusan, your cards are just beautiful and I look forward to seeing your creations every day.
Such a beautiful card, Susan ... love the elegant simplicity.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read of the loss of your beloved friend. What a beautiful animal! I'm sure he's in a peaceful place now.
Omigosh, that poem ^ is so beautiful ... but oh-so-sad. I'm sitting here typing and crying as my pets are climbing over me, trying to wipe my tears away.
Loving an animal is a beautiful, rewarding gift ... but it's so hard to see them go.
We had to put our dearly loved family member / cat, Viggo, put down due to a cancerous growth a little over a year ago, and there are still days when the loss is hard to bear.
ReplyDeleteDonna Marie's poem brought fresh tears to my eyes, but was so fitting.
The fact that he's no longer suffering is what gives us comfort.
I loved your son's comment about the dog hair accompanying him to college!
I like that you rounded two opposite corners on your card. The blue gems are a pretty accent to your green leaves.
ReplyDeleteYour story is exactly like mine. It always takes a while to get used to a best friend not being there. Our dogs have been gone for a number of years now but we still have memories of certain everday things they participated in. Like when we have pizza one of use will say, "Remember when we used to throw the pizza crust edges and Katie would catch them in mid-air?". Nice memories like this will always be there with you.
Yes, it's the little reminders that catch you out. About a month after we lost our cat I noticed some of his fur still on the laundry curtain where he used to sit and look out the window - boy did that hurt, when you think things are returning to some sort of normal.
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely card.
This is absolutely gorgeous, and perfect, Susan!! (Your personal message brought tears to my eyes. Hugs.)
ReplyDeleteSheesh, your post makes me teary, the comments make me teary... I know it was months before my husb and I, even in our sleep, could stretch out in bed without making sure we weren't going to kick Jasper, the orange and white cat that was no longer sleeping at the end of the bed. And that first Christmas, we each independently had to walk away from the Christmas tree when we were putting on the tiny papier-maché apples that he so loved to bat off the branches.
ReplyDeleteEnough of that. I really like the elegant simplicity ;) of today's card.
"Cremains" = creepy. And it's used for humans, too...
Oh Susan, I'm so sorry about the loss of Hoover. Reading your post and thinking of what you're going through gets me all choked up. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteSusan, thanks for making the beautiful card for all of us. And Donna Marie, thanks for that beautiful poem. I'm going to keep it.
ReplyDeleteI've had to say goodbye to a few dogs in my lifetime and, even though I have two lovely dogs in my life right now, each one of the departed is so very much missed. I agree with you - it's all those everyday moments that make you suddenly remember he or she isn't there anymore.
Susan,
ReplyDeleteYour blog is always a site of inspiration - so thank you!
However, the last few posts have brought tears to my eyes and only now can I comment withouth being a blubbering idiot. We too had to put our beloved dog, Loki, to sleep a few weeks ago. Cancer was also the culprit for him. I *SO* understand what you mean about it being hard to let go because Loki's prescence and memory is every place in the house. He too was the pre-dishwasher :-). He was there when I woke up, when I got out of the shower. He greeted me at the door when I got home from work and insisted upon a walk that always made me feel better (even if I didn't want to go). The house is soooo quiet without him. Tears are slowly turning to fond memories but I still can't bring myself to pick up all of his toys or bed. Wishing you strength during this very difficult time.
Fondly,
Kimberly Green
My sympathy to you and your family. We all hold a special place in our hearts for our four legged friends. You made me laugh and cry when you talked about the prewashing and the ice cream. I know one of these days that won't happen at our house either. Take care. Kris
ReplyDeleteSusan, your card is beautiful. Love the rounded corners.
ReplyDeleteAm truly sorry for your loss. Dogs are such a huge part of a family. The unconditional love they provide, that sixth sense of just knowing, and everything they teach us .. no wonder the void is so huge when they leave us. Hang on to all your wonderful memories and stories. Hugs, Maureen
I remember that aching missing pain you get when your beloved pet dies. When my cat died a few years ago, I found it hard to return to my flat. Every time I opened the front door it hit me that she wasn't there running up to greet me. Made me feel like I had a big hole in my heart. I missed her so much. I know where you're coming from. That missing feeling is hard to bear sometimes
ReplyDeleteLove this card! Your ideas are great! You are in my prayers. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad to hear about your family's loss. I know from reading your blog and your posts about Hoover, that he was very much loved. The loss of a pet is so difficult, no matter what the circumstances. I know that Hoover knew he was loved and cherished. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to read of your family's loss, our dogs play such a huge part in our lives. I can only imagine what you are going though as I only got my first dog a few years ago, but I'll be giving her an extra special hug tonight.
ReplyDeleteLoosing a pert is basically losing a member of your family. We went through that just last year. The only time I ever saw my husband sob and we still miss our boy! . My thoughts are with you. Big hugs to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteSusan and Family, There's a lump in my throat and there are tears in my eyes. I cry for your loss and I don't know what else to say. I've asked our dog, Loki, to let Hoover know we all loved him through your blog. Love and hugs.
ReplyDelete