remembering Sydney + more peeks

Today is a little bit of a sad day- Today was the expected birthday of Sydney- my best friend Autumn and her husband Mitch's first child. Sadly, Sydney was born and taken to heaven on Feb. 28th. Autumn was the most excited expectant mother, she was the happiest I had ever seen her during the months she carried Sydney. It is heartbreaking whenever anyone loses a baby- and for Mitch and Autumn- and all of their family and friends- there was no exception.

I made this shortly after Sydney passed away as a way to deal with some of my feelings at the time, and I thought today would be the best day to share it with you:

Autumn asked me to help her create a few special memory books for her with the photos she had from Sydney's birth and passing- it was an honor and yet a very challenging thing to do. I really wonder sometimes why I make all these pages and projects- what point it all has when I don't have children- but during that time- when all of us struggled to find a way to help, it was like a saving grace. Mitch and Autumn spread Sydney's ashes in the Pacific Ocean, and this week they are taking time away together in Mexico- a trip they were supposed to take a few months after her birth. I am thinking about them today.

I know a lot of you were wondering about the Seattle Stamps from yesterday's post- I promise that I will find out the scoop on those for you and post an update and a link if they are available online:)

Today is day 2 of a.muse.a.palooza and one of my cards was featured on the AMAP blog as a sneak peek- so I thought I would post it here for you to check out as well:

I love the little Alpine Hut! This was a slightly more *advanced* card compared to what I usually make: I started with the background, then I freehand cut out the mountains, the snow caps, and the little bit of snow trim on the bottom. I stamped the whole hut image onto the card after the layers were applied, then I stamped the hut on a piece of white cardstock, cut out just the *hut* part, and mounted it with foam tape, lining up the stairs and the sign. Then I just added the sentiment and the glitter, and colored it all in with my Tombow and Copic Markers.

I know I haven't been the most reliable blogger lately- I think the next few days I might be pretty MIA while I finish some very last minute CHA projects, but I will be back with more updates as soon as I have a few extra minutes. Sadly- I am not making the trip to Chicago this summer- I would love to get back to CHA, but I think I might save it for the Winter show in Anaheim. I have had a chance to see a few *new* goodies from some fave manufacturers though, and you won't be disappointed!! It's going to be a good holiday season:)

Hope the rest of the week is sunshiny and summery and full of fun!!
(((((hugs)))))
 

PS: I almost forgot! I have to give a shout out to SUE!! Sue is the sister-in-law of fellow blogger and vintage lover, Colleen (FreshVintage) - she recognized John, and then me, in the parking lot at Costco on Saturday!!! I was so tickled to meet her- and slightly embarrassed that she caught me chowing down a big Costco dipped ice cream bar!! Sue, it was GREAT meeting you!! xoxo

Comments

[amy lapi]

that album is awesome. you are supersweet.

[manon]

Oh that is so sad. I feel really sorry for them. Can barely find any words.

[april]

Jennifer, what a blessing you are to your friends. Remembering their daughter today is the best thing any friend can do in this sort of situation. My heart aches for your friends. They will be in my prayers.

[kristina]

What a wonderful friend you are, Jennifer. I will be thinking of your friends today and keeping them in my prayers. Love that card and that layout is so moving and beautiful. Hugs, sweet friend.

[michelle]

sorry about your friend's situation. I can't imagine...

on a better note, maybe i'll get the chance to see you in january at CHA! (cross your fingers... trying to get the new biz up and running in time to be a new exhibitor there!)

[Emily]

You are such a sweet friend. I am thinking about them today, too.

[moster]

My brother and his wife lost their baby boy on 3/29. They asked me to make a scrapbook of pregancy photos, hand and footprints and the 5 photos they had of him, along with TONS of sympathy cards. It was so hard to make the book and I cried through almost the whole thing, but it was so therapeutic and meant so much to my brother and SIL. I don't have kids of my own, either, so I think I know exactly how you feel!

[Kim Ryden]

You know that yummy coating on thoes bars? I work for the company that makes that and I work exclusively with Costco to make sure that it gets there on time! HA HA!

[Lisa Beaudry]

That is simply a beautiful thing you did for your friend.

[Tobi]

I've not posted on your blog before...only lurked. :) After reading what a true friend you are after such a life changing loss I had to write. I have always admired your fun loving spirit and your beautiful pages and I have always wished we could be BFF'S :)
Today I have a new respect for you and the respect you have shown your friends. I remember reading about a sad day for your friends a while back and your were so sensitive to not share what that was at that time. You have shared it now at such a special time so that we can all keep your friends in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for being such a special person and an amazing scrapper.

[Tiff]

First time here.. Love it love this.. Will deffently have to come back often

[Andrea Amu]

I am so sorry for your friend Autumn and her husband. I know all too well what it's like to experience the loss of a sweet innocent baby. You are such a wonderful friend for helping her to preserve her memories of her lil' girl! Blessings to you!