Its a toofer day

Yes, I ran out of time to do my Salt post yesterday and so it is "toofer the price of one" today.
Yes, almost as funny as the reason why Milliband chose Balls as his Shadow Chancellor - cos "two Eds are better than one".
I'll get my coat.

So ... Salt.
It was my turn to choose the subject and so I went for something that I needed to process and reflect on - bereavement. As I am a Minister I get to take funerals which is an enormous privilege. It is harder than you might think - a funeral itself is usually 45 minutes tops but there is a huge amount of emotional energy to try and deal with and I find them spiritually draining. I try and help the family to come to terms with the fact that their loved one has died. I know it sounds obvious when you are staring at a coffin but it needs that full stop. And also to let go of that person and give them to God. And to say thank you for the way that they touched the lives of others. A mixture of laughter and tears and tough moments and prayer.
But it is only the beginning really of the long hard road of living without that person and thinking about all the "what might have beens". I have suffered some bereavements in my life which had a profound effect but it was not until a close family member suffered an even greater loss that I began to realise just how hard this is. How long the path is. And that no-one else can travel it with you. Apart from God.

Which is why I am involved in Bereavement courses and set the tough challenge for the team this week.
Here is my take on "Walking through the valley of the shadow of death"
The photo I used was taken by my very talented photographer hubby. I had wanted to explain the significance but ran out of room (as you will see). See more here and click Phil's link for more information. It is a path that you cannot take without guidance from one who knows the way.
I thought that I would have plenty of room for the Bible quotes and my own thoughts on the left hand side but I had more to say than I expected.. I have a Creative Memories lines template that helped me keep the writing straight. I did some handsewing this time as I haven't changed my sewing needle yet.
Materials
Cardstock - Bazzill cream smooth
Papers: Pink Paislee(Parisian Anthology; Queen Bee) : MME (Lost and Found); embossed paper from stash
Embellishments: Copper brads and button from stash
Inks: Distress - Pumice Stone and Brushed Corduroy
Letters: Making Memories; Cosmo Cricket; Adornit: Jenni Bowlin
Here are a couple of close ups of the hard to read bits...
I do appreciate the wonderful work the rest of the team have done for what is quite a challenging challenge!

Asia chose a fabulous dare for the Daring Cardmakers this week!
It's All about Me!
where we had to choose some of our favourite stuff to put on a card that you would like to receive yourself. well... I should have made a bigger card as I had to take some bits off
So what are my favourite things?
Kraft cardstock - check
Square card - check (but the ones I have are smaller than my usual square ones. Sulk)
Pink Paislee Parisian Anthology papers (which I love so much I bought some more at Imagine That yesterday. I NEVER buy more of the same paper!) They look pretty without anything done to them (the mat for the photo above is the reverse of one of the papers) but when you put ink or spray or anything on them - oh my. They have a fab resist. Isued tow of my fave Distress inks - Peeled paint and crushed olive on the paper which I then faux stitched using the more time consuming punch and outline technique.
I used papers from another favourite collection - Crate Paper Restoration - hand cutting the doily and letting it hang off centre (which I love). The doily is covered in Glamour Dust but you can't really see it, not even up close. (The butterfly has white glitter on it)
then there is a little bit of ribbon, a sticker border and a punched border - there had to be a punched border - this punch is Fiskars.
On top I inked a Waltzing Mouse stamp for Nesties label 4, cut it out and embossed it and then decided I wanted to use my best new stamps and matching ticket die - my Christmas present from the adorable Sue Hyde and also bought from Imagine That.
A punched Martha Stewart butterfly on foam pads and some pearls and the card is complete. Phew!
Although now it is on big screen the card looks like it is leaning to the side to me, I do think the presentation looks professional. wanna see it before cropping?
My work and play desks are much more like the right hand side of the picture than the left!

I have quite a full weekend ahead. At one church we are trying something new by inviting the people in our road in for coffee to see what is needed by the community and if we can get something going. I wonder if anyone will come?
Two services on Sunday and in the afternoon there is a tea party at the other Church. For two sunday afternoons these are held so people know who their elders are (the Church leaders who have special care for them) and get to know others a bit better - ending in a short act of worship.
I hope whatever you are doing, you have the chance to be creative - it is good for the soul!