thank you cards – Shazza J Creations

On the Sunday of my first weekend back in Singapore (the 28th of April), my younger brother from another mother invited my auntie, uncle, cousins and me to what he called “A Stout Brunch” at his home. He explained that it was like a champagne brunch but with stout instead. He’s a chef from high places so I wasn’t going to argue! I had spent the evening before with his older brother sipping on flavoured margaritas till the early hours of the morning. Because I was drinking the night before, I skipped my usual evening medication and consequently, I was a tad worse for wear that morning in terms of pain. However, there was no way in God’s once green, now polluted earth that I was going to cancel brunch. I did think that it might end up being a short catch up though.

Brunch was amazing with bacon, eggs, baked beans, toast and the tomatoes which somehow sneakily traveled to my other mother’s plate. Sneaky buggers, those tomatoes! There was much love and laughter with amazing people whom I hadn’t met for 7 long years. And it was great meeting his partner and kids whom I’ve never met. Even told his partner that if he did anything dumb, it could partly be my fault cos when he was much younger, his brother and I accidentally dropped him on his head! Oops!

My uncle and auntie kept checking if I was ok but I am so grateful that the pain remained manageable for longer than I expected. Maybe the Pina Colada and some “refreshing” Midori and lime concoctions helped! We were even entertained by an impromptu concert put on by his kids. I was grinning so much my cheeks hurt. It reminded me of all the times my cousins and I performed for the family at various family events when we were kids, trying to “extort” money from the adults to fund an expedition for the cousins.

The party may have lasted for a whole 7 hours, but the memories and the feelings of love, togetherness and fellowship will stay with me for a long time, if not forever. Ironically, Facebook reminded him that we were out together exactly 10 years to the date too!

This card is a tad late, but I think it’s never too late to thank someone when they have done something so sweet and created such amazing memories.

Image: From Cute Digi Bundle by Lee Holland Art

I would like to submit this card for the following challenges:

Outlawz Twisted Thursday – May 23 – June 5 – Anything Goes

Outlawz Festive Friday – May 31 – June 13 – Anything Goes

Crafty Catz – Challenge #464 – Anything Goes

Colour Crazy Challenge – Week 20 – Anything Goes Colouring

Penny’s Paper Crafty Challenge – Penny’s Challenge 432 – Anything Goes

Jo’s Scrap Shack – FFC #284 – Anything Goes

2 Crafty Critter Crazies – Challenge #27 – Anything Goes with “critter”

Crafty Animals – Challenge #27 – Anything Goes

Until my next project, Happy Crafting!

I just got home from an 18-day all expense paid trip to Singapore. All because my beloved cousin wanted me to experience watching Phantom of the Opera live. It was an amazing trip spent with so many loved ones; my heart feels overwhelmed and my eyes fill up in gratitude. I have so many people to thank so I’m on a mission to make thank you cards for the people who took the time to make special moments and memories with me.

I just completed the first of many for a special person who’s like my adopted mother. We shared many laughs and she made some tough times more palatable.

For this card, I experimented with distress inks. I’ve had them sitting in my ink tin for a while, but I’ve never taken them out to play with them. I cut out a background image using my Brother Scan and Cut machine and used that as a stencil. I find that I’m pretty happy with the result considering it’s my first go at distressing!