Cards For Kids

In life we all know someone who has been touched by cancer or some other terminal illness.  With each disease comes many days filled with stress, worry, and uncertainity!  Regardless of  the person, when it comes to sickness it is always so difficult to watch and to deal with. But when that person is a child who is experiencing these horrible situations, our hearts seem even heavier and more broken.  For those of us who have to sit by and watch these precious ones go through so much pain and hurt, and wonder how much more they can endure, a feeling of helplessness comes over us and we hang our head in dismay. To be able to make everything better is undoubtly the desire of our heart. These families are my real heros. Dealing with all of this while raising a family, working and finding time to connect with life in general is so much to do. And still they do it! Day in and day out!  What amazing faith and strength these families must have. That in itself is such a blessing to those of us who know them personally or know their stories. These little kids seem to keep going on and the thing that leaves me in awe and amazment is the ability of these little ones to encourage others with a laugh or a smile, and to make everyone else believe that everything will be okay - everything will workout in the end. What amazing and courageous people!  I pray that these families will know that there are so many people praying for them and bearing their precious children up before God. I pray that has each one goes through days, that are too difficult it feels like it hurts to even smile - that those days would be the ones that Jesus would walk into that room, embrace them in His Mighty arms and comfort and strengthen them like never before. That they would recieve a new strength and more courage to keep keeping on!

The wonderful thing about all of this is the love of those people who have come along side these families to share in some small way.  That they care and want to do something to help ease the pain.  One of these very special people is Jennifer McQuire.  If some of you do not know her, she is a lovely lady with such a big heart for others and for God. Her need to help others is such a blessing, and her giving of herself always comes easy. She also instills this heart of love and giving in her children. Her 15 year old daughter Kay, who is now taking over her Mom's blog while she is away at CHA (and doing a wonderful job I may add) is also very caring and compassionate. This can be seen in her love for cardmaking classes with younger kids.
Jennifer McQuire and her team of helpers have been doing a card drive in honour of these sick children. Her Cards for Kids is such a worthy cause. It inspires those of us who are cardmakers to send  a cheery card and to also send our prayers of support to the families. Please click on the above link or check my sidebar to see how you can participate in this very important event.

Another lady who has come alongside to help with child cancer is Deedee Anderson! She is the owner of Deedee's Digis.  A digital stamp store that offers wholesome and inspiring images. Deedee and her family have also been touched with the death of a very special little girl and in honour of this little sweetheart, a special set of Digital Stamps have been designed.  The proceeds from the sales of this set will be donated to the National Childhood Cancer Foundation. To find out more about her story and tribute check it out here.
To support Childhood Cancer and to purchase this set of stamps, please see "Cuties for a Cure" in my sidebar. Thank you so much for your support and for helping in this small way. It is so appreciated! Hugs!

Today's cards are actually mini cards using "Cuties for a Cure".  They are so cute and are sure to bring a smile to some boy or girl! Sorry so many pics but there are 12 images in this set and I wanted you to see them all - okay.  These cards were made for the Cards for Kids card drive and also submitted in the SRM monthly contest.  So here they are!

Close- up Shots!

Supplies List

Stamps: Digital Stamps - Deedee's Digis, Punch: SU, Letter Stickers - Creative Memories

Cardstock: SU & Recollectins, Inks: Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Inks

Ribbon: SU, Dashes & Dots/Michaels, Daisy D

Pens: Marvy, Gel Pen/Tombo, Adhesives: Fiskars

Thank you so much for dropping by and for giving me the opportunity to share something with you that is close to my heart. I love to make cards but, more importantly, I love to make someone smile. I bet you do to!  So why not reach out to someone this week.  Maybe send someone a card, or phone someone for an inspiring chat. Maybe you can give a big hug to those you know just for being in your lives, or simply give a stranger a smile. As humans we all strive to live happy lives - what better way to live than striving to make someone else happy.

Love you all and praying for much happiness in your lives and everything you do!

Hugs & Blessings!
Dana