In honor of my dear friend Charlene (Bert)

A short while ago, Heaven got another angel, and we lost one here on earth.  Charlene truly was an angel with the purest of hearts, and she will be sorely missed.  Today is her birthday, and the CCEE group (members and alumni) is honoring her and her friendship with what we do best...Cards

In Jan. of 2006, I joined Splitcoaststampers online stamping community and was a "lurker".  After finally gaining enough courage, I uploaded my first project the beginning of 2007, and Charlene was one of the first to comment and encourage my continued participation, in the challenges, as well as some other kind souls.   I had noticed a trio of ladies were challenging each other on a regular basis, just for fun, outside of the SCS challenges, and I thought that would be a fun way to "get to know" some stampers better.  So I contacted Cindy Motherway (Mothermark on SCS ~ one of those encouraging souls), and asked what she thought of starting such a group.  She was on board, so we asked a few others to join:  Frances Byrne (StampOwl), Carolyn King (Cammie), Cindy Haffner (Cindy_Haffner), Dawn Lusk (DawnL), Deb Mills (88 Keys) and, of course, Charlene Merrick (LilLuvsStampin).  That's how the CCEE (Cheers and Challenges Eclectic Ensemble - or encouragers) group was formed.

This was all before there were many different stamp companies, stores, and design teams, and none of us had blogs, so we each spent a good deal of time chatting in the SCS forums.  And let me tell you, we had a ball bantering.  Charlene was one of the best.  Everyone had a good time encouraging and teasing alike.  Some of the original group has left, other encouraging ladies have joined, and it still remains a warm, inviting place to be encouraged and meet stamping challenges, whether it be a new technique, color combination, or sketch.  That's how I got to know, and love, Charlene (or Bert as we called her...another story).

I never had the honor of meeting Charlene in person, but we talked on the phone on occasion, and corresponded through snail mail too.  The nice thing about the internet, is having an opportunity to make many friends throughout the world.  The disadvantage, is the distance.  We were always going to try and meet up, and just this last year I was going to try and arrange it since my daughter was going to college a few hours away.  But my daughter transferred, and it just didn't happen.  A huge regret on my part!!

So, this card is to honor Charlene today:  Her birthday.  She LOVED purple and penguins, and as many of you know...M&M's.  I decided to make a purple feather...in honor of the angel wings I'm sure she's sporting right now.

I colored the feather image (Fine Feathers ~ Waltzingmouse Stamps) with Tombow markers, spritzed it with water and stamped it onto white card stock.  I did the same with the sentiment (no water though), and added some Washi tape stripes along the left side.  That's it...clean and simple

Miss you my friend.

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Stamps:  Fine Feathers (Waltzingmouse)

Paper:  White (Flourishes), Black (PTI), Green (Bazzill)

Ink: Tombow Markers

Accessories:  Washi Tape (Bella Blvd and Little B), Corner Rounder Punch (EK Success)