Today I sent handmade cards to Lasting Hearts, a charity born from the emotional pain suffered by Kimberly Saldana, founder of Lasting Hearts, after her miscarriage. She was greatly helped by a book that was given to her, Angela Miller’s You are the Mother of All Mothers, and she is determined to get this book into the hands of other mom’s who have lost a child. Lasting Hearts raises money to buy the books, and doctors distribute the books to their patients. She also collects handmade cards to give to the book recipients. It’s such a simple gesture really – but it must be quite healing to receive this gift, from a stranger with a caring heart.
“Lasting Hearts is here to help comfort mothers who have lost a piece of their heart. Losing a child, whether in pregnancy or older, can be one of the hardest pains a parent can endure. We would like to raise awareness and show other mothers that they are not alone, that they are stronger than they realize, and that there are people out there who care dearly. Hopefully, our story will move others to do just that.” Lasting Hearts Fundraiser
My cousin and her husband recently suffered a miscarriage. They were very excited to be having a second child and were devastated by their loss. Mourning a miscarried child seems to come with a different set of rules though since there is no actual birth, no photos, no name and no funeral; almost as if the child was not “real”. There are no memories of the child to comfort us and talk about, which complicates the grieving process and also makes offering sympathy very difficult.
So, we are being given a wonderful opportunity to offer a supportive hand to these parents by giving a donation if we can. The link to the fundraising site is here The charity also has a facebook page if you would like to learn more.
Cardmakers should visit the Lasting Hearts facebook page to verify current needs of the organization and verify that the address has not changed:
2892 N Bellflower Blvd. Suite 216, Long Beach, CA 90815
I’m sharing photos of the cards I created, six each of three styles. I struggled a bit to keep them simple with subdued colors, neither of which is my typical style! It seemed logical to avoid bright colors and bling. It took about three hours to create all 18 cards, including design time, so about ten minutes each.
One of the easiest cards to create is to stamp a design and then use an embossing folder – very quick and easy. I used Colorbox Paintbox ink pads, Pastels and Brights, for the first card set. Round medallion stamps were used with a we r memory keepers medallion embossing folder. I rounded the bottom edges for a softer look.
The second set of cards uses Recollection pale gray cardstock and stamps from Big Red Rubber Stamps (in the center) and Hot Off the Press, both of which are called Peacock Feather. I heat-embossed Memento Sweet Plum, London Fog and Summer Sky with Ranger Clear Detail embossing powder. Since I had no sentiment stamps that seemed appropriate, I created one on my computer, printed and cut out with Spellbinder’s oval die and inked the edge with Sweet Plum.
I used the same sentiment on my third set but cut with a Spellbinder’s scalloped oval. I embossed the cardstock with a Darice tree embossing folder.
Will you be making cards for Lasting Hearts? Please let me know in the comments and if you would like me to post photos of YOUR cards, let me know!
Smiling at you,
Catherine
The letters cut from the card front were used to decorate the custom-made envelope
2016 Cachet
2016 Postmark