This is my design team piece for June for Quietfire Design. It is WAY out of my comfort zone.
It's is dedicated to a longtime dear friend, family physician Dr. Deborah Duerden-McDonald, who died October 11th., 2007, eighteen months after a diagnosis of Inflammatory Breast Cancer, and fifteen months after marrying the love of her life, her Jamie. Debbie and I spent many long evenings crafting together, sharing a glass or two of wine. She generously bequeathed me the vast contents of her craft room, many of which were used in constructing this piece.
It's is dedicated to a longtime dear friend, family physician Dr. Deborah Duerden-McDonald, who died October 11th., 2007, eighteen months after a diagnosis of Inflammatory Breast Cancer, and fifteen months after marrying the love of her life, her Jamie. Debbie and I spent many long evenings crafting together, sharing a glass or two of wine. She generously bequeathed me the vast contents of her craft room, many of which were used in constructing this piece.
I'm not sure how well you can see the crows, so here are a couple of pics to show a little more detail. I used a Dreamweaver Brass Stencil, a musical background stamp and a sentiment stamp all from Quietfire Design.
This was posted in the Quietfire Design newsletter today (THANK YOU Suzanne),
so here's a link if you're interested in seeing the construction instructions.
Just a wee plug here, if you aren't signed up for Suzanne's QFD newsletters yet, you ought to think about it. They're like FABULOUS little mini-classes for all kinds of artsy things, and there's a collection of archived newsletters here, which can keep you busy for days! :) To subscribe to all the newsletters, click here, and then click on the top right where it says click here again. :) Thanks so much for stopping to visit again today. I'd love to know what you think (good or bad!) of my "out-of-the-comfort-zone" project.
I've been thinking so MUCH about Debbie lately. This piece reminds me of her, not at all because of the crows (lol), but more because of the sentiment, the music, and the things I used for it that came from her own special creating space. She had the most amazing gift of "collecting people" in her life, and if you were WITH her, you were happy, it's as simple as that. I was so incredibly blessed to be in her collection for so many years.
I'd like to share some pictures with you.
This Debbie and "her Jamie" on their wedding day by the sea, such a short time ago.
I'd like to share some pictures with you.
This Debbie and "her Jamie" on their wedding day by the sea, such a short time ago.
She always had this beautiful smile, she could just light up a room.
This is Debbie's "Run for the Cure" team. Debbie is in the centre of this photo...still smiling...
which was taken ten months ago, just shortly before she died.
Thank you for sharing all this with me today.
31 comments:
Deborah, this is such a beautiful post and tribute to your dear friend. Right this moment I'm happily remembering our lunch together at Timmies and you telling me more about her and her beautiful gift of "collecting" people. How is Jamie doing? The piece you've created is gorgeous. SUCH a lovely tribute. A lovely tribute to a lovely person.
Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer :)
Oh what a beautiful tribute! The art piece is just stunning - and she would have loved it! And seeing the photos of her, and her story, thank you so much for sharing. You blessed my day!
Hi Deborah...a C. of C. friend here from B.C.
You have a gift of matching the sentiment of your card with your art work. Your card is both well balanced and appealing to the eye.
I have to admit to a lump in my throat after reading your tribute to your friend. I thank you for sharing your happy memories as well as your many talents.
Take care, Marilyn L.
I'm so sorry about your friend, she sounds like a wonderful person to have shared part of your life with. Your tribute to her is wonderful, just gorgeous!
This is a beautiful piece with many elements that have meaning and memories for you. It is a true labour of love and a very fitting tribute to your beautiful friend.
HeatherJ
It's a beautiful tribute Deborah! I love that musical background stamp-I am a muso, and only have one musical background stamp-that would be a great addition as it's not too specific. I usually end up copying ancient music I have in my cupboards and using that!
Oh I am sorry that I had missed earlier that Debbie was also your great crafty buddy too! This is a beautiful tribute and collaboration of your collections! What a beutiful story it tells of both of you!
Thanks for sharing...Jan
This is an amazing piece without the story and the story makes it awe-inspiring. I can imagine that it was healing to make this and feel close to your friend. I seem to create gothic arches that reflect what is happening in my life, both good and not so good. It is cathartic to make art that has meaning. Thank you for sharing this with us.
A beautiful post remembering a special friend.
It is hard when you find a relationship with the wonderful people is far too short. Hopefully you will find more ways to honour her in a way that will keep the spirit of that relationship afloat.
what a lovely tribute to your friend. it and the pics brought a tear to my eye...special friends are truly a miracle. thanks for sharing with us
Cindi
A wonderful piece. Nothing wrong with creating when you're blue or at any stressful time. It's the best therapy there is. Gives you a healthy way to let loose of any hidden emotions. She looks like a wonderful person, such a fabulous smile. I'm sure someone will be very happy to have this in their home. No room in mine.
Deborah what a special tribute to your dear friend Debbie and how pleased she would have been that you used her inheritance pieces for it .
this has brought back the sorrow that such a valuable person had to suffer so and lose the fight for life. Love Catherine UK (COC)
The photos and story of your friend are very touching.. how wonderful that you both had each other to play with! My heart goes out to you... I am sure it is like losing a sister...
I just found out yesterday that a friend of mine is dealing with breast cancer right now... a heavy blow indeed.... hugs to all our women friends who have fought, are fighting and are helping others with cancer in their lives...
Deborah....A Wonderful tribute to your Friend! Beautiful Piece.
When I'm down....stamping is the best therapy but they don't always turn out like I would like them to...
Deborah, this is so beautiful. A tribute like this shows how her life continues to give to touch and give to others. She sounds like a wonderful friend, who love dlife and all it had to offer her.Thinking about you. Biker cow
Deborah this is so touching and beautiful. What a special way to honor such a friend. Her life is contining to touch others . She sounds like such a strong person. I can see why you two were such great friends. Biker cow
Oh Deborah...yet another special "tribute" to Dr. Debbie. Her beautiful spirit is definitely seen in this! She's smiling over you...I know it!
What a beautiful piece of art you have created. It is a special tribute that I'm sure she is smiling down from above. Thanks for sharing her story and pictures too.
Deborah, What a beautiful tribute to Dr. Debbie. I think of Debbie so often. I just came across the Christmas card she sent and it made my heart stop. Thank you so much for sharing this remarkable woman with so many of us.Hugs, maryk
I am so sorry for your loss...she sounds like a remarkable woman. You made a stunning piece as a tribute to her. Thanks for sharing!
BELLE REALISATION
BRAVO md
Deborah, it's a truly beautiful tribute to your friend and a very moving story. Sometimes the most beautiful things are made from our heart.
oh, your piece is beautiful! I love the marbling effect on the metal and it really is a lovely tribute piece. I'm sorry you are missing her so. It's not fair when the ones we love have to go. (((HUGS)))
Deborah, this is such a lovely tribute to Debbie. It's a gorgeous piece, and to know you've put it together with her help--how cool is that? You deserve her crafting goods, and I'm sure that's why she gave them to you--cared for and used BEE-YOO-TEE-FULL-EE!!!!
Deborah, this is such a wonderful tribute to your friend. Thanks so much for sharing.
Beautiful heartfelt tribute to your friend. A wonderful piece of art, as always. Blessings & hugs.
What a wonderful tribute to your dear friend. I followed your blog and Stamp Shack posts while your friend was fighting her battle and was saddened when she lost her fight.
I am participating in my 3rd 3-Day Walk for Breast Cancer with a team from work and your friend Debbie is one of the people I chose to walk in memory of this year. From your posts she seems like such a special person.
Teresa
Wow - this is a truly stunning piece of artwork and a very fitting tribuate to your dear friend. What a beautiful lady she looks, inside and out x
What a stunning piece of artwork and a beautiful tribute to your lovely friend - she looks s beautifiul and it shows that she is both inside and out. How cruel life can be to take away those tho make it their life to care for others x
what a beautiful woman she was.. a smile that looks genuine. How sad to have lost a friend through death like that but how wonderful to have had her for the time you did.. beautiful post .. I felt touched reading it and looking at those pictures.
What a beautiful tribute to your friend...I was diagnosed with Stage IIIB inflammatory breast cancer July 29, 1999! We have to educate people about IBC...I have had many family members and friends with breast cancer...but none with IBC! Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures!
Debbie Nelson
dnmissujen@aol.com
www.cfandbc.blogspot.com
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