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Wednesday 22 February 2012

Simon Says Stamp DT Card - Sweetheart Brigitta & Reflecting

Good morning peeps,
Yesterday I sat in my craft room & not achieving much I started daydreaming & looking around me at all the hundreds of rubber stamps, pads of paper, reams of ribbon, mountain of flowers etc & thinking how much my life has changed!

Three & a half years ago I never even knew a rubber stamp existed apart from the one's the cashiers in the bank or Post Office would use to stamp "paid"on bills. 
My weakness used to be shoes & handbags, now it's pretty papers & little bits of etched rubber. 
I loved buying things for our home to make it look nice, now I still love buying nice things for our home but often with the intention of taking them apart & using on my cards. 
I used to think I didn't have time for a hobby, & now I'd be lost without it.
I loved having a garden full of flowers, now I'm not content with a garden full I also "need" baskets, boxes & drawers full of pretty paper flowers, and why? 

I'm sometimes in hubby's bad books because he's tripped over a storage folder of papers, or I've "borrowed" something from his toolbox, or when he's horrified that I spend £5 on in his words " one felt tip pen", or I stay up very late to finish DT comments then wake him up trying to sneak into bed, or when my laughter gives me away as he's telling me something important or serious & he realises I'm reading someone's blog instead of  fully listening to him, or when he gets caught with Len (the postie) complaining he needs a big fat Christmas tip for delivering all my parcels, or I spend too long wandering around the craft shop, or because he can't hear the TV over the racket Ali & I make oohing & aahing at over pretty papers or sweet stamps, or when he shakes his head wanting to know why I need more in his words "crap" when I have so much already. 
As I reminded him yesterday, "it's all your fault lovely man as it was YOU who spent weeks trying to convince me I would enjoy making cards after buying me a card making magazine which I didn't want",  so the silly man only has himself to blame lol.

Today is new challenge day at
& this week our challenge is 

My lovely teamies & I are showcasing CC Designs or The Greeting Farm products this week & I'm so pleased we are as once again I have dug into my stash of poor neglected stamps & remembered why I needed to buy lots of these little cuties.
Ingredients -
Medium - Copics
Flowers - Magnolia, Prima & stash
Twine - Hemptique
The Copic colours I've used are -
skin - E000, E00, E13, R30, R20, hair - E37, E35, E33, E30, dress & shoes - B95, B93, B91, wings - C3, C1, C00, tights - C1, C00, G82, G40
As always our lovely Heidi is sponsoring our challenge with a mahoosive $50 in store spending spree.
Don't forget to keep an eye on the STORE BLOG peeps, leave a comment and you could win all sorts of lovely goodies :)
I'm entering my card in the following challenges -
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - celebration, Lollipop Crafts - anything goes, The Crazy Challenge - use a punch or die, 
Seems A Little Sketchy - sketch, Inky Impressions - bright colours, Ladybug Crafts Inc - Spring is in the air, Make It Monday - anything goes, Stamp With Fun - shapes, Paper Sundaes - birthday, Stamptacular - charm me

On this day the 22nd February 17 years ago my sisters & my worlds fell apart as we lost our lovely dad after his battle against cancer. I was only 25 years old then & absolutely devastated beyond words, but I am so proud he was my dad & so grateful that my dad had been with us on the most important days in my life, to give me away on my wedding day & to proudly cuddle his grandchildren.
My dad was of the typical "old school" & when we said "love you dad" he would get all embarrassed & quickly mutter "yep you too", but would buy us birthday cards with the soppiest words ever in & he would write "I mean the words, lots of love Dad" 
He loved a party & was king of the dance floor, he was very protective of "his girls" & he expected men to be men, to be tough & strong. He was the First Aider at work (butchers) & would tell a man with his thumb hanging off to stop being a wimp & stick a plaster on it & get back to work, yet went to pieces when Tracey (baby sis) cut her head open, or Debbie (older sis) gave him his first grandchild, and was an emotional & nervous wreck on my wedding day telling the vicar he needed another minute before we went in the church as he was trying to compose himself :)
Although I would give anything to have had my dad with me for more than 25 years I am so grateful for those 25 years & the memories I share with my sisters.
Some years it hurts too much to acknowledge the anniversary out loud, I get stressed & tearful but can't bring myself to talk about it, but this year I feel able to do what he would want, & raise a glass, & a smile in his memory.
 I will love and miss him always.

My dad & me
I must say sorry to my baby sis, if she hasn't shed a tear already today I know she will when she reads my post, and Tracey, in dad's words "stop that booing" lol.

Apologies for the long post peeps, there's just no shutting me up today lol.
Thanks for stopping by

61 comments:

  1. Hello Mandy, congrats on the card is beautiful.
    I am sending you a big hug, I thankfully I still have my parents but I was touched to read your post and feel your love for your dad.
    Kisses, Monica

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  2. Oh Sweetie, hugs to you - your post has me crying too! Stunning card as always and the first part of your post made me laugh - sounds just like my hubby with me! big hugs, Jane xxx

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  3. Hi Mandy, I just had to comment on your post. The first half had me laughing out loud, so much of what you said was so familiar! The second half of your post was so moving and the photo of you and your Dad is just beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Pami x

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  4. Really beautiful card, I love those delicate edges and those papers are gorgeous
    Lindsay xx

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  5. What a beautiful card.
    hugs Linda

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  6. Hi Mandy - firstly your card is absolutely amazing..perfectly coloured and just fantastic. Secondly - HAHA! Your post is so so true at the start...I can sympathise with EVERY BIT! And lastly my thoughts are with you on this day...Wishing you all the best and thanks for sharing your lovely memories :)

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  7. Another great card, Mandy! Sweet image, coloured beautifully, fab papers and stunning embellies!

    It's true our hubbies do have to put up with a lot at times, especially when he can't see HIS desk for all MY paper bits, or use HIS computer because I'm always on it (even though I have my own!), but I'm sure they wouldn't have us any other way!?! I lost my Dad at 11, so know what it's like to lose such an important part of your life - all you can do is cherish the memories and live each day to the full. Thanks for sharing and hope you and yours find comfort in the good times. Hugs, Lisa x

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  8. Supercute card - I love it with the edge border!! And Birgitta too...!

    ; - )

    La Vikinga

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  9. G'day Mandy, I loved reading your memories of your dear Dad, brought to mind the memories of my Dad whom I lost in 2005. I remember such a wonderful childhood with him and although I had my Dad for longer than you had yours we still miss them when they they've gone don't we.
    Eels

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  10. You are absolutely right Mandy, he is totally to blame LOL.
    Your card is so gorgeous :o)
    Sending hugs to you. I never knew my Dad as he died a few days after my third birthday!
    Jackie xx

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  11. oh this is really beautiful Hun,love the colours and those papers are just so beautiful hugs Cherylxx

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  12. Mandy, a touching post from you, I can see a lot of you in me and probably a lot more folks too. I lost my dad when i was 23, I didn't get a chance to say goodbye, like you was heartbroken, memories are a wonderful thing and so precious. And where would I have ended up if I hadn't gone down the crafting road. As for hubby's, they are proud of us really even if they have a mumph and grumph now and again. Take care. Another sweet adorable card from you. Carolxx

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  13. A gorgeous card, Mandy. I still miss my dad terribly even though it was a good few years ago now, when he died just after we lost our mum, of a broken heart more than anything else. That was such a dreadful time as you can imagine, so I know only too well how you are feeling. Sending you hugs.
    Tine :)

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  14. A gorgeous card. I love the colours and the flower arrangement is fab. The first part of your post had me laughing out loud - all of it is so true. The second part nearly moved me to tears. Thinking of you,
    Nikki x

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  15. Hi Mandy
    Firstly can I say chum your card is stunning as ever!! and your post on your stash goodies and hubby had me in giggles :):)loved it...
    Oh' chum I was reduced to tears reading your memories of your Dad and what a handsome man he was,and you a wee cutie...
    I lost my Dad 13yrs ago and also my my only sister 8yrs ago she was only 46yrs old I miss them both everyday, I'm so glad that you felt able to write this post today and share it with us Thank you chum, I hope you have a wonderful day..
    Lots Love & Hugs
    Sarah x

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  16. Hi Mandy,
    I love your pretty card. Such a sweet image and perfect embellishments (as always).
    Luckily I don't have a husband to moan about my craft addiction so I can buy as much as I want - lol.
    Your post about your Dad had me in tears and I am sending you the biggest of hugs. I know how you feel as I lost my Dad from cancer when I was 13 (many years ago now) but still remember him on his birthday and even now, still shed a few tears.
    Hugs
    Denise xx

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  17. Fantastic Blog post!

    Smiling and laughing a lot when I read the first part... Then the sad part about your dad... But so Beautiful written.. Thank you for sharing.. And that photo of you and your dad... WOW.. Beautiful Photo!..

    Adorable card.. with that Beautiful Edge punch around.. Great Colors and those Butterflies are The cutest!..
    Big Hug! And I will be thinking of you today! :o)

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  18. Awh!! hun..lovely post, both funny and sad..I can relate to the hobby addiction as my husband calls it..but it's not just the cards, it's reading lovely blogs like this, and sharing in some lovely moments, be they happy or sad..I lost my dad 12 yrs ago, but was lucky enough to be the eldest of six children, so had him a long time in my life.. sending you big hugs on a very special day..
    Marjorie
    xx

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  19. Hi baby girl..awesome sweet CC image & lurve the soft colour combo & punch work.. so pleased you can celebrate your dads life.. memories never fade..I lost my dad 8yrs ago he was 82.. 1yr to the month (FEB) I found out I had BC..I cried so much cos I needed him to tell me I would be OK..thats when I missed him the most..my mum died 32 yrs ago..but dad was my rock a big gentle giant..thanks for sharing I need to dry my keyboard now..lol

    smiles blogging mummy x

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  20. Hi Mandy,

    With great pleasure I read all you had to share with us today. First part sooo funny, crad so sweet and last bit so touching! I lost both parents to that horrible cancer and the older you grow the more you miss them but as I always keep telling myself "nothing can take away the fond memories!".

    Hugs, Irene

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  21. The first part of you post has me and OH in stitches (sorry but I had to share it with him after the time we have had!); then your card is stunning as usual and then you manage to have me in tears Mandy. Not in a bad way - just that I empathise with your feelings. I lost my Dad in 2000 and never had a chance to say Goodbye and have suffered ans still do to some extent terrible guilts that I was down here in London when I should have been in Scotland with him. I still miss him lots and think of him every second of every day - not morbidly I have to add. I have so many happy glorious memories and that is what you have too hun! Beautiful picture of one very proud Daddy you got there! Sending you a mahussive hug!! Sheila:)X PS Thanks for sharing your very emotional day with me :)

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  22. elle est magnifique avec de jolie couleurs printanière bravo
    Bisous

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  23. Hi Mandy, what a lovely card this is! Great colours and I love that punched edge! Thanks for sharing your feelings on your dad. I was moved reading it, and looking at the picture the first thing I thought was: 'Gee what a handsom guy!'He looked very happy, you both do in the picture. You're so right to celebrate your Dad instead of mourning, I'm sure he would have preferred that too! Hugs, Frea

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  24. Hi Mandy,

    Your card is beyond stunning and I just love all the touches of butterfly embellies :) What a touching post and piccy of you and your Dad, big hugs to you as you stroll down the fond memory lane :)

    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp!

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  25. Phew, bit of a big post lady! The start of your post has made me laugh out loud, my OH doesn't understand crafting at all or my obsession with pretty paper. The part about your dad is so sad, he was obviously very loved and loved you more than words could ever say. Your card is stunning, love the blues and greens and all the fab detail xxx

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  26. My thoughts are with you today. Lovely card, really like the flower edges.
    Hugs,
    Babette

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  27. Hi Mandy, Oh YES, I have a room full of must haves and needs (most of which still have to be used) and everything costs £5 which backfired when I asked for some money off hubby for a show I was going to, mmm.... you know the rest.
    I love everything about your card. The colouring in is awesome, you have brought her to life.
    I lost my mum nearly 12yrs ago so I really feel your loss. Big Hugs.
    Sue W.
    ps waffle all you like I love to read all.

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  28. Hi Mandy, I don't get chance to pop by often but love reading your newsletter with a cup of tea or a glass of wine depending on the time of day lol! This post made me laugh (your DH sounds just a little like mine lol!). Gorgeous card as always so much beautiful detail. Your dad I am sure is very proud of you all, how wonderful for you to have such beautiful memories! Keep well, take CareX:)

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  29. Hi Mandy,
    Love your creation, it's beautiful with all the borders and that gorgeous image.
    That picture of you and your dad is very beautiful. Big hug for you.
    HUGS, Yvon

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  30. Beautiful card. I love the flower doily in the background.

    hugs
    Jayne
    x

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  31. This is a lovely post Mandy! My Dad died this time last year and it was very unexpected. At the moment I feel like I am falling apart too, infact Ive been crying all day today. So your post was very encouraging to me, and helps me see that I am not alone but others have been or are going through the same too. Thank you! Your card is very beautiful too!
    Love Pearl x

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  32. Beautiful emotional post Mandy...beautifully told, straight from the heart...sending cyber hugs to you....

    Gorgeous card, love the edging, so pretty.Gorgeous image and colouring...just beautiful.

    Luv CHRISSYxx

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  33. Oh this is gorgeous Mandy as always a joy to pop by your blog and see the amazing creations. Thank goodness Hubby brought you that mag.
    My Hubby is the same moans a lot but if he's not working he always asks if I would like to go to a craft shop and when there he always finds something that I've been looking for.
    My Postie is the same, he's an old friend from school and moans a lot but I think sometimes he brings me parcels that should go in the van for me.
    How sad you lost your Dad so young but pleased that you can remember him with a smile as well as tears.
    luv
    Debby

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  34. Mandy, u bugger, I am sat here tears streaming my face, first laughing as i always do when i pop by, lol, then crying, hun ur amazing, I know how awful it is to lose someone so close very well and I am sure ur pops would be very proud of you, He sure was handsome hunny, anyway on to the card, FAb, as always, i love that stamp and its so good seeing you using other stamps bar Maggie's lmao,
    No its brill hun, well off to do some surfing, luv foreva, Kenz :-) xx

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  35. Oh Mandy hunni just when I thought I would cry buckets you made me laugh out loud with your comments about your dear dad. It is nice that you feel able to share it with us all on here too sweetie.
    I know what you mean about your Ian - I have similar in Graham. He complains when I'm sitting in my studio cos I'm not in the house with him and then when I'm in the house with him he is nodding off in the armchair!!! Typical! Bless him though, he never questions any of my purchases - mind you that might be because I have them all delivered to my office at work and then put them away before he gets home!!! ROFL
    Oh by the way, love your gorgoeus card, so pretty.
    hugs
    Dawn xxxx

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  36. Lets start our by saying OMG your first comments on how much you've changes hit very close to home with me. In 2003 3 years after my mom passed away I suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and was forced to leave work and seek therapy. I found my therapy in creating which let me to scrapbooking and ultimately to card making. Yes my life too has changes in very similar ways from buying clothes and shoes I now buy stamps and paper. I think we were twins separated at birth lol.

    Your card is gorgeous and as always colored perfectly and embellished fabulously.

    I have to say Yeah for you in raising your glass in a toast to your father and remembering him so fondly. You and your sisters are very fortunate to have had such a wonderful dad! Sorry he had to leave you so early. Thank you for sharing with us your passion for creativity your fabulous work and your past memories.
    Hugs Bonnie

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  37. Ack Mandy, what a beautiful heartfelt tribute to your Daddy. He would be very proud of you, no doubt. And as for Hubby vs Crafting! They will never understand why we need to buy more "crap" but deep down Im sure he is delighted and over the moon that he introduced you to something that you truly love doing and have such a talent for. Your wee card is really pretty. Lee x

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  38. Stunning! She's gorgeous! Thank you so much for joining us at Make it Monday! Remember, to be in the running to win the prize from our sponsor this week just leave a comment for another entry. Be sure to mention you saw them on Make It Monday. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning Good luck!
    Rene :D

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  39. Big Hugs to you Mandy hun, I am sure your Dad would be so proud of you, especially how you have written your blog post, so emotional and touching.xxx

    As for your hubby PHAHAHAHAHAHA dont all men just ask for it! lol. Your card is beautiful love the detail, thanks for joining us at Inky Impressions. Joey xx

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  40. First of all I want to say that the memories of your father are impressive. He looks great on the picture.
    Second, I want to say that your card is really beautiful. You did a great job!
    Thanks for joining this weeks challenge at The Crazy Challenge.
    Good luck to you!

    groetjes, Ellen

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  41. Mandy big hugs to you and your family. Your dad sounded like a great bloke and it's a sad thing you only had him for a short time in your life.
    I also have similar situations with my hubby over crafting. I'm now up late whilst he is in bed and will get muttered at later! I am also a "fire hazard" in his words over in my crafting area and as for spending mmm best keep quiet on that!
    I love your card haven't inked up a cc designs in ages!
    Hugs Rebekah xx

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  42. Loved your story about your husband. I think many of those comments he makes are familiar to so many of us! I can't believe he's the one who got you going on card making though - that's a riot!

    Your card is really lovely, especially the flower border. Thanks for playing along at Seems A Little Sketchy. Hope to see you back again for another sketchy challenge. :-)

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  43. Hi Mandy this post is the reasin I love blogging so much! The first part was so funny and I'm sure everyone thought you were talking about each one of us, the card is truly beautiful, it stands out in blogland as a unique 'Mandy' creation with fabulous colouring as always, and the last section of your post was so moving, I lost my dad to cancer 9 years ago now but think about him everyday and trasure the times I had him for.
    And now one reason I'm here in hte first place lol.....thanks for blinging it up at Diva's this week and good luck with the challenge
    Hugs Laurie x

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  44. OMG me again! after reading your wonderful post I got all confused!! I should have said....
    Thanks for sharing it with the Ladybugs this week and good luck with the challenge lol
    Hugs Laurie xx

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  45. See what I mean...come for a cup and stay for the pot! Here I am weeping at your post, yet laughing at the same time. Girl, you are making me loopalicious!

    Your top part is totally me and my hubby....he's tripping over my stuff or looking at my drawers (no, not those ones) and he just shakes his head, though when he comes to sit at the table with me while I am in mid-card mode, he does not shove my stuff an inch....he mearly places himself at another spot, just to "spend some time with me" and boy does he get PISSED when I try to "listen" to him talk to me while blogging! Big MISTAKE! LOL

    Your card is delish! I am so gonna have to get in on that one and BTW when does SSS want another DT member !!!?> HUH ?!! HUH?!!>

    LOL

    Your story of your dad makes me weep, as my dad passed when I was 13. I never REALLY knew him, heck I barely knew myself! He never knew his grandchildren & never saw his children marry! I'm happy you had 25 yrs! That is something that will stay with your forever!

    Take Care.

    PS- off to see your candy post.....seee I knew I looked around for a reason!

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  46. Stunning card....
    Your post made me laugh and cry!!! I'm so sorry for your loss, must be so hard each year....
    Thanks for joining us at LCI this fortnight,...

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  47. Great card! Love the colors. Thanks for joining us at stamptacular sunday.
    Hugs, Heleen

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  48. Wow, this is gorgeous! Saw you at Make it Monday. ~Diane (I am #115)

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  49. Oh Mandy...you made me laugh, then cry!!!! Your hubby sounds just like mine...it truly is THEIR fault isn't it?? Your card is GORGEOUS, I don't even know what to say, it is so pretty!!!!
    Hugs to you,
    Chris

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  50. Lovely card, love the coloring its just gorgeous, Thank you for joining our challenge at Stamptacular Sunday this week

    Hugs Winnie DT

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  51. Oh mate you have posted since this one but I just had to comment here! I laughed at your first post about hubby buying you a card magazine, he must have seen your talents before you did! When they have been with you as long as our other halves have, sometimes I think they know us better than we know ourselves! The second part of your post had me in tears. your dad sounds like a wonderful man and you are so lucky to have had him in your life. Oh and you card as always is fantastic, your colouring is awesome and I love the flowers on the main card too. Take care my lovely, lots of love Your Essex Girl! Tracey xxx

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  52. I know exactly how you feel, my Dad was my world and not a day goes by that I don't think about him and miss him. I find comfort in the fact that I was so lucky to have such an amazing Dad. Thinking of you....

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  53. Mandy, your card is gorgeous. But, your post has made me cry. As you know I lost my dad last month, I'm 35 and feel cheated, I should have had them longer. But, your dad sounds just like mine, after my mam died 10 days before him he wouldn't let me visit him if I was crying. He was a mans man, rugby playing, beer drinking, welder who when he held his grand kids for the first time had a tear in his eye, and was wrapped firmly round my daughters little finger.
    Hugs,
    Bex x

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  54. What lucky girls we have been tohave had such special dads, my dear daddy has been gone nearly 13 years now and believe me, I understand your loss, I thought my sun would never shine again and there are still days when I see only clouds!
    Your card is a stunner! Thanks for joining our TLT Spring themed challenge this time,hope to see you again tommorow for our new challenge, Julie.x

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  55. Amazing card. My heart goes out to you and your family ! Be strong My friend !

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  56. Hello Mandy,

    What a lovely Candy thank you for sharing.

    Greetings Anneke (holland)

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  57. Hello Mandy,

    What a lovely card you make .
    Thank you for sharing.

    Greetings Anneke(holland)

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  58. Super sweet card Mandy, love the flowery edges... fits the card and image so perfectly! Also what a lovely tribute to your Dad, he sounds alot like my Father... he had 3 girls, me the oldest and was exactly the same way... I laughed and shed a few tears over this post! I lost him only 5 years ago, but smile every time I think of him, thanks for sharing!
    Crafty Hugs,
    Pendra

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  59. Sending a hug to you - beautiful words remembering your Dad.

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  60. Hello
    Super wonderful card! Great JOB!
    -Sony - DT Lollipop Crafts

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  61. Hello
    Super Fabulous card! Great JOB!
    -Sony - DT Lollipop Crafts

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Thanks so much for hopping over to visit & taking the time to leave a comment
Mandy xx

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