Hello, friends. I’m happy to say we are safe. We slept in the shelter last night and we had 2 other people with us, so it was actually fun. I missed having casual non-war conversations with people. I came home inspired, all fired up, and full of energy. Life is certainly not what it used to be, but things can be worse, and I’m grateful for what we have now.
As always, if you want to donate, please reach out to my friend Denzil. I have a lot of info HERE.
Today I have a card for you! It’s something a made last weekend – the card is simple, but I enjoyed the process of coming up with this design.
I love Simon’s Sea & Sky stamp set and have used it in the past. This time I skipped using the middle section and just stamped the sand in Melon and sky in Seafoam. I added a sentiment from the Follow The Rainbows stamp set – I love the shaded design of the letters and stamped several seagulls from the Seas and Greetings set.
Here’s another closeup:
Thank you all SO MUCH for all your immense support! It’s your comments, your emails, your DMs, your donations – all of it. It all helps.
SUPPLIES
I’m listing the products I used below. Click on the link to go directly to the product. Where available I use compensated affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support
 Simon Says Clear Stamps Seas and Greetings Shop at: SSS |
 Simon Says Cling Stamp Sea and Sky Shop at: SSS |
 Neenah 80lb Solar White Cardstock Shop at: SSS |
 MISTI Stamping Tool Shop at: SSS |
 Tsukineko Versafine Onyx Black Ink Shop at: SSS |
 Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Ink Pad Melon Shop at: SSS |
 Simon Says Clear Stamps Follow the Rainbows Shop at: SSS |
 Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Ink Pad Seafoam Shop at: SSS |
 Fun Foam Sheets Shop at: SSS |
 Bearly Art Mini Precision Craft Glue Shop at: SSS |
 White Foam Squares Shop at: SSS |
Dear Yana, I’m so glad you were able to have others over to stay with you in your safe place. Sounds like it did you a world of good! ☀️ You are always finding a way to be grateful, and gratitude always helps keep your heart open and it lifts your spirits! So good work! You’re doing everything you can to help yourself and your country! Your card is beautiful. It makes me smile every time I see your beautiful cards and the lovely messages you choose. Sending you a big hug and so much love amd hope! You are in my heart and my thoughts always.
Blessings to you! Sending many prayers!
thank you so much Audrey!
thank you so much, Shelly! A big hug to you as well!
So good to read that you’re staying safe. I think about you and your situation every day. Thank you for the continued updates! Take care. ❤️
thank you so much Ellen ❤️
Thanks for taking the time to share this pretty card. You are such an inspiration. Many of us had our world turned upside down when COVID changed our lives. Now all that seems like minor inconvenience. Our community and so many in our country continue to pray for peace for Ukraine. I hope you can sense the love and concern we all have for you. Please stay safe and THANK YOU!
yes! People joke here that they miss the news about Covid, as considering everything happening else it is such a minor thing.
So good to hear you are safe. I’m worried about you and everyone else in the Ukraine. I have no experience to alway me to truly understand what all of you are going through. Prayers.
thank you, Barb! I appreciate your kind words and support!
Hi, Yana – I love your CAS card. I remember your using this stamp set earlier. If I don’t have it, I should order it b/c I really like the cards you make with it.
Glad you got time to talk and get your mind off serious things a bit w/ friends. I cannot imagine how much fortitude it takes not to focus on the negative and instead look at things positively. You inspire me so much!!
Hugs,
Lori S in PA
thank you, Lori! Subconsciously I want to open the news and read the latest reports all the time. But I stop myself and only read the news once or twice a day. It helps. Other times I still take my phone and read something horrid and it leave me numb for hours. Especially when I see news about violence toward girls and women in the East of the country. I put myself in their place and I freeze. Fear paralyzes me. Nobody should live through this.
Love the card, you are always inspiring! Thank you for all the inspiration! You are a brave woman, and so strong- must people would not be able to even think of a card to make with all that you have going on there! You are in my prayers- stay safe! ❤️❤️❤️
thank you, Brenda. Card making helps me to take my mind off. It is my therapy, I don’t know what I would do without it.
I echo the previous comments. You are respected, admired, and loved by many. I hope you feel it and it warms your heart. Stay strong! <3
thank you so much, Loni! ❤️❤️❤️
Beautiful card and I am definitely thinking of you daily. Praying for your safety and Peace for Ukraine.
thank you so much Gayle!
Not easy to conjure the sights, sounds and scents of a summer beach scene at this time of year, but you have managed it, Yana. You are a magician! It is so good to know you had a social time with friends last night, a much needed, spirit-lifting blessing for you all, in the midst of everything you’re enduring. Stay safe again tonight. You’re in my thoughts. Hugs & Love
thank you so much, Melodie. It helps to be among people. Even when we talk about war. We calm and comfort each other.
Lovely card Yana and I’m so glad you are staying safe and enjoying the company of friends! We pray daily for your safety and the safety of your country. Our biggest request is for peace and care for all the people of Ukraine. Our daughter-in-law’s Mom is from Ukraine and still has family there, our DIL was raised by her Ukrainian grandmother, learned Russian before English.
Thank you, Sheri. We are all doing our best. Russian is widely spoken in Ukraine, although it is not the national language, the Ukrainian is. I imagine the family mentioned is somewhere in the center or east of the country? Are they safe?
Hey, Yana. It lifted my heart a bit to hear that you spent some time with friends and actually had some fun. You — and all Ukrainians — have been in my thoughts and prayers daily during this time and are definitely implanted in my heart. I have had to cut back on the amount of news I watch just because it hurts my heart so very much and there are so many stories that have elements that I can relate to in my own life experience. It’s so frustrating to feel so powerless as I’m sure you can relate to. I grew up in the military and lived with sirens going off at different times of the day and night. Most of the time is was a drill but while living in Germany there were a few times that the sirens went off because there was danger in the area. Really frightening. I can only imagine how it feels to hear the siren and know that each time it goes off there is potential danger. Last night I was meditating and, God forgive me, Putin’s face came to mind. I actually enjoyed punching him over and over again. Apparently I’ve been holding a lot of anger towards him … and understandably so. I wish there some something magical I could say to help you through this and/or make it all stop. Until I find those words(!!), I’m sending you a hug.
Beautiful card!!! So glad you made the best of a bad situation. Happy that you had some “fun” !! Sending hugs and happy thoughts!!!
You and your family are on my mind daily hoping that you are still safe. Thanks for sharing your cards with us Sending prayers your way.
This is so serene and peaceful – I hope peace will come to you soon
so gorgeous