39 - CSI & OUAS combined challenge

I loved the bright summery colours of the CSI challenge this week combined with the sketch from OUAS

For the challenge I have used all the colours and the sketch

EVIDENCE 

Rub ons

Leaves - Fabric and wood

Bird - Punched

Little bits and pieces - Buttons and the clock

Chalks - on the title

Wings - Butterflies

Frame - Stitched on the photo

TESTIMONY

I use the prompt "All I really need to know I learned from...."

and a closeup

The journalling reads:-

ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW

I learned from my friend & colleague 

BERNADETTE

When safely cocooned in my family of origin, I assumed I understood how the world worked.  However, when I started nursing, I discovered there are many version of ‘normality’. My family’s philosophy on life, with its‘stiff upper lip’ and ‘don’t complain, don’t explain’ ideologies, was not the only way to live.

Bernadette was my senior Nurse and mentor when I first began Nursing Training in a small country town.  I was still a naive kid and socially inept, when she tucked me under her wing, having noticed that I struggled with information overload and crippling shyness.

Her practical work ethic I understood, however hers was tempered with a keen sense of the ridiculous and good natured teasing.  She located my funny bone and massaged it into life.

She was a free spirit, made friends easily, loved to dance and play tennis and I was dragged along for the ride.  Gradually, my buttoned down mask dissolved in the warmth of her friendship.

Bernadette consoled me when I witnessed my first death and rejoiced with me at the miracle of birth.  We laughed and cried together as we experienced the raw and intense emotional extremes of a career in Nursing.

In later years we saw each other less frequently.  She lived a thousand kilometres away and we were each busy with our own families.  Yet, when we visited, we could just pick up where we left off.  I remember once, calling into her home for afternoon tea; husband and three kids in tow and leaving a week later!

Bernadette was an adventurer, she went abseiling, rode camels in the desert and travelled third world countries on her own.  She was a vivacious and courageous woman, authentic and loyal, witty and wise, like a sparkling star leading the way to Nirvana.

She died too soon, my dear friend, a swift and savage death due to cancer.  I cherished our friendship and I will always miss her. Vale Bernadette.

TFL and for any comments you may choose to leave.

If you are interested, I've included a list of products I used 

For the first time, I used Glimmermist on wet paper through a mask and I like the "messy" look I achieved on the background.

Mask - Crafter's Workshop - Gathered Flowers

Tattered Angels Glimmermist - Key Lime PIe, Patina & Patina

The flowers are from Prima, Kaisercraft, 

Enamel flower - Maya Road

Leaves - Prima

Wooden Leaves - Kaisercraft

Pearls - Kaisercraft

The punches are Martha Stewart - Doiley Lace and Birds on a wire

The rubs ons -  Kaiser, Secret Bird Society

Alphas - October Afternoon

Chipboard Title - Scrap FX

Chalk Inks - Colour Box

Cardstock - Jenni Bowlin Core Impression, Vintage Bright

Embossing Powder - Bobdex International

Buttons - Little Yellow Bicycle

Ribbon - Seam Binding, Spotlight