Thursday's story behind the stamp

Happy Thursday. 

If you have arrived from the Stampotique Designer's Blog you are looking for the story behind this stamp.  This image comes in a few variations.  Lissi , as seen above, Lissi  with her little friends (large and small) and her buddy "Midge," also a stand alone image.

 Lissi, a dear friend of over twenty years shared her childhood photo for me to manipulate into a stamp graphic.  The photograph allowed me to play with the lines and contrast to make a stampable image.  The story behind this stamp is not so much about the little girl, it's about the woman who has become family to me.

Years ago, I found myself in graduate school working on a Masters Degree in supervision and administration. This was something my father encouraged me to do, but my heart was still in art.

When I walked into my first class I saw a sea of faces that merged into one with the exception of Lissi.  Lissi was flamboyant with a shot of blue-black hair.  She wore a fashionable, red sweeping cape with jewelry Frida Kahlo would envy.  She had a hearty laugh. I watched her across the room.  As was I, Lissi seemed a little bored with the presenter, laughing and chatting with another classmate.  She seemed to be a bit of a rebel and I liked that. 

Lissi evidently noticed me too and approached me at break.  That was the beginning of a twenty-one year friendship. 

Lissi is a lover of the arts.  Her home is a jewel in the desert of Cave Creek, Arizona.  Her walls are a dance of crimson, mustard, teal, lavender, and cobalt.  Her art collection reflects her world travels, but mostly her love of Mexican folk art.  She is theatrical, artistic, a singer, a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a generous and loving friend to many.  She even was a pilot.

I became little sister.  We spent a summer based in Cuernavaca, México traveling, collecting crafts and photographing our journey.  It was an absolute lifetime memory and I couldn't have done the trip without her voice and guidance.

Then came cancer.  I didn't want to believe it was true.  My friend fought her battle with so much courage and dignity.  She was concerned about having her hair at my wedding and being able to dance. She did, and she did.

She found her therapy and healing in stamping. Stampotique was then a shop in Phoenix.  Lissi had become a regular.  It is thanks to my dear friend that I have had the opportunity to work with Stampotique.

We traveled to Mexico again, this time with our husbands.  We each took suitcases filled with art supplies, and spent time crafting with the ocean breeze blowing into our beachfront casita.  The four of us have cruised, visited wine country, dined and shared wonderful memories.

A lovelier person you could not meet.  Today, my dear friend fights several health challenges and never complains. She lives with pain everyday.  She can no longer do her crafts, however, but still has her hearty laugh.

I love Lissi.  She and her husband are family to me.  This stamp image is so special as it represents my friend and the joy she holds in her heart.

Please say a prayer for my dear friend.

Wishing you all well. 

Until next week.  Janet