we met online 5 years ago on a prim forum and were both fascinated with an artist trading card tutorial ...we had no clue about them or where to start but we swapped our first cards for Valentines day all those years ago...
mine
lesleys ...
we were both hooked even though it took 3 weeks for me to get my mail from Canada (((....and we decided that we needed a forum to swap on......well, we couldn't find any beginners ones [well we probably could but they were a bit formal] so what did les do? she said lets start up our own and so the yahoo group atc for beginners was born with two beginners themselves leading it :)
I remember thinking at the time what if we don't get along , I hardly know this girl....oh well I can always bail !!!! but I knew in my heart it was going to be great ride......
I discovered that we were both technique junkies and continued to share our love of mixed media all these years....
it was only ever a small group but what lovely group of girls from all over the world and we quickly formed many long lasting friendships......
les was always there encouraging us all and she loved to give everyone nicknames.....there was one post I remember where we all became lester , jenster, tamster , beckster and so on.....
the group lasted about 3 years (there's a reason beginners groups don't last very long........ we don't stay beginners any more !!) and we swapped countless cards and ornies which I am very treasured to have....
she loved sunflowers......
one of her early atc's
....her cat Rosie,
.....going for bike rides with her partner
and she loved her paint and paper.......
she was so generous too.........I remember she sent me a paper bag book she had made .....just because....( I will miss our just becauses) filled with tags and little bits and pieces and when it hadn't arrived after 3 weeks she made me another one and sent it.
anyway about 1 week later I get this book and email her and say how thrilled I was and how much I loved it .......and how quick it had arrived....... the very next day another book turns up [ the first one] ....... we had a laugh about it and I ended up being the lucky one cos I have both these books that she spent so much time making....
I would've posted a pic but I've packed everything up while I've been painting....
she also participated the little book of atc techniques and last year she didn't do just one background but 4 absolute beauties.... that was just the type of giving person she was...
I don't have many regrets in my life but I have always envisaged that one day I would get to travel to Canada, the US, UK and wherever else I get invited on my Blog Couch Surfing tour...:)
it was my dream to visit les and play with some paint and paper, we often used to talk about it....id put that dream aside the last 3 years while life has taken over but now ill never get to meet her and what a loss that has been.....
she left a big footprint in the online world and testament to that is all the wonderful stories, love and outpourings of grief on her Facebook......
my heart goes out to her partner and all her family and friends all over the world........
9 comments:
Wonderful post about our mutual friend, Lesley!
Beautiful tribute Jen... Love it... I had forgotten about that Les paper doll.. so cute... funny girl.. I remember how excited she was about making it..just giggling away..... am so going to miss her...
Kath
xoxo
A wonderful and heartfelt post Jen... and a fabulous tribute to a very special and beautiful friend... she will be missed by many xxx
Jenny ♥
Oh Jen...what a beautiful tribute...our lovely Les will be missed by so many..Big Hugs! Jan xx
A beautiful and heartfelt post Jen.Sending you hugs xxx
Very well said Jen, it is a great loss for many of us, such a shock. thank you for writing such beautiful words about our dear, sweet, Lesley! She is smiling down on us for sure! And the paper doll of herself, describes her perfectly! Made me laugh when I saw it.
A lovely tribute to a lovely and generous lady. There certainly will be a gap in the blog world.
so sweet to read about Lesley and how she touched so many hearts
... at the risk of coming out of left field it is no accident that your paths crossed even if it was long distance ...
if you believe in an afterlife I feel sure you WILL get to meet Les there one day (it may seem like a long time to you, but only the blink of an eye for those that have already crossed over)
I realize that is small comfort now...
but from what I have learned through my grief journeys even our pets are waiting for us on the other side
hugs and I hope this hasn't come across as odd ... hard to put it all into words here
gentle hugs to your hurting heart dear Jen
oxo
Hi Jen,
What a lovely tribute to our dear sweet Les. I was so saddened to learn of her passing over the weekend. I will remember her as a very kind and talented artist and feel fortunate that our paths crossed swapping matchboxes on flickr. (I was just re-admiring the one you made me for the Valentine swap!)
Hugs to you. My prayers and thoughts are with her family and friends.
xo
JoAnne
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