my turn in the Six Players rotation to work on Gina’s “shades of white” theme…
as some of you may know Gina left this world suddenly near the end of November 2010…
the India pages she created for me are wonderful and so magical…
they were some of the last pieces she made…
starting her white pages was tough for me…
I finally got busy on Tuesday, 8 February not knowing that my sweet Mother had slipped away in her sleep that same morning…she was not discovered under early evening…
I had selected the quote below a few days before as inspiration…
“My soul her wings doth spread
And heavenward flies,
Th’ Almighty’s mysteries to read
In the large volumes of the skies.”~William Habington (1605-1654)
the one thing I had set aside for Gina’s white pages were some white feather wings…
I was thinking ‘white swan’…I {heart} swans…
but when Gina died it quickly turned into an angel’s wing…
Gina had sent punched pages that she glued background onto…
I added a little gesso to these center pages with dictionary background…collaging with fabric and paper…
the dove is a TAP transfer done on thin cotton…
I stamped onto a piece of delicate handkerchief…
added computer generated words…
stitching everything together before gluing it onto the page…
bits of lace…papers and trim sewn onto watercolor paper to create the heart…
the border at the bottom was made with tea dyed lace…
paper flowers with vintage white buttons glued in the centers…
my last page is a collage with a mini trading card…layered netting…gauze…laces and ribbon…
the “HAND MADE” is from a cigar box strip and the daisies are pieces of an old necklace…
my tag for Gina’s Shades of White…
which I made after my mother’s death…
the only new thing I have managed to create so far…
a good friend of Gina’s…Kathy…has kindly stepped in to help finish our Six Players swap…
“It is the color of a dove and in some places a color of mourning.” ~Gina Wise, taken from her beautifully written inspiration letter for her “white” theme to each of the players
Magpie's Nest ~*~ Patty Szymkowicz 
Oh how sad about Gina, and sorry for your loss this must be a difficult time for you ((hugs)). I really love what you have made a lovely fitting tribute I think.
Love Dawn xx
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I am constantly keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for comfort. This is beautiful art with such an emotional meaning – yes a beautiful tribute.
Love ya – Marilyn xxoo
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Little pieces of divinity made all the more poignant by the departures that surround their creation. It is so apparent that these pieces of your work are touched with love Patty. Just beautiful. Pen x
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oo what beautiful work you have created here…xo
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They are beautiful Patty…I can see heart and soul.
Hugs, Amy
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Whoever receives Gina’s book for her, will treasure it I’m sure.
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What a thoughtful tribu;te…I’m proud of you.
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You have created some beautiful and inspiring work here.
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I was chatting with a friend about the blogs we visit, and why, and which we would hate to lose. Yours is the perfect example of all that a blog-post should be; not just beautiful creations, but beautiful words and emotions to go with them.
Once again you have managed to bring life through the sadness. Take care my friend, and never stop touching our hearts.
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The pages are beautiful, Patty, a wonderful tribute to your dear friend. How prophetic that she had chosen this theme and this colour for the book. There is so much love in those pages; thank you for sharing it and for sharing your thoughts and feelings, we all share a little bit of your sadness. xo Rhonda
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Oh, Patty, so beautifully done. My last pages to create for our swap are Gina’s. Have not started yet and should. I too know it will be hard but spiritual in that these are all turning into a moving tribute from us to Gina’s spirit. Take care, my friend, hugs!
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When I saw you had posted something, I simply HAD to stop by and have a look. What can I say other than these are truly gorgeous spreads. I know Gina and your mom are both laughing in heaven right now at how you interpreted these pages.
I will be thinking about you while traveling to California today and tomorrow, and in the days that follow. You know my thoughts will be with you because you are the most giving person I know.
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Patty….those words penned above by Nigel…DITTO. What a wonderful comment that captures the essence of my own sentiments.
These pages are so gorgeous. That button border over tea-stained lace…love, love, love. I esp. adore the thread {floss?} you used and the texture of those centers.
The emotions I feel when I look at these pages…such a capture of real life….elegant beauty mixed with heartaching loss. Xo, Sue
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Patty, Such lovely white work. So beautiful. I’ve been keeping you in my thoughts.
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Dear Patty I am saddened to hear that your mom left this earth, but thankful that it seems to have been very peaceful.
Your work is so beautiful and I am sure your mom was a huge influence on your sense of creative style, what a wonderful legacy your family is left with.
I especially love the dove and the sentiment “written in the stars”…how elegant and appropriate!
Tina xo
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Patty, these pages are filled with light and love. They’re absolutely stunning. Many blessings, Terri xoxxo
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These white pages are so carefully and symbolic and lovingly made… it comes through the computerscreen as a light breeze… awesome Patty!
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They are so precious and so special, Patty. You really honored Gina and your mutti in your work. It is a personal and aesthetically beautiful creation. How interesting that you started to work when your mutti had died. I wonder if she had a hand in the creative.
Much love and may the creative muse continue to return and bring you healing!
Suz
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What beautiful work…and I agree with all that Susan just said. Your artwork is so full of your love and the depth of your feelings… it has great beauty, Patty.
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Stunning pieces and a most beautiful tribute…. warm hugs…. steph
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Now I and crying Patty. How beautiful. Thank you.
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Patty,
Thank you so much for your beautiful art. You truly poured your wonderful creative time and talent into this project. Please know that Gina is also smiling on you “from the wings of a dove”!
Eileen (Gina’s Soul-mate)
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Beautiful work..sad because of the reasons but what a lovely thoughtxlynda
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Patty .. what a beautiful work of art for your lovely friend. so sorry to hear of her loss but what a gorgeous tribute to her..
xoxo
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What a sad and emotional post, dear Patty! I am in thought with you and press you tightly. Take care of yourself my dear!
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Very pretty Patty. And what a great tribute to Gina (and your Mother). The quotes and softness of feathers and lace ~ along with the embellishments ~ are sweet.
Thinking of you daily,
Jan
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These are very lovely pages… So happy that you are starting to create again.
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So much love in your pieces Patty ….. take your time in the re-entry process. Your heart is so tender right now. Take your time.
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Dear Patty, how this post touches me. My heart so feels the loss of your mum and how you expressed these feeling’s in Gina’s book is simply beautiful and heartbreaking. I feel quite certain that as you were making this piece, many thoughts of your Mutti were in your heart, perhaps making what poured through your fingers all the more beautiful and meaningful.
I hold you close to my heart, knowing your heart will heal, but the loss will never disappear. Hugs across cyberspace to you.
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This must have been so difficult for you to create right now, but I think they were also part of your own healing process. They’re lovely.
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Oh my, Patty, my heart goes out to you. I know the loss you must be feeling and I’m sending a loving, warm hug your way. Your pages and tags are so gorgeous and so perfect.
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Just… simply…stunning.
Amazing details.
I want a white book of my own!
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Patty your pieces are beautiful and very heartfelt…..you’ve had a really sad time over the last few months, take care of yourself……xx
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Patty,
How beautiful! Thank you so much for the wonderful tribute to Gina. You will never know how much this means to those who loved her. Two doves will appear on Gina’s headstone.
How sorry I am to hear of your mother’s death. I will be keeping you close to my heart during this time.
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Patty, even with your loss, you manage to create such beautiful art. I think this is one of the most wonderful way to honor the loved ones we lose. Each day you can dedicate some act to your mom and Gina, such as planting a flower, taking a walk in the woods, making art, or reaching out to others. This helped me immensely when my mom died several years ago.
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Wow wow wow Patty wonderful creations. Love them all.
Love all the little details. Great work.
Have a lovely weekend my sweet friend.
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These pages and tags are simply stunning. Your inspiration was great and the result – a true work of (he)art. So glad to see you also had a trip to an inspirational shop. Good to keep your glass full, my dear. xx,
Autumn Clark
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Oh Patty, your pages are fabulous as always. It’s amazing the quote that Gina wrote…. She would have adored your pages!!! You’re in my thoughts constantly, it’s so hard to lose a parent. Hugs dear friend.
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so beautiful patty. the detail of the tea-dyed lace with buttons on top is just so wonderful! thank you for sharing all you do.
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I am so inspired Patti by your wonderful use of white ~ gorgeous tribute!
Loving Blessings Dear ~ Katie
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Beautiful work and post dear Patti, big hug! x
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