A Tribute To Charlene

Charlene Merrick 
22nd January 1958 - 2nd January 2014

Hi everyone,

As many of you may have already heard by now, our friend and fellow Design Team member lost her fight with cancer earlier this month passing away on the 2nd January 2014. Charlene has been battling liver and brain cancer for approx the last 12 months,

Charlene was one of the founding members of the CCEE Stampers which was formed in 2007 with our first challenge posted to SCS on the 2nd July 2007. In those days the challenges we did were just between eight stamping friends who had meet on SCS. 

Charlene was loved in the stamping community and was very active on SCS and also had her own blog WhereMMsGather and My Creations. Charlene will be greatly missed by all of us here at CCEE Stampers as well as in the stamping community.

Today would have been Charlene's birthday so we have invited the past CCEE stampers to join us in this special tribute to our stamping friend by either.

1. Creating a card depicting one of the things she loved which included:

 M & M's

Penguins

Purple

2. CASEing a card Charlene created from either her blog or her SCS Gallery

If you would like to join us in this special tribute to Charlene please add your link to your card using inlinkz at the bottom of this blog post. For those of you uploading to SCS you can also add the code CCEECharlene.

Lois - Clownmom Creations

I CASEd a card of Charlene's that I had put into my favorites on SCS.  Here is my card (in her favorite color of purple) in her honor:

Anne Harmon - Inkinginred

I cased a card of Charlene's in her favorite purple as well.  You can see her original on my blog.

Frances Byrne - StampOwl's Studio

Remembering Charlene, I am so honored to have known her. She was always a sweet fun person.  Every time I see M & M's I will be thinking of you. 

I CASEd a card Charlene created and used her favorite color purple and a penguin.

Cindy Haffner (Alumni)

In honor of Charlene, you will be missed!

My background paper includes Charlene's favorite color purple.

Brenda O'Rear /Benzi Stamps

I remember she posted her favorite colors are purple, red, and blue so that's what I went with.

Of course, I had to do penguins. 

Vicky Gould - Village Stamper Ramblings

I cased this card which I have had in My Favorites for quite some time.  Charlene was a very loving person, so I thought this conveyed her personality.

Cindy Motherway (Mothermark) - Alumni

In honor of Charlene's birthday, I chose to make a card combining her favorite things.  Penguins, Purple and M&M's.  I am so very sad that Charlene is not celebrating her birthday with family and friends, but her birthday party this year will be heavenly and speaks to the way she lived her life on Earth!  Happy Birthday Charlene! Thank you for being a part of my life!  Love you!  Miss you already!

Sabrina Friel ~ SCS Gallery

I was tempted to CASE one of the cards Charlene sent me - she was always so sweet and generous; but so that I could link to the original I chose this card from Charlene's blog, which she created for one of the CCEE challenges last year. I loved the way she'd popped up the bloom on the stamp - one of my favourite florals, and something I'd never have thought to do with that particular stamp. 

Joanne Grzelak -- The Inky Ocean Gazer

My intentions were to make a card with M & M's.  It is because of Charlene that I have several M & M related stamps.  However, as I went into my cardstock drawer my eyes were drawn to my folder of Vintage Violet cardstock, and I changed directions completely.  You see, Charlene LOVED the color purple, AND she particularly LOVED Vintage Violet.  I decided to go feminine and frilly and used this fabulous sentiment that is so true of my feelings for my dear friend......a friend who will always live in my memories and in my heart.  Hugs to you, BBB!!!

Carolyn King - Alumni

"In memory of our friend Charlene. I am so blessed to have known Charlene and I will never look at m&ms or the color purple without thinking of her. Xoxo ....until we meet again.

Cammie has created two cards for Charlene which are both inspired by her love of the color purple.

Tosh Leyendekker - Alumni

In honor of my dear friend Charlene, who was generous in spirit, and quick with humor! She is missed beyond words.

Shirley-My Pinkie is Inkie in Boxertown

In honor of Charlene's birthday, I just had to make a card with a penguin on it because that was  one of her favorite things.  Charlene was one of the sweetest ladies one could ever meet (although I never got the chance to meet her in real life)  and she had a wonderful sense of humor.    We did a lot of giggling over the years, here on SCS.     Love and miss you, my friend.

Dawn Lusk - Alumni

In memory of our dear friend, Charlene, I was privileged to have known her
and share in her love of stamping.

Amber Hillman - Amber's Antics

I used as much purple as I could while focusing on one of Charlene's favorites.... a Penguin.