Elegant Embossed Chandelier

I made this card a long time ago, but was saving it for a special occasion because I loved it too much to let go.  I can only think of maybe once I made the same exact card twice, so when something comes out beautifully, I never want to send it off into the world.

But what better occasion than my wonderful mother's birthday?  I mailed the card, along with a thoughtful present, to my mom for her special day a month ago.    

I also made sure to call her and wish her a happy, happy birthday, too.  My parents used to make a lot of my and my brother's birthdays when we were kids.  We had wonderful parties at home, skating rink parties... everything we could have wanted.  After I grew up - and especially now after I moved back to the United States - I don't even get a phone call for my birthday.  I do get an email acknowledgement from each of them, though, and I have more or less gotten over the sting.  I know it's not that they don't care; it's just hard for them to manage the time difference (they don't want to bother me if I'm busy).  I also accept that they don't think birthdays are as important as I do.  Me, on the other hand - I really enjoy making a big show of appreciation of a loved one once a year.  : )

I used the heat embossing technique that I used for my friend Roochita and for which I prepared a tutorial.  As you can see in the tutorial, this chandelier rubber stamp is one of my favorite stamps for embossing, mainly because the bold lines make the embossed image come out sharp and clear.  You can see the raised, shiny texture of the embossed image below, but I really wish you could run a finger across it!

I'm so excited for my parents - they are mere months away from retirement!  Especially my mom, who rarely gets the opportunity to travel anywhere due to her job and other considerations, she will finally have some leisure time to see the world.  I have seen her work so hard my entire life, and she really deserves to spend the rest of her life doing what she pleases.  We've tentatively discussed going on a trip to Shanghai together next year (neither of us has been, and it looks like a lot of fun).  I think late spring would be a good time, yes?

I also hope to take her to Paris sometime.

Happy (belated blogging) birthday, mommy!  Hope you are beautiful and healthy and happy forever and ever and ever!!!!!