Seas the Day! An Ocean Princess for Mckinlee of Florida

 McKinlee is turning 7 years old and she likes Disney Princesses.  She is receiving a Ocean Princess card which is a new design from the Crystal Expressions collection.  The card has ‘It’s a beautiful life’ mermaid art print with graphics of the ocean, seashells and starfish with a seaside border.

Random Acts of Cardness - October Card Shower 

Birthday Greetings for Alessandra of Florence, Italy

Happy Birthday to Alessandra of Firenze (Florence), Italy.  She is turning 41 and she loves flowers, countryside, villages, Christmas and animals.  She is receiving a Vincent Van Gogh bookmark of the Dutch Countryside.

Starfish Wishes for Debbie of Burlington, North Carolina

 A Happy Birthday card with It’s a Beautiful Life Mermaid for Debbie of Burlington, North Carolina who is turning 49.  Debbie loves Mermaids and paper crafting.  She also received a Vincent Gogh bookmark and magnetic cross.

Random Acts of Cardness - October Card Showers 

Happy Birthday to Anna of the Czech Republic

 

A ‘Thinking of you’ card with a Stella Art print and a Happy Birthday note for Anna of the Czech Republic.   The card also includes a bookmark to believe in your dreams.  Anna is turning 21 and likes art, painting, fashion and traveling.

Random Acts of Cardness - October Card Shower

Heart of the Sea Greeting Card

 Featuring our new 'Heart of the Sea' greeting card from Crystal Expressions.  The card has the Sisters of the Sea art print inside a blue heart.  The card is blank inside for notes and personal messages.  The original art is in color pencil and is decorated with sea horses and starfish.  

National Daughter’s Day - ‘We Remember Them”

In Remembrance of our daughter Crystal 

'We Remember them'

At the rising sun and at its going down
We remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and in the
chill of winter; We remember them.
At the opening of the buds and in the
rebirth of spring; We remember them.
At the blueness of the skies and in the
warmth of summer; We remember them.
At the rustling of the leaves and in the
beauty of the autumn; We remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it
ends; We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live, for
they are now a part of us as 
We remember them.
When we are weary and in need of
strength; We remember them.

by Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer

Crystal Michelle Fallin

Rankin Gardens & Atrium 

May 8, 2010 

Columbus, Georgia 

An Ocean Princess for Margarita of Arizona

 Margarita loves mermaids, princesses and Disney so she is receiving a Happy Birthday card with “It’s a beautiful life” mermaid art print with Ariel and Princess stickers inside the card.

Random Acts of Cardness - September Card Shower 

A Llama Birthday Card for Elieza of Heelen, Netherlands

 Featuring a new Crystal Expressions handcrafted Llama Birthday card.  The card is filled with unicorns, rainbows and hearts for Elieza of Heelen, Netherlands.  She is turning 7 years old and loves hearts and rainbows so she is receiving stickers with unicorns and rainbows.

Random Acts of Cardness - September Card Shower 

“Star Light, Star Bright” for Gala of Hidalgo, Mexico

 Star Light, Star Bright

First Star I see tonight,

I wish I may, I wish I might,

Have this wish I wish tonight.

Happy Birthday to Gala of Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico who is turning 6.  She loves Disney so she is receiving Daisy Duck and Ariel stickers.

Random Acts of Cardness - September Card Shower 

Dance with the Stars

 Featuring Inspirational Dance Card for Cards of Kindness Program by Scrapbook.com.  The card has an message of encouragement to "Dwell on the Beauty of Life."  Photography art is used to highlight three young corp de ballet dancers from their Strauss Ballet performance at Flagler College Auditorium June 1994. 

The cards are distributed to one of the following non-profit organizations:  KIDSAVE, Sunshine Acres Children's Home, Impact One Breast Cancer Foundation, and/or American Assisted Living Community.

Cards for Kindness - scrapbook.com

Crystal Michelle Fallin (1st Row, Center)

Advance Ballet, 1994

St. Augustine Academy of Performing Arts

“She Believed She Could” - Crystal Expressions Card

Featuring new Encouragement Card for Cards for Kindness Program of scrapbook.com in Gilbert, Arizona. A Crystal Expressions Original artwork of color pencil drawing with botanical die cuts.  

The cards are distributed to one of the following non-profit organizations:  Operation Gratitude, KIDSAVE, Sunshine Acres Children’s Home, Dignity Health, Lemons Of Love, Impact One Breast Cancer Foundation, Compassion Prison Project and American Assisted Living Community.

Cards for Kindness - www.scrapbook.com

Mermaid Kisses for Dale of Indiana

 A Happy Birthday card with ‘It’s a Beautiful Life’ mermaid art print for Kynleigh of Dale, Indiana.  She is turning 8 years old and likes dolls, mermaids and princesses.  Enclosed with the card are Ariel stickers. She cannot have a party due to health complications and surgery in December.

Kind Cards for Cool Kids

Disney Princess Art - Crystal Expressions

Crystal’s coloring of Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) when she was in elementary school 1991-1992.

Crystal’s color pencil drawing of Belle from Beauty and the Beast in 2016.

 In school, Crystal was creative, artistic and loved art.  She became interested in color pencil drawings in her twenties.  She was a self-taught artist in color pencil drawings and techniques and it  became her favorite art medium.  She often exchanged her drawings with her friends and grandmother.   She developed a love of Disney characters as a child and practice drawing and coloring them throughout her life.  The top two pictures above are her colorings of Disney’s Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) when she was a child and she continued her love of Disney characters as an adult.  The bottom picture is her drawing of Belle from Beauty and the Beast.  She used her art to show love and support to her family and friends.  

A Bolero Ballet - “Port Of Call” Show

 

On  June 1, 1997, The Premier Ballet Company of St. Augustine Academy of Performing Arts performed a ballet ensemble to the music of the Spanish classical “Bolero.”  The ballet was performed at Sebastian Middle School Auditorium in the “Ports of Call” show.  She was a member of the Theater Street Express choir and they performed songs of America.

In July 17, 1997, Crystal and two of her company dancers did a trio ballet performance at the I Love  Dance International Championships in Orlando Florida and won First Place for the 15-17 year old division.  Crystal just turned 13 and would be entering the 8th grade in the fall.  Her talent excelled for her age.  It was an outstanding accomplishment considering she was competing against older teenagers (15 to 17) who had more years of dance training then her.  She continued dancing until September 1999, and then she moved to Colorado Springs to live with her older sister, Stephanie and attend school in Colorado.

MacArthur’s Park Suite - A Lyrical Dance

 

Crystal was a member of the La Mirage Jazz Club and the group performed a modern/Lyrical dance to the music of MacArthur’s Park Suite on Saturday, June 3, 1995 at Flagler College Auditorium.  The dance was part of the ‘Back to Broadway’ show which also showcase The Theater Street Express choir.  MacArthur Park is a song written by Jimmy Webber and first recorded by actor Richard Harris.  The disco version MacArthur Park Suite was recorded by Donna Summer in 1978 with over ten minutes of music.

“Spring was never waiting for us,
It ran one step ahead 
As we followed the dance

Between the parted pages and were pressed 
In lover’s hot, fevered iron
Like a striped pair of pants.”

Those We Love Don't Go Away

Crystal Michelle Fallin, age 20

a Bridesmaid at her Sister Stephanie's Wedding 

September 18, 2004, 

Manitou Springs, Colorado

 Those we Love 
Don't go Away,
They walk Beside Us 
Everyday.
Unseen, Unheard
But Always Near,
Still Loved,
Still Missed
And Very Dear.

‘Wind on My Face” Inspirational Card for Delores of Georgia

“The Wind On My Face is the Kiss of God” inspirational card from the Little   Belle series mailed to Delores of Jesup, Georgia.  She is 80 years old and a Christian who loves to read her Bible and likes scripture quotes.  She also received a scripture bookmark and magnetic cross.

Bring Smiles to Seniors- Lola’s Smile Bunch 
 

Morning Glory Flowers - Beautiful Dreamer card for Belinda of Washington

A handcrafted Beautiful Dreamer card with a Belle art print mailed to Belinda of Seattle, Washington.   The card is designed with a blue morning glory vine with a heart shape.  Belinda is a Christian, lonely and enjoys word search and easy sudoku.  Enclosed 24 easy sudoku puzzles, a scripture bookmark and magnetic cross in the card.

Bring Smiles to Seniors- Lola’s Smile Bunch 
 

Heart of the Sea Handcrafted Mermaid Card

 

Received a Thank You from Alana of Fort Worth, Texas for all the cards she received for her birthday  from the Cards for Cool Kids Group.  She received a ‘Hello’ handcrafted “Heart of the Sea” card with Mermaid Kisses.

The Handcrafted Card has a Sisters of the Sea art print and Hello label with a blue bubbles background and a mermaid kiss sticker. The twin mermaid sisters holding hands are shaped like a heart. 

 

“Shoot for the Stars” - Inspirational Dance Card

One of the Inspirational Dance card for Cards of Kindness, Scrapbook.com program in Gilbert, Arizona.  To be distributed to a cancer patient  healthcare facility . It has a famous quote from Neil Armstrong. 

“ You Don’t Lose Someone Once”

 

 

YOU DON’T JUST LOSE SOMEONE ONCE

You lose them over and over, 

sometimes many times a day.

When the loss, momentarily forgotten,

creeps up, and attacks you from behind.

Fresh waves of grief as the realization hits home,

they are gone.

Again.

You don’t just lose someone once, 

you lose them every time you open your eyes to a new dawn,

and as you awaken, so does your memory, 

so does the jolting bolt of lightning that rips into your heart,

they are gone.

Again.

Losing someone is a journey, not a one-off.

There is no end to the loss,

there is only a learned skill 

on how to stay afloat,

when it washes over.

Be kind to those who are sailing this stormy sea, 

they have a journey ahead of them,

and a daily shock to the system each time they realize,

they are gone,

Again.

You don’t just lose someone once, 

you lose them every day, 

for a lifetime.

 

By Donna Ashworth

Dancing with the Angels

Dancing with the Angels

Memories surround me,

But sadness has found me,

I’d do anything for more time.
Never before has someone meant more.
And I can’t get you out of my mind.

There is just so much that I don’t understand
But I know.

You’re dancing with the angels.
Walking in new light
You’re dancing with the angels.
Heaven fills your eyes.
Now that you’re dancing with the angels.

You had love for you family
Love for all people
Love for the Father and Son
Your heart will be heard in your unspoken words.
Through generations to come

There is so much that I don’t understand
But I know.

You’re dancing with the angels.
Walking in new light
Yeah, you’re dancing with the angels.
Heaven fills your eyes.
Now that you’re dancing…

We’re only here
For such a short time
I’m going stand up, shout out, sing hallelujah,
One day I’ll see you again

And we’ll be dancing with the angels
Walking in new light
We’re dancing with the angels.
Heaven fill our eyes.
When you’re dancing with the angels
When we’re dancing with the angels

I’m dancing with the angels.
Dancing with the angels.

Lyrics by Ed Cash, Trent Monk, Michael Neagle

Twin Mermaids for Keran of Venice, Florida

 A Happy Birthday card with Sisters of the Sea art print for Keran of Venice, Florida.  She also received a scripture bookmark and a magnetic cross.  She likes mermaids, butterflies, flowers and her church and farm.

Random Acts of Cardness - September Card Showers 

Sunshine Mail for Lucas of Wisconsin

 A Whale of a card for Lucas of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  He likes dinosaurs, cats, and trucks.  He is seven years old and a Sunshine Kid.

Random Acts of Cardness- Sunshine Mail for Kids

Danes MacAbre Ballet - International Championship Award

The St. Augustine Academy of Performing Arts competition team won top honors in Ballet for age Division 12-14.  They won 1st place in the ‘I Love Dance’ International Championship held in Tampa, Florida at the Tampa Convention Center, July 1996.  Crystal was 12 years old in the 7th grade at Gamble Rogers Middle School.  The ballet was choreographed to classical music “Danes MacAbre”.  It is a tone poem for orchestra written in 1875.  It was based on an old French superstition and is considered scary classical music.  It was recorded by Camille Saint-Sale.

The competition team also won high honors in Modern/Lyrical dance wining second highest score for age Division 12-14.

Beautiful Dreamer Card for Kiana of Ontario, Canada

 Beautiful Dreamer card with Belle art print for Kiana of Ontario, Canada.  She is turning 26 years old and likes flowers, sunflowers and the colors blue, rose gold and gold.

Random Acts of Cardness- September Card Shower 

‘Dream Big Make Waves’ for Tyler of Maryland

 ‘Dream Big Make Waves’ Birthday card for Tyler of Rosedale, Maryland.  Tyler is turning 11 years old and likes Barbie, mermaids and dolls. Sending her Ariel stickers.

Random Acts of Cardness- September Card Shower 

Heart and Rose Vines for Ayesha of Glasgow, Scotland

 Happy Birthday to Ayesha of Glasgow, Scotland.  She is receiving a Thinking of You card with a Stella Art print surrounded with roses and heart vines.  

Random Acts of Cardness- September Card Showers 

RAOC - Happy Birthday to Aurelie of Limoges, France

Sending a Happy Birthday card with a Rose black & white art print to Aurelie of Limoges, France.  She is turning 23 and likes Twilight, Dark Angel, Teen Wolf, etc.  Enclosed a bookmark with scripture “You are more precious then jewels” from Solomon.

Random Acts Of Cardness—. September Card Shower

Wish Upon a Star for Hayley of New York

 Sending Hayley of Dundee, New York a Happy Birthday card with a Chateau de Chambord art print.  She is turning 6 years old and loves Disney princesses.  Inside the card are stickers of Cinderella, Belle, Ariel and. jasmine.  

Random Acts of Cardness- September Card Showers

Spanish Chocolate Dancer for Kyana of Nebraska

  Happy Birthday to Kyana of Omaha, Nebraska who is turning 13.  She’s receiving a inspirational dance card:  Spanish Chocolate from the Nutcracker Ballet and a bookmark.  She likes singing and dancing.

Random Acts of Cardness- September Card Shower

"She Walks in Beauty Like the Night"

 

Crystal Michelle Fallin, age 25

a bridesmaid at her sister Angela's wedding 

May 8, 2010

Columbus, Georgia 

She Walks in Beauty

She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;

Thus mellowed to that tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more one ray the less,

Had half impaired the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven tress,

Or softly lightens o'er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express,

How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And o that cheek, and o'er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent!

By Lord Bryon 1814

Heart and Rose Vines for Nancy of North Carolina

 Sending a Thinking of You card with. a Stella Art print with Roses and heart vines to Nancy of Knightdale, North Carolina.  She is 73 years old and missing her family who has passed on.  She is also receiving a rose bookmark.

Bring Smiles to Seniors - Lola’s Smile Bunch

La Mirage Jazz Club "The Roaring 20's"

 

Crystal was a member of the La Mirage Jazz Club at the Academy of Performing Arts.  In the theater production of 'Dancecoteque" in June 20, 1993, they performed dances of the Roaring 20's.

A Strauss Ballet - International Championship Award

 

In June1994 "State of the Art" production, Crystal's Advance Ballet Group did a dance choreograph by Mike Carl to the music of Strauss In D-Flat.  Mike Carl was a professional dancer with Ballet Theater of Pennsylvania and danced for the Sarasota Ballet and Gainesville's DanceAlive.  July 7, 1994 the Advance Ballet Group won first place at "I Love Dance" International Championship Competition in Orlando for the 9-11 age division.  Crystal was 10 years old going into the 5th grade at Hartley Elementary School.

Thank you from Heather of Nottingham, England

 Heather posted a picture of the card and bookmarks and a ‘Thank You’ message for the Encouragement on Facebook. Heather is from Nottingham, England and homebound.  

Lola’s Smile Bunch - “This is the Day The Lord has Made” for Sandra of Ohio

 A Little Belle Card for Sandra of Stow, Ohio.  The Birthday card is painted in watercolor with a color pencil glaze in the background.  Bible Verse stamped “This is the Day the Lord has Made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  Sandra is turning 72 and is in a rehab center.   A scripture bookmark is also enclosed.

 Bring Smiles to Seniors - Lola’s Smile Bunch

RAOC - Ocean of Love to Heaven of Massachusetts

 

Sending a Happy Birthday card with It’s a Beautiful Life mermaid art print to Heaven of Fall River, Massachusetts.  She is turning seven years old and likes Disney princesses.  She is receiving beautiful Ariel stickers and a ocean of love.

Random Acts of Cardness - September Card Shower

RAOC - Happy Birthday to Frances of Pasig City, Philippines

 

Sending a Thinking of You card with a Stella art print to Frances of Pasig City, Philippines.  She is turning 34 years old and likes drawing and the color blue.  Inside the card is a Happy Birthday bouquet of blue flowers and enclosed a Vincent Van Gogh bookmark with blue Iris flowers and a magnetic cross.

Random Acts of Cardness - September Card Shower

Modern/Lyrical Soloist Gold Award - Dance Troupe “Champion of Excellence"

 

In 1995, Crystal won first place as a soloist in Modern/Lyrica dance at the Champions of Excellence 'Dance Troupe' competitions held in Daytona Beach at the Peabody Auditorium.  Crystal selected her music and did her own dance chorography and rehearsed at home in the enclosed patio.  We made the patio into a dance studio for her to practice.   She worked very hard choreographing and dancing her routine over and over for hours.  Crystal was 11 years old in the 6th grade.

Angel of Agrabah - International Championship Award

 At the 'I Love Dance' International Championships in Orlando, Florida on July 7, 1994, Crystal and her Ballet Team won First Place for Ballet Group 9-11 age Division.  Their dance was entitled Angels of Agrabah.  The Disney's animated film Aladdin takes place in the fictional Arabian city of Agrabah.

Crystal age 10 in her Ballet Costume for Angels of Agrabah,

Member of the Academy of Performing Arts Competition Team.