First a Card...

Without all my usual chatter, I have a card to share. It's a pretty QACAS one. Playing along with the current challenge at City Crafters, where we're to use black, white and gold as an accent.

My interpretation looks like this:

One Studio Calico Stamp set, using the little dots, one Studio Calico 'celebrate' die, and a couple of scraps; gold glitter and black. EZPZ, and I like the way this turned out. 

Now. I've got some 'splaining to do, so if you want to skip this next part, feel free. I haven't been crafting, posting or commenting very much as of late. Wasn't sure how much to share, wasn't sure how to say what I wanted to say, and wasn't sure you'd want to hear. And I spent a little time reeling with total brain shut down, too. But I'm going to give this a go, and see what falls out of my brain and onto the keyboard. Some of you know that my DH is a few (20) years older than me, and I'm no spring chicken. Overall, he's in decent health. Not great, not good, but decent. Took him to a new doctor a few weeks ago. She sent him for lab work (all wonderfully normal), and two CT scans; one of his brain, and one of his lower abdomen and legs. I expected something to show on his legs, so wasn't surprised to find narrowing of his distal femoral arteries in both legs (just above his knees).  Our youngest son, a Family Practice physician said we should leave them alone if he can tolerate the coldness, as he doesn't have any pain. The Vascular Surgeon we went to said to readdress this after he gets the other thing looked at/taken care of. His narrowed arteries are serious, but not acute, and not life or limb threatening. But it's the other thing that tossed me around like a rag doll in a tornado. For his sake, I had to pretend normalcy, but inside I was functioning in a fog. Thankfully, that stage has passed. Next moth, we go see a Neuroscience Team at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee for a consultation and to schedule final diagnosis testing. There's a real possibility that DH has a condition called Normal Pressure Hydrocephaly (NPH). I'll let you google that, but it affects several aspects of a person, and if left untreated, well, there's only one outcome... There is treatment, however. It's placement of a shunt in his brain. Having worked as a Surgical Technologist, I know what that is, and how the procedure works. "Minor" brain surgery. 

Meanwhile, I stick close to him. His fall-risk has greatly increased as his gait has substantially worsened in the last few months (a symptom of NPH). And we wait. Full of questions. More full of prayers. Hoping that if his final diagnosis is NPH, that he's a candidate for the shunt. His regular doc, and the radiologist seem to think that's what he's got, but we have to wait for the Neuroscience team's diagnosis. It's going to be a long year. And I don't know if I'll have time or energy to be anything other than a caregiver. Did that sound selfish, or self-pitying? Hope not, that's not what I'm trying to convey. I'm fully equipped, and absolutely willing to care for my beloved in all things. But I may not be able to enjoy crafting and such. As I'm sure you'd agree, my priorities must be elsewhere. I will try to get in here when I can, and visit you all when I can, but it may all be very sporadic. So that's what's been keeping me busy. We're okay; trusting in God's promises to be with us, and to keep us. Since I've taken up a good deal of your time, I'll stop now. Feel free to email me with any questions, and I'll do my best to get back to you. Thanks for listening, and Happy Dances everyone.

Happy Birthday Sandie!!

A very Happy (belated) Birthday to Sandie; she of London Days fame. Sandie recently celebrated a milestone birthday, and I wanted to wish her the very best and make a special card. I'm very late with this, but the sentiment remains. You all know her, and if you don't (and if you don't then I don't know where you've been hiding...) click on the link and have a nice, leisurely wander around her blog! Sandie is one of those bloggers whose cards are always delightful, filled with delicious white space, and many times have purple on them! I love stopping by her blog to see her latest creations. You'll find her as a DT member on some of the most popular challenge sites in blogland, and it's no wonder; she's an amazing cardmaker! It's a pleasure to "know" her! Someday, if I ever make it across the pond, I hope to actually meet her in person! I'm sure if that happens, London will never be the same!

Card?, you ask? Uh-huh. Yep. You betcha. It's her birthday (or in my case, an extension of it) after all. Couldn't let her celebration go by without one!

My darling daughter Cathy is the world's greatest lover of all things purple. Sandie is a close second! Naturally, I had to go with a dash of purple for her card. The 'sentiment' is a die cut from MFT, and the sweet little flower is from SSS's new Wild Beauty set. Got out a couple of Zig markers to color the bloom, and then added a smidgen of Stickles in the center for a bit of pizazz. Overall, a pretty CAS card; just the way the birthday girl likes them! It's on its way, I promise, Sandie!

To Sandie:

Happy birthday my friend. Hope that your day was celebrated exactly the way you wanted, and that your upcoming year is as sweet as you are. I wanted to throw you a little party here, but DH's health issues have pretty much taken over the hours in my days. I have been thinking of you, and wanted you to know that it's an honor and pleasure to know you. You're one of those kind and welcoming bloggers, who've made me and hundreds of others feel right at home in this cardmaking world. Even though I'm just echoing what others have said, I am glad to know you, and wish you all good things today and always! Birthday blessings surrounded by giant hugs!

Happy Dances everyone.

P.S. Miss Kylie has thrown a little link up party on her blog, Kylie is Addicted to Stamps, to which I will add my card. And also, the DT at Time Out has a new challenge celebrating Sandie, where I will also add my card. Thanks ladies!

Saying Thanks

I've been pretty sporadic posting and commenting lately. Without going into all the details, it's been a difficult first part of the year. DH has been battling some health issues, and one of my DS has as well. God didn't promise us a rose garden in this world, and in fact, He said there would be challenges. So with His help and guidance, we work through them trusting that "...all things work for good..." I'm reminded to give thanks to Him for all of the blessings He's so richly bestowed, and also to give thanks for the family and friends who support, encourage, and lift me up when times are challenging. This card is for you... a little tear because my eyes well up when I think of the wonderful people I've met through this medium. You bring me joy. You give me strength. You bring beauty into my world.

Thank You 

 

Sometimes a challenge just makes a card appear in my brain. I wanted to say 'thank you' but wasn't quite sure how to put it together. CASology came through in less than a heartbeat for me. Thanks, then, to you all, and to the CASology DT who are all inspiring designers.

One AE die, one SC stamp, one Queen & Co. teardrop bling. 

Happy Dances everyone!

Between

I'm between migraines and running DH to appointments. One for today, and then he's good until next week. I only have a few minutes before he needs some help, but wanted to share the cards I made a few days ago and just haven't had time (or enough pain-free minutes) to post. I started grandson Sean's birthday card, at least in my head, then I saw the ColorQ and used a navy color for the focal point as you'll see. I'm playing along at Muse, and Time Out (die cutting/fussy cutting) for one card, then as mentioned, ColorQ and The Challenge for the other.

My Muse/Time Out card:

I used a medium gray for the base, and added an MFT panel in white, wrapped with some glittery ribbon. The carnation is a cut file from my Silhouette and I used up some scraps for it. A PTI sentiment in ME Smoke ink. A few blings for the center, and done. So pretty irl.

Next is my card for ColorQ and The Challenge:

No matter how many photos I took, the "Sean" looks blurry. Must be the acetate containing all those beads.... A chunk of LF orange stripe from their "Into the Woods" 6x6 pad. a white frame created with two dies; MFT & ME. Another cut with my Silhouette using the Lemon Milk font for "Sean." Some perfect-for-this-challenge beads by Queen & Co. Popped up with some foam tape and done. Now I've got to run. Hoping to get some commenting done later provided the head cooperates... Happy dances everyone

Sunday in Springtime

It's a gorgeous Springtime day, I've got coffee, the Cubs are winning, and my sweet Lizzy is coming over to play with grandma! She's a senior in high school, scheduled to graduate in June and needs to finish making her scrapbook of activities, awards, accomplishments, and volunteering to meet a requirement for her full IB (International Baccalaureate) degree. So since I have all the necessities, she's coming over so we can play together. I'm sooooo excited! She'll be off to college in the Fall and I won't see her as often as I'll want to. This will be a nice memory in the days to come. So I'm starting this post awaiting her arrival. If I have time today, I'll let you know what we ended up doing.

I do have a card today. It's for the Muse Challenge, which has a card by Miss Tracey as our inspiration for this week. I loved it, had an idea for it, but waited for the NBUS dies to arrive via USPS so I could finish it up. Before we look at mine, have a gander at Tracey's card:

*sigh*

Isn't it lovely? That girl can make cards!! After seeing this, I was tempted to order this set, but decided to save my pennies for Saturday when I'll be out for a bit with my sister and her sweet Emma. Just a quick stop at Polka Dots for a little shopping. My nephew and his wife (Emma's parents) told my sister that Emma didn't need any more paper... Have you ever heard such a thing????? Raise your hand if you have enough paper. Yeah....not one hand in the air. So if she wants paper from her grandma, or her most favorite Auntie Hoo-Hoo, then it's paper she'll have! You know you'd do the same thing, lol! Enough naughtiness on my part, here's my card:

The same, yet different. The stamps are from SSS, and as mentioned, I've also used my NBUS dies. A sentiment by HA and some vellum leaves from ancient days. I used some Copics to color the flowers' centers, which I've popped up, then added some Stickles for a bit o' shimmer. And since I hear Lizzy in the driveway, I'm going to run. Happy dances everyone!

Things Working Out

Don't you love it when things just seem to work out perfectly? A bit ago, I came across a new-to-me blogger. Nicole blogs as Frau Vogeli, and as soon as I'd seen her first card, I knew I'd be back for more peeks! Do take a minute to pop over and see her sweet cards; I promise you'll love them. Her latest offering is entered into a new-to-me challenge, and I thought I would support them by making and entering a card; the challenge is called Task For Two Tuesday. I knew what I wanted to make, but needed a bit of a color inspiration. Color Throwdown provided the perfect color palette for me! And as things worked out, today's CAS(E) This Sketch provided some help in the design department. Pretty slick how things just seemed to click into place today! Yay!

My card looks like this:

I stamped a panel with some MME and SC stamps using three different inks. I cut the panel with an ME die, and added a SC 'celebrate' die in black. I popped everything on an orange base. Pretty EZPZ, and I love how things just worked out! Happy Dances everyone!!

Happy Birthday to My Sister Sue!

So....Sue, if you see this before next week and our lunch date with Miss Emma. Stop reading right now. No peeking at your card. Or I'll make a switch and give you an ugly one (hahahahahaha).

Oh I wish you could all meet my sister. She's one of the best people in the whole wide world. Girl can sing, cook, craft, decorate, and is the second best grandma ever (I'm first, lol). Her birthday was yesterday, and I want to celebrate her a little bit. Next week, we're taking little Emma, Sue's almost three-year old granddaughter, out for lunch - she'll have chips and salsa, we'll have tamales and such. Emma loves chips and salsa! Then we're taking her out to buy paper. Sue and I are doing our best to help her become a craftaholic, and I think we're succeeding! It will be nice to have a birthday lunch... I need your help though. Do I call ahead to the restaurant and tell them it's her birthday and we'd like them to put on the sombreros and sing real loud?! Let me know what your vote is, and I'll let you know what we end up doing! You'd better not be reading this Susan....or I'll tell dad!

I struggled with her birthday card a bit. Made three yesterday, and hated each one of them. Literally threw one together today with the scraps from two of the cards, and like the way it came out!! Who knew???? Just works out that way sometimes.

And as luck or fate or whatever has it, I can pop this into three challenges! Woohooooooo!! ColorQ Challenge, CAS(E) This Sketch, and Curtain Call Challenge.

I kept this card very simple, but managed to use all the colors at ColorQ, and the CTS sketch. 

I wish you could see this in real life. It's so much more pretty and delicate than this photograph shows. Made with scraps, scraps, and more scraps. Die cut heart from my Silhouette, an MFT notebook die for the scrap of SC vellum, and a scrap I think I got from Amy Tsuruta. A SSS sentiment with black versafine ink. And that's about it. Am going to run now, and watch my Cubbies lose to St. Louis today. But that's okay; the Cubs have won the first two games of this series. I won't be greedy! (yet). 

Pink

Some of my favorite flowers ever were some tall, later-blooming tulips called Esther. I'll bet they were three feet high and the blooms themselves were bigger than my fists. And they were the most lovely shade of pink. I'd planted them at my old house, and if I were outside with the little ones, passers by would often comment on them. I've looked for more bulbs to plant here, but have been unsuccessful in locating them at our local garden centers. I think I may order them and plant them in the fall; I've missed them. So maybe next Spring, I'll have a photograph of them to show you. In the meantime, you'll have to settle for a pink card!

I'd better get moving as CASology closes in a few hours!

I'll bet you thought I had a tulip card, didn't you? Nope:

Those "happy"s look ombre, but they're not. Just plain old gold embossed. On a pink base. This looks rather fun in real life. Each 'happy' is slightly tilted. On purpose. Don't ask me why, but for some reason, it made my pea-brain happy. The stamp is from PTI's Wet Paint. And that's how I feel today. Happy. Hope you do too! Guess I'd better get going for now, but you all take some time for a couple of happy dances!