Saturday 4 September 2010

Enough

Hi everyone. Hope you're all doing well. I've had a pretty terrible week. Ever feel like you've had enough of all the terrible things life keeps on throwing your way? Right now, I really have had enough. I'm tired and fed up of fighting to get life back to some sort of normality. Just when you think things finally are getting better, life insists on kicking you back down. We found out this week that the hospital made a big cock up and Mum's oncologist didn't have Mum's full notes when we went to see him. Turns out we found out by accident (they thought we knew!!!) that they found a suspicious spot on Mum's liver. This means her chemo will change from being preventative to aggressive and she is likely to face another major operation. We have gone from thinking the cancer had gone to it now being likely to have spread.

I don't have the energy to get angry at the hospital staff who through this error have led us to have had false hope. It seems like just another one of life's cruel jokes that we seem to keep facing at the moment. I'm tired of being positive and of dreading the unknown. Sorry folks, I'm having a bad day!

In an effort to keep myself busy, I've been a cardmaking machine this week!! And have made 4 cards!!! (OK, not a machine but this is good for me!!)

So my first card is my favourite. I love the colour of this stripey My Mind's Eye paper. Image is Penny Black coloured with copics. Papers are by My Mind's Eye, Bo Bunny and Crate Paper. I've done some stitching on this. My use of the sewing machine is not great. Most people would practice before embarking on doing their cards but I'm impatient so I thought I'd learn as I go along, I think it adds to the homemade-ness of it!! lol. The snow sentiment is actually cut off an old Christmas tag. The sketch is an old Basic Grey Challenge one.

I'm entering this into the Winter Wonderland Challenge- recipe: snowman, 4 papers & 3 snowflakes

Crafty stash used: Image (Penny Black); Copics; Papers (My Mind's Eye, Bo Bunny, Crate Paper); Assorted cardstock; Snowflakes (Sizzix die, Woodware punch); Sewing machine; Sentiment (Recycled); Pearls (Wild Orchid Crafts)

My second card has been made using the Sizzix Bigz scalloped card die. The stripey paper is by Bo Bunny. Image is Penny Black coloured with copics. The sentiment and snowflake are K & Co rub ons.

I'm going to enter this into Stamp Something Challenge which is to stamp something cute.

Crafty stash used: Image (Penny Black); Copics; Die (Sizzix); Paper (Bo Bunny); Assorted cardstock; Rubons (K&C0)

My third card is for my friend who's had a little boy. The image is Elzybells and I've coloured him with watercolour pencils and paper pieced his nappy. All the papers are by Making Memories.

I'm entering this into Friday Sketchers.

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Elzybells); Watercolour pencils; Nesties; Papers (Making Memories); Punch (Martha Stewart)

My final card is a total recycled job and was super quick! I hate to see great elements from Christmas cards wasted so I always hang onto them. In this case, the element was the whole front of the card!! Basically I layered it up using some Basic Grey papers and cardstock and simply added some gems. Quick and easy and green!!

Crafty stash used: Image (recycled); Papers (Basic Grey); Cardstock; Gems (Wild Orchid Crafts)

Being stressed is never good for my bank balance as I always resort to a bit of retail therapy. I decided to stock up on some Christmas goodies and some basics at Wild Orchid Crafts and Bunny Zoe's. I bought loads of different coloured pearls, some different button packs, paper flowers, Snowflake gems, pearl pins, lace and the bow-maker- will get back to you on my opinion on this!

Thanks for stopping by today x

8 comments:

downrightcrafty said...

Hi Steph, I am a great believer of out of something bad always come a little bit of good - hope the good is in the needed direction and my thoughts are with you and your family - keep the strength and hold onto the love xx
As to your cards they are adorable and love both of them. Thanks for meeting the requirements of the recipe and love the images. Great to see you sharing at Winter Wonderland and hope to see you back in the next challenge too
Hugs Kate xx

Liz McGuire, said...

Hi Steph, my thoughts are with you at this tough time.

Liz x

Danielle said...

Gorgeous christmas cards Steph - I love your snowman card for our challenge at Winter Wonderland this week! So sorry to hear of the trials life is throwing your way at the moment .. I really hope things get better for you and your family!
Take care, Danielle

Lexxie said...

I'm so sorry Steph that both you and your mum are going through such a tough time, I know doctors aren't perfect but it really isn't good enough and this kind of thing happens far too frequently.
I don't know how you keep going, but like it is for me, crafting is therapy even during difficult times, and you have done a fab job with your collection of beautiful cards.
My thoughts are with you Steph,
Love Sarita xx

Whisper said...

Fabby cards - especially the PB ones - i'm no good either when i'm stressed, as my bank a/c gets hit too, don't blame you though - if you fancy being in with a chance of winning a PB stamp, pop over to my blog for some mini candy, Luv Sam x

Jules said...

Oh no Steph.

You post was a really bummer for me. I really thought things were going your way for a change.

You have had so much to cope with and for the hospital to think you knew what had been found when you didn't must have been awful.

I know your stuffing has been knocked out of you but please try to stay positive and don't you dare give in - or let your Mum.

They say that bad times are there to make you appreciate the good times .. .. I think it is about time some "good times" came your way. I hope that is soon.

Take care and I will be thinking of you and your Mum.

Great makes by the way. You do so well to make such beautiful creations when you feel so rubbish inside.

Love and hugs
Jules xx

Cj said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the news on your Mum my thoughts are with you.xxx
Love all you cards, very sweet.xxx

Annika said...

I am sorry to hear about your bad news - sending my best thought to you and your family!
What lovely cards though! Beautiful layouts and your colouring is terrific!
Thanks for playing at Stamp Something, hope to see you back next week!
Hugs
Annika