Thursday 27 January 2011

I'm back!

Hi guys! How you all doing? I'm back after my enforced crafty break. I've had my surgery. I actually had it less than a week after finding out there was something wrong!! I had keyhole surgery and, like when my Mum had it done, I'm amazed at how they flipping well do it!!!!! The cuts are SO small!!! How?????? Anyhow, the worry is over as there was a chance it was cancer (which would just be the icing on the cake for us right now) but it's not. I'm recovering well. Pain is loads better and I'm just exhausted really. But as soon as I could, I was sitting on the sofa colouring images on a tray!! I'm pottering about now though no housework or lifting so I'm a little limited in what I can do but of course that doesn't rule out crafting!! Yay!!

Mum went into hospital the day I came out. In typical fashion, there have been problems with her procedure and she was in terrible pain. She was supposed to be in there 3-4 days, it's now been 2 weeks. The drain from her liver is STILL flipping leaking but much reduced. The problem with this is that she is on a deadline for when she can have chemo for it to be effective. We are now fast approaching that deadline but they won't start the chemo til the drain is empty, out and the wound has healed. It's a very worrying time.

Anyway, enough of the personal stuff and onto the cardmaking...

So onto my first card. This is a card I've made for one of my dearest friends who's been in New Zealand for the past 18 months. I've missed her heaps but she is coming back to the UK permanently now so I'm very excited. The image is Huggabellas from Stamping Bella and the sentiment is an Elzybells one from their farmyard clear stamp sheet. I coloured the Bellas with watercolour pencils and did some paper piecing on their clothes to match the background papers. I outlined them with a warm grey copic. The papers are all by American Crafts.

I'd like to enter this into:
Crafty Pad- something girly
Secret Crafter- use 2 characters
Alphabet- ladies
Paperplay Challenges- layer it up

Here is a close up. I love their funky outfits!

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Stamping Bella, Elzybells); Watercolour pencils; Copics; Papers (American Crafts); Ribbon (?); Bowmaker; Buttons (Walmart); Stickles

My other card for today is using another Stamping Bella stamp (one of my new Christmas ones) called Addy Tude loves her tinis. It's such a brilliant stamp and I love the sentiment that comes with it. Again I coloured using watercolour pencils and outlined in a warm copic to make her pop. The green paper is by Heidi Grace Designs and the pink is by Scrapworks.

I'd like to enter this into:
Cutie Sunday- anything goes
Pals Paper Arts- simple card and a bow

A close up! I'm quite pleased with the colouring on this if I do say so myself!!!!! There's a bit of glitter on the 'tinis and I've put Glossy Accents on her sunnies. She looks very glam!

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Stamping Bella); Watercolour pencils; Copics; Papers (Heidi Grace, Scrapworks); Assorted cardstock; Corner rounder punch; Stickles; Glossy Accents; Ribbon (Poppicrafts); Button (Walmart); Sentiment (Craftwork Cards)

So that's all for now. I'm hoping to do some non-card projects fairly soon to show you. Also my craft room is very nearly finished so I will be teasing you with sneak peek photos!! Have a fun crafty week x

15 comments:

Linda Callahan said...

Glad you are recovering - hope your mom is doing better! Your cards are so cute!

mckinkle said...

Hello Steph,

Oh blimey, what a start to the new year you have had but the news that you are cancer free is just the best! Im wishing you and your Mum a really speedy recovery so that the other plans can start.

Your cards, as always, are just sublime! Your papers are quite lush and Im loving the fresh vibrancy of them!
Had a good giggle at the martini gal too!

Enjoy as much crafting as you can whilst theres no housework/lifting allowed! After all, youve go to enjoy the perks when you get them!

Keryn x

Pat said...

Two super cards, great images. Thanks for joining in the challenge at The Crafty Pad this week, good luck in the prize draw. Glad you are recovering well from your surgery and hope all goes well with your mum.

Pat xx

Lexxie said...

You have had such a hard time recently, I'm so glad that you are recovering well, but sorry to hear your poor mum is still going through the mill.
Both of your cards are fab Steph, I really love Addy Tude!!
Take it easy Steph, I hope things get better soon,
Love Sarita xx

Rosietoes said...

Two fab cards. Here's to a speedy recovery and hopes that your Mum's wound will heal and treatment can begin.

Edna x

Helen Ann said...

I love both the cards, both those stamps are fabulous and great job on both the cards

Thanks for joining us at Alphabet Challenge Blog

Hel xox

Melanie C said...

Great cards!!! Your coloring is fantastic!! Thank you for playing along with Pals Paper Arts.

Ukka said...

I love love love the papers you have used it's added so much interest and texture to the card the stamps are amazing.
Love and blessings,
Ukka

Bella´s Bastelecke said...

Amazing card ………. Great idea ..............Thanks for joining Cutie Sunday this week....

Hugs
Bella

Jane (Carroll's Creations) said...

So sweet!

Thanks for joining our "It's a couple thing" challenge on SECRET CRAFTER SATURDAY CHALLENGE :)

Hugs Jane x
SCSC DT

Pam~ said...

I'm with you, love to color. Your cards are beautifully colored and cute all around! Hope you and your Mum heal quickly!

None None said...

Super cute - love the accents on the cards. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to you and your mum!

Marushy said...

Hi
a cute card.

Thanks for joining Cutie Sunday this week.

Hugs
Marushy

Maggie's Crafts said...

Stunning!

Thank you for joining us at The Crafty Pad @ http://thecraftypad.blogspot.com/ Please come back tomorrow for another brilliant challenge! :)

Maggie
xx

Liz's creative corner said...

Thanks for joining us at paper play with this lovely card, glad your feeling better hope your mum soon does too,hugs Liz xx