Friday 20 May 2011

Life in bloom

Hi everyone! Hope you're all having a fun crafty week.

Thanks so much for all your lovely comments about my Mum. She's doing OK. We had to go to the stroke clinic yesterday. They think it was a mini stroke but have no firm evidence that it was so we really are no further on. She had a test to look at the blood flow in her neck and then a head CT. I found it quite stressful as he mentioned checking for the cancer spreading to my Mum's brain and my Dad passed from a brain tumour so it was a pretty awful day. At first glance, he said he couldn't see anything so we have to wait to see what the oncologist says on Monday and whether it could possibly have been a reaction to the chemo infusion or whether he agrees that it could have been a stroke. Unfortunately I think the build up of stress over the last week has caused my CFS to flare up again which I could really do without so I'm feeling rotten today.

To cheer myself up, I've ordered a host of crafty goodness (see below) which arrived today so I can at least stroke my new stuff!!!.....


Anyway earlier in the week I did manage to make this card. My sis asked me to make a card for her partner's Grandma's birthday. I chose this gorgeous summery PSX image. I coloured with mixture of lyra and watercolours. Papers are by MME and Heidi Grace designs. Sentiment is Papertrey Ink. I used Kraft stock to mount the sentiment and cut out the leaves using a Boss-Kut die. Do you like the cute little sunflower charm? My sis found a little gardening charm set on her travels with work.

I'd like to enter this into:
Cupcake Craft- in the garden
Papertake Weekly- bloom and grow
Stampavie- summer
Truly Scrumptions- anything goes
Crafty Catz- anything goes

Crafty stash used: Stamps (PSX, Papertrey Ink); Watercolour pencils; Lyra pencils; Copics; Assorted cardstock; Papers (Heidi Grace, MME); Nesties; Button and thread; Boss Kut die; charm; ribbon; mini tag (Lakeland)

Here is a piccie of my latest new crafty stash. All this stress is severely playing havoc with my finances. In the last 2 years, I've learnt the meaning of retail therapy in a big way!! I also bought the hugest stash of October Afternoon papers which you'll be seeing soon! Uhhh, plus today I'll be doing a big order of Papertrey Ink stash that my hubbie can pick up whilst he's working in the States in the next couple of weeks.

Finally, on the theme of gorgeous blooms, I thought I'd share this piccie I took this morning of this gorgeous rose called Noble Antony that we have in our garden. It has the sweetest smell I've ever encountered. My sis and I bought this variety of rose for my Mum after my Dad passed away as my Dad was called Tony. My Mum and Dad absolutely adore/d roses. It's quite an unusual variety and I had to order it over the internet. Then the other week in my local garden centre just around the corner from our house, I noticed it!!! I got one for me and my sis. I like to think it was a sign from Dad that wherever we are (we moved house since my Dad passed away), my Dad is saying he's always with us. Isn't it beautiful?

Hope you have a fun and restful week x

21 comments:

Lynne said...

Hi Steph, I am so sorry to hear about your Mum. :-( You must look after yourself and have a nice relaxing weekend with your new goodies. Your card is gorgeous and the rose in your garden is delightful such a beautiful colour. Sending Love and hugs to both you and your Mum. Take care Steph love Lynne xx

Curly said...

Wow this is so very pretty, beautiful colour theme and design,

Thank you so much for joining us at Crafty Catz this week,

Good Luck with the challenge,
Hugs Bridget Crafty Catz DT :0)x

Antoinette said...

Hello Steph, sorry to hear the news of your mum. As lynne says, you MUST take care of yourself and to lose yourself in your crafting!! What an amazing crafty stash you have!! I know what you mean by retail therepy...can't beat buying crafty goodies!! I don't like my bank balance though :( Anyway have a great weekend and look forward to your next beautiful creation Steph!! Lots of love & hugs to you and your mum!! Annie xXx

Liz McGuire, said...

Thinking of you Steph. Gorgeous creation as always. And that new stash looks fab....can I come and play?

Liz x

lindyloo said...

Hello Steph
So sorry to hear about your mum huggies hun x
you card is just gorgeous I love the image
Thank you for sharing with us at the crafty catz this week
hugs linda x

Anonymous said...

Hi Steph, so sorry to hear about your Mum, but just as everyone before me has said, you really must take care of yourself too,sweetie. Your card is beautiful as always! Thanks for sharing it with us at PTW too. xx

Linda Anderson said...

Ahhhhhh, so sorry to hear that both you and your Mom aren't feeling your best. Better get better! Now that is one gorgeous card you created, sure to chase the blues away!!! Gorgeous rose too. Thanks for joining us at SSW.

Linda

3treescreations@gmail.com said...

What a beautiful card - I love the colors and image. Take care of yourself and your mom. Thanks so much for playing at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

Deanne :)

mulberry station said...

Your card is gorgeous. I love your image. It is beautifully colored and your paper is some of my favorite. I hope things improve for your mum and you. What a hard thing to be going through. Thanks for sharing you darling card. Take Care,
Nancy SSW-DT

cheryl said...

oh hun so sorry to hear about your mum,bless your heart,you must like lynn says look after yourself too hun as that is important,as for your stash hun good for you enjoy it hun,your card is just gorgoues hun love the rose,sending lots of love your way hugs cheryl xxxxx

carol said...

ooh your card is gorgeous and so is that fabulous Rose!!you take comfort in thinking that way and it will help you get through this bad time with your mam i'm sure. take care and have a stress free weekend if that's possible, x carol.....crafty catz.

mckinkle said...

Hi Steph,

No wonder you're not feeling 100% at the moment with everything thats going on. The retail therapy seems to be helping a little at least! Keep that up, as Im sure it will work wonders to help you relax from time to time!

Your sweet rose looks beautiful, if only we had smelly-blogs!
Wherever you go your Dad will always be with you no matter what.

Beautiful elegant card, the colours youve chosen are perfect and the image looks so versatile too.

Look forward to seeing some of your future creations with some of your new stash!

Wishing you all the very best for Monday especially.

Keryn x

Sue said...

Hi hun
sorry to hear about your mum, do hope she is doing ok??
A beautiful card, gorgeous image & colouring, pretty papers & embelies, sue,x

Tamara Morton said...

Hi Steph, sorry to hear about your Mum, love and get well wishes for her! Wonderful card and beautiful colours also love your roses what a gorgeous colour
Hugs
Tamara

Unknown said...

Hi Steph! So sorry to hear about your mom! Hope she gets better ASAP!!! Such a lovely card you have made! Love the colors, the sweet image and cute details! Thanks for joining us at The Cupcake Craft Challenge this week! Good luck! Hugs & sunshine! /Sari

Kathie said...

Hi Steph, I am so sorry to hear about your Mum and what she is going through. She's in safte hands and you need time out for yourself and rest a little. Love your Rose I grow them as well and that one is awesome I grow for perfume and colour. There no sense have a great looking rose in the garden if it doesn't have a perfume.
Love your card it's a great way to relax when you really need a break. Great colours image and embellishment. Great job and thanks so much for sharing your card with us this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday and good luck.
Hugs
Kathie SSW-DT

Jeannie said...

What perfect colors and papers to go with this lovely image! Love the buttons too! Thanks so much for joining us at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

Peace & Luv,
Jeannie

Unknown said...

Hi Steph - so sorry to hear about your Mum, I really hope she's ok.x
Your doing such a fantastic job knocking out fabulous make after make, especially in difficult circumstances & if your not too good yourself - not sure I've heard of it, but any illnes you could certainly do wihtout. Anyway - just had to commend you on it. Big hugs to you both,
Deb.x

Genevieve said...

Such a pretty card & very pretty image. Hope your mum has a speedy recovery, take care & Thanks for playing along with us @ Sweet Sketch Wednesday :)

Genevieve SSW-DT

Sharon Basel said...

Steph this is stunning! Your coloring is fabulous on this beautiful image and those papers - well breath-taking. And the wonderful embellishments just make this perfect in every way. Thanks for joining us at Sweet Sketch Wednesday!
Sharon, SSW-DT

Michele Roos said...

Such a gorgeous card Steph. Thanks for joining us this week at Truly Scrumptious Challenge. Hugs Michele x