Thank You and Update

Good Morning All! It has been a crazy month and a half, but things seem to be looking brighter on this journey we are on.  Before I go any further, this is the card I have made in multiples to send out this week to all who have been so kind, compassionate and johnny on the spot for everything from taking him to his cancer treatments, cooking yummy dinners, cleaning our home, running errands and being there just to give us a shoulder to cry on and who have lifted us up in continuous prayer. There are not enough words in the dictionary to tell them how appreciative we are of the love they have showed us!!!! Hubby had the "Big Surgery" on April 6th. They were able to remove most of the cancer and had stated that the 4 weeks of radiation he had, did shrink the cancer some; but they found that the cancer had definitely spread to the brain in the cavenous sinuses. They removed nerves, muscles and all the other stuff that is in the orbital area of the left eye. His left eye was to be removed, but they left that and his eye will now be permanently closed since he has no muscle to raise the lid. So hence, we begin radiation again in two weeks for the cancer in the brain. Chemotheraphy isn't an option as it was stated to us that the brain doesn't absorb but 1% of the medicine used in chemo. It was a little disheartening to hear that, but on the brighter side my hubby's survival rate went from 2 to 5% to 25%. So Needless to say we're excited about that. Please contniue to pray for him as we still have a very long journey ahead of us. Thanks for looking!

Good Monday Evening!!!

I hope your weekend was restful and you managed to get some things done that needed to be done in your craft room. I have been making out my plan of action for items that I will be making for the Relay For Life Bazaar. If I can get them done, it would benefit our team quite well. But I needed to get these cards posted that I made back in February to celebrate Love and Valentine's Day and never got them posted as things were starting to get a little crazy with hubby's illness. So here they are without further adieu. I used a combination of Stamps, Cricut Cartridges and papers that I have had for quite awhile. My kids and even my hubby tease me and tell me that I could open up my own store with all the craft supplies I have accumulated over the years. LOL!!! But I am a sucker for glittery papers, bling and anything that has hearts and is very girly and feminine. But I think my favorite colors of papers I seem to go after over and over again are the blacks, reds, shimmery whites and silvers. There is something just so rich about them. Which may explain why my hideway/craftroom is done in these colors especially black and white with a hint of red. Touches of silver/chrome here and there. I guess that seems to be the mainstay of a lot of craftrooms that I have seen on many forums. Its just a bold and yet clean crisp look. Enjoy!!

Where Does Time Go???

I have finally gotten back into my room again. With Hubby starting his cancer treatments, things have been in a whirlwind. We just finished his 3rd week of the 7 weeks of radiation. But that may change as we are headed to USC on Wednesday as there seems to maybe (xx crossing fingers) be a change in the treatment plan. All I know is his doctor down there insisted on seeing him Wednesday and explained to me that we would be her last appointment as she needed to talk with us at length, so I am going to go out on the limb and say that maybe the "big surgery" will be taking place. Radiation takes an awful toll on your body and my sweet hubby is trying to be a trooper, but the pain in his face and his body slowing down just breaks my heart. Anyway please continue to pray for him, the doctors and what lies ahead for us. Thank you to all the ladies from SCS who continue to send him cards of support, encouragement and inspiration. You have no idea how much it lightens his day up when he receives cards from ladies who don't even know him but know me through SCS especially when its a bad day after his treatment. I have managed to get two tiles done with quotes for my friend Vikki. Two neighbors happen to pop by when I was finishing this one up and each of them requested one as well done one on gray tile with white vinyl and the other one done with a black tile done in grey vinyl. I will be placing these for sale in my etsy store soon. Have a wonderful evening!

2011 Christmas Gifts....Tile with Quote

These were the tiles I made for family and friends last year for the Christmas 2011. Took me awhile to figure out a gift that could be used all year long and not just during holidays. This saying is one of my daughter's favorites and I thought this could be used in anyone's home no matter their decor. It has been fun making these and the requests have come in for additional tiles with different quotes. I'm anxious (well not too anxious...LOL!!!) for the holidays to roll around again as I have come up with some ideas using the tiles again for this year as gifts specifically for the holidays in this size as well as smaller and even larger than a 12x12. It seems once I discovered you can do anything with vinyl I instantly became hooked! LOL!!! My poor Cricut Machine is getting its little needle worked! When you go into the home improvement stores and you buy 3 of this color and 2 of this color or even 1, they make a comment of "Oh, guess you can't decide on what color of flooring to do in your home". I just laugh and say no its for a gift and they give you the oddest look. LOL!!!!

For A Friend

This saying known as the "Serenity Prayer" is used for many organizations. It is used for AA, Drug Rehab, the loss of a loved one and so on. A dear sweet friend of mine asked me if that prayer could be placed on a 12x12 tile similar to the one I had made for her as a gift for Christmas (different saying). I told her I didn't think it would be a problem, just would have to critique the font sizes. I asked who it was for and she stated for her daughter as she would be coming out of rehab in about 28 days. Her daughter had made a comment that she really liked that prayer as it was used at the facility she was at now and when she got out and was at home, she wanted to see it daily to remind her that no matter how tough things can get that she can get through it. Its funny how when you are doing a special request/gift for someone and they select a certain quote or as in this case a prayer how it can help you yourself. I too had forgotten about this prayer and it reminded me that with all that I am going through with my hubby, that I too can benefit from it to help keep me calm and know that God will give me serenity, courage and wisdom to get through our long journey ahead. We really never know the power of a quote/prayer and how it affects each of us differently until we are on a rocky road full of obstacles and yet knowing at the end it will finally be smooth and easy to walk on.

My Therapy....

As my husband begins his long journey down the road to recovery and to keep my sanity, I have promised myself "ME" time in my craftroom. I have missed making cards, altered items and other crafty items since we found out that he has cancer. And in order to help keep my stress level down, I needed to do what I love and that was papercrafting. Its really amazing how card making or any papercrafting can get your mind off other worries and let yourself get totally absorb into the creation you are making. So with that being said, I drugged out a new set that I had ordered months ago from Verve (love this company) and inked it up for the first time and made this card. I love the plaid and pink and browns. The letters are covered in crystal accents and you really can't see the shininess on the letters. All has been popped out using SU dimensionals. I then used Pink Pearl by stickles to give the hearts some dimension.