OSA Year of the Tiger theme challenge

I still have another week before chemo starts again and my arms are not too bad to stamp with, although I'm having a little trouble applying pressure to stamp, and I can type okay now, so had some play time with the OSA Year of the Tiger theme challenge - it's the last challenge for the year. I love tigers so had to do this one! My twin daughters were born in the Year of the Tiger, one of them gets married next year in the Year of the Tiger, and my Aussie Rules football team are the Tigers and they are the only cats that I like LOL!

I had some backgrounds already done so I only had to stamp the tiger onto them and just used a really simple design for these two cards. My stamps are both from the Year of the Tiger plate by Art Neko stamps.

The background for the top card is a polished stone on glossy cardstock, the bottom card is a watercolour distress ink background.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Merry Christmas!

Just a quick post to wish you all a 'Merry Christmas'! Hope everyone has a wonderful day spent with your loved ones.

Here's my last Christmas card for the year, I made this one a bit more special as it's for my grand daughter, Annika. This will be her 2nd Christmas so it will be a fun time for her, she's just learnt to say 'Santa' so I thought a Santa image was appropriate for her card. The image is an old stamp by Hero Arts, the papers are from Kaisercraft. I stamped a 2nd image, coloured it with Prismacolor pencils, cut it out and popped it onto dimensional dots.

Stamped Christmas cards.

Yes, I did actually manage a few stamped Christmas cards after all! The first one is an image that I had stamped and coloured a while ago, but I decided to add some stickles and a star to it and make it a bit more Christmassy! The tree is a Stampin' Up stamp and I think the greeting is by Stampa Rosa.



The ornaments on the card below are die-cuts, the pine bough is a Hero Arts stamp and the greeting is by Stampin' Up.

I used the same Hero Arts pine bough on this last card, but only stamped it once (I think I should've used a bit darker ink than this!), the greeting is by Stampin' Up and the ornament is by Firecracker stamps by Pamela.

I don't think these cards are my best work, but time was running out and they are the best I could do at the moment. Thanks for stopping by today, these are all that I have to show for now, but hopefully when I can use my arm again I will make a few more Christmas cards to share with you.

Non stamping Christmas cards.

Here are some more easy-peasy cards. The first 2 cards use Cuttlebug embossing folders and some Christina Re shimmery green paper. Used red Kaiser rhinestones for the holly card, the embellishment at the top of the tree card is by Yazzii, they look a lot like the Prima ones but much cheaper in price! I added some crystalline Stickles to the embossed tree.

The patterned paper on this card is by Alison Ellis Designs (AED), I cut the tree from a sheet of the PP and layered it on some cardstock for more stability. The snowflake is made from a Carl punch, I added some glitter to it.

Thanks for stopping by again!

Quickie Christmas cards

Here are a few of the Christmas cards that I've made recently. As I said in my previous post they are just quick cards, the main focal images are from a sheet of glitter stickers that I got at an end of year sale after last Christmas....not sure if the glitter shows up on the photos very well, just click for a larger image for a better look. Other than that I've just used Nestability dies, border punches, rub-on words and patterned papers. The only stamping is on the 1st card, some stars in the background of the yellow card.

I've made this a scheduled post and hopefully some others will follow over the next few days....if I've done this right! Thanks for looking.

Still here!

The last month has just flown by for me! I'll give you a bit of an update at the end of this post, but first here are some more lovely DAK's from some OSA and blogging friends from around the world.

First up is this lovely Asian card from Margo S, I love the rainbow background colours!

This one is from Cindy C, it's just sooo cute!

This beauty is from Lynn E., using one of my fave images and the background is gorgeous!

This faboulous creation is from Shirley R, I just love those beautiful violets!

Last, but not least is this beautiful dragonfly card from Beth U, the lattice border at the top is just perfect!

Thank you all my friends for your lovely cards and heartfelt messages, I do appreciate it very much right now.

Now for my update! I've had 2 Chemo treatments (cycles) so far, the side effects haven't been too bad but it's makes me very tired for 4 or 5 days afterwards. As I only have chemo every fortnight, I feel pretty good for the 2nd week.

I've had a bit of a set back however, the incision where they inserted my porta cath still hadn't healed over and I got an infection in it....I did tell the oncology nurses when I went for the 2nd treatment that I thought it was infected, but they looked at it and said it was just the way it was healing. A few days later it was red and swollen and painful so I went to my GP and he agreed with me that it looked infected and put me on antibiotics...and took a swab! Anyways, to cut a long story short the oncology doctor decided the porta cath had to come out, which they did later that day and tomorrow I have to have another one inserted in my left arm.......not happy about that as that's my dominant arm and I'll barely be able to dress myself let alone anything else for a few days. There is some good news though, my oncologist wants it to heal properly this time so I won't be having any more chemo until after the New Year! At least I can spend some quality time with my family over Christmas, thank goodness!

I have been plodding along making a few Christmas cards here and there, nothing special just quick and easy ones. I'll try and post them later on today, while I can still type!

If you managed to read all that, thanks again for continuing to leave such supportive comments on my blog, it means such a lot to have such wonderful friends in blogland! :)

Edit to add: You would not believe what happened this morning when I went to the hospital to get the new porta cath inserted! I had to go to the Day Oncology Unit first, then Radiology send someone across to take you to them for the procedure. So they take my obs, get me to change into a gown, check the wound from the other arm to see if it's healing OK.........then they tell me that the procedure has been cancelled because the idiots in Radiology didn't have a Porta Cath for me!!! It was re-booked for Thursday while I was there.......then I get a phone call from Radiology when I get home to say they've changed it again to Friday!! Pfft, I wish they'd get their act together....I was planning to go and visit my Dad on Friday, can't do that now and my arm will still be really sore if I go on the weekend. Can you guess that I'm really over having to wait around hospitals lately?

More Christmas cards!

I've finally made a couple more Christmas cards........I don't think I'll be able to make all my cards this year at this rate!

I used sketch #141 from the CPS blog for the first card. All cardstock is by Stampin' Up, holly leaf stamps by Fiskars, tree stamp by Stamp Rosa and ink is Brilliance Pearlescent Ivy.

The 2nd card uses this week's sketch, Kazan's #39 from the 2Sketches 4You blog. I only used one stamp, the greeting, from a Stampin' Up set. The wreath is a Francheville die-cut, also used a Cuttlebug embossing folder and Nestabilities die.

Just a quick update on my progress........I had a Porta Cath inserted in my arm last Monday and my first Chemo treatment is this coming Monday. I've been told I'll be there at the hospital for most of the day and will take home another lot of chemo which drip feeds through a pump over the following 48hrs....ick! At least I only have to do this every fortnight, so fingers crossed it's not too bad. I'm not sure how often my blog will get updated while I'm getting treatment, so if I'm MIA you'll know why! I'll be sure to keep you all posted when I can though, thanks for stopping by today!

Mojo Monday #111

I've used this week's sketch from the Mojo Monday blog for this card.

I know I was going to make more Christmas cards, but this image has been sitting on my desk top since before I had surgery! I watercoloured a number of images using Tim Holtz Distress inks and this is one of them. The stamp is by Inkadinkado and it's one of the first stamps I ever bought....thought it was about time it got used again.

The pink background piece is a technique from the Technique Junkie Newsletter, called Simple Whitewash. The design paper is by Heidi Grace, flower by Green Tara and the greeting is a Hero Arts one.

Thanks for visiting today!

My 1st Christmas card made!

I thought I'd better get a head start this year with my Christmas cards as I don't think I'll feel up to it once my Chemo starts. I should have had more done by now, but this is my first card........it's taken me days to complete!

I used this weeks sketch, #12, from the Get Sketchy blog.

Supplies used:
SU cardstock and ink - except the trees, which is Pedigree Paper.
Justrite stampers tiny letters for the greeting.
Assorted snowflake stamps from several stamp sets - some are Fiskars, I forget the others.
Cuttlebug Christmas Tree dies.
Making Memories green flower, not sure about the white one.
Ranger Frosted Lace Stickles.
Kaiser gems.
Making Memories gem brads.
Carl snowflake punch.
Nestability die.
Other - white handmade paper for the snow, unknown PP for the snowy sky b/ground, green/white/gold ribbon, snowflake eyelet.


Thanks for stopping by today!

A beautiful gift...........and the roller coaster ride continues.

I was hoping to be able to post some good news today after my visit to my Oncologist yesterday..........sadly it is not to be. My PET scan has revealed that the cancer has spread into the lymph glands, it means that they are not confident of getting rid of it all with chemo. The hope is that they will reduce the size of them and prevent them from spreading into other parts of the body. This news seems to have hit me harder than the original diagnosis did, I think it's finally sinking in how serious my condition is.............it really felt like a kick in the guts hearing that news yesterday! The weird thing is that I don't feel like I'm ill right now!

I start chemo in around 2 weeks from now, I'm just waiting on notification from the hospital........my life seems to revolve around doctors' appointments and diagnostic procedures lately!

Thanks again for continuing to post positive, supportive comments.....I really appreciate it! I refuse to let this disease get the better of me and am trying my best to remain confident of a good outcome.

Anyways, that's enough of me, please have a look at the beautiful gift my lovely blogging friend, Sonya - Pickles Patch, from NZ sent me! It's a beautiful journal with lots of stamping and pockets and spaces to put photos and journalling etc. I've photographed the cover and just a few of the pages, so please scroll down and have a look at them all. Thanks so much Sonya for such an awesome gift!

OSA Sketch Layout #41 and more DAK/RAKs.

I've been feeling pretty good over the last week, so managed to have some craft time. This week's OSA sketch layout #41 was a fairly simple one, so here's my effort. I used Stampington's Acey Deucy "Calligraphy Robe" stamp....one of my favourite Oriental images.


Here are yet some more DAK/RAKs that I've received from other OSA members recently, please scroll down the page to see them all. I feel so blessed to belong to such a wonderful caring group, thank you all so much for thinking of me.

Cards from Bonnie B. and Carolyn S.

From Willow and Sandra G.

From Linda I and Margo S.

I had my PET Scan on Wednesday and go to see my Oncologist tomorrow. I will probably find out about how much Chemo I'll be getting and when it starts......fingers crossed that nothing has showed up on the PET scan!

I'm still here!!

I just wanted to give my blog readers a long overdue update on how things are going here, and show you some of the lovely cards I've been sent by well-wishers from around the world.

I can't believe it's been 5 weeks since I had surgery! I'm pleased to say that I'm feeling much better now, it took me a while to figure out why I kept feeling so nauseous during the night. Finally the penny dropped that it was a gastric reflux thing.........and I already had medication for it, I just thought I didn't need it! I haven't had any nausea for almost a week now so I'm eating a little better now, but still not up to a proper meal size portion. I've lost around 9.5kg since I got sick, but have only put 0.5kg back on again, so I have to take some protein supplement drinks to try and get my weight back up again.

My CT scan was clear, but my oncologist tells me that it won't show up microscopic sized cancer cells, so he's sending me for a PET scan next Wednesday. He hasn't scheduled me for Chemo yet as I was still feeling so sick when I saw him, but I guess I will know more when he has the PET scan results.

Here are some of the beautiful cards I've been sent from some of the online groups I belong to, and from my wonderful blogging friends. Thank you all so much for caring about me, I can't tell you how wonderful it's been reading your heartfelt messages!

Clockwise from top left: Sandy Nolan, Sharon Williams, Sonya Pickles, Janis Rothermel, Elaine Cox and Shanti Keogh.

Mary Waspe, Margaret Ashby, Bonnie Waliezer, Bonnie Belk, Margo Seegrist and Lyn Wareham.

Lydia Storey, Nancy Freckelton, Carole Meisenhelter, Diane Young and my dear friend Wirgie.

Suzanne Boyer, Marie Doody, LaVerne Wilson, Vicky Fernando and Minda Oberle.

Thank You!!

I've just been reading the comments left on my last post and I have tears running down my face at the beautiful well wishes left. Thank you so much for caring about someone most of you have only met through blogland.

My recovery is going slowly, I'm not in too much pain but I can't seem to get on top of the nausea just yet...but it's early days still.

I'll pop in here when I can to give an update, but it might be a while before I'm up to much.

Checking in.

Hi everyone, I'm just popping in to give you all an update on why I've been MIA lately. If you read the previous message posted by my daughter, Jo, you'll know that I've had surgery. Well, I'm home now, but unfortunately it's not good news I'm afraid. I went into hospital for a bowel obstruction which turned out to be bowel cancer......not something I was wanting to hear, especially after my Mum died of it just over 2 yrs ago! It's been something that I've been kind of expecting to happen, but not at age 54!

My family have been wonderful and supportive, although it's come as a huge shock to us all. I will be fighting it all the way and will be starting chemo, probably next month. I'm not a religious person, but I will take all the prayers, well wishes, positive vibes etc you can send my way. I hope to be well enough soon to be able to contribute some art to my blog, but please understand that it may be a bit sporadic.

Thanks to those who left comments and well wishes on Jo's post, I have over 600 emails sitting waiting to be read so it might be a while before I get around to answering those. If any of my fellow OSA members are reading this, please feel free to pass this info onto the group...it might be a while before I can join in again.

Sorry Sandie and Vicky, but I won't be able to do a catch up at the next Picture to Page show. Angela, if you're reading this, I did get my SU order the day before I went to hospital...thanks for that.

OK, I think that's it for now! Bye for now.

Re:Lyn's update

Hi, I am Joanne, one of Lyn's twin daughters. Just letting you all know that Lyn will be unavailable to use her blog for a little while. She has just had surgery and will be recovering in hospital for the next few days. So stay tuned, it may be a couple of weeks before she is feeling well enough to do her blogging. I am sure you will all join me in wishing her a very speedy recovery.

Thanks, Jo.

Good morning everyone! Sorry I've been MIA all week, I just haven't been feeling the best. I'm having a lot of problems with my left eye at the moment which is affecting my vision. Hopefully now, after a visit to the doctor, I am getting it under control. So I'll make this a quick post while I can see clearly right now.

This is just a quick card that I made as a birthday card for my DH's sister. I was late making it and needed to keep it fairly flat for posting, so it's fairly plain. I used a stamp from Stampin' Up's 'Seaside Sketches' set (retired). I love this set, but don't often use it. I coloured the image using Tim Holtz Distress Inks. DP is by SEI.

Thanks for looking, I'm way behind on my blog reading too, hope to catch up as soon as my eye is better!

Take care!