Keep your faith!

Just popping in to say hello! The weather has been sweltering, a humid heat which does not allow me to create and having lost my inspiration I am posting a CAS card which I made at the end of last week. I have always loved this sentiment stamp, it is so meaningful. The card is a long shape for a change and, because I didn't want to loose any of the lovely paper from Pink Paislee which Sue so kindly sent me. This card is an easy recipe for quick cards and not covering up the lovely patterned paper.



To give you a little update - I am still doing well, my tiredness is pure physical and due to the weather. Thinking of you all!

Collage card

Just a little share before the weekend. I perched the bird up on a birdcage which was part of the patterned paper from Pink Paislee.
The bird stamp is part of the Bird Collage stamp from Hero Arts, which I used on it's own.

I have been busy with a little project for our Church Missions, so have a little less time for the blog. I also have another project in mind which I can't wait to start on and that I will share when it's finished. Love being creative!

I am feeling very well, haven't lost any energy, only trying to find balance with the appetite and forcing myself to drink. I have received another lot of cards this week which I will be sharing next week again. I feel so overwhelmed with the kindness and it makes me feel so happy! You have been cheering me on from the start - real team work! Thank you!

I will leave you today with a picture of me and my wig. I do miss my hair though because it kept my ears warm at night :)
It does take some getting used too but I am determined to persevere. At home I just wear some nice pastel cotton scarves.






God bless you!
Jacqueline

Some shares

Today I am sharing some of the heartfelt tokens of love and support I have been receiving. This is all part of my journey and everything is important to me!

Home-made jam van Vanessa in Germany with a beautiful card!

Fro

From Ellie (Holland) and Lin (USA).

And this beauty is from Chris Richards (U.K.)

This vintage beauty from Petra in Holland. That is four different countries already. Thank you all ladies!

My last share is two cards I made using the same A4 sheet of brown gingham that I printed out on Sunday.

Some peaches from our tree, they only need to soften and they are ready to eat.

See you again soon!
Jacqueline

Hero Arts Challenge, distress inks, take 2

I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday! I felt quite good yesterday but today I'm tired. It's just beautiful weather too, but as I can't go in the sun until after five o'clock I'm glad I have some distraction in the craft room.

Hero Arts challenge this month was to use distress inks in the form of painting. My first card, which can be found here, was painted after I had stamped the image. With this card I brought the paintbrush with diluted distress inks directly to the stamp and then stamped on paper to get a watercolor look. Same technique, different application. I printed out a postcard image from The Graphic's Fairy and did some machine sewing around my panel.

I have seen a lot of gingham lately and I really love that, but I wanted some darker colors. Luckily I found a link here, where I found denim blue and a brown color which I really like.

Have a great week!

Birds on a fence!

So glad to be here again and typing but it's sheer will power! I have been so sick that I thought I could never write on my blog again. I couldn't hold a drop of water and the odor-sensitivity was totally out of proportion. I find it difficult to eat and to drink, but I'm fed up of doing nothing but stare and wait until its gone. I was given an anti-nausea pill that cost more than 50 euros (The State pays everything 100 percent) which didn't help me either so I just have to get through it knowing that I will see good times again. I have at least eaten one apple today.  Thank you to continue to pray as I feel hope when I can count on the Lord.

This is what I wanted to share today, I made it Tuesday already after I received a little package from Hellemor. Can you see the little crochet hearts - aren't they beautiful. The card she sent me which is here underneath, just melted my heart and I so wanted to case it. I couldn't get it as nice as hers because I don't have all the stamps she used but I sure enjoyed having her card as a reference. Hellemor thank you so much!

We have both used distress inks. I am a real fan of Helle's collage cards.

And here they are together, chirping to each other!

HOPE to be back soon!! So glad you make me feel connected to the world!

Jacqueline

Bird Collage

I might not be able to post for a few days so I'm going to do so now. This morning just before the taxi arrived for the hospital, I received a stamp I have been wanting for a long time. I loved it as soon as I saw it, but couldn't get it in France. I didn't want to spend extra money on postage but Simon says Stamp ask less postage than they do here, so I took the plunge!



The second chemo session went well with the Vascular access port. I was very discouraged before I left but decided to really take my stand and Praise the Lord. I noticed that his strength rose up in me and carried me through. I exchanged with the other ladies who were there this morning and we all went through the same really. One lady had asked her hairdresser to shave her head because the hair that was found EVERYWHERE was getting to be a huge nuisance. I can only agree! I think I have got over that stage now. O yes, I was cutting out butterflies from 10 to 12 o'clock!
I will show you a picture of me and my wig soon....

Update

Dear friends, although I have been crafting, I haven't been my usual self after the last operation. I needed a lot of rest and didn't always take it. I have lost a lot of hair, it is very thin now, but I still have a light cover :)
I am quite apprehensive to wear my wig because I get these hot flushes and can't stand wearing anything that  is too warm. I must say that I am very impressed with how my DH is holding out - I can get grumpy and irritated. Yesterday he came and sat in my craft room and told me how he had prepared himself for this time and that he would stand by me because he loved me, even now that makes me cry. God is like that too - He doesn't ever give up on us!

Tomorrow I have my second chemo session using the VAP which is still quite sore. I think I will take my scissors with me again and cut out butterflies, that is if I don't get to chat to anybody.

I will leave you today with this little grid which was inspired by this card from Petra. It was another card using the PDCC colors of blueberry, dusty pink and beige. Stamps are Pink Paislee.

Thanks for your prayers and thoughts, your kindness and sunshine you bring into my life. Crafting is real therapy and it has brought so much into my life via the blogging world. Thank you and God bless!

Jacqueline

Update and card for The Play Date Cafe color challenge

Dear blogging friends,
Below I have a little update of how it went yesterday.



This is my card for the PDCC color challenge this week. I really loved the grid of photos which you can see below, they inspired me. The Hero Arts Frame has been stamped on Basic Grey PP (thank you Susanne.. I think..) and the butterfly is HA too. The foliage stamp is Pink Paislee and the sentiment Hero Arts.

Isn't this just lovey! And here is a picture I took after I looked for some field flowers - that also suit the challenge colors:

Yesterday I had a Vascular Access Port implanted beneath my skin just above my heart. I had been praying for a long time that I would still have my hair for this day and not have to be exposed in this way and thank goodness I was saved this feeling of shame. I nestled into a nice little hospital room at around 2 p.m. and opened my little box which I had prepared and started cutting out butterflies. I was enjoying myself so much that the time flew and before I knew it they came to collect me for the operation! I had a local anesthesia which meant I was awake and that was quite scary being in the Operation Room with all the big lights etc.! I was quite tense and felt even more pressured when they laid a heavy sort of protective blanket over me which stuck to my skin and blocked my breathing a bit because it was so close to my throat and mouth.. but then the miracle happened, after about ten minutes I felt the tension ease and I was totally relaxed, that I even started enjoying it :)  I know it was the Lord and the prayers of His children. Thanks to all those wonderful people who thought of me. With this little metal box inside I am now a suspect at every Airport :)
This way the Chemo will be administrated instead of picking a vein every time. The Doctor who did the surgery was so nice and kind as were all the nurses. I'm beginning to feel quite at home there.
This was the second big hurdle which is now behind me. Glad to be home today taking it easy.

Making my own sunshine :)

I won't be here tomorrow. I have to go to the hospital for a catheter which will be fitted under my skin for at least two years. It is where the infuse will be fitted when I have my chemo treatment, which will start again the 14th of June. I have been feeling very well this last week!

So I am posting a little card today. Crafting is such therapy for me. Using up rests of projects instead of throwing them away is one of my little pleasures. As we are having a grey, wet and rainy June I thought I would make my own sunshine by choosing blue and yellow for this grid. Most of the stamps are Hero Arts.

Thank you for standing by me with your support and prayers!
See you soon.

Just for fun

Thank you all for your comments on my Framed Village card.
We are going on a little journey, to begin with this photo:
Susanne wrote " Your photo reminds me of Porto in Portugal!". Well I have never been in Portugal but isn't this a beautiful village!

For this second photo, Sally wrote:"...reminds me so much of my holiday last year in Italy. The little village near us called Cervo was just like that" - and she was right!

Ros wrote "The photo and your card remind me of Positano in Italy .. wow, I think that this would make a beautiful vacation spot!

 

Paula wrote " Your card reminds me of the lovely drive we took along the coast from Sorrento. I know that Paula, who lives in Florida, is a fan of Italy, and I have to agree with her.

All beautiful spots in Europe!

Winner butterfly stamps

 (This is a photo I took recently when I was in Dirksland, Holland)

Random Org gave me nr. 22 this morning, which is Tish in Tampa. I have already sent you an e-mail.
My second pick is Gisèle, Nr. 3 - who will be receiving something from me too.

Thanks for joining me in my giveaway, there will be more to come in future.

I don't know about you but I am going to be watching the dream Tennis final this afternoon between Roger and Rafa. As you all know I'm a Rafa fan!

Until next time, enjoy your day!

Hero Arts Monthly Challenge - painting with distress inks

Making this was so much fun to do. I was inspired recently by a photo on the Moxie Fab blog of a Village, I believe in Italy. These villages are all over the place in Southern Europe and I love visiting them. We won't be going to our beloved Calella in Spain this year, but this card will give me memories of the beautiful village where we stay next to the Sea.

The Hero Arts Village Stamp has been stamped and colored and cut into two segments. The smaller segment has dimension and added two 'trees' from the acrylic leaf prints set behind the houses.
I used distress inks, diluted in water and added color with a paint brush.

Here is the inspiration photo:

This is a village next to the Sea too.

A wonderful weekend to you all! Announcing the winner tomorrow, via random org.
Jacqueline x

Birds, butterflies and a give-away

 Hello, today is Ascension day and a National holiday. It is cold, grey and rainy.

This first card will accompany the winner of this stamp set, which I am giving away today. The bird is one of my favorite stamps from Artistic Outpost. They have a lovely blog here.

Unfortunately it is a set I have hardly used, not a 'go-to' set for me at all, but it might be for somebody else. As you know I'm reluctant to keep things I don't use. My thanks to Stella who went to a Dutch shop to get these for me. I know she will understand. Just leave a comment and DS will pick a number this weekend.

You see that verse in the left-hand corner, it's so special to me. I received it as a promise from God ten years ago when I was ill and every time there was a need, somehow God got that verse to me again , via a card, a devotional, a book, a personal word, etc. etc. And this week, I received it again from an unexpected source. This promise is for ALL His children. He knows that we might fear, so He says DO NOT fear - I AM WITH YOU! I have at times had to speak to my own soul - do not fear, God is with you.... I am so happy with our Heavenly Father and so thankful for all the wonderful people I have met via the Craft World. You are so special and I feel so uplifted! I have another share of the beautiful cards I received this week.

It is now the 11th day after Chemo. Monday my white blood count had halved and I felt weak. Today I have more energy. I have a constant longing for a 'broodje kroket', only the Dutch readers will know what I mean. It is a croquet made from meat and ragout deep fried, eaten on brood with *mayonnaise (*optional)! And do you know what? It's something they don't sell in France!!! I long for one nearly the whole day. It's as if that will fill the hole in my stomach. So my dear MIL told me to make them myself.

My second share is a little tag. As you know I love birds, butterflies and flowers. I feel they give 'life' to a card. The bird image is also from Artistic Outpost, the Bluebird Stamp Plate.

God bless!