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.

Favorite stamp

I learned from Lin's blog that there is a challenge on Simon says Stamp to use your favorite stamp, so I thought that was quite an easy challenge to give it a go.

I used the Simple Frame which is a definite favorite of mine these last days. These make nice and quick thank you cards to have ready on any occasion.
Secondly,

I love the dictionary definition stamps from Hero Arts and have used it on this card. First of all I distressed it and then stamped it in the middle of the diecut (thanks Suzz). Then I stamped some of my other favorite Pink Paisley stamps around it in different color distress inks. I added a white flower layered with a transparent one (thanks Barb). I made the die cut dimensional, as that adds to a card.

I am so happy with all of your lovely comments. I am getting some nice advice too and will be noting everything down and doing my inquiries. Today I wanted to craft and did not let any form of sickness get in the way!

We are having cold weather all of a sudden and lots of rain. Hope the sunshine comes back!

Much love to you all!

Missing you all!

Hi dear friends, I have missed you! From Friday to Wednesday evening I have been in Holland with DH. We had a speaking engagement for a Christian Conference on Family and Marriage, which we did twice. We saw our sons at the Bible School too, they had just returned from a Mission trip to Romania with their class.
We were invited to stay in the perfect spot with a lovely Dutch family near Zeeland in South Holland in the countryside. It was nice weather and we had a very enjoyable time.

When I arrived home, once again I was overwhelmed with your kindness in the form of cards and packages!! I feel truly blessed! I am doing my best to thank everybody personally for this boost and support. Here are a few shares from the last week. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I have not even been able to photograph everything, so more next time.

Today at four o'clock I have a check-up for my heart, and Monday the treatment begins. Monday morning I have been told that no Chemo-angels are allowed inside, so I will have to trust in the invisible ones to be with me :).
Several of you have informed me of the possibility of wearing an 'ice-cap'. It is put on the head during treatment and could prevent hair-loss. I have already phoned and they have them available, so it is worth a try!

I did manage to make a card before I left for Holland but couldn't finish it, so I did today to share with you.

Susanne, do you recognize the black paper panel and Tiffany I have used two of the flowers you sent me... thanks girls!

I have been too occupied with priorities to pick up card-making since I've been back, so waiting for the inspiration to start flowing again.

Thanks once again for standing with me!
Have a lovely weekend!

Getting stronger!

Well, it's stronger than me, the need to create so I have made some more cards and have decided to enjoy the Simple Frame as much as possible as it gives me so much inspiration. The stamps I used are from the Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden set. I LOVE these stamps! Background ink is scattered straw distress.

Yesterday I had my bandage removed and everything looked fine. I was meditating with the Lord this morning and found how easy it is to focus on the negative while on the other hand it is possible to focus on the positive. Like yesterday a knock on the door brought a radiant angel to my aid (my lovely Dutch friend who lives in the area) and within ten minutes there she was doing all my ironing! Or the phone call from a lady who carries the family on her heart - or the other lady who prayed extensively for me over the telephone.... oh yes, not to forget that I prayed for the pain I felt on my scar only to find that the pain had gone and remained painless the rest of the day.... I mean - if we could count our blessings then we get a whole different look upon life. And then the cards, the e-mails, beautiful people who take their time to send me words of encouragement on my blog - it is just overwhelming!
AND, I am up and about, I have left my bed and partaking in the daily routine again, I have seen that it is better for me, just to rest in the afternoons.
THANK YOU all once again for popping in, it helps pass my day and gives me hope and encouragement.
Hope you are well ladies!

Tag Tuesday - Use a postcard cutout

The theme this week over on the tag challenge blog is to use a cutout of a postcard  in your possession on your tag. I punched out three faces from the one I found. I chose the paper according to the colors of the postcard, not my normal colors.

I used the Pink Paislee stamps with white ink to decorate the tag and added a few vellum flowers from the design block Lace stamp from Hero Arts and a  added a vellum butterfly.

Art Creations Friday - last challenge

Another challenge blog which is closing after 2.5 years.. I remember taking part in their very first challenge and I want to be a part of their very last one. The image they supplied is the lady on the card, which is actually very similar to the very first lady image they posted on their blog! Made with the Pink Paislee patterned paper.

And I found a card with their first image which was this lady below:

Now I am wondering whether it is the same lady or not?

Wouldn't that be a coincidence if it was?