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