Yes, sometimes, life comes to a stop – or at least a serious slow down where you put on a happy face for those around but inside you just want to scream or cry. I know we’ve all been there. I’ve been there several times but for the last while, it’s been a very different experience. Without going into major details… the dreaded “C” word became a possibility for me. Cancer. At first skin cancer and then something more serious -- Hodgkins Lymphoma.
And, yes… I did over-react somewhat, to theories and guesses but I had to prepare myself – mentally for the possibility. So much so, I began to formulate in my mind a team of friends I knew I could count on to be there for Bradleigh so that her life would remain as normal as possible, friends that would take me to and from chemotherapy and stay with me during treatments. Then, in my darker moments, my mind wandered to the “what if.” What if it’s not something I could beat? Then my mind wandered to thinking about making the perfect high school graduation card, college graduation card, wedding card, baby card and just “thinking of you” cards to leave behind for Bradleigh because I just might not be there. Ideally, like any mom does, they take care of everyone else before even thinking about taking care of themselves.
I am so grateful and happy to report I am cancer-free. The mark on my side, while not cancer, is often a pre-cursor to Hodgkins Lymphoma and something I need to keep an eye on… but not dwell on. I’m very thankful that, for right now, it’s nothing serious and that I have the knowledge I do to recognize anything that might (or hopefully might not) happen in the future.
So… in case you were wondering what happened to me, that’s the short of it. (Throw in there the Crafty Chicks first crop – which was AMAZING, book fair at school, teacher appreciation week and end of school year activities – and just playing general catch-up!)
Tomorrow is the last day of school. I cannot believe summer is here… and so is my new catalog, but I’m not allowed to share the nitty gritty. I can say, however, that it’s fabulous and there some incredibly innovative products inside. I also received yesterday, a box of new colors, new stamp sets and new accessories and hope to spend some time tomorrow night while Mitch is at hockey playing. With everything that’s been going on, I’ve had virtually no desire, no inspiration and no energy to stamp or create so I’m looking forward to spending some time with just my new stamps and I. J
That being said, I did work on something for Bradleigh’s teacher for Teacher Appreciation. Actually, work makes it sound easy – I labored and cried. I just couldn’t come up with anything that was original so I went to the “memory banks” and used some “oldy-but-goody” ideas to put together a basket. I was all set to deliver it to school on the last Friday of Teacher Appreciation week (the Friday before Mother’s Day) and Bradleigh came down with strep and had a 103+ fever for 2 days straight.
Anyway – here’s the basket and the “goodies” in it.
The basket all put together...
A simple candle wrapped in Urban Oasis Designer Series Paper and Valet Ribbon Originals.
A box of 4" cards embossed with the Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and then tied with either Kiwi Kiss Satin, Basic Gray Tafetta or Valet Ribbon Originals ribbon. The box was made with Kraft cardstock and Med. Weight Window Sheets.
The cards inside were very simple!
This modified 2-4-6-8 box was made with Medium Weight Window Sheets. The rose from Fifth Avenue Florals were stamped with White StazOn on the Window Sheets. The rose was stamped in Basic Gray and watercolored with Baja Breeze. Basic Gray Tafetta finished it off. Inside, Ghiradelli Chocolates were wrapped with more Urban Oasis DSP.
A white 5"x5" frame from Ikea. More watercolored flowers from Fifth Avenue Floral and Urban Oasis Designer Series Paper with a verse found online printed on Baja Breeze cardstock.
I managed to find lip balms with caps in Kiwi Kiss but not Baja Breeze so I wrapped some Baja Breeze ribbon from the Valet Ribbon Originals around the one in the middle and more Urban Oasis Designer Series paper. The box is the wonderful Matchbox Die that's in the Occasions Mini. Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon finishes it off.
A simple Post-It Note cover made from Kraft Cardstock, embossed with the embossing folder and more Kiwi Kiss ribbon as an embellishment. The "Notes" was cut with the Big Shot. 
Lastly, I found these Kraft-colored clay pots at Ikea a few years ago and didn't know what to do with them. I ended up giving some of them to the Salvation Army but glad I kept a couple. I used the "Welcome" Decor Element in white around the rim. I had intended to put a small white geranium or pansies in it but when Bradliegh came down with strep, I didn't get out. Her teacher came to the house on Saturday to deliver the Mother's Day gift Bradleigh made in class. Mrs. Adams was an amazing teacher -- such a sweetheart. We'll miss her!
Well -- there you have it. Where's I've been. What' I've been up to. God-willing, life will return back to "normal" here and I can continue to post on a regular basis and get a summer class schedule together!
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