Ummmm... hello....

Just because this made me giggle... had to share!

WOW~ I can't believe I have neglected my poor blog for almost a year!
The time has flown by and reading my last post brings it all back so fast.

Things are actually going pretty well right now.

Hubby is cancer-free as of our last scan (thank God) and he's feeling pretty good.
Recovery from surgery has been a long process, but we're thankful for every battle.

I have a new job that I really love and have made a few crafty things for fun, but haven't even taken pictures to post...

Just wanted to stop in to say hello.

I miss all my crafty friends and am planning to get better at staying in touch.

TTFN

Quick Update

Hello! It has been a long, long time since I've posted on this blog, so I wanted to take a minute to stop in to say "Hi" to anyone who may still be out there following along!

After The Crafter's Cafe closed up shop and my time with the Robyn's Fetish Design Team ended, I have had a lot going on. Work has been crazy busy and seems to take up so much time, I just don't get to play with paper as much as I was! :(

I still occasionally hide away and do a little creating, mostly cards and small gifts, but then, about 2 weeks ago, everything changed!

My hubby of 13 years was diagnosed with Kidney Cancer!

He spoke with his doctor about sharp pains he was feeling in his RIGHT side... the doc ordered an ultra-sound to check for gall stones. He found no stones but saw a "spot" on his kidney that didn't look right.

He referred us to a urologist, who ordered a CT Scan.

It turned out that, after looking at the kidneys, from both sides, that he had a "large, cancerous mass" on his LEFT side!! Apparently, the "spot" the first doctor noticed on the right side may have been a shadow of the tumor, it had grown so large! At no time, ever, did he have any symptoms that may have indicated his cancer!

He immediately scheduled surgery and last Friday (a week ago), we had the entire kidney removed, along with the mass! The pathology results showed that the tumor was "encapsulated" and had not ruptured or spread, which is good news. The doc said it was the largest tumor he had ever removed from a patient... it was about the size of a basketball, or a large dinner plate!!

We are now on the road to recovery and tomorrow morning, he will have his 52 staples removed from his belly!! The incision runs all the way across his tummy and down the right side... he is out of work until November!

He's doing well and is walking up and down stairs (slowly)... he is anxious to get out of the house and start eating "normal" food! :)

Just want to give a quick shout-out to Dr. Saleh, Dr. Godfrey and the staff at the Bradford Regional Medical Center Critical Care Unit!! Thank you all so very much for the attention and care you provided for my hubby!!

So, that's what I've been up to!! Just wanted to stop in and let ya'll know that i"m thinking about you!

Robyn's Fetish Challenge 155: Easel Cards

Hi Everybody and "Hello" to a new week!

Sure do hope you enjoyed our "What's Cookin' Kitchen Images" Blog Hop
and had a chance to grab some of the delightful new RF designs! (-:


This week, the
Robyn's Fetish Challenge theme is: 
Easel Cards 
and we're being sponsored by
 A Day for Daisies

I just LOVE the whimsical design of Tammy's images and it is always a pleasure to work with her!!

The winner will receive a $12 Certificate to the ADFD Store!

I chose "Butterfly A" for my project this week.

With permission from ADFD, I converted the image to a cutting file that can be used with my Eclips (-:
I imported the digi into my Sure Cuts a Lot software, traced it, flipped it, welded it, then did a "Print and Cut" onto some beautiful papers from the DCWV Heirloom Stack!

I used a Sizzix Embossing Folder for the background, and as you can see, in a few spots, some of the white core of the paper is showing through... I must have had the sandwich not quite right in my Big Kick and it embossed deeply enough to actually tear the paper a little... bit of a bummer, actually!!

The spots on the butterfly are Tim Holtz "Broken China" Distressed Stickles... who know glitter glue could get "distressed"... (-:

Every week, I try something a little "out of the box" and "different" to try to inspire you to play in our Robyn's Fetish Challenges! We welcome ALL paper craft projects and love to see how creative you can be with our Challenge Themes!!

Hopefully, this week, you'll try making an Easel Card and will join our challenge for a chance to WIN!!!

See you next time!

Here are a few challenges I would like to enter:

A Day for Daisies: Your Favorite Technique: I LOVE to go "outside the box" and try new and different things, and I also LOVE my Eclips and try to find new and different ways to use it! (-:

Brown Sugar Challenge Blog: Step or Easel Card. The projects posted by this DT are fascinating and I see a few things I know I'll be trying soon! (-:

Nutcrafters: Shaped Cards: I just found this challenge thru Feline Playful, but they have some cute digis and I'm sure I'll visit again!!

Flutterby Wednesday: Anything Goes with Butterfly or Fairy

Robyn's Fetish What's Cookin' Kitchen Images Blog Hop

Hi and welcome to the "What's Cookin' Kitchen Images Blog Hop"

You should have arrived here from SANDRA'S blog

If you've just arrived and would like to start from the beginning,

head over the Robyn's Fetish Challenge Blog 

Over the next 2 days, our team will be treating you

to some adorable new cooking themed images

that you're sure to love!

Make sure you leave a comment at every stop along the hop

and you'll be entered to win!! 


The GRAND PRIZE is the Winner’s choice of THREE 
of the NEW “WHAT’S COOKIN’” KITCHEN digital stamps.

Also, randomly scattered through the hop,
there will be 5 winners that will each receive 
ONE of the NEW “WHAT’S COOKIN’” KITCHEN IMAGES 
that are on 5 of the DT members’ blogs.

Here is my project:

The name of the image is "Cooking Mouse", so I figured a yellow
(cheese-colored) recipe box was appropriate...

The box is actually in another SVGCuts.com collection
called Christmas Open House

I colored Miss Mouse with Copics, Sharpies and Prismacolor Pencils.
The papers are all from DCWV... 

Here's a picture with the top on:

The original recipe box file has a cute little handle on top
but I didn't get a chance to put it on before time ran out to get ready for today's hop... if I choose to give this box as a gift, there are a few embellishments I will probably add to the top, just to dress it up a little...
but for today, I really wanted you to see the "Cooking Mouse"
and I hope you'll visit the rest of the hop
to see all the other "What's Cookin' Kitchen Images"!

Now it's time to head on over to SUE'S Blog
to see what crafty goodness she has cooked up!

Here is the complete hop list in case you get lost along the way

or have to take a break and come back!

THE ROBYN'S FETISH BLOG HOP LIST:

1.  THE ROBYN'S FETISH CHALLENGE BLOG -
      http://robynsfetishchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

2.  CHRISTINE - http://happyscrapper-sweetpeacards.blogspot.com/

3.  DEBBI - http://taylor-madecards.blogspot.co.uk/

4.  DIANE - http://dianesrambles-diane.blogspot.co.uk/

5.  EDWINA - http://edwinascreations.blogspot.com/

6.  KAREN - http://busybusyhoneybee.wordpress.com/

7.  LAURENCE - http://laurencecardsmemories.blogspot.com/

8.  LILIA - http://liliashandmade.blogspot.com/

9.  MARLENE - http://cardsmadebymarlene.blogspot.com/

10.  MICHELLE - http://www.scrapthosepictures.blogspot.com/

11.  SANDRA - http://crea-sandra.blogspot.com/

=====> YOU ARE HERE 12.  STACIE - http://hestiashelper.blogspot.com/

13.  SUE - http://suescraftworld.blogspot.com/

14.  SUSAN - http://stampingwiththecats.blogspot.com/

15.  VALERIE - http://lafeerieduscrap.blogspot.com/

16.  WENDY - http://wendypslittlecorneroftheworld.blogspot.com/

17.  THE ROBYN'S FETISH CHALLENGE BLOG -
       http://robynsfetishchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Robyn's Fetish Challenge 154: Anything Goes

**ETA** Imagine my surprise this morning when my newest Robyn's Fetish Challenge Project was not posted on my blog!!??!! With a little research, I found that I did indeed write up the post and was not losing my mind... I did, however, schedule it for the wrong day!

So, without further adieu... here is the originally scheduled post for your viewing pleasure! (-:

Hope the rest of the day works out a little more on "schedule" (especially nap time, since I didn't get home til almost 2am after work last night!!)

---

Hello and Howdy, friends!

Today a new challenge starts at the Robyn's Fetish Challenge Blog.
It's everyone favorite "Anything Goes"
and our sponsor is Robyn's Fetish.

The winner will received 3 images of their choice from the Robyn's Fetish Shop!

I got to play with one of the new images released in the Blog Hop last fall:
Jennie the Scarecrow

While it may be early to start thinking about scarecrows, we are definitely heading into Spring and time to set up our new, fresh, lovely gardens... I colored Jennie in all pastels to make sure you think of spring when you see her! :)

I used Prismacolor Pencils and Sharpie markers for coloring!

I used a "Lever" card style, which is pretty cool in real life. When you open the card, the image flips with the cardstock...

The little flowers and the "Smile" sentiment are Stampin Up Rubons I found in my stash drawer the other day. The flower is a pretty nifty little number from a K & Company booklet... pop them out, layer them up and voila, finished little embellie!

Thanks for stopping by today and make sure you pop on over to the Robyn's Fetish Challenge Blog to take a look at all the lovelies created by the RF Team!!