Dialysis

Dad was supposed to be having dialysis this evening but they decided it was too risky as even after a platelet transfusion and Vitamin E his blood still isn't clotting properly. They think that he'll be having dialysis tomorrow as long as his blood test results are better and there are more staff available during the day in case of emergency. He's now in a more intensive nursing environment as his liver is now not functioning properly either and his spleen is severely enlarged. His new consultant saw him today and actually spent an hour and a half with him taking his medical history and asking loads of questions. Apparently every time the Drs get close to making a diagnosis another symptom appears that the diagnosis can't explain so then it's back to square one again. They have now brought in consultant haematologists as well as the other consultants to see if they can diagnose Dad. In the meantime I wanted to go and visit him today but he is too weak and sleeps most of the time and has told my step-mum and sister that he can't face myself and my brother seeing him at the moment but will let them know as soon as we can. It seems weird that all I want to do is go and see him when a while ago we didn't have contact with each other for 5 years after a major falling out. I just hope I get to see him soon. I'm just keeping myself busy with the kids and making cards and scrapping which takes my mind off things at the moment. Saying that, Jess has still got a poorly tummy and is also teething and I've just endured 2 hours of crying from her before eventually getting her to sleep after dosing her up on Calpol , Bonjela on her gums and a whole load of cuddles.

Baby Girl Doodles

Two more cards using Kate's elements. These are from the Baby Girl Doodles set available from the Lilypad:

I used: Craft Creations cad, papermill card, black Sakura Micron pen, Marvy pens, ribbon, Making Memories safety pin, MAMBI thread, Kaiser rhinestone.

Pretty in Punk

Here's a card I made using one of Kate Hadfield's elements from the Pretty in Punk kit available at the Lilypad

I used: Craft Creations card, lilac paper embossed with Cuttlebug Allegro embossing folder, one of Kate's doodles, Quickutz Britannia skinni mini die-cut alphabet, Signo blakc and white pens.

Another update

Dad now has acute renal failure and has been moved to the specialist renal unit in another hospital. We don't know yet if he'll need dialysis but hoping to learn more today. I was hoping to visit him this weekend but Jess has been really grouchy this morning and now has vomiting and diarrhoea! Hopefully it'll be just because she's teething again rather than a bug as she was unwell last time just before her tooth appeared. Of course it could also be due to the fact I'm still on antibiotics whilst nursing her so we're playing it safe and staying at home. The boys have one more week at school before the end of term so maybe we can go and see Dad next week?

CPS #54

Well, I struggled with this one and my first attempt was binned so here's my second one!:

I used: Craft Creations cream linen card, DCWV Luxury Stack papers, Marah Johnson for Creative Imaginations chipboard, My Mind's Eye Magnolia rub-ons, Marvy pen and Kaiser rhinestones.

Di's card sketch March #4

Here's my card for Di's card sketch this week:

I used: Papermill card, MOD papers by Autumn Leaves, DCWV sticker ("Pop Princess"), chipboard crown by Creative Imaginations, Lakeland glitter, rhinestones, American Crafts mini-marks rub-on ("Happy Birthday"), black Versafine ink.

I heard last night that the results of Dad's bone marrow biopsy were fine. Today he's having another CT scan and (I think) an angiogram. All the Drs seem to know at the moment is that he has some sort of virus that is killing off his red blood cells and his body's ability to make any more.

CPS #53

Slowly getting there! Here's my card for CPS #53 - a birthday card for OH's cousin who is out in Australia at the moment:

I used: DCWV cardstock, KI Memories paper from Funky Paper Pad II, Nestabilities die-cuts, Quickutz Studio skinni mini alphabet die-cuts, Making Memories ribbon and a Scrapworks fastener.

CPS #52

Another "catch-up" card. This is Dad's birthday card but as he's going to be in hospital for his birthday I tried to keep it fairly simple (which is how he likes it!):

I used: Bazzill and DCWV cardstock, Papermania papers, Cuttlebug Olivia die-cut alphabet, American Crafts ribbon, HOTP buttons and brad, Heidi Grace sentiment stamp, Colorbox chalk ink.

Just spoken to my sister and found out that instead of giving Dad an ultrasound today they did a bone marrow biopsy instead to find out why he's so anaemic. He's also got a very low potassium level so is having it supplemented in a drip but they're still no closer to a diagnosis. One bit of good news though is that he has now managed to get a private consultant and is tonight being moved to a private room where at last he may be able to get peace and quiet and some sleep!

What's going on.....

at the moment in my life? Well, Dad is still in hospital and as of last night the Drs still have absolutely no idea what is wrong with him! Looks like he'll still be in there for his birthday on Friday which isn't ideal but hopefully he'll get a diagnosis soon. He recieved another 2 litre blood transfusion yesterday as he's severely anaemic. Have had Jamie off school today as he's had a rash since Thursday so I took him to the Drs this morning. Dr seems to think it's not contagious and has given him a cream to use. He'll be back at school tomorrow but doesn't want to do PE as he doesn't want to get changed in front of people and have them teasing him about his rash. As for me, I was back at the Drs this morning too! The antibiotics I was on last week for my injury haven't worked and in fact the symptoms have got worse so the Dr has given me a different prescription and if this doesn't work I may need to be referred for a small op so please join me in hoping that the medication works!

CPS #51

Playing catch-up! Here's my card for CPS #51:

I used: DCWV cardstock, My Mind's Eye Wild Asparagus paper, unknown make of ribbon, chipboard heart, Ranger crackle paint, My Mind's Eye Magnolia rub-ons (Love and flourishes), Colorbox chalk ink, Kaiser rhinestones, Creative Cafe sentiment rub-on.

Card for Dad

Here's the card I made for Dad this week:

I used: Papermill card, Colorbox dark brown chalk ink, Making Memories paper, Autumn Leaves (Rhona Farrer) ribbon, Nestabilities die-cuts, Studio G sentiment stamp, owl stamp from Inkadinkado Birds Galore set, Versafine black ink and a HOTP brad.

Apologies........

....for not updating or visiting my usual blogs for a while. My Dad is currently in hospital and has been since earlier this week due to a mystery illness. He hasn't eaten for 3 weeks and is really weak - the latest theory by the Drs is that it may stem from a tick bite or an airborne disease carried by birds. They can't do any tests this weekend with it being a Bank Holiday but will hopefully carry on with more tests after Easter. I'm just hoping that they get to the bottom of it soon as Dad is never ill and him being like this is so upsetting for all the family. My sister is being great helping out and running my step-mum to the hospital but I feel as much use as a chocolate teapot being stuck miles away with the kids.

I haven't felt like posting much on forums or visiting blogs so have been keeping busy scrapping - here's some of the layouts:

This is the boys back in June 2004.

I used: Paper Reflections cardstock, English Paper Company paper, Queen & Co felt fusion, Sizzlits Playground alphabet die-cuts, 7Gypsies chipboard tag, Colorbox chalk ink, date stamp, Studio g stamp, unknown make of ribbon, Marvy pen, Maya Road shipboard shape, Deluxe Designs sticker ("2").

Jess stuck under her highchair!

I used:Bazzill Doodlebug cardstock, Sizzlits Night & Day alphabet die-cuts, American Crafts rub-ons, Basic Grey rub-on, HOTP bloom and brad, Signo black and white pens.

Jamie at Christmas. I used: DCWV Glitter stack paper, cheap tag, Making memories alpabet stickers, Around the Block star brad, HOTP brads.

Matthew in October 2004.

I used: DCWV cardstock, KI Memories paper, My Minds Eye Bohemia rub-ons, white Signo pen.

Matthew in September 2005.

I used: DCWV cardstock, KI Memories paper, Scenic ROute Cape Town papers, Making Memories rub-ons ("loving your"), Cuttlebug Red Tag Sale alphabet die-cuts in black funky foam, treble clef cut by hand from funky foam, MOD Sparkles rub-on, My Minds Eye rub-on ("play"), Making Memories alphabet stickers, date stamp and HOTP brads.

I have no card to show this week for Di's card sketch but am hoping to have a go and show it soon.

I will also get around to answering any questions that have been left as comments - I'm not ignoring you, I promise!!!

One for Kate

Finally got something creative done - a hybrid LO for Kate:

The boys back in March 2005!

I used: Bazzill cardstock, Spring Tweets doodles and Black Alpha doodles by Kate at the Lilypad, Dymo, Basic Grey rub-on and black and white Signo pens.

And there's more....

Another couple of LOs:

I used: Bazzill cardstock, MOD paper, Papermania retro floral paper, 7 Gypsies chipboard, Technique Tuesday stamps, Dauber duo ink(teal), clear embossing powder, HOTP ribbon, brad and buttons, Kaiser gemstone, black gel pen and a Marvy pen.

Used: DCVW cardstock, Heidi Grace paper, Quickutz Maggie mini die-cut alphabet, Fiskars stamp (oodles of doodles) Colorbox chalk ink, American Crafts ribbon, May Arts ribbon, Prima flowers, cheap brad, HOTP button, eyelets, Marvy pen.

Jess is much better now, as is Matthew. They've both recovered fully from their viruses. I managed to injure myself last week, not going in to details though, and went to the Dr today. I'm now dosed up on mega antibiotics - 4 tablets in the morning and 4 again in the evening. Hopefully that'll work!

Di's card sketch March #2

Yesterday was Di's card sketch day and here's my very simple DT offering:

This was made as an acceptance for the invitation to my OH's cousin's wedding and I used the same colour scheme as the invitation we received.

Used: Papermill card, DCWV Luxuryy Stack paper, Quickutz Studio skinni mini alphabet die-cuts, Making Memories ribbon and other unknown brand of ribbon, HOTP bloom and brad, Kaiser pearl gemstones.

3 more!

All 8" x 8" LOs.

I used: DCWV cardstock, Heidi grace paper, Quickutz Blossom mini alphabet die-cuts, May Arts ribbon, Papermania ribbon brad, Marvy pen, HOTP button.

I used: DCWV cardstock, Fancy Pants stamps (Blissful season),black Versafine ink, Creative Cafe rub-on alphabet, Creative Imaginations rub-on ("Tis the season"), various gemstones.

I used: DCWV cardstock, DCWV papers (Christmas Glitter stack), Mary Engelbreit alphabet stickers, Dovecraft brad, Dymo.

Jess has been really clingy and grouchy today which I'm putting down to her teething. She wouldn't let me out of her sight today which meant I had to sit and cuddle her for an hour and a half while she slept this morning! Gave me a chance to catch up on some of last season's ER which I completely missed!

Matthew was complaining of not feeling well this evening and went to bed early having eaten hardly any tea and was asleep within about 5 minutes so whether he's going to school tomorrow or not we shall find out in the morning. Whatever happens tomorrow I really need to start clearing my laundry basket!

2 to show

Here's 2 layouts of the ones I've done recently:

(The photo looks mottled as it was taken through the glass divider in our living room.)

I used: Paper Reflections cardstock, DCWV papers, Fancy Pants chipboard, Heidi Grace stamps, October Afternoon stamp, black Versafine ink, date stamp, black gel pen.

Used: DCWV cardstock, Chatterbox papers, Sizzlits Round-a-bout die-cut alphabet, Quickutz Metro skinni mini die-cut alphabet, Queen & Co felt fusion, Autumn Leaves sticker, HOTP buttons.

An award.... for me!!!

I received this award from Toni , one of my SBS11 sisters and Lil'ol'me (whose name I don't know - sorry) but who confesses to reading my blog. Thank you to both of you for making my day!

I'm now supposed to nominate another 5 blogs that inspire me but having looked through all my favourites it looks like they've already received it so if you're reading this and you haven't received it yet - consider yourself nominated!

Today we have gale force winds and a lot of rain. The buggy (with Jess in it) was nearly blown over twice this morning on the way back from taking the boys to school! Having said that, the sun has just started shining although it's still very windy.

I'm off to photograph/scan some LOs I've done and may post later if children and time permit.

Di's card sketch March #1

Here's my card for Di's March #1 card sketch :

I used: Papermill card, MME Wild Asparagus papers, lace from a charity shop, Melissa Frances cut-out, chalk ink, HOTP bloom and button, Making Memories safety pin, Junkitz jump ring and my trusty sewing machine.

Getting better

Jess now is a lot better than she was so thank you to everyone for the good wishes. Just as she was getting over her virus I got it - isn't that always the way! but now feel a lot better than I did apart from a very sore throat. I'm hoping today to do a couple of blog posts but in the meantime can I thank Toni and Lil Ol Me who tagged me while I was away from the PC. Right I'm off to visit my SBS sisters and see what they've been up to! In the meantime here's a couple of Jess pics - her with a very sore nose and showing off her first tooth!

No updates

yet. Jess has a stinking cold and is not sleeping at night and then has spent all day today vomiting so I haven't got anything to post. Will hopefully have a well baby and be back soon!

Mother's Day

It's Mother's Day!! The kids presented me with lovely handmade cards they'd done at school and then I had a couple of shop bought ones too along with some chocs. I've had a really quiet day and got one LO done:

I used: Bazzill cardstock, KI Memories paper (from Funky paper pad II, Quickutz Maggie mini die-cuts, Sizzlits Graffiti die-cuts, Pebbles Inc sticker (silliness), Basic Grey rub-ons, Carolee's Creations rub-ons, Creative Imaginations epoxy sticker, HOTP big brad, Doodlebug (Just my Type) letter sticker, Around the Block dot.

Been busy with

kids and scrapping so not been able to update my blog for a couple of days or visit friends blogs. Will hopefully have time this week!! In the meantime, in answer to Veronica's question the Cuttlebug embossing folder I used for the card below is "floral fantasy" , one of the new ones. I love these folders!!! I've had a chance to play with one of Kate's new collaboration kits - Come out and play available from catscrap :

I used: Come out and Play birds, Papermill card, black card, Quickutz Olivia die-cuts, Prima flower, brad and black pen.

This is a hybrid 8" x 8" LO.

I used: Flowers, tree and patterned paper from Come out and Play kit, DCWV cardstock, Quickutz Blossom Grand die-cuts, sewing machine and black pen.