Welcome - BILLIE BEAR!

Ah....how cute are these new Billie Bear images from Ladybug Crafts Ink!?! Totally cute eh?

And you got it - I'm the surprise; I haven't crafted for about 5 1/2 weeks - since my surgery 2/13/13 and believe me, I'm not even close to being back full-time, but it was nice to sit down and color a bit...and in this case, I used Copic Pointillism as shown by Michele HERE - her work is just AMAZING! I like it - and I decided to do the sky the same way to make it a bit more unique.

I always love to start with a sketch (SSSC180) and Karen's was just perfect for Billie. This is just a wee little card - 4.25" x 4.25" so the image could take center stage! Each flower has yellow gel at the center and black enamel for Billie's eyes - fun little 3D effects. The inside says "just swinging by with a birthday hi".

Hope you enjoy the new images and at the great introductory price Kerry offers - go ahead, pick up one or two, you won't feel guilty!! :D

Hugs, ~M.

WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps:  LCI Swing Billie - digi
Papers:  PTI Kraft and Dark Chocolate, DP by MME
Ink:  PTI Dark Chocolate, Antique Linen Distress Ink
Accessories: nesties, Copics, yellow gel pen, black enamel, PTI scalloped die

Challenges:
  SSSC180
 
  Whoopsidaisy Challenge
  Stamtacular Sunday Challenge

May God Bless You - Gift Set

We have someone that has done something special two years in a row with our volleyball team, so I wanted to make them a little gift and really, what's better than handmade greeting cards? I kept them super simple but added some fun packaging!

Color scheme was the same across the board; each little arrow was edged with PTI Aqua Mist, glued onto Aqua Mist paper and then I hand cut the next arrow also edging it with the same ink - really makes the arrow pop (IMHO). I mixed up the papers and sewed around the main panel - super quick (if you have two good arms - HA), clean and simple!!!

With my shoulder, it's taken me a few days to finish the project, but who cares, as long as they love it I consider it a success. I hope to give it to them this next week.

The bag and doily are from Mish Mash's shop - it was actually a spring-time themed packaging, I just used the sack and doily on this piece. :D Not sure what Michelle sprayed the sack with (for the white) but its super cute IRL!! Thanks for popping in - hope you have a great weekend!

Hugs, ~M.

WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Verve Visual Wonderfully Made and Richly Blessed
Papers:DP by Basic Grey, PTI Aqua Mist and Berry Sorbet
Ink: PTI Aqua Mist and Berry Sorbet
Accessories: Nesties, Kraft Bag, doily, PTI Berry Sorbet button, misc. twine, Janome Sew Mini

Challenge:
  VLVMAR2013

3D 2-pocket gift sack - BLUE!

Remember this super fun 2-pocket PINK gift sack I made...you can see it HERE? I had so much fun and had a request for another one - so this time I went with Kraft and blue - love how it turned out and once again I recycled tissue paper from Verve Visual which was a perfect match! The little notebook page is a Verve Visual die as is the greeting, "Happy Birthday"; the present is a die from Papertreyink; I edged the ribbon in black to give it a bit more definition.

I also added 3 scalloped borders and ribbon around the base of the sack - absolutely love these!

I also made this long before my surgery; but it was fun to save and show when I haven't had a chance to create!! :D

Thanks for popping in - once again, you can read below for a brief update on my recovery.

Hugs, ~M.

WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Verve Visual Treasured Words
Papers:DP by Basic Grey
Ink: Memento Black
Accessories: PTI dies (scalloped border and present), Verve Visual die (notebook paper), ribbon, Janome Sew Mini

UPDATE: The surgeon and the physical therapists are unable to agree on exactly what is causing the excruciating pain - as I reported before, 2 different therapists believed it was my median nerve; surgeon isn't on board with that.

BUT I'm working with the surgeon's PA who I really like; she is going to speak with a hand doctor tomorrow that would specialize in side effects of the median nerve AND she's going to call my physical therapist.

Some of my frustration stems from the physical therapist telling me TWICE he would contact the surgeon, yet he hasn't; thankfully I reached out today and made the call myself.

Tomorrow I see the physical therapist AND the PA is going to call me back and I fully trust her to do that - HOPEFULLY I'll have some "next steps" tomorrow. I thought I would have those "next steps" this past Tuesday and I will admit, I was so disheartened when that didn't happen; so I won't get my hopes up tomorrow, but prayerful!! :D

Thanks friends!!

Congratulations!

Yeah, today we're singing Beyonce's song: Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)! LOL!

A customer requested these cards - which were made many moons ago for two couples that got engaged; both cards have the same colors, just different base circles - one is scalloped, one is polka dots. On the white card, I used a couple Copics to color in the swirls to give it a bit more interest. Everything else was stamping, embossing - wet and dry, pearls and punches!

On the insides, I inked up the word "Congratulations" in PTI Pure Poppy then wiped off the first "O"; I then stamped that "O" in silver and added a little gem on top to signify a ring.

Thanks for popping in; if you'd like to know what's going on personally after my surgery; you can read some additional information below. Have a great weekend!!


Hugs, ~M.

WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Verve Visual Hope Blooms
Papers: DP by Bo Bunny, PTI True Black and Pure Poppy
Ink: PTI Pure Poppy, SU! Craft Black
Accessories: nesties, Copics, black embossing powder, gems, pearls, MS heart border punch, Verve Visual Jotted Heart Die

PERSONAL NOTE: Surgery was 2/13/13; they removed 3 calcium deposits; however, when the largest deposit was removed, it left a small hole in my rotator cuff which had to be sutured back together - so recovery was not what we were hoping for; but certainly manageable. I wore a sling 24/7 for 4 weeks; came out of the sling just about a week ago and that's when trouble came back to visit.

Prior to surgery, I had pain in my bicep and elbow, but I think the doctors - and me - believed it was all referred pain from the deposits; the one deposit was very large and it's rather uncommon to have 3 deposits! Unfortunately, the shoulder is great but my bicep and elbow are on fire. While in the sling, I never used my upper arm, but out of the sling, the pain returned within 2 days and some days just as bad as before surgery. We quickly discovered there are LOTS of PT exercises I cannot do because the pain is so severe.

I think the best/easiest way to explain it is something that has a little bit of pain, but overall minimal (think like something stuck in mud - doesn't really move); then you correct the big thing - shoulder - and it allows blood/movement of the nerve and you're in all kinds of trouble. It's definitely my median nerve. :(

The therapist is contacting the surgeon, first we'll try some medication to ease the nerve pain so I can continue regaining range of motion of my shoulder; once we have regained that, we can begin to do some things for the median nerve - it's tough as both issues are in the same arm; can't quit exercising the shoulder as then I'll have scar tissue build up, etc. Surgery is a possibility but most likely, I'll be referred to a neurologist.

Right now? I try to take it one day at a time and pray we can get it all fixed without surgery! I appreciate your thoughts & prayers too!!!

Cupcake Inspiration 200 - WINNER

Sorry for my delayed post, but the winner from my blog of the 200th Cupcake Inspiration Challenge is:

Lisa - You Made Me Ink!

Please contact Jen at: sweetiejlj@gmail.com

Thanks for playing along! Have a great week!


Hugs, ~M.

Cupcake Inspiration 200th Challenge - WHOA!!!

Welcome to the 200th Challenge at Cupcake Inspirations! 

We have a lot of fun and prizes available for you today.  

You have two ways to win this week. 

The first way to enter is to make a card or papercraft project inspired by your favorite inspiration cupcake.  You have 199 to choose from!  :D

All card entries will be eligible for the grand prize.  Be sure to check out all the amazing prizes and details at the main blog: Cupcake Inspirations! Hopefully you have arrived here from Kreative Kristen's blog? If not, please start at the very beginning so you don't miss your chance to win - there are so many goodies!

AND to win while at my blog - you also have 2 chances:

1 - leave a comment

2 - become a follower and leave a 2nd comment

3 - (oops, that's more than 2 huh?), and if you are ALREADY a follower, just leave 2 comments!

I am working with Fresh Brewed Designs - I absolutely LOVE their images and this one is no exception! A little bit about Fresh Brewed Designs:

Fresh Brewed Designs carries a large variety of Digital and Rubber Stamps. 

All digital stamps are high quality 300 - 600 dpi JPG files that are emailed to you

directly from the Fresh Brewed Owner, Heather. With over 400 images to choose from, you are certain to find one (or more) that suits your crafty style. 

All Fresh Brewed Rubber Stamps are made in the USA. 

They are available in deeply etched red rubber in unmounted form or mounted on 1/8 inch CLING FOAM for use on an acrylic block.  

You will find everything from cute to sassy in these fun lines of stamps. 

FBD is also now offering handmade felt embellishments! 

Check everything out for yourself at www.freshbreweddesigns.com.

And my inspiration photo:

And since I'm still technically not supposed to be using my right arm period - I can tell you this card took way longer than it ever should have - HA - and I don't have much to say about it because it hurts SO BAD TO TYPE WITH BOTH HANDS, gotta make this quick and go ice the shoulder. So here ya go:

Next up is the Megamazing Michelle!! Thanks for joining us for this super fun occasion; we've all had a blast preparing the hop for you!

PS-my awesome sponsor, Fresh Brewed Designs, is offering a 10% discount with the word CUPCAKE - go ahead, shop and havefun!!

Hugs, ~M.