HERE GOES!!!

I am attempting to enter some challenges tonight. I made one card in red, black and white for the Magnolia Bi-Monthly challenge. It also will fit the Just Magnolia Challenge of Anything Goes with Ribbon. I have lots and lots of older Tildas, and have decided to use them even though there are some really precious new ones I would like to get soon.

My card is pretty simple. I matted the black dotted paper with red and black. I added the row of Martha Stewarts dotted border along the opening of the card. The red panel was run through the Cuttlebug using the large rectangular die, and then I used the Swiss dots folder to give it texture. I matted it in black and stamped the Tilda on a white CS using Momento black ink, cut her out using the CB and my new Labels 16 Spellbinder die, and colored her with mostly Copics. I ran the ribbon on the black dotted paper layer and left long tails to tie later. The red panel is flat mounted and the Tilda is popped up on dimensional pop dots. I added the two red heart rhinestones, and some glossy accents on the hearts in her apron (which ran together a little! Boohoo!)

So best get this posted and logged in on the challenges mentioned. There are some nice prizes but it is a random drawing for the winner. Who knows! I might get lucky one of these days. Thanks for stopping by.

GETTING BETTER!

No, I am not talking about my health! LOL! Although the hip is getting better. I was making reference to almost getting a card done on time for a challenge. SHEESH! I need to pay better attention to times. I've never been good with deadlines and such.

My card is a Penny Black image I planned to enter into the Penny Black challenge which I found out ended GMT on Friday. I wonder if they might like to see it anyway but of course not be in the random draw? I will need to try anyway. Well, I looked and of course it was closed. So I hope YOU enjoy my little creation! He is so darned cute!

Thia card is made with a flourish/dotted paper I just bought at Archivers...and it was the last sheet of it! I turned the sketch up and down since I was making a smaller card, and added the horizontal piece of Valentine paper. I used two sizes of Spellbinder plain circles to do the image, added some red satin ribbon, some red rhinestone hearts (I did not have any suitable flowers), and a small saying up in the upper right from Amuse stamps. I also covered the hearts on his body with Glossy Accents. Thanks for stopping by.

A DAY LATE

I had finished this card several days ago but did not know the deadline for the Rainw Lady challenge and am a day late. I know I am not in the running for anything but I decided to post my "bear" card on their blog anyway. Thought you might like to see it too. I used a Penny Black image, colored with a variety of markers (Copics and Stampin Up) and I matted with several shades of pink card stock and crocheted my own little flowers. I used a sparkly brad in the center of both flowers. The very back panel was run through the Cuttlebug for some texture. I used a nice corner punch on the corners of the image panel and added some Martha Stewart punched leaves for my flowers. I would have crocheted some leaves but had neither green thread or white that I would have ink dyed. Guess I am going shopping! This makes a sweet Valentine, although not an obvious one. Thanks for stopping by.

ONLY REHAB PHOTO

I know it isn't very interesting, but here are our grand daughters as Emma reads one of the two books she brought to share when they came to visit in rehab. We had eaten pizza for our supper down in the family area and were back in the room so I could get back in bed. Emma is in Kindergarten and learning so fast. Matti was more interested in my walker and the balloon bouquet and the baggie of chocolate kisses tied on the bottom as a weight. I also showed them my nifty bed and the different positions it could go for my comfort. I wore my Minnesota shirts all the time and every one knew we also have a house in MN. All in all, the rehab part was OK and gave me time to rest up. Here at the house I sleep in the front room for the "quiet". Jack has been sleeping with me most of the time. The day bed is lower to the floor and easier to get out of too.

HOW TO BEGIN

I have not been on my blog in some time. I think I wrote the morning of Jan 7th before I went to the hospital for the hip replacement. I feel like I am starting over on so many things...walking, card making, cooking, and being part of my life here with Bill and the cats and our son's family... and not sure how to begin again. Maybe this is age related or maybe I lost some of my pizazz while in the hospital and under the influence of morphine and the surgeons knife for my hip replacement. What ever the cause, being away for 12 days really was a change and I guess I will need to get back into the swing of things slowly.

First, my sincere thanks and appreciation for all the cards and calls, and visits. It made the time away much easier. I appreciate all the prayers and love and care. It warms my heart to know you care.

Secondly, my rehab went quickly and the food was plain but I thought good and varied and nutritious and nothing wrong that a little salt and pepper couldn't fix. I was told I am recovering quickly and that it was time to face the reality of getting along at home. Bill has been wonderful with laundry needs, and bringing me little treats and fast food. Luckily my weight stayed about the same. I still want to lose another 5-10 lbs. I see the doctor Feb 3rd for my check up.

Bill has a problem with his hip/bottom right now and is basically bed ridden. So I am trying to get some food in him and help him as much as I can.. Not sure what it is (pulled muscle or hip fracture, other).But he can not walk or sit with out pain. He is using the mobility scooter in the condo and I am using the walker. What a pair we are. He sees the Walk In doctor this morning. Our son will take him over and that will be difficult for him to even get to the car, much less get in it. I am so glad our son is able to help.

Please pray for him and for whatever the condition is he has. We will have to get Home Care if he has to have surgery too.

UPDATE for Bill. Turned out that Bill has a pulled/torn/ inflamed hamstring muscle where it attaches to his hip. He has to stay off of it for a week and "baby" it. It has been over a week since he saw the doctor in ER, and he is still feeling it and can not do too much. I continue to slowly improve but get tired easily and can not sit for longer than an hour without needing to walk, or lie down. Naps are my fasvorite time of day and I can usually take one or two. : ) I see the doctor tomorrow and hope I get a good report.

I was able to make a Get Well card for my DIL's father when I first got home. He had a knee replaced on Friday and is having a hard time adjusting to hospital life. I think he plans on going home when they release him and it will be so difficult because they have so many stairs in their house.

My card uses a PSX Lemon botanical stamp (John's last name is lemon so I thought it as good as any.) I matted the image with green and yellow and distressed all the edges of all layers. I used my Cuttlebug folder with squares and dots for the yellow background, also matted in green. I colored the lemon image with a variety of markers, some Copics, and some Stampin Up. And I used Tim Holtz Distressed "Old Pages" ink over the edges and over the image to make it look vintage and old. I popped the image up and added the saying "a little note" under on the front. Inside it says "Hope you feel better soon!". I was not able to deliver it, but my DIL was going up and I thought she makes a cute mail lady.

Temps are COLD, COLD, COLD and winter seems long already. Spirits are high around here since the Packers beat the Chicago Bears and will be going to the Super Bowl. The Packers were a 6th seed which means they were pretty far down on the list of favorites, but who knows, they just might pull it off. They play the Pittsburg Steelers wno have won the Super Bowl 3 times and it is the Packers turn to win!

Hope your week is blessed and full of God's goodness and love. Thanks for stopping by.

STRANGE NIGHT

One would think that facing a major surgery and going to bed at the normal hour would get a person some good sleep. NOPE! Here it is after 3:30am and I think I have only had maybe an hour. I have to get up (OOPS, I already am UP!) at 4:45, get my sweats, shoes and coat on, grab my bag and go to the hospital for a 5:30 check in. I think I will be ready! Maybe I will not need so much anesthesia because I will be tired. Heehee! So it has been a strange night so far.

My hubby Bill has been scanning in pictures from both our families. He has worked so hard at it, wanting to make a CD of all our pictures for the kids and grand kids to have. Here is one of my fave photos of me which is VERY VINTAGE. I think I was about 2 years old. Maybe some day I will make a card from it.

Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to say a little prayer for me today.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

Here it is a month since I posted. YIKES! Must have had my head in the Christmas wrap! I HAVE been making cards, and I HAVE taken pictures of them, but I did not get them off the camera into my computer yet...so nothing much to share. AND you are going to have to wait a few weeks more.

I am going in for my hip replacement tomorrow, Jan 7th and not sure when I will get back to blogging. doing emails, or making cards. Guess I will be busy with other things. : )

I hope in the next few weeks you are blessed amazingly by our Father. I covet your prayers for a speedy recovery.

My best always for your happiness, health and prosperity. May God the giver of all things and the maker of all things shine His face upon you and give you His peace and joy for the coming year.

Love to all, Martha