5.27.26

3 Positives:
Cut and assembled 3 bday card fronts yesterday. 23 cards now ready for final assembly and envelopes.
Made a chicken enchilada casserole for dinner. It was yummy with just the right amount of spice
Bloodwork results came back — numbers look a little better.

Our Journey Notes:
T is feeling a bit better. Still trying to find the right med(s) for his allergies. His cough has loosened up a lot and isn’t as dry (from the cold). He has a bit more energy as well in the mornings. Not a lot in the evenings — he spent most of his evening chilling in the living room (sleeping) before I called it a night for both of us.

I still have lots of fatigue and a few other things going on, but overall, feeling a bit more human. Should be hearing from the dr sometime today or tomorrow about the bloodwork results (numbers were a little more in the “I’m comfortable with them” range). I hope it’s sooner rather than later as I need to refill this prescription or have it switched to a new dosage as I’m nearly out of pills and need to change the dosage on the vitamins. Requested a new scrip for the migraine meds yesterday. Hoping to get that filled by Friday. MRI next week and the Dexa scan the week after.

pause

3 Positives:
stack of 20 cards now ready for final assembly
file 1 is prepped for print and cut for masculine bday cards for June; one more file to go
quiet day otherwise

Our Journey Notes:
Blood draw this morning — am seeing a slight change in how I’m feeling since going off the vitamins. Thinking I might need to find a different vitamin with minimal or no Biotin in it. Could be that is what is throwing off the thyroid hormone levels. We’ll see. Should have the results by late this afternoon.

what is your message?

3 Positives:
2 cards finished — I like the second one better
T’s feeling a little better than the day before
cutting die arrived just in the nick of time

Our Journey Notes:
T’s eye appointment didn’t go quite as hoped. No discussion about future procedures other than a return appointment to clip another stitch or two in the left eye as the needle flap lift (last week) didn’t stay open. Dr asked T to continue to do the massage technique and its likely that he’ll have to continue to do it for the long term to keep the pressure down in that eye until they get this flap to work correctly. He has another appointment next week to clip another stitch or two to see if that will help. (The big question is how many stitches did he put in? He’s already clipped 3 in this eye if not more)

A fun idea

I have to admit, this wasn’t my first vision of this project, but I think this one turned out pretty good. Using the Halloween Books and Square Birthday Candle Box files from Simply Crafty SVGs – this decor piece was easy to put together and finish in a matter or a few hours after cutting. I think the cutting took longer since I was having issues with a blade and a new mat. They didn’t like each other, but that story is for another time.

The firecrackers/candles were easy to do. I did start by modifying the file and resized the main file pieces by 50%. The front panel is a combination of rectangles created using the SCAL software. All but the star is inked. Following the directions for assembly in the file, these are very easy to put together. To adjust for the other two, lengthening the box file (no changes in the width) and bottom pieces is pretty easy. There’s about an additional inch added to the middle cracker and another 1/4 inch added to the tallest. You will have to adapt the upper flap as it is too long to fit. Add another score line where the new fold should be. You can certainly glue this together after inserting the wick which is a piece of jute wrapping.

The books are cut using the file as is. I created another spine piece for each of the books — using the shadow layer feature in SCAL. Easy to do, just make sure you use the blackout box and the shadow is 0.00 – so it’s exactly the same size. There are other ways to do it, but this is just easy as well. Choose the words and font/s you want to use and create them in the software — leaving a small space at each end of the panel. Using some small rectangles or flourishes, place those to finish the spine as desired. The book paper panels are scored using a scoreboard and bone folder every 1/8 inch and inked.

Assembly videos can be found on Sandy’s YouTube channel.
Square Birthday Candles
Halloween Books

For this project you’ll need:
12 x 12 cardstock (red, white blue, off white)
gold vinyl (permanent)
glue
jute
ink (red, lt brown, black, dk blue, lt grey)
score board, bone folder
closure (optional)

Hoping you’ll have some fun doing some of your favorite creative hobbies. Enjoy the time and nurture your heart as well.

the “heart” of gratitude

3 Positives:
attending graduation ceremony for a grandson
time in the studio – changes in the build are working
sleep

Our Journey Notes:
MRI is now on the calendar for early next month. Let’s hope we get a few answers and not more questions. Grateful I’ll be able to see the results shortly after they are read by the radiologist.

T has his post-op tomorrow. He’s hoping the dr will discuss next steps regarding the cataract in his good eye during his visit. Fingers crossed on that.

opportunities abound

3 Positives:
The tarp on the garden stayed in place last night.
Chili and cornbread for dinner last night… comfort food on a cold day
changed gears on a new holiday decor project and I think the outcome will be better

Our Journey Notes:
Spent yesterday morning at the clinic. Came away with appointments for some additional testing all of that will be completed by the 10th of June. Waiting on a callback for the MRI appointment. Migraine yesterday — didn’t help keep things on track for the rest of the day. Neuro referral on hold for the time being.

T is anxious for his eye appointment on Friday. I think he’d rather it was today or tomorrow.