Paper Play – July and August

July and August were pretty busy – lots of cards to create and get in the mail and or hand-deliver. Even a challenge project and some tatting – for which I’m very grateful I haven’t forgotten how to do. So let’s just get started with a few of the many I’ve done over the course of the last month or so.



Print to cut – using SCAL 6 pro. I did use an old SU background stamp on the speech bubble. Cardstock from AC and Bazill. Delivered

Pinterest inspired — the happy birthday is printed on the colored cardstock, cut to size before printing. The 15 is stamped and inked along the edges for a little more interest and texture. Eyelets are from my stash and I used some crochet cotton as the strings. Delivered

File from Etsy – easy to create and while it’s an offsize, it wouldn’t be hard to resize to fit in an A2 envie. I did use some vinyl on the inside for the sentiment. This card has been delivered and he had to show it off to his brother before sharing it with his parents.

Vera Lane digi stamps. I love her quirky style and they’re just fun to color and play with. Background paper from Lasting Impressions. I hope it’s well received.

I found the pattern at LillianTatLace.com It’s a free pattern — you may need to do a search but you’re looking for the Wreath from 2013. It’s an easy piece, but I think I’m going to try to find a different size bead/pearl for the next practice. Maybe we can go do a looksie at the craft store later this week.

Pinterest inspired. Used an old, old stack of Valentine themed paper (more than 15 years old) to create 6 cards. 4 anniversary and 2 birthday cards. They have been delivered.

There’s more…. coming soon. I’ve been in the studio frequently in the past 45 days or so. It’s soothing to my soul — and with all that’s been going on, I really treasure my time in that space.

hold on…

3 Positives:
Studio time — and a little productivity
Finished another book and opened another
The shunt is working

Our Journey Notes:
T’s appointment went well. Pressure is down – a lot! Eye drop regimin has changed and he will be off the post op drops next week if things are still looking good. He’s had a little more pain than in the past following surgery, but Tylenol seems to work just fine. Fingers crossed that the shunt continues to work well.

Nothing further on the MRI at this point. There’s always that part of you that hopes you won’t have to wait the weekend for the findings and next steps, but that’s not happening. I’m hoping they’ll review Monday or Tuesday and next steps in place and an appointment set to meet sooner rather than later. Fingers crossed.

Yes, please…

3 Positives:
T’s surgery went well (more below)
No dizziness after the MRI (more below)
Everyone got a much needed early afternoon nap

Our Journey Notes:
T’s surgeon was able to use one of the buckles that keeps the retina (surgery pre-2000) in place as a “holder” of the shunt. Let’s hope things are working as they should when he goes in this morning for his first post-op. We’re back to 4 x a day eye drops for the next month starting today after his appointment to remove the dressings. Fingers crossed that all is well.

MRI – was interesting. 25 minutes in the tunnel without contrast and another 5-7 minutes in the tunnel with contrast. I wasn’t expecting that, but then again, I’ve never had a brain scan before. The radiologist had the images read and a report written within a few hours. Not sure what it all means at this point – so now the wait for the “team” to decide what’s next. The techs were great btw, and I’d be willing to do another at their site any day rather than the other setting.

the gift of today.

3 Positives:
Scrapping all plans for a current project and starting over and not feeling bad about it
T’s surgery time was moved to an earlier time
a few treasures were found in the consolidation of some boxes downstairs

Our Journey Notes:
Today’s the big day for both of us. Hoping T’s surgery is a success and the shunt works as it should and we’ll be done with surgeries and procedures on that eye for an extended period of time.

MRI for me today. Hoping the scan will provide some answers and while I know there will be more questions, I really hope we’ll be able to develop a plan for the immediate future moving forward when the results are in.

I’m thinking of you.

I hope your day is a good one.

3 Positives:
T got a blessing – his surgery is tomorrow
a very nice “catch up” with friends last evening
and a welcomed haircut for me

Our Journey Notes:
Waiting on the surgical center to call with T’s time to show up. We’re hoping that the proposed time listed on the patient portal at his Dr.’s office is still the same. Last time they called late morning. Ride arranged for tomorrow.

Brain scan appointment for me is closing in. Hoping to have some more definitive answers sooner rather than later – though I should be able to read the radiologist’s findings by Monday afternoon. Let’s hope that the next appointment to discuss the findings won’t be six weeks out.