It's been a while

I know, it's been 5 very long months since my last post. I know a few people are probably wondering what has been happening since my last post. Those closest to me will know that Bobby went back to the animal shelter. They will also know that it wasn't an easy decision for me to make, but ultimately it was the right one for us.

Since that time I've been very up & down. My crafty mojo has been away & even now it's not really here, although I am trying to think about crafting. I think everything with my back & Bobby has taken a lot out of me. It's now been 8 months since my op & I've been discharged from the hospital. I do still suffer aches & pains but the doctors told me it is still early days & could take another 6-12 months to completely heal. I have recently started going to Pilates to try & help strengthen my core muscles. I'm also trying 30mins on a cross trainer twice a week to exercise, although Thursday I only managed 15mins & was then completely wiped out.

I appreciate people who have stuck around even through my lack of crafting. I do hope that it will come back. I have recently started looking at people's blogs again to see what has been happening & what the latest trends are. Who knows, I may return before the year is out or I may write this year off & hope that 2013 will be better.

Anyway, I wanted to,let you all know that I'm still around.

Sarah xx

Struggling with new cat

Those of you that are regulars will know that 6 months ago we lost our beloved cat, Bozzy.  He meant the whole world to me, even though I only knew him the latter years of his life.

On Tuesday we adopted a new cat, Bobby, from the RSPCA.  He's a 14 month old tabby cat.  The thing is, I'm struggling.  I keep crying and wanting Bozzy.  I feel in complete inner turmoil, I go to bed feeling sickly and wake up exactly the same.  I play with him and interact with him but I'm detached from emotions and feel empty, nothing.

People keep telling me it's normal and takes time, but I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever be ready to accept another cat into my life and home.

I know Bobby has done nothing wrong, he's a sweet enough thing, but I don't know what to do.

I don't want to be like this and I'm scared.

Please can anyone help me?

Items for Sale

Good evening everyone, I hope you're all well.

I know that I've been absent for a while but I've been taking a bit of a break as well a making favour boxes and table plans for my sister's wedding which took place on Saturday.  We had an amazing day and my sister looked stunning.  I've attached a couple of photos for you to see.

I'm having a bit of a crafty clear out at the moment and I've some items for sale in a Facebook group and my album can be found here https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/media/set/?set=oa.404654862906286&type=1   Some items have been sold but there are still plenty of bargains to be had.  I am also looking at selling my Big Shot and Cricut too if anyone is interested.  These aren't in the album yet. 

Hope you're all well.  I'm back at work full time tomorrow fo the first time.  I'm looking to get some blog hopping time soon. 

Is it possible to forget how to craftt.

Afternoon everyone, I hope you're enjoying your Saturday.

Having started back at work this week, I wanted to enjoy my weekend by trying to do some crafting but nothing seems to be going right.  I feel like I've forgotten how to colour and to make a card.  Is that possible having taken a break the last 2 and a bit months?

I'm feeling very stressed as I've got lots of bits to use as well as working on my sisters wedding favours, place cards and table plan.

Die-ing for a Challenge - Sketch

Hello all!  I'm back with a card, my first since my op!  It's time for another challenge over at Die-ing For A Challenge and this month we've got a great sketch from the wonderful Michelle.

I actually broke away from the norm with my card and didn't use a stamped image.  I started off embossing a panel of white cs with the Crafts Too Daisies embossing panel. I then cut a border using the Die-namics Dainty Lace Border before attaching it to the base panel along with some ribbon.   I finished off with a scalloped circle nestie and a Marianne Designs Butterfly.

I hope that you'll all come and join us as Tracy has very kindly donated a £25 voucher for you to spend at Dies to Die For.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated. I will try and get around to some blog hopping too.

I'm still here!

If there is anyone still out there, good morning and thank you for stopping by!

I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to update you since my last post.  As most of you will know, I had my lumbar spinal fusion and I'm now 5 weeks (tomorrow) post op.  I had a difficult time in surgery as I suffer from a blood clotting disorder.  Despite being given 5 units of a substance called Octaplas by transfusion before my operation, I still lost 4.75 pints of blood during surgery.  I was told this equated to my body weight in blood and was over half of my body's blood supply.  In the 5 days following surgery, I had 4-5 units of blood transfused and another 25 units of Octaplas to help stabilise my haemaglobin levels and blood pressure.

The usual procedure for my surgery is that they remove the offending disc and thereby releasing the trapped nerve.  They then use a mixture of bone graft and bone substance to fill the area between the two verterbrae where the disc was and put a protective cage around the area affixed with two screws either side.  Due to my substantial blood loss, I only have two screws on my right side securing the cage in place.  I was told that they had to make a  decision based on my safety and that there was no time to put in the other screws.  My surgeon has said that there should be no problem with just having the screws in on the one side, I hope he's right because I don't fancy the thought of having to have a further operation to put them in!

I am now wearing a corset to help support my back whilst the bones heal and start to fuse.  I should wear this for a minimum of 6 weeks.  I am going to keep wearing it until I start my physio on the 2nd April and see what they suggest.  This is also the day that I am currently scheduled to return to work, but I will see how I am progressing before rushing back.

At the moment, I don't feel too bad.  It's hard to describe, but there are times when I can "feel" that there is something in my back that shouldn't be there.  Having had previous metal work in my back, this feels different to me and I don't know if it's because it's right at the base of the lumbar spine.  Like I said, it's very hard to describe!

Card making is currently a no-go area for me I'm afraid.  It's surprising how much bending we do whilst making a card!  4 weeks stuck at home so far is driving me mad so I'm hoping to have a go at knitting and see how I get on with that! Wish me luck as I wasn't much good when my dear gran tried to teach me many, many years ago!!

I didn't get a chance to say before my op that the lovely Tracy of Dies To Die For asked me to me on her new challenge blog design team - Die-ing for a Challenge.  There is a new challenge running at the moment, so please pop over and have a look!  I was able to participate in the first challenge as I made the card before my op, which was also my husband's valentine card.

Tracy is offering a fabulous £25 voucher for you to spend at Dies to Die For

Sorry for the long post, I hope that I've not sent you all to sleep!  I'm sorry that I've not really blog hopped since I've been back.  It may sound strange, but it's difficult to look at everyone's wonderful creations when I'm unable to do anything.  It gets me quite down and frustrated and that isn't a good place to be.  I hope you understand.

I just wanted to let people know that I'm still here.
xx

Love in in the Air

Thank you to everyone who left comments on my last card, it's so nice to know that you're all still keeping an eye out for me.

A friend asked me to make a card for their partner for Valentine's day.  I have so many "lovey" stamps to choose from that I didn't know where to start but ended up going with a sweet Forever Friends image which I coloured with copics before cutting out with a square nestabilitie and mounted on a scalloped square of Real Red by Stampin Up.  The background is made up more Real Red and some heart paper printed from my Forever Friends cd before adding another layer of cardstock and embossed heart background before adding a strip that has been punched with my MS Lace Valentine Heart punch.

 Here's a close up of the little cutie!

I would like to enter this in to the following challenges:


Simon Says Stamp - Love is in the Air
Crafting When We Can - Love  & Valentine
Dream Valley - Valentine
The Squirrel & The Fox - Valentine's Day
Forever Friends Monthly Challenge - Valentine
Delightful Challenges - Love
Stampavie & More - Love

There are so many challenges out there that I could link this up with, I'd be here all day!

I hope you're all having a lovely weekend.  I've only got a few more days to go until my op and then it might be a little while before you see anything from me again.  I hope it won't be too long.  My room still isn't finished unfortunately, I think it will have to wait now until I'm home and I can tell Jon and my dad where I want things to go.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx