'Penelope"

 

This is Penelope, one of the new Witch stamps from Lavinia Stamps. My new stamps arrived about a week ago and this is the first I have used any of them. I made this card yesterday. I used a scrap piece if water colour card and used a brayer to colour the background. (Soft Cygnet Elements ink, and a bit of Russet Orange, also Elements ink). I Then stamped Penelope and her 2 cats Mini Rune and Mini Jinx. I added the hill and then the moon. I used an LS stamp to stamp the circle of stars around the moon. I can't recall the name of the stamp as it's not on the package. Leave me a comment if you want to know which stamp it is and I will reply. I flicked on some water drops, added some sparkle and some gold glitter, then found some LS stickers for the words. The card measures 2 1/4 x just over 3 inches in size. This was great fun to create, and I'm totally happy with how it turned out. I added some yellow to Penelope's lamp and also a bit around the inside of the moon. You can't really see the little bit of sparkle but it's there. There is another stamp of Penelope, and I hope to create another min card with her. I'm a bit tired, but I'm ok. It's nice to be able to make a cup od tea when I want one, and not have to wait for someone to make it for me. I didn't sleep too well last night, it was so quiet! I had gotten used to hearing beeps and alarms going off! Hopefully I sleep better tonight. Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUSNSHINE day! Always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

It's Been A Journey...

 Well here's some good news...I am HOME!! I was discharged this morning. I had another Covid test early this morning,  and it came back negative! Unknown to me I'd had it for about 10 days. I had no symptoms except for being ultra tired and needing to go back to bed and sleep during the day. I am so grateful that I am ok, as I have a very compromised immune system and had been cautioned about getting Covid. This is why I self isolated when there were outbreaks. It wasn't fun being at home and not being allowed to leave the house.I was lucky though, I had several people All strangers except one) who happily did all my shopping for me, and dropped it in to me. I then paid them online. It was all based on trust. I trusted them and they trusted me. It taught me a lot about people, people who were literally strangers. There are some awesome people out there for sure.  It's great to be home! Romeo was so happy to see me, he wanted lots of pats and cuddles...and food! In return he gave me lots of kisses and cuddles! It was a surprise to be told I can go home this morning, I wasn't expecting that at all. I had a lovely sunny room with two big windows overlooking one of the wards below. Tonight, or to be exact, at 2 am in the morning we here in NZ put our clocks back an hour, as we go on to Daylight Savings. Luckily all my clocks etc automatically change, I don't need to do anything. I really don't feel lie waking up at 2 am to change the clocks! I need my sleep! Instead of hearing beeps and alarms going off, I can hear birds chirping and children laughing. Ok that's it for now. Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

Oh Bummer.

I've just tested positive for Covid. First time I've had it. No real symptoms except for being very tired at times. I'm on meds for Covid having a compromised immune system. I had a CT scan as they were concerned my bowel was twisted. It isn't so that's good news. Turns out it was a bit of flatulence, aka farts!! Omg I'm having a time of it. I will be here a few more days while they sort a couple of things out. I have to be home before Thursday as Sarah, Wookies mom and family are going away and they are feeding Romeo for me. I don't have anyone else who can feed him. Fingers crossed! Andrea, thank you for your comment you left me. Not sure if it published but if not I will sort it ehen I get home-thank you! I start on the Covid meds soon. I've done well not getting Covid until now. I had to isolate many timeshare home when it first hit. Thankfully they have medications i can take for it now. I have a bunch of NEW Lavinia Stamps and stencils and I almost bought them with me just to look at@ Would have kept mu brain busy! Oh welk, they'll be waiting for ne when I get home. I hope Romeo hasn't played with them and made a card for Wookie! I've had dinner and a lovely cup of tea, and it's dark now. We go off Daylight Saving Saturday at 2 am. I hope I remember to change the clock back an hour or I'll ge on the wrong time, lol! My Haemaglobin levels have dropped, and I may need a blood transfusion. They will check my bloods again tomorrow and will know what to do then. I think I'm falling apart! Ok that's all for now. Thanks for dropping in! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

Oh No!

Here I am back in hospital again. Dehydrated and not well. It's not where I want to be, but it's where I need to be at the moment. I came in last night and haven't had any sleep, so I'm feeling tired. I've had all kinds of tests and don't want to see another needle. But I know they need to put a line in so they can give fluids. I won't be crafting for awhile, but I just wanted to update onvwhats happening with me at the moment. If you believe in prayer, feel free to pray for me and my health. I would appreciate that. I'm  missing Romeo so much. Thanks for dropping by. Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

A Little Bit Of Crafting!

 

Above is a photo I took of Daisy, the Hospital cat, that I took when I was in hospital recently. She has the run of the hospital, and visits patients. She often sleeps on their bed, and spends time in the Maternity ward making sure the new mums and babies are all ok. She visited the ward I was in and I took a couple of photos of her. She's a real treasure and likes to spend time in one of the offices curled up on a chair. When I called her, she came running down the hallway meowing! After a pat and cuddle he wandered off.

I haven't touched my stamps for ages due to being unwell. I'm still recovering at home, and having lost a lot of weight, I am now trying to build up my muscles and put the weight back on. I lost 6 kg (13.4 lb) which wasn't intentional and was way too much for me to lose. I've had issues being able to stand/walk, due to being so weak. But I'm slowly getting my strength back. I do have some new stamps/dies which I will post here as time goes by. While I was in hospital my kidneys stopped working I was so dehydrated. Everything is fine now, thankfully. While I was in hospital there was a nurse/doctor strike for 2 days. They had managed to put a line in my arm, but had to wait for the Doctor to sign the form so I could be given the  3 bags of fluid which had been ordered. Unfortunately because of the strike, there was only one doctor available at that time and he was really busy with two patients in Resus. Then I was moved to a ward, and they still couldn't find the doctor to approve the fluids. This went on for 2 days, and because I was vomiting I wasn't able to eat or drink. Long story short, by the time the doctor signed the papers, and they tried to get the IV fluids going, the IV had become blocked and they couldn't clear it. They tried to find another vein but  my veins had disappeared due to being so dehydrated. Both my arms were covered in bruises, and I was sick of being stabbed with needles. They got the Ultra Sound machine to find a vein, but each time they found one, it wasn't suitable. It was a nightmare, and then they told me my Kidneys had stopped working. They gave me something to stop me vomiting, and it worked well eventually. Then I was able to eat and I started to drink. For some weird reason I craved ice! Once I was drinking small amounts my Kidneys started to work again, which was great! I had a message from a close friend who lives 4 hours North of me, and we don't often get to see each other. Her youngest daughter (who  lives her in Auckland, not far from the hospital I was in) said that she was in Auckland as her daughter wasn't well. She asked me what I was up to and I told her I was in hospital. Ten minutes later she arrived for a visit! That was great and cheered me up. We've been friends since we were ten years old and used to go roller skating together. 

She stayed for several hours which was nice. I asked for a walker so I could get to the ta room to make myself a cup of tea. It felt weird walking after being in bed for 8 days and being so weak. Luckily the tea room was only a few steps away from my room. 

The next day I saw the Kidney Specialist who said he was sure my kidneys were working again, and would I like to go home?! Of course I said yes! I sent my friend a text and told her the good news. She said she would come and drive me home, which she did. By then I'd been in hospital nine days. Way too long, usually I'm in and out in 2 days. However, this time I had an infection and a high Temperature. I  had Campylobacter - food poisoning from some chicken I had eaten. (Chicken is now off the menu!) It wasn't pleasant and I had to have a 5 day course of Antibiotics. Most people don't need the Antibiotics, but because of my existing medial issues, I had to have them. It took the hospital a few days to properly check why I had such a high temperature due to a lot of the staff being on strike. They did their best with the skeleton staff they had, and I am grateful to them for all their help. The meals were great, and I have no complaints about the food there. So yeah, it's been a journey and I am SO happy to be home! Poor Romeo was overjoyed to see me, and he follows me to bed and sleeps tucked up against my chest each night! I felt terrible being away from him for 9 days, but I really had no choice. I needed medical help. 

So I am slowly getting back into crafting, I don't have a lot of energy, and still find standing and walking a challenge. I also get tired quickly, so I try to pace myself. Luckily I sleep ok at night. 

Thank you for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

Health Issues.

I'm just dropping in to let you know that I have been in hospital for nine days, with a serious infection and kidney issue.  I am now back home. I've lost 6 kg which is way too  much. It happened over a few weeks, and I am very weak and have trouble standing up and/or walking. I have to keep sitting down. I was seriously dehydrated and ended up with my kidneys not working too well. I get tired quickly and spend a lot of time resting. I don't think I will be creating anything for awhile. It's a long story. 

Some good news though, Ebay have fully refunded me for the stamps/dies and missing embossing folder, so that's great. Thanks for dropping by, have a SUNSHINE day! Always be your authentic self and shine bright each and every day!

A New Card, and a Missing Item Update!

Apologies for all these updates. I have received a reply from the seller on Ebay USA. Sadly she is not really interested and didn't seem concerned the item was missing. I have not been able to leave her feedback because I cannot find how to do it. I went into my history and found my orders, and found her feedback, but there's nowhere to leave feedback for her. I won't be buying anything more from ebay after this experience. I've been ripped off big time and it has cost me a lot of money. On top of paying for the bundle I have also had to pay for the new bundle which will arrive next week sometime. I am still waiting to hear back from NZ Couriers, they actually delivered the package to me, and have asked for the stamps and dies, and package they came in, and are looking into things. With a lot of luck, they might refund me, or maybe "find" the missing embossing folder. Seriously though, who ever stole it needs to have a die cutting machine to be able to use it. NZ Couriers will contact me once they've looked into it. I love on hope! I'm just annoyed that someone would steal something that is not theirs. And I am disappointed with the seller, her attitude stinks, and I will never buy from her again. And I will let people know about it. Ok, that's it, I will stop my venting, and let The Universe sort it all out! 

I have managed to contact the seller about the missing embossing folder, and am waiting to hear back from her. It may take a day or so due to the time difference.

Breaking News!!! My amazing SU Demonstrator, Jacque Williams (Gold Elite) here in NZ, has located a new Bundle for me!! IT will arrive next week. I had tried for some time to find the bundle here, before ordering from Ebay, but to no avail. Ok, just wanted to update you guys with the good news! 

I created this card with a retired Stampin' Up! set. (Leaves and orange images) I die cut the leaves and other foliage using various Tim Holtz die sets. A month ago I had seen these cards on the internet and wanted to create some Christmas cards using it. It's actually a Bundle, it has the stamps, dies and hybrid embossing folder. I wasn't able to find the bundle here in NZ, so I purchased it from Ebay. I was excited about receiving it and it finally arrived 2 days ago. Unfortunately the package had obviously been opened before I got it and the Hybrid embossing folder is missing. It hadn't opened by Customs, as they always stamp it saying it had been opened by them, and they re-seal the package with tape that says it's been opened by Customs. The seller had enclosed all 3 items when it was sent to me. I was not happy. I have been in contact with NZ Courier who delivered it to me, and am waiting to hear from them. E post Global were the first courier who sent it from USA, and then once it got to NZ, NZ Couriers handled it. You can see the side of the package has been cut open and re-sealed with tape. I opened it from the right hand side, looking at the photo). Someone is responsible for opening the package and taking the embossing folder, and I am trying to sort it out and get compensated for the theft. E Post Global are not interested in my complaint and have closed my enquiry. I paid a lot of money for the bundle and I am entitled (by law) to be financially compensated. The Hybrid embossing folder is part of the set, and it's missing. NZ Couriers have collected the stamp and dies set, and the packaging and I am waiting to hear from them. To be honest I don't hold out much hope as it is going to be hard to prove who cut the parcel open and took the embossing folder. The Bundle is three items - I only have two of them. I was really looking forward to using this set, and did make the one card before sending the stamp and dies to NZ Couriers. So yeah, I am not happy and feeling a bit annoyed. Why do (some) people feel they have the right to steal from others? I don't get it.

The photo above is the   stamps and die's I got, the photo after that are of the package, and you can see it had been previously opened. Bottom of photo.

These next two photos are of the leaves and foliage I die cut while I was waiting for the package to arrive. Ther's a lot of work in those leaves etc! I coloured and cut plenty so I could create a few cards.

Thankfully I have a Big Shot Switch machine, so the die cutting was much quicker. It was still a big job though, and I have to admit, I did have a few 'lunch' breaks in between! I know I've been 'missing' for about a month, but I've been dealing with some health issues, and have had a sore throat for almost 2 weeks. I think I'm almost over it now. Thankfully I did not end up in hospital, although it was close a couple of times. Our weather is warming up as we head into Spring in a few days! My Spring bulbs have been flowering and make me smile every time I see them! Spring can bring some sneaky rain showers, so I have my fingers crossed that we don't get too much rain. We've had plenty during Winter!

Thanks for dropping by, have a SUNSHINE day! Always be your authentic self and shine bright each and every day!