Saying goodbye

I took this picture of my brother on Easter of this year... I remember he was sitting on my moms steps talking to my brother Fred.. We took James Michael to the hospital really ill on August 17th. We learned over the next week that he was in liver failure.... then they thought liver cancer maybe a transplant or chemo to more tests that revealed he had advanced aggressive pancreas cancer that had spread throughout his body. We brought him home from the hospital on Monday the 27th because that is what he wanted. He passed peacefully today with our 91 year old mother at his side. I'm thankful that he passed quickly and wasn't in pain. He was 62 and a kind gently soul who was the one who took care of all my moms paperwork and planned all out outings to Cape May.

busy, busy

I will update things when I can in the coming days/weeks. School is starting and my brother came home on hospice yesterday so I figure I am pretty much going to be there helping when I am not working for a while. Its been a whirlwind week since he went to the hospital sick. Kinda hard to wrap your head around it all happening so fast.

pinterest inspired card

I have made a few of these in several color combo's. I saw it on pinterest and just loved it. I do not know the originator of the design. I'm not feeling particularly original right now but need to craft. I cut the squares on the cricut at 1.25, then used the creative memories 1" and 3/4" for the circles. The cake stamp is from MCT all around birthday but I was careful not to ink the candle on top because it wouldn't fit in the circle. I colored with copic's and spectrum noir. The circles  are popped out but you can't really see that in this photo.

Internet inspired

I found a card online for inspiration for this card. I don't remember who to give credit. Lots of times when I see things I like I save the image in an inspiration file. I needed to keep busy last night to take my mind off things so I made this for my good scrapping friend Susan who had knee replacement this week. The papers were DCWV Linen Closet. The cricut cut was from beyond birthdays.

Cancer Sucks!

Okay I hate when people use the words sucks... I kinda find it offensive. Like when I was little we were never allowed to say the word fart....It was a no, no...You could say stinker, or passed gas but not fart.

Well...My brother has an aggressive form of cancer and he is going down hill so fast. Today was the really, really official announcement although the doc's did say it was suspected. He had a biopsy today to find out the kind and what stage... REALLY. I think I already know it is stage 4 but whatever! Anyhow when it comes to cancer I break my rule and use the word SUCKS.

One of the hardest things I ever did was going to my 91 year old moms and telling her about her son. Sometimes life isn't fair and just stinks!

Painting is done

The painting is done and the room is cleaned. I am just waiting for the replacement window and blackout shades (my daughter works nights) I ordered to arrive, then my daughter can move in from her old room.  In trying to finish up the painting my 2nd oldest brother and the one I am closest to was hospitalized. Friday night/Saturday am a little scary because he was transported to a bigger specialized hospital for treatment. My sis and I were driving at 4 am using gps in torrential rain to find the hospital but we made it.... He is still undergoing lots of tests and is really weak.  At this point all we can do is pray that the doctors can heal him.

When I am upset I need to keep busy... Sunday night I cleaned the house till 11pm... yesterday I went in and almost completely finished setting up my classroom before going to the hospital. This morning I am slowing down a bit as I guess the first wave of adrenaline is wearing off. I'm waiting for my sis in law to call to find out what the plan is for today. He might be moved from Lourdes to Cooper for a test then back. If so no sense in going till he is back. With medicine you kinda just have to have patience and trust that they know what they are doing....(Doesn't mean I don't ask lots of questions along the way!!!)

My scrapping buddy Susan is undergoing knee replacement today so lots of prayers going her way!!!

Imagine Baby Shower Card

I haven't done a print and cut for a while on my Imagine because I have been preoccupied with my silhouette classes but I need a baby card for a shower when work starts. I realized this is the first time I have done a baby card where the parents don't know the sex in a long time. My coworker and her husband want to be surprised. She took a leave of absence for this school year with her due date in early October. I used the Imagine Nursery Tails, glossy accents, stickles and various stamps. Now I need to get the yarn for my mom to make a sweater...

Off to paint a ceiling....Yuck the worst part.

schedules

I like schedules. I like to plan out what I am going to do and do it... hehehe I used to drive my ex crazy because if I was around the local mall shopping I planned my route to the surrounding shopping centers to always make right turns to avoid the left turn across traffic. It drove him crazy so yes I wasn't the easiest to live with but hey I WAS a good wife :-) I digress.... I planned out the painting schedule... yesterday was to be clear out what my son left for me to box and prep room turned into yesterday clear out and box what was left...grrr more than I thought. Really why is he keeping all these college books that are already outdated??? Into my cavern basement they go. Today was supposed to be paint the ceiling.... no it was Spackle, take one of the windows to get measured for replacement cause there is moisture in there, wash down the walls and baseboards, tape everything out, shop for the paint and new blinds, oh and take my mom for an ultra sound of her carotid artery. So why do I make schedules that are unrealistic? Beats me but it gives me piece of mind... I have a card to post tomorrow once I assemble when it's dry. I try to use all the machines I buy. I have not used the print feature on my imagine in a while so tomorrow the card will be an imagine one. Oh and paint the ceiling and the next day the walls and the next......hehehe I am already adjusting my new schedule.

Time

Where does it go when you have no schedule? I start the summer adhering to a schedule and it always falls apart. This summer more than most since I was addicted to the Olympics and stayed up way late every night to watch them. I broke my toe so can't walk in the am so I sleep in... Then the pattern repeats of staying up late... I did craft on the weekend. I made a total scrap lift card from pinterest for my friend. There was nothing original about it so I will not post it here. I caught up my happy book. Had lots of things from the last week to add.... I have about 9 pages left in the book so that means I have had lots  of happiness since January. The book really is doing it's job because when I go back and look at the pages I really do feel happy reliving the memories... Its a great way to keep your life going in a positive direction. Sometimes I add pictures, sometimes just journal and always add any memorabilia I collect from an event. It's my personal version of project life but on a simpler level.

Today is clear out my sons room... I have procrastinated this all summer and time is running out to paint it. Changing it means my little guy is really GONE!!! okay I know it's a good thing for him but when he left for college it stayed his shrine, when he got his job in NYC I didn't change it. Then he lost his job and was home for 2 years.... Now he is back out there and I am so happy. Since my daughter moved home after college she would like the bigger room. She has a great job but is not ready to move out and I am okay with that. So she picked out her colors and new bedding and my little/big guys room will be gone. My daughters old room will be converted to a guest room for when he or anyone else visits.

Baby Card

Okay this card was pinterest inspired but I did change it up a bit. I haven't been to original lately but I keep plugging along. Anyway... I wanted to do the bib but with all my cricut cartridges I had only one bib and it was on the paper doll and didn't really give me the layer I wanted so... I cut a scalloped circle with elegant edges and the circle with plantin schoolbook. I embossed the circle then attached it to the scallop. I then put a cup on the back of the card to give me the semi circle I wanted lined up with the scallops and traced it and cut by hand. The girl was cut from all mixed up. I then added stickles, ribbon and brads... The inside says... Welcome to the world!

silhouette element

I learned how to create this silhouette element on Sunday from my Kerri Bradford class. Oh the possibilities with attaching words to shapes... I will have to practice more to commit the steps to memory. You do some welds and some compound paths to create. I put this in my happy book with journaling about my birthday. Errand day today then dinner with a bunch of my co-workers that I haven't seen since school got out. Oh and I need to make a baby card. My co-worker scheduled for a section on the 23rd decided to come a little early :-) So happy for her and her family after she miscarried at 5 months last year.

I'm back....

 I was away since Monday. I went to a summer leadership conference. I learned a lot and had tons of laughs at the evening social gatherings. Here are pictures of a layout I did on Sunday. I worked on my cameo class so practiced all the good stuff I learned to make these 3 layered titles. The photo templates are from Kerri Bradford done in photoshop.

last flower cards

My crafting ADHD is getting the best of me... I went from multiples of flower cards to Friday night working for hours on some picture collages in photoshop elements to yesterday working for several hours on my online class I purchased by Kerri Bradford to REALLY learn  how to use all the creative features of the silhouette Cameo.... I wonder what kind of trouble I will get into today after church. It will have to be a quiet something because my daughter works tonight and will be sleeping all day.

more flower cards

rubbernecker stamps

I fell in love with rubbernecker stamps at ckc. I bought this set called create a garden set 2. I have been making cards with it for 3 days. I'll post a couple a day in the next few days. I used memento inks for the flowers and stems. I colored the pots with my copics. I added stickles and on some glossy accents. I have purposely left the outside with no sentiment on all but one. I feel it gives me more options when I pull it from my card box. They can be thank you cards, b-day and even a sympathy.

New Nestabilities set

I had to try out my new set so I made these three cards.

Thank you's

I made 8 of these to send out thank you notes for the B-day gifts I received.