Late Entry: Creative Freebie Challenge = Gone Fishing

Hi there Everyone! *Waves a Paw*
Sorry, I have been M.I.A.  but I have been rather ill with inflammation in my entire body. The doctor thinks I may have MS (Multiple Sclerosis).  So please keep me in your prayers.

Onto my EXTREMELY Late Entry:

Gone Fishing Card

Gone Fishing Card Closeup

I gave him a camouflaged shirt to make it appropriately male *wink, wink*

I managed to just barely hike wonderful Silver Falls Recreation Trail.

Climbing Silver Falls

Coming Back down Silver Falls on the other side of the bridge at the top.

Me drinking from Silver Falls at the very top of the falls just past the bridge at the top.

The wonderful view from on top of Silver Falls.

This was a very special trip for me as this may very well be my last one ever due to my legs deteriorating on me.  I wish it had lasted longer, but my body did mot like the cold as it got so cold I hurt so very badly and had to end up running the heater in the van to warm back up. But the one night we stayed there it was like heaven.

I will always remember the babbling of the river, it was so peaceful and serene until the young clueless neighbors moved in and rudely woke us up at 6 a.m. chopping a log and yelling at each other from across the campsite. and as we were leaving another couple was coming in  and we figured it was best we left when we did so as not to get caught in the middle of an altercation between the two campsites. The young male was cocky, arrogant and thought he knew it all which is a very bad combo for out in the wild. (ie: They took off leaving their campfire smoldering with the log stuck halfway out. )

I am waiting on my doctor's office to call back with my Lab tests Results and to see where she wants to go from here. I just finished my last Medrol this morning, so I need to find out if it is ok to go back onto my Celebrex or not. So I hope she calls soon!

Sure have missed everyone {{{hugz}}}

Take care and remember to enjoy the little things as much as you can as you never know when you may lose the ability to do so. As spectacular as the big things are , it is the small things that make up your life, so learn to enjoy them in a new light.  

LATE ENTRY: Creative Freebie Challenge-Little Suzy

I had already done Lady Roxann for the Creative Freebie Challenge but I also just HAD to do little Suzy as well!

I am late with her as I have lost the use of my left arm due to extreme pain because my insurance refuses to pay for my Celebrex and my doctor has been out of the office for the last week. Because I am considered a "Complex Case" by the new Hospital's policy( the hospital took over the clinic ) no other doctor in the clinic will treat me because of this policy.  I can sort of see their point, but I think they should make an exception for when my doctor is out of the office or on vacation. I really need access to medical treatment 24/7/365 and not just when my doctor is in. My doctor will not be in until Monday which means I will have gone a week without my anti-inflammatory which means my body is wracked with pain from top to bottom,literally! I have pain in my eyes because they are swollen, I have pain in my left arm due to inflammation, and I have pain in my rump due to having Fibroids on my Piriformis muscle which makes sitting rather painful. I have to sit on an inflatable ring everywhere I go, it is quite embarrassing!

Then on top of that, my poor father-in-law Don a.k.a. Pa Bear or Bear-Bear has ended up in the hospital with his intestine folding into itself and blocking all passage of the bowels. They did a procedure on him last night that so far seems to be working but he still has a tube in place to aid in the draining of his bowels.

We were supposed to be celebrating his 85th birthday yesterday. The poor guy, he should not be in the hospital during his birthday!

So if you could keep him in your prayers I and the family would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!!!

Suzy was a fun image to color, I loved her little dress and shoes...so cute!

So without further ado, Here is Little Suzy.....

Color Challenge-Blue,Black & White

Hi there Everyone,

My entry for the Color Challenge is a wee bit late this week due to major pain and being unable to use my left arm at all today.

I tried a new flower tutorial I found online at Pinterest. It uses magazine pages and does not require glue or brads.  I found it here: How About Orange: Recycled paper Flower
My flower did not turn out like hers I think because my magazine page was too flimsy. But still I like it :o)  Marcelle,  this one is for you :O) I made it from a coffee ad. hehe, just kidding, Ya know I love ya!

I sure hope that tomorrow I feel better pain wise so I can work on this weeks card and my cards for the Creative Freebie Challenge. I have them printed out and sitting on my craft table to be colored ...does that count? ;O)

I pray that everyone is having a marvelous week {{{hugz}}}

Until next time, Keep being creative! 

Paper a la Mode Challenge- Nature

Hello everyone,

How are we all doing? Me, well, I just finished another challenge over at Outlawz called the Paper a la Mode. This week is was based on a Nature only theme. So I thought I would get a bit creative and create myself a Nature themed notebook with notecards. Took me all week due to having a Fibromyalgia flareup due to the thunderstorms. For some reason by bulging disc does not like clouds either so it also decided to flareup severely. But it did not stop me from going out with my sweet sister0in-laws Ruthi and Maureen. We had a blast! Well, I sure know I did as this times was a belated birthday gift shopping trip. I made out like a bandit because the places we went had really good sales. Thank you Joann Fabrics and Goodwill Industries! They also took me out to lunch at this cute quaint little cafe that is also a bed and breakfast. I even ate semi-healthy! I had a Chicken Caesar Salad with Strawberry Italian Soda plus water :o) Thank you so much, Ruthi and Maureen, I love ya'!

Now onto my nature themed project :  *NOTE- Enlarged pictures may look blurry as I just could not get a clear photo of them, I think my hubby may have changed the usual settings and I cannot figure out how to choose the right settings for up close photos..Flippin' Fuji!  Oh, and in the background of the first photo you will see the main centerpiece, card basket and my bouquet for Our Vow Renewal. I still need to hot glue them. But I still have plenty of time as it won't be until June 28,2014 :o) I will also be making a Victorian Ballgown to wear. As well as a quilted wall hanging to hang up behind us while we are saying our vows :o) So some time I need to get started on those.

Nature themed notebook and card

Inside of Nature themed notebook with notecards

One of sixteen notecards for the nature themed notebook.

Sentiment on front of nature theme notecards.

I hope everyone has a very blessed week ahead of them and may you remember to find joys in the little things :o)

Much Love,

Karen

 {{{hugz}}} to ALL!

Color Challenge at Outlawz-Cranberry, Pea Green and Coffee Bean Brown

Hey there Everyone * Waves a Paw* 


 It's another fabulous week at Outlawz Challenges! I just finished my card for the Color Challenge:Cranberry, Pea Green and Coffee Bean Brown.

Make sure you Hop on over to Tami Mayberry's blog for a chance to win a prize! 
 Have a great day y'all! {{{hugz}}}

Creative Freebie Challenge: Girl

Here is my 2nd entry in the Creative Freebie Challenge :O)

I'm surprised I made two cards in the same day,lol I must have been feeling good!

Thank you so much for your cute little girl, Anne!

My goal for her was to turn her into a Peace -lovin' hippie chic :o)

I do not think you can see the background behind her very well but I colored it to look like a fading sunset. I drew waves in the water to look like the ocean. I took and drew vines that have wrapped around her leg and arm. I gave her some eyeshadow. It really is gorgeous in person.

My peace sign drawing looks like mud up against Anne's girl digi, but at least it gives off the hippy vibe I was aiming for :o) .

The heart on her jeans expresses my love for you all , my newfound cardmaking friends :o) The butterfly expresses the inspiration you all have given me since the time I started with the bloghops. The vines and flowers represent nature which I love very much (minus the snakes and spiders). The water represents the peace that flows over me from knowing Jesus as my Saviour, brother and friend. The flame represents me being refined through my daily pain-filled days. The paper flower represents my soul opening up into a beautiful creature.

Thanks for letting me take place in the challenges. I have much to learn and supplies to get as money allows. I do have a paper & ribbon fetish I can never get enough of either,lol. Yes, I love lace and pearls ,too! I'm such a sentimental romantic at heat <3

I hope you are all staying cool these days and I pray that garden survive this heat.

Much Love,

Karen

Creative Freebie Challenge: Roses

Here is my entry in the Creative Freebie Challenge over at Outlawz Challenges :o)

I have really poor lighting here at my apartment, sorry.  I just could not get a better picture even when I went outside this morning :o(

They really beautiful in person.

Anyway, Thank you Sandi for a beautiful digi {{{hugz}}}

I'm A Winner at Outlawz 2000 Member Party

Hi there Everyone,

I'm so happy to announce that I won Mo's Digital Pencil $5.00 gift certificate for my Sketch entry at the Outlawz 2000 Member party.

That just totally made my day!

Here was my entry:

I had such a blast making so many new friends at the party. It was really fun!
A Big Thank You goes out to Colleen and her DT and to all the Sponsors! You guys throw an awesome PARTY!

I also congratulate all the other winners!

CAS Challenge at Outlawz 2000 Member Party

This is my entry for the CAS Challenge.
I hope I did it right *frets*
I tried my best to keep this CAS,  but I usually like elaborate cards with lots of ribbon and big bows :o)

Sorry about the poor image but where I live it is getting dark with cloud cover and I really have very poor lighting in my apartment. So please bear with me :o)

Sketch Challenge at Outlawz 2000 Member party

Hi there Everyone *waves a paw*

Here is my entry into the Sketch Challenge:

My card is represents the colors of the flag of France  which is where my heart has longed to reside all of my life.  I do know how to speak French and even wrote my only published poem in French. To me France is so Romantic and suave despite it's violent beginnings. The country is beauty in motion!

I will post both the English translation and the French :o) 

I hope you all enjoy the party!

In French:

Cœur Brisé  

 Il me tarde de vivre

     avec quelque chose à donner

     J'ai le plaisir sans la douleur

     sinon, il n'ya rien à gagner.

     Je suis comme un hors mouette à la mer

     vouloir être libre

     de ce cœur brisé

     qui m'a été donnée par quelqu'un qui vient de la partie a agi.

     Car sans l'amour, il n'y a pas de cœur

     Alors laissez votre amour briller à travers,

     que votre lumière la façon dont l'amour

     et montrez à vos proches que vous êtes là pour rester.

In English:

 Broken Heart

    I'm longing to live

    with something to give

    me pleasure without pain

    otherwise there is nothing to gain.

    I'm like a seagull out at sea

    wanting to be free

    of this broken heart

    given to me by someone who just acted the part.

    For without love,there is no heart

    So let your love shine through,

    let your love light the way

    and show your loved ones you are here to stay.

Color Challenge at the Outlawz Party

This is my entry in the Color Challenge at the OUTLAWZ 2000 Member Party

I chose my state for the Color Challenge

Inside of card

 

 

Baby Afghan and Health News

Hey there Everyone,

   How are we today? Me, not so well.
 
   I have been having intra-cranial pressure building up since February 23rd. The doctor thought it was Shingles so I have gone through two prescriptions and still not any better. So I am trying to get her to okay an MRI to find out what is really going on with my head. I have developed visual disturbances and I have almost fallen three times this week. The pressure is building steadily. She wants to send me to the pain clinic to get a nerve block but I told them that I was trying to get my doctor to order an MRI and that I really did not want to waste the doctor's time with the nerve block if it calls for something else. They were very understanding and told me to give them a call if I changed my mind.

   On to the good things!

   I finished that baby afghan I have been teasing you guys with and I think it is gorgeous!

 
    I started out with oversized granny squares.  I was desperate to find a way to join them. My way just wasn't working. So I googled and ran across Carina's Craft Blog
She was a life saver and didn't even know it! Check her out sometime. 

  You cannot see it in the picture but the light colored squares are actually a pale pastel blue, yellow, green,  pink and white.  Man was this yarn ever soft! I even made a couple of washcloths with the antique white yarn and they left my body so soft and silky. As soon as I have time and get to feeling better I plan on making some more. I wove ribbon throughout the edge of the afghan and stitched it down with my sewing machine. I also gave her a photo album that I had decorated with ephemera, ribbon, and buttons. It was so cute.  I divided it into activities and special moments such as "Playtime", "Daddy's Boy", "Dream it Up Little One", "Momma's Sunshine" just to name a few. Then I also gave my niece a devotional book just for Mommies. I was so very touched when my niece told me that our gifts would be family heirlooms. I almost started to cry because I was so very happy as that was my very wish while I was working on the baby afghan. I prayed over that afghan so many times as we all were afraid that since both parents were Preemies that this baby would also be a Preemie. But so far he is heading towards full term!. He appears to be strong and very healthy. According to my niece she told everyone when they had a 3D Sonogram (?sp.) that he looked so cute and angelic.  I cannot wait to see him!  I am so looking forward to being a Great-Aunt.

  In other news, I ordered the fabric for the skirt part of my Vow Renewal Dress. I received the lace trim yesterday. I just love the fabric to my skirt I plan on mixing it with a white polished cotton as it is polished cotton as well. I cannot wait to get started on my dress but I have to wait until I can order the rest of the fabric needed.

 Here's a snippet of it:

   Is this gorgeous or what! It is so romantic. I am such a romantic at heart and very sentimental. I just love the roses.

  Well, that's it for now. Happy crafting until next we meet!

What's Happening Lately

    Well, for starters, I finally finished that cute little hat I was crocheting along with the lap afghan I had been working on for the past few months.

Hand crocheted hat based on a child's pattern by Red Heart.

Lap Afghan hand crocheted.

Shell stitch made up of 5 Double Crochet.

   In the hat picture you can see what my next project will be. It will be new pillows for my sofa. I just have to wait for my sewing machine to get looked at if the machine oil does not do the trick.  That is why I have a month's worth of mending left to do. My sewing machine went wonky on me. I am trying to fix it on my own. But if it needs to go to the shop I am pretty much out of luck as I do not have that kind of money. I am operating off of a $20 a month allowance. I am disabled and cannot work at all. Due to my disabilities but I cannot seem to get that Administrative Law Judge to see it. So we are appealing again from a different angle. So wish me well in my endeavor.


   Right now I am working on a secret project that cannot be discussed for a few more months. At the right time I will post pictures of my project. I cannot let my little secret out ahead of time or it would ruin the surprise factor. It is a grand little surprise I have!


Here is a picture of the very first Ripple afghan I ever made.

Me and my first ever Ripple afghan taken on April 4, 2007.

 

 

 

 

  I really must make another sometime. Only this time in blues.

  Well, I guess that's it for now until I get my machine working right again.
  Have fun creating and please do share your crafts with me!

Please Help My Good Friend Al

Change.org|Start an Online Petition »

       Why is this at the top of my post?
       Because I strongly believe in this gentle man's right to stay in the United States of America! We are to be a safe harbor to those who just like us are just seeking to live their lives in freedom. Is that not what the United States has stood for all these many centuries? Why now change our Motto: In God We Trust? To say simply that we only trust God sometimes but only when it is convenient for us. My dear friend Al, we are all on our knees praying for your freedom at this very moment and for the safety of your mother.

       In other news, my back is still in the process of healing. I've been denied Disability benefits due to too many discrepancies between what I am telling the judge and what my records actually show as I can never seem to catch my own doctor in the  office to get her up to date. Then when I do, the time frame is too short to really discuss anything and due to the clinic's new policy I cannot be treated by the other physicians there as I am considered a complicated case.  I invite the Administrative Law Judge to live just one day at my house and she will see that I am telling the truth. My lawyer is appealing with a different focus this time. Personally, I feel that Fibromyalgia has completely wrecked my life and that without proper healthcare access such as the medical coupon through DSHS, I never will get better. Right now DSHS is still mailing me paperwork to fill out once again declaring my Adult Functionality and my Ancient Work History 15 years past. So I am still in limbo on that decision as well.

     In recent news, my father-in-law fell on Christmas Eve and fractured his spine and the family is going through a huge adjustment period as he has been taken in by my brother-in-law and his wife. and poor Pa Bear as we call him still insists on being an Olympic Jumper at 84 years old. Gotta slow down there Pa Bear!

     I have not had the chance to do much crafting as they are increasing my Gabapentin and it has pretty much had me tied to the bed as has wrenching my back trying to help poor Pa Bear the one time I was able to visit him in rehab. The back is doing slightly better with the medication increase and the wonderful present I received from one of my sister-in-law's Suzy,{ Yay for Suzy! }She bought me a really nice thick foam mattress for my bed and two other pieces for my desk chair and my crafting chair! They have been a huge help with the back pain.
    I am still battling trying to get my Fibromyalgia under control. Seems like I have been on one huge long flare-up. With the increase in my medication I am sleeping better and most of the way through the night. I am still so very stiff in the mornings that it is usually an hour after taking my morning medications that I can even think about loosening up my muscles and start moving. I am still really exhausted. I can manage being up for about five hours max then I take a four hour nap then I go to bed early to boot. So it kind of makes it really hard to have much of a relationship with the hubby. But as long as the hubby has his computers he is entertained. However, I made the audicity of asking him to play a movie for me on his puter as my monitor gave up and I am using a loaner monitor that the screen is all messed up on so I am not on the puter much these days due to it giving me a headache trying to read the old CTL way, not as crisp and clear as an LCD monitor. Anyhow, the movie was "G-Force",  Loved it! But then I am a computer artist who fiddles with 3-d models *sheepish grin*  Rump is giving out, I'm off for now and please remember to help my good friend Al out !!

Health Update

        Just a short post to let you know that I am battling with no health insurance and a herniated disc in my L4-L5 region. I am trying desperately to get coverage so I can have my surgery to no avail at the moment. I am very frustrated and in an excruciating amount of pain on top of my usual Fibromyalgia pain. So please keep me in your prayers.

       New News- 11-08-2011: I have a Referral Request in the works and am just waiting to hear back from Virginia Mason Spine Clinic as to when the appointment is. Wish me well! 

      The pain has increased and it now feels like my low back and right hip are on fire constantly. Also it feels like my right hip is actually bone-on-bone which makes it excruciating to walk even from the bedroom to the bathroom which is like just five feet from each other. The last three days I have pretty much spent all my day catching up on missed sleep due to the increase in pain. Using an ice pack several times during sleeping hours.  The pain is somewhat tolerable upon waking but as soon as I sit up on the edge of the bed it kicks into high gear and becomes unbearable. 


        To give you an example of one such night: I went to bed at midnight, woke up at 1 a.m. grabbed an ice pack and laid with feet propped up on pillows on the loveseat. I went back to bed and fitfully slept until 2:30 a.m. I painstakingly made my way to the bathroom, took 2 Percocet then grabbed ice pack and laid on loveseat again. this time it took until 4:30 a.m. to get the pain level back to somewhat bearable then I went back to bed and slept until 6:17 a.m. at which time I was friends with my ice pack again and my over-the-counter Salonpas pain patch. I was awake until 9:45 a.m.  then I laid back down in bed and fitfully slept until 10:30 a.m. at which time I then got up to spend time with my hubby until 12:30 p.m. and then I crashed and burned until 4:30 p.m. 


        I am truly hoping in my case that the surgery improves my sleep. I however, have heard of cases where one surgery begat five more surgeries and then chronic pain. I am truly praying for a decrease in pain as far as my back is concerned. I know that I will never be pain-free because of my Fibromyalgia, but I do pray for my constant level tolerable pain back again. Having my back out pretty has pretty much bedridden me even though I do when the pain is somewhat tolerable get out and walk my dog, Pepper.  I truly miss being able to sit at my craft table working on my crafts whatever they may be. I do, however, have an idea for an adult sized version of a beautiful baby afghan made with 2 yarns crocheted at the same time into little shells. Hopefully, I can get stated on it soon and maybe I can work on that while I am laid up . We'll see! In the meantime, please keep those prayers rising up to God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.


       Also, share some of your crafting websites with me so I can get even more creative ideas :o) So I have something positive and cheering to look forward to!

My Baby Girl, Pepper, My Emotional Support Animal

     Keep on creating and exploring different crafts this week and I will try to get back to you later this week or as soon as I know when my surgery appointment will be.  God Bless and keep you!

Day One of a New Journey

            I am beginning a new journey to rediscover my inner crafter. I call myself the 'Masquerading Crafter' due to the fact that I have Fibromyalgia. There are many days I can barely crawl or often times fall out of bed. But on the days I can do my crafts, I do! Right now I am experimenting with different modes and types of crafts. I have been a very crafty person from the beginning until tragedy struck ( whole other story) and my health took a turn for the worse.....I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at the age of 31 yrs. although I had carried the symptoms for many years before I could never afford proper medical care. That is until I met my wonderful hubby! He has been my saviour in many ways. Thank you, Darlin', I love you!

            My mother-in-law keeps telling me I can write a novel about the way I have survived life during my troubled years of growing up and away from my biological family. It was the best move I have ever made in my life! I'm not a heroine I am just an average person who has just refused to let Satan win one more battle in my life, anyone can do that. It does not take a hero, just takes determination and some bruises that do heal after time with the right kind of attitude and love. It's all a matter of the right kind of attitude. Even I falter at that at times :-) . I'm human and prone to err!

            Anyway, back to my new journey, I have been interested in learning to scrapbook for a while now. There are just so many diverse ways to express yourself with scrapbooking, whether it be with albums, journals or making cards. It amazes me that you can take 10 women and put them in a room with each having the exact same supplies and you will end up with 10 different outcomes! Each one unique to the creator herself. Many times I think we, women, craft with our emotions more often than not and each of us is just as likely to be too critical of our own work thinking that someone else's work is better than our own. It's not that it is any better, it is just different. Each is to be treasured!! I have come many years before that saying to finally sink into my hard head.

           I am just sitting here playing with a design for my "Renewing Our Vows" Album and the color blue keeps coming back to mind as it resembles the old saying of one being "true blue". The fact that it is my hubby and my  favorite color isn't being considered, honestly !  I am planning a Victorian ceremony on my part complete with the ballgown and the hubby gets to wear his blue jeans and sneakers as that is his true self. I am so excited about it! I am eagerly making the crafts needed for the ceremony myself at a lesser cost than it would cost to just buy them ready made. In fact as I write this, I am eagerly awaiting my Antique Victorian silver bridal bouquet holder! Should be here tomorrow....*does little happy dance*

              I am just beginning my journey and I hope that you will join me and we can travel together.......


              Until next time Happy Crafting! Celebrate Life, Focus on what you do have even if it is not much, it may be more than the person next to you has.