A couple of ...

... weeks since the last missive and not much has changed.  OH is still in the hospice and he's still in pain. He's had a partial MRI.  Only partial because he couldn't keep still long enough to have the whole spine done.  I don't know, but I'm thinking that they never scanned the bit that would give any clue as to what's going on. I got called away from a workshop as the hospice had nobody free to go with him for the MRI so I went.  I was 'nurse' for the duration, having been given his drugs to dish out. He tells me they're looking at taking him to the pain clinic now.  We'll see.

He's quite funny at the moment.  I've never seen him drunk or really, even tipsy, in the 30+ years we've been together but whatever drugs they've got him on at the moment gives the impression he's permanently in a happy place *ROFL!*  Not only is he having oral drug therapy he also carries a syringe driver around with him (sitting on his lap in the pic) and then there's occasionally 'extra' intravenously.  It can be very difficult getting any sense out of him at times and trying to understand anything he's saying is pretty hard work.  He's speaking quite clearly - just doesn't make any sense - *lol*

He had his birthday a couple of days ago.  We never have a birthday cake but, as he wasn't home, I bought him one.  Apparently they made him one at the hospice as well, although I never got to see it as it had disappeared by the time I got there *lol*

This past weekend I went to see my nephew in his first lead role.  He's a student at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts doing a degree course.  It's his final year so it's all shows and showcases for agents and the like. He's been lucky enough to have already been signed to an agent so he can do open auditions for work.  If he gets work before the course ends, his finals will be assessed from wherever he is, whatever he's doing, otherwise it will be done in college.  Saturday matinee was virtually a full house and the show got an excellent response from the audience.  Apparently the best up to then.

I'm getting confused as to what I need to catch up on and what's been done.  I'm not organised enough to have made a list, checked it twice and then checked things off as done.  Perhaps I need to do that now before I go too far - but first ... 

The workshop I got called away from to escort OH to his MRI was for a shaker card.  I got as far as cutting the first matt and no further.  I asked Clair to stamp the image for me then I cut and ran, thinking I'd be able to finish it at home except ..... I had none of the things Clair used to make card.  I'd decided I wanted to make it for OH's birthday card so I improvised with what I had.  You can see the original card here - and a video on how it was put together here.  This is my version ....

I used Prismacolors, Zest-It (as my blending fluid) and blending stumps to colour LoTV's James with Heart.  The embossing folder was a new one from Crafter's Companion - Sunbeam and the white matt was edged with a Martha Stewart frame punch.  First time of using and I need to practise, or use it in a full light, not half light and then, perhaps, I can see how things are lining up - *lol!*  I used the punch outs in the shaker bit (coloured with Sharpies) and yes, that is a peel off Happy Birthday - stuck to the stripey paper under the acetate - so shoot me!

That's about it for this time.  Off to visit OH and think about making that list *lol*

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It's looking ...

... as though the OH is going to be having a bit of an extended stay in the hospice.  The pain isn't yet under control but he's having such heavy duty drugs he's totally spaced out so doesn't care so much.  He's not at all comfortable though so it would be good to have the pain down to a bearable level for him.  They've requested a full spine MRI scan to see if they can pinpoint the cause.  I guess they can better target it if they know what's causing the pain.  They managed to help him last year with the fluid problem.  I'm hoping that they'll be able to help him this time.

The younger grandchildren have found this blog *LOL!*  Youngest granddaughter told me they'd found photos of themselves on t'internet.  I asked how and it seems they've been Googling themselves and some photos came up .... from here.  I had to come clean with youngest granddaughter and tell her it was my blog.  She was impressed *ROFL!*  Old Nana Pam has a website and knows her way around IT a bit *grin*  She was even more shocked when I told her that she was only 2 when I started the blog.  Funny how kids perceive us.  Mind you, it seems you now become an adult at 10 ... according to her!

OK, where shall I go from here .... before it gets to 'old' here's some pics of cards and flowers I received for my birthday in January.  Yep, I was 65 .... not 70 as the eldest's card would suggest.  Mind you, he did clarify it by putting "coz you're not" on the inside but I did refuse to wear the badge as he wanted.  Told him it lied and I'd save it *ROFL!*  Flowers came from the eldest grandchildren.  They're still going but getting fewer as they die off *sad*

Twiggy & Toots card was made by my friend Cally - on commission from the OH.
It's lovely 

... and a card from my American penpal of 52 years and Cally's personal one to me.
Beautiful

Lots of handcrafted cards from my crafty friends.

Here's a few more 'makes' from some of Clair's workshops last year.  Anyone local to Saltdean and surrounding areas .... the workshops are worthwhile going to *LOL*  Details can be found on Clair's blog.

OH was 75 last February and I used this card and just added a die cut age to it ... discreetly :D

8 x 8 card. An SU leaf stamp and die set.  Beautiful.

8 x 8 card.  SU again and one of my favourite cards from last year's workshops

SU petite petals used here and the leafy branch from the bird punch.  A 6x6 3 way fold card.

That's it for today.  Need to get some sleep *grin*

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A lovely day ...

... was had on Saturday.  Clair held an all day Christmas wreath workshop to celebrate her 100th.  It involved making lots of flowers in Christmas colours,  Some large, some medium, some small, multi-layered, single layers - whatever your fancy took.  There were some beautiful wreaths made and then there was mine!  I'm still not sure about it and I think it needs more work.  A bit more bling as the silver mirri card isn't really showing and I feel it needs a bit more depth.  I'll play ..... or not!

Clair took this photo but I've pinched it 'cos I'm in it - lol!

Saturday was also our eldest's 3rd wedding anniversary to his lovely 2nd wife.  Can't believe it's 3 years since we were in Cyprus for the wedding.  Time goes so quickly.  They flew out to Egypt for the week on Friday so hopefully they're having a good celebration.  Daughter-in-law was nursing missing big toe nails and legs full of bruises.  Both her and eldest have taken up obstacle/hill/beach running this year and she took part in her first competitve race last weekend.  The toenails went missing a few weeks ago because of her training.  The bruises were due to climbing 10 foot walls and ditch diving!  Whatever floats yer boat, eh???  They're loving it although I think eldest is loving it more.  Personally I think he's having a mid-life crisis!  They're both 42 in a couple of months.  There's not many start on this sort of high energy, ultra fitness regime in their 40s but all power to them if they enjoy it *grin*  Me?  I'll stick with my old girls exercise class once a week - ROFL!

I'm having a crafty clear out and have things listed for sale on eBay.  Go to the 'Items for Sale' tab at the top of the blog for details.

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Cally's quickie ...

... shoebox offering.  A neat little 4x4 inch 'gap' card. Easy peasy to do but so very effective. Punched edge of card and backing papers. A section cut out but leaving a small border and then the pieces joined together with the cut out section added to the back of the card to show through the gap. Craftwork cards products used, flower, greeting and card candi. I love this style of card 

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Kim's secret squirrel ...

... and shoebox contribution. Secret squirrel was given to me, Cally and Greta as we'd made the fish card, which was Kim's shoebox card, before when we had our playday at Greta's. This time, instead of stamping the 'water' I tore different blue papers to make the waves. The fish are made with SU ornament punch, 2 step bird punch, small heart and the blossom punch. Modern label and window slot (I think it's called) for the greeting. This card is so cute. 

Secret squirrel card was made using the SU 2 step bird punch and the same label punches as above. Craftwork Cards Card Candi used in the corners. Spellbinders Label die to layer the bird onto. Another really cute and simple card

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Susan's shoebox ...

... card contribution. Cream, pink, brown and ivory card stock, some of which was pearlescent.  Ivory card was used to make an A5 card blank. Stampin' Up butterfly stamps, butterfly punch and border punch. Lili of the Valley greeting. Nestibilities.  After I'd taken pot luck on the double stamping of the butterflies it was discovered that Kim had bought her SU Stamp-a-majig with her - doh! 

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Afternoon workshop ...

... with Alex Kamann, 3rd June.  White on White and they were stunning cards!

The first card was a small 4" x 4" one.  The card was embossed with a Sizzix embossing folder.  A strip of white card had a greeting stamped on a lower corner and then stuck to card base and trimmed to size. A plaque was cut from white Bazzill Bling (or similar) using the Spellbinders Labels Eighteen.  The flower was made from several layers of tissue paper cut with the Spellbinders Blossom 3, although any circle die/punch with a bit of shape to the edge would do.  Each layer was joined with a brad through the middle. Every layer was scrunched up then 'fluffed' out to make the flower.  Brad colour doesn't matter as it can't be seen.  A few leaves were punched and the flower and leaves were mounted onto the plaque which was then stuck to the card base.  Stickles glitter glue was dotted over the flower to lift it.

The second card.  This one was a 6" x 6" card.  A square, slightly smaller, was cut and embossed using a Sizzix embossing folder.  The edges were then distressed with Antique Linen from the Distressed Ink range. A plaque was cut using the Labels Eighteen set and the edges distressed as before.  A greeting was stamped in one corner of it, in the same ink so it all tied in.  

Using a slightly larger die from the Blossom 3 set, several layers of tissue paper were cut.  This time, before they were all put together, the edges of the shapes were lightly distressed and then they were all put together and 'scrunched' in the same way as the first flower.  A piece of vellum was stamped with a text background stamp using white Stazon and a couple of Martha Stewart butterflies punched from it.  Another piece of vellum was used to hand cut some leaf shapes and veins were embossed onto them.

The embossed square had a length of ribbon wrapped round it at the point where the embossing folder join was and then it was adhered to the card blank.  The label was attached using foam pads.  A foam pad was also used to attach the flower and then the leaves positioned and stuck with wet glue.  The butterflies were also attached with wet glue and, although the sample card didn't have them, I chose to add diamanté gems to lift them as the butterflies were a bit 'lost' against the textured background without.

I love these white on white cards although they're not the easiest things to photograph to show the detail involved.  I also love this flower.  It's so easy but so effective.

Managed to get instructions printed for the shoebox card and put into packs so they're now all done.  Just got to decide what I'm taking to our weekend and start getting it together.  Kindle, MP3 (perhaps), tools, and .... no idea!

Had a Groupon day yesterday. First I had a facial deal that was an experience!  Never had a facial like it before but for £14 it was exceptional value. Lasted 1½ hours and included a neck, shoulder and face massage - mind you, some of it seemed more of a slap around but it was very therapeutic. A young Chinese lady so think it was all based more on oriental methods than European.  Will I be going back?  You betchya! Even at the full £36 it would be well worth it.Thinking of trying her manicure, pedicure and one of her massages. If they're anywhere near close to what I've had by Balinese ladies she will be getting my repeat business.

The second one was the meal at The Brasserie in the Marina.  Paid £25 for a meal to the value of £52.  What I like about this Italian restaurant is that there's very little pasta on the menu. I had fillet steak medallions cooked with bacon and sliced parmesan with rocket garnish and seasonal veg, not that I had any veg as there was plenty on my plate without it - there being 2 steaks and 2 rashers and enough rocket and other leaf to make a small salad. Paul had veal cooked in some Italian way as his main and calimari as his starter (I had tiramisu for dessert, no starter). I tried his calimari but it's not something I've ever liked, no matter how many times I've tried it however ... this time I've got to say it was lovely. The best I've ever tried.  Beautiful meal and everything cooked to perfection.  We cabbed it there and back so were able to have a bottle of wine to round it all off and bonus, although pretty breezy and hence, chilly, it didn't rain, sleet, hail or snow - *lol* Lovely day all told.

And a wedding ...

... card!  Yep, mojo came back enough for me to put together a wedding card.  Just hope it's liked as I'm not sure about it myself.  I guess the focal point is the decoupage.  TBZ embossed and gilded and layered using Pinflair Glue Gel.  Oh how I dislike that stuff.  Give me good ol' silicone any day!  

The border punching was done using the totally idiot proof, Woodware Crafty Edger.  I'm loving this border system.  It really makes it so easy to match the pattern.  There can be no mismatching/double punching with it as there can be with all the other border punches I've tried and yes, that would be the Martha Stewarts and EK Success ones.  Pretty as those designs are some are a real nightmare to match and they can be a complete fiddle to get in position and held secure while you punch.  With this Woodware system there is absolutely no margin of error at all - it just works!  Wish they'd hurry up and bring out more designs ... and the corner punches I've been assured will be coming as well. ;0)  If they bring out a big enough range and the corner punches, then I shall quite happily get rid of all my MS punches.  Storage is a lot easier as it's a cassette system and the cassettes stack. Even better than the flat EK Success punches as they're smaller *grin*.  Guess it's got the potential to have everything that the others haven't got - providing they come through with the designs.  Digressing again but I'm sooooo impressed with this system.  It's not often I like something this much.

Anyway, I kept some of the punched waste shapes and used them as 'confetti' to take the plainness off of the white surround.  Greeting was an SU stamp but I borrowed it so not sure which set it belongs to.  Ruffled ribbon again (I love the effect ruffling the ribbon gives) and a few pearls.

I've been wondering where all the followers & subscribers I had on Crafty Bits are.  I had 126 followers and 91 Feedblitz subscribers.  I've come to the conclusion that they followed and subscribed but really didn't 'cos if they did they'd have moved over when blogs merged ..... wouldn't they? Daft thing is Bits still has 126 followers, even though there's nothing on the blog now so I'm guessing, without checking, that it also still has 91 subscribers - *lol*!  What I was sad to see go was the country count on my Neoworx counter.  It's building up again here - and quickly - but Bits had hits from 133 countries.  I'm happy with the way things are and I've not regretted doing what I did so guess that's the main thing.  I've felt more inclined to blog and hopefully, for those that do follow, with more variety it's a bit more interesting as well.  My life isn't all crafting.  If truth be known there's not much crafting involved at all, although I'd like there to be but who knows .... one day - *hehe*

Paul's pre-op assessment was OK so everything is go for him to have the screw out on the 6th May.  Hopefully he'll be able to start using the hand more and there'll be a better judgement on any residual pain 'cos at the moment not too sure if it's all down to the screw or not :0{

Today?  Some of that 'h' word.  Well, had to finally do some, didn't I?  I also started sorting out my holiday packing.  Nothings packed but it's coming together.  I've also done, or prepped, a fair bit of paperwork so I'm feeling quite organised but I'm sure that won't last *LOL*

It's still hot and sunny and looks as though the Easter weekend is going to stay that way.  Very unusual weather for a Bank Holiday weekend in the UK.  It usually rains - *lol*

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