Some new artwork

Hi All, I've been stuck between four walls after my last operation and so I've got stuck into some artwork and been letting off steam creating. To begin with here's some art journal pages I've created.




I've also been working on Suzi Blu dolls and enjoyed every minute. Here's one that's complete



and here's one that needs more layers but I don't know what yet. Any suggestions warmly welcomed.

The start of a new journal

Today I began a new journal. It's going to be the one I use for things that inspire me like song titles, quotes, poems etc. Here's my first entry.

An update on life, cancer and everything.

Golly! A lot has happened since I last updated. I have probably forgetten an awful lot. I'll try and give a round up here. Thanks Darcy for reminding me that I needed to do this :-) Where to start? I guess I'll start with the most recent and work backwards. Breast Cancer Update Well last Saturday I came out of hospital after having my left breast removed (my choice as it reduces the risk of the cancer coming back) and then both breasts have been prepared for reconstruction with implants. These will be filled with saline to expand them and then, eventually, removed and replaced with silicone implants. At the moment my right arm is doing fine but my left arm is frozen through chording which is a horrid sensation which makes my arm pretty immobile and feels like I have a large marble in my armpit all the time. It's very odd. My hair is coming back nice and thickly after chemo thank goodness. It's about an inch long now, I can't wait to get it longer again. I have had a few friends struck by this bloody awful disease since I went back to work. I'm thinking particularly of Becky (in the USA) and Bo in Manchester. Also in my mind is Darcy's sister who is in Australia suffering another type of cancer It feels like everywhere you look this bloody disease is hitting someone. What will it take to find a cure. I wonder how far off we are? Going back to work Going back to work was hard. I found it hard not to get caught up in all the old office politics again and I very quickly found myself resenting being there. It was partly because so much of my job had been taken on by other people and I wasn't going to get parts of it back again and partly because it's so quiet at the moment I feel like I'm wasting time on insignificant stuff. Maybe it's time for me to start looking for a more challenging role within the Uni? Maybe I will when I finish the degree next year (hopefully)? I just feel that I need to concentrate on getting well at the moment, until then, I've just got to try and keep my head and not let all the petty stuff get to me. Here's a journal page that I created when I was feeling at my lowest. (Edited 3rd April 2011 and removed because I've changed my mind about making everything public. Negativity is probably best kept to myself and not 'put out there'). I think's enough for people to know that amongst the good days there were days when I felt like total shit and all I could do was redirect it onto an art journal page. As time's gone on I've begun to feel better and I think that's kind of reflected in my journal pages.

SuziBlu Goodness

I'm entering this picture into SuziBlu's 4th July goodness challenge.

SuziBlu is a very inspiring artist from the USA. She teaches video workshops on how to create beautiful folk art inspired dolls. I have loved every minute I've spent working on the drawings and paintings - and a moment enjoyed is never wasted.

You can find SuziBlu's workshops here

http://www.suziblu.ning.com

I'm done :)

Thankfully the journey has now come to an end. Well the first leg of it at least. I received my last chemo on 6th April. The PICC line was also removed so, all in all, I'm feeling a lot more comfortable now. It's lovely to be able to soak in the bath without the plastic flipper on (the big plastic cover that kept the PICC line bandages dry). I had an absolutely wonderful time soaking in bubbles reading a good book ... it was BLISS!

I've currently got a cold and wasn't able to return to work on Tuesday as I'd hoped. The Doc says I should get rid of it and go back on Monday. I'm looking forward to going back but I bet that feeling won't last too long once I'm back :) it'll probably feel like I've never been away ... well I hope so anyway :)

This has been an amazing journey. I've discovered so much about myself, my tolerance levels, the things which really matter in life and things which really I shouldn't sweat about. I've discovered that women are incredibly strong creatures and that when are backs are up against the wall we will fight for one another until the bitter end. I have met a wondeful community of spiritual sisters, people who have helped me through this very painful process who have lead the way as other have before for them. Thoughout all of this, the one thing that sticks in my mind the most is the incredibly healing power of friendship and love. I am truly blessed to have had some amazing women alongside me on this. I will be eternally grateful.

Have been creating but haven't managed to finish any projects yet but watch this space - pics coming soon.

In the meantime when I light a candle for people I send them my thoughts, my good intention my wishes ... here is my space of hope for all of you who need it.

Almost there!

A very quick catch up to bring things up to date.

My last chemo is due on 6th April, last two have been delayed through having low blood cells but I do hope that this last one will happen on time. I'm making sure I get sleep and rest and generally looking after myself by eating well etc so fingers crossed.

I've been working on a recipe mini book for Ann in the Scrapsville swap. I haven't done a video of it this time (I need to sort out my microphone as there's too much hissing noise), but here's some photos. Thanks very much to Hon for the lovely chipboard embellies you send me to finish it off :)















Here's a few more things I've been working on lately - a Suzibluesque picture ...



A little wall hanging made from a beer mat.



I should be going back to work in about 3/4 weeks - I am actually looking forward to regaining some normality at last :)

2/3 of the way there now ... yippee!

Well 4th chemo done today - thank goodness. It's really nice to be able to start looking towards the future again. Up until now it feels like I've been stuck in limbo.

The PICC line's in and chemo was much easier through that ... no more needles. What a relief.

OK here's what I've been up to lately.

My latest SuziBlu doll. Her face isn't the prettiest but she's still kinda cool I think. You can't really see the iridescent paint in this but the H2Os really twinkle in the light. Maybe I'll take a pic outside tomorrow but it was raining today.


An example of the encaustic wax and friendly plastic ATCs I've been making lately.


A LO I did for UKS on change - I chose the seasons in my garden.

And last but certainly not least, I'd like to say thank you very much to those of you who have sponsored me on my Race For Life challenge which is taking place in June 2010. I am really touched by your support, thank you ever so much.

Mini book for Cathy

Had a few bummer days yesterday and today. Had the PICC line put in and it went OK on the second attempt. First one I really jumped as she hit a nerve and it made my arm spasm - very odd feeling like bad pins and needles in a quick burst - very strange. It was a long, stressful day waiting for xrays, rebandaging as it leaked for a while and when I got home I was totally exhausted. Anyway the line's in now so that's that stress over.

Went for my chemo today and had to come home again as my platelets are too low to have it so they've deferred it a week. I was 85 and I need to be over 100 to have it. Now I need to rest and stay away from any bugs for a week so that I'm OK for next week.

To console myself I came home and worked on Cathy's mini book which you can see here. I hope she likes it.

Blog Candies

Ladies there's such a lot of lovely blog candy available out there at the moment and so many talented crafters offering it up for the taking.

Here is a really lovely one at Charlotte's Craft Creations which can be found here

and another one here at Lisa's craftyblog spot.

Hover over with your cursor ladies and links will show up.

Feeling a bit anxious

Getting a little big scared now as it's less than a week until they put the PICC line in. I know they say that it will make it easier for me to have my chemo blah blah blah but what I don't understand is this ... during my last chemo my arm swelled and bruised because of the chemo drugs, how will giving me a PICC line stop this swelling and bruising occuring anywhere else - infact it will be nearer my heart - how is that safe? I know I will have to ask these questions before I have it done next week and if I'm still not happy with the answers I guess I will have the right to ask for chemo in the normal way. I've been hearing about people getting infections because of the PICC line etc. I need to ask a lot more questions I think.

Oh and for those of you who haven't seen my crazy new hairstyle here you go - very fetching eh?

Latest offerings

Well I'm now over half way through my chemo. I'm about to have a pick line put in on the 8th February as my veins can't take any more needles - my hand swelled up during the last chemo and my arm was very bruised after the session. I'm not looking forward to having a permanent line in but they say it will be much easier on me. I hope they're right.

I've finally found out what all the fuss is about with regard to Twilight. I'm reading the book by Stephanie Meyer and, I must admit, I'm really enjoying it far more than I thought I would.

SuziBlu's workshops are still inspiring me to create - I'm really enjoying it and I've uploaded my work in progress.




For some reason I am totally fixated on Emmerdale at the moment. I can't believe that the character Sally can be so evil. I also love the coffee mugs in the vicars house :) wish I knew what type they were - they look like Poole Pottery.

I've been working on the Pass it Forward LO on UKS I'm intrigued to see how far from the original they will all be at the end.

Here's a few more of my creative offerings that I've been doing over the Christmas period.





A few more pages added to my Soul Journal. This one about breast cancer.

and this one is still a work in progress but so far talks about creating art, acceptance and it also records a news item I saw on TV about soldier who lost three limbs and the man who saved him lost his life - the news item made me realise how lucky I am.

Creative Catch Up

Well this is going to be a very interesting year me thinks! I've commited to quite a few creative projects and so far I'm really getting absorbed by it all.

To serve as a reminder for myself as much as anything - here's what I'm up to:-

1. Creative Everyday Challenge 2010.
2. SuziBlu Petit Dolls Workshop.
3. 3 CJs with UKS - two are almost finished.
4. Still a member of ATCs4All.
5. My team, the Dizzy Dots on UKS are setting a UKS challenge in March.
6. Committed to doing more art journaling this year.
7. Joined the Milliande Art Community for Women.

It's so nice to be able to have the time.

What have I been making lately?



I made these for a UKS swap and used the ones I received in return to display hand made Christmas cards this year. I've been working a lot on Suzi's workshop dolls but I haven't yet had the chance to keep pace with taking photos.