Hi all, sorry I have not been around for a while things have been really hetic for me just lately with the shop and the demo. I just wanted to pop a quick post on here just to let you know how hosptial went.

They were really pleased with Abbie and she had put on weight and grown well, although she is still below average. She didnt like having the bloods or x-rays done and there were tears from both of us. We came home though pretty pleased and with new physio things to try.

However we have had some bad news today, her consultant has called to say they found something in the cough swab that was taken. She has grown a bug called Pseudomonas

Here is a bit of info about it.

The most common bacterium to infect the CF lung is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a gram-negative microorganism with a propensity to live in warm, wet environments. The lungs of most children with CF become colonized (inhabited long-term) by P. aeruginosa before their 10th birthday. The body's response to P. aeruginosa includes inflammation, which causes repeated exacerbations or episodes of intense breathing problems. Although antibiotics can decrease the frequency and duration of these attacks, the bacterium establishes a permanent residence and can never be completely eliminated from the lungs. The treatments for P. aeruginosa lung disease typically involve antibiotics, bronchodilators, anti-inflammatory drugs, and chest physiotherapy to help fight infection and clear the lung passages.

As you can see its not very good reading, and deeply upsetting for us at this time. Although we do know quite a lot about it as Abbie grew this last year, she was put on a 3 week course of extremely strong antibiotics and had to use a nebulizer for 3 months to get it to a so called safe level. So at least this time we do have more knowledge and know hoe to deal with the problem, the main cause for concern really is that this is the 2nd time now and as you read above it never really goes away and it will come to a point where the nebulizer will be a constant thing. It will also decrease her life expectancy too.

Hope I havent been too much doom and gloom for you and hope to be back on soon with some cards.

Lyndsey xx

Well its seems everyone has got some sort of excting news this week, especially my blogging buddy Joey who has just announced that she is expecting her 3rd baby. Many congrats to Joey and her family I am really thrilled for them.
I do have a little bit of news myself. Firstly I have been contacted by the magazine again and have been given another 2 commissions, which means from next month I will be in the mag for 4 months on the trot.
Secondly I have been put in the very fortunate position of being offered the chance to own the shop where I work. There is still a long way to go yet and a few things still need sorting, but hopefully by mid August I will be the new owner. I am so excited!!!!!, I have really big plans for the shop and have been researching all the new products I want to stock, working out how much finance I need etc,etc.
This is the reason for my lack of cards lately I have had so much to do sorting out this venture and also making all my samples for the demo on Sat. I have been so stressed out I have not had the time or inclination to do any crafting for myself.
I am also working myself up for nothing really, Abbie is due to go to BCH on Wed for her yearly MOT (as we call it) and I am dreading it. With the x-rays, and bloods and checks on everything I am sure that something is going to come up, as you know she has not been in the best of health lately and I always assume the worst.
Anyway hope to be back with some cards soon.
Lyndsey xx

There is a fabulous sketch over at the Sugar Bowl this week with an amazing prize of the new collection of 8 Diane Dudda stamps soon to be released. You also have to include Blue & Green on your card to be in with a chance of winning, well I had these papers left out from the last card I had made and they were prefect for the challenge. I also coloured the image in with my PM's following the tutorial over on Joey's blog and I have to say am very pleased with the results, I seem to be getting a lot better with my shading.

The papers are DCWV Nannas Kitchen, Gorjuss Girl image from Sugar Nellie, Petaloo flowers, Dovecraft ribbon, Papermania adhesive shimmer dots and the sentiment is my own computer generated design.

Lyndsey xx

Well its a bit different for me anyway, I have made a card without a stamped image on!!!!. Now normally I love my images and dont feel like a card is complete without one, However we are off to my friend's 40th party tonight and I decided I wanted to do something a little different. I made one of those cards wraps that you then put a little tag insert inside, and obviously i wanted the number to be the main focal really, It also gave me a chance to use of of massive petaloo flowers.
I have also decided to enter it into this weeks Creative Inspirations challenge which is to use 4 different papers on your creation.

The papers are from DCWV Nannas Kitchen stack, Petaloo flowers with Dovecraft fancy brad, Craftwork Cards oval sentiment & ribbon from stash. The 40 was cut out using Colour My World Mckenzine alpha & number template pack.

Now for all you Prima Craft customers, the Colour My world Templates are one of the items I will be demoing at our Demo Day along with the Petaloo Flowers & the LLB range on Saturday 27th June, so pop the date in your diary and come and see me for some great ideas and inspiration.

Lyndsey xx

Well I had the most fabulous night last night, went to see the gorgeous Take That at the Ricoh in Coventry. It was the most spectacular show I have ever seen it wasnt a concert it was a show!!!. Everything about it was amazing, we were stood about 10 foot away from the centre stage so had a great view when they came out the middle which they did repeatedly throughout the show. Gary looked gorgeous as always and the rain held off until the end. The best part had to be the elephant emerging out of the centre stage and carrying them off over to the top stage, that elephant was just something else. But guess which numpty forgot to take her camera!!!!!!!. It was a night I will never forget and would go to see it again without a second thought.

Anyway better show you my card. It is made following the sketch over on Sketch and Stash and my new item is the Tilda image and the gorgeous DCWV papers.



Image is from the Magnolia chasing butterflies collection, papers are DCWV Nanas Kitchen, Prima & Poppicraft flowers with Papermania gem brads. Craftwork Cards oval sentiment & Papermania adhesive shimmer dots, ribbon from the Range.

Lyndsey xx

These are the cards for my other niece, and I took the opportunity to mix a few challenges in as well.

The first card I have made following the fab sketch over on Sketch Saturday & I am also including it in the Secret Crafter which is Bling and I have used some gorgeous pearl brads & glamour dust on bow & hairband.


The image is a gorgeous Miss Anya, the paper is from K&Co Berry Sweet, Poppicraft flowers with Papermania pearl brads, Sizzix swirl & decorative corners & Craftwork Cards oval sentiment.

This second card follows a great sketch over on Friday Sketchers & I am also including it in the Colour Create challenge which is the colours of the rainbow in the papers I have pink, blue, green, yellow & purple & I have used yellow & Orange in the hair. Sorry for rubish picture quality and I can blame Tasha for this image as she sent it to my daughter in a little pack & I loved her so much I had to purchase her.

The image is from the Greeting Farm, papers are K&Co berry sweet, Dovecraft ribbons and Papermania adhesive shimmer dots.

Lyndsey xx

I have 2 Niece's who have a birthday next week, so whilst the weather has been soooo pants here today I have made a start on them.

This first one I have made following a fab sketch by Rach over on the Just Magnolia blog, I have spent a lot of time practising with my PM's and I am really pleased with how the colouring on this little cutie turned out.



The image is from the magnolia Butterflies collection, matted and layered using Nesties, papers are DCWV spring stack, Papermania element flowers, Anitas spotty ribbon & craftwork Cards oval sentiment. The butterfly is a plain chipboard shape which I have inked up, added glossy accents onto and then sprinkled a little glamour dust on top.

This second card I have made using the great sketch over on Papertake Weekly.



This card uses a fab image from the Greeting Farm (sent to me by a blogging buddy), papers are DCWV spring stack, Papermania adhesive gem stones and computer generated sentiment.


Lyndsey xx

This first card was my DT card for last weeks Charisma Challenge, sadly I am no longer on the team but I thought I may as well show the card anyway.


The image is a digi download from Sally-Ann, papers are Brights cardstock bundle from American Traditional Designs, flowers are Petaloo, Craftwork Cards oval sentiment and Doodlebug sugar coated brads.

These couple of cards have been made for my stepmoms birthday, the first one follows the sketch over on Stampavie and more and the second was one I just made myself


Papers are from the same set as the card above, image is a fab Miss Anya image, flowers are a mixture of Poppicrafts & Petaloo with Papermania gem brads, Craftwork Cards oval sentiment & some new Papermania adhesive shimmer dots.

Image is a gorgeous Gorjuss Girl, papers are Basic Grey Porcelain, flowers are a mixture of Prima & Poppicrafts with Papermania pearl brads, Sizzix die cut swirls & a Papermania sentiment sticker. Scalloped edging done with a MS border punch.

Lyndsey xx