Monday, June 29, 2009

Eastern Blooms Birthday card


I haven't used this stamp set in like forever and I like it so much! Used some retired DSP that was in a Christmas mini last year. I guess i don't use it that often because it doesn't have a sentiment with it. I hate having to search for a sentiment to use with it...I tend to be a little lazy! This Happy Birthday sentiment is from the set Goody Goody Gumdrops. It had some other words with it, so I used a SU marker to just color in what i wanted to show up!

I used some Chocolate Chip ribbon, trio flower punch, some eyelets, color spritzer, oval punch, scallop oval punch. TaDa!

Hope you like! TFL!
Oh, sidenote....it's my first day back at work since my back surgery 6 weeks ago! Wish me luck!!! :)

Sunday, June 28, 2009

You Rock!


My friend, fellow sprint tri athlete, and up-up-up-upline (is that enough ups?!), Darla, did her first sprint tri a couple of weekends ago and I wanted to make her a card to congratulate her for such a huge accomplishment!! Yeah, she pretty much ROCKS and I just wanted to let her know that!

I used Rockabilly DSP, Just Jawing, Riding Hood Red ribbon, blingy brad, glitter and 4 punches for the sentiment!

I hope she likes it!

TFL!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Chicago


Here's the layout we did for Stamp Club this month! We used Sweet Slumber DSP. These pics are from when Tiffany & I went to Chicago back in 2007 to meet up with fellow BYOM'ers for a great weekend of shopping, eating, and socializing!!

We also used the Scallop Circle and Scallop Circle #2 for the Big Shot, the Tab punch, and the Eyelet Border punch.

I actually used non-SU stamps for the title! *GASP* One is KI Memories and the other is Studio G acrylic stamps.

TFL!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Thoughts and Prayers Sympathy card


Love love love this stamp set! I'm sure I've said it before, but I just can't help it! This was a Mojo Monday sketch, the first one I've ever tried. I'm falling in love with those card sketches!

I colored in the image with my SU markers. Then added some Stickles to the flowers. Broke out my HodgePodge Hardware for the first time since I got it practically a year ago! I love it so much I don't want to ever use it! The DSP and ribbon are from SAB this year (name...?! You guys should've learned by now I can't remember the name of retired DSP's!) And I call myself a demonstrator! Oh, well. It's retired! Why should I remember it?! ;)

TFL!

Best Wishes Wedding Card


Here's the card we did for Stamp Club this month! When I saw this posted all over the place @ LNS, I just knew I had to CASE it!

We used the Big Shot Scallop Circle and then put it thru the Fifth Avenue Floral embossing folder. Some ribbon and a blingy brad to top off the cute little dress!

We used the stamp set Oval All and the new scallop oval punch. Then, we took the mat pack to punch some holes in the scallops. The eyelet border punch on some Basic Gray cardstock and Voila! Cutesy little wedding shower card!

TFL!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Cheers to You Father's Day card

Good bright & early Tuesday morning to you all! Sorry it's been a few days since my last post, but me and the fam went to visit my parents @ their lake house at Kentucky Lake over the weekend! Wow, they live out in BFE! We left Thursday afternoon. On Friday, we slept in, and then we headed off to Hopkinsville, KY that afternoon to the movies and saw Up in 3D. Cute movie, seen better Disney movies, but it was cool to watch in 3D. Saturday everyone (except me) went out for an incredibly HOT day out on the boat. All 3 girls knee boarded and loved it. I stayed back at the house and cleaned up the house and worked on getting stuff for Stamp Club cut and ready. Sunday, they all went out on the boat again. Micah "won" for kneeboarding a total of 6 minutes! Yay! 2 days on the boat and all 3 girls already have completely awesome tans. Steve got burnt. We got back around 10:30pm Sunday night. Long, tiring, fun weekend. I hope everyone else had a great Father's Day weekend!!

Anyway, here's the card I made for my Dad for Father's Day using the stamp set Cheers to You. I used the Color Coach for the color scheme (So Saffron, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Bordering Blue). I used Crystal Effects on the beer mug and frosted Stickles for the beer foam! I think it turned out pretty cute! I know it's not a sappy, fancy card, but this card fits my Dad!





TFL!!


Friday, June 19, 2009

Owl Together Now Birthday Card


Birthday card I made for my brother-in-law, Donnie, using Owl Together Now and some old DSP,and some Pastels which I don't use very often. TFL!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Vases in Vogue Hello card


I just love this darling little set! It was a hostess set several catalogs ago and I've just never been able to part with it when I do my yearly purging! Using up some more old DSP from a previous scrapbook event, can't remember the name of it, either! Guess it doesn't really matter too much since it is retired. Made this and 3 other cards very similar...needed some hello and thank you cards. I added some Stickles to the flowers that turned out so cute! It was just the right little touch it needed. Used an oval and scallop oval punch, too. TFL!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

My Back Surgery Saga

Well, it has officially been 1 month since my back surgery! I figured it was about time to document it on my blog. Basically, it all started about 2 years ago. I've had back pain off and on for several years, but nothing that some advil and ice packs to the back couldn't take care of. 2 years ago, I woke up and could hardly move, so I went to visit a chiropractor, Dr. Bartley. I saw him for about 5 months and was good to go.

Fast forward to the beginning of May. I guess I sat too long one weekend scrapbooking and was having major back pain again. Off to see Dr. B. After a week and a half of seeing him, I was feeling better and got the ok to go workout, but to take it easy. This was a Wednesday. I left his office, went to the gym, did a light workout (I didn't even break a sweat!). On the way home, I could tell that something was majorly wrong. By that evening, I could hardly walk. I slept on the couch with my legs over the arm.

I called Dr. B's office the next day (Thursday) and they could get me right in. Driving into town was horrible, it hurt so badly. Dr. B took one look at me (hunched over walking, it was pretty pathetic) and said I needed to get an MRI. The office called and they couldn't get me in until next week. Dr. B was like "Kelly, do you have any pull over there to get you in today?" Uh, yeah, I think I can handle that. The one time I actually have pull in something!!

After a quick trip to my family doctor for a shot of steroids in the booty and a prescription for some hydrocodone, I head over to x-ray for my MRI. Excruciating. I was in tears. I was having spasms in my back and down my right leg the entire time, but I toughed it out because I knew I needed it.

Dr. B called me Friday morning with the results of the MRI. Not good at all. Major bulging disc that had fragmented at L5-S1 which was putting a ton of pressure on my nerves and causing my leg pain (and foot/ankle numbness by this point). He recommends I see a neurosurgeon. None in Jasper, the best one in the area is in Evansville. BUT, he said he tried to get a pt in to see Dr. Sneed earlier in the week and he couldn't be seen until July!! I couldn't wait that long. He said if that's the case, we'd have to go another route. Dr. B calls and talks to Dr. Sneed's nurse and begs and plead with her to have Dr. S see me. Miraculously, Dr. S says he'll see me in his office the next day (Saturday) after his rounds at the hospital. WOW!

Saturday, Steve and I head to E-ville for my appt. Dr. S takes a look at my films and says I have 2 options. Wait it out and see if it gets better and have surgery in 6 weeks and risk permanent damage in my leg OR he can do my surgery that afternoon! Steve and I look at each other and both of us said, "do it today". Uh, no brainer there. Head over to St. Mary's Medical Center and get checked in. Sit and wait in a room until time for surgery. Get an IV. Then, due to a mix up, I was told I would be done on Sunday, but Dr. S still wanted to do my surgery that evening, but surgery didn't know that. Dang it. I'd already had a supper tray. I was almost willing to go in the bathroom and throw it up, if they'd let me! LOL!! So, i'm discharged and told to come back the next morning.



Waiting for my surgery! Isn't that gown pretty?!

Sunday, get checked in again. Another IV started. Go to surgery. Wake up in recovery and I'm lying flat on my back with my legs out straight. At that point I knew I was fixed! I hadn't been able to stretch out for the last 3 days! I was up and walking the halls in just a couple of hours after surgery. WooHoo!!!


Bruising from one of the IV's


Bruising from the other IV!

I pretty much thought my triathlons were out for the rest of the year. But, no! I can do a triathlons by the end of the summer! But, no running. I have to walk the run. I can start running next spring. 2 weeks ago I had the ok to start swimming. I'll get to start biking in about another week! 3 weeks after surgery I was walking 2-4 miles at a time. I'm still having numbness down the outside of my right leg, which I can really tell when I'm shaving my legs and my 4th & 5th toes and my heel are numb, which is really annoying. Dr. S said that if that doesn't go away within 6 months, it's permanent. Dang. oh, well.

This whole back thing was single handedly the most excruciating thing I've ever experienced. Even taking a shower was some of the worst pain I've ever had. I prayed to God to take my pain away. I think the fact that I got into one of the best neurosurgeons in the area within one day (and on a Saturday, no less!) and had surgery almost immediately was God's way of answering my prayers. God is GOOD!!


My surgery site the first week after surgery.

And, for those of you who are interested in what kind of surgery I had (Lumbar Laminectomy and Microscopic Discectomy)....here's some basic info.


Lumbar Laminectomy

What is it?Lumbar laminectomy is an operation that involves approaching the spine through an incision in the lower back to remove a portion of the bone over and/or around the nerve roots to provide them additional space.
Why is it done?Patients who have pain caused by pinched nerves are potential candidates for this procedure.

The OperationThe operation is performed with you lying on your stomach.
Incision:Your surgeon makes an incision in your lower back to access your spine. To have a clear view of your spine, the surgeon then retracts the muscles and ligaments.Bone/Disc Removal:Your surgeon removes a portion of the lamina, the bony rim around the spinal canal, if it is contributing to pressure on the dural sac or nerve roots. This part of the procedure is called a laminectomy. The term laminectomy is derived from the Latin words lamina (thin plate, sheet, or layer), and -ectomy (removal).
An opening is then cut in the ligamentum flavum – a ligament that connects vertebrae to the sacrum. A portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material around the nerve root is removed to give your nerve root additional space.

Lumbar Microdiscectomy

What is it?Pain in the lower back (lumbar spine) and legs, among other symptoms, may occur when an intervertebral disc herniates – when the annulus fibrosus (tough, outer ring) of the disc tears and the nucleus pulposus (soft, jelly-like center) squeezes out, and places pressure on, or "pinches," an adjacent nerve root.

Lumbar microdiscectomy is an operation that involves using a surgical microscope and microsurgical techniques to access and treat the lumbar spine. By providing magnification and illumination, the microscope allows for a limited dissection. Only that portion of the herniated disc, which is pinching one or more nerve roots, is removed. The term discectomy is derived from the Latin words discus (flat, circular object or plate) and -ectomy (removal).

Why is it done?Pressure placed on one or more nerve roots by a herniated disc may irritate these neural structures and cause:
Debilitating leg pain Weakness and/or numbness in the legs and/or feet, and Bowel/bladder incontinence.

Incision: The operation is performed with you lying on your stomach. Because the operation is viewed through a microscope, this approach only requires a small incision. Your surgeon makes an incision in your lower back. Through this incision, microsurgical instruments are then inserted.
Removal:Once your pinched nerve is located, the extent of the pressure on the nerve can be determined. Using microsurgical techniques, your surgeon removes the herniated portion of the disc as well as any disc fragments that have broken off from the disc. The amount of effort required to complete the microdiscectomy depends, in part, on the size of the disc herniation, the number of fragments present, and the difficulty presented in finding and removing these fragments.


Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Take Three Best Wishes card



I got this set as a gift from my best friend, Tiffany! She remembered that I was wanting it, but I never got around to ordering it before it retired, so she surprised me with it!! I had a couple of birthday cards that I needed to make, so I couldn't wait to break it out and use it! Using up some DSP from the last scrapbook event we had...and I'm blanking on the name! Used the Big Shot for the gorgeous butterflies. Ink is Not Quite Navy, which is probably one of my favorite colors, and some Baja Breeze ribbon. Anyway....TFL!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

She's All That Congrats card



I made this card for two people....one is for the wife of one of Steve's old friends, the other one is for....my sister!! Yes, I'm going to be an aunt again! WooHoo!!!

I used a retired stamp set again, but one that I am just in love with...She's All That. The silhoutte girls are just too cute. I used A Walk in the Park DSP, a retired ice brad, Regal Rose ribbon, and the Stampin' Up Simple Flower embosslit die for the Big Shot and the Congratulations stamp is from the Sale-A-Bration catalog.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Welcome Little One



I bought this stamp set, I'm Here, back when I knew it was retiring and have yet to ink it up....until now! Used some retired DSP, Maine Blueberry, which I LOVE!! The other stamp set I used is called Riveting and has been retired for awhile, too. Guess I was in a retired kind of mood! Oh, I also used texturz with the Big Shot for the back ground, brads, and some Old Olive ribbon. TFL!


Friday, June 12, 2009

Upsy Daisy Thinking of You card


I know you're probably tired of seeing stuff done with the June BYOM kit.....but I dont' care! ;) Last creation, a card! I used the Stampin' Up stamp set, Upsy Daisy, and scraps from the kit. I used the distress tool, and several punches (for the sentiment), taffeta ribbon, and brads from SU. Voila! TFL!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Carter Pennant





At the Stampin' Up convention last year when they debuted the Big Shot, they had made some awesome creations with the Pennant Die. After we got home, Tiffany had made a Welcome pennant and a Boo that were too cute! I finally got the nerve up to try one of my own. Actually, two. I made one for Tracy and Alex's baby, Jazlyn, and one for Myra's baby, Carter. I gave Jazlyn's to Tracy before I had a chance to take a photo of it, but I took one of Carter's. They both are basically the same, since their nurseries are both done in animals and neutral colors. I love how they turned out, especially for my first ones. And, I actually used my sewing machine on material for the first time vs. just paper for my scrapbooking!

Ok, I used the five different pattern materials, Pennant, Scallop Circle, Scallop Circle #2, Serif Essentials Alphabet Dies, jumbo eyelets, ribbon, buttons, fusable web, and machine sewing.

TFL!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

My Favorite Guy


My last layout with the June BYOM kit...my handsome hubby! Used a black rhinestone circle from a previous kit and some hand sewing, my new favorite obsession! Pretty simple, but I like how it turned out. TFL!

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Back 2 School

Yes, a 2 pager! With the June BYOM kit! I didn't want to cut down any of those photos, so that pretty much limited me to doing a 2 pager. This started out as a PageMaps sketch but went totally awry. It was like midnight when I was working on this layout and I just couldn't stop adding crap to it! I finally just had to stop. I added some ABC printed twill from my stash and the brad in the flower middle is from my stash as well. The flourish stamp and "photo record" stamp are Autumn Leaves. Everything else is from the kit or extras. Same daubing/Glimmer Mist technique on the chipboard circle (can you tell I'm really liking the look of that?!).

Pics are fromt he first day of school this past school year...1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade for the girls. Crazy.

TFL!

Monday, June 08, 2009

Precious

Another layout from the June BYOM kit! I cut the die cut paper in half....just 'cause I like to do that to be able to use the other half for another layout! LOL!! I pulled out some embellies that are pretty old....the "precious" label, the square brad on the label, and the 3 brads down the side of the photo with older ribbon! Just trying to use some stuff I haven't used in a while. The brown and red alpha stickers are from previous BYOM kits and reads "How do people go through life without siblings?". Oh, I also hand stitched the flower stem/flourish, which is going to be my new favorite technique!! It's time consuming, but I love how it looks! For the starburst, I did the same technique as on the other layout, but daubed Distress Ink Peeled Paint and spritzed it with Glimmer Mist (LOVE that stuff!). Oh, I also misted the flower. I so wish you could see these little details up close and personal!

Anyway, pic of the girls from last summer at the Rock Park.

TFL!

Sunday, June 07, 2009

June 2009 BYOM kit!!

June BYOM kit is Knave of Hearts by Collage Press! These papers are so cool!!! I was a little leary of them at first, but have loved everything I've done with it! That's what I love about kit clubs. Makes me step out of my box.

Pics are of McKenna taken last October at a fountain in a park in St. Louis. I used some SU punches...photo corner, tab, and 3 different size circles. Lots of Distress Ink in Peeled Paint. The starburst chipboard is in the kit and is awesome!! On one side is white, the other natural. I took Fired Brick Distress Ink and daubed it. Then I misted it with green Glimmer Mist and it gave it a kind of a rust color that turned out awesome and matched perfectly!

TFL!

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Ice Cream Cone!!

With Mara away at church camp for the first time ever, I wanted to send her a card to let her know we were all thinking about her, so I created this card just for her! I used texture plates for the Big Shot....3, actually! I used some Dazzling Diamonds on the scallops of the "scoops" of ice cream. The glittery cherry on top was McKenna's idea (and she was so proud of that!). I used my favorite verse stamp set, Curvy Verses. I saw a version of this card on SCS and couldn't wait to try it out! The DSP I used for this is Sweet Always.



When I asked Mara if she got her card from us, the first thing she mentioned was she loved how it was signed on the inside! I knew she would love it!! I know it's goofy, but I know my Mara and I knew she'd get a kick out of it!


She's always going on about how many pets we have, so I included all of them on the card. And, McKenna and Micah signed their names themselves, too! I even included the new hamster and brand spankin' new hamster babies (oh, that's a whole other blog post!!).

TFL!!

Friday, June 05, 2009

Cheep Talk


Challenge #22 for LNS was to do something embossed....dry or heat. I chose dry using texture plates for the Big Shot and I used the "distressed" texture plate which I did on the Chocolate Chip mat. I used the adorable set Cheep Talk and DSP Good Morning Sunshine. Hope you like! TFL!

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