Scrap Happens

Well...so much for a clean studio! I got in here pulling this and that out making some cards and before I knew it there was stuff everywhere. How does anyone scrap and end up with a clean room?

Is everyone else enjoying this beautiful autumn weather? The leaves are slowly changing colors, pumpkins are being offered by our local farmers, and caramal apples for sale in the grocery store so you know fall has arrived.  This has been one of the hotest summers here in Alabama in a long time. This past week out of the blue, it cooled down. Night temperatures dropped from the mid 80's down to the mid 50's to 60's at night and from the mid 90's everyday down to the mid 70's. A wonderful relief from the hot humid temps we have had. So the AC was turned off and the windows opened. My husband was none to happy to have it off. He didn't appreciate the wonderful cool breeze blowing in from the windows, nor care about the money he was  saving by having the unit turned off, but I am. I am cheap, cheap with my utilities. If I can turn them off here and there and open a window, no matter what time of the year, I'm a happy girl. Normally, we only get two months within the year with a lower power bill, and I fully appreciate and look forward to them both!

A Busy Sunday afternoon

Fall is in the air! Yesterday was our first taste of this. It was wonderful with temperatures only in the mid 70's. We turned our AC off, opened the windows, and totally enjoyed the cool breeze blowing in. I felt energenic and went to my studio to clean out my many drawers and tubs of scrapbooking stuff. Over the last month I have cleaned, straightened, and finally rediscovered the carpet in my office, but still needed to go thru and organize everything that was out of sight. I got as far as my Sizzix station and as I was getting things all lined up I noticed several Sizzix dies that was bought during the summer for the fall but had not been used. http://www.sizzix.com/outlet have tons of nice dies on clearance. I had seven new dies that were calling my name! So, within just a few minutes all thoughts of cleaning was tossed out the window and I sat and played all afternoon. I did break away and make dinner, but that was almost the extent of my day. My husband came down with a nasty cold Saturday afternoon and still wasn't feeling the greatest, so he was was quiet watching TV and napping all day. Here are three cards that I made yesterday. The card with the tied ribbon is my favorite. Very easy and simple too.

My husband would say I sure do need to be spending my energy cleaning the house and not tucked away in my studio playing. He's been wrong before, but not this time. LOL! But oh well...I'm not leaving! Here is a quick card I made as I was attempting to go thru and organize my Sizzix dies. I have found several nice ones at http://www.sizzix.com/outlet  Really a great place to pick up some cheap dies.

Alex's 10th birthday

Well, in a little over an hour from now Rick and I will be on our way to Fort Worth for Alexandria's 10th birthday! She actually turned 10 yesterday on the 14th, but her party is on Saturday. We debated which weekend to have her party, but I was uncomfortable with flying around 9/11.  Last year we had to miss her birthday, the first one for me, because of my Mom's open heart surgery and having to go to Florida.  Alex has asked us for the last two weeks if we have our bags packed. Here is Alex's card. I actually should have thought of making it prior to tonight, but I just didn't think about it. I hope she likes it.

Day two!!

Another grueling day in my craftroom. I would so much love to stop and do some stamping, but Momma

will be here soon and she is such great motivation to clean!! Her white glove get's me each visit.

Cleaning...cleaning...cleaning

I have not totally cleaned my craftroom is a long time and boy does it show! My friend just had a yardsale at her store and I had such a wreck of a room, I couldn't get around all of the mess to find much of anything for the yardsale. But, I am working on it now! I just hope my energy will last another day or two to finish the room!

On a roll!

Well, I have been in the card maker mood. My husband... I am sure wished I was in the housecleaning or dinner making mood! But anyway, I'm on my way to work. One more card for Audrey. Hopefully she won't see the crooked papers along the top. I thought I was cutting them straight, but maybe I didn't line them up after applying the adhesive. Oh well....I've made worse!

Audrey is home!

Shortly after talking to my sister yesterday, she was discharged from the hospital. Yippee! Sooo happy for her. She is now home safe and sound. She is weak as a kitten and still has a large degree of abdominal pain, but all in all, she is healing and slowly her symptoms are resolving. Here is another card I made for her. I am not a pink person, but I thought the Stampin Up papers worked nicely.

My Sister Audrey....

One week ago tomorrow my oldest sister was admitted to the ICU in the Buffalo area. The weekend prior she had driven to Flint, MI to attend a small high school reunion on Saturday at the local park where most of us, at least once, skipped school and played hookie. I must say for me, it wasn't just once.......Through out the day on Monday Audrey had frequent BM's and abdominal cramping. Sometime during the early morning on Tuesday, she started spotting and then had a couple hours of heavy rectal bleeding and had her husband take her to their local emergency room. She was quickly admitted for a probable E-Coli bacterial infection. Over the next two to three days her situation worsened and her diagnosis was changed to Renal Failure. Her first three to four days in the hospital was terrifying for our family. Because of the large amount of blood loss and continued extremely low blood pressures, her doctor's mentioned the possibility of blood transfusions, kidney dialysis, and pneumonia. Then on the morning of the fourth day, she started battling back. Her pressures were slightly higher and her bloating, edema, and abdominal pain was less. Every day after that she was slowly, day by day getting stronger. She had a few set backs, including a fever and fluid in her lungs, but she held steadfast. Yesterday afternoon she was moved to a private room. The only recent complication is a rapid heart rate and she will be evaluated by a Cardiologist some time today. The doctor's are saying if she continues to improve without any further set backs, she will most likely go home around Wednesday. They also requested a list of every meal, snack, and beverage she consumed over the weekend of her trip to Michigan, but nothing was found. No trace or hint of anything. They have no idea how or where she might have gotten infected. We are just happy she is on the road to a full recovery. I made her this card tonight. Normally I would post any project I make on my Facebook page, but I don't want her to see it online before she receives it. Tonight our family is so thankful and blessed that Audrey is gaining her strength each day and will be able to go home soon.... alive and well.