Latest Card & Catching Up

Lots has happened since I last posted.  Had some health issues which eventually landed me in the hospital.  Thankfully, after some fluids and med adjustments doing much better.  Also had some issues with my neck.  An MRI revealed that I have a herniated C6 and bulging C5 and C7 discs.   That led to my quitting my part-time job at the quilt shop.  After 8 weeks of resting, my neck is doing better and the tingling and pain in my right arm has subsided.    Rather than have surgery, I am opting for therapy at this time.  I will exhaust all other avenues before surgery.

In January of this year, we lost my Dad.  He had suffered a major stroke approx. several years back and slowly deteriorated over time.  A few days before his passing, he went unconscious and never woke up.  I made it there before he passed away and for that I am thankful.  I can only hope he knew I was there with him.  Still hasn't really sunk in.  My mom says she hates being home because everywhere she turns, there are reminders of him and she finds it very upsetting.  Wish she would consider coming out to stay with me but I think she would miss the rest of the family and her friends.  Only time can heal our broken hearts.

On the crafting front, I continue with my cardmaking.  My latest card is an homage to the Chesapeake Bay.  I designed and created a heron and cattail frame on my Silhouette Cameo.  Love my Cameo!  The bridge is a die by Memory Box and the ocean/sailboat stamp is by Sweet 'n Sassy.  I did cut a sailboat from black cardstock and popped it with foam tape over the stamped sailboat for a 3D effect.  In the top left hand corner I think I will stamp a small sentiment.  The water was lightly covered with Star Dust Stickles to give the water a sparkle.

Here's my card:

I recently took a class with Dyan Reaveley (she's one of my fav artists out there!) and had the time of my life.  There were so many techniques we learned and she is just a hoot!  Spent the day immersed in Dylusions Sprays, stencils, journaling, and fussy cutting images from really cool mags, some which I had never heard of!  I especially like and have begun purchasing W Magazine.  It has some of the best images for collaging.  Once home, I was hesitant to create my first "real" art piece but after watching the news about all the lives lost at Sandy Hook, I picked up my journal and created this:

I journaled around the edges of the floating woman, incorporated some gesso (the seaweed), stenciling (the bubbles) and my backround was sprayed with Dylusions sprays.  My lettering needs some work but it's finished!

In August, I will be taking another workshop, this time with Anna Dabrowska (Finnabair in blogland).  I have always admired her work so when the opportunity presented itself, I jumped on it!  In fact, she inspired me to create a layout using her technique for a challenge my LSS was hosting.  The rules were that we could do anything, but it had to include the puzzle piece given to us.  I decided it was the perfect time to try my hand at Anna's technique.  I must admit I was really worried of going "too far" so I held back.  This is my piece:

It was so much fun to create.  I think I included everything but the kitchen sink, as they say...lol.  The pic is that of my granddaughter, Mia.

The fun will really begin when I go learn from the master, herself!  Can't wait.