Grief

Here we are, at last, in March, and for me it’s been a time of reflection.  February is a very difficult month for me, filled with birthday’s and anniversaries of loved ones no longer here.  It was 10 years on the 18^th February since I lost my lovely mum.  I am no stranger to pain, but the pain of losing her was a pain like no other.  I foolishly thought that 10 years on, this anniversary would be easier.  I was wrong.  I spent the weekend in a black hole.  John, as always, supported me through it.  Listened to me talk, comforted me, gave me space.  

The last few days of mum’s life were very traumatic.  I still vividly remembered our last conversation.  I relived the last 24 hours of her life and the crushing pain returned.  I have learnt that you never ‘get over’ the loss of a parent, you somehow learn to live with it.  Over time, the happy memories return and make you smile.  We talk about my parents every day, how could we not?  Even now, I’ll do something and go to pick up the phone to tell them!  

The day of my dad’s funeral, my lovely Uncle George said to me” Right Joanne, you’ve got to move on with your life now, your dad wouldn’t want you to stay sad, he had a good life”.  Those words pop into my head regularly and are so very true.  Mum’s attitude to death was “when your number’s up, you’ll go”.  

When mum and dad left this world they had 8 amazing grandchildren.  They loved being grandparents, their family was their world.  6 of the 8 have either gone through, or are going through University.  They will be so, so proud. 

I believe, dad sends me robins and mum sends me white feathers, as little reminders that they are still around.  ‘Grandad robin’ visits me daily.  Yesterday morning, when I went out to listen to the birdsong, there was a beautiful white feather on the step.  It’s was quite windy here yesterday, but the feather stayed firmly put. 

I can’t bring them back, but I can try and make them proud, and that is what I have always tried to do.  There is no rule book on grief, but I have learnt to be kinder to myself, to go with those feelings and cope with them in any way that I can.

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge #105

 Good Morning

At last, we're in March!  It's time for a new challenge over at CD Sunday Plus and we're all looking forward to seeing your creations.

My apologies I was so late with my commenting for the last challenge, my health got in the way I'm afraid!

Here is my card for our new challenge:

                    

For this card I used images and backing papers from Crafters' Companion, Downton Abbey cd-rom.  To this I added some gold card for my mats.

I've been keeping my hands busy crocheting - when I've felt up to doing anything!  I find knitting very difficult now because of the arthritis in my hands, but am finding crocheting much more manageable.  This is a huge relief as I've got enough wool to rival my local craft shop!!

Please do visit our Challenge Blog to see my lovely teamies creations.

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 104

 Good morning

It's time for a new challenge over at CD Sunday Plus and we are looking forward to seeing your creations.

A close friend of mine became a grandma for the first time in January.  This is the card I created for the new parents:

I've always been a lover of Beatrix Potter.  My favourite book as a child was 'The Tale Of Peter Rabbit'.

I think they are timeless images that make up into such beautiful cards.

The decoupaged image for my card was from The World of Beatrix Potter cd-rom from Crafters' Companion.  The backing paper was from the same cd.  I used some Hunkydory addorable scorable card for my mats, and to cut out the letters using an alphabet die set from Carnation Crafts.  The little feet were cut using a Sue Wilson die.  

A lot of time went into making this card, but I am pleased with the result!

I hope to see your entries over on the challenge blog.

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 103

 Good morning and welcome

It's a very cold and frosty morning here in Manchester, so I'm sat, cosy and warm, crocheting a baby blanket.  My hands continue to cause me problems and I find crochet a good way to keep them moving.  I've also recently discovered the 'Groovi' system from Clarity, and am find with the help of finger grips, I've been able to start learning this new-to-me craft.

This week was by birthday, and my family and friends made it a lovely week for me.  My daughters' have bought me a subscription to the Groovi monthly club, so I can look forward to a surprise every month!

It was also my brother-in-law's birthday recently.  He's a very difficult one to make a card for but I found out he meets up with some friends once a week to play cards, so, hey presto, there was my theme!

This is the card I made for him:

I went back to one of my oldest cd-rom's to create this card, 'Men's from Crafters' Companion'.  I printed out, cut and layered up the decoupaged image, die cut the sentiment and then added it all to a pre-embossed card that has been in my stash for ages!  He really liked his card, I'm happy to say.

The weather here has been cold and damp, which affects my condition drastically, so I've been missing getting out with hubby and Bailey.  Bailey, however, is always on stand-by to provide lots of doggy cuddles!  He really is the most loving dog....but very, very needy!  Here he is, providing one of said cuddles, and looking very unimpressed at having his photo taken!

I hope you'll visit the challenge blog to see what my teamies have been creating, and to join in our challenge.

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge #102

 Hello!

I hope this finds you well.

The last 2 weeks have flown by and it's time for a new challenge over at CD Sunday Plus.  This time I have the pleasure of hosting.

For my card this challenge I turned to the fabulous LaPashe cd's for this great decoupage which I used to make a card for my brother-in-law.  He is a keen cook, and has a son and daughter so I thought this fitted the bill perfectly!

I used an embossed card to add a bit of interest, and some sky blue card from PaperMill for my mats.  The sentiment was included on the decoupage sheet.

I hope you'll visit our challenge blog to see what my teamies have been creating, and of course, join in our challenge.  Hope to see you there!

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 101

 Good Morning and a Very Happy New Year

Thank you for visiting my blog today.  I hope you've had a very happy Christmas and that 2023 is a good one for you.

Our decorations are back down - doesn't everywhere look bare when they're put away?  We've enjoyed celebrating together as a family.  Emma goes back to Uni this coming week and that makes me sad!  Sarah has dislocated her knee again so is needing a lot of support at the moment.

I'm keeping busy crafting and, as always, finding my hobbies such a blessing.

Today is our first challenge of the year over at CD Sunday Plus and we hope that you will join in the fun!

Here is my card:

I used this stunning image and backing paper from Pollyanna Pickering The Frozen Lands cd-rom and die cut the frame from mirri card using the gorgeous snowflake die from Creative Crafting World.  The sentiment was a freebie in a magazine.

Please visit the challenge blog and see the designs my teamies have come up with, I hope we inspire you to join in.

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 100

 Good morning.

Our new challenge starts over at CD Sunday Plus today and this will be our last challenge for this year.  I've really enjoyed being a part of the lovely Design Team and getting to visit all your blogs.  Long may this continue!

Today, I am sharing a Christmas card made for a friend who has a Cockapoo:

I used one of my all-time faviourite cd-roms for this card - Furry Friends from Joanna Sheen.  The backing paper is from the same cd-rom.  I die cut the mat from Centura Pearl card using a Tattered Lace die, and stamped and heat embossed a Lily of the Valley sentiment stamp.

I do hope you'll join us for our last challenge of 2022.  And please do visit my fellow DT members and see their wonderful creations.

We've had snow here this morning.  Bailey is loving it!  Me, not so much!

Thanks for stopping by. I wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas and send every good wish for a happy and healthy 2023.

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 99

 Good morning

Today I have my stall at the Christmas Fair in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind.  I've been creating for many months for this and hope it will boost my fundraising to name a Guide Dog Arthur after my late dad.  I'm excited and nervous in equal measure!

My health is not great, as I know it never will be, but my crafting continues to help me cope with the constant pain.  Raising funds at the same time is a real boost mentally too.  Long may it continue.

Today is the start of our new challenge over at CD Sunday Plus and Jocelyn is our host for this challenge.

Here is my card:

I have used one of my all-time favourite cd's to create my card - Jolly Nation Men's cd - teamed with some lovely card from PaperMill, to create this easel card.  The main image is decoupaged and I used the additional images from the sheet to create the stopper.

Please do visit the challenge blog to see what my teamies have created, and I know they would love you to visit their own blogs too.

Hope to see you there!

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 98 - Hosted by Margaret

 Good morning crafting friends

I hope that you are keeping well and enjoying your crafting.

There has definitely been a change in the seasons and weather here.  Unfortunately, the damp and cold weather plays havoc with my pelvic pain, and it means I can't get out as much as I can't tolerate sitting in my wheelchair for long periods of time.  This means I am missing going on walks with John and Bailey, which is hard.

I've now been told that the arthritis in my hands has caused Carpel tunnel syndrome!  I'm finding it difficult to adjust to this, particularly as some of the crafts I've always loved doing are now too painful for me.  However, I'm a typical redhead, with the stubbornness that goes with it, so am finding new crafts to keep me occupied, and with the help of a fantastic hand therapist (who fortunately is also a crafter!), am finding aids that make these new crafts possible.

Today is the start of our new challenge over at CD Sunday Plus and this time Margaret is hosting.  I had the pleasure of hosting our last challenge, and loved visiting all your blogs, but, boy, have you given me a challenge in choosing my Top 3.

Here is my card for the new challenge:

The stunning images on my card are from Joanna Sheen's Josephine Wall Enchanted Dreams cd-rom with the name cut using my floral alphabet dies.

This card was made for my niece's 18th birthday.

Please do join us our challenge, we love to see your cards!  I hope you'll leave me a comment so I know you've visited.

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge #97

 Good morning

I hope that you're well.  Thanks for visiting my blog today.

It's time for a new challenge to start over at CD Sunday Plus and all the team look forward to seeing your creations.  I do hope you'll join us.

Here is my card:

The main image is from the fabulous Pollyanna Pickering's World Wildlife Sketchbook.  The backing paper is from Creative Crafting World, as is the black and gold card used and the die for the sentiment.  The pearls were from my 'stash'.

I was lucky enough to visit Pollyanna's gallery earlier this year, and meet the lovely Anna-Louise.  We bought a limited signed print while we were there which now has price of place.  Everyone who see's it can't believe it's a painting.  The image appears in my card too.

I do hope you'll join in our challenge.

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 96 - Hosted by Pamela

 

Good morning

Welcome to my blog today.

Today our new challenge starts at CD Sunday Plus and we would to have you join us.  This time the lovely Pamela is hosting.

Sadly, I had some sympathy cards to make.  My auntie passed away and I made cards to send to each of her 3 children.

This one is made using a 3d embossing folder, which I cut down and then added some memento ink to to bring out the dandelion detail.  I then die cut some silver mirri using one of my dies from CCW.  I printed the corresponding backing paper from CCW's Perfect Papers cd-rom.  The sentiment is from my favourite stamp set by JustRite, matted and layered onto matching card.

I added an insert printed from a My Craft Studio sentiments cd-rom, to which I added the following verse:

'I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;

Of happy memories that I leave when my life is done.'

I think this is a beautiful verse.  I forgot to photograph the insert!!

I'm busy planning for Christmas, particularly my stall at the Guide Dog Christmas Fair to raise money for my 'Call A Guide Dog Arthur charity'.  I'm glad to be able to keep busy as I don't cope well this time of year.

I've done the majority of my Christmas shopping - a first for me to be (almost) ready so early, but as it's very difficult for me to get out, I thought I'd get myself into gear!

On Friday night I was lucky enough to visit the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester to see Bryn Terfel.  It's a beautiful venue and we had a wonderful night.  He was accompanied by a Welsh Youth orchestra and, for some of the songs, a Welsh Soprano.  His wife also played the harp a couple of times.  It was a real WOW evening.  The musicians were amazing and the acoustics in the Hall are fabulous.  It's an evening I will remember for a very long time.

I hope that you've enjoyed your visit to my blog today, please leave me a comment so I know you've been.

Jo xx

CD Sunday Plus Challenge # 95 - Hosted by Carol

 Good morning and welcome

The shorter days are drawing in and I'm already starting to feel the effects.  All this rain isn't much good for me either!  Fortunately, I'm up early in the morning so get to enjoy as much daylight as possible.  I'm keeping busy with my crafting.  I've recently discovered the Groovi system and am enjoy loosing myself in this craft.  I've got a lot to learn but will enjoy the journey.

Bailey is keeping me smiling and is always on hand to give a wonderful doggy cuddle whenever I need it.  He really is pure joy! 

Emma has gone back to Uni for her 4th and final year.  I make no secret of how incredibly proud I am of her.  We are all missing her but she is hoping to get home more regularly this year (especially when Manchester City are playing at home!).

Already it's time to start a new challenge over at CD Sunday Plus and we are all looking forward to seeing your creations.  Here is my card for this challenge:

The rose is from Tattered Lace, die cut with the matching dies then decoupaged.  The card is Hunkydory Adorable Scorable and the papers are Vintage Rose Garden from Creative Crafting World.  Finished with a pretty butterfly.

Please do pop across to the blog to see my teamies fabulous makes.

Take care everyone.

Jo xx