Tuesday, June 26, 2012

I'm still here lol

You all probably thought I had fallen off the face of the planet, but nope, still here :)  The past couple of weeks have been exhausting and hubby has been in some pain, so that's when I have to devote my attention elsewhere. 
The project is coming along albeit very slowly.  I have redone certain sections about three times because they just weren't what I wanted.  I don't get to quill as much as I would like and I know that everyone is waiting with anticipation to see the finished piece.  Trust me, no more than I am lol.  I want it to be finished so that I can start some other things I have in mind, but quilling pieces can only be certain sizes and I have to make thousands of them :(  But if it turns out pretty decent then I will post pictures, maybe LOL. 

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Constellation : Michael Putman | Stand Up To Cancer

Constellation : Michael Putman | Stand Up To Cancer

SU2C

Today is National Cancer Survivors Day.  If you or someone close to you or even someone you know is battling this terrible disease.  Visit SU2C website and honor them and their fight today.  Donate if you can.  Even if it's only $1.  Every little helps to find a cure. 

http://www.standup2cancer.org/

Friday, June 1, 2012

An amazing quilling artist

Although I am new to quilling I have come across some amazing artists during my online travels.  I have been slowly adding quilling friends to my Facebook page. 
On one of these journeys I came across a wonderful lady called Anastasia from Sri Lanka.  She had been on a trip to Scotland and while touring she had lost her Rosary Beads which had been given to her by a late friend. 
Well I hate to see anyone lose something so precious and sentimental, so I tried to help her get it back.  I called the hotel where she had been staying and asked the duty manager to launch a search.  He said he would do what he could and over several days turned the hotel upside down to try and find Anastasia Rosaries, but sadly he couldn't find it.  I do appreciate Davids efforts though and I thank him for taking the time to try.  One good thing to come of this is that Anastasia and I are now friends. 
Below is one of her amazing quilled pieces, which I LOVE. 


Thursday, May 31, 2012

Just a quick update

I have been so neglectful of the blog of late and for that I apologise.  Life gets in the way sometimes and you have to prioritize. 
Hubby has been in some pain lately and his PSA is back on the rise which is causing some concern.  We spent a long day at the hospital only to find out they had forgotten to put his name on the chemo schedule, so we have to get his treatment done next week, which will make for another long day. 

Sadly we had to say goodbye to one of our much loved dogs.  Max, our Border Collie had been with us for 14 years and was a wonderfully smart, faithful friend.  We miss him terribly.  He had taken to following hubby everywhere, from room to room, never leaving his side.  As much as I love pets and animals in general, it's times like these that make me want to say never again.  It's heart wrenching when you have to let them go.
We still have our Cailin and she is still a bit lost since she has always had Max,  but she has been getting some extra attention which she is thoroughly enjoying.

The "project" is still a work in progress and is moving rather slowly.  I can't spend as much time on it continually, as I would like, so I am usually working on it in the wee small hours, when the house is quiet and I have a little time to myself.  I did make about 100 circles while waiting at the hospital.  It gave my hands something to do other than wringing them.  As I had stated before there has been a lot of trial and error going on so that takes up time also.
I also have had other smaller projects, so I try and squeeze those in when I can. 

I also had friends ask me to make them some jewelry and she liked it so much she wants me to make pieces for her sisters wedding in October. 

Oh and a little bit of update on the Eilean Donan Castle site.  They have added a live Webcam so I can check in and see what the weather is like back home.  It is amazing how many people who are vacationing there who heard from family to turn and wave to the camera lol.  They have had more than 10,000 visitors to the Webcam in a week since it first went live.  And the Facebook fan numbers continue to increase, which is great.  They have been having some unusually hot days over there, so this has been good for the castle visitors.  They also have their gift shop open online and will be adding to the items they have available.  I am sure that will also be a success.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Not an ordinary day!!!!

May 3rd 2012 started like any other day. I got up and did my usual routine and then my husband was just settling down for his afternoon nap which he does almost every day, he tires very easily these days between medications and the disease itself, when I heard the familiar sound of an e-mail. I checked to see if it was maybe a response to one of the many I have sent out regarding clinical trials or from a fellow cancer survivor from one of the message boards I am a member of. It was neither of these things, but an e-mail from GoFundMe informing me of a donation. A donation from a very dear friend. A woman that I have known since 2009 and who is a fellow seller on a site called Etsy. We had got to chatting on their forum and found Trudy to be a warm, kind, funny lady. She had told us about losing her sister and it touched all of our hearts. I wanted to do something for her and sunflowers have a special meaning. Now Trudy is an artist and she had a painting of a sunflower in her shop on Etsy. So I "stole" the picture and I put it into a necklace and used turquoise and carnelian gemstone clusters for the chain. I sent it to her as a gift and to this day she still talks about and wears the necklace.
I have not been active in my online shop or the forum for the past year but Trudy had gone to visit it and saw this link which was hidden away in my profile.
Being the wonderful, sweet, generous soul that she is, sent a very generous donation. I had to thank her, not just privately, but publicly on Etsy where everyone who knows her or comes in contact with her, falls in love with her.
Of course at the mention of Trudy in the title, fellow Etsians flocked to the thread and the Trudy "fan" club was born.
But Trudy, again, being the person she is couldn't or wouldn't hog the limelight and immediately turned the spotlight on me.
What happened next had and still has me so overwhelmed, I doubt I can express what I feel, in words. The outpouring of thoughts, prayers and generosity of fellow Etsians was more than I could bear. I spent most of yesterday afternoon and evening in tears.
For people, some I know and some I don't know, to give of themselves in such a way, for someone they have never met is really beyond my comprehension. Especially in this economy when everyone is struggling. These are stay at home moms and dads, trying to pay their own bills using their hands to create their own little masterpieces. They are not big corporations, but small shops and the people behind them are individuals going through their own struggles. Yes, there are times when we complain or protest some of the changes in policies we don't agree with but at the end of the day it's a community. A family of people who come together to support another member in any way they know how. Whether it be with kind thoughts or words, prayers for strength and healing, or giving of their hard earned money to ease the burden.
There are no words and I don't think there ever will be, to describe the selfless actions of these wonderful "family" members. Because that's what we are. It has been proven on many occasions, that when there is someone in need, they will rise to the occasion.
My thoughts, prayers and undying gratitude goes out to every single one of them. They have changed my life, in a way that it will never be the same. Thank you will never, ever seem enough, but here I will try. To let them know that their generosity means more to me than they will ever know. The past year has been a struggle and I have done what I could to make life as comfortable and stress free for my husband. I have been able to accomplish more than most and I am more fortunate than most. Now with the friends at Etsy and their donations, I will be able to accomplish even more. They have lifted me to a new height and removed some of the weight from my shoulders. I have a one day at a time motto for the situation that my husband and I are in, but today, this day, was like no other.
Thank you my wonderful Etsy friends. I love all of you.

Friday, April 27, 2012

The Long Haul

Working on the "project" is taking a really, really long time.  I knew it would but never imagined that I would probably need some kind of mental and physical therapy afterwards lol. 
However, I am undeterred and can see sections of it taking shape now which is spurring me on.  I wish I could come up with another fringing solution.  While the current tools available are adequate when quilling a smaller piece.  It is something else entirely when it is an enormous project. 
I find I have to stand a lot during this process and it is pretty stressful on the old back lol. 
My only wish is that when this is finished, that it is of good enough quality to send to it's recipient.  I am always my own worst critic, no matter what the project may be.  I sometimes have to be reminded that this is a handmade project and not mass produced with machines and the beauty of any item made by hand is the small imperfections that can give it character and make it unique.
I find my mind drifting to other large projects, then the voice of reason chimes in asking me if I am completely mad and snaps me back to reality.   But I am a glutton for punishment and I do like quilling, so there may very well be another one..........some day :)

Saturday, April 21, 2012

The Project

I have to give a huge thank you to Pat from Whimsiquills.  She painstakingly picked out all the colors for this project from a photograph I sent her.  She did an amazing job and I am really thankful since there really is no place locally who carries quilling paper.  I am usually a touchy, feely type of person and I like to see what I am buying, but I trusted Pat to help me with this task, since she has been quilling for quite some time and she certainly didn't disappoint me.
I have all my supplies now for my project and have started working on it.  It was a challenge where to start first since it's so BIG lol.  I have 19 colors of quilling paper scattered all over the dining room table (sorry family, no gatherings for awhile, lol) It started to get muddled so I came up with an idea for a portable paper stand and hubby being the great woodworker that he is, made it for me.  So now I can have the papers hanging instead of all over the place.  This will work for future projects so that I can have the colors that I will be using all in one place and be able to move them around. 
The project itself is coming along, albeit, slowly.  With trial and error and many do overs when unhappy with the result, is also slowing me down.  I am slightly impatient though as I can't wait to see it finished.
Here is a picture of the stand :)

Thursday, March 29, 2012

And yet another stunning piece

There are no words.  This is simply stunning.

Quilling finds

I am constantly coming across amazing quilled pieces or maybe I am unconsciously seeking them out.  Either way I have found some gorgeous colorful works by some amazing artists.  Now, I would like to be able to tell you more about this artist but if you check her blog she is from the Ukraine and unfortunately it isn't in English, but then her quilled pieces speak for themselves.


Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Projects delay

I have been trying to work on a really big quilling project lately, without much success.  Just when I seem to get caught up around here there is another round of hospital visits that appears on the horizon.  Of course they are THE most important parts of my schedule and always will be.  I did do some orchids for my mother-in-law since she used to breed and grow them, but they were smaller pieces. 
The other project is going to take a very long time and it also has to travel to the UK.  So I have been experimenting with different preservation techniques to try and make sure it arrives intact. 
Why do I always have this go big or go home attitude?  LOL

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Scottish Marriage Humor

Funny for the day. 

Recipe for a Healthy Life
Dugald was getting on in years and went in for his annual physical exam. The doctor said, "You're in incredible shape. How old are you again?" Dugald replied, "I'm 78." The doctor exclaimed, "Wow, 78. How do you stay so healthy? You look like a 60 year old." Dugald explained, "Well, my wife and I made a pact when we got married that whenever she got mad she would go into the kitchen and cool off and I would go outside to calm down." The doctor was puzzled by this explanation and asked "What does that have to do with being so fit and healthy?" Duncan sighed, "I've pretty much lived an outdoor life..."

Amazing Quilling Works

I love to wander around the web looking at the various sites and blogs of folks who are amazing at quilling.  I love paper and I think it stems from the very first job I had as a bookbinder with a top UK printing company.  Wages were spent on books sold at the little shop we had especially for employees.  Books that were rejected for one reason or another and which we were able to buy at drastically reduced costs.  I had known about quilling many, many years ago and had always thought I need to tackle this craft one day and never seemed to get there.  Now I am older and the body has slowed down, my interest has been resurrected.  I have found some amazing pieces during my search and it continues to grow.  There are some sites to the right that are some of my favorites and that list will increase I am sure as time goes on.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Humor for the day

So now I know what I've been doing wrong LOL

Healthy Living
At long last Donald responded to all the government propaganda about losing weight and exercising. So he joined a health club, believing that the annual fee of £400 would be well worth it. Six months later he was talking to one of his drinking buddies (he had cut down on that to just four times a week) and commented that he hadn't lost a pound. His friend, who knew the background, shook his head and observed: "But Donald, you actually have to go there - paying £400 only lightens your wallet."

Stormy day

Today we were hit with yet another storm.  I wonder about weathermen sometimes and their predictions.  Last year we had a really bad drought and over 100 degree temps for long periods of time and they said that this would probably last until about April of this year.  Um, it hasn't worked out this way.  This is the second time I though I was living on a houseboat lol.  But when I looked out into my backyard today, it gave a whole new meaning to duck weather when I saw these in the bird feeder lol.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Happy St. Patricks Day

This is a good one to keep in mind to tell the judge, especially today :)

"Alcohol is your trouble," said the judge to the drunk. "Alcohol alone is responsible for your present predicament." The drunk looked pleased as he said "Thank you, judge. Everyone else says it's my fault!"

Friday, March 16, 2012

Quilling

When I started quilling, not to be confused with quilting, I showed my attempts to my mother-in-law and she loved it so much that she asked me to make her a piece to hang on the wall outside her retirement apartment.  She loved it and now I think I have standing orders to make pieces for all the holidays :)

Past works

Although I don't make jewelry very much anymore I still make myself some pieces since I am on a budget.  When friends see them sometimes they ask me to make one for them or a friend.  These two were made for a dear friend in the blue and silver colors to match her motorcycle and the other for her friend who is known as the Queen Bee :)

Keeping the hands busy

I used to have a little shop on Etsy where I handmade and sold jewelry.  It was a lot of fun but I wasn't able to devote the time that I really wanted in the upkeep.  Then because of my husbands cancer diagnosis last year all jewelry making was put on hold.  All monies had to go towards his care and buying the best of supplies can be very expensive.
Lately I have gotten into quilling or paper filigree which is something I can take with me to the hospital and do while waiting for hubby to have his treatments.
It has fast become an addiction and mainly because it is easy and works up really fast so you can see the finished product quickly.
There are amazing artists in this field out there and I will be posting some links to my favorites. 

Today's Scottish humor

I've just washed my kilt and can't do a fling with it :)

The Blog Picture

The picture at the top of my blog is of two Scottish icons.  The most photographed castle in Scotland which is Eilean Donan Castle with 800 years of history and featured in numerous documentaries and films.  I know you've heard of Highlander.  More and more visitors flock to see her every year and the number of weddings held there are also increasing.  Visit their Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/#!/Eileandonancastle1  and Blog http://eileandonan.wordpress.com/ for amazing pictures, history and hear what fans and visitors have to say.  Tell the castle keeper Dave I sent you.
The other icon is the PS Waverley the last seagoing passenger carrying paddle steamer in the world, who also has numerous claims to fame, including an appearance in the 2011 Sherlock Holmes movie A Game of Shadows.  She also has quite a history.
Scots try their best to preserve or rebuild our history as the 20 year reconstruction of Eilean Donan Castle from 1912 to 1932, after being all but destroyed in 1719, will attest.

Men who procrastinate..........listen up.

I chose this as my first serious subject because it's close to home.  I want all men and their supportive spouses to pay attention to this health issue, because it can be a silent killer.
Until about a year ago when life was plodding along with it's usual mundane normalcy and then it suddenly slaps you in the face to wake you up and let you know that there are bumps in the road and this one is Mount Everest. 
Your husband is having back pain and after constant nagging he finally drags himself to the doctor.  Why is this task so abhorrent to men?  He has x-rays and is told basically you're getting old.  That arthritis is setting in and the old discs are starting to wear out.  A few months down the road the pain has intensified and is constantly there and a new problem of paralysis is setting in down one leg.  Again the procrastination about going back to the doctor.  Not this time buddy, you're going!!  So it's MRI time. 
What the MRI shows devastates you and your world collapses around you.  The dreaded "C" word is staring you in the face and stuns you into silence.  When the shock wears off then comes the tears then the anger and finally the fight in you comes to the surface.
Any man, no matter their age or family history should demand a PSA test, even though this test is not definitive, it is at least a starting point.  Prostate cancer can be (and I won't mince words) a killer.  It can spread to other parts of your body without discrimination and at great speed.
We are thankful for the doctors, nurses and administration at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Hospital for all that they are doing for my husband during his fight against Stage IV Bone Metastatic Cancer.  I am also grateful to Bob at the Prostate Cancer Foundation for his insight, information and also his humor.  Thank you Bob. 
Spouses play a very important part in the treatment process.  Research, ask questions, treat the whole body while the doctors do their part.  I have found a mountain of information by doing research.  Even bringing information to doctors that they didn't know about, to the point of being annoying I'm sure.  But I will do what I have to do to fight right along side him.

Off we go...........................

I never seemed to find the time to Blog.  Between working, making jewelry, cooking, cleaning etc and besides who would possibly read what I have to write about. 
Here you will find ramblings about everything.  Things I love, things I dislike, things that make me laugh or cry.  People and things that inspire. 
You will find Scottish humor.  We always seem to be able to laugh at ourselves.