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Please feel free to use my designs for inspiration, I just ask you to credit me, and provide a link back to my blog.

Thanks, Shaz XX

Wednesday 24 August 2016

WOYWW #377

Definitely feels like this week went faster than last. Mind you, when you pop into Tesco and see they have the Christmas tin of sweets mountain just inside the door, vying for attention with the Back to School stuff- which went on display the day they broke up, it's no surprise it feels like the years flying past.
And speaking of Christmas......, yes loads more of them!
To be fair, it's not what you think, honest guv.
  You may remember I said I was attempting to do a bit of stash busting in regard to my Christmas paper pads and suchlike. When I opened one box, it not only had paper pads in, but a whole load of stamped images, and even more leftover panels from previous cards I'd made. Too good to throw away, but had no idea when I was going to be able to use them up, as they were all panels I'd used in the last few years.
 Now, while I was visiting LLJ, she mentioned someone she knows who raises funds for the RNLI-  Royal National Lifeboat Institution, for our foreign members. The service is a charity,funded entirely on donations and fund raisers. Anyway, LLJ was sending her some stuff, and asked me if I wanted to help. I immediately  remembered all those 'nearly made' cards, and said yes. So that's what I'm up to right now, making them into complete cards so I can send her a parcel. I'll also be doing some birthday cards and suchlike, but I thought as we are heading towards Christmas at an alarming rate, these would help two of us in one go!
Shot from another angle, and a couple of interesting bits to see here. First off, front right is a Tonic guillotine.It's a small-ish one, but is turning out to be very, very useful. It was another of the things gifted to me, and it's getting a lot of use, and also saving me from having to get up and go to another table to cut. It won't take A4 length, but will accommodate the width.
 Second thing, just behind the cards on the left, is a new embossing folder. Its a Crafters Companion one, covered in Happy Birthday in assorted fonts. The weird part is, it's marketed as part of their 'Just For Men' range, but all it says is Happy Birthday.
Next week, the new Tim Holtz  stencils that just happened to fall into my basket at CountryView Crafts, lol.
 Right, I will be late visiting today, as we have an appointment to see a Thoracic surgeon this morning. I can't remember if I've already said that the last CT & MRI showed up something on my lung. We have no idea what it is, only that it's small. So I'm being sent to see this guy so they can remove it via keyhole surgery, then the histology will tell us if it was something important, or nothing at all to worry about. If I get any useful info, I'll do an edit to this post. Meanwhile, don't forget to link yourself at Julias place, The Stamping Ground.
EDIT:
 We saw the surgeon, and he's a really nice guy, which always helps. Basically pretty much told us what we already know, so no surprises, so thats good. They'll take it out, while I'm in surgery the lab will have a look at it, and hopefully can tell him what it is, so he can decide if he's removed enough, or needs to take more. It could be something from the bowel cancer, although the previous scans had shown no spread, so it shouldn't be. It may be a new primary, for lung cancer, or it may be nothing of any importance. He's planning on either the end of September or beginning of October to do the surgery, which all being well will be keyhole. In hospital for 4-8 days, and a 3-4 month recovery process, so the planned staged return to work won't be happening till Jan/Feb now.

28 comments:

Helen said...

the guillotine looks very useful, I keep meaning to look out for one (my brother nabbed Dad's when we finished the house clearance, lol!)
Hope today goes well and find's nothing to worry about, I'll be thinking of you. Good luck with your RNLI card making! Helen #1

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Oh, Misteejay will be chuffed! I think I sent the address to you, hope you got it ok.
Good luck today, mate, I'll be thinking of you.
Hugs, LLJ 4 xxx

Nikki said...

The Guillotine is such a useful tool you just can't live without once you own it and great amount of cards for the fund raiser and may they find nothing on your lungs hugs Nikki 6

Judys Lace Creations said...

Isn't it fun looking in boxes and finding things that you made last year and had forgotten about.Great cause for those Christmas cards.
Judy # 8

Anonymous said...

Happy WOYWW and hope the visit to the surgeon goes smoothly, and that you get an appointment for the surgery soon. Lots of lovely stuff on your desk. I only have an A3 guillotine, which I use all the time. My smaller paper trimmers (three!) just sit gathering dust now. Great idea about getting those panels used up. I will be going through my Xmas stash box this week, and will see if I can make up some cards for charity. Ali x #12

Neet said...

Oh heck Shaz, good luck with the Thoracic guy. Hope it is nothing.
I have a small tonic guillotine and it is something I reach for constantly, despite having some other great cutters around and available. Enjoy yours.
Great find on the "C" cards and a great use for them. I save mine for a friend who makes the up for the local hospice, or did. Recently she made 60 and took them to the nursing home where her brother is and she said they sold like hot cakes. Good to see these things bringing joy a second and third time.
Take care, not long to Port Sunny now.
Hugs, Neet 11 xx

Annie said...

Well done you with the card making....I'm sure they will be well received. Really hope all goes well at the hospital Shaz and nothing serious is found.
Hope you have a great week.
Hugs,
Annie x #14

Diana Taylor said...

Wow, that's one heck of a lot of cards - and such a very good cause. I just can't get on with my Tonic Guillotine - it takes so long to work out where I want to cut and get it all positioned that it's easier to use the good old steel rule and Stanley knife! Perhaps I just need the patience to practice!
Hope all goes well for you today, good luck -
Diana #19 x

Kathyk said...

Looks like you are cracking on with Christmas and well done on donating to such a worthy cause

Hope the keyhole surgery is both successful and soon! Take care

Happy WOYWW

Kathyk
#17

jill said...

A very good cause to donate to, and your making a good start on making a dent in your stash.
I donate cards to my grandson school which helps with school funds & make me use up the odd bits & pieces .
Happy woyww Jill #22

Chidkid said...

I couldn't be without my A5 guillotine.. You are doing sooooo well.. Kept going. I've done a paltry 5 Christmas cards so far!

BJ said...

Brilliant doing all those cards for charity and all the best at the surgeon's. Happy WOYWW BJ#24

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

That's an amazing pile of Christmas cards there, Shaz! Such a worthwhile initiative to donate some to RNLI. Hope your appointment went well and it is the "nothing to worry about" scenario. Fingers crossed! Happy WOYWW! zsuzsa #21

Christine said...

Good idea with the cards - I have yet to open my Christmas boxes .....
I used to have a small A5 guillotine but it went AWOL and I do miss it so, never managed to find another one.
Take care
Christine
aka Bishopsmate #18

Sharon Madson said...

What a wonderful way to bust your stash! We all could do something like that. Sending prayers up for you right now! I hope all goes well for you. #33

StampedbyChris said...

If I was stranded on a desert island I would have to have my guillotine cutter! Nice surprise to find in your Christmas box.
Hugs
Chris P #26

Stacy Sheldon said...

first off (( BIG HUGS )) any surgery is mentally nerve wracking I think, but WOW that is cool that they can light a fire under the lab to get the results while they are working instead of making you make several appointments if needed.
ooh, that is a good idea with the Christmas cards too, I am sure they will all appreciate it so much :)

~Stacy #35? (forgot again) lol

Unknown said...

Hello Shaz. Boy have you been busy making cards and some for a great cause too. Glad you are getting use out of your stash I know I have to bust though a mountain of my stash. Let me say, Hugs and best wishes to you as I know it isn't easy having surgery and undetermined what it exactly is but I wish you all the best in the up coming time. Have a fantastic week. Hugs Always ~Anne L#7

Unknown said...

I will be praying for your upcoming biopsy/surgery and that the spot will be nothing. Love all your Christmas cards... I need to get more made but have too many priorities right now. Going to see kids 1st 2/3 of Sept. I also have a Tonic guillotine, a 12" but unfortunately it's buried under a bunch of stuff! LOL! Thanks for the visit and hugs!
Carol N #29

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Shaz, can't believe I'm so late tonight but the day has been manic but who am I to talk when you've had a pretty busy day yourself. I think Tonic make some great guillotines in all kinds of sizes and they work really well unlike some that I've had in the past which have caused me to use some very naughty language Lol! Thanks for the visit to mine and wishing you a great woyww, Angela x 16

April said...

Wow - very impressive on the Christmas cards and so nice that you are donating them to charity. Keep us informed on your surgery. I am saying prayers.
April #39

Morti said...

Good morning!

I'm glad I left it a bit later to come back, as I read your blog yesterday before the update and thought "uh-oh". I've got everything crossed for you that it's nothing, and hope it the biopsy/removal and recovery go well.

Bright blessings to you, my friend. xx

Morti

Kim said...

What an impressive stash of cards for the charity!! Sending you positive vibes that your surgery will show that it is indeed nothing of importance! Hugs!
-K #43

Julia Dunnit said...

I'm late enough to see the update as part of the post! Very glad he's a nice surgeon, very glad the wait wont be too long and even gladder that they might get a histology while you're erm, waiting...that's gotta be the best way. Great idea to donate the cards, I know TJ will be chuffed and its always nice to know that you've not just created filed waste!

Twiglet said...

I'm so slow at getting around desks this week but at leat I had the update to read too - sending you my best wishes and hoping that all is well. A great idea to use up your oddments for RNLI goodies. They are in great demand on the beaches this summer - so many tragic events.

misteejay said...

Wow Shaz, you really are going at the stash busting. Jan mentioned that there was a card or three to see over here. I have been so happy to have been able to raise money for the RNLI - as Twiglet says, they certainly have been kept busy this Summer.
I was never a lover of guillotines but I used the small Tonic one at a workshop and was smitten - wouldn't be without my one now.
Let's hope your surgeon can schedule you sooner rather than later so that you don't have to wait around too long for answers. Thinking of you.
(((hugs)))
Toni xx

Shoshi said...

So sorry to hear there's more to come, Shaz. I will email you.

All those wonderful cards, and how lovely to give them for RNLI. Have fun with your new stash too!

Thank you for your lovely comment - I am thrilled to have tidied up at last, and it gives one the impetus to do more art too! No time or energy today - really tired after my busy time yesterday and I had such fun with my friend, and then we had to go to the dentist today. Been resting since.

Happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi #27

Sue said...

Hi Shaz, By heck you have been busy.

Hope you get the op soon and can pu it all behind you. Sending heaps of positive healing thoughts and hugs (((Shaz))).

Sorry I didn't get on before, but I spent an unexpected day in hospital on Wednesday and have been taking it easy since.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Happy WOYWW
Sue #10

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