Indeed I am, I was released Saturday evening, so just working on getting stronger now. And I am much, much better today, so thanks to everyone for all the good wishes last week. I have a step counter to give me a visual on how I'm improving, and also a Pulse Oximeter to measure my blood Oxygen level- one of those things they clip onto your finger? Anyway, I was at 91% oxygen when they released me, and yesterday I could manage 20- 30 steps before needing to stop to get my breath back, resting for a minute or so. Today I'm on 95%, and can do 80-100 steps, and only takes me a few seconds to level my breathing, so well on the way to recovery.Still not up in my craft room yet, that'll probably be over the weekend I'm guessing, so no unpacking yet.
As you can see, a whole mountain of stuff to be sorted, old & new. One new thing I can share is the stamp and die set, front left corner. In true crafting dedication, this was ordered from my hospital bed,lol. I saw Jennifer MacGuire using it a few weeks ago now, and looked for it online. In the UK, there is a site called Dies to Die For, and she has loads of stuff from many American companies, such as Pretty Pink Posh, Mama Elephant,Altenew, and many many more.
So thats this weeks enabling sorted.
To circle back to last weeks comments I made on the NEC show, the problems seem to be that the organisers are pricing Exhibitors out, many I spoke with are finding the fees exhorbitant now, and when they are also finding out that not everyone is being charged the same for the same size stand, they are starting to drop away, quite understandably. Plus, it's not just papercrafts, they have all sorts of craft and hobby stands, and as in previous years, I'm finding I'm only interested in perhaps 1 in 5 stands, maybe even less. I also noticed a rise in the number of £1 stands- more than theres ever been before, they seem to concentrate on DST/ cardstock packs/odds and ends in the main. Not helping that they charge £12 if you pre book parking, £16 if you pay on the day! Normally we'd go to Happy Stampers, but I thought I would be better avoiding crowds at that point, however that didn't really work out so well. If I'd have given it enough thought, instead of booking for the NEC, I'd have waited a few more weeks, and gone to the Papercraft Show at the Motorcycle Museum, which is just across the island from the NEC. Thats free parking, and just £4 entrance, I can't recall what the NEC was, as I got disabled & carer rates, but I think the general price is in the £15 range.So the MM show will definitely be on my list for next year, as will probably at least one of the Stamperama shows for a change.
So I think thats all from me right now, I'll link in with you at at Julias place, The Stamping Ground, and visit in between naps on the recliner, lol.Which just leaves.......................And Finally.........................
25 comments:
Fabulous that you're home and so pleased you are recovering. the Die/stamp set looks good, (I don't often go for them either)
I think the craft show as we knew it, is a thing of the past, they all seem to cram in the £1 stalls and I know they charge the companies masses for the "privilege" Have a great week., keep getting stronger! Helen #?
So glad that you are home and the breathing is heading in the right direction Shaz. You are so right about the NEC. Total rip off all round. Nice find from your hospital bed lol. Happy WOYWW. Sarah #4.
Good morning Shaz. I'm so pleased you are safely home and those numbers are brilliant! I don't think John ever achieved more than between 75 and 80%!, and certainly couldn't walk as far as the front door - so you are doing really well!! I just love the fact of ordering something from your hospital bed - after all, the long hospital days have to be filled somehow, don't they? I have stopped going to the NEC as well. Personally I love some of the other types of stalls - but that's because I am like a butterfly when it comes to art and craft and do other things. But it's just SO expensive to go there now, and I noticed the email the other day which shows that the Manchester show is now upping the price, too! They regularly used to send me two free tickets for that one. Oh well...
Take care, dear girl. Continue to recover slowly. Love to that wonderful man of yours. God bless.
Margaret #3
It’s great news you being back home and now improving. Give yourself a big hug and be proud of yourself Shaz. You’ve got grit girl.
Lynn xx 11
Good to see such an improvement in such a short time Shaz but don't do too much, please. Take things easy and rest when your body tells you to.
I know about the prices for stands at some of these shows. Some also charge for carpet, chairs and tables so it all adds up to a huge amount of money and you have to make more than what it actually costs you to be in profit. That is why a friend of mine stopped attending shows and started doing his own at decent rates for the vendors.
When you get better you can make a start on your cards for net year - that is what I intend to do with my new stamps. Well, I say so, we will have to wait and see.
Hugs, Neet xx 14
Good to hear that you are home now Shaz and your health is improving, take care of yourself, Kate x
So pleased that you’re home and doing well and great that you’re managing more each day! I agree about the exorbitant prices of the NEC, I don’t go to many shows now preferring to spend my cash on stash! G borrowed Doug’s Enabler hat last Saturday, it fitted very well!!
Hugs LLJ 8 xx
Great news on the health front Shaz...little steps, don't rush things my friend.
I couldnt manage all the walking at the NEC now but I have to agree that they are far too expensive for a day out when we would all prefer to spend our money on new stash.
As for your 'and finally' it really made me chuckle. I'm just too old to change now so its def one for me.
Hugs,
Annie x #12
Lovely that you're home and seeing improvement every day. You've definitely given yourself a great "Get Well Soon" incentive with those mail-order goodies to unpack!
Take care,
Amelia #21
So good to know that you're home now Shaz and your stats show a definite improvement. You'll be back in your craft room in no time! Interesting what you wrote about these craft shows - I've never been, so I don't have a point of comparison. I know I would love to visit one of those shows in the US that I often see on YT with TH demoing his new products. I would probably die of excitement, so perhaps, I would't be such a good idea LOL. Thanks so much for your visit earlier - I use Elmer's glue as my medium and some times I add pouring mediums too (Floetrol, Liquitex) and some silicone oil, but I think I get better results with just the glue with a bit of water and just a tiny drop of silicone. I'm still experimenting. There's literally a ton of information on YT - it's not an exact science - everyone has their own magic formula, but I haven't found mine yet. Experimenting is part of the fun - although it's very very messy! Wishing you a swift, full recovery, Shaz! zsuzsa #17
That sounds like great progress Shaz - such good news. Slow but sure...
I went to a craft fair at NEC with Max a few years ago -it did seem a huge place with lots of paper crafty stuff. We used to go to the Embroidery and textiles show at the Yorkshire Show ground Harrogate - much more our thing! xx Jo
Hiya Shaz!! I had a feeling you were awol but didn't see anything until today as I was MIA myself. Soo glad you are feeling better - hope you are crafting fit very soon!! I don't generally buy do have a big heartfelt creation set - the flowers are in a big stamp and die - means I can stamp and cut around 16 flowers at once. They get used a lot!! Keep looking after yourself, Happy WOYWW Cindy #18 xx
Glad to hear your breathing is improving, Shaz. We were disappointed in the Glasgow Show but I know lots of people are going to Harrogate. I suppose internet shopping has killed the shows but I really like to see what I am buying, especially fabric, so I keep on going. We ended up getting tockets for £4.50 each as we bought them from Itson way back in July. Happy crafting.
So pleased that you are home safe if not quite sound!!
I gave up on the NEC cos of its parking charges and now visit the Motorcycle Museum, much more friendly and not quite so crushing.
Hope you're back at your desk soon
Christine #23
Hi Shaz, so nice to see you back and doing so well too. I know you must be raring to get back to your desk but my advice (for what it's worth) is take it easy - take the time to dream and scheme. What your reporting re the NEC is exactly what I've been told about the SECC too. Spiraling costs are having a negative effect on both the vendors and customers ... I know I've stopped making the trip up to Glasgow because it is no longer worth the hassle. Something that was mentioned to me was the exorbitant cost of renting the line for card payment machines which is additional to the fees for the stand. Here in Scotland we have always had very few of these events so it's sad to see those we had fading away.
Loved the funny - it's so you :)
Hugs, Elizabeth x #16
I am so pleased that you are home, and those numbers are excellent and really heading in the right direction. Love the enabling again - I have never tried one of those stamp/die sets - maybe I should investigate further now I have got my die cutter out. Happy WOYWW. Have a lovely week. With love & God Bless, Caro x (#10)
Good to hear you are getting stronger everyday. Don’t overdo,now.
I have missed your enabling!
Happy Wednesday!
I was reading your post and then.... I nearly spit out my hot chocolate when I read your quote! That is hilarious! Anyway, so glad you're home and doing better! And getting better daily! Great news!
Have a fab week!
Carol N #19
Pleased to hear you're home again. You just take it easy for a while. I still like the NEC autumn show as there are lots to see but stopped going to the one in March as I found it wasn't worth the money. Take care and have a happy belated woyww, Angela x15x
It's lovely to see that you are home again Shaz and even better to read you are getting stronger by the day, you will soon be in that craft room playing with all your goodies. I like the idea of a large word stamp and die set but I have to agree about the white edges. Look forward to seeing what magic you create with it.
As we chatted last week about the NEC it has declined because of the pricing all round, sadly the same has happened with the Trade show that too is not as good as it used to be.
You take care now & remember to take lots of naps when the need takes over.
Hugs Tracey xx
JOY that you're home, impressed vibes that you're even able to get enough wifi in hospital to place orders and horror at how much I like your enabling slot today! Your stats are on the good side, am incredibly pleased to read that, and even more pleased to read about naps on the recliner...sounds just the medicine to me. The crafting and for that matter, everything else, can wait. Big hugs to ya gal. xx
So glad you are home nothing like your own bed. You sounds to have a very good carer even posting your blog! Think all these large exhibitions price themselves out of the market, remember exhibiting at NEC many many many years ago and the small stall cost me over £1000. Take it easy. Ani #6
I don't know why it is that when I'm AWOL for a while, something always happens that I don't know about. I am so sorry to hear that you were back in hospital again, Shaz - if I'd been on top of things I'd have sent you some love and support! I've just read back in your blog to catch up. You were clearly in the right place and they got you back on your feet again and home. So glad you are back! Take care of yourself and get plenty of rest.
I know exactly the awful problems you had with cannulas. I have the same problem with my post-chemo veins. I always ask for a PICC line now if I have to go into hospital, and they are usually a bit reluctant and I have to go through a few days of struggling with uncooperative veins until they eventually give in and let me have one!
I had some excellent news today - the dreaded brown envelope arrived from the DWP and I've got my PIP - and it's for exactly the same amount as my current DLA so I am well satisfied, and mightily relieved after all that stress.
Hugs and happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi #20
So glad you are back at home, I know there is so much to do this time of year, but try to take it easy x Craft shows are not what they were I think, not big on bargains and other crafts seem to be increasing. The owners I have talked to said they were not enough people spending so they wouldn't be going again. Getting around on my mobility scooter is so frustrating sometimes. Near me I have fewer and fewer craft shops. "They" say we are shopping more online, which is true, but I much prefer to browse a physical shop. Are you treating yourself with crafting goodies this Christmas? Wishing you well x Angela #25
So happy to hear this news today. Everything will still be there, take your time! xoxoxo
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