I See You . . . .

So today marks my dad being in the hospital for 2 weeks.  The doctors continue to run tests to rule out additional things that dad being sick with a fever COULD be.  So far no real diagnosis except a little air in his intestinal wall that they continue to watch.  We're learning a ton about your intestinal system now.  Yesterday they reinstalled a PIC line because the chemo & radiation have really done real number on my dad's veins.  Poor guy is all black & blue from the iv's that last about 24 hours. 
My dad is one of the strongest men I know and I'm so proud of him.  We just want him to get better.  We continue to pray that God gives the doctors the knowledge to treat my dad and my dad the strength to get better.  We continue to be optimistic but he's got EVERYONE perplexed right now.  Go figure!
So a funny story - Thursday afternoon my mom and I were leaving the hospital - my wonderful hubby spent the afternoon hanging out with my dad so mom and I could both spend some time at work.  The boys watched the baseball game, took a walk and just hung out.  Definitely a good day for dad.
As mom & I were getting out of the elevator, a man in a wide open hospital gown and boxer shorts goes speeding by and right out the front doors.  Shortly behind him were a string of security guards, nurses and I think even a doctor or two trying to catch this man.  They grabbed him by the gown, but he wiggled out of it and kept running.  I think eventually they caught the patient, we didn't stick around to see how it turned out. 
However, it made me wonder WHO created hospital gowns? No matter which way you wear it, SOMEONE'S gonna be seein' SOMETHIN'!  I guess it was good in this case that the patient at least had boxer shorts on, huh? (amazing what a few weeks with a family memeber in the hospital will make you think of, huh?)

With all the time we've spend with my dad in the hospital over the last 6 months, we've been so happy to see that at the Veterans hospital they let most of the residents wear what my mom calls "POW" jammies - I think they look more like scrubs with a snap down front.  Guess that tells you a little about the age difference.  They have them in multiple colors, a nice maroon, navy blue and tropical teal - very fashionable, well, at least a step up from the good ole' "ICU" gowns!

So, a combination of the above story and the last two weeks made me think of this Nurse Stella image from Bugaboo.

Just seein' this lady makes me laugh - nursing or celebrating a birthday - this is one funny Broad - can I call her a broad?  Is that sexist if a woman calls another woman a broad?  Hmmmm (the crazy and off the wall things you think about at times, huh?)  Anyway, Stella is one funny Broad!

I made this card a few weeks ago and was saving this card for when my dad has his esophagectomy, but I think after these last two weeks, he could use another grin, so this will go with me to the hospital this morning.

Image - Bugaboo Stamps - Nurse Stella

Papers - I've really been trying to clean out my old papers, so all these papers are scraps! :)

Technique - Magic Colored Pencil Technique

Extra STUFF - Dimensionals to pop up ICU Gown and Stella's hat,  EK Success punch, Doodling,  Studio G horse shoe stamp, Colorbox Silver Ink, Flatbacked Silver BB's

Thanks so much for stoppin' by today!  I hope everyone is doing well - my apologies for being a bad blogger lately, but you all know how family comes first.

I hope to be back at it soon - I miss my scrappy time now and then.  Plus, I'm startin to run low on funny cards for dad, so I need a chance to get caught up!  He really seems to like the funny cards!

If you think about it and could say a prayer for my dad, we would be so grateful.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Oldie But Goodie at Bugaboo

I've been trying to replenish my card stash lately, but I seem to be usin' them as fast as I'm makin' them lately! 

Today is an Oldie But Goodie day at Bugaboo Stamps.  I've been making some funny cards for my dad and this just so happens to be one of them.  My dad has always been a morning person, my mom, not so much.  I wasn't much of a morning person growning up either - as kids we had horses and in the summer we 'did' horse shows on the weekend.  What does that mean?  It meant we'd have to wash the horse, clean the tack and load the trailer & motorhome the night before, usually keeping us up into the wee hours of the following morning.  After going to bed for what seemed like a milla-second, we'd get up BTBCOD - Better known as "Before the Butt Crack of Dawn" or "OH Dark Thirty" to those of you who might have grown up in military families.  We'd get the horses, load the trailer and be on our merry way well before SANE people even THOUGHT of getting up on a Saturday or Sunday morning. 

Sure wish I would have thought of this Sentiment Jodie at Bugaboo Stamps included with this Morning Margaret stamp!!  And if you love this one - the Morning Margaret Bundle ROCKS!

Of course, with those Sunday morning Summer Memories, my dad will get a grin.

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Morning Margaret-live in a toaster"

Paper - Miscellaneous from my stash including cardstock, Kraft and Core'dinations stock

Extra STUFF - EK Success border punch, Nesties round embossed circle, Copics, Doodling, Diamond Stickles (Granny's gotta have some blingy glasses) & Flatbacked BB's

Dad's back in the hospital - his surgery has been rescheduled b/c he now has pnemonia, so if you have a second and would be willing to say a little prayer for my dad, we would all be so grateful!

Thanks so much for stopping by today - I'm always so happy to have you join my little corner of paradise even for a quick second!

Buck Up Campers!

My dad used to say that - Buck up Camper (usually when it was something I had NO DESIRE to do!)

Sure isn't the case here though - Camp-Friendzy has kicked off and you still have time to join us for the "Last Camper Standing" Summer Contest.  If you haven't made it over to Scrap-Friendzy yet, you should really stop by and enjoy the camp life.  It's not your typical camp (you should see the pool!)

You can earn merit badges all summer for great prizes and you may just be crowned Last Camper Standing!!

The first Challenge has been posted - you have until this Friday at midnight to get your entry posted in the gallery.

I'm hoping to get to mine today.  Of course it took me forever to pick out the photo and paper, but now that those two big projects are done, I'm ready to get started creating!!

I've never tried archery before, but can't wait to give it a try!

Stop over and join us, tell the girls Min sent you!  :)

Lady Liberty

I'm a huge fan of this new image at Shelly's Image - Lady Liberty!  This image is actually by guest designer Jordan, Shelly's daughter.  Can you say WOW?!  What a budding artist!! 

A perfect image to celebrate the 4th of July and remember those who fight for our freedoms and the sacrifices they make.  I plan to make a few extra of these and while my dad is in the hospital over the next few weeks, distribute to some of the brave veterans that fought for our country and our freedoms.

Image - Shelly's Images:  "Lady Liberty"

Paper - Bazzill:  Red, Lt. Blue & Blue; Kraft paper from my stash

Technique - Copics (still working getting the hang of coloring with markers.....how am I doin?)

Extra STUFF - Colorbox Chestnut Roan to make stuff look "OLD"; Red, White & Blue ribbon - tea stained; Studio G Bless the USA and Stars - Stamped & Embossed - Warm Red Colorbox Ink, VersaMark & White Embossing Powder; White Marker for highlighting

Don't forget to pop over to Shelly's Images blog today and see the super great Tutorial Scrappy has put together - want to learn something fun and crafty today - that's the place to go!

Thank you so much for stoppin' by today - I'm always so grateful when you find a little time to spend at my Creative Paradise!

CAMP-FRIENDZY has OFFICIALLY BEGUN!

Don't miss the kick off of Camp-Friendzy today!  The first Camp Challenge has been posted and you really won't want to miss the fun.

Pack your bags, don't forget your scissors, tie up those tennies and RUN over to Camp-Friendzy.  What's not to love about a Camp where you can WIN stuff while being scrappy?!

See you at Camp! :)

Happy Craftin'!

The MOST Marvelous Monday!!

Hang on to your knickers girlz - today is the MOST MARVELOUS MONDAY at Shelly's Images blog.  Why is it the MOST MARVELOUS MONDAY??  Well I tell you, because Shelly's got not ONE but TWO new releases today and two releases mean TWO NEW IMAGES ON SALE!  How Fabby Awesome is that?!

Not only do the new Images ROCK, they'll also leave you STAR STRUCK - Just in time for the 4th of July! 

RUN, don't WALK over to Shelly's Images Blog and see what the Design Team Girlies created - Scrappy is drivin' the blog this week, so you're sure to ENJOY yourself and be INSPIRED.....but then again, I'm inspired EVERY TIME I see stuff my Design Team Sista's create!!

Happy Craftin'!

Aud's Sentiment Challenge

Happy Sunday All!  A bit overcast, rainy and cold here - we're supposed to wake up to 48* weather tomorrow morning.  BRRRR!  Crazy Michigan Weather - there's no happy medium it seems - last weekend it was 85* plus and today, 65*.  The thing I love about rainy days - SCRAPPY TIME!  I had a chance today to make a few cards I wanted to make this week for some fun challenges - the one I was super excited about was Aud Sentiments Challenge -  The Sentiment to use - "It's Your Day" a PERFECT sentiment for this birthday card that needed making.  :) 

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Wee Ones Birthday - WO Cupcake Boy"

Challenge - Aud Sentiments Challenge

Papers - Cardstock from my Stash, Printed Birthday Papers from Hobby Lobby

Technique - Magic Colored Pencil Technique

Extra STUFF - Stickles, Brads, Computer Generated Sentiment; Clear Glaze, Dimensionals

I'm a big fan of the Bugaboo Stamps - so I thought this Wee Ones was perfect for a my cousin's son who is having a brithday this month.

You can play along with Aud Sentiments Challenge since the challenge goes until June 8th. 

They're pickin' a winner - and what do you win?  SEVEN BUGABOO Stamps of your choice!!

Hope you're having a great weekend - as always, thanks so much for taking the time to stop by my blog today.

Before I forget - I want to remind you all that Camp-Friendzy begins tomorrow, so don't forget to stop by and join us for camp - it's going to be a FABULOUS summer!!

Fabulous Freebie Friday!

Paddle your way on over to Shelly's Images Blog and get your fishing gear to go with this week's new Hook, Line & Sinker Release.  Grab your Hook, Line & Sinker Image at the Store.  Your tacklebox won't be complete without your fishin' pole, hook and bobber!

Catch it while you can!!

Here's a card I created for my FIL for Father's Day!  He's a fisherman and will surely appreciate the images (even the blingly sparkle I added - I HAD to try & make it shimmer like a fish, right?)

Image - Shelly's Images New Release Hook, Line & Sinker AND today's Freebie Friday images

Paper - Scraps from my scrap box

Technique - Magic Colored Pencil Technique

Cuttlebug - Embossing

Extra Stuff - Metallic Teal Tulle, Stickles, Fish Netting (left over from when we finished our bar), Computer Generated Sentiment, Color Box Olive & Aquamarine Ink

And OF COURSE, what fish would be complete without Googley Eyes (or one googley eye in this case)?!

Thanks so much for droppin' by today, I'm always glad to have you spend a little of your day here.

We're headed to the farm this weekend for a deck buildin', garden plantin', grass mowin' kind of weekend!

Dad's surgery is scheduled for Wednesdayweek, so we're trying to get as much wrapped up this week as we can before he goes in.  Any little prayers you could say would be so much appreciated next week.

TGIF!  Hope yours is a good one!

Camp-Friendzy

"Camp Friendzy: Where all the Scrappy Girlz go!"

Join us at Scrap Friendzy this summer for a fun and challenging contest. You will have opportunities to earn merit badges (and chances to win) with every challenge you complete. You may also be crowned "Camp Friendzy Camper of the Summer 2010" by the votes of your fellow campers. Register now to attend the scrappy camp where everyone will want to be this summer. The first challenge will be on Monday June 7th. More of the Contest Details can be found in the Camp Friendzy section of the forum.

Stop by Scrap-Friendzy, become a memeber (it's totally FREE) and join this wonderfully FUN Camp (it's FREE too and you can WIN PRIZES!!)

Who doesn't like FREE, FUN, FREE & PRIZES?!

See you there!

Shelly's Images - Two in One

I don't know about you girls, but holiday weekends always seem to throw off my whole week!  Don't get me wrong - I LOVE LOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG Weekends - I think we should have MORE of them!! 

My hubby and I both yesterday on several different occasions were thinking it was Sunday, NOT Monday......so, of course, I missed the Marvelous Monday Release at Shelly's Images. 

What a super cool image for Father's Day!  I've got mine printed and colored, not it just needs to make it's way onto a card!  Hopefully this evening I can accomplish that!

You can get yours at the Shelly's Images Store and make your Father's Day cards.

Be sure to swing by the blog too and see all the great projects the Design Team Girlz made using the new Hook, Line & Sinker Image!

AND in addition to the new release, Marion is in the drivers seat this week and she's created an AWESOME Tutorial for today.

Be sure to check it out!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend!

How blessed are we to have such wonderful soldiers who make such monumental sacrifices so we can enjoy our freedoms!