Thursday, August 30, 2012

When Life Has Other Plans

I've been absent from the weekly CC2C challenges for the past few weeks.  I hadn't missed a week since the challenge began but something came up and I couldn't find the inspiration.  After various doctor appointments and procedures, for something I thought would be relatively benign, I found out that I had endometrial cancer.  The doctor said that it was detected very early but when you hear the word "cancer" you kind of don't hear anything else after that.  A week later I was sitting in an oncologist's office hearing the words "aggressive" and "lymph nodes" which, when combined with "cancer", form a pretty scary picture.  Another two weeks later brings us to last Tuesday when I was wheeled into an operating room for a full hysterectomy and lymphectomy.  I haven't yet received the surgeon's final report but, post-surgery, he told my family that everything looked really good and he would be shocked if any of the pathology indicated that the cancer had spread anywhere else. So I'm going with that for now!

The piece below came out of that wholly unexpected experience.  I'm submitting it to this week's CC2C challenge, hosted by Linda at Studio L3, which is Kraft Resist.  The details can be found on page 41 of Tim Holtz  A Compendium of Curiosities Vol 2.  If you don't already have the book, please get it. You'll be glad you did!  I'm also submitting it to Frilly and Funkie where the fortnightly challenge is How Can You Resist?  And to Simon Says Stamp and Show-Inspired by Summer Distress.





The TH Sizzix In The Bag die was cut from TH Idea-ology Kraft Resist paper.  The Distress Inks used are Seedless Preserves, Victorian Velvet, Picked Raspberry, Broken China, Peeled Paint and Mustard Seed.  The opening was cut using the TH Sizzix Movers and Shapers Mini Tickets die. The flowers and scrolls are from the TH Sizzix Tattered Flower Garland and Festive Greenery Strip dies and the TH Sizzix Bigz Tattered Pinecone die.  The small label is from the TH Stamper's Anonymous Apothecary stamp set with the TH Idea-ology ChitChat stickers



On the tag I used Ranger TH Distress Stains in Picket Fence, Victorian Velvet and Pumice Stone.  This has become a favorite combination!  The stamps are from TH Stamper's Anonymous Artful Flight, Fairytale Frenzy, and Stuff to Say.  I used a piece of plastic packaging with the butterfly stamp in Ranger Archival Ink and then colored it with Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink.  I attached it to the tag with the TH Idea-ology Tiny Attacher.  For the finishing touch I added the piece of stained trimmings that was included with my order from The Funkie Junkie's Boutique and a TH Idea-ology Muse Token!

I hope you like it!  If you're still reading at this point I have some good news!  My local scrapbook store, Whim So Doodle, recently had a call for designers for their very first design team.  I hesitated to throw my name in the hat since I wasn't sure what would happen with the surgery and afterward. I waited until the last day and decided to go for it.  I'm so glad I did because I made the team!  It is my first time participating on a design team and I'm very excited!!  Wish me luck!

14 comments:

  1. This is really lovelly, gorgeous colours and lvery pretty elements x

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  2. Just read about your health difficulties . i sincerely hope that things proceed well for you, its very scary but try to stay positive. I am a firm believer in the power of positive thinking x

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  3. Donna, I love your creations on this page!

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  4. Donna, your tag is spectacular, from the gorgeous butterfly down the way you've framed your sentiment. I love it! I'm so sorry you've had such a health scare and hope you get a crystal clean report ASAP. Congrats on the DT... no suprise they chose you, hon. Good luck, and thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie!

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  5. This pocket tag is so lovely! I love the sentiments you have used on both...they go so well together! Love your choice of colors. Gorgeous flowers ... both the floral garland and the tattered pine cone one. I love the butterfly stamped on to packaging! Very cool result! Your piece is just beautiful! Best of luck on making your scrapbook store's design team. If you don't make it....I will be surprised! Your work is very quality and creative! Thanks for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

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  6. This tag is really fabulous! It has a real meaning to it. I read your story first and didn't have a peek till after I was finished. Hope the final results will be good and you can close this aweful chapter and never have to look back to it. Good luck! And what a great thing that you've made that DT! congrats to you! Something positive and great like that is always welcome, right? Glad you've got your inspiration back! Thank you so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. Hugs, Sandra

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  7. Hi Donna,

    First let me say how happy I am to hear that the outcome of the cancer surgery seems to be very encouraging! I'll keep you in my prayers that your results come back clean and clear!

    Your tag is just exquisite - the colors, the stamping, that fabulous butterfly - all working together to create something beautiful. I've been resisting getting that bag die but now that I see it used, it will have to go on the next Ranger order - LOL. Perfect sentiment too.

    Have a great weekend!

    Hugs,
    Linda

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  8. Donna, I'm just blown away with your news...so sorry to hear. I am so glad the cancer was contained. I want you to know that hysterectomy was the best thing I ever did just as a good side note. Congrats on your DT position, that is awesome and well deserved!
    This tag is absolutely stunning! The color, the elegance, the resist on the baggie envelope...all fabulous! The sentiment could not be more perfect!
    Sending good thoughts your way.
    Thank you for playing along with us at Frilly & Funkie this fortnight!!!

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  9. I wish you well and nothing but healthiness! I read this so often when things are not going so good in my own life, I hope it gives you much hope!

    "There is nothing, no circumstance, no trouble, no testing that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has come past God and past Christ, right through to me. If it has come that far, it has come with a great purpose."
    Alan Redpath

    Your tag is gorgeous, so glad you played along with us at F&F!

    enjoy *~*

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  10. oh my goodness, sending you kindest wishes,
    the tag is beautiful and the colours and details are gorgeous!
    trace x

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  11. Wishes and prayers to you. In spite of your dark hours, you have managed to bring some beautiful light into your work.

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  12. This is really beautiful! Love the color and all the details!
    Sending you get well wishes.

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  13. These are gorgeous! Congrats on your selection at SSS!

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  14. I stumbled upon your blog the other day and have been looking through it. I love this tag...and I love this quote!! (I have lupus and the plans I've been making are often changed!!) Hope all has turned out well for you!! I'm enjoying your blog and artwork!! I'm a pen and ink artist, watercolor and some pastel. Also love making cards and tags!! They often suit my physical condition better than larger things.

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