12 Tags of 2013 - March

I want to first apologize to all of my followers, and blogging friends, for not paying visits and leaving comments regularly.  I've not been entirely engaged in crafting and blogging outside of my DT responsibilities.  It was confirmed, just after the beginning of the new year, that one of my dogs has nasal cancer.  Over the past several months I have learned more about canine nasal cancer than I thought was possible.  Surgery isn't an option.  Chemotherapy isn't effective.  That only leaves radiation which is expensive and can be painful.  And radiation will only add months to the survival time...it won't cure the cancer.  Average survival time without treatment is short, 2-6 months.  Willie, my dachshund, is being treated holistically in an attempt to slow down the growth of the tumor.  Only time will tell if it's working.  Infections are recurrent so every few weeks I have to give him antibiotics to clear that up.  Otherwise, aside from a little snorting he seems happy and is not in any pain right now.

I'm not very good at "one day at a time".  I've been wondering how long I have with him, and worrying about how my other dog will handle the loss.  She's just three years old, has separation anxiety, and I actually got her so they could keep each other company while I'm at work!  I left her alone once, when I took him to the vet for a day-long test, and had to come home from my work because my neighbor could hear her crying and barking frantically because she was alone.  This whole experience has been emotionally draining and I'm pretty sure that I won't be getting another dog once he's gone.

So I've been trying to adjust to this development and I'm starting to get back to doing what makes me happy.  I'm on vacation this week so I'll have time to catch up on things at home and in blogland!  To start, I decided to make my March tag for Tim's 12 Tags of 2013.

I love Tim's tag but I was in the mood for something a little more funky and colorful.  So here is my version...

The photo doesn't reflect how bright the colors are.  I tried to do better but finally gave up!

The harlequin patterned background paper was black and white.  I distressed the edges with Spiced Marmalade, Picked Raspberry, Mowed Lawn and Peacock Feathers.  Then I went around again with Brushed Corduroy.  I distressed the label/bunny die cut with Peacock Feathers and then sprayed it with Biscotti Perfect Pearls mist.  The crinkle ribbon around the bunny was dyed with Squeezed Lemonade and Spiced Marmalade distress stain.  The crinkle ribbon at the top was dyed with Peacock Feathers and Mowed Lawn distress stain.  The rest of the tag was done like Tim's.  I love the little flower stick pins!!  Aren't they so cool?!  What a great idea!  

I made two while I was at it...one I'll give to a friend and the other that says "Life is Good" is for myself.

So thank you for stopping by and for listening to me pour out my problems!  I hope you have time to make your own March tag for Tim's challenge!

SizzixAlterations Movers & Shapers Base Die By Tim Holtz-Styled Labels	Sizzix Alterations Decorative Strip Tim Holtz Tattered Banners Die	Sizzix Alterations Tim Holtz Tag and Bookplates Die	Core′dinations - Tim Holtz Ranger- Nostalgic Kraft Core Cardstock 12 x 12	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Spiced Marmalade
Ranger Tim Holtz Summer Seasonal Distress Ink Pads	Ranger Tim Holtz Spring Seasonal Distress Ink Pads	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Walnut Stain	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Brushed Corduroy	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain - Squeezed Lemonade
Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain - Spiced Marmalade	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain - Peacock Feathers	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain - Mowed Lawn	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Seedless Preserve	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Picked Raspberry
Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Broken China	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Mustard Seed	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Spiced Marmalade	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Peeled Paint	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Paint - Bundled Sage
Ranger Archival Ink - Jet Black	Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Rubber Stamps - Simple Sayings	Ranger Perfect Pearls Mists - Biscotti	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Tinsel Twine - Silver	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Foliage
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Memo Pins	Ranger Inkssentials Wonder Tape - 8"x10" Sheet	Ranger Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet	Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents	Ranger Inkssentials Ink Blending Foam
Ranger Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool-With 2 Blending Foams	Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink - Pool	Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink Applicator, Stamp Handle and Felt	Rayon Seam Binding