A Sad Heart

It is with a very sad heart that I am posting today for the first time in 3 1/2 weeks. I have been away from blogland for that time because my dear mum passed away on Saturday 13th July after a long battle with cancer.

 

She first had cancer in 1999, but this illness had dated from 2007 and had been particularly traumatic and disressing because it was maxilo-facial cancer which required extensive and intrusive facial surgery. Despite having a lot of problems from the time of her surgery in 2007/8 mum battled on with incredible bravery - she was diagnosed as being terminally ill in summer 2008 but five more years were able to pass by where she was still with us.  However in May this year the specialists said it had returned and was untreatable, and since then she had a couple of hospice visits and grew increasingly weak. In the end mum deteriorated very suddenly and quickly which was merciful, and passed away in her local hospice where she had received fantastic care from the dedicated staff.

A few people who know me have sent some wonderful messages of support, though I haven't really felt up to posting until now. I have set up  the Jean Miles Tribute Fund in mum's memory to raise funds for the wonderful work of Ashgate Hospice where she was cared for - if anyone would like to show their support you can donate by:

•  go to the Ashgate Hospice - In Memory Giving page,
• click on "Donate securely with justgiving",
• make your donation with a comment that you would like to donate to the Jean Miles Tribute Fund.

I still can't face going back to work although I plan to return in the next few days. However, today I thought I had better look to the future and try to dip my toe into cardmaking once more ... mum always loved the cards I made. So here I am with my first card for soooo long ... and it is my DT card for this week's Lili's Little Fairies Challenge.

This week our challenge for Lili's Little Fairies is

Here Come The Girls

... so we would like to see your LotV images or die cut toppers of little girls, fairies or female bears.

 

We are sponsored by Crafty Ribbons with a £10 gift voucher.

 

Please check out the main blog for the fab girly-whirly creations from the rest of the team... here's my effort.

 

Stamps: LotV "Flower Fairy" and "Everyday Grungy Sentiments";

Media: image coloured with promarkers and Flexmarkers; edges of image distressed wtih "Milled Lavender" distress ink; image also sprinkled with "Shabby White" frantage embossing powder. and glamour dust on fairy wings;

Papers: LotV "Promises";

Supplies: flowers and lace from Wild Orchid Crafts; pearls from The Hobby House; ribbon from John Lewis; wooden butterfly shape (covered in frantage) from my stash;

Tools: "Floral Ovals" nestabilities; Magnolia Doohickey "heart swirl branch" die; La La Crafts "Filigree Corner" die (also covered in frantage).

 

 

Challenges:

Papertake Weekly - Sketch

 

 

Sentimental Sundays #165 - Anything With Wings

OSCC #236 - Add Flowers & Ribbon

Totally Papercrafts #177 - Use Lace

Whimsy #61 - Ribbon & Lace (2nd entry)

Papercrafting Journey - Punches &/or Die Cuts

Simon Says (Wednesday) - Anything Goes

Party Time Tuesdays # 131 - Anything Goes

 Creative Creations #15 - Anything Goes

 

 

That's all for today. As I start to settle down to what I guess is now going to be my new normality, I hope to be back before too long with more cards .. and I look forward to seeing your entries for this week's Lili's Little Fairies Challenge.

 

Hugs,