Dolly's Dreamings

Thank goodness it is cooler and a sketch book catch up

I am not a fan of the very hot weather. I find it miserable and uncomfortable so I am glad it has become cooler.

We have, however, had a nice few days. Our patio is in the shade until about 12.30 and so we set up a home office/art studio outside and have send the mornings out there and in the afternoon have been going for drives in an air conditioned car. The first day I asked Nigel where we were going to go and he said it didn't matter as we were NOT getting out of the car anyway! Drives it was.

 

It did mean I caught up on some of my sketch book so here is a bumper edition of my Coast to Coast pages

 

 

 

 

I also have a DT page for Scrap a Sketch to share

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• cooler weather
• painting fun
• air conditioned cars and bedrooms

And you will be pleased to know I found my folder of 'weird and fun stuff to share on my blog' so expect more of this!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shattered of Poole

I am exhausted. It's been a busy week and culminated int he church art week finishing today and there was a LOT of tidying up. I sold a pictures and a few cards but it is really about community with this event. I have a big exhibition going up next Wednesday for two weeks and that is going to be HARD work. And I think I am done with exhibiting after that to be honest. It's a lot of work for little or no reward. You sell rarely and I know that it is not because the work isn't nice its just what someone wants at that moment in time - the right subject, the right size etc. But it's hard work and it is spoiling my enjoyment of my hobby. So there  it is.

I do have some new things to share though

New scrapping from classes taught at A Trip Down Memory Lane.

 

 

 

This will be my penultimate class for ATDML as I have decided that it is time for me to step down. I find the class pages challenging as I don't really scrap 12 x 12 in paper anymore, I do it all in A4, and so I am stepping down and relaxing more.

 

I did do a drawing I was proud of this week though. We went to see the ospreys - a very special programme in our local town of gentle reintroduction - and so I cae home and drew this osprey which I was quite proud of

 

 

 

They take hours and hours but I had forgotten how much I enjoy doing them

 

Today I am thankful for

• being on the home straight of exhibitions this year
• Nigel helping me so much
• a clean house - yup housework day too

 

 

Days out an anniversaries

The sun came out this week - and so did we. It has been wet and miserable so much that to be out in the sun was wonderful. And this week we had our 38th wedding anniversary to share too.

First a scrapbook page of the wet I think! Not my most flattering photo by far

 

 

Some photos from our historic day at Portsmouth ... Portsmouth Cathedral

 

 

The round tower

 

 

 

A sculpture dedicated to the men women and children who bravely left their homes to go and live in 'The New World'

A channel ferry coming in

The old church whose roof was blown off in the war

 

 

 

and some recent scrapbook pages  from our day out on Monday last

 

 

 

 

 

and a page made for a Pickleberrypop challenge (you can get the kit for free simply by doing the challenge

 

 

and finally another animal painting (see I HAVE been busy)

 

Today I am thankful for

• all creative pursuits
• days out
• a bit of sunshine (first picnic lunch outdoors today)

 

 

Big day today on the home front

We have had a bust day today going up to Ikea and back. We have ordered the furniture for the lounge renovation> It is Ikea but solid wood and rather lovely. We have ordered the carpet, not from Ikea obviously,  have bought the new lamps and cushions and are excited that by the end of January, God willing, we will have a new streamlined, less cluttered more modern lounge. Fingers crossed eh! And if anyone wants and old ornaments like border fine arts, David Winter cottages etc, speak now before they go to charity because the whole lot is going! I am following y new mantra of de cluttering and, if it doesn't bring me joy it is going.

I have new scrapping to share made as a design team piece for Scrap a Sketch.

I loved this premium sketch and stuck to it quite closely whilst adapting it to suit A4. The sketches always adapt so well to whatever size you scrap. The photos are of me at my happy place -t he beach - with my new happy mug! What's not to like - a Starbucks mug with cat ears and a cat on! Made for me! I used the Happy Hanukkah printables for the embellishments after having added circles of dots with a template first. The page has absolutely nothing to do with Hanukkah but the colours were perfect as were the gift boxes. You can find the collection HERE https://www.scrapasketch.com/.../happy-hanukkah-full... and you can find the sketch by becoming a premium sketch member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and some other catch up pages ... this was another for scrap squad and I love this one and it isn't  often I say that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and this is one I forgot to share

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• successful ordering
• the strength to declutter - I don't find it easy. Craft room next!!!

 

Crazy busy

How did we ever find time to work. It has been sooooo busy

But - on to some scrapping. First some digital with new releases today

Credits

Mistletoe Magic Full kit and FWP by Jen Yurko

 

 

 

Credits

Winter wishes collection Dutch Dreams Designs

 

I am also thrilled to share my take on the challenge over at Scrap A Sketch today

I decided to tackle this as a digital page just to showcase the utter versatility of the sketches and of course of the printables. I used the Feeling Festive collection which is utterly gorgeous and you can find it here https://www.scrapasketch.com/.../feeling-festive-full... Indy enjoying the fun of decorating for Christmas. I love how everything coordinates so well and they are super to use not only for real life pages but also for digital and hybrid pages,

 

 

 

Worn out and anniversaries

I have been too tired to blog to be honest.

I am struggling at the moment with the anniversaries of things. Thursday - the 16th - is the anniversary of being diagnosed with breast cancer and that seems to make it all so much more real again. I have been battling with lymphoedema and a lot of breast pain and I am worried about the impending mammogram which is soon - the one year anniversary of surgery. I think the fear never goes away. They got rid of the cancer (hopefully for good but none of us have that as a given) but the damage to your mental health never seems to go.

Sorry for the depressed start. I do always say this is my honest brain dump and maybe if we all spoe out about our worries it would help.

 

I was exhausted after a craft fair on Sunday. It was a busy fair and after not having done fairs last year due to cancer it has taken me a while to get back into the swing of things. I have said that once my stock has gone, that is me over and done for craft fairs. I have been doing them for about 11 years and let's face it, noone who does craft fairs is going to break even let alone make money, well not unless you are selling hugely expensive things. I have to sell a lot of £3 bookmarks and £4 plaques! However, it enabled me to justify making things which is the bit I enjoy and the stock is gradually going down. For the first time ever I took paintings with me. Nigel had made me a back board for a big craft fair I have in December and so I took that for the first (and to be honest I think ONLY) time. I did sell two paintings but they were ones not on display on the board just in a display stand Nigel made (he really is very handy) I'm far more at ease just having my usual table of stuff.

 

 

I was really exhausted at the end of the day and we had a very quiet day yesterday. I did scrap though with pictures I took at lunchtime

 

 

I couldn't resist the title

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• rest
• prayer and faith
• my three boys - one skin and two fur!

A quick post about a new release

I played with a gorgeous new release at Pickleberrypop today

 

Art Box #8 by TirAmisu Designs

Credits

https://pickleberrypop.com/shop/Art-Box-No.8-by-TirAmsu-design.html

 

 

 

I needed to share because how gorgeous is Indy in the fall decoration!

jabs and joy and birthday boys

Yesterday began with flu jabs for both of us. I am quite pleased as, thus far, I haven't developed the usual egg-sized lump on my arm. No-one liked having jabs but it's a good preventative. we have covid jabs next week too. Having had flu before - just twice - I remember how poorly we both were and so if we can reduce the risk of that and of Covid I will be pleased.

After that, we went to a Macmillan Coffee morning which was lovely and for a cause dear to our hearts. Then came the joy of painting. I downloaded a photo taken by Deanne Hope a while ago and so painted my version of it yesterday afternoon.

It is by no means perfect but I had such fun painting it and so what if it just sits in a drawer now.

 

 

 

I also have new scrapping to share.

I am playing along with the 12 days of Autumn at Scrap Squad and this was today's

 

 

 

and this was my final page using a September premium Sketch from Scrap a Sketch - another for the Norfolk/summer album 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• both jabs and joy
• in celebrating the boys' third birthday this week - how did that happen!

and here, to finish, are a few Birthday photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm done!

Today was an important day.

Today

 

I FINISHED MY TREATMENT AND AM CANCER FREE

 

It's been a testing road since October and today saw what we hope is the end. I finished my radiotherapy, I have a couple of follow up appointments but I think - I pray - that's it and my brush with cancer is done and dusted. I am very sore, very red like bad sunburn (but it contrasts nicely with the blue nipple) and I rang that cancer free bell.  We even managed to take a couple of photos.

(I look dreadful - my dark rings could easily encircle Saturn as I am not sleeping well and am terribly tired)

 

 

 

 

I am incredibly grateful to so many people. First and foremost to my wonderful truly exceptional husband. He was the best nurse ever, came to every appointment, held my hand through so many awful things, dressed me, helped me bath and shower, and was just there, always. He is my soul mate and came good on those vows made 37 years ago - in sickness and in health, for better and for worse. I am very very blessed. He's a bloke so not so good at the emotional support but I had my other best friend who has also been with me every step of the way. Jakki has been there to support me when I have sobbed, to check in on me daily, to be a constant support, a voice of reason, and she has cried with me and for me. I couldn't have a better friend and I seriously couldn't have gotten through this without the two of them.

I am incredibly grateful to our NHS. I think we are lucky in this area, but they have been superb. They have acted swiftly (it has seemed low to me at times but I know in reality it isn't it just feels that way when waiting for results) and every single person I have encountered (with the exception of the anaesthetist in Poole) has not only been very knowledgable, very informative, reassuring, efficient and diligent, but have also been kind, compassionate, have made me laugh and they have made a horrible process so much more bearable. From the wonderful reception staff, the admin team, the admissions staff, the doctors, surgeons (I had 3 of those!) the nurses, the consultants, the radiographers, the whole damn lot of them. All of them wonderful, all of them heroes. It must be not only a hard job physically but a hard job mentally to be dealing with people with nasty cancer, people who are afraid and confussed by it all. And I know it's not really 'free' as I have paid in all of my life, but it is free at the point of need. My treatment must have cost thousands. I am truly truly grateful to each and every one of them.

And I am also grateful to all of the people who have followed this journey on my blog, on facebook, have messaged me, have shared their strories with me, have prayed for me, sent me virtual hugs. I have spoken out about this journey right from the outset because it's the way I am. I know a lot of people like to keep it private but I wanted to shout from the rooftops what was happening because ...

 

MY CANCER COULD NOT HAVE BEEN PICKED UP ANY OTHER WAY OTHER THAN A ROUTINE MAMMOGRAM

 

We are incredibly lucky in this country to have routine screening for so many things. Mammograms, smears, aortic aneurisms, fecal tests etc. All not nice but WOW we are lucky and please please go for yours. Book those appointments, have your boobs squeezed and your bits prodded, send off your poo because it could all save your life. My cancer started life as microscopic ductal carcinoma in situ. It then developed the ability to mutate and become invasive. These cells were not a tumour. They couldn't have been felt even by a doctor. They couldn't be seen even when they were operating inside me. But they had the ability to travel around my body and set up home wherever they chose. They only found them because of a routine mammogram.

OK preaching over.

Finally, I am so pleased my faith saw me through. At the darkest lowest times I was able to hand my worries over. To know it was all in God's hands and that he was shielding me through the worst of it. In the words of Footsteps, if I had looked at the sand behind me over the last 6 months there would most definitely only have been one set of prints as the Lord carried me through my troubles.

Now, I just have to get through the next few weeks when I am told the soreness, burning, aching and tiredness is likely to get worse and then I am moving on. Thank you - everyone.

 

Now onto happier things

A new release today

Credits

Art Box #2 by TirAmisu Designs

 

 

Today I am thankful for

1. all of the above

 

 

The day before the day

Tomorrow I finally start my radiotherapy. I am a little apprehensive. Like much of medical science these days it seems extreme (and I do sometimes wonder if it is a one size fits all approach which is not always the best) but I have to put my trust int he medical professionals and my faith in God that this is the path I am meant to walk int he long run.

They give you all the worst-case scenarios when you do your consent because, sadly, they have to as we live in such a litigious society these days. They assure you that some of the effects are very very rare (well I was told it was very rare for anyone called back for a mammogram to have anything wrong, then I was told it was very rare for the calcification to become DCIS and then very very rare for the DCIS to become invasive ... you get my point ... I checked all of those rare boxes)

Anyway - come tomorrow they are going to attack my poor booby, healthy tissue and all, with high-dose radiation which my body then has to fight to recover from and at the very least I am likely to be sore, red, blister, peel and generally be fed up again. I only have to have 5 sessions but they are higher dose. I am guessing I can add dry and peelings kin to my still blue and tender poor nipple. Apparently, it can take well over a year for the discolouration to fade away and sometimes it never does. But, if this stops me getting a re-occurence, or at least lessens the chances, that is good. I still haven't decided what I am going to do about the hormone therapy drugs when I am reviewed in a few weeks time.

Anyway - today I feel well - no damage yet - and I have been scrapping

Firstly two digital pages to share

Credits

April 23 Artsy layered template #4

 

 

 and I have my other class pages for ATDML to share too

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• our NHS
• science
• free will
• faith

 

Back in the saddle

I have missed out on a fair bit of design team work over the past few months as I haven't been up to it, but I am back on my horse again now and I have a class over at A Trip Down memory Lane this weekend.

You can buy a kit or use your own stash and there are three pages with full instructions on their website.

This is one of the class pages

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's been drier today (though just starting to spit and spot now - and so we went out for a little drive and then called in and bought some new shrubs and compost and had an almost pleasant time in the garden. We are NOT gardeners and Nigel has to be dragged out kicking and screaming really. But the three plants are in (they replace ones we lost last year and I expect these will die too but heck!) the pots are redressed with gravel and the patio furniture is back out. Slowly slowly.

I start Radiotherapy this week and confess to being a bit nervous. I know they have to give you worst case scenario all the time but goodness me it is horrible what can happen, but hopefully won't.

I will be glad when this is all done and then I only have the medication to worry about. I still don't know what I will do when my 6 week break is up.

I have done two bird painting this week and there will be more as it is a challenge at a facebook group I play along with this week.

These were last week's efforts - I prefer the woodpecker without the background. I ruined it with the background

 

 

 

 

Today I am thankful for

• a lovely Sunday
• Spring in the air