I am tired and resting....

thank you to everyone who sent me a mail

thank you for all the prayers

thank you to all the special crafters and friends in my life

I am much better!

After repeating my prescription meds 3 times, things seem to be much better

we are hoping that the nerve around my eyes are not too badly damaged and that my sight will not be affected long term - so things are looking up

It is when you go through trying times like these that you realise again how much you depend on sight

simple things are not that easy

getting into a car and driving, sitting down to scrapbook a straight layout for class

making a cup of coffee

but above all how much we depend on God for our health and the little things as well as the big things

thanks once again for all the prayers and support!

I will be back blogging soon

i will finally get up to date with all my life commitments soon

i will be creative again and play

and i will sit down for a cup of coffee with my friends and really enjoy it for what it is!

the simple things in life not to be taken for granted!

I'm on a journey...one that is hard to comprehend. As i type this blog post I have very little blurry vision left in my left eye...it started 2 weeks ago with a simple headache and have had its ups and downs. I have been mostly down and in bed and have enough drugs in my system to outlast me. What started as a sinus infection may be something else, and can even lead to a brain scan! my biggest fear I may add! So I happened to stumble onto Rhonna Farrer's blog and got involved in her 21 day challenge. I have yet to get my entire journal idea up and running - but am only downloading the images for now - and finding inspiration to continue on my own journey.

I used a 7Gypsies folder as my cover as well as their new paper! awesome stuff! Inside will be watercolour paper that I am painting and decorating freestyle. whatever comes to mind and whatever happens. so watch this space. Oh and then to actually write down the happenings, the fears, joys and accomplishments of the past two weeks as I struggle to regain my eyesight!
Check out her site to find your own inspiration http://www.rhonnadesigns.blogspot.com/ - she truly is a master at designing and inspiration! So if you have a spare moment and feel inclined say a little prayer for me to fully recover out of this nightmare!

This layout was inspired by Barbs du Plessis! She is my total inspiration when it comes to scrapping with your own style - she does what she loves and is good at! No fuss and no frills! Just scrapping from the heart and soul.

For my title i used plain white lettering and added some stickles glitter glue for a nice touch of glimmer. I combined the chipboard letters with stamping to complete my title.

The Versafine ink allows me to stamp even on the roughest and most textured cardstock with a perfect finish.

I used my Making Memories Ribbon slot punch to create slots for weaving my paper strips through, and then added a few brads.

This morning we had a lovely card class at Sweet Scrappin's in Pretoria! Thanks to Carla for a lovely morning, scrumptious goodies with tea and just a lovely morning of friends old and new.

These are the cards that we did - I wanted to show the ladies different ways of incorporating masks into their designs using different techniques and products.

1. A friend loves at all times card - we used one of the Tim Holtz masks directly onto the patterned paper with Distress ink.

Score and fold your cardstock to form the base of your card.
Cut a piece of patterned paper to measure slightly smaller than the front of your folded card. About 14.5cm x 14.5cm.
Place your patterned paper onto your craft sheet and decorate using your Distress ink and mask.
Adhere the patterned paper to the front of your card.
Stamp your image onto plain card.
Cut a piece of dark brown plain cardstock measuring 6.5cm x 12cm. adhere it to the front of your card just right of the masked area.
Adhere the stamped image onto the dark brown matt using craft foam or foam squares to raise the image.
Stamp your sentiment and adhere just below the stamped image.
Add a strip of ribbon to the left of your stamped images to finish it off. Use a thin double sided tape to make sure your ribbon is nice and flat.
Adhere your 3 buttons and add sewing. Add a card inner to hide the sewing inside

2. Butterfly card - This card uses a Butterfly mask from Heidi Swapp. We used the mask directly onto patterned paper and sprayed the mask with Glimmer Mist.

Score and fold your cardstock to form your card.
Cut a piece of patterned paper about 13.5 x 13.5cm.
Place the patterned paper onto your craft sheet. Place the mask in position and spray with glimmer mist. Leave to dry completely.
Once dry matt your patterned paper onto plain cardstock and cut a small edge all around.
Stamp your sentiment and matt onto cardstock. Add craft foam to raise it.
Assemble your card and finish off with 3 diamantes.

Supplies: Cardstock Bazzill Basics. Patterned paper K&Company. Sentiment stamp MSE. Mask Heidi Swapp. Glimmer Mist My Tattered Angels. Other Diamantes.

3. Forever you and me card - Again the Tim Holtz mask used directly onto plain smooth cardstock using a combination of 'green' and 'brown' Distress Ink to create some interest.

1. Fold your cardstock to form the card base to measure 10.5cm x 15cm.
2. Place your mask on the right edge of your card and ink using 2 or three different colours combined for interest.
3. Add a strip of patterned paper.
Cut a strip of plain cardstock with your scalloped edge scissors and adhere.
Add your stamped sentiment and buttons to finish off your card.
Supplies: Cardstock SEI. Patterned paper K&Company. Plain cardstock Bazzill Basics. Sentiment Scrappy Cats. Other Buttons, scalloped scissors.
4. Tag card - the tag was coloured using the ink on craft sheet technique to add a background colour and then a Heidi Swapp mask onto that using the same colour Distress ink for a tone of tone colour.

Fold your cardstock to form your card measuring 10.5cm x 15cm.
Cover the entire piece of the front of the card using patterned paper.
Colour your tag on your craft sheet and set aside to dry completely.
Place the mask on top of the tag and ink with the same colour ink as before.
Stamp the image onto cardstock and matt onto a darker colour. Add a layer of craft foam to raise the stamped image.
Assemble your card as per the sample. Add a decorative brad and sew button in place.
Supplies: Patterned paper K&Company. Stamp PSX. Ink Versafine. Other Brad, button, embroidery thread, tag.