Coming Soon to a news stand near you! #Scrap and Stamp Arts

Just a quick post to let every one know to be on the lookout for the Feb/Mar 2016 issue of Scrap and Stamp Arts magazine. The article appears on pages 52-53. There is even a link to this website! I need to get crakin and get some things up for sale!

I hope everyone is doing well. Our house is too quiet without Isabella. I already miss her barking and the antics with our other dog, Abby. Abby seems lost without her playmate. I know I’m lost with out my little ‘dizzy izzy”.

I hope you will all have a Merry Christmas. Stamp Happy and be a blessing. Remember, please be kind to one another life is just too short not to be. Until next time……

In memory of our puppy Isabella “Izzy” Mae – Rest in peace 4/17/2013 – 12/19/2015

Hello friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this. Izzy was only 2 years 8 months 2 days old. She developed two auto immune diseases in such a sudden fashion I am still in total shock.

Our day on December 18, started as any regular day. Izzy was just lethargic. My husband and I marked it up to an intestinal upset. I gave her pumpkin and forced the fluids.

By early evening she felt really hot. I went to take a bath and she tinkled on the rug in the bathroom. It was a brownish orange/red. I couldn’t get out of the tub fast enough.

While getting dressed I hollered for my husband to start the car. We where heading to the Emergency Vet. Right then.

I started to think she had some how picked up a urinary infection. No problem. Fluids, antibiotics and she will be right as rain. Instead the news we heard was far different.

She was quickly diagnosed with sudden onset of

Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) coupled with Canine Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia (ITP).

After the doctor
ran some blood tests it was determined that Izzy simply had an acute onset.
Even if we had opted for treatment, it would have not only been costly
but would have involved IV therapy, immune-suppressant drugs. Blood
transfusions. The bottom line is that for Izzy I didn’t want her to under
go all these procedures only to have about a 50% chance of getting the disease
into remission. She was so sick the vet thought she may die during the
night.

My
husband and I had hoped the vet would adopt her and treat her. That option
faded and left us but with one. One heartbreaking choice. End the
suffering of our precious baby. I couldn’t have asked for a better staff
at Dogs and Cats Emergency Veterinary Services. She was Euthanized around 11:30 AM. With us by her side. Loving her from the minute we met, and beyond the moment we parted. She had no reserves left. Our vet told us how much she hated this. Especially in a dog so young. This disease is awful. With no underlying causes her body simply started attacking her own red blood cells. There is no sure cure. Auto immune disorders are nasty.

There are
no words. How do you wake up one day and everything is fine and wake up
the next to a nightmare. I know that she will live on in our hearts. She
came into my life at a time I desperately needed her. We still
had paths to walk, balls to chase and groomers to poop on.

Our loss is sudden. It is deep and painful. Please remember us as we travel on with our life. We will remember her fondly. Thankful for the paw prints she left on our very souls.

winter themed tag – with video progress

Today’s tag is a winter themed one for a one-on one swap. I created it in shades of blue which is my swap partners’ choice. I really love the texture of this piece.

For the base I recycled a priority postal box. It was base painted then I started the layering process. The main image is a sizzix die. It actually has four layers. Three of which are felt the final one is a thin fabric. Once that was attached I added more glue and some fine glitter.

All in all this tag took approximately 4 1/2 hours to complete. I was able to edit out the redundant footage. I hope you will enjoy the video. If you have any questions, please email me at Ms.Rhetta@gmail.com.

Stamp Happy and be a blessing!

Chemo Angel’s October Birthday Cards – using Graphic 45 and Lawn Fawn

Here is the video of the card:

“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

These will be the last birthday cards I make for the year 2015 Chemo Angels. In total I have made over 360 cards just for the monthly birthday recipients. Countless other cards and gifts have been made for my Chemo Buddies and folks who are in need of extra love and encouragement known as “special assignments”.

I will be taking a break beginning in early 2016 from the special assignment portion of the program. I will continue as a Chemo buddy until such time as my buddy “graduates” (finishes therapy and is in remission). Once this happens I will take at least 3-6 months off. I promised myself that if this ever became over whelming that I would back off.

That is exactly what I am going to do. I will be continuing my love of paper crafting, and selling things on Etsy and Ebay. I need to focus on me. Focus on getting some health issues in better control as well as focus on my family.

Two thousand fifteen has taught me that it is worth your time to do things well and with all of your heart. To love the Lord and serve others the best you can. This year has taught me that life’s difficulties are there for a reason. God does not allow bad things to happen. He only gives us the reassurance that he will be there when they do. That is a comfort.

I look forward to sharing more of my creations with you! Stamp Happy and be a blessing! Until next time….

Retrospective — The Ghost of Thanksgiving Past!

Retrospective

The Ghost of Thanksgiving Past

This is not a craft related post. It is one of retrospection and what I have learned over the last five years.

I had no way of knowing that on November 25, 2010 my life would quickly be forever changing. Above is a picture of me with my oldest son, Craig.

Before I get into the back story, you should know this picture was taken just days before Craig was discharged from the US Air force under less than honorable circumstances. This is the last time I was able to see him in uniform.

That Thanksgiving in 2010 was wonderful. I can still smell the aroma of Mike smoking the chicken and the turkey that was roasting in the oven. Family friends from North Augusta had joined us along with some of Craig’s co-workers. That was the last Thanksgiving I spent with my eldest son.

There was fun, fellowship and much thanksgiving for all of the blessings we had been given. This Thanksgiving of 2015 is retrospective. It is not filled with regret. It is filled with hoping that some how, some way my story will help someone else who is going through a rough circumstances.

My first marriage ended in 1998 after I discovered his homosexuality. Many people think that homosexuality is harmless. Live and let live. Believe it or not, I agree with that statement to a point.

I do not have to answer for any one’s life but my own. Sin is Sin, plain and simple. When your life choices cross the line, you are simply hurting others while living your “freedom” you are sentencing others. By the way for any homosexual’s that may be reading this, your “freedom” will lead to death.

For those of you who are new to the “rest of the story” as Paul Harvey would say should know that that handsome young man you see in the photo above is currently incarcerated in a Jesup, Georgia federal prison. He will spend a term of 6 years and be on probation for an additional 10 years. To date he has served 2 years 9 months.

Also, you should know if I had had any idea of what this kid was doing, I would have personally turned him in.

He was arrested, and rightly so for possession and distribution of child pornography. I can not express how much my heart aches. We taught him right from wrong.

Through this entire experience one of the most encouraging things that was told to me was “You can teach them, however, you can not make them learn”. No words have ever been spoken that hold such truth. Those same words also gave me much comfort.

I would love to stand by, help support and organize Christ following families who are going through circumstances that tear at the fabric of your very soul. Support for the wounded heart.

I am not a victim. I am a conqueror. I am also brave and stronger than even I realize.

How do I cope? Honest answer is, sometimes I don’t. I will watch old TV shows or movies, listen to music or just cry. That is where bravery comes in. I’ve learned to go on with my life. Serve Jesus and others the best that I know how.

I sought Christian counsel, held on to my family and friends even more and thank the dear Lord I’ve survived. Time heals nothing. It only acts as a buffer.

Craig stays in my prayers, he will always be in my heart. I miss him. I want the best for him. I’d love to say one day that he used his experience to change himself and prevent this from happening to others. However, there is no crystal ball. I have no clue as to what the future will hold.

So, this year I will think of my son and even tear up a little. I will enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with my husband and youngest son along with a dear family friend.

I have so much to be thankful for. I’m healthy. My family is healthy and even our 3 dogs are healthy. We have been blessed in many ways and try to bless others when and where we are able.

There is hope and there is victory. Try to remember that when you are in the middle of adversity. You have so much to offer. Do not lose hope, and do not allow anyone to take your hope or joy away from you. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3: 5-6.

One last scripture “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, sorrow or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4

Happy Thanksgiving my friends. I love you all. Stamp Happy and be a BLESSING! Until next time…

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