What a week!!!

Well.....you know when you have a plan, and it goes completely wrong?? Well that was me this week!!! Ian was away in Florida (...on business allegedly!!) so I decided I'd have a really crafty few days. I went blog hopping and wrote a list of challenges of all the things I felt I could tackle. I even NEARLY completed the one for Play Date Cafe...it just needed a few finishing touches.....then...I got THE PHONE CALL!!!
It went a bit like this...... "Hi Mum...thought I'd let you know...just been to the walk-in centre and they think I may have appendicitis so I'm on my way to hospital"...yes, it was Bethany...in Sheffield! Not that far away in reality, but FAR TOO FAR for my liking!!

Well to cut a long story short I spent from Friday to Sunday travelling between Manchester and Sheffield to 'the sickbed'. On Sunday I got a grip and realised I really needed to stay over there!! After many tests it was decided that it was indeed the appendix causing the problem, and it was whipped out! I was able to bring her home on Tuesday evening...much to my relief! She is still in quite a lot of pain..and has a wonderful battle scar...mum is convinced they used Glossy accents to glue her back together again...whatever happened to good old-fashioned stitches?? She said to me a couple of weeks ago that she would like to come home for Sam's birthday (yesterday) but I have to say I think these were very extreme measures to take!!
Talking of Sam's birthday...here is his card..

I coloured some old book pages with various DI's. The bird stamp is a 'freebie' from Craft Stamper but I felt he needed longer legs....just like Sam (17, and 6'3"!!)...so I drew them on. The bird is also coloured with DI's.

A closer look at 'Birdy (Crowy) Long Legs!'

It was also Ian's birthday whilst he was away....and here is his 'well-travelled' card...yes it's been to Florida, and back!!

 I coloured the background paper with Dylusions Ink Sprays and then sprayed more over a mask. The stamps are 7 Gypsies... I really wanted to use that 'crow' and couldn't think of a better opportunity! Because the envelope was black and a bit tricky to write on, I decorated that too!!

When I eventually got back onto my blog yesterday, I was greeted with wonderful news. I had a comment from Lily at The Octopode Factory to tell me that I had won her giveaway....just what I needed to cheer me up!! Can't wait for my goodies to arrive!!

I am writing tonight from a hotel room in Newport Pagnell. To be honest my feelings are mixed....I am SOOOOO excited about my class with Tim Holtz tomorrow, but a little guilty at having to leave Bethany. She is in the VERY CAPABLE hands of my wonderful mum, who has taken over nursing duties in my absence, and I know she will be more than well looked after!! So...onwards and upwards...I am going to have a ball.....and will be displaying my production VERY soon!

Bye for now...I really need an early night.....!!!

xxx