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Thursday, January 31, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Adventures in Strength
I began this post with the intention of writing about how tough week 5 has been post rotator cuff/SAD surgery. how it has challenged me to be strong and push forward despite an increase in pain as we progress to assisted passive range of motion. That WAS my intent. Then my son brought yesterday's mail in. In it a hand stamped letter from Ethiopia with a childish scrawl under the return address. My husband laughed and said he couldn't wait to open that and see what scam laid inside. I asked who it was from, he said on the back it mentioned Operation Smile. Hearing that I asked for the letter. Operation Smile is an organization the Close To My Heart supports. They are a foundation that sends medical teams to third world countries to repair cleft palates on children, restoring their smiles and changing their lives in the process.
This particular letter contained a handwritten thank you note and it's English translation, from Solomon, an 11 yr old Ethiopian boy. He endured years of teasing by other children but his family could not afford such an operation. When his father heard that OS was coming to Ethiopia, he brought him to that city to get his lips fixed. After his surgery, Solomon felt like a better person and started his new life, not having anything to be ashamed of anymore. He dreams of becoming a doctor someday so he can help others the way he was helped. A before photo showed him and his expression looked so sad but his after photo showed a beautiful beaming smile and sparkle in his eyes. It brought tears to my eyes.
You see when you purchase Close To My Heart products through my website, you are asked if you wanted to round up for Operation Smile. How many times are we asked to do this? It may be just small change to round up. Does it make a difference? Well here is proof that it does.
I was so excited when the senior executive team of CTMH visited Omaha for Leadershare conference last spring. We held an OS auction and I made 4 items to be auctioned. One item brought it $100 and the others $50-$80 each. That's enough for surgery for one child and help towards a second. That made this personal. Then I got the letter, that really reinforced what a wonderful gift just rounding up small amounts is. It adds up and a child's self esteem and hope are restored. Powerful.
So the strength in this post is really about the strength of these children prior to surgery and how they carry on despite the teasing and ridicule they experience. They are amazing. It warms my heart to see their big smiles after their cleft palate repairs. So when you are prompted to round up on your order, don't bypass that opportunity to make a difference. So here's to Solomon, may you have a bright future!
This particular letter contained a handwritten thank you note and it's English translation, from Solomon, an 11 yr old Ethiopian boy. He endured years of teasing by other children but his family could not afford such an operation. When his father heard that OS was coming to Ethiopia, he brought him to that city to get his lips fixed. After his surgery, Solomon felt like a better person and started his new life, not having anything to be ashamed of anymore. He dreams of becoming a doctor someday so he can help others the way he was helped. A before photo showed him and his expression looked so sad but his after photo showed a beautiful beaming smile and sparkle in his eyes. It brought tears to my eyes.
You see when you purchase Close To My Heart products through my website, you are asked if you wanted to round up for Operation Smile. How many times are we asked to do this? It may be just small change to round up. Does it make a difference? Well here is proof that it does.
I was so excited when the senior executive team of CTMH visited Omaha for Leadershare conference last spring. We held an OS auction and I made 4 items to be auctioned. One item brought it $100 and the others $50-$80 each. That's enough for surgery for one child and help towards a second. That made this personal. Then I got the letter, that really reinforced what a wonderful gift just rounding up small amounts is. It adds up and a child's self esteem and hope are restored. Powerful.
So the strength in this post is really about the strength of these children prior to surgery and how they carry on despite the teasing and ridicule they experience. They are amazing. It warms my heart to see their big smiles after their cleft palate repairs. So when you are prompted to round up on your order, don't bypass that opportunity to make a difference. So here's to Solomon, may you have a bright future!
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Sock Monkey..........SQUEE!
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| Sock Monkey! |
Can you believe this sweet little sock monkey was born out of the Whoooo's Your Valentine kit stamp set? Another consultant created the monkey and my friend Maureen Falcon, saw it on her blog and made it. The original post showed it made into a tag....cute, cute, cute!
The link to her board is on my Pinterest board for Nifty Craft Ideas.
I thought that was creative thinking to come up a sock monkey using this stamp set . The Pom Pom is CTMH bakers twine. I will be making these....l had to share this clever idea. LOVE ITIf you want to make your own ....,you need this stamp set and it is omly available in the the Whos Your Valentine kit this January. Supplies are dwindling for the Who's Your Valentine kit and deadline is 1/31, if they last that long. Just order $35 to qualify to buy the kit for $10! Click here.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
It's going to an AWESOME day!
Guilty ........do you do this too? I know I am not alone.
Have a good story to share? Tell us in the comments section!
I should have all sorts of fun art to post tomorrow.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Are you a badass at your passion?
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| Good words to live by Week 2 of PT is completed! It has been a humbling week. I did not feel like a badass earlier in the week. I tolerate the sessions well and able to do all ROM as indicated with moderate pain. Pain is more muscular now. Overhead reach is 161 degrees just 3 weeks post op! I am impressed with my progress so far. After Wednesdays session I was in pretty bad pain that lasted from 9:30pm until today, so I was nervous about more pain with today's visit. Surprised to find out that while I do hurt, the level is not as intense plus I can move more despite the pain. I am iced up and took one Percocet so that is helping. I will resume my badass self tomorrow! Started driving now so I don't feel imprisoned. Getting my hair washed and style tomorrow by my friend Jackie, then driving to Lifetime fitness for a bike clinic! Will swing by Red Dirt Running to see what they have going on too.....that will feel good. I may even park and take a walk around lake Z. We have our family Christmas Sunday. Very excited for that. It kills me to look at all the unwrapped gifts yet. Weird holiday this year with my surgery 12/21, Marshall & Sami were gone or. Busy must weekends in December before Christmas then they were with her family in Ohio 12/22-1/8. They usually come over and spend night on our faux Xmas eve and stay in his old room. That way we wake up together Xmas morning and have wassail and gifts. His idea & I love that they want to that. Makes it so special. Unfortunately this year we have to settle for faux Xmas morning only. My hubby works night as patrol officer and we will have breakfast then open gifts since he will just be getting home. Our family has had to learn how to be flexible with our scheduling of holidays and celebrations but it all works out. I hope to get some artwork and pics posted this weekend. Until then, craft on dudettes! |
Warrior wisdom
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| I will Perservere! |
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Whooo's Your Valentine?
National Papercrafting Month - Whooo’s Your Valentine
December 2012 - January 2013
Spread the word and help us celebrate National Papercrafting Month in January with this exclusive Whooo’s Your Valentine kit promotion, perfect for gifts and classroom projects!
Spend only $35 and qualify to purchase this kit for only $10!
Supplies are limited so order soon to ensure your kit gets in your hands.
To order, simply click on the shopping cart and go shopping, once you spend $35 you will be prompted to order the special....simple!
The fall catalog retires Jan. 31 so order any items from that Idea Book now and qualify!
Party!
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| Paper cake by the slice- great for a shower or party! |
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| Individual slice for each guest- treats inside! |
Look at this great party cake! Made using CTMH Avonlea paper kit and the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge. 3 flowers made with Cricut adorn each piece, along with our silver satin ribbon. Stamped tag using the stamp kit in the Avonlea card workshop on the go. Silver glitter tape. Band of frosting layer on the sides is the coordinating zip strip. Very.easy to make. You could use a centerpiece and guest gifts.
Below is an adorable holiday table party place setting. The Santa mustaches were cut using Cricut Artiste, as was the treat box. My upline Shari made these for our unit party. Everything looked so pretty and festive.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Look ma- I made this with one hand!
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| Hand stamped sympathy card |
Here is one of the cards I made using an older paper kit scraps and our sunflower stamps. I used chocolate pigment ink for the flowers and leaves since I was using markers to color them. I used alcohol markers in creme brûlée and olive. I used a couple of foam dots to pop 2 of them up.
Colors used in the card : creme brûlée, chocolate, olive, juniper and colonial white. I wanted to use sunflowers because they are the favorite flowers of the person this card is for and I hope it makes her smile.
On another note, my recovery is progressing well. It felt good to make something tonight. I was pleased that I could do it with one working arm. Just think what I can do once I am back with 2 arms! I have started my PT for rehab and it feels good to have my shoulder moving, even if it isn't by me yet! Even though I am sidelined from training, it is giving me more time to create and craft. This will keep me sane and happy. I am so extremely happy my pain levels are so minimal so I don't require many pain meds anymore. I feel I am rejoining the living. Thanks to my husband Mike and son Chris for all of their attentiveness and help since surgery. I still cannot hoist myself out of the recliner where I sleep just yet. Not consistently anyway....sometimes I get lucky!
I need followers!
I see so many people visiting my blog from all over the world and that is exciting! Yet I have a mere 15 followers. For those of you stopping by - thank you! Could I ask a favor? Please join my site as a regular follower. It's easy- by the list of followers jst click the blue JOIN this blog icon. I will not send you email updates unless you ask for those in the other section. I treasure my blog followers and comments. I don't see too many comments lately, so lets start chatting it up more too!
Let me know what you like and what you would like to find here or see more of.
Thanks for stopping by! Look at ths week.......visitors from London and Canada! Woo hoo!
Spring and Summer Idea Books are here! Make a purchase this month and I will send you one FREE! So many cool new papers, ribbons, stamps, workshop kits! Love it
Let me know what you like and what you would like to find here or see more of.
Thanks for stopping by! Look at ths week.......visitors from London and Canada! Woo hoo!
Spring and Summer Idea Books are here! Make a purchase this month and I will send you one FREE! So many cool new papers, ribbons, stamps, workshop kits! Love it
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