Sweet Dreams

I've been seriously remiss in posting lately, but I couldn't let International Epilepsy Day pass by without making an effort to promote its awareness and Timeout has the following challenge to do just that

My youngest son has epilepsy.  He has a host of other problems too but epilepsy is definitely the one which has impacted our family the most.  It's under control for the most part, we went 6 years without incident until last December when he had some seizures over a 2-day period.  He's going through puberty so there are a lot of changes happening in his body and we're hoping that's all it is.  But realistically, we just don't know (and alarmingly neither do does his neurologist).  Also the cure can be almost as bad as the disease, he's so doped up from his 3 different medications that it's impossible to know whether his learning difficulties are part of his condition, his medication or damage done to his brain when his seizures weren't under control.

But he is one of the happiest, loveliest people I have had the pleasure to meet.   I am immensely proud of him!  His enthusiasm is infectious - one of his teachers described him as bringing joy to everyone around him. And we're lucky his seizures are mostly under control.  For some, the nightmare is constant.  There are links on the Timeout Post if you want to find out more about epilepsy and also a personal account of a battle with this invisible disease.

Now onto the card details.  I used some pretty patterned paper and purple card stock to create an easel card which (hopefully) resembles a dream catcher (WPlus9) hanging on a bedroom wall.  I used the same patterned paper to create a matching pillow case (WMS Stitched Rectangles were the best size I had in my die collection) on the inside which serves as the stopper for the easel card.  I used Crealies Stitched Rectangles for the front panel (and inside), because these are a better size for the standard post sizes we use in Europe (and Australia) - A6 cards and C6 envelopes.

Thanks for stopping by, especially if you take the time to leave a comment - your visit means the world to me.  Especially as we are practising social distancing here in the heart of Europe at this difficult time.

Kate

Flowers, Stripes and Lace

Strips of black laid on white card stock really contrasts beautifully with this pretty rose (Old Country Roses WMS).  

I was lucky enough to have  in my stash a strip of lace which matched the Tattered Rose DI perfectly.

I finished off with a very simple "Thinking of You" Sentiment,  making this card perfect for any occasion!

Twofer Lions

I wasn't sure I would make the deadline for Twofer Challenge #15, you know one of those days when NOTHING goes the way you expect!  What with underestimating the size of this old die cut, over-inking and smudging, but the final straw was when I mislaid my last pair of glasses.  One day you're tripping over them (I try to keep lots of spare pairs lying around) and then you're down to your last pair and then whoosh - they're gone too!  I decided to drive up to the local Action store and buy a few cheap pairs!  As I was driving the sun came out from behind a cloud and I emptied out the contents of my handbag onto the passenger seat to find my sunglasses - what should also fall out but a pair of glasses (my prescription ones too)!  I know I had looked there but those sneaky things gremlins must have put them in there when I had my back turned!

Anyway I finished the cards (sort of). Here's the first.  I had to replace his face after I smudged it badly (which is why it's a different colour, shhh don't tell anyone) and I'm not 100% happy with the speech bubble but at least it's finished.  I used snippets of suede card stock I've been hoarding on their manes.  

Here's the second.  I was happier with this one (I didn't smudge him and preferred the lighter blue background).  The sign was a bit of a challenge - the die I wanted to use was way too big!  So I ended up doing some selective die cutting.   

Doesn't he just look like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth?   Don't be fooled!  Did you notice how he scratched out the "DO NOT" on that sign?  I haven't finished the inside of this card yet, but it will be something similar to this one I made a few years ago. 

 Previously I used an oval die for the mouth and a grass die for the teeth, but I have a much bigger selection of dies these days so we'll see!  Last time I made this card everyone had a good chuckle (well those who understood English anyway).  I hope it will go down well at an Art and craft festival at which I'm exhibiting next month. 

I'm also entering my cards in the following challenges

CASology Week 340 - cue card is Africa
Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies April Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by, especially if you take the time to leave some feedback.  I can't tell you how much I enjoy reading your lovely words!

Kate