Promoting awareness - cards too.

Arrrrgh, I've been up since four and sleep is deffo not returning anytime soon by the looks of it, I've watched a repeat of Charmed and repeats of Legend of the Seeker.  So I might as well use the time to update my poor neglected blog.  I wish I could update more often but life gets hectic or complicated and it somehow doesn't happen.  May has turned into a manic month with so much work to get done I'm finding it hard to keep up, and I must confess I think it's taking it's toll now as I'm feeling pretty pants.  I'm praying this is not the start of a flare up like last May.  That pretty much wiped me out for over a month and it took me months to get back to my normal self (whatever that is).

Living with Lupus is crap, I try very hard not to let it interfere with things too much, but ultimately it does.  There are many things I can no longer do, and I've had to learn not to get upset that I can't do those things.  Ignoring the fact that housework needs to be done is one thing, but other stuff is an entirely different matter, frustrating and sometimes upsetting.

Lupus is pretty much an unseen illness, rarely do we actually look ill unless we are really bad.  We live with pain and fatigue everyday and it doesn't show, most of the time we don't let it show.  But I'm sick to death of that 'here we go again, you look fine to me' look that people can't hide when I say I'm too tired or not up to doing something.  It sucks people, and it's hurtful whether intentional or not.

I came across a petition yesterday to change the way Lupus sufferers are assessed for DLA and other benefits.  I downloaded the form last year to put in a claim, but having filled it out I kind of gave up.  I don't fit into their box. I don't need a carer 24/7 and I can walk about, so in their eyes I'm fit to work.  Yes I'm fit to work sometimes, but the unpredictable nature of Lupus means I have days when I can't, and how many employers will put up with random days off sick.  Even my last employer (NHS) had me up before occupational health on two occasions because I had 3 days off in 3 months.  When I got there they told me I shouldn't really be there as I'd had 11 days off in a the year and the national average was 12, considering I have a chronic condition she though I was doing very well.  I only look days off sick when I really needed to, I trundled into work when I felt like crap all the time when I should have stayed at home.  I'm not alone in this, there are many people out there who do the same regardless of their conditions.  A little more compassion is needed.  I hated that I felt guilty for being ill, I didn't ask to be ill but I am and with no cure there's not a lot I can do about it.  I refuse to apologise anymore or to be made to feel guilty for it.

Oops I seem to have digressed somewhat, getting back to the point of this rant and outpouring  please spare a moment and go here to sign this petition, believe me it really would make so much difference to us if we could change this. I freelance from home but I really don't earn much money at all, Colin bless his heart pretty much keeps me without any complaints, but things are hard and we are finding it difficult like so many others to stay on top of the bills and morgage.  If I could get some help with DLA (and I'm only talking about help, not a full blown benefit) I would have one less thing to worry about and not be such a burden on Colin.

Could I ask if you would please promote this petition on your blogs, we really need to promote awareness for Lupus sufferers.  Some people have never even heard of it, and most people do not realise how it effects us, we have no cure as yet, but with continuing research and a few prayers maybe we will at some point in the future, hopefully not too far in the future.  Research is another point I will come to at some point, we need to promote awareness for this illness so we can get more funding.  Cancer, heart and children's charities although deserving are not the only ones that need donations.

If you are unsure of what Lupus is then take a look at Tiffany's blog post entitled 'Revealing Lupus Lies', I think it's very informative and a pretty good insight into the illness.

Outpouring and rant over now, thanks for your patience.

Onto crafty stuff now.  This is my card for The Polka Doodles challenge the Friday before last (bit late I know, sorry) The challenge was to make an easel card.  Now I know they are very popular cards to make, but am I the only one who is just a little bit sick of them?  Not that I want to offend anyone, we all after all have our likes and dislikes.  I made mine with acetate, just to be a little different and I used the Polka Doodles Sundae of seasons CD

I had a Demo for Creative Expressions this month and the following cards are my sample cards from this.  All products are from Creative Expressions obviously

 

 

The leaf design on the card above is made using one of Kuretake's corner punches.

 

The same card in two colour ways

The border punched designs on the two cards above are made with Kuretake's corner punches.  They do make lovely borders.

Oodles of samples

Hi all, what a morning.  I was up most of the night drawing and designing.  I was inspired and on a roll so I just kept going while the going was good.  When it got to 5 I thought I really had to stop though.  I woke back up at 6.30 shivering so much my teeth were chattering, WTH that was all about I don't know.  Anyway I fell back to sleep and didn't wake up till 10.20 when Colin came down (forgot to say I'd curled up on my reclining chair to sleep not bed).  Damn, flip and blast (polite version, lol) I'd missed the first 20 mins of Barbara's (Clarity Stamps) show, so I missed most of the samples being shown.  I'm so mad at myself, I really love to see what all the other designers have done with the stamps, and I don't deny it's nice to see your stuff too and see how they look with new eyes.

Before I bombard you with all the Clarity samples I just want to show you a couple of cards that are in the May edition of Making Cards magazine.  I used Polka Doodles gorgeous house stamps and Kuretake's Art and Graphic twin tip pens and a Wink of Stella pens to add a touch of gentle twinkling, although it doesn't really show up in photos which is a shame as they really are very pretty.

Don't forget to check out the Polka Doodles challenge blog for some fantastic samples and inspiration by all the girls.  Also Nikky is on Create and Craft tonight at 7 and then again at 9am and 3pm (I think) tomorrow.

Now for the Clarity Stamps samples.  I hope you like them.

 Right that's all for now. I'm off to get some dressed and try and make myself look decent.

Heat guns. Which one do you like?

Hairdryer style or paint stripper style the heat gun is an essential crafting item.  I could not be without it, ever!  At my last demo I was using it to dry ink and painted pieces when a lady said 'oh what a good idea, I've never thought of using it for that'.  I was gobsmacked, it's never really occurred to me that people wouldn't use it for other things.  You don't have to be a card maker to make full use of it either.  I use it when I'm illustrating as much as when papercrafting.

In total I have 4 different heat guns. The first one I bought was the DoCrafts one, mainly because that was what my local craft shop sold.  I have to say I was never overly impressed with it as it doesn't blow out heat evenly and misses areas.  It was however better than nothing and is now in the drawer just in case my others all decide to blow up.  My second heat gun was the hairdryer styled one by personal Impressions, very quiet which is brilliant for nighttime crafting, and it's nice and gentle so it's good for the ultra thick embossing crystals and shrink plastic.  Like the first one it does seem to miss areas though, and I am on my second one as I managed to burn the first one out.  The third heat gun is the Creative Expressions one, over all it's a very good heat gun and until recently it would have been my first choice.  The newer versions of this one now have two speeds so it you get the best of both worlds, good quality and versatility.  My last heat gun was given to me when I did the filming for Kuretake and in my opinion just beats the CE one by a whisker.   It's directional blow is excellent and it heats embossing powders very nicely.  It's also pink if that's your thing, personally I'm not a pink lover but I don't hold that against it, lol.

So if you haven't already got a heat gun (why not) or are thinking of getting a new one I would highly recommend the Kuretake and the Creative Expressions heat guns.

 
This weeks challenge over at Polka Doodles is to use 3 different backing papers.  I used papers from the Double Sprinkle of Kraft Cd, added a bow made with raffia and some gems.  Check out the blog to see what the talented design team have made.

Below are all the samples from my last Creative Expressions demo.  I was demoing the Eco Green products and boy did I have fun with the spackle and paints.