Those of you that are on my Facebook friends list will know that the past few months have been fairly trying, and the past week has been particularly so.  But I thought I should also mention it over here on my blog, so you know why my posts have been pretty few and far between lately.

Our lovely little Staffie girlie has been having a difficult time.  She started having seizures a couple of months ago, and we’ve been working with the vets to try and figure it out.  The good news is that the latest blood tests do show an improvement, so fingers crossed we’re on the right track.  No seizures for almost a month (at one point they were happening almost daily), and she is no longer easily fatigued.  We’re also working with a physiotherapist to improve some issues she seemed to be having with her legs, which may or may not be related to the seizures.  So, I’m doing lots of massage and exercises with her.

Here’s a photo I posted on Facebook, of Taika and I, taken last week.

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You might notice in the photo that the knuckle on my right hand is a little red and swollen.  It collided with a cupboard door.  Yeah, I’m clumsy. It actually went a charming shade of purple.  Thankfully it was just bruised, because colouring with my left hand is never really going to work!

In other news, my Dad is currently in hospital with a serious bacterial infection in his legs.  With all of his health problems, including severe osteoarthritis of the hips, he isn’t in a good way.  Sadly I’ve also been having to chase the hospital to ensure his care is as it should be.  Hopefully the issues have now been resolved, so we can relax a little.  To say I have been stressed out would be an understatement. He is responding to the treatment (which is tricky because he is allergic/sensitive to most antibiotics, so can only receive a low dose through IV), but it is slow going.

I’m also still working on de-cluttering and getting organised.  Why on earth we had/have so much stuff is beyond me.  We’ve made major progress with this, but still have a little way to go.  As a process I highly recommend it – major benefits in terms of making housework easier and improving your mental state!

So, with all of the above and the usual daily merry-go-round, you will have to forgive my lack of crafty mojo.  I have been doing a lot of colouring, some of which you can actually see this week, some of which will have to wait till later this month.  I promise it is all worth the wait though, I’ve been playing with some very fun images!

CRAFTY NEWS & PRIZE ALERT!!!

The first batch of colouring has been for the latest Stamping Bella release which is coming very soon (and yes, it will be coming to the UK via Quixotic Paperie too).

The new images are HILARIOUS.  I found myself giggling like an idiot while colouring.  Here’s a peek at one of them:

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Em has been posting sneaky peeks this week, and you could win four of the new stamps by visiting BLOGGABELLA and commenting on the four posts with previews.  Here are the links for you!

Stamping Bella Sneak Peek Post #1

Stamping Bella Sneak Peek Post #2

Stamping Bella Sneak Peek Post #3

Stamping Bella Sneak Peek Post #4

Get hopping over to leave your comments, for a chance to win each of the previewed stamps!  Can’t wait to show you the rest. 🙂

I’ll be back with some cards to share on Friday.  Thanks for stopping by!