Gotta Have Friends

                           Friend:a person whom one knows likes & trusts.

It is no secret, the last few years have been one big rollercoaster of ups and downs for me as I have tackled this new world of mine full of Cancer treatments, scans, aches & pains &; my own fears that have developed because, lets face it, when faced with our own mortality it take a lot to put on our super hero cape and face each day ready to tackle each & every bad guy that crosses are path! 

I have gone through phases and they kinda go like this:

5 years ago: Shock, Flight, then Fight - "You're to young, you are the wrong gender & you don't smoke or drink, but I'm sorry but YOU GOT CANCER." I couldn't breathe. I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach. And then I thought about my children and my husband. I didn't won't to wreck Christmas. As I Mom I wanted to protect them. I wanted to run to my Mom & Dad. I wanted them to hold me and tell me everything was going to be okay. But, I couldn't. Cancer had just destroyed their lives a few years before. i wanted to hide. I called my SIL & she convinced that my hubby would want to know. After talking & many tears..... i got ready for the fight of my life. Surgeries and treatment followed.....and followed .....and followed. I also learnt that my Cancer was different because it had a high reoccurrence rate. They couldn't just take it out, treat me and say congratulations you done. I was told that i would have to go in every 2-3 months for an invasive treatment for the rest of my live. I didn't give it a second thought. 44 years old, how bad could that be....I had given birth to 4 children. I could do it. 

4 - 3 years ago: Still determined but a Monster appeared under my bed - I kept driving myself to my appointments which were 2 hours away. A year of this time my husband had to live six hours away because of a new job and the fact the we couldn't sell our house. I thought to myself, No Problem, I can do this. I can be tough. I certainly didn't want to bother anyone because, well, everyone has things happening in their life and i didn't want to be a burden. If you are reading this and you are going through anything....even if you aren't....you just need someone to talk to or a friend, PLEASE BE A BURDEN TO SOMEONE, BECAUSE you AREN'T BEING A BURDEN! I am starting to slowly learn that people, especially your friends really do want to help. I know that I love helping and being there for people when I can. I just had it in my head that I was being a burden. I was raised & told all the time to keep a stiff upper lip and to be independent. Well, there is a time for everything. As I drove those long 2 hour drives, often having to stop on country roads because I felt so sick to my stomach  I felt something else growing inside me. Something that scared me to death. One night, as i tried to fall asleep I suddenly realized the I had let a childhood monster move back in under my bed. I had become scared. I wasn't the same person that a couple years before had flown by myself to New York to have my artwork shown at Surtex just a couple months after being diagnosed & having surgery for Cancer. I had allowed the pain, and all the treatments consume me. I was SO worried about not being able to preform at 100%. I was so worried about pain. I was SO worried about those little tiny Cancer cells moving around my body and not having control. I had raised 4 beautiful children, and gone through all kinds of things of having a family alright....but all of a sudden I felt like I didn't have control. But, when everyone came home on weekends I did what a Mom does....make super, listen to problems & smile. Life goes on. The problem is...when everyone left at the end of the week-end....it was just me and that monster who seemed to like living under my bed. I certainly couldn't tell anyone about that....could I? So I thought.

Present: We all need friends & a little help sometimes - This past fall the physical pain just became too much for me. I needed answers and I needed a better quality of life. I also wanted my family to be happy and healthy. For me my faith and my creative outlets have always beens so super important but i was so weighed down by pain and anxiety from the pain and all the treatments and surgeries. I was getting angry or upset or sad so easy....and I knew it was from my pain, frustration  & fear. However, it was SO hard to communicate that with me those around me. I don't blame them, because I wanted to smile and feel better too. We have no way of truly understanding what another person is feeling or going through but I have found that by simple gestures of a smile, a hug, or even a kind word it can make such a big difference in someone's life. My treatments created nerve damage all over my body which we are trying to unravel right now. Even just talking can cause such pain in my face and headaches. When I felt really sick...I felt scared, lonely: I almost let that monster take my HOPE from me. I was and still am fighting for my life. LIFE IS PRECIOUS. Months before we knew my Dad had Cancer he became grumpy and that man had never been grumpy a day in his life. I was so concerned and thought maybe he was working too much. Now I understand. He wasn't feeling well, he also was scared and he didn't know how to communicate it. When you are in constant pain, you just want someone, anyone...especially someone you care for just to tell you its all going to be ok. But, I know how hard that can be for everyone! I have been now on both sides of the fence. 

I do have to say....that I am blessed to have the family that I do have because I know it has been hard for everyone. I know that I might never be in recession & I think I am finally coming to peace with that. That doesn't mean that i am not going to fight like heck still! It also doesn't mean that sometimes I still get sad....or even kinda mad for a moment. the I say a prayer and try to refocus my energy. I have a long way to go...but, really, don't we all. aren't we all always growing and learning? Thats called life and we make the best out of it! It really can be SO beautiful! 

And WOW am I ever blessed to have such amazing CREATIVE friends. My design team behind the scenes the last couple years have been so incredibly supportive. I really do love those incredibly talented gals! Also all the amazing illustrators through Lilla Rogers and the designers & companies I have met through crafting and art..... I just love them all. Rhonna Farrer, Unity Stamp Co, Tim Holtz, Canvas Corp have been so amazing and I will never be able to thank them enough! You all ROCK! 

ART is SO HEALING!

It is my life and it always will be! Creating and designing lets me be free! It is amazing! It lets my mind escape and heal. It lets me meet amazing people! The colours, the shapes, even the feel of the brush or stamp or pencil in my hand is so therapeutic! plus....all the incredible people I meet and all the stories they tell me and the art I see them create with my designs....It brings me SO MUCH JOY!!!! 

Thank-you ALL for your AMAZING support! Make sure you give someone a great big hug today....

LUV YA!

Susan xo 

New Beginnings

These words have gone over and over in my head constantly for the last four and a half years as I drove back and forth to doctor appointments, procedures, tests, you name. This last year was particularly hard on me and my wonderful family. I remember last summer coming home from a family reunion which had been trying because we, being the late one to the camp ground, we got the site right beside the outhouses. My sense of smell had become so heighten with all the treatments so I felt so sick the whole time, but I made the best of it. I remember getting home and being so happy to see my own bathroom but as I started to brush my teeth I felt like I was living a nightmare because they started to drop into the sink. Ya, did you ever have one of those nightmares as a kiddo where all your teeth start dropping out... this wasn't a nightmare, it was the beginning of a very long year of putting Humpty Dumpty back together again. A very painful year at that.  I went through many surgeries but because of the discomfort that my body was already going through with the bladder cancer, kidney stones, gall stones, and Crohns , I opted to be put asleep with every surgery. I just couldn't, no....my body couldn't face any more pain. kinda strange. I survived. I'm not quite done. but, I have to say..... Art, Creativity, my Creative Friends, and my deep and STRONG FAITH keep me going. i still have a lot of healing but it feels so good to start feeling stronger and like myself again.

I hit a point that really scared me. 

I WANTED to LIVE.......

But, 

I WAS AFRAID TO LIVE!

So I met with a really cool doctor who is also a guru and he has helped me and is helping me see that it is ok to live. To enjoy every moment...even if those moments aren't so good sometimes. Its ok to be afraid, or happy, sad ,or even mad sometimes. My family has really helped to....especially now that I have opened up to them and let them know how i really feel or am feeling. That was so hard at first, but all so liberating for everyone! 

Those smiles and that love from my family.

They just give me warm fuzzies!

  And Happy Music!

 And Good Food!

And of course the silliness that i really thrive on!

...and thanks to wonderful friends! I love you all so much. I just just got this beautiful card from Carol. i love her artwork and popsicles!!!! 

I am a SURVIVOR!!!

And this is just the beginning of me embracing my life again. I have been told that i will never be in remission...but WHO CARES!?!! The sun is shining! There are rainbows to be found. 

We got this! Right!?!

Come and join me, my Creative Adventurers!

Luv ya Lots!

BIG{hugs},

Susan xo

The Happy Homestead and an Art Journal

Hello everyone Kim here today i am sharing with you an art journal page I have completed using the amazing stamps and pattern paper from Susan Weckesser.

I just loved the The Happy Homestead stamp, In circle me stamp and the the Live in Colour pattern paper.

I have completed lots of layers before taking the The Homestead stamp and stamping on to tissue paper and then using gel medium to adhere it to my page and then I took the flowers from the Live in Colour paper and cut them out and clustered them into the bottom corner of my LO. I have also used the In Circle Me stamp and just rolled it up and randomly inked across my page as you will from some of the close images.  

You can see how I have randomly stamped using the In Circle Me stamp from the below image.

Below show how I have used the Live in Colour pattern paper to make the collage of flowers,

And this final image shows the effect you achieve by stamping onto the tissue paper using the Happy Homestead stamp,

Products used 

Live in Colour Pattern Paper from Susan Weckesser

In Circle Me Stamp

Happy Homestead Stamp set

I hope you have enjoyed look at my creation and I look forward to sharing more with you.

Kim Kendell 

Rustic Tree Slice Tags

Hi there folks!  Brooke Bock here today.  This month we are all working on tags.  When I think tags, I think pretty little ways to mark presents.  With Christmas coming, I wanted something simple and rustic that would be usable after the holidays.  So I broke out the power tools and a log from the wood shed and some of Susan's stamps to make one of my favorite projects yet.

I mean, really....How cute are these?  I love the woodland creatures from the Going Wild Set and What's Up Gnomey? set.  They both seemed perfect for this project.

And for the holidays, this little snowman from the One of a Kind {Christmas Campaign} fit the bill.

So to get started you need wood rounds.  I cut mine myself from a log, as I mentioned and sanded them on the belt sander.  You can buy a bag of them at the craft store or kindly ask your woodworker friend to slice off a few for you. Drill a hole in each one with your drill or a drill press.

And then simply stamp each design with Susan's Color Box Color Pop stamp pad. I used Whisper.  I like the simplicity of black but the colors would be fun too.

Seriously, these took seconds to make once I had the wood rounds.

And the great thing is, I can just write the person's name on the back and attach it to their package.  I am  a huge fan of brown craft paper for gift wrapping.  These will complement it nicely.  and after the packages have been opened, these tags will not go in the trash....  No way!

They will make cute tree decorations for years to come.  I love that.  No waste for the landfill, took me a tiny bit of time and they are so adorable thanks to Susan's whimsical designs.

Hope you love them too.

Brooke Bock from the Susan K. Weckesser Design Team 2016.

A Foxy Hello

 Hello Friends. Larissa here with you today. I am so happy we are about to get some Fall weather here in Texas. We usually have 2 seasons here Summer and Winterish. Never get snow!!

Today I am using this adorable stamp set Going Wild. 

I stamped the fox onto a piece of white cardstock and colored him using Prismacolor Pencils and blended with OMS.
I then cut him out and grabbed some pattern paper from Doodlebug Designs Forest Friends Paper pad. I also die cut the word Hello. 

I adhered everything to the card base using my ATG except for the Fox which I popped up with foam tape.
I tied a piece of brown ribbon around the bottom of the card to finish it off.

I can't wait to use him on other cards.
Hope you enjoyed my post today and don't forget to check back always for inspiration from the amazing Creative Team.

Have a wonderful day. 

Hello!  Brooke here with you today. On my workbench in my shed/studio this week I have had my 2 boxes of scraps out.  I sift through them in search of some bits to pull together to make some cards. I realized it is not too early to start to make some winter greetings.   It will not be long before we see some snowflakes flying.

Let's gather some supplies to make this cute card:

One Of A Kind {Winter Campaign} Stamp Set from Susan K. Weckesser

ColorBox Color Pop Archival Dye Ink by Susan K. Weckesser

Washi Tape

Sticky Rhinestones

Card stock Scraps

Scissors

Glue Stick

Acrylic Block

Let's get started...

Fold your card.

Stamp your image.

Trim your image.

Adhere to card.

Adhere 3 rhinestones next to image.

Stamp sentiment.

Trim card stock to frame sentiment.

Adhere to card.

Add a little washi tape across 2 corners.

 It's never to early to start on some winter greetings!

Brooke Bock from the Susan K. Weckesser Design Team.

A Little Bit Ticked Pink Card

Hi Everyone its Kim here again sharing a simple yet effective card I have made using the amazing papers from Susan Weckesser.

To Make this card I have used the following products plus some soft tulle 

You just take an ordinary kraft blank card and cut a piece of the Color Burst pattern paper to be 1/4 of an inch smaller than the front then adhere with double sided tape then take the Live in Color Tags and cut out the Tickled pink one and adhere with foam mounting tape on one side then lay the tulle under so it pocks out the top and the bottom then adhere the other side of the tag down with double sided foam tape and there is your pretty and simple quick card.

I hope you have enjoyed my share.  

Kim Kendell

Soul of a Gypsy

Hello friends. 

Have you seen the new Mermaid Stamp that the Fabulous Susan K Weckesser created???
The Spirit of a Mermaid.

I absolutely love this new set. I stamped the mermaid on a piece of 110 lb white cardstock and colored her using Copic markers. 

I cut the image out carefully using a pair of detailed scissors. I stamped the sentiment from the same set on a piece of white cardstock and colored it with the same color of Copic's I used on the mermaid.
I found this piece of pattern paper that matched it perfectly. I had to add some glitter so I did. 

This was just a fun to make. I am going to be using this stamp so much. Thank you for stopping by today and checking out my post. Have a wonderful day friends.

Susan K Weckesser Products:
Colorbox Color Pop Archival Dye Ink by Susan K Weckesser
Spirit of a Mermaid

Other Products Used:
Copic Markers
Pattern Paper
Tombow Mono Multi Glue
ATG
Spectrum Noir Clear Glitter Pen

Hello!  Brooke Bock here again!  Today's cards come to you from my scrap tubs.  I seem to save every little scrap and bit of paper so I hauled out 2 little tubs to see what I could put together.

I started by stamping some coffee stained tags with word stamps from the Painted Sentiments Stamp Set and the Colorbox Color Pop Minis Stamp pads.  Two I stamped right on the tag and one I stamped a scrap and glued it on the tag.

You can ink the edges of the paper and tag.  I do this by running the paper right along the edge of the pad.

Or you don't have to.  That little scored piece of card stock adds interest and texture. Plus every card can use a bit of bling.

The little heart on this one is from the Heart-full Homes Stamp Set.  I added a bit of ribbon and a punched scalloped circle.

This one used 2 punched circles: one above and one below.

Thanks for taking a peek at these quick little designs.  Scrap designs are my favorites. 

Brooke Bock: Susan K. Weckesser Design team member 2016.