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Saturday, September 8, 2012

Been Gone Way Too Long

Hi everyone...it sure seems like forever since I've done a blog post.  I hope that each one of you has had a fabulous summer filled with lots of special memories.

The past several months have been extremely tough having to go through major back surgery and recovering from that.  At one point, I even questioned whether or not I had done the right thing.  The pain was worse than childbirth, and every little thing I did sent me spinning in agony.

However,  I went to the orthopedic surgeon the other day for my three month checkup after surgery and I am happy to report that from the xrays he said that I am healing perfectly.  For the first time in 6 years I am able to walk without any assistance or devices and all the hard work and suffering is finally paying off and coming to end.  I am blessed beyond measure to have been given my life back and my little ones are so happy to have their mommy back, too.    I am still doing physical therapy and dealing with residual pain which will last for awhile I'm afraid, but I thrilled, to say the very least, that all went well with the surgery and I am up on my feet now.

Recently, my good friend Gina came to visit me and we had a fantastic coloring session together.  It had felt so good to be able to sit up and to color, especially coloring with my dear friend!!! although I admit, I felt like I had lost a lot of my coloring skills while taking my mini hiatus!

She definitely helped jumpstart my mojo, and this week for the first time in a very long time, I made a card for my daughter who just turned 13!!  My little girl is no longer a baby *tear*
 


For my card, I used the Pure Innocence stamp called Heart Stripes which I had colored while Gina was up for the weekend.  The papers are from Recollections that I picked up with Gina from Michael's called The Neapolitan Collection which are just the cutest papers I've seen in a long time.  I may go over and get another stack just because I love it so much!  The hearts on her dress and in her hair were originally colored in Copics but then I added some EK Success dimensional polka dot heart stickers to give it a little oomph!  The die behind her is inked in some Studio G chalk in and embossed with the Swiss Dots folder.  The sketch is from MFT from their Wednesday Stamp Club which you can view here.

I just want to thank those of you that have kept me and my family in your prayers during this difficult time as well as for all the emails and cards that have been sent.  Your love and support has made my recovery process a little easier to bear and I believe has enabled me to heal a lot faster...and for that, and your friendships, I am eternally grateful.   

With hugs,
Sara

Challenges:
SCS - MFT Wednesday Stamp Club - Sketch #88
Card Makin' Mamas - Hearts
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
Crafts and Me - Add A Flower
Simon Says Stamp - Put a stamp on it

17 comments:

  1. Yay! You're back! Hi Sara! So happy to see your post! I am thrilled to hear that you are doing well and that you're feeling up to cardmaking again, too! I've certainly missed seeing your wonderful creations and this one is no exception! Beautiful papers and such a sweet image! Looking forward to seeing more in the days to come! Welcome back! Hugs!

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  2. SO glad to hear all the good news about your surgery and from the doc! You most certainly are not rusty! Your card looks fantastic Miss! I love the soft green on her outfit! And the papers are wonderful! MISS YOU! HUGS

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  3. So glad things are better. It's about time, for sure. Love your card, your coloring goes perfectly with the papers.

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  4. Congratulations on your successful surgery - send you along healing thoughts! Your card is darling - love these PI images! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at the Simon Says Stamp challenge, and good luck!

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  5. Hey you. It's lovely to see you after such a long break. I'm sorry to hear things have been so tough, I really hope you are through the worst. It sounds as if you are. Your colouring skills look perfect to me and this is one adorable card. I agave these papers and love 'em keep at it Hun. :)
    xxxx

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  6. Oh poor you, sounds like you have had a really rough time, I'm so glad to hear you're on the mend. Your card is gorgeous, so sweet, that image is very cute and you have used such pretty colours. Thanks for joining us at Paper Crafting Journey

    hugs Vicky xxx

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  7. Sara, so glad to have you back and that your surgery was successful!! My brother had to have a similar surgery so I know all that you have had to go through. Your card is super cute and I can't wait to see more!!
    Hugs~
    Sheri

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  8. What a super cute card, Sara! I love the soft sorbet colours and your take on that sketch!

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  9. Sara! It's great to see you back. I was wondering and worrying about where you were. Sorry you had such a difficult surgery and recovery, that must have been tough on you and your girls. It's great that you are feeling up to some crafting again. Boy, your card is wonderful as usual. You sure didn't lose any skills during your recovery, lol! Love the PI image and your beautiful coloring. So glad you are back to blogging and feeling pretty good, you've been missed!
    Hugs~Kathy

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  10. Your Card is so sweet , Sara! I love the softness of your card , too cute.Thanks for playing along at Card Makin' Mamas
    Lisa

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  11. Hey you...we've talked a couple of times and not once did you tell me that you had been crafting...or that Gina had come to see you! Well, I am so happy to see you creating once again and I'm sure that Kyra was just so excited to get this card from you for such a milestone birhtday. It is such a beauty...love the soft pastel colours you went with and of course that wonderful ice cream cone dp...looks yummy :D Welcome back Sara...it is sooooo good to have you back...you have certainly been missed.

    Hugs and stuff ~ Char

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  12. Oh Sara, so glad to read that you are back on your feet after your back surgery! What fantastic news!!! Your card is SO super cute! Love the pretty papers and I would've never guessed you had taken a colouring break...your colouring is beautiful!
    Thanks for joining the WSC...looking forward to seeing more your MFT cards!
    Hugs,t

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  13. Mwah! Mwah! Mwah!! I'm so happy to see you back and that you're finally starting to feel better! This card looks great; I don't see any loss in skills!

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  14. YAY! * gentle hugs* I am glad that you are healing well... walking without assistance and creating again. I missed your creations so much! Your coloring is still amazing. It is like riding a bicycle. You still got it girl.
    Gina is a good egg, for sure. I love that girl like a sister. I am glad that she lives so close to you and is able to visit. I am so jealous! lol
    Great card and Happy Birthday to your baby.

    Oh and I am having a giveaway on my blog... * read down on the post that you commented on* Come back over and enter girl....

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  15. Hi Sassy Sara. How are you? This is just such a sweet creation.

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  16. I told you in an email how much I love this card, so I think I forgot to comment on your blog, too. It's just adorable. You know I love how you colored her, since I was telling you so as you were doing it! I love the hearts; I think they add just the right pop of dimension. I'm so glad we each decided to get our own paper pack rather than splitting it; I think we're both going to use the heck out of it. I love what you are doing with it!

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  17. Welcome Back!!
    Bless your heart for having gone through back surgery! While, I've never had any spinal surgery, I deal with back and neck spine pain, almost every day! I sure am happy you are better and you must be thrilled to be creating!!

    Hugs,
    Lisa

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