Christmas Wishes

Hello my loyal friends

Sorry it's not a card.

I could not let Christmas go without sending you all a big heartfelt Thank you for all of your support for us as a family through the most difficult year in our lives, I genuinely don't know how I would have coped without knowing that you were there for us. To just turn on my computer and see so many beautiful words when I needed to see a friendly message, you never let me down, Thank you so so much.

I would like to send you all good wishes for a wonderful Christmas and for us all to have a 2017 that brings us all Peace, health & happiness.


Love to you all & hope to see you all here next year. Love & Hugs

God Bless you all

Tina XX


Just a little Christmas game, it won't take too long. It's called spot the dog. Paul found this on his phone the other day.

I remember this day very well. We couldn't find her in the house, we knew she hadn't gone far. We went outside and called her, unknown to us she had curled up in one of the chairs, when we called her this little head popped up from her snooze. Little minx!!



I took Half Pint over the forest the other day when we had that thing called sunshine. She was amazed at all the animals that were out that day. Here's just a few.

Mum had her nose right in the window.

This one I had to show you. I have never seen a sheep with such unusual markings. This one had 2 black ears, 2 black eyes, a black nose and black and white stripey legs. I did try to get a close up but it was a bit camera shy.

And finally, a Merry Christmas from Half Pint. XX

Merry Christmas everyone & and a Happy New Year.XX

Coooooo eeeeee, it's only me are you there

Hello my lovely patient friends

It's been a while, over a month in fact. I've been in a really sad place and couldn't find any way to talk here.

I had an absolutely fantastic day out with Claire & Evie Bear for an afternoon tea for my birthday, as you can tell from the photo's of the food and company ( I have to say we had tucked into the sandwiches before I thought I had better take some piccies ). Some children came in while we were eating  and commented about Evie Bear with big smiles. After we had eaten we had a walk around the hotel, the rooms we came across were stunning the photo's just don't do them justice. We then walked for a while in the beautiful gardens of Rhinefield House and said we would definitely go back with the family and walk all of the grounds, After an afternoon tea of course!

I have spoken to a couple of you on the phone and you have cheered me up no end, Thank you, and some of you have emailed me and sent doggy hugs too. It has meant so much to me and I can only say I'm sorry that I haven't replied, I wanted to but when I sat in front of the computer the last thing you needed to hear was how down & sad I was, as some of you have been going through tough times too.

To Angela, Hazel,Wheely bad (T), Steph, Jeanie, Lynn, Myra, Maureen, Clare, "P in Wales", Wendy, Tracy, Norah & June, A big Thank you for all of your messages on my candle lighting blog. Such lovely and thoughtful words XX.

I have to say to June I had no idea you have been in hospital to have a knee op. I really hope you are on the mend and that you will be running the London marathon soon (Sorry), Seriously, sending you hugs X.

Myra Thank you for returning and wishing me Happy birthday X

SuzzieQ. Beautiful poem, I showed Claire and she cried and said she was/ is here and still is in so many special ways. Thank you X

Jane, Thank you for my musical birthday message on my phone. It made me chuckle. X

Steph, A huge Thank you for my beautiful flowers, like I told you they made me cry. They were stunning and my favourite sunshine colours.XX

T. I will write to you & Billy soon. Hugs X

Here are some Pictures of my afternoon tea with Claire & Evie Bear. Another very special memory made to treasure.

Everywhere we go we write Evelyn's name on a stone, a forest walk out of flowers or twigs and most of all on beaches in the sand so Evelyn travels with all the family and friends on our holidays. So far she has been to many states in America the great wall of China, and many places in the UK. We take photo's and send them to Claire & Toby. They can't believe how much everyone loves them and thinks of Evelyn everyday.

I saw a stamp on Becca Feeken's blog and thought I need this one for Evelyn. It reads

I Will Write Peace
on Your Wings
and You Will Fly
All Over the World.


I also finished a card. I'm not too happy with it though. Paul has said for many days now that I need to get back into making cards, something that makes you happy or he will think of closing the workroom down. So, I started this card on Friday, couldn't be arsed on Saturday and was told to finish it on Sunday. If I'd stretched it out over 7 day's I could have made a song like Craig David. So this is all my mojo could muster, my mind is mush, but it's a start.

Cooo eeeee, still here. Sorry it's been a long blog. Pillows & duvets available if needed. Hope you liked the pictures and the card. XX

Thank you all again for your patience with me.


love & hugs Always

Tina XX

15th October 2016

Hi my Friends

I thought I would share this very special day with you as you have all been such an amazing support for me and my family, and I can't put into words how much each and everyone of you have meant to me. Just to have you return when the news is still so sad and I'm so sorry for that. I don't mean to make you all feel so sad, but my goodness I'm so happy to know you are all still here.

Yesterday was Baby loss Awareness Day (15th October 2016 ). Claire made some fairies, they are so beautiful, all made by hand, I made my angels Claire also made some little angels out of beads and made choker necklaces with them, which are apparently back in fashion, and were all sold at a baby loss Awareness function that was held in the morning of the 15th October 2016, called " Eat cake for Kitty ". Yet another mummy who lost her baby. Claire was raising money to help refurbish the awful bereavement room at Winchester Hospital that she gave birth in and then, Claire & Toby both had to say goodbye to our grandchild. Claire has been involved in raising money for SANDS (Sudden And Neonatal Death Syndrome ) for the renovation of this much needed birthing & goodbye room and for all the poor mum's & dad's that are going to face that devastating loss in the future. With all Claire has to deal with everyday, I am so proud of her and all the other Angel mummy's & Daddy's past & present that are going through this most devastating time.

Thousands of Mummy's Daddy's, Grandparents, friends and followers, People  lit a candle for " Baby Loss Awareness Day " yesterday. I shared these pictures with Claire and asked if I could share them with you all, and she said yes. Thank you darling Claire XX.

My brave little girl Claire that had the most beautiful Angel baby.xx

This is to support Baby Loss Awareness Day 15th October

This is a  photo I treasure. In all their sadness Claire & Toby still found time to Dress there little girl with clothes they hoped she would wear. This is all the time they had to spend with Evelyn 48 hrs ending on Mothers day to tell her how much they love her and how much she had touched their lives.

The ornaments were a present that Claire bought me, a mother & daughter and then when she found out she was pregnant and was carrying Evelyn she bought me the Grandmother & Granddaughter figurine. I loved it so much for what our future was going to be, Claire Evelyn & me. 

I Can't put into words how much I love my little Evelyn. She was the most perfect baby in every way and I cannot understand why she is not here with us all now.

This is one of my last good bye's to our very special angel baby. I didn't want to let her go as I knew this was my last cuddle & I had to make it last for my lifetime.

I'm so sorry that mt blog is so so sad at the moment but I need to write about it or I think I will go insane. It's been 7 months and I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel still. I can only see other families around me enjoying what we as a family should be enjoying and should be looking forward to.

Next Saturday I have big Birthday, and hoped I would be celebrating it with ALL my family. I know in some special way Evelyn will be here. I don't think even she will let me get away without some kind of ribbing for arriving at 60yrs. It's only a number after all. I Love you my beautiful angel baby girl.



If you are still here with me XXXXXXXXXXXXXX.

Thank you all for being here for me, lots of love always

Tina XX

Hi Friends

Hello Friends

I hope you are still with me, I know it's been a long time since my last blog. I have had some really bad days since we last spoke.

 I think everything that has happened has finally caught up with me it's been really hard to deal with, and with my hospital visits still going on, even though they found no cancer they are now talking about a hysterectomy as I am still having side effects from the hysteroscopy it all seems too much. I have to go to hospital on Monday for a check up and talk about the results and the outcome, very nervous Hey ho, I will just have to deal with the results.


 Months ago I promised to reveal my design team card that had to have everything to to do with Summer. I made a card of a Summer's afternoon sat outside under a tree with one of my cats ( like you do, well that's my idea of summer ). How naive! I didn't realise  they wanted techniques, of which I didn't know any.I had only just started making cards and really had no idea of " techniques "

After very many helpful phone calls to Lancashire Steph and advice on different techniques she thought Creative Expressions might like, I eventually came up with the card that got me on the design team. I still wonder why Steph has not been snatched up to be on their design team. You were so patient with me Steph, X  I am also embarressed 

Anyway this was my interpretation of everything Summer.

After help from Lancashire Steph, I made this card. how different!

I thought I would share with you too. I have made some angels for Claire to sell at a SANDS fair to raise money for Sudden and Neonatal Death Syndrome. I made one angel, then Claire said could you make me at least 10 to sell. I did try to make them when we were away in our new caravan last week, but chilled out too much, sorry!. I started a card too but didn't take everything I needed to finish it, so that is to follow soon. Anyway in between time I hope you like my angel.

Sheila, Myra, & T I did receive your emails. I did reply but didn't hear anything back. Like I said in my reply outlook has changed and I don't know if I had replied and sent a message as it is all so different. I'm sorry if you didn't get a reply. I haven't forgotten you all.

There are so many messages I need to reply to, and as much as you think about me, I also think about you all and what you are all going through. Forgive me for not being able to reply to you, but I really do think about you all.

On Saturday I am doing an afternoon tea for Macmillan in memory of Anthea. We couldn't do the Friday coffee morning as Paul couldn't get the time off work, so we thought we would do an afternoon tea on the 1st of October so the hubbies could come too. I have been baking with vengeance, so I hope all goes well. I will take some photo's to share with you. Fingers crossed we raise some money for Macmillan as Anthea's mum can't praise them enough. She is hoping to come up with Jake on Saturday, but if not she is going to bring Jake up to see us in half term.

Well, that's all I have to share for now, but promise I will be in contact soon and hope I will finish the flowers for the card I started on holiday and will post soon. I realised how much I have missed making my flowers this past week.

Missed you all

Tina XX

RESULTS

Hi Friends

THANK YOU for keeping everything crossed, and for all the best wishes sent my way. I'm sooo pleased they all worked. The results came back, no Hyperplasia or Malignancy found in the Biopsy. Because the previous year results came back as abnormal cells they feel I have to have another scan in 6 months and if that is fine they will discharge me. I can't put into words how relieved I am. I can now start to look forward without this dark cloud hanging over me. I think I am so, so Lucky. Thank You all. XX

This is just one of the fluffy cuddles ( Half Pint ) I have had throughout my hospital time. If I can keep the cats from running around enough to take a photo I will post those pictures of them too.

Big Hugs Always

Tina XX

The Long awaited Daffodil Tutorial

Hi My lovely friends.

before I post the tutorial I would like to thank you all for your positive thoughts and best wishes for a good results after my biopsy's. On the 27th July I had to go back to the hospital for a check up from last years health scare. I had a couple of scans and then had a consultation with the specialist who said it looked like the abnormal cells had grown slightly and that she would like to do a biopsy there and then. I got taken into a room where she took 2 biopsy's and said that she would like me to have a  more in depth biopsy under a general. On the 28th July I had a phone call from the hospital asking if I could go in on Monday 1st August. I just panicked thinking they had found something. I arrived at the hospital 12.30pm and eventually went down about 3.30pm. When I came round, they said they couldn't find me a bed and that they would just send me home straight away. At this point I couldn't even lift my arms let alone walk out. Day surgery then rang through and said they had a spare bed for me, so my bed was pulled out into a corridor where my bed was attached to  little motorized cart and was driven over to the other side of the hospital. It was like the dodgems, if he hit one wall he must have hit a dozen. It was the most uncomfortable 10 minute ride I've ever had,we went from one side of the hospital to the other but the nurse that had to walk along side me had a wicked sense of humor and didn't let him get away with any knock into the walls, doors or dodging pedestrians, and also a ride in a lift too, at first the lift wouldn't move and I panicked and said I need to get out. I can't stand lifts. I was so glad the whole procedure was over I think I would have let him drive me all the way home with that little cart, that would have been a sight to see, me laying in bed a nurse running beside me and this young trainee doctor dodging the cars on the Salisbury bypass. Oh and with a big umbrella to boot as it was chucking it down. It would have looked like a Carry on Film. Stick with me girls I could show you a fun time, what do you reckon!

Regarding the tutorial, I was going to take a few more pictures of the finished flower, but yesterday Paul's brother and his wife came over for some drinks and eats and Liz asked if I had done any crafting lately. I said not since I made Claire and Toby's 2nd Anniversary card, and that the card was all about daffodil's,  when I posted Claire & Toby's card I was asked if in time would do a tutorial for the daffodil. Which I did, and for months I only had to put narration to the pictures but never found the energy to do that, sorry!

 Liz ( sister in law ) asked if she could see the daffodil, so I went to my workroom to get the said flower. I went out to the garden with replenished glasses of wine and said to Liz, this is the flower that is going on my blog tomorrow. She looked at it and said how pretty it was, then opened her handbag and said to Ellie dog. I'll put this in my handbag before you stand on it and crush it. I shall keep this with all my other cards you have made for me. Paul said my face was a picture as he thought she just wanted to see the flower and not take it home. I wanted to say Nooooo, but she seemed so happy to take that little daffodil home I didn't have the heart to say I still need it. So I hope I have taken enough pics for this tutorial. Later in conversations they both admitted that their hearing is really bad lately. so it makes it even more special that she thought I had made that flower for her.

Here Goes!

 These are the items you will need to make the daffodil.

I found it made a more full centre by cutting 2 lots of stamens.

I then shaded the petals and added some veins with a vert fine ball tool.

I then glued the centre of the flower into a tapered cylinder shape.

Then you need to fold the bottom inwards to make a base to glue to the other petals, also you need to fold the top outwards, sorry didn't take a picture but you'll see this 2 pictures down.

Next, start layering the leaves and petals onto the calyx.

Then add the cylinder to the petals.

I then glue both sets of the stamens together, then rolled them, lightly dipped the tips with clear glue and then into some flower-soft. That's a product from the past isn't it. Do they still make this product?

Finally glue the stamens to the centre of the flower.

Hope you like it.X



At this point my lovely friends, I would like to say a very very big heartfelt thank you to you all for  sharing some of the saddest and darkest days of our lives. You have cried with me sent endless hugs and never ending love. Your support over the last 5 months has been constant, to me that is called true friendship and I love each and everyone of you for still being here for us. Thank you is just not enough but it truly comes from my heart.xx

Big Hugs

Tina XX

At Peace At Last

                                           

                         RIP Beautiful Anthea. XX   

Yesterday, 03-08-2016 Anthea was finally laid to rest in a beautiful cemetery on a hill in Strood after a beautiful Greek orthodox service. It's so hard to think that she will never grace our lives again with her beautiful face, her laugh that would carry across the house that would bring a smile to everyones face knowing Claire had shared yet another special moment with Anthea. This was a very special lady that came into our lives and allowed us to share her son with us, who we love very much.

Claire took on board what many of you lovely ladies said to do, and made Jake a beautiful scrapbook of all our special times together, and Jake absolutely loved it. Thank you X. She sat with Jake after the funeral and looked at the pictures, but he has yet to read the words. In time he will. He has asked to see Claire again soon, so hopefully we can get together again soon.

It was a very long day for Claire Craig & Paul. They left at 8am and Paul got in at 8pm. I was so sad that I couldn't go to the funeral, and felt so bad, only to watch the clock at every step of Anthea's goodbye. Timing of things have been so bad for us all. I had a couple of procedures on Monday in Salisbury hospital, and only got home at 6pm that evening. Talk about bad timing. I did get ready on Wednesday morning to go to Kent, but Paul said no way!. It's a 3 hour journey there a 2 hours service standing, the wake, and then 3 hours home. I felt I had let Claire down as I really wanted to be there for her, but Paul said he would make sure she was OK. I spoke to Claire when she got home, I cried with her and said I was so sorry not to be there when she needed me, and she said it was too soon after your op mum and Anthea would have understood too.

I have only wonderful memories of Anthea, and all the intense and funny conversations we had, weeks days & literally just hours before you slipped away from us. My goodness Anthea, these words are not good enough to tell you how much we love you and how much we will miss you always. 

God Bless & Keep you Safe Sweetheart.XX

 

We are all hoping for some more positive results, God willing, so that at last the Eldridge clan can look forward to some happiness as it has been lacking here on my blog for a long while. I'm so sorry about that, but I'm just so lucky to have you all here by my side through all our sadness. Thank you all so much. It has been relentless. Get my health scare out of the way and we will be back. I hope I still know how to make cards. I have the tutorial of the daffodil ready to go, but never seemed to be the right time. I will check it again tomorrow and all being well will press publish at the weekend. Please don't expect too much!

Thank you all so much again for your patience.

Big Big Hugs & Love

Tina XX