SUMMER

I'm so sorry to post yet another sad blog, but I feel this little lady deserved a mention. This little puss cat, and she was little, she was the runt of a litter and never really grew to full size but my goodness she had the heart of a lion. she was my special furry friend and we had a very special bond. I have 3 other younger cats who I adore but there was always something special about Summer. Whenever we went away in the caravan she knew and would be so sad when I goodbye, but I'll be home soon. Luckily Claire & Craig lived at home so they made an extra big fuss of her. After Claire's wedding and blessing 2 years ago, we were so Knackered (sorry), we booked to go and see our friends in Yorkshire for a week to recuperate. Summer sensed that we were going away and was poorly shortly after we left. I hugged her and said " I love you mummy girl, and I'll be back soon ". We went to Yorkshire on the 6th June 2014 and had a phone call from Craig late that night to say Summer was really poorly. We got up very early on the 7th June and drove home. I couldn't believe what I saw. Summer looked near deaths door. The vet said all she could think was that she pined for me. I fed her with a syringe of high protein food and in 5 days she looked beautiful and almost back to normal again and this was the picture I took of her. Didn't she look good at nearly 18. I can't tell you how happy I was. Paul & I sat in the garden every evening just cuddling her in my dressing gown. I said to Paul I'm not going to go away again all the while Summer is with us, and I didn't.

2 years and one day to the day after I drove home from Yorkshire, my beautiful devoted furry friend lost her fight with old age on the 8th June 2016. She was going into her 20th year bless her. I sat up with her and held her paw till her last breath.

I miss her so much and she too has left a big hole in my life. She has now been laid to rest under our beautiful pear tree along with all our other puss cats we've loved & lost . Paul says we should think ourselves lucky that we had nearly 20 years of love cuddles and endless purrs with her, I do, but I wanted more, bless her.

I know a lot of you followed Summers recovery 2 years ago. I think I have been so lucky to have had her for all that extra time. What a beautiful little trouper.

                                                                                                1997-2016

                                                                                          I Miss you Sum X

Nothing But Time

Hi Everyone

This post has nothing to do with cards or a tutorial as promised but I will post the daffodil tutorial over the weekend.

With this post I would like to share with you all a blog Claire has started of her own. These thoughts have been going around in her head and she felt she needed to put down on paper, so as to speak, to let people know that Evie arrived for such a brief time but made such a big impact.

I know I am biased but I think Claire has written a most beautiful, moving and a heart wrenching post.

You can find Claire's first post titled " Nothing but time " by clicking the link below :-

www.evelynkatieward.wordpress.com 

Hello Friends

Gosh it's been a while, I have missed you all so very much. Although crafting has been the last thing on my mind I have missed that too, but I've missed just chatting to you all.

I thank each and everyone of you for all your thoughts prayers and messages that you have sent for Claire and Toby and us as a family. We were so surprised and saddened to hear that we are not the only ones that have gone through losing a baby/ babies, and my heart goes out to you all, it doesn't matter how long ago it happened they are still your baby's and so sad they are memories to hold and to cherish.

I have not been in here for a while as Claire has had a complete breakdown and poor Toby is hanging on by a thread. We are all so scared he's going to break soon. When Evie was born he had only been at his new job for 2 months- ish and was still on the probation period. Although they were so pleased with his work before he took time off to grieve, when he went back they started the probation all over again and are putting so much pressure on him and he's not coping at all well as he is so worried about Claire and, keeping a roof over their heads if they decide not to keep him on, it's so unfair. I can't believe a time when a couple have been dealt such a sad ordeal, and as parents you want totake the pain away and make everything better, but we can't. We have never felt so useless. We go over Claire's everyday on shifts. Erica (MIL) goes over most mornings, I go over from 12-5pm and Paul does 5-7pm until Toby gets home. Our life pattern is so different now and we are all so so tired.

The inlaws are away on holiday this week in Portugal, and Paul is away too, for work, so it is just me Claire and Toby. Claire has some wonderful friends that I can call on if I need a break. I also need to get back home for the little addition to Drakes Field Cards, it's our little " Half pint " aka Ellie. She is coming up to 10 months old and is knee high to a grass hopper but has a Great dane size of love to give. I found her on the Blue cross web site and fell in love immediately. In between seeing Claire, I went to see Ellie everyday for 2 weeks for an hour or so every day, so that we could get to know each other before all the paperwork was finalized  and we could bring her home, we even got Claire out of the house to meet Ellie one day, and it was love at first sight. this little bundle has just snuggled into our family life, even although she is going through the terrible 2's at the moment and wants to chew everything. It might end up me taking her to the dentist to have her teeth out, ( not really )! Ellie has eaten a lot of my crafting items. When I have given in and had a snooze in my workroom chair thinking she was  sound asleep on my lap, only to wake up to roses, boxes, and even a plug chewed to pieces. So pleased I'm paranoid about electricity and it was turned off. needless to say we have lifted everything off of the floor now.

Enough about me now. I would love to know what you have all been doing while I have been away. I need to try and get back into some kind of routine. We have been told we all need to plan a daily thing to achieve and a weekly thing to achieve. I can only think of crafting, but need some umpf to do it. I did make Claire and Toby an anniversary card as you can see, and I sat up all night to make it as Paul said I couldn't buy them one they would appreciate one of yours more. So this is what I came up with, as Claire now associates daffodils with Evelyn, because it was Mothers day the last day they spent with Evie in the hospital, and the nurses sent Claire a vase of daffodils and a message from Evie. Heart braking for them both.

This teddy is a 1/3 of the side of her, but she insists on taking it out for a walk or a wee. it's so cute to see her carrying it around with her.

I just wanted to call in and say hello to you all as you have all been so kind with your thoughts and prayers. I think there is still a long way to go, but knowing you are all here really is a blessing. Thank you all so Much from the bottom of my heart.

I will be back soon,I feel I need to.

Much love to all of you, and thank you for being here for us, I can't put into words how much you all mean to me. XXXX

The Biggest Hugs Always

Tina XX

Hoping You are Still There

Hello Lovely Ladies.

I really have to give each and everyone of you a personal THANK YOU!

Yorksbutterfly- Wendy
Tracey Stitt
Hazel
Maureen Killen
Nannapat
Lorraine JefferisRob!-Robyn
Ms Linda
Nancyd
Nattyboots
June Smith
Sheila
Gingernuts
Lynda
Lorraine McNeil
Lynn Dalby
Crafty Clare
SuzzieQ
Myra
Jeanie
Tres
Denise T
Mary- from Durham
Patricia Littlejohns
Maria Illsley
Jan from Long Island
'P' in Wales
Norah
Beth Queen
Angela UK
Pam Hackett
TOB
Sassy
Karenlotty
Wheelybad T and Billy x
Rose in Chester
Jane B
Sue Wilson
And my Voice over the past weeks- Stephanie Cotterill, aka- Boss, you've been fantastic.

Like you all, you didn't know what to say, and I feel the same now. Anything I say tonight will not be enough to express how much your wonderful thoughts, words & prayers have given us comfort, and I can only say a big heartfelt thank you to everyone of you.

We looked forward so much to our Granddaughters arrival and in no way imagined  Evie's arrival would be a "born sleeping birth".

We have had really sad days since Evie's birth, and Claire and Toby have needed all our strength. We have sobbed, got angry and such unbelievable feelings of disbelief that this has happened can't be put into words.

Claire, Paul & myself have spent many days in tears, visiting them both, and bless him, Toby, has remained so strong for us all. we are all concerned for him as he hasn't let all his feelings out yet.

On Mother's day they had to say goodbye to Evie, and Claire and Toby went home from the hospital with a vase of Daffodils from Evie saying "To mummy Happy mothers day, with Love from Evelyn XX". My heart broke for them, and I can't understand how they got through that day, as I went home with 2 healthy babies when I gave birth  and Claire and Toby went home without their little bundle of joy, just the little rabbit they had bought for her, and the books they had read to her.

They then had to wait for nearly 3 weeks to see Evie again after the autopsy. When they were told Evelyn was back with the funeral directors just down the road from them, they felt less anxious as in the past weeks they didn't know where their baby was. They went to see Evie everyday in the chapel of rest and held her, and told her how much they loved her and would always love her.

Evelyn's funeral was on the 31st March at 10.45am. Paul Craig & I arrived early and Paul went for a walk around the gardens and I stayed with Craig. Mum & Dad in- law  along with Toby's brother and fiance arrived shortly afterwards. 4 midwives from the hospital also came. Claire knew 2 were coming, but they were so in awe of Claire & Toby, they asked later if they could also come as they had also been at the birth of Evie.

My Claire Bear & Toby were amazing on the day we said goodnight to our beautiful baby girl. All the beautiful flowers that were sent were arranged around the glass table Evie was to be laid on. All the chairs were arranged so that we cuddled little Evie. we walked in behind Claire and Toby as they carried their little baby girl together in a tiny little white coffin, and the music they chose was (The Swan) by Camille Saint-Saens, from Swan Lake, the ballet that Claire & I went to in February, I was in pieces when I heard this piece of music. A memory Claire And I will always share.

Peter, the Lay Preacher was very emotional as he had spent time with Toby & Claire before the goodnight day. We had the greeting from Peter and then words from Claire and Toby.

Claire read her letter that she had written to Evelyn. It started from the day she took her pregnancy test, to the day she was born sleeping and all her feelings afterwards. I was so proud of her. She had lots of tearful pauses, but my goodness my girl did what she set out to do for Evelyn. I squeezed her hand so tight . Then Toby got up and read a most  heartbreaking poem. We all tried to be so strong for them, but we were all in pieces. These two beautiful people had just said goodnight to their stunningly beautiful daughter, and did it with such dignity, we were all so overwhelmed with love and pride for Claire & Toby

We then had a photo gallery of Evelyn and while these were being shown a Kris Kristofferson  song called "From here and to Forever". A Country and Western song they used to play and Evie moved a lot while it was playing when in mummy's tummy and also brought back memories of their honeymoon in Texas.  Evie seemed to enjoy Country music. A very moving moment. I can't put into words.

Then Peter ( Lay Preacher) read a poem, "I'm Always here"

Then to blow us all away, Claire & Toby found the strength to read a book together that they had read to Evie in bed after she was born called. "Guess How Much I Love you". Tears flowed in puddles, but they put every bit of strength they had together to make it a happy story. I cannot even now, weeks later say how proud I am of them both, and how beautifully they said goodnight to their baby girl and our beautiful little granddaughter Evelyn. They even had a miniature copy of the book made for everyone and was given to us to follow in the order of service and for a keepsake in Evelyn's memory.

We all went up and kissed our little Evie's sleeping cot and said our goodnight's, while the final song playing for Evelyn was HELLO by Adele.

Evelyn is now at home with Claire & Toby. They bought a teddy from the funeral directors, and Evie's ashes have been placed in the pocket at the back of the bear. It's such a cute bear too and is cuddled constantly.

We thought we would have wonderful news to share with you all. this is not how anyone would have imagined things would have turned out and I hope I never hear of anything so painful again.

Bare with me please, I am trying to finish the card I had started for Evie's arrival, but can't muster any enthusiasm. But Claire has said that Daffodils will always remind her of Evelyn. So I am redoing my Evie Card. I had made roses, but now I am making Daffodils. I hope you will allow me to share it with you soon.

Again. A Big, Big Heartfelt Thank You's from Claire, Toby, Myself , Paul & Craig

Tina XX

PS:- Myra, I feel so awful. Today I went back to make sure I had thanked everyone, only to see I had missed your name when turning the paper to carry on making the list of people to thank. Please forgive me , I would not have left you out intentionally, ever. x

Our Beautiful Granddaughter

Hello to all my lovely blog friends.


I'm absolutely devastated to pass this news on to you lovely ladies that have been here for me, through all Claire's highs & lows and all the pains during her pregnancy and looking forward to the day of our beautiful Granddaughters birth, only to give you the most saddest news ever.

Claire rang us on Tuesday morning to say that she hadn't felt the baby move, and that she had had the best nights sleep in all of her pregnancy. We rushed over and  the mid wife was called. When she used her monitor she couldn't find a heartbeat so Claire was rushed to hospital. We followed in our car, by the time we got there Claire had had the scan and we were taken into a side room and were told our little granddaughter's heart was no longer beating. Claire also had a fall that same morning, but they later said it wasn't due to the fall.

We sat with Claire on Tuesday and Wednesday. All the while we were with her she was holding and stroking her bump and saying she loved her so much, such a hard thing to watch, and nothing I could do would ever make it better. Thursday  morning they induced her.  She went into full labour about 4.40pm and Paul & I went home earlier in the day as they only have the father and staff at the birth. We had a phone call from Toby at 11.45 last night (Thursday) to say that Claire had been an absolute star and had delivered her little baby girl. All night they laid in bed with their baby girl reading her Winnie the Pooh stories, and today while we were there they were showing her photo's of her nursery and her playmate Figaro( the cat ) and all her little toys. My heart is just breaking for them.

Evelyn ( Evie ), Katie Ward was born at 22.22pm on 03-03-2016 weighing 7lb 7oz

Today (Friday) we went to meet our Granddaughter. She was perfect in every way. She has Blue eyes the cutest, tinniest little nose I have ever seen and tiny little pixie ears and exactly the same shaped mouth as Claire with beautiful auburn hair. I held her for a long time not wanting to let her go. Claire took some photo's of us holding our little bundle, Claire has been so very brave, and it's been Claire and Toby that have been comforting us. bless them. We need to pull ourselves together now as they are going to need our strength more than ever when they leave the hospital tonight without little Evie. Oh!  I can't put into words how we are feeling, and doubt I ever can.

So I'm sending you all an over whelming Thank you, to all of you who have been here supporting us, you are very, very special people to me, and I Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Big Hugs Always

Tina XX

SMILE

Good Tuesday Morning Everyone

WELL! I spent the day with Claire Bear ( Monday ) and took her to the see her midwives. My goodness have they changed since I had Claire & Craig. They made us laugh so much. They even said to Claire to do the time warp dance to jiggy things on, and they demonstrated it together. I asked If I could book them for the birth, and asked if they were available for parties. Such Lovely ladies. The surgery was so quiet except for this one room. When we came out there were people that said it sounded like you were having a good time and had a big smile when they saw Claire, and there were people that had faces like like a Robbers Dog.

It's now Tuesday. The big day!!!. I was going to cook her some more meals to put in her freezer, but I think I will just go over and spend some more time with her and the bump. Claire's craving's have been for Brie, Pate & French Stick, and she has not been allowed to have any of these, and has also longed for a glass of Rioja. So I went to the wholesalers before I went over Claire's, and bought her some mini Brie's & little party parcels of Pate and a bottle of Rioja, french stick to follow fresh to order. Something for her to look forward to. She's not going to get them until 1/2 pint is here.

I have my clothes laid out ready and waiting.. When we get the call you won't see our backside's for dust. Watch this space, not for our backsides cause that would be wrong!, but for some long awaited good news. Hopefully, this week!. I will be able to give you all the details of our little girl's, and how they are both doing.

Oh, I nearly forgot, this my card this week, hope you like it!

Hope you liked it!


Products Used:-

8X8 Anna Marie Card
Create & Craft- Mirri Card- Gold
Embossalicious Embossing Folder- Vintage Floral Collection
Sue Wilson-Frames &Tags- Dainty Rectangular Frame
Sue Wilson- Frames & Tags- Tessa
Sue Wilson- Caribbean Island Collection- St Lucia
Sue Wilson- Finishing Touches- Laurel Leaves
Phil Martins- Sparkle Texture Paste- Graceful Pink
Creative Expressions- Diamond Sprinkles
Creative Expressions- Dazzlers
Tim Holtz- Distress Ink- Worn Lipstick, Tattered Rose
Memory Box- Leavenworth Butterfly Trio- the Smallest one
Lyndsay Mason Designs- Personal Impressions- Code:- PICSA6441
The gross grain ribbon is from a beautiful bouquet of flowers Anthea bought me when they stayed here with her mum & son at the baby shower.

Same time, same place next week!.

LOVE

Good Tuesday Morning Everyone

I hope you all had a good weekend, and found some timeout, for yourselves,

We had a lovely lunch with Claire on Tuesday. I say we, because Paul announced he was taking Tuesday & Wednesday off. He did ask if we were doing anything for Claire's birthday, and I said "yes I'm taking her out to lunch". His bottom lip then stuck out and he took on the look of a  child, and said in a sulky voice "can I come". I wanted to carry it on, but I gave in and said Yes of course you can come. Someones got to pay the bill!. We went to a lovely country pub and had an amazing 3 course dinner then back to Claire's for coffee. It was about 6pm when we got home. It might just be me, but if I go out for lunch and get home late afternoon, early evening all I want to do is go to bed.

Today ( Sunday ) I have been batch cooking Lasagna's Chilli-con-Carne's, cottage pies & Korma curries to stock Claire's freezer to make life easier at meal times, and for Craig too, I can't leave my boy out. Paul went to London to a lunch at Ronnie Scott Jazz club, my idea of hell!, sorry if I have offended anyone. It was a Christmas pressie from my sister. So I was able to knuckle down to some full on cooking. The kitchen looked like a bomb site. I do clean as I go but still ended up with loads of washing up. All done now.

Now I am in my workroom making a flower and leaves to go on Tuesday card, lovely to sit down!

Thank you all for your lovely comments on my tutorial, I really enjoy doing them.

Hope you all have  a lovely week everyone. Same time same place next week.

7 day's to go, still not counting though! At the end of the card is a little present I have bought for our little granddaughter, I melted when I saw it and had to get it.

OMG,  I took the meals over to Claire's today ( Monday ) that I  had made for them and the first thing I noticed is that our baby bundle has dropped Eeeekkk,. I Stayed with Claire for the afternoon, nothing much on telly but Claire's tummy was mesmerizing, our little half pint was moving, not as aggressive as in past days but more intense. You can actually see the shape of her little bottom and her foot pushing on the side of Claire's tummy. It's fascinating just watching Claire's tummy moving, and in just a few days we will meet that little bump. Claire showed me all the other little things they have bought for their little girl, and it made me think that we had bourne ours in the stone age. Now It's Cots that you can have the same height as the bed for easy feeding. Rocker chairs that play music & nature sounds that operate with battery power and not with a foot rocking it, changing stations on top of the cot. My goodness, how lucky this generation is.
How times have changed!


Here Goes!

Products used :-

8x8 Anna Marie card
C&C Satin card- there is not a colour chart, but I would say it is more on the yellow side
Creative Expressions- Foundation card- Taupe
Creative Expressions- Sentiments- Celebrations
Creative Expressions- Iced Snow
Tattered Lace- Embossing Folder- Angelique
Cheery Lyn Design- Gardenia Strip Flower Die
Spellbinders- Grande Squares
Memory Box- Leavenworth Butterfly Trio
Britannia Dies- Fern Strip
Marianne dies- Leaves CR1245
Celebration Ribbon- From The Range, sorry no colour on it, but it's a pretty lemon.


hope you liked it.




Now for our little pressie for our little half pint!

I Hope She likes it!


See you all soon

Big Nail biting Hugs

Tina XX