Blood, sweat and tears for my craft (Literally)

About a two months ago, I had a little accident while cutting the back off a button to create one of my Barretts. The button slipped, the hand reacted, and the scissors snipped. I have only had stitches once before, but I have never removed a piece of myself until now. The doctors were very impressed by how clean the cut wss and inquired about the scissors I use. Every crafter needs a good pair of scissors or two. To make the long story shorter, a few hours, a lot of blood and pain, & 6 stitches later I was ready to go. The good news is: I have a new respect for scissors. I have some new tools in order to insure that this never happens again. I have a battle wound, though the wound is healing extremely well and can barely be seen, and a great story to tell you all you crafty ladies. So be careful and keep crafting. ♡ April

Monster Spirit

Kaya and her Monster team made playoffs back in October, and we wanted the crowd to show their spirit too. Coach Candace and I had too much fun at the party store and the dollar store getting that Black and Gold spirit.

 

Making these little pompoms was quick and easy.

The large metallic poms cost $2 and make a big impact. The metallic fringe are actually 80's wigs from the dollar store, and the base is a teacher's pointer, also a dollar. 

The small pom is simple and useful.  All it took were a bunch of pencils, some duct tape, and curling ribbon.  These spirited pencils will make a big splash on the field or in the classroom.

Our stands and fans were decked out for the big game, but sadly the spirit wasn't enough to overcome the larger and more powerful opponents. Maybe next year Monsters!

Schrunchies and Ribbons and Bows Oh My!

A recent idea occurred to me after purchasing some hair ties for my niece's cheer squad, I Can Make Those!  This thought became a profitable fundraising idea for the team, and that became an obsession, and now a way for me to distract myself from daily pain and maybe make some extra change. My obsession has had good and bad side effects.  The Cheer squad has made enough money for extra uniform pieces and for our upcoming competition. The Monster's have a free never ending supply of new hair accessories.  Kaya now demands a matching bow for almost every outfit. I fear she may end up with 365 different bows. Lol, and with both of us wearing the bows at games and around town, they have become a hit! Ladies have been asking me how they can get some. Just message me and I will be glad to see what I can do.
Love ~ April

Whimsy Stamps: Cinnamon Sugar

 Whimsy Stamps

The name says it all. Whimsy stamps is a stamp company with lots of whimsy and creativity. This adorable card was given as a 1 year cancer free birthday card to my dear friend's 2 and a half year-old granddaughter Lily. She is a total doll and one tough kid. Though at her age she cant really appreciate the details of this card, her Mom and Mimi loved it. Lily loved the Olivia toy set we gave her too.  
Though I think this stamp looks great in red and white, I think next time I may mix it up with some blues or greens. Stay tuned and enjoy.
Love ~ April

Sparkle Creations: Expecting Emily

Sparkle Creations

One of my favorite little known stamp companies. Her stamps are cute, whimsical, and they look great when colored with Copics or other specialty markers. This is a congratulations card for one of my many pregnant friends. This stamp is adorable, and I can change the hair and colors to suit different cards. I added a little Pink Stickles to her socks, bow and the pink part of her dress. It adds a little necessary sparkle. I also chalked the edges of my paper and the petals of my flowers to bring in other colors and add interest.  Hope this brings a little joy and sparkle to your day. 
Love ~ April

Me and My Scrap

HI! I’m April and I don’t know about you, but I’ve had a lot of sCraps in my life lately.  I choose to find joy amongst the scrap, and I hope this Blog brings some joy and inspiration to you as well. 

To give you a little bit of background, 2011 was by far the hardest year of my life. The previous year I had been injured at work because of a not so funny attempt at a joke by another person.  I was assured the injury was healing and only temporary. My husband got a new job offer, and though it was exciting, it would be life changing. This job would require us to be apart for several weeks, the first in our 4 years of marriage, and for me to handle a move all by myself while injured.  Sadly, we would have to leave Southern California, (where I spent most of my life) our friends, our  real and church family, and move to a suburb North of Phoenix.  Lastly, it would mean a lot of travel for my husband, and therefore a lot of time by myself.  We took the leap and moved to Arizona. My husband truly enjoys and excels at his new job. God really laid the groundwork for us in this new adventure, and it was obvious we were following the right path. (Oh yeah, did I mention, I am a Christian? This is a big part of my life and my journey.)

In the beginning of 2012 I found a new doctor and continued treatment on my foot, ankle, and lower leg.  The treatments were not working. And my pain continued to be incredibly high.  In February, I received the devastating news.  I had CRPS (RSD) a rare, permanent, and debilitating pain disorder caused by my injury.  Ever since, I have continued to battle a lot of challenges regarding treatment, work comp, and most of all PAIN.  Also in February, a member of my family was thrown in jail, a long drama filled story.  I have a crazy family, I know everyone says that, but trust me some of mine are Looney Tunes at times.  In March all of my Grandmas were in the hospital, and my beautiful Grandmother passed away at the age of 92. She was my inspiration for my hostess nature and my creative spirit. I was heart broken, so my hubby bought me a puppy (our 3^rd dog and 5^th pet). I named him Tamsus, a Lithuanian word that means Dark, in honor of my Grandmother’s heritage. 

My disease continued to progress, and in June I began treatments after my official diagnosis and long-overdue treatment approval.  The treatments included many life altering medications, painful injections, and difficult physical therapy.  With this diagnosis came another heartbreaking change, my dream of becoming a Physical Therapist myself was over, and all of my schooling (I have a BS in Kinesiology, graduated Cum Lade, and was one class from entering a doctorate program for PT) wouldn’t lead me down the path I expected.  I am still fully disabled and unsure what career path, if any, the Lord will lead me to now. Because of my pain and weak leg, I was no longer able to live the active lifestyle I had before. I couldn’t walk, sit, stand, or sleep without pain.  The medications were affecting my body and my mind, and I would spend a lot of days sleeping and watching TV.  I had lost my lifestyle, my hobbies, my future career, my support system, my grandmother, and my joy.  I was so depressed and in so much pain, crafting was the furthest thing from my mind. I had lost my sparkle.

I was going through all of this in a new home, with a new church, and new friends, and a wonderful husband who was often absent.  At the end of the year I received a call from my sister saying that she was in rehab and getting a divorce. This led to me becoming an Insta-Mom of my 10 year-old niece who moved in with us in December. Though this was a huge life change and learning experience, it has been the best thing that could have happened for all of us.  She is a bright and shining star in my life, and brings out the sparkle in me.  I’ve always wanted to be a mom, and one day hope to have my own children, but being Aunti is wonderful as well. Recently, my medications have been changed and I have begun behavioral therapy for my pain, anxiety, and loss. This has brought me back to me, and one of the first things I started doing again was crafting.  I have found this is a great distraction from my pain, and it gives me a feeling of purpose and accomplishment.  I enjoy sharing my crafts and feel that my life can be an inspiration to others who have been and are struggling.  If I can find the joy amongst the scrap, than so can you!
Love ~ April