So sad and so very angry!

I wrote the title to this post yesterday and then I just could not finish the post. Too many emotions and so afraid I would say something really scathing and unnecessary.
Yesterday was the funeral of one of my girls' mom who passed away from a stroke at 46. She leaves behind a daughter of 17 and a son of 13. It just breaks my heart that children have to grow up without their mother. I taught the mom when she was at school, so it is doubly sad for me. She was one of the most creative people I have ever had the pleasure to teach.
You ask why the anger? It has nothing to do with the funeral or the passing of an incredible lady. One of my friends from school asked to travel to the funeral with me and when I asked the normal 'How are you?' , expecting to get the normal 'I am fine', she broke down and wept, like I have never seen her weep. It took her a few minutes to recover enough to share her story with me.
This friend, an incredibly kind and caring lady, was childless for many years when she heard about a newborn baby who was found in a black bag in a garbage can. This was 19 years ago. She and her husband opened their home and their hearts to this precious gift from God and raised an incredible young woman.
She grew up knowing she was adopted, but was never told the circumstances of how she was found because my friend felt that she did not want her to feel that she was worthless and that her birthmother did not care about her.
This year she went to University and shared a room with a girl from the East Rand, who obviously told her parents and family about her lovely room mate after which the aunt, a social worker started asking all sorts of questions. What is her mother's name? Where do they stay? etc. Only to exclaim 'Oh! I am sure that is the girl I found in a garbage can all those years ago!"
The room mate went back to University after the holidays, asked the girl whether her mom is her biological daughter and when she said no, she proceeded to tell the whole story, not only to the girl, but to everybody that wanted to hear.
To make a long story short, the girl ended up in a hospital for three weeks after a break down and was completely suicidal! Mom is distraught and can not stop crying. I ask you all to keep them in your prayers and to make this girl realize that mom kept that from her out of love and not because she wanted to harm her in any way.
I am so angry at the social worker who discussed this with her family. Is there no code that prevents them from talking about the cases they deal with?????

Scary thought - Make it Crafty design team call

A while ago I discovered Make it Crafty. Not only do they have the most wonderful images, but Zoe, the owner, is one of the most talented artists I have ever seen. She is my colouring idol!!! Not only is she talented, she is also one of the nicest people in the business and the Make it crafty Facebook group is just wonderful. I have learnt so much there and when we were broken into recently, the girls there gave me such support and love that I could not help but feel better already.

Zoe has decided to start a design team for the Facebook group and challenged us to crawl out from under the table and give it a try. I would not say I have crawled out completely, its more like peeking out, but hoping nobody sees. LOL Those ladies are SOOOOO talented, I would love to be part of the group and the recent release hop was so much fun, I just had to give it a try.



 



Here she is, The Red Queen ( you can find her here ), I think she is magnificent!!! AND... She was such a joy to colour. Of course I used my beloved Copic markers to colour her and such a lady can not possibly have just an ordinary card, can she? I made an easel card and used some butterflies and some flowers from my stash.  I took quite a few photo's, but all with my phone as I haven't had time to replace my camera yet (the computer was priority.... I NEEED those digi's!) I tried to get an angle where you can see how I glitterified the trim on her skirt and the jewels.
OK Here's to holding both thumbs and both big toes and my breath while I wait to hear.

WOYWW - Lets see if this works,

Yay!!! Finally my phone let me upload some photo's! And DH lets me use his laptop from work for a little while, so I thought I would quickly update my blog and join in the fun. The desk is not looking too great I am afraid, I did clean it, I promise, but the frustration of not having a computer or a camera is getting to me. it has had one good side effect though, the only thing i could do, was haul out all my UFO's ( or more to the point, my unfinished LO's and work on them.  Hence the mess on the desk

 



Here we go, two of those unfinished LO's finally finished. They have been lying around waiting to be done for a very long time. The first is of GD 2's 5th birthday. She is turning 9 this year! Hanging my head in shame now.



 

The last one is of mt DS's famous Hubbard Squash! He is always growing something or the other and can really make a broomstick grow if he tries. This hubbard was gigantic and the local supermarket owner told him that he would buy anything he grows from him. LOL (Like he would ever part with anything he grows!)

Wish me luck and patience as I continue to wait to hear from the insurance about my computers and camera! Nothing teaches you patience quite like living in Africa!
Have a great week and remember to visit Julia to join in the fun of seeing some really awesome desks.

WOYWW Not much left, very sad story.

 Am afraid that I can not even post a pic today, because we had a burglary on Sunday and everything wss stolen. Computer, laptops, tablets, camera, external hard drive with all my back up files and all my jewelery. Thank goodness they did not know the value of my Silhouette, Cricut or my Copics.
I have been colouring up a storm and wanted to show you a photo, but the blasted phone won't let me. The teenage DD is on her way, so I hope to have a photo on here soon.
Have a great week and remember to visitJulia if you want to see some actual pictures of inspiring desks

MIC New release hop - so Exciting!!

Welcome to the very special Make it Crafty Tea Party!

 Today, I'm joining the fun with a collection of Make it Crafty fans from around the world, serving you a delicious array of crafty delights to celebrate not only the magical release of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ but also Make it Crafty’s THIRD Birthday!!  What better way to celebrate than a tea party full of Make it Crafty fans?

 As you chase the white rabbit down holes, through small doors, around corners and more…keep your eye out for hidden letters, collecting them along the way.  Simply decipher the ‘question’ and then enter the answer at the end of the hop for a chance to win the grand prize!  It wouldn’t be a fun tea party without hidden prizes along the way,  so make sure you comment as you chase the rabbit for a chance to win more prizes!

When Zoe asked who would like to play with the new digi's before they were released, all thoughts of essays to be marked, prefects to be chosen, functions and meetings to attend, flew right out of my head and I jumped at the chance. I mean. really? Have you SEEN the gorgeous digi's in her store? '

 

 Hopefully you’ve found your way through the door from Kathleen, but if you’ve just fallen down the hole then you might want to start back at Zoe.

I asked for the Queen image to colour, because she reminds me so much of my mother, not the 'off with her head' part but the way she looks and the obvious regal attitude as if to say, 'now try me, and we will see what happens' LOL It is also the absolute ideal image for a friends birthday tomorrow.

I have wanted to make a zig zag card for ages and this was just what the queen ordered! Over the top and very fancy. This is the front of the card, sporting trees cut with my Silhouette, a watch from a gear and some lady bugs.

 

 

When you open the card up, it gives the illusion of a garden path (I Hope!) with the queen waiting at the end. You will see some pocket watch charms, tags by Magnolia, some queen of hearts playing cards resized and printed, lots of grass and more lady bugs. There are even some doilies cut up and folded.

 The queen herself was coloured with my beloved Copics and given some obligatory bling and Stickles.

 

The two sides look exactly the same, but I thought I would show you the one side a little closer. On the one tag is the sentiment Áll hail the Queen!'and on the other I intend to write a special message to my friend. I really hope she and you, like the Queen as much as I have enjoyed colouring her!

 If you came to collect the letter, then ... here it is!

 

The fun doesn’t stop here and if you head through this door you’ll find your way to Linda…

Remember to have a look at the other fabulous stamps in the Alice in Wonderland release! I am rushing off there right now to get mine.

Have a great day everybody, its school holidays soon and then I will be back with photo's and news from DD's trip to Barcalona for the FINA World Championships.