Huge Tag Die!

Okay, while perusing Ebay one night, I came across a die for tags. I put a bid on it on an impulse , then fretted because I should have read the dimensions. The tags are 10" x 4", I immediately panicked, what was I thinking?

A couple of days ago I was on Skype with my friend Sarah, from Scotland, we joked as I showed her the die that had just arrived. She said she would be checking my blog to see what I would do with it. Well I cut a couple of them out. As I worked with them a few ideas came to mind, they would make a great mini album if I stacked them and edged them with a die, or maybe make a door-hanger (like the do not disturb kind). For now though I thought I would just make a "large" tag, and play with my new edge dies from Sizzix and Tim Holtz.

I have to share with you there is something about Tim Holtz dies that do not like me. I have had issues with his flourish die, and now these. They stick something fierce on chipboard. So after many disparaging remarks made under my breath, I managed to get the snowflake die to cut and not shred my paper.

Using the Ella Blue paper collection, and some Sizzix snowflake dies (which worked very well), They are still not complete, I think I want to add a couple more things before considering them finished. I just couldn't wait to post them though.

First the Bad (Sad) News..........

I have been sitting here thinking. I read some bad news on my friend Renees' blog. Her nephew the one who was operated on for what they thought was a form of lymphoma has found out he has a rare cancer. The prognosis is not good. He is 25. My son John was 25 when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He is in remission. He, and we, are truly blessed. Poor Sheldon has received the shitty end of the stick, and yet he is handling the news with the grace and wisdom of someone much older and wiser than anyone four times his age. I feel for his mother Jacquie, she is battling her own cancer demon and must now face losing her son. I pray for them. I want to believe in a miracle for them. Then you have dear Renee, she has lived hand in hand with cancer for a while now, knowing that her time here is measured out. These are good people, this is one family, this is just not fair.

If you could please say a prayer for them, visit Renee's blog and let her know that they are not alone. I want to send a card. I want to let them know I am thinking of them, praying for a miracle. Do you hear me Renee? I am there with you , praying and hoping alongside you.

Today I received my last two tags from the Marie Tag Swap that Arielle hosted. The Pretty Pink one was from Deborah McNutt, and it is stunning. The Tantalizing Teal one is from Leslie.

Both these ladies arrived a little late, they had a little help in that department by the Post Office. It seems Deborah's was sent back to her (she accidentally had the wrong zip code on it), isn't it lovely though. Seriously well worth the wait. She even sent a little extra something with it. Thank You Deborah.

Poor Leslie's was delivered to the wrong address! I spoke to our regular Mail person and he explained that a temp had delivered it to "W" instead of "E". Same house number, different sides of the road. I have to apologize to her because she kept saying she mailed it out on the 24th, and I doubted her. Leslie this is lovely and I am sorry.

I also received this yesterday. It is my prize from the "Tatting Chick". The book has a DVD and there is the shuttle and thread, she even gifted me a beautiful tatted heart she made. I do not know her "name", but I love her blog. I am going to have to sit down now and watch and give it a try. I have always wanted to learn this, and with this great prize I am off to a good start.

Even the card was pretty, and just look at the tatted heart, I wonder how long it will take me to make one as well as hers? Thank You so much "Tatting Chick"!

I wanted to share my day with you. I was sorry to relay such sad news about Sheldon, with all these good things, but I am hoping that all you sweet and kind Blogger's will join me in sending prayers and good thoughts to them. I also want to again thank Deborah, Leslie, and the Tatting Chick, rays of sunlight on a very dark day.