Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Hello there…I have some news!

Sorry I don’t have the cards for the second round of the Inky Impressions DT call for you today…I’m afraid I’m suffering from the crafting equivalent of writer’s block!  It’s always the way that when you have to create something special…either in words or a card…then you get that terrible block where you just don’t know where to start. I have about 17 different ideas that I want to try for the Inky Impressions DT cards, but I only have two stamped images to work with…so I can’t try them all! Never mind…I will get there :)

Anyway, I thought I would show you the second card I made for Kristina’s CI #48….I ran out of time to get it posted then, but it’s kind of cute and I thought I would share it with you today before I tell you my BIG news….that way if you’re just here for the pretty pictures you can have a look and go on your way :)

KW-CI-#48-take-2

Supplies

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss & Whisper White.

Ink: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss & Choc Chip.

Stamps: Cheap Talk & Neighbourhood wheel.

Other stuff: Random SEI buttons & chocolate embroidery thread.

Pretty simple again…I’ve definitely gone back to the clean & simple look lately :)

Right…on to my news. This is a bit of a story, so if you’re not really interested that’s ok…just go on your way to look at more pretty pictures or do your laundry or whatever :)  I’m going to tell you about all of this now because I feel like so many of you who read my blog and leave me comments are my friends, and I like to now about my friends lives outside of what they make in their craft rooms :) Also, what I’m going to tell you is about a big change in my life and I want to share that with you, my friends.

As you all probably know, I spent ten days in the hospital earlier this month. Now anyone who knows anything about the NSW Health system will know that the Royal North Shore gets you out of there asap, so to keep someone in for ten days is pretty serious business. I haven’t really talked about it much because I didn’t want to bore you, or have you think I’m looking for sympathy…I am not telling you now for that reason either, it’s just an important part of this story. Anyway, for the first 5 days of my hospital stay I was in a wheelchair (have you ever tried to drive one of those thing? It’s way harder than it looks) and the doctors were rather concerned that there was some serious damage to my back. As you may or may not know, I have degenerative disc disease…which basically means that the discs in my back degenerate at a much faster rate than normal and that they are prone to damage more easily than normal. Anyway, I have had problems with my back for many years, but lately the pain has gotten much worse and tests revealed that I had managed to give myself another prolapsed disc. On top of that the disc has two tears in it. Basically this means that it’s not doing it’s job properly and giving me lots of pain. So now I have 4 discs that are seriously damaged and won’t ever get better.

So, the doctors have put me on two different types of morphine tablets…one is a slow release and the other gives a rapid relief from pain (well reduces it anyway). This all means that I have had a lot of problems trying to concentrate on my studies. Basically, it’s been impossible to get any proper work done at all. After consulting with both the hospital doctors and my GP and talking it over with my PhD supervisor and family members i have decided that the best course of action for the moment is to take a break from study. At this point the plan is to take 6 months off and then re-assess the situation.

As the only reason I live in Sydney is to be close to the University for study, I have decided that I will be moving back to Warwick to be close to my family for both physical and emotional support. There are a lot more things that I am unable to do right now and I need all the help that I can get. i don’t now about you guys, but I feel pretty uncomfortable asking my friends to do my laundry or vacuum the floor…but asking my Mama to do it for me is not as bad :)

I am rather happy that I am going to be able to spend more time with my family and get out of Sydney…I really don’t like it here. I’m a country girl through and through and going back to small town life is going to make me feel alot happier.

So what am I going to do with myself? I am not the kind of person who can sit around doing nothing, so I am going to find myself a nice place to live (all alone with NO HOUSEMATES!!!!) and try and become a proper  SU! demo, holding workshops and classes at my house to make it easier for me. I’m also going to try and sell my cards, both in a craft store in Warwick and through an Etsy shop I am setting up. I’m also starting a little business doing blog design and set up. I actually have been on a disability support pension for some time, so I will at least have some income. The other things will be to try and make some money so I can continue to buy yummy crafting supplies :)

I have given notice, organised my leave of absence, booked the removalist and by the end of next week I shall be back in sunny Queensland with my family. I’m going to be staying with Mama until I find somewhere to live and then I will be working hard to try and make this new life work for me. I’ve organised it so that everything I’m doing will be flexible and can revolve around my need for rest and recuperation.

If you’ve stayed with me and read all of this give yourself a big pat on the back…it was a bit of an epic huh? Anyway, I just want you to know that if I’m a bit sporadic with the posting over the next couple of weeks it’s because of the packing and moving and whatnot. I will return to normal as soon as possible :) I hope that you will all stick with me as I go through this big change in my life. For the last 6 years all I’ve known is academia and I’m slightly concerned about how I’ll go back in the REAL world…LOL! But I hope that everything will work out to plan and that I can make my hobby into something that is a successful business as well as fun for me.

I look forward to sharing this new adventure with you all, without your support and encouragement for my craft I would not have even thought that this would be possible….so thank you all for that. Even if we never meet in real life, know that I consider you all my friends and that you are an important part of my life…big hugs to you all,

Lily signature copy

15 comments:

Tracey Feeger said...

Kristie - I am only a new 'friend' but well done. It is always hard to make life changing decisions but, of course, it is a good change for you by the sounds of it. Hope you get your much needed rest and support from your family. Good luck with selling the cards on Etsy - there are lots of nice things on there for sale. *big hug* Hope the pain gets a little better for you.
Hope the move is a safe one.
mwah
Tracey

Robyn said...

Congratulations Kristie on your decision (sounds like a great move to me!!). All the best for settling in to your new situation and for healthier days ahead!
Love Robyn

Jean McKenzie said...

Hi Kristie, Firstly I love your little bird card - very pretty. Secondly so sad to read about your back problems but great that you can move back to Queensland where you will be happier. Good luck with getting your Stampin' Up! business flying - it will be a lot of fun.

Unknown said...

Kristie it sounds like you need a good change, some Mum-cooked meals and your family and friends around you. I think card-making will be much more fun than PhD work anyway! And you will be closer to Madonna! Good luck with the move. I wish you all the best. Thanks for sharing.
Alicia

kay said...

Hope all goes well with your move Kristie, you are going to feel a lot happier being near your family, and you really need to concentrate on me time now, it's been a tough 5 months for you all.
btw sunny Queensland???? isn't that where all the FLOODS are!

Cass said...

Hooray for all the big decisions that you have made! Wishing you all the best. Don't forget to send me your new address. ;)

Kathryn Mangelsdorf said...

Hi Kristie,
That's a great decision for you and your health. Family is so very important to you. I miss so much my mother and sister who don't live away but have both died of cancer and it only leaves my dad, brother-in-law and my nephew who I do care so much about and we have supported each other through so much over the last 10 years.
Take care
Kathryn

♥ Kristy Woods ♥ said...

WOW Kristie, Im so happy you will be moving back to your family thats great. And I think you will do fabulous as being a full time demo, I know I would love to come to one of your classes if I lived in QLD! Take care Empress lol
Kristy xo

Leslie Hanna said...

LOVE that bird card! I am still holding out on that set, but I might get it as my SAB freebie. And waht you did with that wheeled background? Sweeeeeet! I've only used that wheel for making "I;ve moved" or "Welcome to the neighborhood" cards.

As for your life-changing decisions, it all sounds like the right thing for you to do right now. Best of luck with your back and getting your own place and being close to family and being a more active Demo and all that stuff!

Um 'removalist'? It took me a second to figure out that is what we call 'the movers'. I love the differences in our 'English' languages!

Take care!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kristy. Good luck with the move and all. I've never had to endure that kind of pain, I had back pain for three days once, and I can tell you the whole time I was thinking of all those people who have cronic back pain. I know what it is like to have to abandon study though. I went to a counselling session just this last week and it got mentioned again. I can't believe that it still reduces me to tears after 2 1/2 years. But then again I'm a sook. All the best and hope to see you soon.

Stef H said...

Kristie.... I'm just a cyber friend, but if I were there, I'd clean your house for you and help with whatever you wanted. I can just feel all the love you have and give to others. It's a very hard decision you are making but the right one. Family nearby is good. Think about what you want and go for it in your own wonderful way. I know I'm here for you. You can PM me just to vent if you want but I'm sure we ALL want to know how you are doing. You will be in my prayers as that is the greatest power there is. You have a wonderful artistic talent and we all look forward to you sharing it - everyday here on your blog.

I'm sure I say this for all of us.... WE LOVE U!

Hugs,

June Houck said...

This change of life sounds like FUN, FUN, FUN!!! Jumping into a life of papercrafting as a business (Coffee shop, Etsy, SU! demo, and DT member)sounds totally fabulous. And you deserve success and happiness, my sweet thoughtful wonderful friend! I know you will treat it as a job, which will bring you success.
I know I can't be there to help you move or get set up, but if I can provide any advice on selling cards, let me know! Don't forget to try a florist, local hospital, etc. too :)

Cheryl said...

I love your card the colours are so pretty and a fantastic LO!!! I have been a follower for a little while now and was shocked to hear your news.Being with your family is probably the best thing for you and good luck with selling your cards!
xx

Nikki Bond said...

Gorgeous! Love it Kristie! {SMILES}

Lydia Fiedler said...

To me, it sounds like great news - I know you didn't like Sydney and I'm glad you're able to focus on your fabulous art. I will miss you while you're gone and be glad when you're back. I'm sorry you're struggling with the pain, sweet girl!!

 

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