God is Great ! Vaca Pics and a Toot

Well I have Fabulous news. The results are that I have just a Fibroadenoma in my left breast. Its quite large and painful so it will have to be removed but it is not cancerous. For some reason my body likes growing them but the news is good..... God is great ! I know that there has been so much controversy in the news over self examinations and when should mammograms be done. I for one feel that we need to take control. We should know our bodies better than a Dr. could. I for one will continue to do self examinations and will insist for a mammogram when I am unsure.

Damien and I also got away for a few days. It was so nice to reconnect and spend time together. We stayed at the Dana Hotel & SPA and had a spectacular time. The hotel was right in the heart of downtown Chicago on State Street. We walked all over and had spectacular weather. Here are a few pics of Damien tolerating me and my camera...hehehe


This is one of the balconies in our room and the street view from our balcony. GORGEOUS !!!!


This is where we had breakfast and the front of the Hotel.


Here are a few pics of the room. It was very warm yet very roomy. It was really hard to capture the size and feel.


We also loved the open to the city observatory area that the Danna offered. It was on top of the Hotel...38 floors up I believe. It was wonderful, it overlooked the city, it had a fab fire pit that really warmed us up from the Chicago late night air. It was hard to take good pics due to the plexi glass that protected us from falling 38 floors ;' )

Our last day we headed over to Schaumberg and did some shopping at IKEA. We spoiled Isabella and bought her, her very own craft table similar to mine, swivel chair, an art easel and a ton of her own art paper and tools. Which is currently still waiting to be put together.

We did cut our last day short to visit my mom who had just come in from Mexico. My dear sweet uncle Felo had passed away the day before and she flew in for the funeral. It was so nice to see her and visit with her !

So yes this past week was a super crazy week. It went from relaxing, joyful to super fast paced and a lot of sadness. Our family was really torn up by my uncles passing who we loved dearly! On Thursday I cooked for my family. We had a lot that came in from out of town. I made Flautas, Empanadillas, Lechon and Pollo in Fricase. I was exhausted but it was Great to visit with and be with my family even if I wish it could have been for a different occasion.

Despite how busy this past week was I had plenty of time to create before that.
Here is a layout I made for "A Kiss on the Chic". Laura still has some items left that are available so make sure to check them out before everything is gone.

I also got to work with some of the FANTASTIC "My Little Shoebox" Little Ladies line.

This layout is of my super sweet kitty... the kids named her Suger. They are now determined to get another kitty they can call Spice. Crazy kids ! (oh and yes I know suger should be spelled sugar but the kids wanted to spell it this way)


Here is a card I created using the fabulous die cuts to create an open window.
I placed it in a transparent vellum envelope that can found at Cut Card Stock.com in many different sizes.


This layout is a scrap lift of the ever sooo Talented Michelle Lanning.
I cannot tell you enough the sinking feeling I had when Suzy told us she wanted us to create a layout scrap lifting the MLS team. First I groaned abit and than it turned to moaning....hehehe Why is it that I fear having to scrap lift so much ? I really got to thinking and I think it may be because:
1.) If we are scrap lifting it, it must already be FABULOUS....right !?
2.) How does one scrap lift and keep the integrity of what the original designer had in mind.
3.) Simply I am a rebel..... I like to plainly use what I want and design how I want.
However it never fails that when I am done, I simply luv what I have created !
Thank You Michelle for your inspiration !




Last but not least my Little Lady Bug layout.
A total celebration of the Huge bows I like to
torture Isabella with.... hehehe


I also get to sorta TOOT. I have been asked to design
for someone I really respect in this industry. Her work is
Amazing and Simply Beautiful. I have gotten to know her
a bit this past month and she is simply a doll !
If you want to know who it is keep an eye here
on my Blog for who it is in the next few weeks....wink wink

Well thanks for hanging with me thru this very long post.
I also want to really Thank everyone who left me a sweet
comment here or emailed me with encouraging words
and their prayers.... this really meant so much to me !

Have a Blessed and Creative Day !
Warmly, Norma Kennedy ♥