Checking in....New things...

   Sorry I have not been posting! Sadly, my bad HIP has kind of taken over my life and at this point, and it's not causing me pain to simply try and sit at my craft desk..which is the worst.  I LOVE to create and spending time card-making has also been my little form of "therapy" and relaxation and an escape from the daily down side of living with Fibromyalgia.  Now, having this added discomfort and not being able to sit very long, has really put a damper on doing a whole lot.  At this point, I'm very ready to have my hip replacement surgery, not only to alleviate this pain, but also to feel better, get back to walking and being more mobile and also most of all, to be feel good and feel well enough to create, which I MISS so much.  Thankfully, mu surgery is only a few weeks away now and with all the appointments I have to take care of,  have a lot to get done and I'm sure the time will fly by.   I'm also feeling a bit better, now that our temps have risen a bit and are more seasonable.  We even had a day in the mid 40's this week and for January that feels really good.   The bitter cold days were brutal and that cold, really hurt me physically more than ever before.  I can only hope that next winter will NOT be nearly as bad, once I have my new "titanium" hip!   Yay!

     This post is an update of what I have been doing, along with some fun new things that I wanted to share~!   Happy things that are keeping me busy, and also helping to pass the time until I have my actual surgery.   I can't wait!   I am dying for Spring and know that once Spring arrives, the surgery will be behind me, I should be feeling MUCH better and be able to get out and walk, more like my old self again!   Woohoo!  

    Happily, there is a brand new class starting next Monday, (January 24th) in the fabulous Online Card Classroom !  It's called "Clean & Simple 4" -- Techniques Made Simple -- and I am very happy and excited to already be enrolled.  I know I may not be able to participate too much, right now -- (My hip has decided that be even more painful when I set, so I am struggling to do any cardmaking ), but I know I can sit back watch the videos and play along later.  I LOVE these classes sand have taken EVERY one.   Hope to see you there and already know many of my "online" craft friends are signed up too!  YAY!

     I'm still trying to play in some of my favorite challenges from time to time and did enjoy the last "Hero Arts Flickr Group" Scramble, which was the 100th -- Imagine that!   These are the two card I made, and our theme was to use your all time favorite Hero goodies and that in itself is a challenge, since I am SUCH a huge Hero Fan.   In the end, I did get two cards done and did use two of my many favorites, including my "signature" color -- Purple~

    And speaking of my beloved  Hero Arts  have you seen the new Catalog --- I'm in LOVE with this release, and think it's by far, one of the best in a while.  I can hardly wait for these goodies to be in stock over a a2z Scrapbooking Store.   BTW --- Instead of stepping down from the a2z Design Team, until after my surgery, I've had the opportunity to now be part of the team again, and am NOW instead on a little leave, basically like a Medical leave of absence and I love it.  I really missed the daily interaction with all the DT members and now love being part of the group again.  I am also looking forward to being back to creating again very soon....hopefully as soon as I am more mobile and can sit at my desk and create again!    In the meantime, that means you use my DT Promo Code - LISAH15, to save you 15% on any and ALL orders of $25 and up, (excluding shipping)!  Simply enter the code to your cart during the check out process.  The promo CAN be used for all the brand new products too.   WooHoo!  I'l be sharing updates, as soon as the new goodies are all in the store, but be sure to stop by often and check out the latest new products along with more stock that has been added to the special "Sale/Clearance" section.

a2z Scrapbooking Store

      Plus, there is always a chance to win a Gift Certificate to the store, for playing in our monthly challenges on the a2z Blog.   This month's challenge and details can be found HERE!   Be sure to always use at LEAST one main Hero product and follow the current theme to be eligible to win.  Our them for January is "New to You" -- we love to see your using your NEW Hero Arts products !  I

      And on the topic of challenges, did you know that Simon Says Stamp has a new Flickr Group, well the group is not so new, but they NOW also host a monthly Challenge at the Flickr group in addition to their Monday and Wednesday weekly Blog Challenge.  You can join the group HERE and enter their current challenge too --- This month's theme is "Spots and Dots" and I must get my own card done and entered soon.  I'm a huge fan of Polka dots and also a fan of the SSS exclusive products  -- they are Hero are pretty much my all time favorites and I love combining the two together!

   I also attended a fun little Amuse workshop this past weekend here in town.  I have a friend, "Tobey" who is an Amuse Demo and also a local Inn Owner, who hosts Scrap/Craft Retreats at the Inn along with monthly Amuse Workshops.  If you are every in the area, or would like to shop for Amuse, you can find Tobeys' Amuse Online Store at this LINK!   And the next link will take you to her Inn -- The Linden Tree Inn, which is so quaint and a wonderful Bed and Breakfast!!   

    So that's my update --- everything else is pretty good.  The dogs are all doing pretty well.  Scout, my Senior boy is now being treated for Cushing's Disease, which we hope will make him feel better soon.  Skye and Zeva are very happy, but do miss getting out.  THEY hate the cold and prefer being snuggled in their beds or on the couch near the wood stove...especially on the really cold days.  We all are hoping that Winter will be over soon and that Spring comes early this year!