Has it really been that long

since my last post... OMGoodness. I'm sorry.. Allow me to catch you up to date a little... We were on vacation for a week. We didn't venture too far from home with the price of gas.. but it was nice just to not have to work for a few days.

My arm/ hands/ neck.. are still giving me problems. I receintly had an EMG on both arms and my neck. Can you say an hour and a half of being poked with needles and electrocuted.. Not something I would wish on my own worst enemy.. The neurologist said.. surgery.. But eeyyy'gods'... do you know how risky that is. I've made up my mind (thanks to a 2nd opinion from my orthopedist who I trust impecably, have a fabulous rapore with and who I feel would never steer me wrong).. to wait it out to see if the symptoms relieve themselves... if they don't and the pain & numbness get really bad I'll then (and only then) consider the herniated disc surgery.. My right arm/ hand though is a different subject. The neurosurgeon was doing nothing about it because he was relating 'everything' with both arms & hands back the the herniated disc.. Well buddy.. I don't have an MD after my name and I know that it's 2 different nerves.... My orthopedist agrees... it's 100% from pressure on the ulnar nerve. So yesterday I had wonderful (said with clenching teeth) cortisone shot in my elbow. Then in 3 weeks I'll have 1 in my wrist. If that doesn't help (which most of the time it does) the next step is an ulnar tunnel release (similar to a carpal tunnel release).. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the cortisone will do it's thing.. LOL .. In the mean time I've picked up the cutest little 'cush' pillows' at the dollar store last night to keep my elbow & nerve from pressing on the corner of my desk.

OMgoodness have you seen the new Stampin Up catalog.. My wish list is a mile long. My first order came Friday night and I have played a little.. So keep watching for those posts. I actually have about 5 or 6 projects to show you.. So I have been busy in my stamping room.. Just not too busy on the 'puter with the numbness in my fingers. Here's my first post. I know it's not Stampin' Up but I still love this Inkadinkado Ghouls & Goblins set that I picked up from Lindsay at Jacksonbelle Embellishments.. I am also 100% addicted to the Cosmo Cricket Haunted Papers, Blackboard shapes, and adhesive die cuts. The only thing I don't have that I need is the rub-ons.. I'll have to save them for my next shopping trip over to Lindsay's..

For both of these cards I used....

Card stock... Stampin Up Tangerine Tango, Old Olive & Whisper White card stocks, Cosmo Cricket "Haunted" DS paper.

Stamps... Inkadinkado Ghouls & Goblins

Ink... Pallette Noir ink, black Marth Stewart gel pen, misc copic markers, old olive ink

Accessories.. May Arts orange/ purple/ green grosgrain ribbon, Stampin Up large tag punch, pop up glue dots and a sponge for dabbing around the edges..

Now that's getting us into the Halloween Spirit..

Happy Stamping.. PS.. I have made huge changes to my stamp space.. Check back early next week for those pictures. I hope I can inspire someone else with my creative organizing techniques.. Or for that matter... just to change your space around a little. I find that a little change also helps the mojo flow..

Lisa