Hownowbrownkow: With Sympathy

Hi All. Quick post today. As you may know, my daughter Ava has severe allergies and eczema that has really gotten bad the last few months. This week, she is almost unable to move due to the tightness and rawness of her skin. It's been a very frustrating few days of doctor visits, creams, steroids, and so on and so forth.

I did manage to get in a few minutes of crafty time. I wanted to participate in Laurie's Pinterest challenge and also this week's Make it Monday over at Papertrey which was to make a sympathy card.

Here is the Pinterest item that caught my eye:

And here is my card:

I really liked the earthy nature of the picture. It's so "me". My friends try to make me go with color in my clothes, but I am pretty much always Neutral Nancy. :) It's just me.

Well, I better get back to Ava. If you think about it, please pray that her symptoms subside. She has exams this week at school (albeit middle school exams) and I really want her brain there for the tests. Dealing with tight immobile skin isn't very 'school friendly' either. Also, if you have any experiences with eczema and have any advice to offer, please do!!!

27 brownkowments:

Sara Mac said...: Oh Keva, I'm so sorry to hear that Ava is feeling miserable. I hope the doctors can help her soon. Thinking of you too as you tend to her.

Your sympathy card is beautiful. I adore the flowers combined with the rustic woodgrain and twine.; May 24, 2011 at 12:21 PM
Debbie Carriere said...: Keva, this card is stunning!!! Love the woodgrain & the CAS style - just beautiful!
I have suffered with eczema all my life, & my 6 year old has it as well. Thankfully, he is not as badly afflicted as I was as a child. I feel for your daughter. I can't offer much advice though, as I still struggle with it. As a kid, the only thing that helped was steroid creams. I assume you have had her tested for food allergies (my son has lots of food allergies & avoiding those foods made a definite improvement). As an adult my doctor recommended a bunch of supplements to take, but I can't say any particularly helped. Stress & emotions are a huge trigger for me. E-mail me if you want to comisserate :) I'll be thinking of you.; May 24, 2011 at 12:33 PM
Rochelle Sodipo said...: I'm sorry that Ava is so uncomfortable. Eczema sucks! I'm not familiar with it but, I've heard that an anti itch cream helps. The card is soothing and beautiful. Good job. P.S. The new blog design is cuteness!; May 24, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Lisa Voerg said...: Your card is absolutely beautiful! Soothing and uplifting.

I will keep your daughter and your family in my thoughts. I hope she is feeling better real soon.; May 24, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Anne Marie Hile said...: Keva, your card is gorgeous! I love the woodgrain background. So sorry to hear that Ava is so uncomfortable. I wish I had some advice that would help. I hope the doctors can do somethig to make her feel better soon. Hugs! :); May 24, 2011 at 12:59 PM
Elena said...: your card is so beautiful! And I'm so sorry to hear that your daughter is so uncomfortable - it's never easy to watch our little ones suffer. Hope that the doctors can uncover something to help her quickly!; May 24, 2011 at 1:13 PM
Debby said...: Neutral Nancy - a) made me laugh and b) I'm so with you there! Oh my goodness this card is gorgeous and so reflects the inspiration photo. Love it!; May 24, 2011 at 2:02 PM
Ally said...: Your card is so beautiful. I'm a neutrals girl at heart, too. ;-)

My heart goes out to your daughter (and you). Our daughter has had skin troubles for years, and it is a wild roller-coaster ride that brings more tears than anything. I hope she's feeling better soon!; May 24, 2011 at 3:25 PM
Kara said...: beautiful card and inspiration piece...i love ranunculus!!
I hope your daughter gets some relief! poor thing; May 24, 2011 at 3:40 PM
Sincerely, Ree said...: WOW! This is a BEAUTIFUL card! The flowers turned out great!
I wish the best for your daughter.; May 24, 2011 at 4:35 PM
A Crafty Person said...: Lovely card. I really like the flowers and wood grain background.; May 24, 2011 at 4:54 PM
Unknown said...: such a beautiful card, those flowers are amazing!!! love it!; May 24, 2011 at 5:19 PM
Teresa said...: What beautiful flowers. They make the perfect sympathy card. You nailed it.; May 24, 2011 at 5:51 PM
Cathy Weber said...: I am so sorry to hear about the pain Ava is in. I will say a little prayer for her. That said, I want you to know this is the prettiest card I have ever seen of yours. It is gorgeous. Honestly. The woodgrain and those flowers are just really, really beautiful. Great job. I bet Nichole will pick your card tonight. I will cross my fingers for you and also for Ava's quick recovery.; May 24, 2011 at 6:39 PM
Karen H. said...: Absolutely beautiful! Love those flowers and the wood grain, and the twine border.; May 24, 2011 at 6:59 PM
Amber said...: Ohmygosh! Love those little flowers. I am so happy that you are bringing your creativity to Pinterest Land!; May 24, 2011 at 7:48 PM
StephC said...: Simply gorgeous! I love everything about it.

Will keep you and your daughter in my prayers. I hope she feels better soon!; May 24, 2011 at 8:03 PM
Arlene said...: WOW...absolutely gorgeous card! Love everything about it! :); May 24, 2011 at 8:09 PM
Jill Norwood said...: First your card is stunningly beautiful! Love it!

So sorry to hear of your daughters struggle with excema...there can be so many triggers - removing milk products from the diet for some people is very helpful. I read in one naturopathic book that certain foods can trigger an attack and to keep a food journal to see when the skin is the worst - several hours/days after eating what foods? Corn can trigger, cheese can trigger etc....

Wheat gluten (which is in everything) can also be a trigger for some people.

I hope you find answers for your sweet child! I know how hard health issues can be as my husband is battling cancer.

God Bless!; May 24, 2011 at 10:18 PM
Rachel Izakowicz said...: Your card is absolutely stunning, Keva. I really love the natural, subtle colors and texture. Just beautiful. Sending hugs to Ava.; May 25, 2011 at 3:30 AM
Stephanie said...: Keva.......This is just stunning! When I saw it on FB, I couldn't stop looking at it! Gogeous, girl! Just gorgeous!!!; May 25, 2011 at 5:17 AM
wintam said...: Oh, what a card! I had to zoom in to be sure you didn't use real flowers... I'm STILL not sure...LOL... how did you make the stamens? it's amazing! and so peaceful...
I wish you and your daughter some peace too. Hope she feels better in no time and does great on her exams and I hope you can get back to your crafts ASAP! All the best!; May 25, 2011 at 6:06 AM
Terri said...: Beautiful card. Love the flowers. Did you make them? Sorry to hear about Ava. My daughter Emilia has suffered with bad Eczema too. Her Dr. suggested that we wet a tee shirt and put it on over the steroid cream she gave her then put a dry shirt on top of that and sleep with it. My dd would not try it but she said it works. I hope Ava feels better soon.; May 25, 2011 at 4:48 PM
reeree62 said...: OH. MY. GOSH!!! You nailed it on this challenge, Keva! B-E-A-Utiful card!

My heart goes out to your daughter...hope she's feeling better.; May 25, 2011 at 5:26 PM
Connie Collins said...: Oh My Goodness! Keva, this is beautiful. You are a much better card maker than you realize. I still say that you need to start submitting for publication. Hope Ava is feeling better and let me know if I can do anything at all for you. I am only a text message away.
Hugs & Prayers; May 25, 2011 at 10:52 PM
Amy Kolling said...: Wow, wasn't this a featured card?? I can see why!!! This is utterly gorgeous! I am so sad that my Michael's phased out these flowers....they were some of my favorites!; May 27, 2011 at 10:06 AM
Wendy said...: what a beautiful card, those flowers look so real.; May 27, 2011 at 12:52 PM