January 5, 2014

Top 12 of 2013

The holidays are over. It has been such an eventful past couple of weeks for me.  Two days before Christmas the ice storm hit Toronto and we were over 15 hours without hydro, a tree came down on our front lawn because of the weight of the ice and my son arrived home by bus from school during the power failure and storm. We had a lovely Christmas with everyone home, but Boxing Day I had my daughter at the walk in clinic and diagnosed with Strep Throat.  On New Year's Eve she had some spots develop on her arm which spread over the course of the evening. New Year's day she was covered with more of a rash, red and puffy and developed a really high fever. We took her too Emergency and found out she was having an allergic reaction to the Amoxicillan she was taking for her throat. She was given an Epinephrine injection and Prednizone and finally released during the night after the swelling started to come down. She is much much better but still taking medication to help get it out of her system. She has never been allergic to anything and has taken Amoxicillan many times before but you never know when an allergy can hit.  Always trust your gut instinct when something doesn't seem right. Then all too soon it seems my son has headed back to school, the decorations are down for another year and I am so far behind on visiting my favourite blogs, but I will visit you soon.

In the past each January comes with a resolution that I try to follow and then a what was it again? So this year my resolution is to not put unrealistic expectations on myself, I am hoping that makes for a happier, less stressed creative me. May 2014 be a year full of health and happiness for all of you!

♥♥♥

I love doing a year in review post because it really helps to give you perspective on your card making style, what you like and definitely don't like and also a feeling of accomplishment.  So here are my favs from 2013.  Thanks for visiting!
























43 comments :

Lisa Elton said...

Love your look back Tracey! I remember and love them all. I'm so sorry to hear your daughter has had such a rough time. Reactions to medications can be very scary. Hope she's feeling better soon {{HUGS}}

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear about your daughter. Glad she is doing better. Your cards are beautiful. Many blessings to you in 2014.

Barb said...

I love all your cards, Tracey - each one is so creative! Happy New Year to you! I'm glad to hear your daughter is better - that must have been so scary!

Joyce said...

What a fantastic post. I love all the cards that you chose as your favorites. I think I have them all pinned from the first time you posted!! May this year be full of nothing but health, happiness and new stamps. OK?

Stacey Schafer said...

yep! all amazing, Tracey!

Lyndal said...

Fabulous showcase for 2013 Tracey! Best of health and happiness for 2014!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

So sorry to hear about all the problems over the holidays! I hope everyone is feeling better now! I loveeeeee all your creations for 2013! Can't wait to see what you make this year!!!

Anita in France said...

What a wonderful selection of cards for your review Tracey ... each so amazing! My favorite of favorites is the circles ... it's breathtaking ... I'm pinning it! Anita :)

Sherrie M. said...

Amazing selection of favorite cards Tracey! Can't wait to see all your crafting goodness this year. Sorry to hear about your daughter....same thing happened to me two years ago. Took antibiotics for an ear infection and then allergic reaction that I ignored for almost a week until I ended up in the hospital. Very scary.

BeverlyBL said...

I could CASE every one;) Love'm all. Glad that your daughter is doing better. Happy New Year.

cm said...

I hope your daughter is feeling much better, that the weather will improve soon (spring isn't too far away...), and that your days throughout 2014 will be filled with peace, joy and love! Your gallery of gorgeous creations here...stunning! Thanks for sharing the 'look back'; excited to see what you'll be dazzling us with in the days to come!
c

Kara said...

Beautiful cards! Love them all:)

Geri said...

What a gorgeous collection, Tracy!!! Hope the new year just gets better and better!!!

Lynn said...

Tracey, I'm so glad everyone is feeling better and that there was no serious damage to your home. Here's to 2014 getting off to a great start. Your cards are gorgeous...I love them all...especially the crisp white cards with the pops of color!

Annette Allen said...

Sorry to hear about your daughter.. I will pray for her.. I love the recap of your cards.. they are always so beautiful and so inspiring..

Marybeth said...

Oh Tracey I am so sorry about the allergic reaction scare. We had to give the EpiPen to our granddaughter who is less than one years old she had an allergic reaction. Scariest thing I've ever done. Your poor daughter she must have been so miserable .
Love the cards you chose to showcase,don't know how you picked ...I love every single card of yours!

Marlena M. said...

Goodness you are having quite a spell of intense moments~I pray you hang in there until it settles down. I'm so thankful your daughter is ok~that can be scary! Love your clean/crisp solid cards Tracey~I just know you will have many more to share friend.

sandie said...

Oh Tracey, thank goodness all is working out now! And your NY resolution is perfect, you know I wish I had thought of that! All these cards are just wonderful and when I see someone review their fav cards I can always remember others I have seen through the year that I love. I hope this year is a good one and thank you for being a continual inspiration x

Jen Mitchell said...

What a time you've had! I hope that things will be much more quiet for you and that your daughter returns to good health soon.

~amy~ said...

Oh Tracey, I'm hoping things are 'getting back to normal' for you! You've been having alot of stuff going on!

Love your year in review. Your style is so wonderfully clean & fresh! Thanks for all the wonderful inspiration!

Jill Norwood said...

Oh how scary a situation with your daughter! I am so glad all is going well now! It is bad enough to have strep throat without adding all the rest on top of it! Your cards are all so beautiful! A lovely walk down memory lane! :)

Julia Aston said...

Goodness Tracey - you have had a lot on your plate - it's a good time to slow down and take stock! What a great review of cards - Love your CAS style and all the fun die cuts!

Jacquie Southas said...

Terrific look backTracey! Scary start to the New Year, but glad your daughter is on the mend.

Leigh Penner said...

Oh, how fabulous that you did a "favourite cards of 2013" post, Tracey! So fun seeing your favourite cards of the year! They are all so wonderful! You have such a great style!

Happy Dance said...

So glad you did a review of your personal favorites. I don't think you've ever posted a card that I haven't liked or fallen madly in love with. I will admit to being fully and totally enamored with your "Wish Big" card. Just something about it... However, these are all beyond compare. Bev

Kristie Goulet said...

I love seeing all of your cards. They are all equally amazing.

Sorry to hear about your daughter. I had the same exact thing happen to me a few years back. I have never been allergic to anything but got the rash after taking Amoxicillan for strep. I didn't end up in the hospital though. It was right before we were heading to FL for vacation though and I looked wonderful wearing shorts and short sleeve shirts with the rash. haha Have a great day! xo

Marisa said...

Great array of cards :) Love them! What an eventful break - yikes!! My cousin lives in Richmond Hill and was w/o power for 40 hours!

Bobby said...

All your cards are so great I don't know how you picked only a few. Medication allergies can be a frightening thing, especially when you've taken them before. I'm glad your daughter is well on her way to recovery.

Cathy Weber said...

You already know which one is my favorite Tracey...the one I would LOVE to be able to say I thought of...that great, great, great Santa suit card...but I recognize a lot of the other cards too, in fact seem to recall a group of crafters CASing the one with the circles on Stampafaire day! You are so talented, I love to see what you make! Happy New Year my sweet friend!

IamUniquelyImperfect said...

Thank goodness your daughter is okay. The same thing happened with my brother and is possible it may happen with me because my father had the same allergy. I love all your cards. Always beautiful. tfs Here's to a very Happy, Healthy New Year!! Patricia B

Greta said...

Fun post, Tracey! Your style is wonderful--loved seeing all these together! So sorry you had weather & illness problems, but glad your son made it home safely & hope your daughter is completely well soon! Great plan to avoid unrealistic expectations.

Suzanne said...

Tracey, it sounds to me like you need a New Year's cocktail a few days late. I am so sorry that things have been so crazy for you! I hope it settles soon and that you find some time to relax and craft for yourself! I loved seeing your personal highlights of the year - they're all so fabulous!

carol (krillsister) said...

Beautiful cards. Love the CAS. style of yours. Seems like things were a little hectic for you. I became allergic to Amoxicyllin in my late 50's. go figure!

Kay Miller said...

Oh Tracey, I'm sorry you had such a trying time during the holidays, but I'm glad you still had a nice Christmas and that your daughter is better now. I admire your new years resolution. I'm doing that myself :) LOVE your cards! You have such a beautiful style and are always such an inspiration! Thanks for sharing your works of art! :)

Alanna said...

So sorry about your daughter and the ice storm woes. Here's to a great 2014 for you and your family.

Loved seeing all these cards.

Kim S said...

Holidays are stressful in the best of times - but all the extra that you had to deal with...wow! I'm glad that there were good moments. Thanks for taking the time to put together your best of's - I don't know how you picked because I think I have almost all of your cards saved in my inspiration files!

Michelle said...

How did you narrow it down...you had too many fabulous cards...and don't forget your tags...you need a separate countdown post for that! Love them all Tracey!

Kim Heggins said...

Oh Tracey...what a wonderful collection of amazing cards! I remember each and everyone and it was so fun to see them all in one post. Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

So many AWESOME cards! The butterflies flying off the page, super dad, santa's suit...so many of my personals faves of your designs :) I think my fave is the cool inlaid dots card. Flawless.

Unknown said...

I meant to say that I'm allergic to Tetracycline type antibiotics. I was diagnosed with rosacea and it's thought to be the only treatment...and I'm allergic! I looked like Octo Mom lost a fist fight. Swollen face, lips and my eyes swelled shut...sexy! lol

I hope your daughter's feeling better and that 2014 treats you and your loved ones well. Hugs!

Kelly Griglione said...

Oh boy, so sorry to hear of your adventures with the doctors over the holidays! There's never a good time to be sick, but it's especially not fun to be sick during the holidays. So glad you were able to do a year-in-review though! I LOVE the colorful window, and especially your jolly card. It's a great concept, and then you turned it on an angle and it just comes alive, like Santa's in the middle of a big belly laugh. LOVE!

Anonymous said...

Fantasitic year in review Tracy! It would be impossible to pick a favorite here so I won't try. Love it all!!

I hope you will take a moment to join the Catered Crop “Remembering 2013” recipe swap. The Catered Crop challenge for the month of January is to come up with your Favorite Crafty Creations of 2013. It really will be fun to find all of them in one place. Hugs, May

http://cateredcrop.com/2014/01/04/remembering-2013-recipe-swap/

Words and Pictures said...

Hopped over from Catered Crop where I've just linked up too... Fabulous LIM work - so sharp and fresh. I love those vivid butterflies especially.

Sorry to hear about your scary time with your daughter... hope everything's all settled down now.
Alison x