Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I have set this up as part of a Team effort to raise money for a charity very special to us! The Team is #IBDSuperheros. We are a group of random strangers brought together because we've all had a diagnoses of IBD! Please head on over to https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk for more info if you are unsure of what exactly IBD is? If, unfortunately, you have had a diagnoses of IBD come and chat to us on Facebook, #IBDSuperheros , we are a positive group, offering help, support and a positive environment but our main aim is to raise money to aid in research towards, hopefully, finding a Cure. The group has special days, Sponsored events, meet ups and and support.

I have had complete intestinal Crohns for 25 years. I've had my bad times but I've made sure the good times have been great!  I've had some great people in my life, good jobs trying to help others and I've been and am loved!  I've spent my life trying to outweigh the negatives with positives and succeeding most of the time!  After having surgery to remove my large bowel and create an ileostomy, life as I knew it has been generally so much better. But  2 decades of malnutrition, steroids, cytotoxic drugs, weight fluctuations and everything else that was thrown at me to keep me alive has had its toll on my body and mind!  Crohns is a Chronic illness with no cure! It doesn't just affect the intestines, it has a serious impact on the whole body! The drug regime to try and control it comes with so many side effects we are left wondering if not taking them might just be better!  Then realise the side effects of NOT taking them is a slow painful death!
Whilst there is some progress being made by Medical Science it is slow. The rate of Crohns and IBD's diagnoses is climbing, affecting anyone anywhere at any age. The death toll mirrors this pattern as well! Kids still in their teens are finding they can't fight. We are losing Mothers, Fathers, Siblings and close friends. We need a cure! We need answers and solutions so no one in the future will have to suffer and to do this we need more research which requires money! Hence the reason we are backing this charity, 100% of funds raised goes towards research!

Since getting my Stoma (who is named Eric!) I've been deemed medically retired. With my health issues disrupting my body, mind and life I've tried to focus on things to keep me occupied. Keep the mind and soul as satisfied as my slowing, misbehaving body will allow! I have focused on doing crafts, something I love doing and it ends in something (most times )nice. I can feel proud again, give me a glue gun and glitter and I can attempt to create anything! I've always been the type of person who looks at something nice and thinks I could possibly make it myself! Its always a surprise if it turns out the way I thought, I put my heart, soul and sparkle into every little project. Out of everything I play about with Greeting Cards are my favorite. Putting a little bit of  love into birthday cards and a unique twist in the cards for special occasions!  Over the last few years people have asked me to make a card for them and i'm more than happy to do it. A colour pallet to go with a wedding theme,  a mile stone card with things the recipient loves. I've been given photos and blended couples together in celebration! 
It gets uncomfortable though when people ask how much they owe and I tell them they don't! I do buy products but I buy things at reduced price's, I use free stock photos and web site giveaways, free sample and things I've found, Yes I'm a clean skip rummager and can often be heard asking....You throwing that away? That'll come in handy! So the cost to me is an overall cost of buying things I use across all my crafts. So the odd 1 or 2 'produced for others' projects will not make too much of a dent in my supplies. Its also helping me, therapeutically of course!
So there is only one compromise! I'll make cards, individually of course. I can't promise they'll be great or perfect but they will be made with love and in return people can donate to a charity dedicated to making my life, and others diagnosed with IBD,  a bit easier with a brighter future! 

There will be a link soon to photos of current cards you can chose from and also previous makes to give you an idea of what I can do. If you want something specific just ask! Due to my health being a bit unreliable the more time and details you can give me to do a special card the better! I hope people enjoy getting my unique, not perfect but love filled creations as much as I love making them. It's good to think that even sat at home I can make someone smile for a bit!