Friday 28 December 2012

2013-a happy new year!


So 2013 is nearly upon us and time to reflect on 2012.
I don't normally ramble on about serious stuff but here goes....
Here is my 2012 story for anyone who may care to take a few moments to read it. Some of you will know some of it already-some not.
2012 was not my best year, in fact it has been the worst year of my life so far.
After a referral by my doctor last December for a mammogram and then a biopsy in January, at the beginning of February I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer on my right side. 3 small tumours. It was quite a blow to take and totally unexpected. The doctors told me I had to have a mastectomy and reconstruction. First I had to have a lymph node biopsy to assess any possible spread but fortunately there was no spread.
In March I went through a 6.5 hour op, had 4 drains in and 8 days in hospital. I had what is called a Latissimus Dorsi reconstruction where the large muscle from my back was harvested to make up my new breast. 
Near the end of April I started chemotherapy for 6 cycles (18 weeks). My veins didn't take it too well so I had to have a Hickman line inserted (central venous catheter) after my 2nd cycle. Thankfully I didn't need to have radiotherapy.
I used a cold cap for a couple of cycles to try and stop losing my hair but in May my hair started to fall out. My daughter and husband shaved my head. That was fun! 
I finished my chemotherapy at the end of August.
I have had countless hospital appointments at 3 different hospitals, seen a load of doctors, had quite a bit of physiotherapy, had a hell of a lot of blood taken and needles inserted. I've had a lot of discomfort, some grief, sickness and pain.
I am still recovering from both the treatment and my operation.
In April this year I go back to hospital to see the cancer doctor and get another mammogram. I can't pretend I'm not nervous about it. I have less faith in my body now, it has let me down. In May I go back to hospital again to arrange more reconstruction surgery.
It's hard to accept the changes to my body that I will have to live with for the rest of my life but ultimately I am grateful to be here.
My hair is growing back too :0)
I'm not telling this story to try and get a bit of sympathy, not at all. I want to make a point and my past year has been as good a way as any to illustrate it.
Even though I have had a negative 2012, I have a positive too.
The way I see it is this. 
There is always someone else in a far worse situation than yourself. Some one who needs far more help and compassion. Please consider others who may not be as fortunate as yourself whether they be human or animal.
So when I go through to 2013 I am being positive and thankful...as I have been throughout 2012.
Be thankful for what you have. Good health is the best gift, never take it for granted and although sometimes it can be hard....always look on the bright side of life!
Wishing a very happy, healthy, compassionate and prosperous 2013 to everyone :0))
xxxx


Thursday 20 December 2012

Merry Christmas everyone!


Just want to wish everyone a very happy christmas holiday and all the very best for 2013. I know I'm looking forward to a new happy and healthy year ahead :0) xxx

Tuesday 4 December 2012

floating bath books





Some of the work I did earlier this year on some bath books. Hope you like! I'm hoping to get copies of them and if I do I'll try and post some more images later.

Monday 3 December 2012

new board books





So here is some work I did earlier this year and now I've got the hard copies :0)
These books are quite small and have little die cut areas where things peak through from other pages-cute!

Wednesday 28 November 2012

work today

So it's getting near to that day in Dec so worked on this design this morning. Waiting to hear about some potential jobs. Enjoying a frosty sunny day! yeah! New snow boots on this morn and blisters on ankles :0( Par for the course.



Friday 9 November 2012

recent work


recent work
Originally uploaded by fhiona galloway.

thought it'd be nice to show some little bits of work I've been working on recently.

Thursday 8 November 2012

EGG DESIGN


EGG DESIGN
Originally uploaded by fhiona galloway.

Just found out this design sold to australia....it's only taken 5 years to sell!

Tuesday 23 October 2012

so sorry for being quiet :0(


So yes I've been very quiet of late. Been very busy with work and also had a wee break last week :0)
No work to show cos it's all confidential and not been doing any self promo work at all so you're stuck with this! Hiya!
My daughter and I were messing around with silly make up and at the time I drew on these enormous eyebrows and lashes as I had none :0))
Glad to report hair is starting to grow back-hurray! Cannot pinpoint the colour at all-seems to be a mish mash of different colour coming in?! Can't wait to see how it looks!

Tuesday 4 September 2012

sexy kit!



I'm getting this sexy bit of kit delivered hopefully this week.....can't wait!!!!
My old tablet has been a joy but I think this will be on a whole new level.
Work wise still keeping madly busy so very happy about that :0))
Lots of children's projects on the go.
Health wise I'm doing ok-finished chemo and onto a drug for next 5 years.
Hoping to see some hair coming back on on my baldy bonce soon! :0))

Friday 17 August 2012

westies!



This was a job I did a little while back. Not seen the finished product but it was for shortbread tins.
Been very busy of late so no other new work to show just now but hope to soon! :0))
Enjoy your weekend everybody!


Wednesday 25 July 2012

published work








just got photos of these products I worked on last year. Really pleased with them although on the space one there is an additional image I didn't do, the satellite is not mine.

Tuesday 24 July 2012

Studio today



Thought I'd show a pic of my work space as I work today. One of these day I'll get some more inspirational things around me...I've nothing on the walls as yet....even though the place was done up at least a year ago now! Today I'm sketching and working on the mac. Going between work on a kids book and a kids website.


Friday 20 July 2012

Halloween sneaky peek


Been Halloween-ing it lately while
waiting on client feedback for book work.
Also working on my new website.
At last we are having slightly better weather....not very warm or sunny but dry.

Friday 6 July 2012

M and S splash book

Just got this in post today. Some pics of my splash book :0) 
I'm a rubbish photographer I know.









Thursday 5 July 2012

desperately fed up....



and sick of the horrible weather we're having....and to make things worse I'm not even going on holiday this year :0(
We really have a dreadful deal when it comes to weather in Scotland and it's no wonder we have an all consuming interest in it all the time.
Roll on next year for hols! I am dreaming of a sun drenched climate with palm trees and blue sea...
Anyway, here is a little sheep to cheer me up :0)

Monday 2 July 2012

witchy woo!


witchy woo!
Originally uploaded by fhiona galloway.

Doing some halloween stuff today. Do you like? Here is a comparison of 2 different styles.


Also on a more personal note I got my head shaved on saturday-woo hoo! The joy of being sans hair!

Wednesday 27 June 2012

sneak peak


A little sneaky peek of what I'm working on. Not a children's job this time but fun all the same.
Weather here is abysmal as usual :0( Why can't we have some summery weather in Scotland for a change please!!!!!

Friday 22 June 2012

Birdhouse in your soul?


I've got it, have you? Sun has finally come out here-how long it will last...who knows?!
this is the wonderful birdhouse my hubbie made for our garden and is attracting all sorts of lovely little feathered friends :0)
Makes a soul happy!
Wishing everyone a happy weekend!

Tuesday 19 June 2012

farm animals & Facebook


farm animals
Originally uploaded by fhiona galloway.

doodling about today....
Also if you don't know I have a facebook page that you can follow so please be my guest :0))


Monday 18 June 2012

I had a funny turn the other day....

I decided to bake a cake and some cupcakes! Totally not like me. I thought I'd try my hand at my first ever vegan chocolate cake and was delighted that it turned out nice :0) 
Made a bit of a boo-boo with the icing mind you...still-tasted good to me and my daughter and her pal had a cupcake each.
On a work note here are some pics of some of the Ladybird books I received in the post at the weekend :0)





 the cake!



Tuesday 12 June 2012

more sneak peaks...

Playing around with previous work to make new stuff and playing with new stuff:0)
Been having one of those mad inspiring days!

Monday 11 June 2012

Thursday 7 June 2012

toot toot! books


toot toot! books
Originally uploaded by fhiona galloway.

One of the set of box of books I did for a Belgium publishers recently. Hope you like!
Going for my next chemo sess. tomorrow so if you don't hear from me over the next week or so you'll know why. Catch up again soon though. Have a good weekend everyone!

Wednesday 30 May 2012

Tuesday 29 May 2012

fairy


fairy
Originally uploaded by fhiona galloway.

I am feeling better! Yeah! So today I am doing a few things. Isn't the weather just lush? :0)

Tuesday 22 May 2012

fishy and yucks!


Hi Peeps!
Just touching base here. Not been feeling too good since my 2nd chemo cycle which was on friday. Just thought I'd post a sample of something I was working on last week while feeling better :0))
Hopefully be back up and running in the next couple of days.