Sunday, March 17, 2013

Crafty-Emblies Design Team project



Happy St Paddy's day to you all. 
I'm going to share my Design team Projects for crafty-emblies . I had so much fun working with the goodies for this project. There is so much room for creativity with the emblie's products ( i will share a video with a few ideas at the end)  




I made a hanging plaque using the following products from the craft-emblies store 

the blank plaque, 
Alphabet letter tiles
Rose hands from the collection designed by myself. 



My sun catcher was made using my own birdhouse and bling with fairy and florishes from Crafty-Emblies. 




Hope to see all your wonderful creations and entries on the challenge blog. 
Please go and take a look at all the fabulous creations from the other DT Members too
Prize for the challenge winner will be a £10 Crafty-Emblies Gift Voucher and a 
£5 Crafty-Emblies Gift Voucher to the Runner Up.

  to buy some gorgeous Crafty-Emblies of your own.




Happy Crafting 

Vikkie xxx



Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Crafty Emblies Blog candy



Crafty Emblies  are offering one lucky winner the chance to own these gorjuss bits of Crafty emblies





9 x 9 Shadow box
Cog Mask
Chicken Wire Mask
Fluer De Lis Mask
Square Mask
Bag of Round Buttons
Bag of Square Buttons
Bag of Star Buttons
Bag of Mixed Cogs
Bag of Inches
Bag of ATC Blanks
4 Page Tag Book
Bag of Love birds
Bag of Mixed Flowers
Bag of Mixed Dominos
Bag of Mixed Blank Jigsaws


Just pop on over to their blog for more information and to enter. 

Good luck everyone xxx

Sunday, February 24, 2013

GREAT NEWS

Hi Folks, 

Just a quick post to let you all know my exciting news. As of today I am not only a graphic designer for crafty-emblies but I am also heading up the altered art side of the design team woohoo so excited for this new challenge and look forward to working with Judie, Pete and the rest of my DT team mates. 

If you have not checked out crafty-emblies you really should do they make amazing wooden embellishments and alterable items, they have an amazing 25 inch tall eiffel tower amongst other things so drop by and look around and see if anything catches your eye. 

night all 

love and crafty hugs A xx

Craftage, Ramble and a weekend Hello




Hi All, 

I have been a busy little bee since getting back from visiting Tracy and to be honest with you have not done much crafting at all. That was until this weekend. 

I know crafting helps to de stress but have you ever felt that stressed out or not able to settle to craft even though you know it would help? Thats how I have been this past week or two. I got back from being with Tracy for a few days and had various hospital appointments to do with my impending operation ( more on that closer to the time) been designing new pieces for .crafty-emblies. and spending time with my hubbie and fur babies. 

So Friday saw me sitting here thinking what to do what to do. I grabbed a canvas and my box of emblies and a box of this and thats and just glued randomly to the canvas. I had no design in mind i just went with it. To be perfectly honest it was starting to look like just one big hot glue mess lol. BUT I carried on covered everything with a coat or 3 of gesso and lef tit over night to dry and harden to the max. Then out cam the alcohol inks. I added some of the reinkers to spray bottles filled with water and just sprayed. 
The inks I used are Tim Holtz distress reinkers  in 
frayed burlap 
peacock
vintage photo. 
I then broke out my sprays and used 2 different ones. 
Lindy's glitz spritz in cactus gold over the lighter frayed burlap which has given it a lovely green and golden shimmer and then over the rest of it my tattered angels glimmer mist in dazzling diamond. Dried with my heat tool and hey presto from a hot glue gun mess to a dazzling mixed media art piece and I am very pleased with it. 

Everyone has their little signiture thing they do while crafting be it layouts. mini's or jewellary making etc and mine love and first line craft projects has been mixed media for some time now. Whats yours? 

 Only down side to having a mixed media and altered art fascination is where to keep them once they are finished . . .  well I have come up with a plan, I am going to get a smash book and alter it of course and then take pictures  of projects and crap them. That way I always have a reference for works done and can sell of RAK them. 




Steampunk fairy mixed media canvas 8 x 11 inches 



The other projects where quick and simple. Two wooden frames which I white washed and altered slightly and then printed off backgrounds and two sayings. One is obviously for my craft room but I also do tattoos so the other one includes a tattoo needles and is for my tattoo space. I think they are very simple but effective. 



I hope you have enjoyed todays rambles and my shares I may be back later with some news to share but you never know I have to wait for it to be announced before I can tell you so watch this space. 

Have a great crafty sunday much love and crafty kisses 

A xx






Saturday, February 23, 2013

Bit late


Well Hello Follow Bloggers 

As promised here are the pictures from the 80's night with Tracy, I have no idea what possessed us but there ya go us arty types can be pretty random but it was a good laugh almost as much as the end results are laughable. 




I went for giving Tracy the Boy George inspired look 



And Yes I am a classy bird lol 




With out the makeup and looking normal for us. 



Well thats it for now I will be back with more crafty elements and an I love my ink post sometime this weekend. 

love and crafty hugs 

A xx

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

busy busy busy



I am so sorry it has been a while but things have been pretty busy here for me and I have some exciting news to share. 

Firstly I am now a graphic designer for the wonderful company known as crafty-emblies. If you have not checked out there wooden embellishments and alterable items you really need too. They are a family owned and ran company and work from home.All designing is done by husband and wife team and they have very kindly recently added me to the team. Pete also does all the cutting. 




I also managed to get over to visit one of my closest friends Tracy in Scotland last week. We had a great relaxing time and I managed to get a new tattoo done while there to cover up a nasty one, that lets say was not done to the best standad. It wasnt to painful only my ankle briuised and my god is the foot itchy where it is scabbing over, man it is hard not to scratch lol. We also did some shopping and I am all set for my operation pre op is in 2 days time woohoo I am soooo excited xx 


Tracy and I did a relive the 80's night with our hair and make up and once she has sent me the pictures i will share them with you all i will say is dont spit ya coffee out when u see them but we had a right laugh with it. I turned Tracy into a Boy George fan is all I am going to say. 

Right guys I have to sign off I will be back this week with some crafty bits and bobs and the 80's make over photos. 

Love to u all xxxxxx

Friday, January 25, 2013

Altered items




Hello World, 

I  have been a busy little bee over the past few days on a right altering kick. It has taken me a while to do each project even the small ones due to the fact I am having a week where I just can not settle to do anything.I was up at 6 30 the other morning making trifle . . . .  bare in mind I don't go to bed till gone 3 am . . .  Its one of the down sides of Bi polar as I have mentioned, and even though I cant sleep I have not got a ton of energy to even make my extra waking hours useful, nor am I getting the pleasure from crafting that I do on a good day. How ever I do force my self to try and do something as I find crafting to be very therapeutic over all.


Altered Jar. 
This was probably the most useful item I have done this week as not only is it cute but it is also practical. Not sure what I will store in it yet but the plan is there to make a lot more of them as I empty jars and use them. Do you keep jars for storage? If so what do you keep in yours?  

Altered spool ( made from a loo roll more below) 

Altered paper bag. 
This is just a normal paper lunch bag or the kind you can get from a fruit and veg shop back home in the UK.  It's taken me a while to have a go at these but once I got into it I have done a few. I think this one is my favorite. They are a great idea instead of wrapping paper and can be made to be a lot more personal. 


Altered spools. 
As I mentioned above these are made from toilet roll tubes. I love the idea of recycling or upcycling as it is called in the crafting world. Taking something that would normally be thrown away and using it. I need to try and do it more often if I am honest I am sure I throw far to much out. These are so effective for storing lace and ribbon on as well as looking pretty. And we all know every craft room should be full of pretties on display. I am keeping my eyes peeled for a large bowl to put these in. 


Altered canvas. 
I had a few cogs sprockets, gears, screws and nuts from .crafty-emblies I wanted to use. this is what I came up with. My own version of shabby chic meets steampunk. I re purposed an old canvas board I had used in the past but hadn't liked how it had turned out. Gave it a coat of gesso and away we went with the acylic paint and decorating. I am pleased with it and I think the little doves make a nice change. If you have not heard of .crafty-emblies pop along to there store via the clicky link. Just click on their name in this post and it will take you straight there.

Well I think that is about it for now hope you are all keeping well and I will be back soon 

Hugs 

xx A xx

Monday, January 21, 2013

My First Award and some recent crafts



My First Award!

Isn't it beautiful! :) It's the Liebster Award. Okay it's not an Oscar, a Golden Globe or even a BAFTA but it is pretty awesome that my friend Mary nominated me!

What the award is about.
 It is all about new bloggers (those with under 200 followers) getting to know each other and motivating each other.

 Here are the rules: 
1. You must post 11 things about yourself.
2. Answer the questions that the nominator set for you.
3. Create 11 questions for the people you nominate.
4. Choose 11 new blogs & link them in your post
5. Please leave me a comment on this post with the URL to your Liebster award so I can learn more about YOU!


 Things about me asked by Mary. 

  1. What is your dream vacation?   I would love to visit Australia and see where my mum grew up. 
  2.  Have you outgrown your childhood fears?  I don't remember having any, and I don't now so I guess that's a big yes.
  3. What is your least favorite food? Crabs
  4. What do you see yourself doing 5 years from now? Hopefully back in healthcare if I have managed to master the Norwegian Language. 
  5.  Why did you start blogging?  As a way to meet new people and to share my crafts and gain inspiration. 
  6.  What is your favorite 3 movies? Dirty dancing, xxx and xmen. 
  7.  Name 1 major change you would like to do in your life. Become a mother. 
  8.  What would you do with one million dollars? Clear debt, IVF,buy a house on a farm and take my mum and dad on a trip of a life time. 
  9.  If you could own any animal, what would it be and why? To many to pick, I would love to have a small farm. 
  10. What is your favorite tv program?  Sons of Anarchy
  11. Who inspires you the most?  My mum. 



11 Random things people don't know about me. 

  1. I don't have tv channels my tv is a giant computer monitor and video games screen only. 
  2. I hate wearing clothes at home.
  3. I am a 3rd wife and have 3 step children.
  4. I am addicted to old Australian TV shows like, Prisoner Cell block H, Early Home and Away and Neighbours.
  5. I have 4 huskys.
  6. I have a weakness for 80's cheesy rock.
  7. My favorite drink is Coffee
  8. My favorite alcoholic drink is a slippery nipple ( Tia Maria and sambuca).
  9. I have no idea what my natural hair colour is as it has been far to long since I have been that colour. 
  10. I am only 5 ft 3 inches tall and struggle to reach the top shelf in kitchen units and far to many other things. 
  11. I am a qualified motorcycle mechanic. 



The 11 questions to ask my nominates.
  1. How old were you when you had your first kiss ?
  2. What song represents your life?
  3. What is one thing no one knows about you ?
  4. If you were a superhero, What would your catch Phrase Be ?
  5. What do like to do for fun?
  6. What time is it right now?
  7. What is the first word that comes to mind when I say the word " Awesome" ?
  8. What is the first thing you do when you wake up ?
  9. What is your Favourite Colour ?
  10. What is your favourite ice cream flavour?
  11. Why did you start to blog? 



Ok well apart from answering all these questions, browsing for blogs to give the award to I have also been crafting my little tooshy off ha ha ha little pfft i wish any way moving swiftly along. 



Here is my altered shadow box. Unfortunately the glass was broken in the mail so I removed it and decided to do this pale lace and doily piece of yummyness. 




I hope everyone is staying say and warm and crafty 

hugs 

xx A xx 









Tuesday, January 15, 2013

I finished my projects woohoo



Second post with a quick share of the rest of my completed weekend crafts and an update to how I am going to organize my blog. 

As you may be able to see to the right is a list of pages.I decided to keep the home page to crafts and general rambles and then if people wanted to read any of the other stuff they could without it being bam right there on the home page. 

I'm say drinking liquorice tea which is lovely. I am normally an avid coffee drinker but now and again just fancy a change, plus liquorice tea has many good benefits, it is great if you have a congested chest. 

This is only going to be another short post as I want to sit and do some work on the other pages and try to get some more of my room done, while dinner is cooking, garlic and chive roast potatoes, pork steaks and green beans mmmm the smell of garlic is just heaven. 



my  finished altered canvas I just love this quote 



Larger altered notebook.



So they are the rest of my crafty weekend projects all finished. I have a few projects planned for swaps and my house for the next few weeks so there will be lots more shares coming up. Grrrr my belly is growling and the smell is driving me mad I just love me some garlic lol. 

Much love and crafty kisses 

x A x 








Sunday, January 13, 2013

weekend goodness



Well this is the results of my weekend lol I tried to get the craft room organized a bit better. Im pleased so far with what has been dome but I still have so much to do in there to get it looking just right. The down side is I can get it looking right and nice and pretty but the second I start to get creative it goes to pot lol Maybe that should be my goal for this year to keep this room more organized. hmmm we shall see. This is going to be a really short post though so dont worry no long rambles today. 


 
My storage and display shelves with mail to go out shelf



Display above my computer desk and every day used items



One of my finished altered notebooks. 


Ok I got to go and finish cooking and get back to it, told you it would only be short. 

Have fun stay safe and warm and keep crafting 

love and crafty kisses 

xx A xx 

Saturday, January 12, 2013

the weekend is here woohoo


Well Hello Friends,  

To my new followers why thank you for taking the time to find me and drop by and say Hi it means a lot. 

I would like to get one thing out there from the start though, this blog is not just about crafts nor is it just about life I wanted a place I could mix it up and share exactly what was on my mind at the same time, sharing my crafty things, tutorials, ideas etc etc. 

I do not monitor comments and let people express them selves  how ever they wish, if someone else decides they want to use a curse word or two in a comment to ME then that's fine so long as it is not to strong or they are not being negative or aiming it at someone in a negative manner. Where has this all come from well I got a very judgemental and negative comment left for me by someone who had an issue with a comment someone else had left which used a curse word. So I just wanted to  make my stand point clear so as to not offend people. In my opinion the posts by me are what you guys are hear to read, comments left on a blog are for the blog owner, if you choose to read them that's down to you. We are as we do in our off line lives going to come across things we don't agree with or share the same view point on so just forget and move on is my advice.



I GOT  CRAFTY      can you believe it, I know I cant lol AND I have even been doing some working on the organizing of my junk to be sorted corner. I managed to sort through and house 2 boxes, clear the floor over there and empty a draw in my storage unit . . . where did it all go I hear you ask . . .  well some is in a big black garbage bag and some has gone in a box for my Youtube give away if I reach 500 subbies by the end of Jan. 

While I was sorting things out clearing my tables etc I also managed to start 3 little projects. 2 altered note books and an altered canvas. The small altered notebook will go in with a birthday present and the altered canvas is for a friend who is being tested to the limit at the moment just to let  them know they are thought about. they have had some testing years and know all about strength. 




Well thats it for today I think. Hope you look forward to the finished results I think I will be ready to share them over the next few days. And maybe even get a room tour done, well that is if I can motivate  myself to finish it lol.

Have a good weekend and stay safe and warm.

Love and crafty wishes

xx A xx

Friday, January 11, 2013

Crafts and Health

Good day to you and thank you for dropping by my blog.









 
My blog is a mis-match of crafts, life, health, rants its  my place to vent and share ideas etc as you may have noticed already.

I have been busy with some crafting and have done some more on my box for mum.I am pleased with how it is coming along. I've just got to line the inside of it and its done. I hand made the flower and used lots of rub n buff to accent places. I dont know if I can part with it, he he he







I've also started to play with clay to make my own embellishments. First I made some molds with polymer clay and then used some light weight air drying clay to make some flowers, birdhouses, cameo's and butterflys.




All I have to do now is sand the edges and varnish them and they are ready to use.

As some of  you may know if you follow me on YT I wanted to have a place I could share health related things and to talk about 3 health issues that effect me personally as well as 1000's of people the world over. Unfortunatly there is also alot of stigma that goes with them so I want to try and bring them to light a little bit and dismiss some of the stigma that goes with them. Today I want to focus on Bi polar. So for now the crafty side of this post is over read on if you are interested in doing so or leave now lol you have been warned. 



The word "bipolar" is often used during casual and joking diagnosis of someone who's happy one minute and sad the next, but the real thing, bipolar disorder, is a serious mental illness that's wrecked lives. There's still much that remains unknown about the disease, but knowledge of it is growing, and great strides have been made in its treatment. However, there are many misconceptions about the condition, and a lot of things that even researchers and doctors used to believe about bipolar disorder have been scrapped.
So what are 10 myths about bipolar disorder that continue to misinform? Keep reading to find out.


10: There's Only One Type of Bipolar Disorder

A common -- but mistaken -- belief is that there is only one type of bipolar disorder, but there are actually several:
  • Bipolar I disorder is distinguished by its inclusion of a full-blown manic episode at some point in the person's life.
  • A person with bipolar II, a milder form of the disorder than bipolar I, goes back and forth between periods of depression and periods of elevated moods, but not actual mania.
  • Cyclothymic bipolar disorder is similar to bipolar II, but less severe.
  • Several periods of mania and/or depression in a single year indicates rapid cycling bipolar disorder.
  • If highs and lows coexist or occur quickly back-to-back, this is mixed bipolar disorder.

personally I suffer with bi polar II. 

9: Mania Sounds Like Fun

A surface understanding of manic episodes -- or their occasional representation in movies or TV shows -- makes them seem like a good time. You get lots done, you have endless energy, you're highly extroverted -- why wouldn't you be on top of the world?
Some people with bipolar disorder do experience happiness when in a manic state, but often, the reins of life can slip out of their hands. They become highly excitable, anxious and irritable. Their minds careen from one seemingly grand idea to the next, and their sleep rhythms fall apart. They may begin making bolder and risky decisions when it comes to sex, and may overindulge on alcohol or drugs. Some people start gambling or racking up huge shopping tabs. Mania can also cause psychotic thoughts and actions.
So there you have it -- another reason not to believe everything you see about mental illness in the media.
Having a manic episode can be pretty scary for me and those around me. I have in the past over indulged with alcohol and certain drugs, made some very bold and risky decisions in life, but thankfully this is not a habit or coping method I use anymore. How ever I still have long periods where my sleep pattern falls apart which can lead to me being excitable, anxious and irritable  . . . sometimes all at once. And we will not even mention the debt I get into with shopping,.

8: Very Few People Actually Have Bipolar Disorder

While most of us know about or have heard of bipolar disorder or manic depression, it's easy to think that it doesn't affect that many people. After all, many patients don't disclose their condition to co-workers or acquaintances, and the casual observer may not detect anything more significant than an especially good mood or a person having a bad day. 
Bipolar disorder doesn't discriminate based on gender or race, and seems to affect all groups evenly across the board. While most often symptoms present themselves in young adulthood (late teens to early 20s), older adults are susceptible as well as young children.
I was 13 when I first started to have episodes of depression and self harming. by the time I was 16 I was diagnosed with bi polar disorder and impulse control disorder. Now at 31 I seem to be alot more stable on my current medication, apart from the sleep side of things. But this can change. Over the summer and autumn of last year even up untill early December  I was uncontrolled. 



7: Children Can't Get Bipolar Disorder

Life for many families would be easier if this next myth were indeed true. However, children as young as 6 can develop bipolar disorder, and the disease can prompt children to attempt suicide. When bipolar disorder presents itself at a young age, there's often a corresponding family history of mood disorders. Children who develop it can experience many periods of depression before the first manic episode, making it harder to diagnose. Sometimes, these depressions are accompanied by psychotic thoughts and behaviors, and children are more likely to experience mixed states -- that is, having mania and depression at the same time.
While lithium is often less effective in children (and the side effects are worse), advancing research and knowledge of adolescent bipolar disorder -- when matched with early detection and treatment -- offers more hope each day to families with bipolar children.

Did You Know?

Early-onset bipolar disorder (bipolar disorder in children) can be more severe than the adult version, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Symptoms and changes in mood occur more frequently in bipolar children than they do in adults.

6: It's Just a Dramatic Term for Mood Swings

We've all experienced mood swings, so it's easy to think bipolar disorder is just a fancy name for one.
When most people feel in the dumps or on top of the world, it's usually a short-term feeling that fades away along with the reasons that prompted the feeling, or as a result of a gradual adjustment to the new circumstances.
Bipolar mood swings are different, and they can last for weeks or months. Up mood swings often lead to dangerous lifestyle choices, racing thoughts that refuse to be corralled and out-of-ordinary behaviors that can damage careers and family lives. Down mood swings for a bipolar person lead to excessive sleep and lethargy, uncontrollable crying and even thoughts of (and attempts at) suicide.
So when we're talking about bipolar disorder, we're not talking about good moods and bad moods. There's no "snapping out of it" when it comes this condition.
I have had many people say to me oh just snap out of it. it will be fine after a good sleep, it will all seem better in the morning and many more statements along the same lines. Personally I wish it was. It is not a good way to live having to deal with such drastic long term mood swings. In the past I have lost my house to debt through bad choices, hurt my family and friends, hurt myself so many times I have lost count. Thankfully though I now have a wonderful support network of family and friends who I can be totally honest with about how I feel.I have an outlet in my creativity. A wonderful partner who puts up with so much but keeps me safe. And most importantly it has been awhile since I have woken up and dreaded being alive. Now thanks to my friends, partner, family, doctor and medication I can say life is good. 

5: Bipolar Disorder Means High Highs or Low Lows

When most of us hear the words bipolar or manic depression, we think of very high highs and very low lows. Additionally, we think that people with bipolar disorder simply go from one to the other, with no stop in between.
While severe cases can involve such features, most people don't careen from high to low and back again. Patients may be in state of mania or depression for a while, or they may be in between the two. They may even show signs of both simultaneously. Some people go months or even years with bipolar disorder in regression, only to have it rear its ugly head again. Some people cycle quickly between high and low, while others only experience a full-blown manic state once every few years.
Regardless of frequency, the intensity is highly variable as well. Many people with bipolar disorder have more mild highs and lows and cycle between these states.
I cycle between mild highs and lows and can go years without a high high or a very low depressive state. I can also be in a neutral state for a while. Before my last episode of bi polar regression I had been relatively controlled for 3 years. My sleep pattern is one thing that is in constant swings on a frequent basis. 

4: Bipolar Disorder Only Affects Mood

While the best known symptoms of bipolar disorder are mood related (and the disease itself is a mood disorder), bipolar disorder affects a person in many other ways as well.
When people with bipolar disorder experience highs or lows, they experience problems with overall cognitive functions as well as mood. A person may one day have a razor-sharp mind and sharpened intellect, and the next day have muddled thoughts and a sluggish thought process.
It also messes with sleep patterns. While experiencing a "high," someone with bipolar disorder won't sleep as much (sometimes hardly at all), and seemingly won't be the worse for it during the day. In fact, lack of sleep is often a precursor to a manic episode that hasn't presented itself yet. When experiencing a "low," a person will oversleep and never feel fully rested and alert.
Highs and lows also contribute to bad lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking, poor diet and drug use.

3: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Can Cause Bipolar Disorder

Many people with bipolar disorder are also frequent or heavy users of alcohol and nonprescription drugs. This in part has led to a belief that substance abuse -- offering its own often unpredictable highs and lows -- can cause you to snap and become bipolar.
While there is increased use of alcohol and drugs for people with bipolar disorder, it's not a contributing factor. A healthy person without bipolar disorder can't "crack" through alcohol or drug use and develop it.
People with bipolar disorder are more prone to engaging in risky, dangerous behaviors, and many also attempt to self-medicate in hopes of decreasing mood swings, getting sleep and dealing with anxiety. Though many people find short-term success or results, over the long haul these behaviors take their toll.

2: All You Need are Meds

Modern medications have made a wonderful difference and vast improvement in the lives of many people with bipolar disorder. But while lithium, anticonvulsants, antidepressantsand other drugs are very important in the treatment of the condition (especially when first treated during a full-blown high or low), it's now commonly accepted that long-term success is best attained when treatment doesn't rely on medications alone.
Instead, treatment should include regular counseling from a trained mental health professional and a treatment support network consisting of family, friends, counselors or group-therapy sessions. It's also important to maintain a steady and healthy lifestyle -- that means proper sleep, diet, exercise and sobriety.
People will be most successful in dealing with bipolar disorder by developing a treatment plan that manages the issue through a variety of different means, and not just with medication alone.

1: Meds Will Turn You Into a Zombie

Bipolar disorder is usually treated through some combination of drugs like lithium, anticonvulsants, anti psychotics and antidepressants, but pills often have side effects. Lithium in particular has a reputation for turning patients into zombies. It's not totally undeserved, but side effects usually fade away after a few months of use, and the remaining side effects can often be alleviated through dosage adjustment.
The same holds true for anticonvulsants and anti psychotics. Dosages may be higher than usual at first, especially when dealing with extreme mania or depression. However, once the crisis has passed, the dosage is generally lowered to facilitate a stable, happy and productive life. Lithium or any other specific drug may just not be right for you, but by working with your doctor, a better option can be found.

I take 2 different drugs daily, an anti depressant and a mood stabilizer. For me they have helped to make a world of difference to my life. I have no negative side effects from them. Although it did take a few months to find a dose and balance between the two that worked for me. I have been able to complete a degree at university, hold a good job in healthcare, have a happy and supportive partner infact have a normal life as dictated by society. I drive I ride a motorbike there is no reason why suffering from bi polar disorder or depression means you cant do things. It just means for me that at times I need added support to function on a normal level. whether that support is from the mental health team at the local hospital, my medication, friends, family, my hobbies. Its all about finding a balance of things that worked for me. 

I hope you do not mind it was quite a long post if you managed to stay this far THANK YOU. 

Much love and crafty kisses 

A xx