Freshly Made Sketches #32

Happy Friday!

This week's great sketch at Freshly Made Sketches is by Linda.

There are so many wonderful entries already linked up!  I went with a new baby card for my take on the sketch:

It's almost too bright out today to take pictures!  (An observation, not a complaint!) 

You might notice there was not a lot of stamping involved in making this card.  (Does that mean I made an "outside the box" card?!)  In fact, you might think there was no stamping, but it wasn't none exactly.  I spose I shouldn't say anything about it, because now you'll LOOK, and see the imperfections.  Oh, heck, that's okay ... it turns out I have diaper pins that are yellow, green, lavender, and blue.  Since I wanted them to match my monochromatic schematic, I stamped them with some VersaMagic Sea Breeze ink.  Then I hit them with the heat gun, they rolled over dry, and I was quite tickled.  I've seen other crafty ladies change the color of their brads this way, so the thought is not original.  The fact that I remembered the trick is pretty original, however!

And before anyone else says it, let me just say that I do realize using diaper pins on my card reaffirms that the nurse correctly called me an old lady.  Even if you don't normally comment on people's blogs, take a sec and just say if you have ever seen a diaper pin outside of an antique store!  (You don't even have to lie and say you like the card if you don't, honest!)  I hope I get a lot of young people saying they don't know what I'm talking about.  I love seeing young people enjoying this amazing hobby.

We've got the twins over the weekend so you might not see me until later Sunday or Monday.  I'm back to feeling abnormal, which is awesome since that's my normal, and I sincerely thank you for all your good wishes over the last few days!

Also, please help me welcome Kara Lynne as a new follower.  Kara Lynne is a brand new blogger and new participant in challenges and already one of her cards won two out of the three challenges she entered!  I'd say we should all be checking her out!

Please enjoy ~ and, as always, thank you for stopping by to visit.   Special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower or leave a comment!

Paper:  Mostly Animals (closed business);

  printed vellum, unknown; Bazzill

Ink:  VersaMagic Sea Breeze

Baby:  Sandylion Essentials

Buttons:  Doodlebug Design, Inc.

Diaper Pins:  unknown

Pop Dots

The Play Date Cafe PDCC 129

What day is it?  I'm a little upside down this week.  I didn't think I would get a card made today, but then I saw the colors for this week's The Play Date Cafe challenge and, by some miracle, I membered I had done a watercolor not long ago ...

Here is the challenge:

Aren't those sexilious colors?!  I hope my card complies as I can't quite tell about Dusk.  We had a kid in high school nicknamed Dusk who always wore different colored socks.  He was way ahead of his time, style-wise.  He went into the carwash business, but I think he should have gone to New York City. 

Here's my watercolor watering can:

You should play along in this challenge!  There are great prizes from a great company!

I have to give Mister a shout-out, even though he doesn't read this, I don't think?  When I came home from my procedure yesterday, he had cut a few of my favorite lilacs.  Their unique aroma makes me forget any bolts and bindings that might be rubbing me the wrong way.  He might be a nitwit, but he's a loving, thoughtful nitwit, eh what? 

I took a couple of pictures so you can enjoy them vicaristically with me.  I wish I had smell-a-blog for you!

I'm happy to welcome Emily today.  She makes the most adorable cards at her Art From The Heart blog!

Please enjoy ~ and, as always, thank you for stopping by to visit.   Special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower or leave a comment!

Paper:  Watercolor; SU Rich Razzleberry

Stamps:  Can, SU unknown set; flowers and grass,

  Rubber Stamp Tapestry and Stamps by Judith

Ink:  Marvy markers and water brush

Corner chomper

WOYWW 151

I'm back home and posting only because I took the time to stage my photo yesterday and what good is it to anyone if I don't post it here?!  Even though I have a good excuse, I'm running a very large number on The List at this point.  I may double down on my bet.  And you, for sure, get double points if you even stop in here!  But first let me explain to any newcomer, that my odd, even for me, photos are for Julia's Stamping Ground What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday blog, where you post a photo of your workdesk and then go around poking your nose in the business of other workdesks.  Don't scoff, it's addicting.  Check it out if you don't believe me.

I'm still heavily medicated so don't judge.  I was only mildly medicated when I took these photoslate yesterday afternoon, however, so feel free to judge them.  (Argh, a "photoslate" is an unusual type of rock found when the two words "photos" and "late" are run together in typo fashion.)

If you are over 50, you should recognize that jug.  If you don't, and you're over 50, shame on you - get on it.  Here's a close-up:

Enough said. 

And the sign, which you probably have to click to see, say's "Closed Til Next Week."  I meant that to mean that the WOYWWers won't see any crafting on my desk today, and if they only visit on Wednesdays, they won't see any crafting until next week.  The rest of you can come 'round nearly every day for crafting and who-knows-what-goofing-off.

And, OBTW, if any of you are handwriting experts, what does it say about a person who starts out writing in all capital letters and ends up writing in Initial-Cap-Small-Letters within the span of only four words?  Don't tell me unless it means that person is some kind of unbelievable genius.

Okay, just a quick amuse mon  before I nap, (which I call "nappy-noodle" because my DDIL coined that adorable term when the twins were just wee babies), and before the drugs wear off, I have to share this conversation which transpired as the sweet little nurse, who looked to be about 15, was trying to insert my IV.  The first time she used the expression, I let it go, but when she had to make a second go of it, I couldn't help myself:

Nurse:  "Okay, now, you're going to feel a little prick."

Me:  "Excuse me.  What did you call me?"

Nurse:  "Oh!  Oooh!  You really got me for a second!  I was thinking, 'Oh my, did I really just call this old lady a prick?"  Chuckle.

Me:  Dazed silence.

I did NOT say, what I wanted to say, which was:  "Sweetheart, you may feel free to call me a prick anytime, but please don't call me an old lady!"

Did I or did I not show enormous restraint?!  Bless her heart.

(Some of you thought I was going to say something else after that initial nurse comment, diduncha?  Bless your hearts.)

Please enjoy ~ and, as always, thank you for stopping by to visit.   Special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower or leave a comment!

Mojo Monday 238 - Mother's Day

A terrific Tuesday hello!

I made a card for this week's Mojo Monday challenge, which is this sketch:

The talented Mary Fish always comes up with clever challenges.  I decided to use lots of sunshine and daisies and make a Mother's Day card:

That was on the brink of too much diddling for me, but I knew what I wanted and I severed through all nine, wait, twelve bits and pieces.  Isn't that white daisy on the SU background paper just the happiest?  It makes me grin.

I've another new follower who also makes me happy with her talent and her blog.  She is Sarah of Sarah's Little Snippets.  Thank you, Sarah!  Give her a visit when you get a chance.

I may be back later on today to post for tomorrow's WOYWW, but then there may be radio silence for a couple of days.  I'm having a routine colonoscopy tomorrow and afterwards, I'll no doubt be more interested in napping then in crafting.  I can already feel myself getting weak as a baby from being on liquids for three hours today.  I'm just a shadow, I'm so thin.  Hahahahahahahaha!  What a joke!  I could go thirty hours on liquids and my shadow would still block out the sun.

Mister very kindly went to the store to get me some popsicles and jello, which I can have today.  I joke about him, but since I was diagnosed 30 years ago with Crohn's Disease, he has ridden by my side through all the ups and downs over the years.  I've been through this procedure dozens of times and I'm so grateful for the technology.  Still, merciful heavens, I do wish they could figure out a kinder preparatory.  Nevermind, it's all good.

Well, that was just too serious if you ask me.  In keeping with what was supposed to be a sunshiny post, here's a favorite pun to uplift you:

I stayed up all night to see where the sun went.

Then it dawned on me.

Please enjoy ~ and, as always, thank you for stopping by to visit.   Special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower or leave a comment!

Paper:  SU So Saffron; BP

Stamps:  SU, Happy Mother's Day (I

  masked it, to put happy on top);

  Mom from Hampton Art Stamps;

  Sun from WishPrints

Ink:  SU Close to Cocoa

Daisy:  K and Company

Eyelet:  SU; brad unknown

Ribbon:  Richard's sheer ivory

CAS-ual Fridays CFC49 - Sketch

Good Monday Morning!

It's taken me a while to play along with this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge.  I totally wanted to maim two snakes with one stick on this sketch challenge, but as you know, I'm multi-challenge challenged.  And now I want to see how many times I can use challenge in one paragraph.  Stop it.  Here tis the sketch:

It's a great CAS sketch, right?  I think my problem was I had too many image possibilities, so I got a little parlyized.  

The sponsor this week is Theresa Momber, who is a designer and illustrator for Gina K Designs, where she also has her own line of stamp sets which range from realistic scenery to fun, whimsical and elegant stylization. You should visit her personal blog, Crafting The Web, for fabulous tutorials.  Now, check out this rubber-licious prize designed by Theresa and valued at $75!!

Dino-Mite, The Giving Tree and Vogue Vases

I think we are going to get a lot of entries for this challenge:  Here is mine:

That's the end of card chat.

Yesterday, before it got to be boiling out, I noticed my potted honeysuckle was sending suckles forth, so I grabbed my garden twine and scissors to train it up the frame.  Here I'm walking towards it:

A little closer, I'm at the side, ready to twine ... notice anything odd?

Closer still and I stopped short.  Horrified, I thought, "What in the world of weevils has been eating my plant?!"

Well, silly me, weren't no weevils, just the mother of all dandelions!  Now I know there are parts of the world where dandelions are of no consequence or even eaten with relish.  Me, I pretty much just like them as stamp images, not living on the estate.  And I found it just in the knick of time.  Look!

And then I killed it.  In case you'd like some perspective, here it is dead, next to my gardening clog and scissors. 

Please don't be a hater.  I put it in Mister's salad last night and he didn't even notice.

Please enjoy ~ and, as always, thank you for stopping by to visit.   Special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower or leave a comment!

Paper:  SU vanilla

Stamps: SU, unknown set

Ink:  Memento black; Zig black marker;

  SU embossing powder: maize and rust

I see now that I should have used my

corner chopper on that bottom left. I'm

going to do that, but not redo the pic. I

know you'll use your imagining and

trust me.  You're so nice.

 

Less Is More Week 64 - How Charming!

Sweet Sunday Hello!

I had to give some thought to this week's Less Is More challenge wherein the always-charming Chrissie and Mandi want us to be charming.  (Everyone move in to the middle just a skosh and give us a big smile!)  I have a few charms and it was skirts trying to decide on which one to use.  I appreciate the challenge because I don't use my charms as often as I should.  Hmmm, now that's a double interwanda isn't it?

The April sponsor for Less is More is:

 

I decided I wanted to stay with my candy theme a little while longer and made this card:

The enamel on the candy charm, the ribbon, and the glossy layer are all very dark blue.  The charm is made by Blue Moon:

They are a bit large to be practical for mailing, but so cute for a hand-delivered card.

My aside for today has to do with those seasonal changes in temperature that result in temper fluctuations in men and women occupying the same premises.  Honestly, don't you pull down your shouders and roll your eyeballs and think, "Must we have this fight every six months?"  I'm speaking, of course, of how he likes it cold and you like it hot, or vice and versa.  And so, with the temperature soaring at 9:00 a.m.,

we begin another argument about how cold/hot it should be inside.  Actually, that's not true, we've got it worked out after 40 years.  I get my way.  What?  Is that a bad thing?  For 35 of those 40 years, we have had this cut-out from the newspaper taped to our thermostat.  It makes us chuckle, because it's so true here, obviously it was true in Homer's home, and no doubt it's true all over the world!

I want to thank my new follower Sharon.  She is "glitterastic" and I appreciate her support!

Please enjoy ~ and, as always, thank you for stopping by to visit.  Special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower or leave a comment!

Paper:  PTI white, unknown glossy blue

Stamp:  Taken from "Sweets for the Sweet" image

  in the "Sweets for the Sweet" stamp set

Ink: Versamark and SU navy embossing powder

Charm:  Blue Moon

The Play Date Cafe PDCC 128

It's a Sunny Saturday!  In fact, it's going to hit 92 Blazing Hot degrees here in Northern California!  Last week we had the heat on.  The utility companies love this year's impish Mother Nature!

I am once again glabberfasted by those of you who can combine challenges and make a card.  Last night I tried to combine this challenge with another challenge, but they did not want to make friends.  I had to let it go, which wasn't too hard, because I kind of like giving each card one focus.  My cards are like me, single-focused. 

The Play Date Cafe challenge is to use these popular colors:

These bright colors again transport me back to the early years of my marriage, which is a happy place to reflect back on.  I made this fun vintage stylin' card:

I want to give a shout-out to  Donna Bowman on being selected a Private Blend Designer for The Play Date Cafe!  I'm looking forward to Donna's inspirations, starting in May.  If you get a chance, click over and join in the congratulations!

When I was taking the photo of my card, I happened to notice this:

and looked up and saw this:

You can just see the strands of nesting material sticking out.  It wasn't there yesterday, so I'm going to leave it alone for a couple of days before I climb up and have a peek.  I'm actually a little leery to even look and get attached to the process.  Last year I had a nest in my hanging fern:

(It started out with the three blue eggs, then the next day, a new renter moved in!)

I was beyond excited for about four more days.  On the fifth day, I came home to find the nest on the deck and broken eggs all over the place.  One of the beloved neighborhood squirrels had, well, done what squirrels do.  I had to accept that's the way of things, but I didn't like it.  If this year's nest isn't raided, I'll let you know.

Please enjoy ~ and, as always, thank you for stopping by.   Special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower or leave me a comment!

Paper:  SU Tangerine Tango;

  Stampland glossy white

Stamps:  Hero Arts E2787 Evening Dress;

  All Night Media 501D01

Ink:  Marvy pad and markers

Accessories:  Melon Mambo ribbon;

  fun dimensional unknown; pop dots

Make It Monday #62 ~ Step it Up! Layering

And it's Friday!

Today's card is the exact polar bear opposite of yesterday's fiddly card.  I've been incubating various ideas all week to join in the Nichole Heady (Capture the Moment) Make It Monday challenge.  Betsy Veldman made a terrific video for Nichole's blog about how layering changes the impact and texture of your cards.  I like a one-layer, maybe two-layer CAS card style, but I enjoy how others are able to layer their cards without them looking too froo-froo or like they weigh a ton.  Like Betsy did so well:

We are to make two cards.  One without layers and then basically the same card with layers.  Once again, I'm a bit ham-strung because I don't yet have PTI image stamps, just sentiments and paper, but I wanted to play.  And I wanted to play with buttons.

My one-layer simple, simple card:

The buttons are brighter in real life.  I used the colors I did because of the cute button background paper I used as my inspiration.  Here is my two-layer card:

I tried making my second card with both stamped buttons and real buttons, but it just looked too cluttered.  I'm not sure if that disqualifies me.

And just for fun because that's how my brain works, I had to make this card:

I was going to enter it in the challenge as my one-layer card, but when I went to make my two-layer card, I chickened out and made the above cards to post instead.  I've only been taking part in this challenge a few times, so I wasn't sure if I would offend anyone who's linked their elegant, beautiful cards by my sophomoric humor.  Nevertheless, I thought I would share it here 'cause I cracked myself up.

I am delighted today to welcome Kristine as a follower!  She is sunshine all over the place and has a cool website you should check out!

Please enjoy ~ and, as always, thank you for stopping by.   Special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower or leave me a comment!

Paper:  PTI white and kraft; BP DCWV; and
  Bazzill dotted swiss
Stamps:  plaid button: All Night Media 453B;
  medium button: R.S. Tapestry;
  small button: foam unmarked;
  PTI "Framed" and "Birthday Bash Sentiments"
Buttons:  SU and unknown

Freshly Made Sketch #31 - A Sketch By Rita

A thrilling Thursday hello!

I'm playing today with Freshly Made Sketches.  This cute sketch is by the talented Rita Wright.

I've produced a fiddly card for this challenge.  I think the word is fiddly.  I've seen my British friends use it (don't you just love their cool-loquialism?!) and I like the sound of it.  I think it means that you spent a bit of time fussing and detailing to get 'er done.  Which this did.

When I was cleaning up my mess yesterday, I came across that cute ribbon which I forgot I had.  I have no idea where it came from since it's in a clear little baggie.  There are several other cute little ribbons in there, too, which you might see on a card soon.  (That's the downside of not liking clutter.  Sometimes I put new things away before I use them and then I forget I have them.  I once did that with an entire set of pots and pans.  Just kidding, who has a kitchen big enough to put away an entire set of pots and pans without it being a huge memorable production?  And anyways, you can't wait to use new pots and pans.  Apparently, in my head case, that's not true with cute ribbon.)

So, as I was about to say, before I was parenthetically interrupted, the ribbon reminded me of the cute brads I have, which are also unmarked.  I'm thinking they are from Stampin' Up! because they get along so well with the "Sweets for the Sweet" stamp set which I used to make the background paper.  It's a card that makes me smile.  Because it's got to do with candy.

Having new followers also makes me smile!  I'd like to welcome Zo and Nadia and Trisha!  I appreciate having you on board!

Please enjoy ~ and, as always, thank you for stopping by.   Special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower or leave me a comment!

Paper:  SU white, pretty in pink

Stamps:  SU Sweets for the Sweet

Ribbon:  $ yellow; pink patterned unknown

Cuttlebug and circle nesties

Brads:  SU?