Post-Easter Christmas ~ NBUS #125

Happy Sunday Funday!

I am happy to report that Hammy came back revigorated and raring to go. He was pretty tight-lipped about his randyvoo with Ms. Thing, but that's okay. I'll find out from Chuchee whether or not he behaved himself. All I know is, he got up in my face right off the bat and asked me how I was coming with my resolve to make Christmas cards every single week of 2014. Gulp.

Thankfully, with his help and a couple of fabilicious challenges, I've made two more Christmas cards for the stash.

First up is this card.

That's pretty layered up and non-CAS for me, huh?! Every once in a while, it's fun to give your hamster a break so when he returns, things get a little wild and karazy! The NBUS is the Christmas tree sediment by My Favorite Things. If you would like to know any other ingredient detail, please let me know.

My card was inspired by Merry Monday, where we are to decorate our Christmas words; TIME OUT Challenges, where we are to CASE a card by the famous card artist, Virginia Lu from Yes, Virginia; Jingle Belles, where we are to "bundle up" by using at least three layers; and Pixie's Snippets Playground, where we are to use up our snippets. 

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My second card came about because of the new Stamping for Pleasure Rudolph Day requirements, which are that we must make TWO cards to enter. Bless Sarn's little heart! Am I the only one who keeps forgetting this? I finished my card above, cleaned up my desk, put everything away, and started visiting other blogs ... suddenly Hammy crawled up the sleeve of my sweater, over the top of my head, and out onto the stem of my eyeglasses. Peering over the top until we were eyeball to eyeball, he drawled, "Helluuuu? Member? Rudolph wants TWO cards!" Aaah, man.

It's mazing what you can do under pressure. Here's what I did:

The side strips look like Washi tape, but they are just strips of the same PTI paper used in my first card. The wreath is "Breezy Wreath" by Poppystamps that I die-cut four times and layered. The image is a vintage Hero Arts stamp (E2017), popped up on a foam pad. Shazambam, QACAS!

I'm also entering this card in the Less Is More challenge, which is a sketch designed by Chrissie; A Blog Named Hero, where we are to use "layers or dimension"; Simon Say Stamp Wednesday Challenge, where the challenge is "Keep it Clean and Simple";and Simply Create Too, where the current challenge is "Stack Um Up" (use at least two layers).

 

If you click on the links to any of the challenges listed, you can find out more information on rules, sponsors, and prizes. I hope to see you there!!

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New Friends Corner

I am so pleased to introduce you to Nicky of Stiggy's Crafts. Nicky is a seasoned card artist who has been blogging since 2008! I am always overwhelmed by the amount of inspiration that I've missed by not connecting with Blogland before late 2011. Not to worry, all of us can catch up with Nicky who has tons of talent and ideas and designs to share!!

Thank you for joining, Nicky, and welcome to the Playhouse!

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Garden as Art

So, for about 38 years I've sat in the same seat at the dining room table and looked out the window at this:

I forgot to take a true "before" photo when it wasn't nicely painted and there were no horizontal boards on it, so imagine it looking even more boring.

In the last year or so my DS and DIL have converted me to loving all things succulent and this year I have incorporated a lot of succulent plants in the garden. When I found some wonderful hanging baskets of succulents at the home center that fit flush up against a wall or a fence I got the idea to have the Mister put up some cross boards to hang them and now it looks like this:

The four hanging baskets came that way; I made up the other three black ones. Wish us luck that we don't kill them by over-watering!

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Enjoy the day! No, seriously, enjoy.  LITS!* 

As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to leave a comment and/or join as a follower! Please let me know you came by, so I can be sure and return the flavor! 

  

 

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