Hello Stamplings,
Our minds were taken off the Coronavirus this week when our hot water heater went belly up. The bad news is we weren't able to take hot showers, the good news is we weren't seen by any other people! Let me tell you, when you can't get hot water out of the faucet and have to go back to heating it on the stove, you realize how much you take it for granted!
But that's behind us now and I'm here to take your mind off C-19 for a bit as I share a Christmas-in-springtime card with you today. Now that I look at it, the colors are Christmas-in-springtime, too!
The snowmen are from Paper Smooches "Snow Dudes" set. I was hoping to get this made before the CAS Mix Up challenge ended. They called for the use of acrylic paints and said if we were really feeling adventurous, we could use cards made from a "Dirty Pour." That reminded me that I still had remnants of the dirty pours we did two years ago at the Eat, Sleep, Craft, Repeat (ESCR) retreat. We used canvas paper:
You can see that a few of them will end up on awesome ocean-related cards, but I chose one that I thought might work for Christmas to make my tag card. I missed the CAS Mix Up challenge, but I can link up to Rudolph Days where the brief is "Anything Christmas Goes."
Beware the Crumble
I have a funny story to share of something I did a few days ago. I told you that the Mister can drive now, thankfully, since I can't be out and about. He went to the grocery store and was able to get some staples we needed. I was working away in the Playhouse when he came home.
He walked out from the house carrying something, pleased as punch. It looked like he was holding something very precious. It turned out to be a crumble-topped coffee cake, baked in the shape of a small loaf. I was delighted! I brought it to my nose, as one does, inhaling the heady aroma of cinnamon right through the plastic wrap. "Aaaah," I sighed. He carried it back in the house to be served later.
I sat back down in my chair and suddenly I had this visual:
Five minutes before the Mister walked over to the specialty loaf section, another person had been there. If you had watched, you would have seen her picking up each loaf, bringing it to her nose and inhaling deeply before she put one down and picked up another. She was riddled with Covid-19 and I had just put my nose right where her nose had been!
Well, of course, that was in my imagination, but then again, it could have happened! How could I have been so stupid?! It just shows that no matter how careful we've been - and we have been very careful - something can happen to throw a wrench in. All I could do was laugh out loud.
I told the Mister of my thoughts and then, still laughing, I told him that when the CDC came calling after my death to ask where I'd traveled and who I'd been around, I wanted him to tell them very firmly to write this in their reports: "She's been absolutely self-isolating since March 10th. She died because she buried her nose in a crumble topping."
And another laugh ...
~~~
Take care and stay safe. And enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*
*Life is too short!
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69 comments:
Beautiful card.
Thank you for, as always, bringing a smile to my face and joy to my heart ... your blog posts always lift my spirits. I have nothing but admiration for your eloquent writing and ability to bring joy to others. Take care and stay safe
Elaine
A timely warning. I smiled when the BBC told us to 'wash our shopping' but when reading your little visual it makes sense. We actually had a delivery (the first in our 14 days of isolation) yesterday and there was my other half in rubber gloves in the utility room washing all the things that he could that had ben delivered. Silly or not, my head feels better knowing this has taken place.
Lovely pours on your desk for us to see and a delightful card using one of them. So, is the tag canvas on card? Just wondering.
Glad you are staying as safe as you possibly can and keeping your spirits up with crafting.
Hugs across the water
Neet xx
Just love your dirty pour snowman tag card Darnell - your pours are fabulous, always nice to have extras on hand I say. Your stories are a riot, but does show how very easy it is for us to slip up... we're social distancing here too... I think there could also be quite a few thoughts on rope making - it'll be trying times.... stay safe, hugs Robyn
Oh yes, those thoughts will be haunting us all from here on in... yes, it;s certainly a weird time Darnell and we need a few laughs.
Love your spring coloured Christmas card - that 's a gorgeous background.
Stay safe, and keep Hammy safe too :)
Blessings
Maxine
Hahahahahaha ... where do you find those pictures, Darnell ... I fell about. Thank you for such great timing ... just finished my coffee and had put the mug down ... you know where it would've been otherwise! Delicious frosty snowmen card ... cute and such a cool dirty pour background! Bucket showers ... oh the joy of it all ... been there, done that for far too long ... and now I give thanks every single time I step in the (hot) shower! Keep taking care, my friend ... and we will too. LYAMYEDMA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)
LOL! Your story is so funny .... but unfortunately very true. I've never done so much washing of stuff and wiping surfaces. I'm running out of hand cream now!
Cute Christmas card .... I haven't even thought about making a start on the festive stuff yet, although hubby did say why don't we put the Christmas up! Not sure I'm ready to go there just yet.
Have a lovely weekend my friend xx
Loving this Christmas card with the cuties on it. Loving also your so amusing post - great that you can find something to bring a smile to these scary times. Makes you think though doesn't it - can't be too careful.
Your dirty pour is fantastic Darnell and the snowman looks right at home sitting there on top. I laughed at your story of the cake, but it's so true, we do so many things without giving it a second thought. We'll have to retrain ourselves to stop and think - who's touched this before me.
Take care
Sue xx
Love your sweet Christmas card Darnell and these Dirty Pour background are certainly very effective...You always manage to make us smile Darnell but you are so right in what you imagined you just can't be too careful...
take care
Anne x
A funny story but one that highlights how we must change our normal way of doing things! Currently we are using anti bac wipes to wipe our supplies before we put them away only handling them in the shop and at home wearing gloves -
which is a nuisance because MY disposable glove supply was NOT meant for this at all............... how do I make a mess without them????? And more to the point how can I get some more??!!
You have read my mind this morning Dolly Daydreams as I am about to embark on another little 'dirty pour' for no other reason than I can't settle to do anything else so maybe chucking a bit of paint around will release Mr Mojo from his self isolation - and if not there's always the rest of the day to spend trying to get the paint of my non gloved hands.....
Oh, almost forgot - the card is pretty cool too! xxxx
So glad you got your water heater situation all fixed up! It's all a matter of perspective, isn't it? What a rollercoaster it has been. Around here they are playing Christmas music on the radio and here you are sharing a wonderful Christmas card. Lots of joy and hope floating around. I probably would have done that same thing, take a big ole sniffaroo. Great reminder that this virus can lurk anywhere. Please continue to take good care of yourself. Big hugs to you!
Hi Darnell,
well you sure do bring a smile to anyones face when they visit as your words are always jollyful and you sure have a way with words.
We all need brightening up in these dire times.
Love your Christmas card with your dirty pour not heard of that one, but it sounds a little like Mixed Media pouring perhaps it is.
Super cute snowmen on the lovely tags too.
Thank you for joining the Rudolf Challenge and making me smile so.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L. DT
Hi Darnell, It is so easy to forget things like that. Hope you manage to keep clear of any more crumble top coffee cakes:)
Love the card and those backgrounds are crying out to be used.
You take care. Sue
I am loving that background on your card and those 'cool' (pun intended lol) snowmen! I honestly have a couple just like those two I put out at Christmas that my sister gifted me 20 years ago! Great story about the bread, too!! I have a list and need to go out but am terrified to do so as Michigan is in the top 5 of the outbreak, yesterday added 800 more cases...ugh!! I always wondered why I bought so much stuff for my crafting room, now I know why, just for occasions like now, I have TONS to keep me occupied!! Take care!
Sometimes we just can't break the habits. Bring that cake to your nose to smell would have been the exact thing I would have done.
I love your pours. I've been wanting to try them They are gorgeous. What a great Christmas card. [Bunny]
Love the pastel dirty pour and the sweet snow people, Dolly! Hope any C-19 germs had flown away on the way home!
… little did Jane know that Jim was in the garage setting up his step ladder.
=]
I know there's a card here... betting it's gorgeous, too!
xx
Whoever would have thought a few weeks ago that sniffing a cake would be considered dangerous! You are quite right though Darnell, we can't be too careful at the moment!
Beautiful card, cute snowmen and gorgeous background.
Will you be sharing Jane's pattern?
Take care
xx
Stay away from ALL crumb toppings!!!!!
Cute card and just a perfect little snowperson/people. Love!
Lynn
I always enjoy your blog, Darnell. Your Christmas card is adorable. I learned about Dirty Pour. I got a good laugh from your nose in the crumble story. Glad you have hot water again. We are so spoiled having everything 24/7 at our finger-tips, but not having one of these conveniences really makes us more grateful. Enjoy your day! Be well.
What a fabulous card Darnell but more than that is knowing that whatever is going on in the world that you will bring a smile to my face whenever I visit. I am truly grateful!! xx
Just showed The Doc the piccy and caption and his words were “well we are used to being 24/7 so i’m Safe”. Wouldn’t be too sure on that point.! I have a 🥕 loaf not yet opened still in its wrapper from the garden shop. No way am I doing the sniff test now!. Glad to hear your both doing ok. Hugs Mrs A.
Oh my goodness! Thank you for the laugh this morning Darnell. 😂 bout sniffing the cake and the pic at the end. Which I’m bout ready to do to Baby if she doesn’t get that hair all coughed up soon. I’ve slowly changed most of my habits over the years as living in isolation has become the norm for me. But I would of sniffed the cake too. Take care my friend. Hugs Nan and the Girl(s) ;)
I was a little bit worried about the title of your post but let out a sigh of relief when I saw that the card is very nice! I like the double tag feature and I adore those little snowmen! I'm on the lookout for friendly looking snowmen - who makes these? Your story is kind of funny/not funny... we are so deeply entrenched in our human habits aren't we. Trying to get my menfolk to take washing their hands seriously has been quite the labour and I REALLY laughed at the knitting pic! Hope you enjoyed the crumble. Stay safe and well *waves enthusiastically across the pond*
Vicky x
You definitely brought a smile to my face and I even chuckled when I saw the knitting photo. :) I love your card with the tags and cute snowmen. TFS
Thanks for putting a smile on my face! Like your "dirty pour" backgrounds and your darling snowman card! Take care.
Funny story Darnell, thanks for sharing.
Lovely card, well I do love snowmen and your background is fabulous, super design and colours.
Love the photo, let's hope it doesn't come to that lol,keep safe Kate x
HA HA, that picture, your visual of the crumb cake! Oh thanks for the laugh I needed it. Darling card today Darnell, love the colors!
Darling snowman card, Darnell, and thanks for a few laughs today! I'm with you when it comes to bakery stuff - always imagining the worst. Oh well.... Glad Mister is able to keep you in baked goods! Just love your dirty pours - I've never tried that technique; will have to give it a go. Take care!
Still laughing here...really cracked up at the picture!...Thank you for the amusement. Lovely snowmen in spring!...and your fearful insight in to the crumble...shows how we tend to forget...I am sure you will be fine..enjoy!!..lol
Love your Christmas card. I especially needed the laugh from your story and that meme at the end!!! lol Way too funny.
I forgot what I wanted to say after seeing the photo at the bottom of your post today! ROFL!! So glad you got your water heater fixed - ours bit the dust about 6 weeks ago, but I spotted the rust around the bottom edge before it died, so we were able to get it replaced right away without losing hot water, thank goodness! Loving those pretty backgrounds and the great Christmas card make - it's adorable! I know this epidemic will end soon, but I worry about how people are going to treat one another after it's over. In the last grocery store visit, an elderly couple like ourselves passed us in an aisle and as I smiled, I got 2 dirty looks from both of them, so maybe smiles are contaminated now too? It's just a shame how this world changed overnight. Our local grocery store now pre-slices lunchmeat and cheese and wraps them, putting them on a counter. I'd imagine many more hands will touch those packages until folks find exactly what size, weight and product they want - before it was the clerk and you, and the counter they were placed upon after cutting/wrapping. What am I missing here - how is the new way safer than the old way? We have to go for a few things early next week and I'm almost dreading that task - in spite of going CRA CRA in the house all the time! LOL
Your snowmen are so cute Darnell and a great dirty pour background too. I think the paranoia is getting to us all, and who can resist smelling a yummy cake..lol. I think we just have to be sensible but don't think I am going to don gloves to handle food or use a mild bleach solution to wash everything. Are we going to disinfect our fruit too which will have been handled by lots of people. Our hands are as a dry as a piece of parchment after all the hand washing, and we have not been out, apart from to the local shop and for a walk locally keeping the required distance from anyone else we might come across, since the beginning of the week. Thanks for giving us a laugh as you always have an amusing tale to tell. Glad your hot water problem is fixed and that the Mister can now go out so you can stay safe. Take care both of you. x
It's so hard to not do things that come naturally. I never realized til this last two weeks, how often I touch my face. Unfortunately, it's itching constantly...probably because I can't touch it. By the time this is over, I'll be one of those people with long, scraggly hair who talks to herself. In other words, a total nutcase. Steve and I haven't killed eachother, yet, so we just might survive this mess. However, we still have hot water...things could be worse. Sorry you had to go throught the water heater fiasco. Very glad you came through the disaster OK.
Wish I knew how to do that "dirty pour". I like the effect. Also, like those snowpeople. Just a darling tag card.
Wonderful backgrounds and wonderful card. And, yes, I can just visualize you thinking that after all this C-19 messages we get from all over. And, who knows which are true and which are just out there to shake us up. One video recommended wiping off all things brought home from the grocery store and to dump the fruit into a soapy bath and wash them thoroughly. I think all these extra precautions is why I don't find time to make many cards now. I did do some shopping for things though when I won a gift certificate. That was fun!
Love that background, one day I am going to have to try a dirty pour, just so I can say I have done it!
sorry about your hot water.
It's wonderful card!
Spring or Winter, your card is just adorable and love those snowmen with their cheeky grins. The backgrounds are fabulous. Your story sadly could have a ring of truth about it? BUT I really laughed out loud. Then to add to it the knitting? I nearly fell off my chair, it is just hilarious. Thanks for the laugh. I'm so happy to hear you can now wash!
Keep safe and well.
Faith x
PS I CAN be so wicked with glitter! LOL
Oh wow Darnell, you certainly did some gorgeous dirty pours, the one you chose for your Christmas card is perfect.
Well done for thinking about the cake (but oops to sniffing it), a timely reminder that those of us who are self isolating need to be extra careful. I don't know about you but I am feeling quite used to being in lock down... thank goodness we both have separate hobbies, would not want to be like the woman in the cartoon!
Keep taking care dear Darnell. Hugs, Annie xxx
Gorgeous background panels! Love the holiday card you created. Hope you were able to enjoy your coffee cake after all that!
Loved your dirty pour snowman card. But even more than that I loved the story about the crumb coffee cake. Things we simply don't think about. Then the lady knitting the hangmans noose - I was ready to email you to see if you had directions??? Some days go without a hitch and other days I could hitch him up to his trailer and haul him away. LOL. Thanks for the smiles in this challenging time.
Oh you do have a way with words and a way to brighten an otherwise rather gray and gloomy day! After scrolling down to see what Jane was doing I actually let out a chuckle...no one was home to hear it but me! thank you for this fun post and awesome Christmas card! I love those little snowmen...Paper Smooches maybe? Heart Hugs, glad you are self isolating and keeping safe!!
The dirty pours are fabulous Darnell and perfect for your Christmas in Spring card, which is adorable x. Sorry about your hot water but glad it's fixed now. You just can't be too careful and did chuckle about the crumble. We too are isolating and being extra careful but it's hard to think of everything x. Laughed out loud about the funny at the end of the post. I am so lucky that I don't need one .....x Stay isolated and safe x.
Lovely card and backgrounds, Darnell! Your posts always make me smile. :D
I'm glad to know that you haven't take the COVID-18 sniffing the cinnamon :)
Thanks for asking about me, I'm well as my loved one, but I haven't time for blogging because I have to do digital school to my ten years old pupils. It's a new thing for me and them, and I need A LOT of time, it totally absorbed me.
In Italy, as you surely know, it's a really horrible moment, but we all hope that all will turn fine, one day. We all hope it will be quick, but sadly more time is needed. We are closed at home by a month and there are a lot of restrictions by February.
Take care, follow all the safety rules and stay at home with hubby without killing him :D
I will return on blogland, posting something and visiting you all, when I can.
Hugs and prayers for we all.
OMG it is a good job that there are people like you in the world or it would be a much sadder place.
Fabulous creation, great snowmen and love the colour choice.
Kath x
A lovely card. I liked the dirty pour background. I look forward to seeing your ocean-related cards because some of the pours look perfect for that use.
Thanks for the smile. I did enjoy the picture. I showed it to my husband and he laughed out loud.
Adorable card, Darnell. The dirty pour makes a great background. Thanks for making me smile reading your post - something which we all need, especially at the moment. xx
Your Christmas card is perfect! I love the little snowman dudes and the interesting "dirty pour" background. I took a little hop over to YouTube to see how it's done before typing this comment. It's a very interesting process and it must have been fun to do. It seems to make quite the mess, though!
I hope you stay perfectly well until we all get the ok to mix and mingle once again. We are now under a "Stay at Home" order in Minnesota, too, so I have also been using my time to do some crafting. Our local paper had this headline on one of the sections this morning, "Calm Your Mind With Crafts." I pointed it out to my DH and he just laughed! I'm certain he was laughing WITH me and not AT me. LOL
you always crack me up Darnell :)
Life is so Topsy turvey these days, don't touch that, don't sniff and OMG if you sneeze of cough you're a dead woman.
Love your dirty pours, they bring back wonderful memories. so sad to miss this years but we need to follow the rules.
I'm loving your dirty pours (excuse me)...Lol! Super card!
I did laugh at your story... I'm getting paranoid like that, I even stopped the neighbours cat coming in in case someone else stroked him - he travels around. I'm paranoid about every food package too... Please God let us get back to normal...
Take care my friend.
OMG!! your story is so funny! Love your card also Love that photo of the woman knitting something special for her husband!
Have great day!
Marilyn❤
Thank goodness for all the Covid humour going around - your story and the photo you attached made me laugh. Great card to use up some of your dirty pour pieces - love the layered tags. And a good memory of the retreat two years ago (so sad we won't get to have one this year).
Lovely card Darnell, and your crumble story hit home for me my mind's first response is to catastrophize, I have to take a mental step back and breathe then get on with life. Hugs. Stay Safe.
I absolutely love this dirty pour background Darnell! So cool!
Super duper cute Christmas card! Love the stamps and awesome background. All those others look pretty amazing, too. Dang, sorry about your hot water heater. We always think of our motorhome as a backup in a crisis and we actually cooked dinner out there once when the power went out. I know... I've had thoughts about the things we bring home from the store. No matter how careful we are while shopping or after, you just never know. I even looked up how long the virus might live on dog hair because people keep their distance from us when we're out walking, but some of them love all over the dogs. Most likely there is nothing to worry about. Strange days.
Beautiful card. Be safe! xoxo
Such a joy to visit your blog! You are a blessing! Loved your cartoon of the quarantined lady knitting "something special" for her hubby!!
The dirty pour came out so well as a background for the Christmas card. You have a great stash of them and all card worthy. I loved the picture of Jane and passed it along to my daughter in laws. So far, my sons are fine and the girls aren't knitting yet. Time will tell after 30 more days.
Your dirty pour backgrounds turned out really well. They all look great!
I like your adorable tag thene card. Those snowmen are really cite!
I am still chuckling about the crumble topping breath. I am wiping down all packages with a 10% dilute bleach solution and washing fruit and veg with soapy water. How much more careful can you get...and then we do something silly like buy cut flowers and ...guess what...you have to touch them as they are!!! Heavens!
Seriously though, I wash my hands more than ever for those weird things like flowers and as I am a person who touches her face often, I remind myself several times a day that i can not do that. Hard lesson to learn...
Thanks for taking part in the March Rudolph Days Challenge.
Beautiful backgrounds & love the one you used for your sweet Christmas card, Darnell! You did make me laugh with your story & the photo!
Darnell, I laughed loudly with your thoughts and of course the lovely lady knitting! As for your card, it is just gorgeous, my friend. Great design and what a beautiful "dirty pour" background! Kisses!
Pretty cute card, and your colors DEFINITELY make it a "Christmas in Spring" card! I also happen to love your story because we all are trying so hard to be good and yet I'm sure we've all done something not very bright
Hi Dolly! Your dirty pour made a fabulous background for your Christmas card! I love the light, bright greet and the bright red. Definitely spring Christmas colours! Those snow dudes are so cool. Makes sense they'd enjoy the dirty part of the card! :)
No more sniffing of any baking that comes into the house! :) Love, Lolly
I always have to thank you for your post. :-) Today's story is fantastic.
Backgrounds made with acrylic paints are fabulous. Using the green background for a Christmas card is fabulous too. Snowmen are cute.
Have a great day in isolation and.. watch up where you put your nose in. :-))
Hugs, Sonja
I'm not paranoid or anything but you're right, Darnell. We never know what someone else has touched or sniffed or licked (as I heard on the news) before we get it. Your pours are lovely. I did some a few years ago but the paint wasn't thin enough and I didn't have enough variation in color. Next time I visit my daughter I hope we can do some again in her art classroom where it's okay to make a mess. ;)
thanks for the much needed laugh your post brought to me - so sorry to hear about your boiler but hoped you did enjoy that crumble loaf.
What a totally cute card this is.
Stay safe. Keep well. Enjoy your crumble loaf. Hugz
I LOVE the beautiful pours that you made. These are so cool. Love how you used it on the background of the adorable snowmen. Such a cute card.
Darnell, you should professionally amuse people :-) Your story made me laugh loudly for a few minutes :-) yes, such a couple = anoje overwhelm us quite often, but on the other hand, all this can just happen.
Your winter card is wonderful, this delicate poured background works perfectly in your card.
xx
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