A Salty Get Well

Hello Stamplings!

I have a very quick post toasty for you. I used the word "toasty" on porpoise to make those of you in the Polar Vortex feel warmer. I wish I could do more as records freeze, drop off the roof, and shatter. Thank goodness the temps will be warmer starting tomorrow for a lot of you.

I went all full-bodied and inkylicious today!

I saw Betsy Veldman's post about doing watercolor and salt backgrounds, with stunning results. I liked how she colored the salt using reinkers, so I did the same and made up four small containers of different colors. 

Using the wet-on-wet technique and my Gansai Tambi set, I laid down my watercolor paints. While the paint was still wet, Hammy and I sprinkled the colored salt over the wet watercolored panel and set it aside to dry. We then flipped to see who would go to the spa while we waited for the panel to dry and, of course, he won. Why do I keep falling for that time after time? The last time I successfully did a flip, I was in the womb for crying out loud!

Once the panel was dry, I white heat-embossed the pretty lily from Papertrey Ink's Botanical Blocks III stamp set. Then I stamped and die-cut the get well sediment from PTI's Bold & Beautiful Sentiments. To finish the design, I added three clear blinglets and, for exercise, I walked a white ink pad all along the outside of the plum card base.

Challenges

• Paper, Scissors, and Superheroes: Salt technique and give-away.
• Back to Basics and Beyond: Also a salt challenge with a video link.
• Little Red Wagon: Winter blues.
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything goes.

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Thank you!

Thank you for commenting on my last post and for playing in the Thank You Hop for Di, the beloved leader of Pixie's Snippets Playground! The Hop is open until the end of day February 10th for you to join in. 

Over the years, it's been wonderful to see many of my stateside friends join Pixie's and I have a feeling even more friends from around the world will be joining as a result of the Hop! 

The more the merrier, but ladies, it looks like we'll need to set up another moonshine distillery behind ol' man Jensen's raspberry bushes down the path from the bike shed. Or, if you're sober, that's fine, too. We'll set up a raspberry distillery behind his moonshine bushes. hic.

~~~

Enjoy your 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 join as a follower! Please let me know you came by so I can be sure and return the flavor!

*Life is too short!

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrolling: Click CTL + Home. Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post. Click Page Down to reach the end of the post. Click Comments and a pop-up box opens. Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, no more car pool tunnel! Mwah! (p.s. If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!)

Holly and Joy, Two Girls From School

Hello Stamplings!

I'm in a rush. Yesterday I was in a tizzy. I'm sure tomorrow I'll be in volved. You feel me, right?

I'm popping in to share a coupla cards while my sugar cookies are baking in someone else's oven, she says hopefully.

This is Holly. She's from Stampin' Up. Her base color is platinum (natural) and her green and red accents are by Zigfield Ziggies. Just before she walked down the red carpet paneled runway, she was lightly winked by Hammy. She schparkled when the floodlights hit her as she walked with Grace. Grace was there to steady Holly because Holly is getting up there in years, yet somehow she never gets old.

Challenges

• Back to Basics: Resist technique.
• CAS Mix Up Card: Emboss resist, plus stamping, plus watercoloring.
• CAS Watercolour Card: Thank you.

Twofer.

And here we have Joy. Joy prefers to lie horizontal along a card for photos. She's a rather large-boned die and unlike the other girls in her family, she can't quite fit in the vertical position. I can relate. But, goodness, isn't she a beauty with her O turned into a filigreed fresh-fallen snowflake? Her full name is Seed Snowflake Joy and she came to me from Poppystamps. I dressed her in a cream bolero over a gold-infused coral* watercolor paper. 

Challenges

• Poppystamps: Merry & Bright.
• SSS Wednesday: Christmas.
• Watercooler Wednesday: All about occasions. Congrats on your 200th challenge!!!

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*Coral is the color of the new year declared Pantone. I'm not sure who Pantone is, but it's their job to tell us. I decorated my home in corals and blues back in the late 70s. The new color makes sense because have you noticed that lately you're seeing your old clothes (or your mom's) everywhere on the telly? Suddenly actresses aren't wearing the form-fitting gorgeous sheath dresses. Instead, they're wearing dresses with elastic waists (like old Simplicity patterns I used to make!) or long halter dresses that I used to love. Pants are high-waisted and flowery blouses have flowing sleeves. 

At first I thought I was having flashbacks that no one else could see (don't judge, I'm on a lot of meds), but then my friend told me at lunch yesterday she noticed the same thing. I mean, even wallpaper is making a comeback. What can be next? Pant suits, blue eye shadow, and headbands?

I love the memories it all brings back and the fact that I've lived long enough to see it cycle back! For proof, yes, that's little ol' me in a grainy photo taken August 1970. I'm looking adoringly at the Mister from atop the ferris wheel at Asbury Park, NJ. Aaaah.

~~~

Enjoy your 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 join as a follower! Please let me know you came by so I can be sure and return the flavor!

*Life is too short!

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrolling: Click CTL + Home. Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post. Click Page Down to reach the end of the post. Click Comments and a pop-up box opens. Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, no more car pool tunnel! Mwah! (p.s. If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!)

For Melissa

Hello Stamplings!

I'm slowly getting back to my routine after dealing with unpacking two suitcases and climbing Mt. Laundry. Unloading my "craft suitcase" and putting everything away took the longest, especially since I stopped with most items and enjoyed the memory of my time at the lake house.

I'll have more photos and fun to share another time, but today I wanted to share a card I made in honor of my friend, Melissa Lane, who passed away suddenly on October 2nd at the age of 47. You can read a very beautiful tribute to her by Shery on the STAMPlorations blog. Thank you, Shery, for putting this link up for us to contribute in memory of Melissa.

Here is my card.

The flowers are "Fancy Flowers" from MFT and the sediment is from "You're My Person" by Concord & 9th. I used my Clarity Brushes to color a stencil by Kaiser Craft (a gift from Lolly) for the background panel, which I stitched with a Paper Smooches die and backed with an aqua panel. I used my Ziggies to color the pretty flowers and Hammy wanted to join in, too, with his winking speshceeality!

I first met Melissa online in January 2015 when she joined in one of my NBUS challenges and then I had the absolute pleasure of meeting her, her husband Chris, and their four wonderful children in person at the Swindon Retreat in the UK in 2016. Of course, I had to make an entrance the first night by coming into the hotel dining room decked out in a Miss USA sash, white gloves, and a tiara! All the ladies took turns wearing the tiara for photos, but Melissa wore the whole package because she was a fellow American who loved having fun!

Rest in peace, my friend. You will be greatly missed. You have a lot of Blogland keeping your grieving family in their thoughts and prayers. 💖

~~~

Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!* Tell your family and friends how much they are loved.

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

*Life is too short!

Challenges

• Back to Basics and Beyond: Stencils or Masks.
• Butterfly Challenge: Spin the wheel with the letter "B." Butterfly, burnt orange, border.
• Double D: Stripes and dots. The straws inspired me.
• STAMPlorations: A tribute to Melissa and a celebration of her life.
• The Flower Challenge: Add schparkle.

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrolling: Click CTL + Home. Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post. Click Page Down to reach the end of the post. Click Comments and a pop-up box opens. Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, no more car pool tunnel! Mwah! (p.s. If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!)

Simple and Fun

Hello Stamplings!

Welcome to the last day of July! Goodness, I didn't think it would ever get here! NOT! I hope this finds you enjoying summer (or fall) because it's whooshing by!

I want to let you know that we are safe from the terrifying wildfires raging in Northern California. I hope the same is true for the rest of you living near any of the several wildfires burning out of control around the world.

Hammy came back from his adventure raring to go, so we had a lovely crafty weekend with lots to share with you!

Onefer

We broke out the Clarity Stencil Brushes for this QACAS nautical design. I have two left hands when it comes to blending inks with TH doolie-bob blending tools, daubers, and cotton balls. I am better with blending since the Vancouver retreat where I blended with my expert artist friends, but for me the brushes still work better. I used an old unmarked line stencil and an old unmarked rubber stamp for the moon/sun. The sediment is from PTI and the embossing folder is Stately from Craft Concepts.

Challenges

• Less Is More: One-layer card with stripes.
• Seize the Birthday: Toppings: stripes.
• TIME OUT: Photo inspiration.

Twofer

For this OLC QACAS design, I used a Tim Holtz stencil number 10, masking a circle and a square for the images from Paper Smooches, "My Peeps." I used an SU Sizzix stripe embossing folder and I colored the cool chick with my Ziggies, giving her some cool chick eyeballs.

I'm linking to Back to Basics and Beyond (use an embossing folder) and Use Your Stuff (free week / color suggestions).

Threefer

This card was made for the current challenge at Inkspirational where the brief is to make a card in ten minutes or less. Using a linen card base, I stamped the Uniko "Beautiful Blooms II" flower and colored it with my Ziggies. I stamped the simple sediment and ran the card front through the BS using the same striped embossing folder I used in the card above. 

This card is so simple, it's silly, but I know the lady who will find it in her mail box will be thrilled to know I was thinking of her. It only took me a little over four minutes to bring someone joy!

Fourfer

Finally, another Christmas card. I'm so far behind I can see my own wide load in front of me! For this card, I used a star stencil and a dauber to daub stars in gold Brilliance ink. Then I spanked splashed the panel in Oxie aqua ink and when dry, I drew panel lines with a gold pen. The gold reindeer is from my stash and I die cut the holiday sediment in silver glitter foam.

I'm entering this card in the current Jingle Belles challenge where the brief is to use the blog banner as inspiration. I'm also playing in the July Rudolph Days Challenge.

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A Break in the Action

I've been having a serious flare of my Crohn's Disease for the last several weeks which is now necessitating bowel resection surgery. Surgery will be on August 2nd, so I'm taking a short break. I'll be back on August 10th with my Twofer Card Challenge inspiration. While I'm gone, please be naughty, have fun, and remember . . .

Enjoy your days! 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 join as a follower! Please let me know you came by so I can be sure and return the flavor!

*Life is too short!

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrolling: Click CTL + Home. Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post. Click Page Down to reach the end of the post. Click Comments and a pop-up box opens. Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, no more car pool tunnel! Mwah! (p.s. If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!)

Same Difference

Hello Stamplings!

I hope you are safe and dry wherever you are. And contented.

The Mister and I were discussing current events and at one point I shrugged and said, "Same difference." He knew immediately what my next words were going to be: "Hey! My friends who live in my computer will want to know the etymology of that idiomatic phrase!" And I got right on it.

The term "same difference" doesn't actually make any sense and is not grammatechnically correct. What you're actually saying is that a thing is not the same, that it is different, but that the difference is so slight as to make it not worth noting, hence: same difference. The earliest known use of the oxymoronic phrase in print was in 1945 in a book titled, "I am Gazing Into My 8-Ball," by New York gossip columnist Earl Wilson.

Today my twofers are, in fact, different. 

This is one of my QACAS (quick and clean and simple) cards that are easy to make and easy to mail. In a large mixing bowl combine a colored card base and a freshly washed leaf of white paper pierced with your awl or an Avery Elle Dotted Die. Gently fold in a NBUS "Swirling Cutwork" die from Memory Box, a sediment inked to match the card base, and three itty-bitty blings. 

Twofer

This sunset-colored rose duo is a CASE (copy and share everything) of my friend Lolly's beautiful coral rose card. Please check out Stamping With Loll to see her card and read her post where she explains this fun technique so well! I changed my paint colors slightly, used a different sediment, and splattered my card panel with gold. (Hammy went on a two-day backpacking trip with his cousins who are visiting from New Mexico, so, gasp, this card is not winked!)

Challenges

• Back to Basics and Beyond: Use an embossing folder.
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything goes.
• Stamping Sensations: July: In my garden.

~~~

Enjoy your 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 join as a follower! Please let me know you came by so I can be sure and return the flavor!

*Life is too short!

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrolling: Click CTL + Home. Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post. Click Page Down to reach the end of the post. Click Comments and a pop-up box opens. Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, no more car pool tunnel! Mwah! (p.s. If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!)

WILD About You!

Hello Stamplings!

How are you? I hope you were finally able to get the grill and chaise lounge out of winter hibernation and pack up your sweaters! I'm always a little conflicted about putting the sweaters away because it immediately becomes evident to everyone how many chockie bars I ate over the winter! Cough.

I'm also a little hesitant to toot my horn, but I have to say I'm really chuffed to have won the 4th Birthday Celebration over at TIME OUT challenges this past March where there were lots and lots of outstanding entries! As a result, I have the honor of being the Guest Designer for the next challenge!

For this challenge TIME OUT wants you to interpret the word WILD! Here is my one-layer card to inspire you:

Of course, "wild" is very tongue-in-cheek for these babies who don't look the least bit wild, do they? They all look like sad little orphans you just want to hug. The wild animal stamp is ancient, heat-embossed in black and colored with my Ziggies. I'd be lion if I told you I could bear to part with it.

I masked the critters and stamped the bamboo. The "wild" sediment is from SU and the "welcome" sediment is NBUS from "If Animals Could Talk" by Elizabeth Craft Designs. The corner was chomped by a Cropadile and a smidge of a score line was added under the sediment because, Frankly, the whole shebang was sitting a little too high up on the card to satisfy my symmetrical sensibilities.

I'm sure you can think of several designs for this fun challenge and I can't wait to see what you make! The Design Team has amazing interpretations to inspire you at TIME OUT Challenges. And we are so lucky to have this challenge sponsored by Winnie & Walter!  

Challenges

• Double D: Friendship.
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: Anything goes.
• Stinkin' Inkers: Simply made ~ one-layer card.

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And a super QACAS to share:

This single blossom and sediment are NBUS from Gina K; sad you can't see the pretty winking. That furry panel is old-timey mulberry paper which was very popular near the turn of the century when I first started this beloved hobby. There was (is) something therapeutic about wetting the edge and pulling it like cotton candy being careful not to get that bit that tore off a huge chunk!

What can I say about that floating flower? It looks ridiculous floating in space, so I feel like you might be cocking your head and wondering why I did that. What happened was, I wanted the design to reflect that the person sending the card feels adrift, uprooted, leafless, and blue.

Aha! Well done, except is leafless a thing in a human? Yes, it's like lifeless, only not quite so dramatic.

Challenges

• Addicted to Stamps and More: Clean and simple
• Back to Basics and Beyond: This is a new challenge with a focus on helping newbies! How cool is that? But everyone is welcome! The first brief is "Matting and Layering." I did the "matting" part. Welcome to Blogland! (They are having a DT Call!)
• Less Is More: My original impetus, the brief is "Bring Something Back!" (Mulberry paper.)

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Enjoy your 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 join as a follower! Please let me know you came by so I can be sure and return the flavor!

*Life is too short!

To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrolling: Click CTL + Home. Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post. Click Page Down to reach the end of the post. Click Comments and a pop-up box opens. Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, no more car pool tunnel! Mwah! (p.s. If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!)