A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

Showing posts with label Encouragement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Encouragement. Show all posts

January 22, 2016

Let's Hug It Out!

Greetings!

Aaaannnd we've whooshed through another week to Friday! I know some of you thought it would never get here, but at my place, Wednesday was entirely stolen!

So, BTW, Bloggergeddon hasn't seemed to have happened yet, except for minor adjustments, but there has been a lot of conversation between us bloggie friends about how all of a sudden the Captcha-prove-you're-not-a-robot button has been activated on nearly every Blogger blog. 

Whatever. 

I know we don't own our blogs and we should be are grateful to have them, but don't you wish we could all go to the Big Room where these people constantly fuss about with bloggie schtuff and teach them how to make cards instead? Now wouldn't that be a better world?!

Which segues to my card. Between wars and pestilence, dramatic drops in stock markets, hurricanes, tornadoes, and epic rainfalls, icefalls, and snowfalls, not to mention, more importantly, personal physical and emotional upset, I made this huggie card to bring you cyber hugs and smiles:
and inside ...
What you see here are a whole lot of companies hugging it out.
  • The paper is either from Stampin Up or K and Company.
  • The taller giraffe is NBUS by Avery Elle.
  • The smaller giraffe is by Paper Smooches.
  • The "sending" is NBUS by Simon Says Stamps.
  • The "hugs" are by Lawn Fawn.
  • The heart embellies are by Doodlebug.
And all these companies feel good about it. Everybody was kind and got along. Nobody threw their toys on the floor and stomped off. All my other competing craft company products who weren't able to appear on the card watched with approval and cheered me on from the desk top, drawers, cupboards, and floor.

Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog
And that's why I love this hobby!

I stamped both images onto a portion of the giraffe-patterned DSP. I don't have dies for either of the giraffes (if they are any), so I used my old-timey contraption called skizzors, cut them both out, and attached them to the card. I was quite tickled that I was able to line up both giraffes perfectly with the underlying DSP.

I'm entering the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge "Create With Critters" featuring Lawn Fawn products.

~~~

Okay, one sec.

As much as I love playing the role of Polly Anna in my life's production, I have to be honest on occasion. Even in my idyllic crafting paradise, as in the real world, there's always someone who isn't a good sport and I feel I must call them out for bad behavior. It's the sequints.
Yes, they went into quite a snit since I didn't use them on my card and they threw themselves off the desk. It's okay. Life is sometimes hard for little shiny objects. Because they now come in every color of the rainbow and they are all the rage, sequints struggle with their egos being larger than their circumference. A Sequint Support System has been set up on Splitcoast Stampers. You can find the SSSSS tab on their website if your sequints are acting out and needing help, too.

Actually, I got quite a kick out of how they fell and I wish I had a slomo video of it happening! Check out how the container landed face up with sequints still inside! I think it must have dropped straight down and all the sequints on the floor flew out as the container rapidly descended. I'll have to have Hammy keep a close eye on them now so they don't keep doing that for the adrenaline rush!

~~~

New Friends Corner

I'd like you to meet some new friends who have been waiting in the wings for far too long to be introduced to you!

Zeljka of Creative World by Zeljka. Zeljka began blogging last June of 2015! She shares creations of fabric and paper. As you wander through her blog, you'll see that she makes wonderful 3D card art and she has pictutorials for you. Zeljka is already a challenge winner and design team member, which recognition is well-deserved! Please make an extra effort to visit Keljka and welcome her to our supportive and caring community!

Lindsey of Doodlings. Lindsey started sharing her fantastic card art back in July of 2011. She does marvelous things with color, texture, ribbons, and patterned paper, so there is lots of inspiration to be found on her blog! (And if you live anywhere near Derby UK, you may be fortunate enough to take advantage of Lindsey's monthly craft sessions!)

Daga of Daget-Art. Daga has been blogging since 2010! You will find marvelous works of card art, including 3D art, and other beautiful items on Daga's blog. You will also find tutorials and a purchase tab. Daga has often been a designer and received recognition throughout Blogland for her fresh and delightful creations!

Aileen Ryan of Colour and Sparkle. Aileen shared her cards on Flickr for quite a while and then started her blog in 2015. You will often see her in the winning galleries at card challenges we all love. Her coloring is so sensational! Aileen is prolific and talented which means she has loads of wonderful ideas and inspiration for you! Please make an extra effort to visit Aileen and welcome her, as well!

Margaret of Em's Paperdaze. Margaret is from Tasmania, Australia and she has been blogging since 2010! She is the mother of three and grandmother of six. She enjoys entering challenges and she has received many well-deserved wins over the years. \

Babs of A Place to Stamp. Babs has been blogging since January 2015, so Happy First Birthaversary of your blog, Babs, and may you have many more delightful years! Babs writes a happy blog and illustrates it with her fabulous card art which is also happy and often whimsical. It's a fun and inspirational place to visit!

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

~~~

Reminder
Sending hamster hugs!

May I take a minute to remind you that if you join as a new follower and you have a blog, kindly leave me a comment on a post, or an email, with your blog contact information. Often I only have a first name and it's not an uncommon first name. And if you are a Google+ member, sometimes all I can find is your Google + profile screen, which often does not contain the name of your blog on the "About" page, so it takes me nowhere. I spend a long time trying to find followers through Goggle until I give up. So if you have joined and you haven't been introduced, please email me to let me know how I can find you. Thank you!

And thank you, again, to all of you, with or without blogs, who follow me by subscribing via Bloglovin or Feedly or email. Even though I can't "see" you, I appreciate that you are a friend and cheerleader! If you would like me to introduce you in my New Friends Corner, however, please click the blue "Join This Site" button on my side bar and then send me an email when you have done so. 

Mwah!

Don't forget the GIVEAWAYS page!
~~~

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!

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August 19, 2015

OLC QACAS Cards

Hi! How's it going?

Some of you have asked, so I wanted to let you know that we are not in any danger from all the fires burning in California. I appreciate the concern. Our hearts go out to those who have been impacted and, of course, we keep praying for rain here and in so many other western states and Canada as we struggle with the ongoing drought.

Because of water restrictions, I haven't been able to have as many wonderful flowering plants in the garden and around the Playhouse, but I did want to share with you this photo of how big our purple statice has grown this year, in spite of the heat and limited water. (Or rather because of?)
This picture was taken from inside the Playhouse looking west. I am fortunate to have a similar large purple statice in view from the north side of the Playhouse, but I forgot to take a picture of it. Here you can see some of the drought-tolerant grasses that now reside in pots and beyond is the purple statice where I often taken photos of my cards. (The pink is a flowering crepe myrtle tree just finishing its bloom.)

The temperatures came down from 105 and I have a hamster back home and eager to work, so we whipped up a couple of one-layer cards (OLC) which are QACAS (quick and clean and simple). First:
This card was made for the current PTI Make It Monday challenge of "Masking Sentiments." The card base is PTI's "Fine Linen." I die-cut an oval as my mask and stamped the NBUS ferns from PTI's "Meadow Greens" in pinefeather ink. I removed the mask and stamped the sediment from PTI's "Signature Greetings." In her excellent video, Ashley outlined all around her frame, but I decided to outline only the part of my frame encased by ferns. A few score lines and enamel dots and shazambam the card was done!

Other Challenges
~~~

Today's Twofer
My twofer is another simple one-layer QACAS "number," haha. (BTW, I heard the other day that "LOL" [laugh out loud] is no longer being used. Instead everyone is going back to using what I never stopped using: "haha." My son would hate it when I put haha after something I said in an email to him. Now, look, son, everyone is doing it, haha.)

But, I digest.

I ran across a piece of this patterned paper in my stash about a month ago and Hammy has been saving it in the staging area behind his cage. Sure enough, here came a slew of back-to-school challenges and we jumped on it.

Above the pp, I placed a single layer of numbered Washi tape from a Cavallini & Co. Washi tape set called "Numbers." Above that I embossed the sediment from SU in SU gumball green. Shazambam!

Challenges

Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog
~~~

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!

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August 17, 2015

You Take a Mask and Strip Down

Good Morning!

I hope you are enjoying the fresh clean slate of a Monday morning with the promise of a great week ahead!

I'm delighted to let you know that the recalcitrant Hammy has surfaced! He ran out of money in Abilene and had to ride freight on a train bound for Glory. Luckily, he was standing near the door when the engine hit a loose rail. As he tumbled down the embankment and landed on his Senses, he realized the Playhouse is all the adventure he needs!

So I'm dashing in to post these cards and then I'm driving downtown to the bus station to pick up a tuckered-out hamster. It's a happy day for me and I'm wishing you a happy day, too!
For this first card, I masked off my strip and then sponged my oceanic horizon with Distress Inks. The dolphins are from an ancient unmarked wooden stamp and the NBUS sediment is from PTI. I think it would make a great manly birthday card or just a great card to let someone know I was thinking of them.

Challenges
OLS
Today's Twofer
For this card, I stamped my image from Technique Tuesday's "R&R" and then masked the sides and watercolored the horizon. The NBUS sediment is from the same set. I am sending this one off to someone newly retired.

Challenges

~~~
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:
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If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave
me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!

June 28, 2015

Standing in the Corner and New Friends

No, wait. I meant to say, "Stamping" in the Corner! 

Hello and Happy Sunday to all of you, wherever you may be!

I don't usually talk about health schtuff, but since this is rather more amusing than not, I wanted to share.

I've had an on-again/off-again relationship with my right knee for a couple of years. Sometimes (like my back) it up and goes out on me without so much as an argument first. I've seen a specialist and when it happens I wear a brace, and go to physical therapy.

So a few days ago my knee went out again. On Friday I had the brace on (not too tight) and spent a quiet day catching up with visits and comments and as I sat at the computer I noticed my right foot was suddenly freezing cold and it hurt like several bones in the foot and ankle had spontaneously broken. I could hardly put any of my considerable weight on it without excruciating pain.

There was swelling, but not a lot. I applied the heating pad (to no avail) and took to my fainting couch whereupon the Mister took advantage of me. By that I mean he snuck off to the kitchen and ate a bunch of junk.

By the time I went to bed a few hours later the pain had started to subside and I could slightly rotate my ankle. We're thinking maybe it was some kind of a bug bite? I mean, I don't live in the Amazonian jungle, but what else? Medic?

And now for the part that gets so absurd it's funny. At 5 o'clock Saturday morning I shot straight out of bed with a severe leg cramp! Guess where? In my right calf! Yes, that's right. Picture me trying to hop off a leg cramp with a bum knee and a bad foot, nightie in a twist, and my hair standing on end as I careened into furniture because I didn't have my glasses on! Oy!

I was reminded of my sister Diana who just last week had a wasp fly into her blouse and sting the geewillikers out of her as she hopped and swatted and knocked the window blinds clean off her window!

~~~

But that's not why you called. In between practicing pratfalls, I saw the current sketch at the CAS(E) this Sketch challenge, charmingly designed by my very talented friend Michelle Williams:
Oh, as they say, imagine the possibilities! Hammy and I found at least two:

Onefer:
For this card, I used my super cute NBUS chickie stamp from Great Impressions, which I purchased from a small stamp shop in Minnesota last year while on the BABES adventure. The sediment is from Diamonds. And that's it. QACAS at its best and all heat-embossed for a little added uumph and innerest.

Chickie Boom-Boom felt a little robbed having only part of her boom-boom self stamped in the corner, so here she is on the inside in all her glory. The beautiful NBUS sediment is from PTI's "Hello Sunshine."
~~~

Twofer:
For this QACAS embossed card, I used a very old (v.o.) stamp from the Hero Arts set, "Needles and Cones." The vertical sediment is from Paper Inspirations, also heat embossed. A few teeny baubles and one more for the stash, in a dash.

I'm editing my post to enter this card in the One-Layer Christmas Card Challenge with an optional twist of green.

~~~

New Friends Corner

I want to borrow a bit more of your time while I introduce some new friends who have come to join us in the Playhouse recently. Thank you for meeting them and visiting them, if you can!

Jo Herbert of Show Me The Love. Jo is the mother of three and she has been blogging since 2011. She is an Independent Stampin Up Demonstrator, design team member, and a participate in challenges. She has a wonderful YouTube feature called, "Thank Card It's Friday" and she holds classes in her home for adults and especially for children after seeing how much her daughter, Skye, loved creating cards with her. I know you'll be inspired by her beautiful card art!

Beverly G. of Gott Heart Art. Beverly has been blogging since 2008! She has had her works of art published many times, is a design team member, challenge player, and multi-award winner! In addition to paper crafting, Beverly loves reading, floral design, ceramics, painting, and yarn crafts. She also has a special love of zentangling and an interest in altered art and mixed media. There is something for all of you at Beverly's blog!

Wanda of Wanderful Creations. Wanda is the mother of two who has been blogging since 2010. Her cards are always well thought out and, like so many of us, they are often inspired by challenges. I know you'll love giving some love to Wanda for her terrific cards!

Gail of Lacey Lassy. Gail has been blogging since 2011. She is mom to an adult daughter, two beagles, and three cats. When she isn't working as a legal secretary, she enjoys gardening and stained glass, in addition to paper crafting and scrapbooking. Gail is on design teams, loves entering challenges, and has been widely recognized for her sensational card art!

Kristina Beagle of Live Love Laugh Scrap. Kristina is a young lady who started blogging in 2011. When she isn't making spectacular cards and inspiring us through design teams, Kristina is a real estate agent. In addition, she also loves cooking and music and nail polish! Her blog and her card art are simply delightful!

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

~~~

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:
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me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!

May 31, 2015

Masking Magic, Day Five

Hi! Happy Sunday!

Well, I did it. I did all five days of the Online Card Class Mask-erade in five days! I haven't been able to do homework yet for every video, but I made two cards for each of the five days which is the best way for me to have the lessons stick to the diminishing velcro lining my brain walls. And I had a lot of fun doing it! 

Okay, well, maybe I didn't prezackly make two cards every day. After class yesterday, I made one good card and then I came down with a migraine and had a lie down. While I slept Hammy made the second card. And because I need him to be happy, I'm letting him show you his card first. 
Hammy loves the Tim Holtz Bird Crazy stamps and has been dying to use this one. Don't tell Tim, but Hammy took a little bit of artistic license and made this bird a girlie bird with long eyelashes and lips. She is supposed to be Ravone (Hammy's latest crush) and he has her standing on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Or rather, with her back to the ocean. Okay.

It's good, right? He forgot to color the balloons before he embossed them, but there are white balloons, right? Do tell him it's good or there will be no living with him. Thank you!
In the interest of fairness, the NBUS balloons are from both Uniko's "Balloon Bash" and PTI's "Birthday Style." The vertical birthday is from Stamps by Judith.

My card.
I used a NBUS Memory Box die called "Cottage Leaf" for my embossed mask which I watercolored and splattered around, wearing my dark navy 14-year-old stained t-shirt. The "hope" sediment is die-cut from a WPlus9 die.

Challenges

Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog
That's it. I'll take a coupla days off to give you a break, put my houses in order, and catch up on my visiting and commenting.

~~~

I'd like to thank the very talented ladies of the Online Classes for providing clear verbal and visual communication in their outstanding video lessons. Remember, you can sign up any time and I highly recommend it!
~~~

Enjoy your day, whatever you're doing! 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:
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If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave
me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!