Getting Corked with Andy Williams at a Provincial Luau

I was without a laptop for a few days. That was miserable. I wasn't really without Internet - just my laptop. I could have used my husband's desktop but that would require entering the man cave. He is a pack-rat..a cluttered, unorganized pack-rat. Don't misunderstand, he does have SOME endearing qualities, it was just more tolerable to be without cyber-connection than make myself enter his unruly region.

The reason I was sans laptop was I unknowingly downloaded a virus. A nasty, ghastly, pornography-filled virus. Every time I tried to open a familiar blog or website I was re-routed to FILTHY porn! I needed bleach for my retinas! And a soapy shower! It was horrible! After two days in the shop I am happy to report to you that my laptop is now 'Porn Free'. Admit it you have Andy Williams singing in your mental background - sing it with me ...."Porn free...as free as the wind blows...as free as the grass grows...."

I have a few cards to report on. One is a revisit - Not Sure What He's Thinking (AKA Owie) was featured at Baby Bud Designs. The digital designs are available on Etsy. Thank you Krista and Mary Anne! Whoooo Hoooo - very exciting for me and for Owie. Here is Owie and I can't help but wonder what mischief he's been up to.



You can read the Owie recipe at an earlier post titled African Breezes.
I volunteered to make a friend at work a card for her granddaughter Sydney's 6th birthday. The theme was a tropical setting complete with flip-flop invitations, tiki lamps and leis. Here is the card I made for Grandma Renee to give to Sydney. I made sure to include 6 candles, flop-flops, and a miniature lei on her card.

This is a side view:

Sydney's Tropical Island Birthday
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Ripe Avocado~Layer of The Paper Studio Summer Floral
~Sentiment is from Hero Arts Birthday Candles (I cut away two of the candles since this is the child's 6th birthday) The candles are colored in using Copics the flames are topped with Stickles Yellow.
~The flip flops stamp is from Studio G (Michael's Dollar Bin) I cut away the Take it Easy sentiment from the stamped image. It is colored using Copics and embellished using Stickles.
~I made an attempt at making a lei by randomly shaping flowers from fabric flowers purchased at the Dollar Tree. I bought a large bag of white preformed fabric rose petals - there is a HUGE amount in this bag. I had no idea what I would use them for - but you know the mental mantra when drawn to some meaningless object while engaging in Dollar Tree Therapy - it's only a dollar...it's only a dollar...it's only...
The rest of the Hawaiian welcome necklace is assembled using monofiliment (fishing line) and beads. I colored some of the white 'rose' petals using ink pads.
~Yellow flower brad was used to hold the lei in place
Challenge:
Caardvarks - create a birthday card
Dutch Dare - Floral inspiration

Provincial Inspiration~Base card - white cardstock pre-made
~Layers (background layer, and horizontal and vertical cuts) of re-purposing a heavy weight IRS Careers folder. I liked the shades of blue and the sheen so I brought one home and chopped away at it. (Is there something Freudian in hacking away at an Internal Revenue Service promotional folder...or GASP.....something nefarious...something illegal?) Wonder if I would get points from the EPA for recycling and re-purposing...But I digress...
~Layer of rust colored fabric rick-rack
~Layer of colorful design paper from K & Co Wild Saffron
~Yellow and blue rectangles of cardstock - with digital image stamped from Paper Garden Projects colored with Copics, glass jar topped with Inkssentials Glossy Accents. I've never colored in glass before - I think I need to find a tutorial! Why didn't I put a water line mark...these flowers are REALLY going to be thirsty! Maybe they are dried flowers...sure - that's my story and I'm stickin' to it! "Dried Flowers in Sea Glass Vase"
~Oval created using Cuttlebug and Spellbinders die cut
~Sentiment from the dollar bin at Michael's
Challenges:
Play Date Cafe - provincial inspiration
Friday Sketchers - sketch

Getting Corked and Smashed
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink Ripe Avocado
~Layer of Bo Bunny Spicy Strips then narrower layer of Bo Bunny Spicy Circles
~Layer of cork (I just happen to have it...could it be from a prior transfer of crap?)
~Layer of hunter green cardstock topped with a glossy square of color using the ink, spray, smash technique (which I've never done before) using Stampin' Up Re-inkers. Over the top of the smashing I stamped leaves using Stampin' Up Best Blossoms and Stampin' Up Old Olive Ink
~The floppy blossom was made using Shabby Vintage Seam Binding by Deb Marcinkiewicz at The Shabby Tea Room. She sells this dreamy trim at Etsy on her Simple Treasures page. This was a giftie from Sissy Gail! She bought me FOUR colors!!! Mint Green Tea, Lacey Blueberry, Cake Crumbs, and Rose Petal Cupcake lucky me..lucky me. Thank you Gail! For this card I dredged the Mint Green Tea ribbon through Stampin' Up Really Rust - just to have it coordinate more with the colors of the card.
~Floppy blossom topped with variegated green button held in place with twine
~Sentiment from Hero Arts stamped using Stampin Up Really Rust and edges smudged with Distress Ink Peeled Paint and layered on orange and brown cardstocks
Challenges:
Stamping 411 - Sketch
Just Us Girls - use the Ink, Spray, Smash technique at Splitcoast Stampers
Our Creative Corner - incorporate cork

I'm off to tackle a few more challenges with what remains of the weekend.
You can get up close with the cards by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy