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

Bing Crosby, Ann Landers, and 93 Candles

Today was my mother's 93rd birthday. We celebrated with lunch and the BEST hot fudge sundae in the Midwest, MAYBE even in the United States. The Green Gables has been at the same location since 1929. They are literally famous for their Matzo Ball Soup and Hot Fudge Sundaes. It was the after school hang-out for our most famous twins - Abigail and Ann Friedman (AKA Dear Abby and Ann Landers). The building actually looks like this: What makes this Hot Fudge Sundae so incredible? Is it the really good, hand-scooped, vanilla ice cream? The tall fluted ice cream dish it is served in? Is it the chopped almonds or the maraschino cherry? The swirl of whipped cream? Or...is it the Hot Fudge served on the side in a green miniature ceramic pouring pitcher? I know from experience that the top of the wee pitcher is JUST wide enough to allow your spoon in to retrieve most of the contents. Of course if you want EVERY last drop of the chocolaty indulgence the PROPER retrieval method is your finger. Good to the last lick I tell you!

It's not a place to go if you are in a hurry. Every thing is cooked to order and the waitresses...well lets just say they (and I mean this seriously) are the same waitresses that worked there when I was in high school and I'm old enough to have an 11 year old granddaughter. They were probably high school chums of Ann and Abby. It is one of those places that, if you've moved out of the area, you must revisit with every homecoming.

My personal lunch favorite? The Custer Special. The description: "is it a sandwich or is it a salad?" Daughter Amy calls it the Hay Mound. I like it no matter what it is called. She always orders the Chicken Club Sandwich. They even have Liver and Onions as a regular on the menu! Anyway if you are ever in the area - Green Gables is a must do!
Enough about the Sundaes - on to the cards. I was a maniac in the Bubble tonight. I was probably on a sugar high from the fudge...

Ruby Tube
~Base card Paper Trey Ink White
~Layer of bright green cardstock
~Layer of My Mind's Eye Penny Lane (I like the circles that duplicate the round of the inner tube)
~Three flower punches using DCWV Glitter Mat Stock
~Ribbon
~Digital image - this week's freebie by Elizabeth O. Dulemba - colored with Copics, inner tube embellished with three 'ruby' rhinestones and Stickles - I don't know why I "sparklied-up" the inner tube. It had little circles drawn on it and it just screamed 'gemstones'!
Challenges:
Hidden Treasures - sketch
City Crafter - Some Like it Hot (summer theme and use the color red)
Daring Cardmakers - Ruby inspiration


Brush Up on Your Greetings

~Base card Paper Trey Ink Raspberry Fizz
~Striped design paper
~Layer of blue and pink cardstock and digital image printed on white cardstock. Image is another freebie from Lauretta's Digital Stamps - colored with Copics and the bristles are coated with Glossy Accents. The background of the image I sponge-smudged with pastel chalks.
~Sheer ribbons and thin trim/braid for the string of the brush handle
~Challenge
Stamping 411 - sketch

Caardvarks - create a birthday card


Carry Moonbeams Home in Jar...
~Base card Paper Trey Ink White
~Unknown design papers
~Sentiment - Stampin' Up Warm Words~Oval diecut using Spellbinders and Cuttlebug - background sky and ground applied using pastel chalks and dry sponge
~Two digital images colored and attached using foam dimensionals. The girl on the swing is from Little Musings and regrettably I didn't save the artist's name on the Swirly Tree
~Accordion flower with white brad is something I made because I just happen to have a strip of the design paper tossed to the side which I had accordion folded and then never used - so I decided to try to make a circle out of it
Challenges:
Lord Have Mercy - sketch
Dare U 2 Digi Stamp - The Great Outdoors

I think my sugar buzz is melding into a carbohydrate coma - so that' all for me tonight. Thank you for stopping by. Maybe we'll meet for a fountain treat at the Green Gables!

All good wishes,
Nancy

African Breezes

Just a quick note tonight. I need to go to bed early. Granddaughter Bailey spent the night last night. Sleeping with her is like sleeping with a cross between an octopus and a giraffe. At one point I remember something draped over me and vaguely thought, ohhhh, she has her arm around me...no wait...that's a leg! I usually wake up a few times in the night to make sure she is still has a quilt keeping her toasty warm because usually she has it wadded up in a ball or tossed to the floor in which case SHE is wadded up in a ball. Last night I performed my due diligence sitting up to see that she was snuggled in - not only was her quilt on the floor but her head was at the foot of the bed. I'm exhausted.

Here is the output from the Bubble this weekend. I wasn't as productive as I should have been. I have GOT to stop blog hunting and spend more time actually making cards than looking at them!

I'm not sure what part of my brain put this card together. I was cleaning the Bubble and ran across this cool embossed image on a sample paper catalog. I decided to cut him out and use him. I put him with some of my "you bought it - now use it' stash.


Sun Hemp Dance
~Base card Paper Trey Ink Rustic Cream Cardstock~Pre-made embossed image (Paul Jermann, illustrator), surface distressed using Tim Holtz Distress Inks Antique Linen and Vintage Photo
~Swirl brad from Oriental Trading
~Three types of twine braided together and held in place with two metal brads along the bottom of the card
~The background handmade paper and the string of paper and wood beads are from Eco-Africa Hand Made Plant Paper by Provo Craft (I've had this sitting around for years - bought it when daughter Amy was attending the University of Iowa - this definitely qualifies for the 'you bought it....' category. I wasn't even making cards at the time of the purchase. I just LOVE hand-made paper. I had no idea why I thought I NEEDED it...
~Along the right side of the card, partially hidden by the embossed character is a blade of grass that had gone to seed and was dried - this was also in the Africa collection
Challenge:
The Shabby Tea Room - "Let's Make an Impression" (use embossing)

Kind of a funky card - but I had fun putting it together.

The label on the Eco-Africa Paper Craft Kit says, "Hand made plant paper is crafted by women in communities and villages in the African republic of Zimbabwe. Using donated, simple paper making equipment, the women are taught by master papermakers to craft paper using indigenous and replenishable plants that grow wild and plentifully near their homes in the rural and urban areas. They include such plants as river reed, elephant grass, wild fig, cotton, and sun hemp. Traditional household tools like the 'duri' and the 'guyo' are encouraged as production methods which are ecologically stable. These earth-friendly techniques support the use of various new fiber sources. The use of these new fiber resources results in Tree Free Paper which reduces dependence on forest, indigenous woodlands, and wildlife habitats and wast to land fills. The paper making projects create work opportunities and develop skills which help women to achieve financial independence for themselves and their families.

Whheeeezzzyyyyy Breazy~Base card Paper Trey Ink White
~Layer of design paper which has purple green and blue
~Free digital image from Little Musings (one freebie a week - posted via Facebook) - colored with Copics, actual twine cut and pieced for swing rope
~Vertical layer of purple cardstock with edges smudged and topped with coordinating design paper - top and bottom flower brads
~Horizontal layer of green cardstock and a piece of plastic trim (I think it's from a Happy Meal) this would fall under the category of re-purposing
~Sentiment by Just Rite - stamped on purple cardstock, punched using Stampin' Up word window, attached using foam dimensionals and embellished with small green flower brads
Challenges:
Just for Fun - use colors purple, green, and blue
Paper Garden Projects - Summer Cool (I wasn't paying attention and missed the deadline...see? too much time surfing for inspiration - not enough time paying attention to details and deadlines!
Stampin' B - Vacation Fun
Dare U 2 Digi Stamp - The Great Outdoors


Not Sure What He's Thinking~Base card Paper Trey Ink white
~Layer of My Minds Eye Penny Lane Collection~Ribbon from Hobby Lobby
~Image from Baby Bud Designs - a recent promotional - buy one get one free - this was my freebie, colored using Copics and Sharpies
~Label die cuts - Spellbinders using Cuttlebug - inked stitches on long vertical sides (Thank you Gail I bought a new die cut stencil using part of the Hobby Lobby gift card you gave me.)
Challenges:
The Pink Elephant - use 3 layers, 2 die cuts, and ribbon
2S4Y - sketch
Now I'm off to upload this to the appropriate challenges then it's off to the land of winkin' and nod.

Thank you for clicking by.
All good wishes,
Nancy

Babies, Beer Gardens, Bands, and Buggys

It must be the 4th of July holiday - heat, humidity, 30,000 people, back-to-back bands, it's Saturday in the Park! Depending on where you're from 30,000 may not sound like much but for a city with a population of 80,000... This annual family event, now in it's 20th year, is held at a hillside park in the middle of the city. The stage is a 1930 WPA era bandshell. It is a fun event if you're into listening to music in a sea of humanity in 90 degree heat and sauna like humidity. I features the usual festival foods and age ID'd Beer Garden. That's my hometown - SUX as designated by the FAA.

Did I attend this outdoor musical extravaganza? Even for the chance to hear, live, Steve Winwood and Santana? NO WAY. I chose to stay home, alone, in air-conditioning making cards! (Yes, die-hard music loving hubby is at the sweat-fest.) I WAS momentarily contemplating attending just so I could have an AUTHENTIC 'tavern'. (Tavern is a local colloquialism for...loosemeat sandwich...Maid-Rite, Sloppy Joe sans tomato sauce.) One of the churches in town was the recipient of the coveted Ye Olde Taven Recipe in the will of this restaurant (now closed) owner's will. The church is always at Saturday in the Park and Artsplash selling these tasty loosemeat and their que of 'diners' is always the longest! Even the promise of a tavern didn't get me out of my Bubble and into the crowd.

Now...on to the cards.

Shaken Not Stirred
~Base card Paper Trey Ink Vanilla Cream
~All design papers by Daisy D's (five different papers), edges smudged with Tim Holtz Distress Ink
~Daisy D's die cut flower with olive green brad
~Daisy D's die cut tag with olive green brad
~Layer of olive green cardstock - image layer cut with deckle edge punch - stamped using a Michael's dollar bin stamp
~Scallop punch used on one of the vertical layers
~Image stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black, stem of glass topped with Stickles, olive colored with Sakura Gel Pens, glass coated with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects
Challenges:
Friday Sketchers
Little Red Wagon - use a tag

Cowgirl Cupcake
~Base card Paper Trey Ink Lemon Tart~Layer of American Craft design cardstock Patacake~Ribbon from the Dollar Tree
~Blue eyelets
~Layer of blue cardstock topped with American Craft design cardstock Colored Eggs, top and bottom pink brads
~Large green button
~Digital image (freebie) from Treehouse Stamps colored in using Copics, 'frosting' is Liquid Applique, sprinkles are Stickles
Challenges:
Treehouse Stamps - use the cupcake digital image
Sketch Saturday


Welcome Wagon
~Base card white cardstock
~Layer of DCWV Nana's Kids~Layer of purple edge punched cardstock, layer of yellow cardstock, layer of zig-zag trim (gift from Sista Gail - thank you)
~Sentiment by Just Rite Stamps
~Prima flowers with yellow buttons
~Digital image purchased today from Baby Bud Designs, colored using Copics, Stickles accents and yellow buttons for wheels
Challenges:
Just Us Girls sketch plus use a Just Rite stamp

Bazooka Pink~Base card Paper Trey Ink white~Layer of The Paper Studio Hot Pink Gingham~Vertical layer of hot pink cardstock topped with layer of polka dot ribbon - with additional ribbons
~Layers of cardstock, curve punch edges, three pink eyelets, digital image from Sassy Cheryl's colored using Copics and highlighted with Stickles. I printed her on vanilla cardstock because I wanted to try to get her dress colored in white - I used a white colored pencil - it is difficult to see on the photo. I'm on the hunt for Sharpie Poster Paints - need a white fine tip according to a very informative how-to-highlight tutorial video I watched. It does have some depth to it IRL (I.R.L. = in real life) (for my texting/chat deficient sisters).
~Challenges
Crazy for Challenges - use more than one ribbon
Play Date Cafe - use Pink, Red, and White colors
S2G - summertime plus sparkles (she has on a sleeveless summer dress)

Overall, I'm pretty happy that I stayed home in the bubble and let the rest of the world enjoy a day in the park.
All good wishes, Comments are welcomed and appreciated.
Nancy

Pinwheel Margaritas

Too late to get into any stories this evening. I will tell you that I think most of the mired marigolds are going to survive. I will also mention that I STILL think upside -down-hanging-tomato-bags are RIDICULOUS.

I think I'm in a slump - only two cards to post! And the first one is one of those situations where concept and execution did not intersect on the roadway of cardmaking. It's colorful - I'll just keep it at that...

Happiness is a Pinwheel
~Base card turquoise Bazzill cardstock
~Design paper - DCWV Nana's Kids
~Ribbons
~Sentiments by Just Rite
~Pinwheels turquoise, green and pink cardstocks on white cardstock with black brad centers
~Center slotted brad with assorted ribbons
~Horizontal striped ribbon
Challenges:
Shabby Tea Room - Popsicles and Pinwheels using hot pink, bright green, cool turquoise
2S4Y - sketch



Lunch with a Lime~Base card blue cardstock
~Layers of The Paper Studio's Blue and Green Stripe and Wavy Lines~Images from Michael's dollar bin - the word fiesta cut from the image - colored with Copics, "salt" rim topped with Stickles Diamonds, glasses topped with Ranger Glossy Accents~Sentiment typed and printed on inkjet printer
~Green grosgrain ribbon
Challenges
Our Creative Corner Keep Your Cool Color Challenge - Blues and Greens
Stars and Stamps - Create Something Tasty
Stampin' Royalty - Seeing Double
That's it for tonight. Hope to capture some quality Bubble time tomorrow.
Thank you for stopping by.
Nancy

Prussian Blue Re-Do

So I'm late for work...luckily for me I have a boss who knows I will get my work done and believes in summer casual hours. I just couldn't leave without trying to fix my fix of this teapot. Forgive me Mary Lee -if you think this card will further depress your 'under the weather friend' just give it a toss I will totally understand.


Here is the remedy - it's called "we must focus on something other than the teapot"! For the previous version (sans buttons and leaves) see below.

Okay! Now I mean it! I am really leaving for work!
Have a good one!
Nancy

Early to Rise

Got up extra early this morning so had time to put the finishing touches on this card that I started last evening. This is the final in a set of tea theme cards for friend Mary Lee. I'm also sending her the two 'tea' cards from last night's post, Cuppa, and Tea Leaves. This one nearly made it into the garbage bin as I had a fight with the blue Copics. I finally tamed the dark blue beast (B039) enough to call it passable. I know the shadowing is dreadful and lacking but I worked so long on it I just couldn't give it a toss. It was one of those "it will quilt out moments'...just keep working...it will get better...or not...

I think I need a Copics class.

I looked up a Copics Certification course that will be held in Lincoln, Ne. The description sounds like it is mostly for store owners. I did find some dynamic video tutorials. Although I would like to become "Copic Certified".

After watching several of the videos I think I am going to place an order for Gina K Designs cardstock. I like the softer coloring that seems to result in comparison to PaperTrey Ink. I will keep using PaperTrey Ink for my base cards. It is just so sturdy and makes for a great base.

I need to keep this short as time is marching on and work awaits! Luckily work is a 6 minute drive from home.



I've Got The Prussian Blues
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Spring Rain~Layer of BasicGrey Cupcake paper pad
~Rectangle of navy blue cardstock and coordinating Cupcake layer
~Navy and cranberry cardstock then digital image printed on white PaperTrey Ink
~Digital image (freebie) from KLM Digital Designs, colored with Copics (NOTE TO SELF - next time leave the Prussian Blue in the drawer), rose topped with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects, tea pot coated with Crackle Accents
~Red brad used on top off tea pot lid
~Navy ribbon
Challenge
Crazy for Challenges - sketch

Must dash...the cliff calls.
All good wishes for a wonderful day. Thanks for popping by.
Nancy

Tea with Sugar

Yes! I survived the trip to the Farmer's Market with my mother. We were blessed with a primo parking spot and we perused each and every one of the forty plus tables of jams/jellies, baked goods, and vegetables. I guess what 'they' say about role reversals between parents and 'children' is true. I was asked at each and every table regarding each and every item, "What is that?" "How much is it?" Memories of shopping with a toddler.

I told her she should whip up a batch of pies and rhubarb jam - I'd set her up with a tent, sign, and a table - she could set up shop. She just harrumphed at me. After I said it would do her some good and keep her off the streets I got the well practiced "Well NANCY!" She sampled a few jams and even some local wine. Personally I think a 92 year old sitting at a vendor's table with stacks of pies and jam would make for gangbusters sales!

Among the things she bought were cucumbers, beets, onions, tomatoes and rhubarb. She has two hills of rhubarb but evidently you just can't have enough rhubarb. Because of the tomatoes and rhubarb we had another "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" episode. You can't have tomatoes and not have bacon and she was just sure she would need more sugar because of the large amount rhubarb she now possessed (not to mention the mounds growing in her back yard). This required a trip to the supermarket. Oh how I dread these shopping cart excursions!

The most notable story about the trek to the store was the fact that she bought twenty (20!) pounds of sugar. TWENTY pounds of sugar???!! Okay - for someone who likes to bake I suppose twenty pounds of sugar is reasonable but REALLY... I know I've NEVER purchased twenty pounds of sugar at one time - EVER! The reason the whole twenty pounds is laughable is because on this same morning she declared, as she frequently does, "I won't be around much longer."

One more thing. I received the sweetest comment of a few of my postings from Julie. Her cards are fantastic and I so appreciated her notes. Check out her blog! Get ready to be wowed!

Here is what Bubble time produced since my last post. The first two are for friend Mary Lee as she requested cards with tea themes for a friend of her's who is feeling under the weather at this time.


Tea Anyone?
~Base card is white cardstock
~Layer of Paper Studio Pink Ovals~Digital image (a freebie) from Shirley's 2 Girls colored with Copics, Sharpies, steam dotted using Quickie Glue stick and glitter, layer of Bazzill Berry Sensation under the image
~Sheer ribbon
~Buttons
Challenge:
Just Us Girls - create an apron card


Pippins~Base card white cardstock
~Layer of Bazzill Lime Crush~Layer of Paper Studio Doodle Garden~Digital image (a freebie) by Digital Delights colored with Copics (heart topped with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects)
~Sentiment from the dollar bin at Michael's
~Ribbon assortment
Challenge - direct from friend Mary Lee for tea theme cards


Looooooong Time No See~Base card white cardstock
~Layer of PTI Kraft cardstock
~Layer of Paper Studio Black and Brown Tiles~Layer of black cardstock then a layer of brown cardstock with the edges smudged with black ink, six eyelets
~Digital image (freebie) by Little Musings colored using Copics
~Layer of sheer ribbon and bronze metallic cardstock
~Giraffe 'spots' are layers of cardstock
Challenge:
Sketch Saturday
Thank you for stopping by.
Nancy

To Market, To Market...

This should be a hoot - taking Memere Old (aka my mother) to the Farmers Market. At least there won't be any grocery cart NASCAR incidents. (hmmmm maybe I better wait to report on that...who knows what innocent 80 year old could be edged out of the way as MO elbows her way to the perfect cucumber?

Check back for more on this soon to be unfolding (and potentially zany and or dramatic) story. Just want to upload one card for now.

I'd Rather Be...
~Base card - Paper Trey Ink Ocean Tides~Layer of dark brown cardstock
~Layer of Studio K (K & Co) Meadow & Breeze - I stamped lightly over this layer using Tim Holtz Old Paper Distress Ink on the Stampin' Up Weathered background stamp
~Vertical layer of dark brown cardstock topped with layer of faded red from Daisy D's Winter Fun pad
~Image is a digital drawing for adirondack instructions that I found on Bing, image printed on PTI Vintage Cream, colored using Copics and attached to layer of brown cardstock
~Hardware from Stampin' Up Hodge Podge collection
Challenges:Our Creative Corner Weekly Sketch
Play Date Cafe color inspiration (for some reason I got pretty literal with this one...found the chair, then found the perfect colors in an odd mix of design paper collections - thank goodness for scraps!)

Thanks for stopping by. Comments and constructive criticisms welcomed and appreciated.
All good wishes,
Nancy

Ninja Marigolds

Okay back to the mother note in the previous post about the window box planter without drainage holes. I didn't even know you could buy new flower pots without drainage holes already in them. I didn't plant this particular pot of marigolds - I would have noticed the lack of run-off system! I'm going to have to investigate just who the genius was that filled a 18 by 10 planter with dirt without a care as to how the water would escape. It's hot in Iowa with enough humidity that it couldn't possible absorb all the excess water from this baby. This lovely planter holds 10 or 12 marigold plants. I hope they are some freakish hydroponic hybrid because when I was last over at the mother's house - the fledgling plants were FLOATING in a flotsam mix of organic materials with a NASTY composty smell.

I believe the reason these yellow button top blossoms were experiencing a near-drowning is because it is my husband's DAILY duty to drive across town to water the now infamous (and ridiculous) upside-down-hanging-tomato-plant-bag. (Yes, it's true - I mean the singular - plant - one of the two fruit bearing sprigs met with an untimely demise.) Anyway - he waters every flora containing vessel in sight. Much to the dismay of these lowly marigolds.

The question of the day was: Could the marigold's be saved?! (To be honest - I would have preferred to dump the entire glob of fermenting goo and gone to the store for another flat of flowers but where is the adventure in that?) Well, mother thought I should try poking an ice pick through the dirt and out the bottom. REALLY???? An ice pick through PVC? What do I look like? Wonder Woman? (hmmm...can you even BUY ice picks anymore?) Not to mention I was not about to slam my hand down into that pile of putrefaction.

The solution I told her, as I'm saying to myself, "Nancy - just dump it ALL and go to the farm implement store and buy new dirt and marigolds", was to drill holes in the bottom. (And tell John to STOP watering everything within reach of the hose!) She starts to shuffle towards the top of the stairs leading to the basement. I tell her, "Stop! I'll go get the drill just tell me where it is." She tells me - in exacting detail - "in the box, on the left, on top of the dresser, across from the refrigerator..." I'm halfway down the stairs and I hear, no - it's more like I FEEL a presence - very near to me... invading my personal space. I turn - it's HER! She is a ninja old woman...wonder if a Black Ops Team could use her. SERIOUSLY!!!! I inform her that she can just stay upstairs - that I am perfectly capable of finding and carrying a drill. I turn the corner at the bottom of the stairs. I hear, "Nancy". I walk back to the bottom of the stairs. Ninja woman says, "don't forget the drill bits". REALLY ??????

I return from the basement victorious! Drill, drill bits, and extension cord in hand! We make our way back to the front porch. I slide the container to the edge of the porch stair and proceed to create drainage holes. Of course the sewage water runs down my hand and arm...but this is after all an important salvage attempt of three dollars worth of marigolds! AND of course THE SHADOW (aka mother) is hovering CLOSE at hand.

I'll let you know if the marigolds make it. I know it took several hand washings and a spritz of lemon juice to rid myself of their decay!

I may have to look for a marigold stamp or digital image just to commemorate the day but for now here is a look at the recent 'produce' from the Bubble.



FTD Greeting
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Berry Sorbet
~Coordinating design paper: SEI Winnie's Walls
~Sentiment: Stampin' Up Warm Words and Stampin' Up Word Window Punch
~Flower made using the organza fabric that comes in the FTD box of long stem roses, I used the fringe from some raveling I did and attached it along with a 'ribbon' of the same fabric under the flower - white brad center (No I did NOT receive flowers from my husband - one of 'my' students got long stem roses from her boyfriend she gave me the fabric...OMG...now I have to include getting ToC from students not just family members!) (If this is your first time to my blog ToC is what is affectionately referred to in my family as "transfer of crap" from one to another...for some reason I'm usually on the receiving end!)
Challenge:
Crazy for Challenges: Use paper flowers - okay so I know organza is not paper - but paper is a fiber...organza is a fiber...
Whimsical Wednesday - color/design inspiration



Flippin' Easy~Base card Paper Trey Ink Raspberry Fizz
~Coordinating design papers - The Paper Studio Surfer Girl~Flip flops were on the same stamp as the sentiment - ( I cut all the pieces apart) from the dollar bin at Michael's
~Hawaiian shirt rubber stamp from the Dollar Tree - colored with Copics and Sharpies
~Three black brads for the shirt buttons
~Stickles embellish the flip flop flowers
~Sentiment (from the flip flop stamp) smudge with Stampabilities Lime Green
~Challenge Stampin' B's
Swirls and Stars~Base card Paper Trey Ink Vintage Cream edges smudged using Distress Ink Faded Jeans and Fired Brick
~Blue design paper: Paper Pizazz Watercolor Stars, I stamped stars in the corner using Stampin' Up Stars and Swirls and Versamark with navy embossing powder, then over-stamped with Stampin' Up Weathered and more navy embossing powder
~Freebie digital image from Meljen's Designs - colored with Copics and Sharpies, distressed with blue ink
~Swirl and zig zag brads
Challenges:
Little Red Wagon: Canada Day or 4th of July

This next card is shown in three photographs - 'it's sort of a some assembly required' type of thing... It's not a traditional folded card.




Interdepartmental Greetings
~Base card is some generic turquoise cardstock
~Striped design cardstock - K & Co Happy Birthday 2 U
~'Interdepartmental envelope' flap - Bazill Basics Berry Sensation
~Large colorful button
~Orange ribbon (as the envelope string)
~Sentiment from the dollar bin at Michael's - colored with Sharpies, topped with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects and Stickles Diamonds~Eyelet with more ribbons
Challenge:
2S4Y - sketch (My first time at this challenge site - yippee another challenge!)

I have one more card but my eyelids are getting VERY heavy so will hold off on uploading it until a later date.

Thank you for clicking by and even more for leaving a comment.
All good wishes,
Nancy

Raspberry Vodka Tequila Fizz

Another Monday evening with MO (Memere Old AKA my mother). Let’s see…dinner at a marginal Mexican restaurant, grocery store stop, and the yard. Dinner first. Chips, salsa, a burrito with gravy, lettuce and tomato plus a Margarita later and she is ready to go to the grocery store. Ninety-two years old and AFTER a burrito weighs 92 pounds – and MAN can she eat!

Now the grocery store saga. A trip to the store is never dull with my mother. It is a like trying to corral rabbits. I try to keep a hand on the grocery cart because she is ruthless – no Achilles tendon within 25 miles is safe! She will plow through other shoppers like a bull in Pamplona. I’m not saying she is rude – just very intentional on shopping and always in a hurry. So I’m trying to grab the items she wants, hang on to the cart, and keep her from taking down unsuspecting shoppers.

Back home and it is time to fill the bird feeders. She follows me outside, stands on the porch, to make sure I perform this difficult task to her liking. I busy myself with the three bird feeders only to turn and see the woman with two kitchen can liners and a butcher knife that would make the Iron Chef proud. PLUS she is trying to get down the stairs into the back yard. (She is blind in one eye and has macular degeneration in the GOOD eye.) I run up to the porch and while I’m asking her what the 'heck' she is doing as I grab the knife from her hand. Really – a butcher knife? A cleaver-wielding woman old enough to put Yoda to shame, with no depth perception, holding two plastic bags. After I calm myself down and have managed to wrest the rhubarb scalpel from her hand...I am told the ‘machete’ is to lop the tops of the rhubarb off. There are two bags – one for the stalks – the other for the lopped off tops. Ahhhh….. quite a system! I am such a 'grasshopper' with much yet to learn from my gardening master.

Long story short – she wanted rhubarb. I told her I would get it. She, adamantly, tells me NO. She wants to walk into the yard over to the rhubarb mounds. Now, mind you, I’ve probably heard from her, “never cut rhubarb you have to pull it”, at least a thousand times in my lifetime. I approach the rhubarb with the appropriated ‘hatchet’ and she barks at me, “don’t cut it – you HAVE to PULL it!"

Then there is the flower pot that is already full with dirt and flowers…and she wants holes drilled in the bottom…that story I may have to hold off for another blog.

That's all on that subject for now. Let's talk cards!



What'll You Have?~Base card Paper Trey Ink Dark Chocolate~Layer of diagonal design paper by Bo Bunny
~Layer of olive green cardstock topped with another Bo Bunny paper
~Three olive green eyelets
~Rectangle of bronze cardstock, another layer of design paper, then white cardstock stamped with Stampin' Up Express Yourself colored with Copics, image distressed using Old Paper ink
~Sentiment printed using inkjet printer and smudged with Distress Ink Old Paper and adhered to more bronze cardstock
~Stitches inked around edges using black gel pen
Challenge: The Shabby Tea Room using this photo inspiration:



Fizz Frizz
~Base card Paper Trey Ink Raspberry Fizz
~Layers of black cardstock with layers of Raspberry Fizz Mix~Polka dot ribbon
~Black brads
~Image: Baby Bud Designs Chloe (isn't she adorable?)- colored using Sharpies, edges smudged using Stampabilities Cotton CandyChallenges
Mojo Monday - sketch
The Pink Elephant - use pink and black

Vodka above - tequila below...hmmm is there a pattern developing here?


It's Five O'Clock Somewhere
~Base card Paper Trey Ink Berry Sorbet~Design papers are SEI Winnie's Walls~Image is from Michael's dollar bin - colored with Copics, coated with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects, lime peel coated with Ranger's Crackle Accents, beverage topped with green Stickles, 'salt' rim edged with Stickles Diamond
~Sentiment printed on ink jet printer
Challenges:
Lord Have Mercy sketch
Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger - here is the photo inspiration:

Whimsical Wednesday - graphic inspiration That's all that I have for this evening. Thanks for stopping by. Comments are welcomed and appreciated.

All good wishes,
Nancy

Pressurized Ice Cream

One wedding down, several more to go... Yesterday's wedding was lovely. Beautiful bride, groom who's leg wouldn't stop bouncing while they were seated. And I got to sit between two recent alums. The twins Shane and Shawn. They both fidget - constantly. Between the swaying and knee bouncing I was wishing I had Dramamine in my purse. One dressed in a tuxedo (he was doing one of the liturgical readings) the other in a black crew neck short sleeve t-shirt and black slacks...Really Shane?! Well, then at least shove your rear pocket lining in to the pocket where it belongs. When we shook hands at the peace offering. I hung on to his hand pulled him down close enough to I could whisper that he needed to fix his pocket. He good naturedly said, 'geesh, I guess you'll always be our 'mom'".

Worked yesterday - I was on a scholarship interview committee. Applicants for a $10,000 scholarship. Note to self - next year when Rita calls to ask me to serve on the committee again - have a REALLY GOOD reason prepared as to why I WON'T be able to participate. I have to give them my vote tomorrow. YIKES. It is really a difficult decision. They are all non-traditional students - most with very compelling reasons why they are deserving of this scholarship which will be awarded to only one of the six. TOO MUCH PRESSURE!

Rather than review their folders again and again. I resorted to Bubble Therapy and made a few cards.
Cup Cake Liberty
~Base card PaperTrey Ink White
~Flag layer of Miss Elizabeth from the Dollar Tree
~Digital image from Treehouse Stamps printed on PaperTrey Ink white, colored with Copics - Stampin' Up Crystal Effects coated the muffin paper - hoping to make it look metallic. White frosting layer is poofed up Marvy Liquid Applique, blue Elmer's Glitter Glue on blue frosting, Stickles black diamonds added to strawberry seeds. Hand drawn 'stitches' around periphery of white cupcake cardstock and around red layer as well.
~Embellishments: Ribbons and plastic glitter star
Challenges:
Treeshouse Stamp - use this digital image
Mojo Monday - sketch

All that angst about making wedding cards. I JUST COULDN'T TAKE IT! I settled for a tag... I folded under the pressure of the dreaded wedding card. I placed the tag in the gift bag and called it DONE. I don't think Jennie or Matt will think anything was awry.


Ice Cream Blossom
~Base card PTI
~All design papers are from Making Memories Multi-pink Pack
~The cone is Kraft paper stamped with Stampin' Up Canvas using Versamark, then embossed with Ranger Copper EP
~Paper flower made using scallop punch and three different design papers
~Sentiment from the Dollar Tree
~Pink and Brown Polka Dot ribbon
Challenges:
Crazy for Challenges - use a paper flower
Just Us Girls - color combination inspired by Neapolitan ice cream - light pink, chocolate, and vanilla
This one makes an envelope a little difficult - but putting ice cream into an envelope is always tedious!

What a short weekend. I may have to have a Bubble day during the week. The boss will be gone - so....
Thanks for clicking in.
Nancy

Late Night Sun

Why am I still getting home late when there are only a handful of students on campus? Ahh... a new boss with lots of energy! Oh well I'm not complaining...the parking is fabulous! Even with getting home late I had time for a card probably because it doesn't have any hand coloring. I didn't grab for a colored pencil or a Copic. I used a vintage photograph.


By the Sea
~Base card PaperTrey Ink
~Layer of K & Co Amy Butler Lotus~Die cut medallion Amy Butler Lotus
~Image from The Graphics Fairy; torn edges smudged with Memento London Fog
~Embellishments: buttons, sequin flowers with bead centers, ribbon, chipboard flower "sun"
~Challenge:
The Shabby Team Room "Fun in the Sun" theme
Little Red Wagon - use beads

Thank you for clicking in but if you don't leave a comment I won't know that you stopped by...
All good wishes,
Nancy

Bears, Frogs, and Flowers

Took my mother to Braunger's Steak Co. The butcher certainly had his work cut out for him. She wanted sirloin steak. ONE sirloin steak...cut into three chunks and packaged separately. She doesn't like leftovers. It's the perfect solution. Those were some DINKY little packages! More paper than meat. All you can do is chuckle.

Now...on to the cards.

Cheeky
~Base card PaperTrey Ink White~Layer of Making Memories Cheeky Collection
~Layer of pale green cardstock
~Another layer of Cheeky Collection
~Three rectangles of amethyst, light pink, and light green - all dry embossed using the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder
~Scallop punched circle of white cardstock
~Two Rhonna Farrer Flowers colored with Copics - top flower coated with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects with Stickles center
~Flower trim (gift from Sissy Gail)
Challenges:
Lord Have Mercy: sketch
Crazy for Challenges: use amethyst, light pink, light green

Like Toadly
~Base card PTI
~Layer of polka dot paper - it had some pink dots which I covered with orange cardstock using a circle paper punch
~Image is not something I normally would purchase - but Granddaughter Bailey picked it out - Stamp by Penny Black Toadly Yours
~Ribbons
~Stickles used on the coils and the flower centers
Challenge:
Whimsical Wednesday

Letters Home~Base card PTI
~Layer of wallpaper looking design paper - My Mind's Eye
~Digital image from Digital Two for Tuesday (awesome site), colored with Copics, "vintaged-up" with Ranger Distress Ink
~Embellished with one photo corner, flowers w/brad, die-cut flourish using Cuttlebug, pearl, vellum envelope (made using envelope punch) - inside the envelope is a small piece of cardstock with cursive text stamped on it

Butter Bear
~Base card Paper Trey Ink Kraft~Layer of My Mind's Eye floral design paper - "vintaged-up" with roughed up edges and Ranger Distress Ink Old Paper and run though the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots embossing folder

~Cuttlebug oval die-cut of My Mind's Eye polka dots
~Ribbon that I bought a long time ago and haven't used because I didn't that the right card to use it on...I think it works well for this young lady
~Digital image from Digital Two for Tuesday colored with Copics, smudged with Ranger Old Paper ink
~Embellishments: Prima flowers, metal brads, twine, buttons, photo corners (smudged with Ranger Old Paper ink
Challenge:
The Pink Elephant - sketch
The Shabby Tea Room - Summer Fun (This is a summer card because my story for this wee one is that she is all dressed up ready to ride the train to grandma's house for the summer - in Martha's Vineyard.)

That's it for now. Thanks for clicking in.

All good wishes,

Nancy

Raspberries, and Oranges but no Popcorn

Daughter Amy was home for the day - yay!!! She and Poppy went to a movie...I went to my mother's house after being summoned. Amy and Poppy enjoyed the movie. My visit...well let's just say I didn't get any popcorn with my visit.

I got up really early so I did manage to squeeze in a little Bubble time.


Raspberry Cream n' Coffee
~Base card Paper Trey Ink Kraft~Layer of white cardstock
~Layer of muted raspberry print K & Co. Journey~Digital image
~Layers of Kraft, Aqua, another layer of Kraft, Raspberry, cardstocks - with the bottom layer of Kraft paper punched with Martha Stewart lattice punch
~Sentiment by Just Rite
~Inside sentiment by Stampin' Up: Friends are the coffee break in the business of life.
~Challenges:
Play Date Cafe - color combo of Raspberry, Aqua, White, and Kraft
Taylored Expressions sketch
Just Us Girls - use a digital image


Corner Slice
~Base card Paper Trey Ink Kraft~Layer of olive cardstock
~Layer of BasicGrey Recess Cafeteria~Four sets of corner 'oranges' punched, distressed with Stampabilities Orange Dye Ink
~Vintage digital image is from The Graphics Fairy, colored with Copics, whole orange coated with Ranger Crackle Accents. white background of image was distressed using Stampabilities Orange Dye ink on a scrap piece of textured cardstok. The scrap was coated with the ink then placed over the image area and brayered over the white image cardstock.
~Challenges:
Our Creative Corner - incorporate something into the corners
Just Us Girls - use a digital image
Whimiscal Wednesday - color and theme inspiration


Pemberely Greetings~Base Card PaperTrey Ink White
~Red and black layers are re-purposed from a card I received
~Metal brads added to upper corners
~Circle scallops of white and black cardstock using Cuttlebug
~Image stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black - areas colored with Copics, dots treated with Versamark pen and black and red embossing powder added, metal brad added to center of flower. Image is Flowers by Rhonna Farrer
~Layer of black and white floral ribbon and black satin bow added
~Challenges:
The Pink Elephant: use red, scallop, and a bow
OCC - use the corners (upper corners have large white brads)

That's all for tonight. Thank you for stopping by.
Nancy

Recipe Calls for 2 Cups of...

No story tonight - just a card.



Cuppa~Base card PaperTrey Ink Dark Chocolate
~Layer of Bazzill pink cardstock
~Layer of Paper Studio Baby Pink Paisley
~Strip of pink and brown polka dot grosgrain ribbon
~Layer of Bazzill brown cardstock
~Another layer of Bazzill pink cardstock
~Digital image by Paper Garden Projects, laser jet printed directly on Paper Studio Baby Pink Paisley, flower on cup colored in with Copics and coated with Ranger's Crackle Accents. Thought I'd try paper piecing so I printed the tea cup twice on the design paper. I cut the cup out, cutting away the saucer and background (in the center of the cup handle) then used foam dimensionals to attach it to the bottom layer of the second printing of the cup and saucer (cutting away the background center of the handle). I should have photographed it from the side to show the 3D effect...
~Prima leaves and three flowers with Paper Studio adhesive pearls (My FIRST pearls - just bought them today at Hobby Lobby - all Paper Studio stuff is ON SALE!)
~Challenges:
Teapot inspiration from The Shabby Tea Room
Sketch challenge from Little Red Wagon
You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy