Random on Purpose

Hello Again!

I've been up and at 'em for a good long while this morning (it's just noon now...), so I had plenty of time to play in the Splitcoast inspiration challenge.  We were directed to a very fun website - Chasing Fireflies - which is a children's boutique (clothing, bedding, toys, etc.).  TONS of really great stuff!  I was inspired by this pillow:

  

I thought it was totally adorable, and I'm a sucker for pink and green, and also for scallops, so...  I wanted to do small-sale and simple for this one, so I decided gift tags would be a good way to go:

 

Paper: Stampin'Up! Certainly Celery, Melon Mambo; Accessories: Marvy scalloped square punches, EK Success small folk heart punch, marker, clear glaze pen, eyelets, ribbon

I used two different sizes of scalloped square punches, scored a border around the smaller one, drew a dragonfly body with a marker and punched two small folk hearts for wings.  Set an eyelet and loop some ribbon through - done!

I've saved more pics of more inspiring schtuff from this website, but that's for another day - groceries, oil change, laundry - all the usual Saturday stuff is on tap this afternoon!  Hope you get to do something more fun with yours!  Thanks for stopping by!

At the End of the Day...

... my bed calls to me, and I'm going there VERY soon, but I just uploaded my card to Splitcoast and thought I should take a little moment to add it here, too!  The challenge was to "crop" an image and use just the cropped portion, but use it at least three times on the card.  I did this:

 

The image on the 3" x 3" note card on the right is the entire image (CTMH Santa's Helpers).  As I was looking at it, I decided that without the mailbox, the little elf looked like he belonged in a chorus line, so I made an "Elf Revue"!  I used more of the fun "Rob and Bob Studio" papers that I've had on hand for a bit, including some pre-made tags.  I took my color cues for the elves' outfits from the paper.  I added some buttons and ribbons and called it a day!  And that's exactly what I'm doing - calling it a day!  Have a good night and great weekend, and see y'all next time, ya hear?

Merry Little Trio

So - true to my word - I participated in the "Christmas in July" challenge, and made this:

 

I used the amazingly wonderful Ski Slope papers from Stampin'Up! that I've been hoarding since last Christmas season - totally love them!  The images are more of my digis that I'll be puttin' in the Etsy shop once it's for real...  They're colored with Bic and Prismacolor markers, and that's the end of the story and I'm going to bed now - good night!

So What Else is New?

Thanks for stopping by the ol' blog!  Unless this is your first visit, you've probably noticed that things look a tad different.  I decided that the fall colors needed to go, and I've been tweaking a bit last night and this morning.  I still can't get the banner quite how I want it, but now that I've change the backgrounds of everything to white, I'm happier with the overall look...

I've been a slacker on several fronts, so it's "fess up and apologize" time:  I was recently invited to become part of a group of bloggers organized by Judith Rozema - the "Shabby Chicks".  I've got a blog roll of those involved over in my sidebar under the button that Judy gave us (pretty, huh?)  The sole purpose of the group is to make new blogging friends and encourage each other.  This week Judy's added the fun of a challenge, so we'll see how that goes, too.  Feel free to scope out the blogs of the other girls when you get a chance!

Speaking of friends, I feel like some of the bloggers I've had interaction with have become friends, so I've moved their blog links from the "Blogs I Frequent" list to the "Friends Who Blog" list.  Well worth the visit there, too.  The "Blogs I Frequent" list features some amazing bloggers - the "creme de la creme", if you will...  There are a couple of other blogs I want/need to add, but there are temporary issues (yes, Tina, this means you) or other reasons for now, so look for those in the not-too-distant future...

I've also been a slacker on another front:  Several of the friends I've made here on this blog have left me sweet comments, and a couple of them have even given me blog awards, and I have never acknowledged them or posted them or anything!  I'm rectifying that RIGHT NOW!

 

This Lemonade Stand Award was given to me by both Jessica and  Jenn, who also presented me with these additional awards:

     

I'm honored, ladies - thanks so much!  I'm kind of a stinker, though and will just direct you to the "Friends Who Blog" and "Shabby Chicks" to pass along the awards, though - they're all worthy!  I'm pushing time limits even posting this at all, so I'm begging off doing this truly and well...

Okay, time's up!  I really, really want to play in the Splitcoast "ways to use it" challenge today - "Christmas in July"!  I'm all over it, but time's a-wastin' on the work front, so I'll have to play tonight instead - watch for another post later!  Have a great afternoon!

Cool Cat

Faith was the guest hostess for the color challenge today on Splitcoast.  She made it a little tricky, too - Baja Breeze, Tempting Turquoise, Apricot Appeal, and Creamy Caramel.  At first all I could think of was "beach", and I was flipping through my stamps to see what I thought would work, when I re-discovered a set I love - Cool Cat - a retired Stampin'Up! set:

  

Stamps: Stampin'Up! Cool Cat, Crosshatch, Lots of Thoughts; Ink: SU! Baja Breeze, Apricot Appeal, Tempting Turquoise, Creamy Caramel; Paper: Stampin'Up! Apricot Appeal, Baja Breeze, White; Accessories:  Braiding cord, EK Success 3" scallop circle punch, Fiskars hand-held 1/4" round punch, Stampin'Up! word window punch, ribbon, braiding cord, self-adhesive gems

Still not sure about the Baja and Caramel in the mix, but I LOVE the turquoise and apricot together!  I stamped the Crosshatch background with Baja and flowers in Apricot.  The piece was a little longer than I needed for this card, so I lopped off a strip and matted it with some apricot instead of doing a ribbon or something.  I did some cutting and layering of the gifts and cat and all.  The only caramel in this mix is the cat itself...

Okay, my face has almost hit the keyboard twice now (yes, I really am that tired, even though it's only 9:18!), so I'm gonna hit the hay...  See you a different day, and thanks for stopping by!

The OddBrain Train

I have a little musing for ya today, but first:

 

This is a quick little card I made yesterday for the  Limited Supply challenge on Splitcoast.  We were limited to digital images and diecuts, and only two embellishments.  I thought the timing was kind of interesting, because I had just decided earlier yesterday morning that I would go ahead and set up an Etsy shop to sell digital stamps, among other things.  The image on my card is one that will be available in my shop when it's up and running - hopefully in a week or two (maybe sooner if I have time and get real motivated).  For the diecut part of the challenge I used my always-at-the-ready Top Note die - I can't believe how much I use it, and I can't believe that I ever believed I didn't want/need it!  My two embellishments are the ribbon and the brad cinching it into a bow.  The paper is from Colorbok, and I colored the image with markers.  I need to get more colors and learn how to use them more effectively, I'm thinkin'!  I also think paper-piecing the dresses would have been cuter.  Ah well, next time!

Okay, here's where the philosophizin' starts, so turn away now if it's not your thing...

I did a JoAnn fabrics run this morning (50% off the notions wall - needed more needles, and 99-cent patterns - need more summer tops), and had a blip trying to come out of the parking lot.  I was waiting for a line of cars to go by so I could make a right turn out onto the road, and there was a car with the blinker on, indicating that they were turning into the parking lot, so I got ready to make my turn.  Just as she got to the turn, the driver turned off her blinker and kept coming straight (good thing I paused), and she and her passenger both made arm gestures like "what the...?" as they went by.  I'm thinkin' "what the...?" myself, since her blinker was on, and - for whatever reason - the incident, minor as it was, made me feel.....crappy, for lack of a better word, and I actually felt like crying!

After I was able to make my turn and head homeward, I was pondering why such a trivial thing would have such a huge impact on my mood.  (And yes, I did allow the tears to come - healthier to acknowledge and work through the emotion than to suppress it - for a few brief moments.)  I was more interested in the "why" behind the reaction than I was about anything else, so I mulled it over and decided this:  Feeling misunderstood or misjudged has been a VERY common occurrence in my life.  I don't feel like an outsider or that people don't like me or any of that, I just have always felt a bit of a "fringe-dweller" - I'm accepted - maybe even liked - by everyone, but don't really "belong".  I know I've mentioned this before, but there it is again...

The reason I allowed all of this back into my consciousness today, I believe, was to acknowledge this: because of all of the incidents where I felt misjudged/misunderstood, I have always tried very hard to stay out of judgement of others.  Yes, I will comment on an outrageous hairdo or bizarre wardrobe choice, and I'm VERY fond of noticing quirky verbal missteps - I'm only human, and I find these things amusing - but they are commentary on the THING, not the person wearing or saying the THING!  One particularly strong memory from my youth (12 or 13 years old, I believe), was one of the leaders of my church's youth group making a joke about, "If you want to be popular, get six ugly friends", and all I could think of was, "What if you were one of the six ugly friends?  How would you feel?  Would you even know?" and other thoughts along those lines.

I truly believe that the experiences we have guide and direct us to where our strengths lie and what we most want to learn in our "mortal experience", and if we pay attention to these experiences and the lessons they are teaching us, we can develop our strengths and overcome our shortcomings and move into being who we really are.  I'd like to think that my fringe-dwelling experiences have made me a more understanding, compassionate person who is proficient at separating the person out from the circumstance/behavior, and reacting - or even aiding - appropriately.  At least I hope so...

Okay, I'll get off the soapbox now, and go find something appropriate to a "holiday" to do!  Hope you're having a good one, as well!  Thanks for stopping by!

From the Ashes

Like I said - I just never know what the days will bring, so here's another post for ya!  Today I decided to combine a couple of challenges and make this:

 

It's a card for someone near and dear to me who is a recovering alcoholic, and who beats herself up with regret and "would/coulda/shoulda".  I want her to stop looking back, so I made this card for her.  The sentiment is from Carl Bard: "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."

I used the technique from Monday's challenge on Splitcoast for Faux Burned Edges, and today's "ways to use it" challenge to use corrugated cardboard.  I also used smooth cardboard as my base layer.  The ribbon is sheer, so I didn't mind that the tails overlapped the sentiment a bit - you can still read it.  The pink is one of Stampin'Up!'s new In Colors - Melon Mambo - YUMMY!

Birthday update:  I wanted carrot cake (haven't had any in a very long time), so I went and bought myself one, then took it up to Fabric Mill and shared it with my girlies.  Now I'm here typing this while Greg is getting clean, after which he's taking me out to dinner!  I think maybe The Retreat in Liverpool...haven't been there since my birthday two years ago...hmmm...decisions, decisions...

Sherry and I are supposed to get together possibly tomorrow, maybe not until Monday - sort of depends on the weather, because that determines what our respective other halves will be doing (hers golfs, mine has a concrete pour...)  Further bulletins as events warrant!  I'm gonna go change out of my t-shirt and jeans into something more respectable for going out to dinner!  Later, loverlies!

And So, At Last...

I went to the store and bought some small buttons.  It took some searching, let me tell ya!  When I did finally locate them, I snagged the very last package of them!  Now - true to my word - here is the unveiling of the long-awaited card, but with a word of caution:  I'm afraid this will be like the movies - all this hype and then a big letdown when you finally see it!  Regardless, here it is:

  

Stamps:  Cloud 9 Design Simple Thoughts - Laughter; Ink: Versafine Vintage Sepia; Paper: Stampin'Up! Kraft, Good Morning Sunshine dsp;Accessories: Sewing machine, Favorite Findings buttons, unkown ribbon

I know - no big deal there - I warned you!  I just thought it was kinda cute, and I was just playing with some new (to me - they're retired now...) papers, anyway, so there  you are!  And don't you agree that it would just not be the same without those three buttons?  Yeah, thought so...

The buttons had to be small enough that there was still a ring of white around them in order for me to be happy.  When I tried buttons that were a little bigger, it was stll cute, but not as, in my opinion.  Since I'm pretty much just making this stuff for my own diversion and entertainment, anyway, my opinion is pretty much the only one I care about!  How's that for an Attitude?!

I don't know what's up with the colors here - the dark brown totally looks black - oh well...  Nothing much else to say except that I stamped "Fun" on one of the flowers on the patterned paper, then cut it out and popped it over the same word where it was stamped on the card.  Cut out a couple of leaves, too, but they're glued right down... Okay, that's it...

I don't expect to be on the computer any more today, and possibly tomorrow, and possibly even over the weekend - we'll just play it by ear and see how it goes - but I have birthday-ing today, and 4th of July over the weekend, and I just don't know what's going to happen with any of that!  If I'm not around to say so, have a very FUN and very SAFE holiday weekend!  I plan to, and will report back sometime in the near future!  Ta!

Happiness Always

Good morning!  Another up-at-3am-day, but oh well!  I guess that just gives me a head start, right?  Since there's not a lot you can do that's quiet at that time of day, card-making seemed to be the way to go, and Rox had already posted the sketch challenge for today, so woo hoo!  Another fun one, but I don't think I'll do multiples of this one:

 

Lots of my favorite things on this card!  The textile embossing folder, the curly label punch, the oh-so-yummy Raspberry Tart dsp...  Yeah, pretty much loving all the elements here!  Here's another view:

 

Well, as fun as that was, the workday is already late getting started, so I have to go be a little drone now...  Thanks for stopping by, and have a fantabulous day!

Stamps: Stampin'Up! Happy Harmony;Ink: SU! Rose Red and Kiwi Kiss; Paper: SU! Real Red, Raspberry Tart dsp; Accessories: Cuttlebug w/textile embossing folder and heritage die, SU! curly label punch and oval punches, Martha Stewart multi-heart punch, Fiskars tiny butterfly punch and Victorian decorative-edge scissors, Marvy folk heart punch, Offray ribbon (dyed with Kiwi Kiss), unknown heart bead, ribbon rose, glass head pin

Is It Night Yet?

For whatever reason, I kept waking up evry half hour or so all night last night, and finally gave up around 2:30 or 3:00 and got up.  It's now 7:41 pm, and I'm about to fall off my chair...  I'm so tired that I'm actually nauseated from it!  But, I'm trying to be more conscientious about posting when I've actually created something, so I'm going to do that, then go to bed!

 

Stamps: Stampin'Up! Cute & Curly; Ink: SU! Night of Navy; Paper: SU! Kraft, So Saffron, Night of Navy; Accessories: SU! Curly Label punch, Martha Stewart lattice arch border punch and butterfly punch, Cuttlebug Heritage ornate square die and textile embossing folder, Offray ribbon, ScorPal

I made these little (2 1/2" x 3 1/2") thank you cards for the Fabric Mill girls because they were so sweet and gave me a birthday party and lots of yummy food and beverages, and lots of great gifts, and I just really appreciate having friends!  When you've moved as many times as I have, and in as short a time span, friendships are harder to establish and maintain.  This is a great group of girls (women?) and I love them!

These cards are also for the color challenge for today on Splitcoast: Kraft, So Saffron, and Night of Navy.  At first I wasn't quite sure about this combo, but I ended up liking it quite a bit!  I still haven't gone anywhere to get little brown buttons (maybe tomorrow), so I'm still not sharing that other card...  Good night, all, and thanks for stopping by!