Happy Sideways Big 'b' Birthday:

Happy "Leprechaun" Day, race fans!

Now, please be veddy careful today as leprechaun's will be flittin' about with reckless abandon. And you wouldn't want to accidentally injure one as you will have terrible luck for the next six years. I know this 'cuz exactly six years ago today, I had an unfortunate accident with a leprechaun. Just a little heads-up or, in this case, a head's down ... 'cuz you are one of my most favorite people in the whole 3rd dimension!

Okay, then, today's card was created 'cuz I found this really neat ribbon in my stash and built this card around it. I'm pretty sure I got this colorful confection from Bonnie ... and I can't believe she would part with this kewl ribbon! So, thank you soooooooooo much, Bonnie, 'cuz I seriously {heart} this ribbon!

Since the most exciting thing about this card is the rockin' ribbon ... and since I don't know anything more about the rockin' ribbon than how wide it is (5/8"), I'll move on. But, for the rest of the absolutely fabulous product deets, check out the Supply List, below.

Sooooooooo, yesterday afternoon I was hangin' out in Sheila's kitchen when her DH brought the mail inside.

"Hey, guess what I heard today?" Ken said.

"Oh, goodie, gossip! What?"

"I heard that our mailman has seduced every woman on our street but one!"

"Hmmmm," Sheila said, "I bet it's that stuck-up Jessica next-door."

Yikes! Time for me to split!!

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: Textured Black, Textured Purple Card Stock by Bazzill Basics; Stamper's Select White by Papertrey Ink
• Designer Paper: Scrap of DSP from "Bali Breeze" Collection (Retired) by Stampin' Up!
  
• Stamps: Simply Chic Flexible Stamps by Provo Craft
• Ink: "Tuxedo Black" Memento Dye Ink by Tsukineko
• Accessories: "Hip" [unDRESSED] Self-Adhesive Chipboard by BasicGray; W-a-y Kewl 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Unknown
  
• Tools: Slit Punch by Stampin' Up!; Sanding Block; Scotch ATG 714 Adhesive, Scrap Fusion by Ivy Scraps
  

Keep Your Shirt On ...

Geez, I remember when that was just about my most favorite thing to say ... 'course I was like 12.

Soooo, check out the l'il tropical-ish 'shirt' I made ... how cute is that?!? I stamped it with teeny palm trees using dye ink and added some itty-bitty buttons. Lemme just say right now how hard it was to tie floss through those itsy-bitsy buttons. Doing that prolly took longer than makin' the whole card! What we won't do for our art ...

The sentiment is from Close to My Heart but has since been retired. Why do they retire all the kewl stamps, Mommy?

I stamped some kinda weird pattern on card stock then punched it with a spiral punch. I tied raffia around the card stock and through the punched holes and added three l'il tropical-ish beads to one strand. Easy-peasy ... 'cept for threadin' those eeny-weenie buttons.

So, I've done some research in an effort to learn a bit more about the "Economic Stimulus Payment" program. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format. 'Cuz you're pretty and nice:

Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?

A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

Q. Where will the government get this money?

A. From taxpayers.

Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?

A. Only a smidgen.

Q. What is the purpose of this payment?

A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.

Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China?

A. Shut up.

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: Bazzill Basics; Cut Card Stock; Papertrey Ink
• Designer Paper: Artic Frog
• Stamps: Some Kinda Weird Pattern and Weenie Palm Trees by Simply Chic; Sentiment by Close to My Heart
• Ink: "New England Ivy" Dye Ink by Close to My Heart; "Chocolate Chip" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: Natural Raffia; Seashells and Fish Beads, Unknown; Itsy-Bitsy Buttons by Unknown Button-Maker
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Nestabilities Long Rectangular Dies; Spiral Punch by Stampin' Up;

3 Spooky Pumpkins Sittin' on Tree Wrap:

I kid you not! Which raises an interesting question: "where the dickens did I get a huge roll of Tree Wrap?!?

The label reads, "Protect Your Trees from Bark Damage Due to Animals, Insects, and Winter Frost." Oh yeah, I need to worry about protecting my trees from winter frost in South Florida! So, I'm fairly certain that I didn't buy this stuff; but where did it come from? And when? I tells ya, hoein' out the old studio has turned up some veddy interestin' stuff!

And lest we forgot, today is "National Frappe Day!" Which is NOT French rap, okay? According to my dictionary, a "frappe" is a frozen, fruit-flavored mixture that is similar to sherbet and served as a dessert or appetizer. In that case, I'll take one of those ... to go, 'cuz:

ONward H-C-M's!

I stamped the spooky l'il pumpkins on kraft card stock which was previously stamped with a SU canvas backgrounder, then added some shadows using a Copic marker (W3). I wrapped a length of the aforementioned Tree Bark Wrap around the card and added a natural jute fiber thingie ... I was goin' for the look of a sheath of wheat. Pretty sad, huh? But jess look at the great texture of that Tree Wrap, huh?!?

I die cut the cute l'il spiders using a 'Bug die, then mounted them on dimensionals.

TIP: To raise the spiders up enough to create the look of real spiders, use double-mounted dimensionals, then gently fold the l'il legs. Eek! Real spiders make me scream like a l'il girl, but for some reason, the paper ones don't seem to bother me nearly as much ...

I mail out a lot of Halloween cards, so this one's goin' in my card stash. And, as a bonus, this card is now fully protected from animals, insects, and frost!

So this weekend, the DH and I had a few of our friends over for hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. Our friend, John, was sitting with Daniel, admiring the sunset.

I overheard Daniel ask John, "Have you read Marx ?"

To which John answered, "Yes, I think it's the wicker chairs."

Seriously.

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: Bazzill Basics
• Other Paper: Tree Wrap by Gardner's Delight: Proudly Protecting Your Trees For 3 Generations!
• Ink: Archival Black
• Stamps: Simply Chic, Stampin' Up! Canvas Background Stamp
• Accessories: Natural Jute Twine; Yellow Stickles
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Cuttlebug Die; Copic Marker (W3); Black Dimensionals; Scrap Fusion PA

PS: The Y.ou K.now Y.ou R.ock "Background Muzak" voting poll is open! Head on over and vote for your favorite entry!

PPSS: Hey, guess what?!? My BFF has claimed responsibility for the Tree Wrap! Seems she sent it to me about a year or so ago in a packie o'treasures. Phew, that settles that mystery!

Now, let's move on to the origins of the box of porcelain doll parts marked, "Made in Germany." Anyone?

In Gratitude ...

Why doesn't someone create a stamp that reads, "In Debt?" I'd buy it*!

Say, today is "National Come and Take It Day" ... and you might as well 'cuz I'm not usin' it; I only hoard it ... that's my job.

ONward Hoarding-Card-Makers:

Today's card project was created for my T-Day card stash using SU's "Upsy Daisy" stamp set ... a set I dearly love.

I gold embossed the image twice, then cut out sections from one image to adhere over the original image using dimensionals. This is a variation of the "Spotlighting" technique.

For the deets on the original spotlighting technique, the uber-talented Beate Johns has created a tutorial just for you on Splitcoast. Clicky HERE to view Beate's tutorial.

See? Easy-peasy!

So, yesterday Sheila talked me into going to hear a local dietitian speak on "Eating, Dieting, and Permanent Weight Loss."

"The material we put into our stomachs is enough to have killed most of us sitting here, years ago. Red meat is awful. Soft drinks erode your stomach lining. Chinese food is loaded with MSG. Vegetables can be disastrous, and none of us realizes the long-term harm caused by the germs in our drinking water."

"But there is one thing that is the most dangerous of all and we all have eaten it or will eat it. Can anyone here tell me what food it is that causes the most grief and suffering for years after eating it?"

While I watched in amazement, Sheila jumped up, waved her arms, and shouted out, "Wedding cake!"

Seriously.

And hey, today is the last day to get your entry in for the Y.ou K.now Y.ou R.ock challenge, "Background Music." Julie and I can't wait to see what you've created!

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: Bazzill Basics; WorldWin
• Stamps: Sentiment by Papertrey Ink; Images by Stampin' Up!
• Ink: Versamark
• Accessories: Detail Gold Embossing Powder; Metallic Embroidery Thread by DMC
• Tools: Die Cut Machine; Spellbinder's Dies; Heat Gun; Dimensionals

*Which is why I'm in debt in the first place ... see how it all just falls nicely into place?!?

Thankful ... That It's Friday

Hey, there you are! So guess what ... today is Virus Appreciation Day. And while I don't love viruses, I do appreciate the extra work they bring in for the DH. Who, by the way, can fix your computer anywhere in the whole-wide-world remotely. That's just soooo kewl, isn't it?

ONward H-C-M's:

Today's card project was created for Allison's "Suggestive Sunday" blog challenge. This week, Allison's theme is "Harvest."

I stamped my fall harvest wreath positioned in my Stamp-o-Graph, then colored the image using Koh-I-Noor woodless pencils, blending with a paper stump and Gamsol.

Once I was happy with my coloring ... like that ever happens ... I over stamped the image using "Timber Brown" solvent ink.

I cut the fall harvest wreath out with a craft knife, then mounted it on my card stock base using dimensionals.

Finally, I stamped my sentiment using a Simply Chic alphabet stamp set and solvent ink, then cut out and adhered each letter individually.

I know this wreath looks like a time-consuming job, but it ... was.

Hey, so yesterday, I went for my yearly physical exam.

After the usual eyes, ears, nose, throat, blood pressure stuff, Dr. Prettelt had me do some coordination tests. He even wanted to watch me walk to check my balance.

Then Dr. P. asked, "Deb, can you jump on one foot for me?"

So I walked over and jumped on his foot.

Was that so wrong? Right. I didn't think so either!

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: Papertrey Ink
• Stamps: Fall Harvest Wreath, PSX; Alphabet, Simply Chic, Provo Craft
• Ink: "Timber Brown Staz-On
• Color Medium: Koh-I-Noor Woodless Pencils
• Accessories: Dimensionals; Scrap Fusion PA
• Tools: Scissors; Craft Knife; Stamp-O-Graph; Gamsol; Creative Mark Paper Stump

Boo to You Too ...

Happy Magic Circles Day! I'm standing in one right now! Try it; it's magical!

ONward H-C-M's:

Today's tag project was created for Sam and Anne's "Tag You're It" tag challenge. For all the deets, including a look at the sketch I followed, click HERE. I must say, it's very challenging creating a tag using a sketch ... not a lot of space to work with, KWIM? 'Course the magic circles helped ...

I cut out my tag with a Long Rectangular Die, then soaked the tag overnight in 2 gallons of walnut ink.

I ran my Kiwi Kiss card stock through the 'Bug using the "Spiderweb" A2 folder, stamped my spooooooky l'il ghost on white, and cut out a pumpkin from some old Daisy D's patterned paper.

I stamped my "Boo!" sentiment in black Archival ink, die cut three bats and a spider in the Cuttlebug and mounted the whole shebang on dimensionals. I added some vintage rick-rack and lots of funky fibers and finis!

So today, I watched an ant climb a blade of grass. When he reached the top, his weight bent the blade down to the ground. Then, twisting his thorax with insectile precision, he grabbed hold of the next blade. In this manner, he traveled across the lawn, covering as much distance vertically as he did horizontally, which both amused and delighted me.

And then, I had an epiphany, a moment of heightened awareness in which everything becomes clear.

Yes, hunched over that ant on my hands and knees, I suddenly knew what I had to do: quit drinking before noon.

Seriously.

~Cheers,

• Card Stock: White, Papertrey Ink; Kiwi Kiss, Stampin' Up!
• Patterned Paper: Daisy D's
• Stamps: Ghost, Ghost Face, and Sentiment by Simply Chic
• Ink: Black Archival by Ranger, Walnut Ink Crystals
• Accessories: Vintage Rick-Rack, Personal Collection; Eyelash Yarns, Lion Brand; Orange Peel Stickles
• Tools: Die Cut Machine; Spellbinder's Dies; Cuttlebug A2 Embossing Folder; Cuttlebug Dies; Dimensionals; Scrap Fusion PA

Soooooooo Spoooooooooooooky!

Okay, maybe not soooooooooo spooky ... more like so-so spooky?

So today is "National Mud-Pack Day." In honor of the day, I went to the spa for a mud-pack. I looked great for a couple of hours but then the mud-pack fell off ...

ONward Hoarding-Card-Makers:

Today's spooky card project was created for no good reason using these cute stamps from Simply Chic. All the images are popped up on dimensionals, including the sentiment. Here's a closer look for those of you who are hearing impaired:


Yup, I DID cut out the sentiment three times! Now that's spooky!

TRUE Story:

I went to the Village yesterday to pick up some books at the library.

While there, a guy walked in and glanced at the encyclopedia volumes stacked on a bookshelf.

"'S'cuse me, but what are all these books?" he asked me.

"Oh. Those are encyclopedia's," I answered.

"Really?" he asked, "Someone printed out the whole CD?"

Seriously; who could make this stuff up?

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: Bazzill Basics; DCWV; Papertrey Ink
• Designer Paper: Rusty Pickle
• Stamps: Simply Chic by Provo Craft
• Ink: Archival Black by Ranger
• Accessories: Stickles by Ranger; 1/8" Satin Ribbon; Witch Eyelet
• Tools: Dimensionals; Mini-Glue Dots