Tweet on You

Hello. My name is Charles and I was tasked to be the Guest Columnist today because Mother is under the weather.  That just goes to show you how queer peoples are.  They say they are under the weather when they are feeling poorly, but the weather is in the sky so that means we are all under the weather all the time.  You. Me.  Everybody.

Enough of that, though, I need to show you a card and explain it to you because if I didn't tell you, you might not remember that there is a Birds and/or Feathers challenge going on over at the A Muse Studio Challenge Blog.  If you don't remember you can't make a card and join in.  Now that I've remembered for you, you have no excuse, except maybe being under the weather, which we now know is just silly.

The Fine Print: All products by A Muse Studio. Stamp sets used--For Peep's Sake and Sweet Love; cardstock used--wasabi petite polka dot, onyx, bubblegum. and sugar, other products used--onyx twine.

Spooky Tales from Dio

Hewwo!  My name is Dio and I'm going to be your Guest Columnist todays because my mom is all wored out now.  My mom had a bad sore on her side.  Bery bad.  I tooked her into the baffroom and we stopped the bleedings and then put medicine on it and then a bang aid.  I gived her purr ferapy too.  I told her she need purr ferapy free sessions free times a day but oh no, she says she gotting to go to works.

Anyway she had to see anofver doctor because that didn't get better.  See, she should listen to me and do her purr ferapies!  The doctors cutted her sore out.  That so stupid because when you cuts out a sore all you gets is a bigger sore!  For reals.  Then the doctor had to sew it back up with freds.  I don't fink the doctor did too goods because it is like spider legs all over my mom's side, like all messy, and it keeps doing bleedings.  He didn't scribe any purr ferapies either so I fink he's a quack.

Anyways mom said I should show you dat she putted a smile on her pumpkin card from earliers.  Today she wented to Wendy's house.  Wendy is my girlfriend but I didn't tell her dat yet.  My mom made pretty cards with Wendy. Like a nice spooky Halloween one. It has Grapick 45 papers on it and that means it is specials.

The Fine Print: You means I got write really small, too?  Well I telled you about the cards already.  The pumpkin has a smile now that came from Martha Stewart.  The bottom card has polkie dotted washie tape and vintage book pages, and scallops.  Then it has Stampin' Up stamp and a die to cuts it out.  The fancy cuts is by dat 'lectronic thing crickets or something and pretty flower and crinkles up ribbons.  And the Grapick 45 special papers that only special peoples gets, cuz Wendy's really nice.

Stamp Club Cards

As promised and long anticipated (or not) here is the card I made with the paper coffee cup sleeve that was given out as a challenge item at my stamp club.  Although truly, this isn't the one that was given out.  This is the one I feloniously swiped from the school cafeteria since I couldn't find the other one...    ...which I have since found.  But, of course.

We also had a card exchange where the theme was nature.  I was feeling less than creative but did manage to whip this card up with the Paper Smooches stamps that have been languishing on my desk.

Yesterday I paid a lady real live American dollars to punch a hole in my side and then sew it back shut with big thick black thread.  In hindsight that was a lousy idea as it really hurts.  I'd recommend against trying it yourself if you are considering it.  You know, just passing along some life experience to you.

The Fine Print: Stick figure coffee dude by All Night Media, dies by Spellbinders, bear and greeting by Paper Smooches, tag punch by Marvy, notice the use of seam binding in lieu of ribbon.  Paper from my stash, you know, except for that ill-gotten paper sleeve.

With Wings

Oh Shoot! I'd better put something on my blog before people think I'm dead.

I hope this card doesn't make you think that a kitty is dead either, because they are still all alive and kicking and shedding and demanding food and attention and the keys to the car.  We were given these wings once as a mystery item at my stamp club and this is the card I made with them.

On the last post I showed a paper coffee cup sleeve that was this month's mystery item.  I made a card with it but I haven't downloaded it onto my computer yet, so you'll just have to keep waiting.

The Fine Print:  I got nothing.  The cat was an image I had in my stash, the wings were handed out by someone, and the background paper was something I've hanging around for a long time.

Workdesk Wednesday--Can you Spot the Difference?

Hello Pals, Friends, Followers, and Random People Wondering How You Got Here!  Welcome to What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday #225.  This week brings a change to my desk, can you spot it?  No, not the hubby, Mr. Princess.  No, not the cat, Mr. Dio.  It is those plastic bins on top of my desk.  Can you tell I rearranged them and took the top two off?

I've had random bits and pieces in those bins and at one point it was all frequently used stuff.  However, over the years things have changed and rearranged so it is just stuff sitting there.  Many of the drawers were empty or almost empty so I downsized.  I know it isn't the best picture in the world.  Apparently my rechargeable batteries are in need of a recharge as all my photos came out a little bit less than focused. 

Hubby was there trying to convince Dio to turn around and get internet famous, but at first Dio wouldn't have anything to do with fame.  But he came around.  He wants to go on talk shows now and have an entourage of ladies, because he likes the ladies. 

Here are some new stamps I had stacked on my desk.  I decided to go crazy and get several Paper Smooches sets.  I love their whacky stamps.  Hopefully I'll get to play with them soon.  The paper coffee cup holder is my stamp club's mystery item this month.  I have no idea what to do with it so suggestions are welcome!

The Fine Print: Did you spot the new roll of orange seam binding on my desk? I'm so in love with that stuff right now.  My coffee cup holder is a substitute as I lost the one we were given.  I had to sneak down to the cafeteria at work and swipe a new one.  I felt like it was a covert operation.  I was terrified they'd force me to buy coffee to go with it.  Ick!  I promise to recharge the batteries for next week!

Look! In the Sky!

It's a bird!  No, it's a plane!   No, it's a....

...big butted bee!  And that's all she wrote, folks.

The Fine Print: So, does that stinger make my butt look big?  Stamp by Rubbernecker, border punch by All Night Media (gosh, remember them?), glossy yellow card from my stash, colored in Copics with glitter glue wings and a glossy accents stinger.

Birds of a Feather

Birds of a feather is the latest challenge at the A Muse Studio challenge blog hosted by Linda Suarez.  Feathers are very on trend right now so what a timely challenge.  For the next two weeks you'll have the opportunity to make a card or a tag with a bird or a feather (or both, you crazy person, you!) and join in our challenge.

Once I heard the challenge theme this is roughly the first card that popped into my mind.  However, it didn't come out like I envisioned it.  In fact, I'm not totally in love with it.  I think the problem is the bird is so realistic while the sentiment is sort of silly.  I just love that bird though.  And no, he doesn't have a matching die.  I'm a fussy cutting queen!  Er... um... princess.

This is the second card I came up with.  I wanted to do a scene that had birds flying in the sky.  Originally I wanted to do a more elaborate scene, but I spent all my time fiddling around with that first card.  I like how this came out though. 

 

Enough inspiration for now, run a pick up a bird stamp or a feather stamp, or one of each in each hand and join us in our latest challenge.  Remember that you don't have to use A Muse Studio stamps to play! 

 

The Fine Print: All products by A Muse Studio.  Top Card: Stamp sets used--All for Love, I was Here, and Love Machines, cardstock used--Bermuda, cherry, Bermuda petite pinstripe, and sugar, inks used--cherry and tuxedo black by Memento, other supplies--corner chomper, eucalyptus sheer ribbon and Copic markers.  Bottom Card: Stamp sets used--Toil and Trouble and Clever Girls, cardstock used--cherry petite polka dot, onyx, and sugar, inks used--sky and black by Memento, other supplies--vintages labels one die, cherry pearls, and Copic markers.



Too Much Caffeine

My neighbor and I were just talking smack about another neighbor's dogs.  My neighbor and I are both cat people and are in competition to be the neighborhood Crazy Cat Lady, so you can imagine the types of things we had to say.

The dog-owing neighbor has a pack of Chihuahuas. What I can tell you about Chihuahuas is that they yap.  And they shake like junkies in withdrawal.  Or maybe like they've had too much caffeine.  Yeah, that's it, too much caffeine!  That explains why they can't shut up either.  They have such creepy nervous energy and bulgy eyes. I don't see how anyone can relax around a Chihuahua.

I made this card at a SU workshop.  That lady has a real dog.  And by real dog, I mean a small pony.  And by small pony I mean a Great Dane.  You could totally relax around him.  If anyone untoward comes around he'll protect you by drowning them in happy slobber.  Or by beating them to death with his tail.  I'll bet with a little training he could pull a fully laden craft cart as well.  See, he's totally a useful dog.  None of this ridiculous jittery caffeine addict stuff that make up a Chihuahua.  Ugh.

The Fine Print: Product and coffee stamps by Stampin' Up, coffee bean stamp hand carved by the pony-owning SU rep.  That may be rogue twine.

Sacroiliac Smack

So my SI joint hurts... ...or anyway I'm guessing it is my SI.  You know, I'm not a medical personnel, so it might be some other annoying part of my body located at the top of my pelvis in my lower back.  It's been bothering me for a couple weeks now.  My usual SI MO is to ignore it.  You'd be surprised how often that works.

This isn't one of those times.  I've done all my known cures--I've stretched out, I've put Icy Hot patches on myself, I've pumped more air into my sleep my number bed, I've gotten a massage from the oriental dudes who insist the only English they speak is "one ow-er? three-five dollah," I've sucked down lots of arnica, I've been to the chiropractor, and I've taken drugs.

That last one is not to be taken lightly.  While I'm pro-pharmaceuticals I can't actually tolerate most drugs well. Anti-inflammatory drugs are high on the list of drugs-to-be-taken-only-under-extreme-circumstances-and-then-in-small-doses-oh-my-heck-proceed-with-caution.

The thing I can't decide is should I be trying to restrict motion in my afflicted area or should I be going about business as usual?  Business as usual involves a lot of sharp intakes of breath, whimpers, and serious concerns about being dumped on the floor by unwilling body parts.  Restricting my motion would mean basically not doing a darn thing period.  As in, don't get out of bed.  Except that lying down makes it worse, so obviously that's a lousy option.  Business as usual isn't working well either because parts of my body are now refusing to work properly.  I'm starting to wonder if Kill It With Fire is an option?!

The Fine Print: Halloween cards I made the other day with Things from My Stash.  I want to put a face on the pumpkin but haven't done so yet.  You know, I have a little time to procrastinate on that. And for my regular blog readers you'll be excited to learn I have another doctor referral now.  This one to an ortho-somehting or another.  Someone should probably call him and warn him what a whiny baby I am when you manipulate my sore parts.  I'll tell my mommy on you!

Mourn the Family Physician

A couple of our kitties will need to head off to the veterinarian next month for their annual exam.  My kitties go every year for a check up even though they now get 3-year vaccinations.  When they get their exam the doctor will look in their noses, throats, ears, and pick at their teeth.  He will listen to their hearts and lungs.  He will run his hands over their bodies and tails.  He will inspect their feet, toenails, and anal glands.  He will inquire about their input and output.  They will be weighed, have their temperatures taken, and heart rates monitored.

If my kitties aren't up to snuff he will draw blood for lab tests.  If they need medications they will be dispensed on the spot.  If, gosh forbid, they need surgery, the doc will splay 'em open and fix 'em up.

I don't get that kind of service when I show up at my doctor for my annual exam.  I know. I just went.  Instead of looking at me, she gazed at a computer screen noted I needed a pap smear, a mammogram, a dermatologist, a 6-month follow-up with my allergist, a 3-month follow-up with my gastroenterologist and she pondered sending me to a lab for blood work but opted not to.  Yet.

I left there with a handful of papers and the need to make a whole bunch more doctor's appointments.  She didn't even bang my knee with  rubber mallet let alone listen to my heart and lungs.  It will be another 2 months before I make the rounds to all these doctors.  Then I get the privilege of following up with her with all my results.  It's insane.

I guess I sort of get it.  The mammogram takes specialized equipment and I really would prefer to have an expert in the field stick a camera up my hiney than someone who has just a general knowledge of how it goes.  I already followed up after that procedure, and life is good, why do I need to go back again?  Same with the allergist?  Can't I just be trusted to make an appointment if I have a problem or concern?  And the damn dermatologist... by the time I finally have the appointment my weird sore will have vanished.  Couldn't my general doctor have at least looked at it?  Shit, screw you Obamacare.  What this girl needs is a veterinarian!

The Fine Print: Okay, I didn't really leave the doctor's office with a bunch of referrals.  I had to wait two weeks to get them in the mail to me. Cards, stamps, 'n stuff by Club Scrap the Spring Chorus kit. I put off using this kit because these funky folded cards intimidated me.  Now that I actually sat down to use them I can't figure out what I was so worried about.

Dispelling Misinformations

Hello. My name is Poppy and I will be your guest columnist today.  It is imperative that you read this post so that all misinformations, innuendos, blasphemies, and rumors stop immediately.

Cats are not instruments of Satan.  Do you really think we cats care what old Sulfur Breath has to say?  We aren't minions of the devil.  We aren't minions of anyone.  We bow to no man or beast, unless of course we feel like mocking you and then we might entertain the idea.  We aren't demons in little fur coats.  We don't want your soul, your blood, or your still-beating heart.  We do deeply covet your thumbs, however.

We do not make elaborate 7-course gourmet meals while you are at work and dine lavishly.  We rely on you for the stinky goodness from a can, bullshit dry cereal, and lovely lovely crunchies we subsist on. We are not heathens though and expect our dinners to be beautifully plated and served with a garnish by our waitstaff.  Since you fail to do this so often we are forced to turn up our noses at your offerings.

We are not making a nuclear device or any other weapon of mess destruction under the couch.  Those bits of ribbons, copper, fuzzy balls, metal piping, furry mice with missing tails, snippets of multicolored wire, milk jug rings, plutonium, crinkly plastic, and alarm clock parts are random things we found in your house and stashed under there.  Hey, maybe Homeland Security should be checking you out.

We're not evil.  I don't know how this slander starts and purr-petuates.  Just because we'll eat your face off after you die unattended in your house doesn't make us bad.  We do that out of love and respect.  Okay, no wait!  We do that for comedy.

The Fine Print: I have no idea where mom gets all these whackjob thoughts from.  We just cute little kitties who purr and make your lives complete...  ly miserable.  But you know, we can't all be perfect.  Cards 'n parts by Club Scrap the Spring Chorus kit.

Workdesk Wednesday

Better than Mammogram Monday, it's Workdesk Wednesday brought to us by the lovely Julia Dunnit. What is Workdesk Wednesday you ask (because you dare not inquire about Mammogram Monday)?  It is the time when a bunch of crafty and noisy people share what's on their workspace.  The mere thought of that brings horror to some, but not to us!

Left Side

I was lazy and didn't pick anything up this past weekend.  I didn't craft much either so the mess is at a minimum.  We have the usual assortment of pens, letters, and miscellaneous papers.  There is a stamp set, a rejected image, a magazine, my crafting glasses and a couple of die sets (upside down).

Right Side

The side has a naughty container of flowers that keeps popping open and strewing flowers everywhere, a tablet of Halloween paper, a stash of H'ween cards, some acrylic blocks with stamps on them, more papers, tools and miscellany.

Full Frontal

I made this while out with crafty friends last week.  I have lots of H'ween stash--papers, ribbons, stickers, foamies, die cuts, etc. and my goal is to use them this year instead of just admiring them.  More playing like that is on the agenda for this evening if I live through the dreary workday first.

The Fine Print: No kitty pictures today, sorry. Product on the witch card from my stash so no idea who made what but I'm sure if you go out shopping you can find lots of similar lovely wonderful must-have H'ween items to play with, which is why I'm avoiding the craft stores right now.  This girl knows she can't say no.

Random Randomness

I don't have anything new to share today so I thought I'd share some random cards I've made in random times.  So much randomness all in one place.  Although, I guess there is one consistent thing.  They are all by Club Scrap.

They were all made as part of my on-going project to rid my living room of the 300 or so Club Scrap boxes that are everywhere.  It just never ends, partly because I'm always making one or two cards from one box and then jumping to another.

I think I do that because I don't have much time to craft so I don't want to "waste" it all on one kit.  I'm sure that makes sense somewhere in my crowded little brain.  However, just to be persnickety when I have plenty of time to craft I opt to read a book instead.

The Fine Print: As noted all stuffs by Club Scrap with the exception of the rainbow colored twinkle stickers on the rainbow card.  Top card from the Hopes kit, second card from Up, Up, and Away, third card from Bright Lights, Big City, and bottom card from the Tribal kit.  I didn't empty out a single box in this run.  Sorry that a couple of the photos seem sort of fuzzy.  I can barely focus my eyes; I'm not sure why people think I can focus a camera too! 

Hello Fall, The Sequel

Hey! It's time to remind you all about the fall card contest over at the A Muse Studio Challenge blog.  Linda Suarez is challenging us to make a fall card and link it into our contest.  How hard can that be?!

Well, if you are me it is pretty hard. I really work hard to make fall cards even though it is my favorite season and should come easy.  I know everyone came back with, "Yeah, but your cards are great" the last time I said this but you don't know how long or how much heartbreak it took for me to get them cards where they were.  But hey, if I can do it, so can you.

So whip up a nice autumn themed card and join our challenge today!  There is a prize to be had for one lucky US participant.

We are taking a look at our A Muse Studio challenge blog and are considering some changes.  We did this trying to spark an interest in all thing A Muse Studio so we could share ideas and showcase their products.  However, it doesn't seem to be working out that way.  Stay tuned to see what we'll be up to next.

The Fine Print: Most products by A Muse Studio.  Stamps used--Nevermore, Beautiful Botanicals, Hey Foxy, Tweet Heart, Autumn Days, Spooky Boo Day.  Cardstock used--pumpkin, French roast, sugar, orange, French roach woodgrain.  Inks used--Saffron, cocoa, papaya, orange, wasabi, grass, and Memento black and rich cocoa. Other supplies--French roast stitched ribbon and grosgrain ribbon, lime and orange twinkle stickers, Copic and Tombow markers.

All Hail the Mighty Tim!

I got a new Tim Holtz stamp set this past Friday from our Top Secret Scrapbook store in town.  So I went and promptly made these cards....

...with an entirely different stamp set than the one I bought.

I got motivated to make some fall themed cards after making cards for tomorrow's post.  Yes, sometimes I work my posts backward.  Because that's just how I am.

The Fine Print: Stamps by Tim Holtz the mini blueprint collection, background papers by DCWV, embellishments from my stash.  I have no idea why I have a hunk of that brown ruffled ribbon as it is more floofy than I usually use but I feel it worked here.

The Ultimate in Rude

Whoa! I can't get over what an asshole one of my neighbors is.  I'm doing laundry, putting stuff into the washer, and it appears that she is moving her stuff out of one dryer and into another.  We initiate a bit of a chat with each other.  I run into her a second time as I move my stuff out of the washer and into a dryer and we talk again.

However, at no time does she tell that the reason she moved her clothes out of the one dryer is because it didn't work.  Nor has she come back to put a sign on it.  I don't know why but that just strikes me as the ultimate in rude.  Perhaps I'd understand it better if we passed without speaking like ships in the night.

Sometimes you just have to wonder what motivates people. And here I thought she was nice.

The Fine Print: Yes, *I* put a note on the dryer.  I'm not that asshole.  As for the card, I promise in real life the reds matched a lot better than they do in this photo.  Stamp by Stampin' Up, cut out greeting by Club Scrap (yes, the peacock kit), and background paper from my stash.

If you peas...

I have a crappy headache today which may or may not be related to the cat attempting to stand on the top of my head last night while I was seated.  It turns out my head is round and my hair is slippery and things did not go well for either of us.  You'd think cats would have better balance than that.

We certainly know cats don't have better sense than that.

Anyway, here's the card I had my friends make on Wednesday. You got to see a glimpse of this card in my Workdesk Wednesday post.  I was glad that my friends were as tickled at the design as I was.  I'm totally pro-veggie.

The Fine Print: I may be pro-veggie but not all veggies are created equal.  For example, I feel that brussell sprouts are a second class citizen.  All products by A Muse Studio.  Stamps used--Seasonal Branch and Eat Your Veggies, cardstock used--wasabi, eucalyptus, and sugar, inks used--slate, eucalyptus, grass, and wasabi; other supplies--toffee twine.

Anticipatory Annoyance

Do you ever piss yourself off over something that hasn't even happened yet?  And may not even happen? 

Say you have to go visit your Uncle Hector after work so you start imaging old Hector and how not-fun it is to visit him.  He always gets drunk and loud and does inappropriate things.  Then he always has a whore du jour who has to get up all in your face and ask you uncomfortable questions.  The more you think about it, the more you get pissed off.  You get annoyed at yourself that you agreed to visit Uncle Hector.  You get annoyed that you have an Uncle Hector.  You get annoyed just thinking about the whole situation.  By the time the actual event happens you have built up a big old ball of pissed offedness.

Yeah, I'm a master at doing this but I'm trying to get over it.  Because, it just so happens you go and visit Uncle Hector after work and he is nice as pie.  He's sober.  He's articulate. He doesn't throw anything.  His latest girlfriend is a sweetheart who made cookies for you.  You actually have a great time visiting Uncle Hector. You feel like a complete ass for all that rage you had earlier, not to mention the lingering knot in your neck you've given yourself.

I don't know why I so often suspect the worst when doing certain social functions.  Have I had my good times shit on that often by people?  Or am I just that pessimistic?

The Fine Print: I've found the best cure this malady is to give myself permission to leave immediately after doing whatever it was I set out to do.  That calms me down and reminds me I don't have to put up with anyone's shenanigans, except my own, which are vast and possibly rooted in insanity.  Cards from the Club Scrap Tribal kit. 

Stuff, but not lots of it

I went to a Stampin' Up workshop last night and made these fun cards.  When I got home my husband asked me if I ordered all sorts of wonderful SU goodies.  You know what?  I didn't.

No, no, no need to call a doctor.  I'm not sick.  I just haven't gotten to it yet.  I'm not sure what I want besides pretty much one of everything.  Do you have any good suggestions?  I hear the SU magnetic plate for the Big Shot is being restocked and will be available to purchasing starting tomorrow.  That's a must have or so the few lucky people who got it the first time say.

I feel sort of bad that I didn't link up to What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday, because I actually have stuff on my desk. I was gearing up to teach a little card class this evening.  You can see the card in the plastic shoe box.  I have a few other random things on my desk like finished cards, cling stamp sets, two glasses cases, a spirelli kit, my new SU chevron embossing folder and Charles' ears.  Okay, he isn't on the desk but he is in the right hand corner of the photo.  He was all over me trying to get into every shot.

Here I tried to pull him out of the shot on my chair.

Here I tried to photograph the table but Charles intervened.  I like that it looks like he's trying to use the papercutter.  He's banned from it though as we chopped off his whiskers on one side with it when he was kitten.

The Fine Print: Probably most everything on those two cards are by Stampin' Up, with the possible except of that fancy lace ribbon on the second card.  And obviously, I did link up to WOYWW.  I'm just late to the party.

Sing Because you Have a Song

I've had this card lying around in my pending file.  Pending means one of two things.  Either I was too lazy to file it or I haven't put it on my blog yet. 

I made this card by CASEing someone else.

I wanted to try it because of the water colored swipes.  I really like the look of watercolor.  I really do not like to watercolor. I figured I could handle making just stripes of color.  I didn't mess around though and pulled out a piece of real live watercolor paper to put this image on.

The Fine Print: Stamp by Club Scrap "Birds of a Feather," scallop border punch by Stampin' Up, papers, ribbon, and silver brads from my stash.  No really, those are silver.

Hello Fall!

The weather decided to cooperate with this week's A Muse Studio Challenge and cool off to something that was more autumnal than the 100+ degrees we've been doing.  I don't suppose the rest of you consider 86 degrees fall weather, but here in Southern Arizona we take what we can get.

Anyway, yes, that means it is time for the latest Challenge and yes, that means it is all about fall!  Break out your fall stamps and your earth tone papers and inks and whip up something fall so you can play along today!

I love fall.  It is my favorite season and I love the autumns colors.  However, as much as I love it, I struggle making fall themed cards like you would not believe.  So definitely you have to make a fall card and join in our challenge if for no other reason than to give me some inspiration!  Gosh knows I need all the help I can get!!!

The winner of the A Muse Studio back to school challenge is Shartl and the comment winner from my post is Fairy Thoughts!  Woo hoo!

The Fine Print: All products by A Muse Studio. Stamps used--Thankful for You, Hey Foxy, and Nevermore.  Cardstock used--wasabi petite polka dot, French roast, lemon whip, orange, French roast woodgrain, and sugar.  Inks used--Moss, orange, cocoa, latte, French roast, and Memento black, other supplies-- French roast and toffee twine, Thankful for You matching dies, French roast pearls, and orange splash spray. 

Pretty Darn Smart for a Boy

Sometimes the cats are so smart that it is almost frightening.  Today Dio was looking out the window and taunting the birds, or more likely the birds were taunting him  The vertical blinds were twisted open but the blinds themselves hadn't been pushed open like curtains. 

As Dio would lean way over to keep his prey in view the blinds would slide along with him, clanking into each other.  Then when he wanted to switch locations, he'd have to pull his head out leaving the vertical blinds to swing and sway.  Then he'd have to find another slot to put his head through but since they were swaying it didn't always work out good.

The blinds were making quite a racket and you could tell Dio was getting frustrated with them.  He suddenly ran over to the one edge of the window and grabbed the rope in his teeth and pulled.  This is the rope you pull to slide the blinds open like curtains.  It has clip hooks on it to keep it anchored close to the wall to prevent kitties from hanging themselves.  Apparently it also stops kitties from opening the blinds up.  That didn't stop Dio from trying several times, pulling the cord in his teeth and giving the window a dirty look when it wouldn't work.  I took the hint and got up and pull the blinds open for him.

The Fine Print: If that cat grows thumbs he is totally gonna be a menace.  Stamp by Penny Black, paper from my stash.