Surf or Die

Hi! My name is Dio and you might remembers me from previous blogging posts. Well, I'm here to tell you that my moms has been rilly rilly bizzie doing stoopid stuff, like not petting me! Can you beeleeve that wood happen?!

Well, sumtimez my moms goes to werk. You know what they are doing at her werk lately? They gibe you a cardboard box and tell you to go home.

I KNOW, RIGHT?!!!!!

Can you beeleeve that? Your very own cardboard box!!!! And you git to go home!!! How nice is that?!!

Sumhowz my moms doezn't think that is very nice. She sayz she has werked there for a bazillion years, like moor than I am old, but I'm not berry old, and she has sum cardboard boxes of her own at home already.

Anywayz, it is summers time now and that means you should go surfing! Surf or die! Surf or die! Here's a kitty cat and he is surfing.

Here's my moms and dads. They are dying.

The Fine Prints: kitty stamp by Pennys Black, weird exercise called Glide Fit and it makes you rilly rilly seesicks. Luv ya! -Dio

Holy Cow It's Thursday!

Where did Wednesday go? I guess I missed it. I suppose that works out that I forgot to take a picture of my desk for What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday.  I was going to share my ultra clean desk with them (a sign of a sick mind). It is so clean hubby asked me if I were moving out. I don't think so...?

Instead I'll share this cutesy wootsy card I made with an old Penny Black stamp. I picked it up at my stamp club meeting last month out of the free pile. You can't beat that price with a stick.

The Fine Print: Stamp by Penny Black, weren't you paying attention?! Remember: SHIT (So Happy It's Thursday)

Outing Planned

A coworker told me that I needed to do more with my hair.  So I think I'll take it on an outing, sort of like how this bunny is taking these chicks on an outing. Maybe we'll even catch a movie.

The Fine Print: Oldie but Goodie stamp by Penny Black. Other stuff from my stash.

Just Like Me!

It all started in my later high school years and carried on past that. People I know would say to me, "Oh you need to meet so-and-so, she's just like you!" Whatever that means.... (you are a unique and precious snowflake, just like everyone else). 

Anyway, within a short order of time I got the chance to meet three of those people who were "just like me" and guess what? I couldn't stand any of them. That begged the question though of if I was a lousy person whom no one could stand? So I asked my mother. Asking your mother if you suck is probably not the best way to get an unbiased answer, but she assured me that I was all right.

Perhaps I wasn't reassured by my mother because I later mentioned the whole sad story to a lady in a waiting room (complete stranger). She said it made sense that I wouldn't like people just like me because I already have me in my life and it would be better to have people who complement me or are different than me. That sounded plausible enough, however, it was something that sometimes crept into my brain from time to time and made me wonder.

Then the other day my friend excused herself during our lunch so she could grab a phone call. A quick minute later she was back. "That was my East Coast Judy," she said. What? She went on to explain that she had a friend on the East Coast who reminded her of me because she was just like me.

"Oh, you'd hate her though," she went on to explain.

Why?! "Well, because everyone knows you don't like people who are just like you!" Well, now I'm glad we've put that to rest. And why did it take me so long to accept it as gospel truth? Anyway, I'm glad I don't suck.

The Fine Print: Hedgies enjoying each other's company (because they have different personalities) stamp by Penny Black, corner punch by Martha, flowers by Prima, other stuff from my stash. 

More VD Cards

These are the other cards I made at my friend's house the other day. We talked about doing it again for St. Patrick's Day or Easter and I hope we do because it is a lot of fun to craft with other people. Plus, your friends always have the better stash, have you noticed?

And thanks for asking about my plague. It's slowly meandering its way away from me. I've brought in the big guns now (hardcore asthma meds). Other people are now catching it for the 2nd or 3rd time. I think I'll take a pass.

The Fine Print: Vintage card toppers from K and Co, hedgehogs by Penny Black, love die by Stampin' Up, papers, doilies, tape 'n such from someone's stash.

Just Say NO!

The other day I decided to make a card. I looked around at my desk that had a bunch of remnants from Christmas/winter card making and I just said NO. NO way was I going to make another holiday themed or colored card. NO way was I going to make something frosty and wintery.

I don't care what the rest of y'all are doing. I'm going over here and gonna march to the beat of my own banjo.  Here goes:

Lookie! It's a pink and green flying pig! How cool is that? And it isn't the least bit wintery or Christmasy. I feel that I have redeemed my soul.*

The Fine Print: Stamp by Penny Black, colored with copics (this is me pretending I know how to shade), ribbon and designer paper from my stash. *You know, if I have one. 

Cat Lovers Day 2 - Holiday Kitties

It's Day 2 for the Cat Lovers Hop over at Her Peaceful Garden. Be sure to check out all the wonderful cat themed projects we've got going on.

I've got a two-fur to share with you today. We'll do this in chronological order.  First up I have a sweet little mummy kitty for Ike's Meowolloween challenge over at Show Us Your Pussies.

Next up I have a Christmas kitty that I'll share over at Scrappymo's Rudolph Day Challenge. I used those fun holly leaves that I got last year. They came on small sprigs and I just pluck them off to use on my creations.

I got home so late last night after a rainstorm made the world dark and wet. The street lamps and parking lot lamps didn't come on and I almost got run over and drowned in the PetSmart parking lot. Even though I missed the deadline for linking up I still want to share part of my cat stash with you because this photo includes a cat.  You know, Dio likes to be included.

Have a Happy Day! Cuz Dio says so!

The Fine Print: Buddy and Mummy stamp by Whippersnapper. Kitty and Mouse stamp by Penny Black. Brand new bag of cat food from PetSmart (they are not impressed by it, darn cats). 

Rudolph Days

Just this morning I was bemoaning that August isn't over with yet but that's a good thing because that gives me time to squeak in a card for Rudolph Days. I've had this random piece of plaid paper on my desk for weeks so I thought I'd use that and this birdie stamp was on the top of my Christmas stash. I thought about adding die cut pine boughs or some sort of flourish to this card but I decided to keep it simply simple (KISS) instead.

Dio wanted you to know that he was very helpful in making this card as he worked on his supervisory skills. He even got another underling to come and help me tie the bow. He here is posing with my card. That's my Copic marker bin that Dio is sitting on. It's become his favorite place to hang out, which makes it hard to color.

The Fine Print: Birdie stamp by Penny Black, designer paper by DCWV, gold embroidery floss from my stash, and dies by Spellbinders. 

Bugging Me

I zapped up nine of these little bug themed ATCs the other day. I love ATCs. And by that I mean I love what other people do with such small canvasses, layering on this and that and making things so artsy and creative. Me? The best I can do is make a tiny card. I did layer the umbrella even though it looks flat in this photo.

The Fine Print: Bug stamp by Penny Black, bug border punch by Martha Stewart.

Garden Boot Hedgie

Do you ever have one of those days? Do you ever have one of those days all week?! That is kind of what is happening in my world these days. However, this card is one of those exceptions. I had a vision of it in my head with these colored papers, using diamond shaped cut outs and this particular stamp. It came out just like I imagined!

The Fine Print: Garden Boot Hedgie by Penny Black, diamond dies by Quickutz, border punch by Stampin' Up, and designer paper by DCWV.

Summer Lovin'

This is the real cat that came to live with Princess and Mr. PJ. He's a gift from my friend and came complete with instructions to make a fun summer card,which I have duplicated here.

My friend does something that is either incredibly OCD or exceptionally brilliant. You can decide. Any time she runs across an article, a nifty card photo, or directions for a stamp she owns she would clip/copy/print it out and keep it with the stamp.  That's how I got both this stamp and an article about making this style card with it.

I think it is kind of brilliant for those moments when you are stumped, you'll have some ideas at the ready, but I also think it sounds like it might be a bit of a hassle to hold onto all these pieces of paper.

The Fine Print: Stamp by Penny Black, paper flowers by Prima, paper scraps from my stash.

In the Pink

Over the Christmas holiday I pulled out all my pink and girly stash in anticipation of Valentine's Day. Like pretty much everything else I own I discovered I had a ridiculous amount of it (5 cats, anyone?!), so I was tickled to discovered a challenge blog called In the Pink.  That ought to motivate me to use up some of this stuff especially since their current challenge is Anything Goes. Heck, I can make an 'anything'!

Before I fell into everything pink I found out that the Shopping Our Stash blog is doing a monochromatic color challenge and you can use pink as a tribute to their fallen member, The Crooked Stamper. That was such a scream, that of course I had to play along (who are we kidding, I need to pay attention to SOS more often).

So I made two cards using lots of pink and lots of odds and ends from my stash. It feels good to be using up some of this stuff and playing with pink.  I hope you enjoyed my cards!

The Fine Print: Bear stamp "Tokens of Love" by Penny Black, XOXO by DeNami Designs, heart embossing folder by Sizzix, heart card toppers by K&Co. (I think, I've had them for a loooong time), glittery pink card base by DCWV, and papers from my stash.

Feeling Dotty with Penny Black

It's been far too long since I've played with any Penny Black stamps. Luckily the Penny Black Saturday Challenge Blog was there to give me a nudge in the right direction. This dotted piece of paper recently turned up on my desk so it seemed that this card was just begging to be made:

Since this was put together with scrap and leftovers I'm going to play in Pixie's Snippet Playground as well. I haven't been for awhile. I hope my key still works!

The Fine Print: Loving Ladybugs by Penny Black, bug border by Martha Steward, scalloped circles by Stampin' Up, dotted paper and ribbon from my stash.

Feeling Catty. And Bratty.

Have you ever hung out with someone that you usually enjoy hanging out with but for some reason they grate on your nerves that day?  Yeah, that's how I spent the day... hanging out with someone I normally like but today she just irritated the heck out of me.

Oh, did I fail to mention that I home all alone today?  Yeah.....  it turns out that person I mentioned?  That was me! Usually I enjoy my own company but today I was annoying.  Too hot, nope too cold, wanting to do this, nope want to do that, totally motivated, nope not motivated at all, feeling happy, nope feeling witchy...

At least I got a nice card made today.  That front panel is pre-printed (minus the cat) and has a matching envelope to boot.  I found it in my stash today so I thought I'd use it and try it out since I have several more just like it.

The Fine Print: No idea who makes the panel and matching envelope or how long I've had them. I do remember that they came in some crafting grab bag. Cat by Penny Black.

Mysterious Postage

My stamp club does a monthly mystery item swap. You agree to make a card with said item, but you won't know what it is until you get it.

Last month we were given some brightly colored British postage stamps to use.  This is what I came up with for the card swap:

The Fine Print: Main stamp by Penny Black, air mail banner by Lawn Fawn "You've Got Mail," designer paper by Provo Craft, and postage from Jolly Old England.

Too Much Kindness

I was hanging with my smaller stamp club the one day when one of the members said to me, "How come you never bring us anything you are trying to sell or give away like you do the big club?"

Well, let me tell you about this club.  After we all arrive, settle in and inquire about each others' health, the next topic of conversation is along these lines:

• "I bought some new things I was to show you, but I really shouldn't have because I have so much stuff."
• "I still can't get into my craft room because I have so much stuff."
• "I wanted to bring this thing to show you, but I couldn't find it because I have so much stuff."
• I can't believe I didn't bring anything to play with given that I have so much stuff."

I looked her in the eye and said, "Because all you guys ever talk about is how you have too much stuff!"  They assured me that would not stop them from acquiring more so the next time we got together I brought some freebie items for them to look through and take if they wanted.

Right away I encountered the second reason I don't like to bring stuff this group:

• "Are you sure you want to get rid of this?"  Repeat this question several dozen times throughout the night, including these variations: "I'm sure you didn't mean to get rid of this." "I can't believe anyone would part with this, are you sure?" and "Do you really mean you don't want this?"
• "Are you sure these are free?"  Repeat this question 8-10 more times.
• "Surely you need this?"  Repeat this question several dozen times and stop calling me Shirley.
• And then there is the invariable faux-squabble as someone comments favorably over something someone else took, making the first person try long and hard to get the second person to take it instead, while the second person insists, "Oh no, you saw it first."

I mean I get it. There is this thing called Kindness.  It is good to double check that someone meant it was free and it was supposed to be gotten rid of. However, this is the other thing called Too Fucking Much. It is so overly polite that it is rude.

The Fine Print: Stamp by Penny Black, blue dot washi by Trendy Tape (I think that means Queen & Co.), all the other stuff from my stash.  I'm selling or giving away any of the things on this card but yes, my opinion is free and I'm more than glad to share it with you!

Sketch Challenge

I thought I'd better put up a post today so y'all know I survived the first of many tortures* by the dentist.  I had a productive weekend in that I actually used up some of the random long time residents on my desk and made a card to fulfill the Crooked Stamper sketch challenge.

I've had this butterfly image tucked into one container or another on my desk for a very long time, possibly years.  I got all fancy dancy one day and tried blending colors on a stamp with misting. I don't think the misting went too well but I really liked how it came out. I've never used it because I never quite knew what to do with it.

Luckily this sketch challenge came along and showed me the light.  Oh yeah, you have to turn it on its side, but it's all good.

The Fine Print: *My dentist keeps saying "We don't like to use the word 'torture'" but a euphemism by any other name still hurts. Butterfly stamp by Penny Black, scallop border die by A Muse Studio, ribbon 'n such from my stash.

Round 'n Round

I guess I'll share my round step card today.  I have confession to make.  When I make things I want them to work. I don't like to fuss about trying this and that and seeing how it goes. Experimentation is not for me.  If I am to try something new it is because someone else mastered it first and is now showing me how to make it.

That said, my big stamp club's card exchange theme was "Round and Round" and you could interpret that however you liked. I figured there would be a few round cards but most of them would feature polka dots.  I wanted to do something different.  So I spent an afternoon poking around on the Internet.

I found this tutorial on how to make a round step card.  I traced and cut out a large round circle and following the directions to immediately put together a mock up of this card.  Hey, that was easy and why don't I do that more often?  Well, making the actual card didn't go as well and I loused up several tries, but here's my final card. It was fun enough but don't see me jumping on the experimental band wagon. I don't have time for that stuff!

The Fine Print: Circular step card (official name) tutorial from Splitcoaststampers, designer paper by Basic Gray, stamp by Penny Black, circular dies by Spellbinders, ice cream cones hand cut, tops made with SU cupcake punch, and flowers from my stash.

Tuesday

Here is a sweet little card to take your mind off the fact that today is Terrible Tattered Tasteless Trashy Tantrum Tuesday.

Or maybe that's just here.

The Fine Print: Stamp by Penny Black.

Baby Chickies!

I forgot my camera today so I can't show you the pile of cards I made this past weekend but I can show you one I made the weekend previous.

I needed to make a swap card featuring baby animals and was really surprised to find out that I don't seem to have any baby animals except for House Mouse (which I couldn't access) or these little guys. I know I don't like baby humans, but apparently I have something against baby animals too.  Who knew?

The Fine Print: Chickie stamp by Penny Black, other stuff from my stash.  This is a long card made to fit a business sized envelope.  It was fun to make a long card; need to remember that "trick" more often.