tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86925664984605395452024-03-19T08:23:10.985-04:00Papercraft GoddessAt 45, I picked up my first stamp and that was it: Now, I can throw the word ‘ephemera’ around with confidence, yet struggle with inappropriate feelings for chipboard. I'm not very polished and I'm still trying to get the hang of 'winning friends and influencing people', but for some crazy reason, this papercraft thing and I FIT! My kids are covered with glitter, my husband wonders how you injure yourself with Stickles, but we all agree on this: I'm a MUCH better person when I'm here!papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.comBlogger262125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-26954524951725287072021-07-10T20:47:00.000-04:002021-07-10T20:47:33.769-04:00My Annual July 4th Post<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsb7DyCFhkL9_wLZwXnE4l7G1SZL63H8gVk9FOq7ljYC16umlBqwYNRUftLbGEPox5yrd1fqgA6H_DZURC5BdndtQBooBYmCBpfQcUYrnseJTxqOgNP0KKU_xzMwPB5Jw1MIgZYX7sn4/s2048/IMG_4998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1971" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsb7DyCFhkL9_wLZwXnE4l7G1SZL63H8gVk9FOq7ljYC16umlBqwYNRUftLbGEPox5yrd1fqgA6H_DZURC5BdndtQBooBYmCBpfQcUYrnseJTxqOgNP0KKU_xzMwPB5Jw1MIgZYX7sn4/w385-h400/IMG_4998.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>VIA A-Round the Beach 07/21</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzvdFWwHL5DAQKdS85SiYqZcNNF_B6QaUjY4YkOl6V2vxG2I_IFnpR8coy7KshkyWqbVlZsBFZ6hPkiTuCokWUd7J51q0CislmPHmvn0dlcmsKs7Rt1RwYndmANcNeeN2xw3Q9Wr6yUc/s2048/IMG_4840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1531" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzvdFWwHL5DAQKdS85SiYqZcNNF_B6QaUjY4YkOl6V2vxG2I_IFnpR8coy7KshkyWqbVlZsBFZ6hPkiTuCokWUd7J51q0CislmPHmvn0dlcmsKs7Rt1RwYndmANcNeeN2xw3Q9Wr6yUc/w478-h640/IMG_4840.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Swap-Bot Challenge "ATC w/Lace and a Bee</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppgv-oikCSp7Fc_Gm8F_ASqb5oz13EDznp17lQRfKvHI8XRkAm8krsKv20HQaUwMZ4Ns4vlPMcoUPrbA-D3mqh42_U4zsPo5sulJYC3YOiK4K53flnxc_qieLcgkeb5XQ8NzWyjfwUtM/s1440/863355DF-0F43-4123-A9EB-C4310AEC83E6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppgv-oikCSp7Fc_Gm8F_ASqb5oz13EDznp17lQRfKvHI8XRkAm8krsKv20HQaUwMZ4Ns4vlPMcoUPrbA-D3mqh42_U4zsPo5sulJYC3YOiK4K53flnxc_qieLcgkeb5XQ8NzWyjfwUtM/w400-h400/863355DF-0F43-4123-A9EB-C4310AEC83E6.JPG" width="400" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFCBoC2bwt6234wfMY2VDSDoErqFneT568vTKrqFEf_YT7HExDTuj7hFYIs3fQ4xTpWe0dYDNxx4iHI8KRn46HXXwdtyouBHUeuCtaoTWeLBkc2gXYBcQm7PSoJzcbL_vx4oQifUAM2E/s1440/80BD548B-AAE6-4DA4-ADD4-83983C871863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFCBoC2bwt6234wfMY2VDSDoErqFneT568vTKrqFEf_YT7HExDTuj7hFYIs3fQ4xTpWe0dYDNxx4iHI8KRn46HXXwdtyouBHUeuCtaoTWeLBkc2gXYBcQm7PSoJzcbL_vx4oQifUAM2E/w400-h400/80BD548B-AAE6-4DA4-ADD4-83983C871863.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">NOW...let's talk the 4th of July.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(I reprint this story every year. The original can be found <a href="https://www.papercraftgoddess.com/2014/06/fourth-of-julytime-for-celebration.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">here on my blog</a>. The original post contains quite a bit more of my<strike> unmedicated rambling </strike> childhood reminiscences, so if you can make it, great. If not, I completely understand. I tend to wear people out.)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The 4th of July. As a holiday, it's incredibly important to me. But it's also my least favorite. That's right....I said it. Out loud. Sort of. On this blog. Where I can always claim it was hacked, if necessary, by anti-4th of July progressives, who are Communists. Or al quida. Wait...it is al queda? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW HOW TO SPELL THE NAME OF A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION?</span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;" /></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Look, I am properly reverent, appreciative and proud of this day. I honestly am. I'm an ardent supporter of our troops throughout the year and am a consistent donor to various troop-related charities, such as </span><a href="https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/" style="color: #2288bb; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Wounded Warrior Project </a><span style="font-family: inherit;">and </span><a href="https://fisherhouse.org/" style="color: #2288bb; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Fisher House</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">-both of which are very dear to me. (links provided in case you want to throw a little money love their way!!)</span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;" /></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My attitude has to do with my actual dislike of the month, itself. July. It's miserably hot and I can't see the proverbial summer "light at the end of the tunnel". </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"Light"</i> meaning <i>"School"</i>, mind you. There's also too much humidity and too many kids for me to properly appreciate what this day should represent. Besides, as far as commercialized holidays go, I find this one the most expensive. Not merely in terms of money, but also in terms of my mental health.</span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;" /></span><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">The insanity begins the instant July 1st comes around. That's when the Marital Unit, along with the three </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;">Y-chromosomes</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">, break out a map and begin planning their smuggling route for all the illegal fireworks they plan to buy, just across the state line. </span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;" /></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You see, North Carolina has pretty strident laws regarding the regulation of fireworks. This results in very limited choices of "toys" containing gunpowder. Meaning, the 4th is great here if your expectations don't exceed 40 boxes of Snap and Pops, or those </span>infinitesimal<span style="font-family: inherit;"> sparklers that cause 3rd degree burns if the stick touches you after the sparks stop. Never mind what heinous injuries they can cause if you forget where, in the dark, you've stuck the things in the ground and step on those &%^$ suckers.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Any self-respecting North Carolinian knows that if you want decent fireworks, you have no choice but to make the trek to the state that gives us everything from the historic Charleston Battery to the flying roaches they have the audacity to call "Palmetto Bugs". That's right; I'm talking about South Carolina.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(Author's Note: I'm not entirely sure that the flying roaches are a byproduct of South Carolina. But at 2-4 inches and solid enough that you can hear them scurrying across hard surfaces, well, all I know is that <i>someone</i> has to take the blame.)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, the Marital Unit <b>et al</b> spend hours pouring over every highway route to the border and speculating at which major road arteries the North Carolina Highway Patrol will be stationed; presumably to search any and all vehicles for this highly illegal exploding contraband. The discussion then turns to whether they should modify one of our cars to hide the ill-gotten gains. Naturally, it's MY car they want to modify. Even though, they agree, they are sure to be on the watch list of the ATF, FBI (and any other lettered agency unlucky enough to be dragged into this post) so it will be difficult for them to hide. As if a beat-up Volvo station wagon would be lucky enough to generate an APB for suspected smuggling of Black Cats and Bottle Rockets. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">Not to mention what my house full of </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;">Y-chromosomes</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"> MEAN when they start talking "modifications". Dummy gas tanks and tire wheel wells always lead the discussion. About the time they get to </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">convertible conversions</i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"> and </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">nitrous oxide injectors, </i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">is when I step in and have to redirect the conversation. And by "redirect", I mean "threaten to Facebook every nudie baby pic I've kept secreted away for moments such as this, along with the Marital Unit's portrait at the tender age of 19, in which his then-girlfriend snapped him staring stoically off into the distance. Shirtless. With poufy hair. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;" /></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At this point, having been forcefully reined in, they move to the next phase of the smuggling operation, in which they begin taking practice dry-runs using my car. This is fine by me because this normally entails a half-hour of taking corners hard enough to see if the the tires will make squealing noises. It also means leaving black tire marks in the parking lot of the local Wal-Mart in order to perfect spin-outs, doughnuts and the rest of the driving techniques the Unit acquired from watching <b style="text-decoration-line: underline;">The Grand Tour</b> on Prime Video. </span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thus, having assured themselves of their vehicular mastery, they move to the final-and most crucial-part of the whole project. This is where they each rehearse what they'll say to police if they're caught and taken into custody.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's agreed that they will probably be interrogated </span>separately, so they <span style="font-family: inherit;">must have similar stories. They swear to never betray one another and make a pact that they'll never fall for the old 'Law & Order' trick of being told that one ratted out the others. This part is pretty harmless, although I DO have to stress they will NOT follow through with selling out the 8-year-old due to the fact he can't be prosecuted due to his age.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;" /></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With everything in order, they get up early on July third and dress in solid black. This year will be the first that face masks are optional. The Unit confided the decision was heat-related, but I'm pretty sure it was due to the fact he hates messing up his pouf of hair.</span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;" /></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;" /></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then, they'll pile in the car and swear to abstain from all food and drink (ostensibly negating the need to stop) and off they go, each sitting stiffly and staring straight ahead. They only talking in which they will indulge is out of the sides of their mouth and is merely to congratulate the other on how natural they look. </span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;"></span></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The drive is grueling; an hour and forty-five minutes on...well...the interstate. At 70 mph. Until they cross the state line into South Carolina, where there are fireworks stands every seven and a half feet until you hit the Georgia state line.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They'll drive past 7 or 8 of these tented retail establishments before stopping. They all agree this is smart because they're sure NC State Troopers will be watching for the smuggling novices who are idiot enough to stop at the first stand or two they encounter. At the 17th or 18th stand (or, about a mile into South Carolina) they'll load up the car with several hundred dollars worth of fireworks and begin their return home. It's slow-going for a bit because they're usually behind a bevy of NC State Patrol cars, who have ALSO loaded up with the <b>same</b> fireworks and are trying to get home to drop them off. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">When mine arrive, they celebrate their successful mission by lighting all of the Black Snakes on the driveway, which serves as a yearly reminder for me to schedule a power wash. I do this immediately, all the while pondering why they're called Black Snakes when they actually look more like poop when all is said and done. I'm asking asking the question of how both snakes and poop would appeal to a bunch of boys. Then, having solved this conundrum, I feel stupid and go to bed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The next day, July 4th, as the y-chromosomes are counting down to sunset, I shower and go ahead and get dressed. Past experience dictates that after sunset, when it's almost fully dark, I usually have about an hour or so before the single firecracker explosions become the sound of entire packs at once. Here, I make sure the keys and my purse are in reach and I have my iPad, phone and power cord in my tote bag. Then I sit down at the kitchen table, as I do every year, and ponder why I</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">A: Never think to buy M&M's for a portable snack </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">and/or</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">B: Why did I eat the M&M's I purchased to take as a portable snack.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Right around this time, the menfolk are so deaf from blowing up entire packs of M-80's that when they decide it's more fun to hold Roman Candles and fire them at selected targets (mostly each other) no one can hear the yells of "Fore!" or whatever the safe word is these clowns have instituted. And since those things are little more than firecracker handguns, I'm off to the emergency room, once again. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fortunately, our local hospital has instituted call-ahead reservations, so I only have to wait an hour or two to get my idiot seen instead of pulling the obligatory all-nighter's in the waiting room, as is the norm. When we get home, everyone else is watching TV, having put the rest of the fireworks away for fear my rage would be such I would shove bottle rockets in orifices that would make even South Carolina consider banning them. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">There, in the garage, the fireworks will join other fireworks from years past, waiting for either dry rot or a lightning strike to occur.</span></div></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope this sheds a little light on why the 4th simply doesn't hold a dear place in the line-up of overly- commercialized holidays for me. At some point, we all have to take a step back and really think on the importance of this holiday. This should be a celebratory time, of course, but one that has more of an emphasis on giving thanks to the men and women who have fought for U, to include their families, who ALSO make their own sacrifices for this great nation. It's also a time to pay our respect to those who have made the ultimate sacrifices for our freedom.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll also insist the boys-including the one I stay married to (if only to punish him), stop the madness of this month. Granted, I swear to do this every year, but it's hard to get them to quiet down and focus, so that they can <i>listen</i> to these ideas.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> There's a sweet spot in which I can deliver this speech (usually between returning from the ER and when the painkillers kick in) where it'll have the most impact. Every year, I seem to miss it.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">But at some point during all this, we will come together as a family and voice our appreciation. We will realize fireworks aren't needed (especially when we can go have a beer at a local Highway Patrolman's house and play around with their SC fireworks) and we can give this holiday the respectability it deserves. Only at that point, will we finally be able to celebrate the 4th in the way I feel it should be celebrated.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: inherit; text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the air conditioning.</span></div></span></span></div><br /><p></p>papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-12685435002360251212021-05-17T21:33:00.002-04:002021-05-17T22:44:53.406-04:00Nothing Like a Quickie!! <p style="text-align: center;">I know, I know. At our ages, by the time we even think of having a quickie, we've already brushed our teeth, chugged the Metamucil and gone to sleep. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-77I9Wcb0M_11rACVVNj49_kwkCHKnr6poCTKUcUCoxRydstn3gMuxBrJIPeQMxBkAd_7s9HzDgqAfhCY99NP5bNod4PbCiA_oO2vZEz4zpLppvssl_AmXxk4wqufXE9AttD7vHnEfSk/s2048/IMG_4818.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1527" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-77I9Wcb0M_11rACVVNj49_kwkCHKnr6poCTKUcUCoxRydstn3gMuxBrJIPeQMxBkAd_7s9HzDgqAfhCY99NP5bNod4PbCiA_oO2vZEz4zpLppvssl_AmXxk4wqufXE9AttD7vHnEfSk/w478-h640/IMG_4818.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>ATC Geisha with glass slide for Swap-Bot "Sender's Choice ATC Spring 201"</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>c</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know, I know. At our ages, by the time we even<i> think</i> of <i>having</i> a quickie, we've already brushed our teeth, chugged the Metamucil and gone to sleep. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tonight, however, I'm not going to bore you with my par-for-the-course, insipid blathering. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm sticking to a quick shown-tell.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(We'll hope I stay awake long enough to finish. No. Seriously.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqaNjR_oOi0onwSx9eONBatLKKAnl3U3FyY732LT30_0IxFE0M1hGbUufpuCNdFu5-S4qdrAmqftb9pZUCDn44AMoE0ZcxaT7W3EJfdnFMbA8BXx25Fpq_czW0Tp1Jge8njJuLyNJL6U/s2048/IMG_4811.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqaNjR_oOi0onwSx9eONBatLKKAnl3U3FyY732LT30_0IxFE0M1hGbUufpuCNdFu5-S4qdrAmqftb9pZUCDn44AMoE0ZcxaT7W3EJfdnFMbA8BXx25Fpq_czW0Tp1Jge8njJuLyNJL6U/w450-h640/IMG_4811.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwwmAw4owhgazPNzBU9TMu6MmgpoXmcYsuz5h1fXJp4sCH6B93kxS3440cg-WTb5dwiDRtySLxqqwEqXGrfZCOzgQJb6m5jDxheGZ3EfSd3d9iEqDXFESPsEW1USbA69GERkYi5UAUBE/s2048/IMG_4813+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1487" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwwmAw4owhgazPNzBU9TMu6MmgpoXmcYsuz5h1fXJp4sCH6B93kxS3440cg-WTb5dwiDRtySLxqqwEqXGrfZCOzgQJb6m5jDxheGZ3EfSd3d9iEqDXFESPsEW1USbA69GERkYi5UAUBE/w464-h640/IMG_4813+%25281%2529.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiGdghF6Iz55h4yRVGtQODLw_jQgj8kDX2Z2fDo75yUUguKlQvw7fPeLY51tg4SXTYgCtYcqYbX81j3amUSbfOnGt3Mjf3A4vrt30ucx0rka2rBbcDaGOzuomFks-QDI7tls3t8wKtuo/s2048/IMG_4269+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiGdghF6Iz55h4yRVGtQODLw_jQgj8kDX2Z2fDo75yUUguKlQvw7fPeLY51tg4SXTYgCtYcqYbX81j3amUSbfOnGt3Mjf3A4vrt30ucx0rka2rBbcDaGOzuomFks-QDI7tls3t8wKtuo/w480-h640/IMG_4269+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Mid-Century Modern ATC for VIA (Vintage Imagery ATC's on Swap-Bot)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmGXvVRb4MADlwBas00nfpTvJ8NPBGUGVOVYbPU-WtAUzcjVeJkFOu0hguXHYZMO5geH6Y-Et8ocRGUGza6AfvPbNXMSmI_5kDvTXQin78IuxxbCfH8yLeLsKhIQx62zUR2SCN7FwzZI/s2048/IMG_4270+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmGXvVRb4MADlwBas00nfpTvJ8NPBGUGVOVYbPU-WtAUzcjVeJkFOu0hguXHYZMO5geH6Y-Et8ocRGUGza6AfvPbNXMSmI_5kDvTXQin78IuxxbCfH8yLeLsKhIQx62zUR2SCN7FwzZI/w480-h640/IMG_4270+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-70909960349554506872021-05-16T17:52:00.000-04:002021-05-16T17:52:01.086-04:00Drinking and Teens (Plus TWO Swap Tags in ONE Post-I'm En Fuego, People!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhmXmwrYZzZCqB5R88rcEoEAiJf9_HD7ZWUM_RAHhgcItFlfm9LahSLsW-T7QxCTZYSo0-mvJdBP_J8s-29Fbq-TCEc8zgYj7ZprVyHr-2wbQS3w87czg4qqA90N4-YSaUUhWQolTn2I/s2582/IMG_4682+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2582" data-original-width="1218" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhmXmwrYZzZCqB5R88rcEoEAiJf9_HD7ZWUM_RAHhgcItFlfm9LahSLsW-T7QxCTZYSo0-mvJdBP_J8s-29Fbq-TCEc8zgYj7ZprVyHr-2wbQS3w87czg4qqA90N4-YSaUUhWQolTn2I/w302-h640/IMG_4682+%25281%2529.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindGmkpTaX3Oi1k6MP5AaqDArVRj7DlcZEKEUei3nLzU2ts3rz6P50JXUKpA_IqhLqzQvwn4jZIXmfcVptGUy6olLdCljMMj6n6PblG7w-535cahW25GnYyuKJHgNM9PisSstBvMPzwrs/s2048/IMG_4683+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJR3qCUVxF1cEojXGa2RTYMbgo4AxKoFKbrwiFUAh-c5Na7rCybDC8uqNukDeI6YIBRHo6GFZ9Zz0PEZHu2q4CbKjrbg78yc06PScGMswhrE6kTWsp4CfoC3fGkh5Rk8m8QshvYpZX8WM/s2048/RenderedImage+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJR3qCUVxF1cEojXGa2RTYMbgo4AxKoFKbrwiFUAh-c5Na7rCybDC8uqNukDeI6YIBRHo6GFZ9Zz0PEZHu2q4CbKjrbg78yc06PScGMswhrE6kTWsp4CfoC3fGkh5Rk8m8QshvYpZX8WM/w326-h640/RenderedImage+%25283%2529.JPG" width="326" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Je7fGyZwE5KvjlZtzTZp_dIz6GRn6EWoCvWtAXIH-4x8LskxD-rg8OsbJIjQhM7vDiqTXd0UNnrEdFyFQG5fDAonpKhga5XaBFIJ3HvOIgaotM-4tyIOlVDP18s_yyhucgrk67pVw5g/s2511/IMG_4775+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2511" data-original-width="1253" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Je7fGyZwE5KvjlZtzTZp_dIz6GRn6EWoCvWtAXIH-4x8LskxD-rg8OsbJIjQhM7vDiqTXd0UNnrEdFyFQG5fDAonpKhga5XaBFIJ3HvOIgaotM-4tyIOlVDP18s_yyhucgrk67pVw5g/w320-h640/IMG_4775+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The one thing I like is how the dragon casts his shadow on the glass. I'd LOVE to say I planned it but...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhha6CRdXQkMltdTuoW6NR9AYd83xDc3KpZGp8Y99FJMuSoXHuTmmtVMZQ8JbL4Aw82mh4GfY-QvWDjb_1jHxSO3EUh_M8FtdVf3uKk6240Yu46xeTaFV07Eu6k9IEKVxHIt3Zu3iH3sr8/s2048/IMG_4778+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhha6CRdXQkMltdTuoW6NR9AYd83xDc3KpZGp8Y99FJMuSoXHuTmmtVMZQ8JbL4Aw82mh4GfY-QvWDjb_1jHxSO3EUh_M8FtdVf3uKk6240Yu46xeTaFV07Eu6k9IEKVxHIt3Zu3iH3sr8/w480-h640/IMG_4778+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihb2958MdU2tQdKbg6LlzGfpWH20qsBeMQT-IgADpDZEluUxF0frCe1mpiG2Xgq-_E1NnfsPJG5j_otacuvyoFlobuR-QqgM0CdAetyMiOYRoiV7-Vp2G3uM-DEH_WN8c3uev3RhRYOL8/s2048/IMG_4779+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihb2958MdU2tQdKbg6LlzGfpWH20qsBeMQT-IgADpDZEluUxF0frCe1mpiG2Xgq-_E1NnfsPJG5j_otacuvyoFlobuR-QqgM0CdAetyMiOYRoiV7-Vp2G3uM-DEH_WN8c3uev3RhRYOL8/w300-h400/IMG_4779+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jIt0juQ_jf9DSZdx7LxrDz4GjDKnyyZWrM6mKU7ZIPACnj6HjES3lBAlMzfyjuWUI4fdXGJdmHO05XlHc3o9xRfQ-ljRuChO_mwPeSe5dxOaCYtiVlZ9YHhIkuiMjo-x4-kNtwpF67Y/s2048/IMG_4780+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jIt0juQ_jf9DSZdx7LxrDz4GjDKnyyZWrM6mKU7ZIPACnj6HjES3lBAlMzfyjuWUI4fdXGJdmHO05XlHc3o9xRfQ-ljRuChO_mwPeSe5dxOaCYtiVlZ9YHhIkuiMjo-x4-kNtwpF67Y/w300-h400/IMG_4780+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Oh, you thought this would be a cautionary tale of teens that drink?</p><p style="text-align: center;">That is NOT what I said.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Read on, friends.</p><p style="text-align: center;">How the tables have turned. </p><p style="text-align: center;">We are now being given a taste of our own medicine.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Our chickens have come home to roost.</p><p style="text-align: center;">And I just realized that not only am I out of idioms, I actually dislike them in general.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Because what I'm trying to say is that in my last post (a mere seven months ago) I celebrated my mother's 75th birthday on October 2nd. We had a marvelous time! </p><p style="text-align: center;">One of the things I enjoyed immensely were these cocktails named "Pretty in Pink". I think. Anyway. I had 2. And I mean <b><u>TWO</u></b>.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I thoroughly enjoyed talking and laughing with Aunts, Uncles and family friends. I'd barely had time to eat when I noticed and uncomfortable feeling in the chest area. It was a burning sensation; as if lasers were boring into me. </p><p style="text-align: center;">If you're a parent, you'll know that feeling. Especially if you're a parent who made <strike>the mistake</strike> the decision to attend a function with any walking mass of teenaged y or xy chromosomes, who secretes hormones and a specific and precise type of pheromones that draw other teenagers with mobile phones and poor attitudes to them within seconds. They are also part of a roving gang who espouse human rights, equality and kindness but feel "old people" (read: anyone over 21) are a sheer waste of natural resources and having to waste a night hanging with the geriatrics is </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">But to spend <i>two hours</i> with them is simply an unprecedented, irrational and unacceptable amount of time to hang out with a bunch of old people for the price of steak nachos and the chance to sneak sips of mixed drinks when no one was watching. Unfortunately for him, everyone was watching. Only because we couldn't stand up without putting on a *^&^^&* mask, so we stayed put. </p><p style="text-align: center;">So, when he finally threatened me with unflattering "insta" photos (some trendy photo app that all the kids are into this week), I grabbed my bag and walked to the car.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Perhaps "walked" is a bit of a stretch. </p><p style="text-align: center;">In truth, I grabbed the kid's arm and said "Look, Kid. Mommy is feeling a little woozy right now. I think I've overdone it and am exhausted."</p><p style="text-align: center;">"Huh." The Kid said. "If "woozy" means "hammered", then I'll go with that."</p><p style="text-align: center;">"Mommy is not hammered." I said, trying to follow at least one of the lines in the concrete. Maybe a couple, as long as they were sort of close together. It wasn't the time for being picky. "I only had 2 pink drinks!"</p><p style="text-align: center;">"Sure, mom. But weren't all of you tasting each other's drinks? You'd lean over to say 'hi' to each other, then you'd be swapping drinks. You probably had the equivalent of 4 drinks. At least." he mused.</p><p style="text-align: center;">"Two things," I said, as I gave up trying to walk one of the now hundreds of lines that appeared on the concrete and just let the kid propel me toward the car. "First, you're driving. Secondly, you keep that speculation to yourself or the insurance will mysteriously lapse on your car and your girlfriend will start dating your best friend and say the devil made her do it."</p><p style="text-align: center;">"The devil?" he said, cocking an eyebrow at me.</p><p style="text-align: center;">"That would be me. Metaphorically." I said.</p><p style="text-align: center;">"Metaphorically?" he said, eyebrow still in position.</p><p style="text-align: center;">"Drive." I ordered.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Next time, I'm calling Uber. It may cost more, but the judgement factor is way lower. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Of course, the chances of me ending up on "insta" are probably the same.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Ingredients:</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Thanks again to Laura at <a href="http://artfullymusing.blogspot.com">artfullymusing.blogspot.com</a> for the fantastic tutorial (which I've used too many times to count!) on using glass in ATC's and tags, along with how to stamp and color it. <a href="http://artfullymusing.blogspot.com/search/label/Glass%20Slides" target="_blank">HERE </a>is the tutorial.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><u>Tag #1</u></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Birdsong-Graphic45</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Ivy Altoids Insert from Alphastamps</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Tiny Hinges-Alphastamps</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Cherry Blossom Stickers-Jolee</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Tiny Brass Butterflies </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><u>Tag #2</u></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Graphic45 Birdsong</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Feathers (for fan) </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Altoids Dragon Insert from Alphastamps</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Tiny Hinges-Alphastamps</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Brass Dragon and Lantern and Japanese Lacquer Embossing Powder (Have NO idea where I got these things...sorry)</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Small flat magnets </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Glass slides 2 x 2" Ranger</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Stampin Up! Oriental Paintings</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Alcohol Ink, Staz-On and Clear Embossing Powder</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Heavy chipboard</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-12948513280298552232020-10-08T14:40:00.000-04:002020-10-08T14:40:04.169-04:00Happy Birthday, Mama!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKtpUkCfGyuDeSt7OkHmZQXIR0QnfNA9zFfM_TVD4dcSO98-sQ-P-8lKMOrEJkLRib0ffO2MRsmyGfw4aUChJy8T9ioRB7co8EsHcdhNgpMW4E5L9plNRVQr0VoiH05b-BwURDe8jdzA/s2048/IMG_0789.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKtpUkCfGyuDeSt7OkHmZQXIR0QnfNA9zFfM_TVD4dcSO98-sQ-P-8lKMOrEJkLRib0ffO2MRsmyGfw4aUChJy8T9ioRB7co8EsHcdhNgpMW4E5L9plNRVQr0VoiH05b-BwURDe8jdzA/s320/IMG_0789.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Me, mama, mama's middle sister/my Auntie Ruth 10/2/2020)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMf5MrcxCHU5G0cveY4-Aqj2pZIeGbTSgbhDFqpP4aZnKjbaHVHV2-9loV4OcYRFPk-ayFRkhPbhsw2E64PscWEmsgvdDxW7jZvKE6ocrc7Mfb2YhqYD39poo6y9aWvE3s9Hy13EjaR24/s960/mama2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="772" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMf5MrcxCHU5G0cveY4-Aqj2pZIeGbTSgbhDFqpP4aZnKjbaHVHV2-9loV4OcYRFPk-ayFRkhPbhsw2E64PscWEmsgvdDxW7jZvKE6ocrc7Mfb2YhqYD39poo6y9aWvE3s9Hy13EjaR24/s320/mama2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1963 Mama Northeast High School Honor Society and Miss Aries</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHZNtN2mXlDAhXgeuVbUAFOqQCWTFSTvot4w0fN_2VzldCX6c-hGWRocoVbj7E4kbVKQNi9ExzkQOr7A2_RxMLdfV_KuG9fmyDLZwCPqVNI9oBFRpLRR7wRbMxK3bPl87UCVmwsWF3zY/s960/mama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHZNtN2mXlDAhXgeuVbUAFOqQCWTFSTvot4w0fN_2VzldCX6c-hGWRocoVbj7E4kbVKQNi9ExzkQOr7A2_RxMLdfV_KuG9fmyDLZwCPqVNI9oBFRpLRR7wRbMxK3bPl87UCVmwsWF3zY/s320/mama.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mama at 70+ (We look JUST ALIKE...so God, would you PLEASE let me age like this????)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhco9Ulb1KTvuenu5cdqyGSSttEUHa-zKi9j-OblJ7wEgiuGgqAzZzG8vhjeow39JyChixMCtx4dzqSbhrHbCqT8tLgcrTLPvwhJDMZniip9jOpmg1_rS8m-Cwn1duo0NSrLwOnl-efJi4/s2048/IMG_3905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhco9Ulb1KTvuenu5cdqyGSSttEUHa-zKi9j-OblJ7wEgiuGgqAzZzG8vhjeow39JyChixMCtx4dzqSbhrHbCqT8tLgcrTLPvwhJDMZniip9jOpmg1_rS8m-Cwn1duo0NSrLwOnl-efJi4/s320/IMG_3905.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(mama, my brother Matt and yours truly)</div><br /><p> <b style="font-style: italic;">"Oh, Carmen...I love your blog!" </b>a new fan...I mean, "subscriber" wrote me.<b style="font-style: italic;"> "You're so funny! You should be published. You are simply the best humor writer on this planet, second only to the Goddess who was Erma Bombeck. You MUST be discovered and reign on the Best Seller lists and become wealthy enough to at LEAST get approved for that TJ Maxx card that keeps eluding you."</b></p><p>Or something like that. I paraphrase, naturally.</p><p>I'm actually sitting here with a big, goofy grin as I write this, although I'd appreciate all of you thinking I'm typing with a cool, professional and slightly bored detachment. You know...like someone who gets these types of positive reinforcements from people who are neither<b> </b>relatives nor foreigners who think they've landed on a Martha Stewart mirror website. </p><p>Naturally, I wouldn't dare encourage them thinking they <i>had</i> somehow found a Martha Stewart offshoot, but since I'm sure their English may not be very good and I certainly would NOT want to misunderstood, I simply don't answer when they query. I just send them to a link of a pretty fabulous tutorial of mine and that usually occupies them for a couple of months. I also offer them the link to sign up for emails so that they don't miss any said fabulous tutorials. </p><p>Hey...don't judge! If it was up to <b>you</b>, you'd just barge in and embarrass them at the first opportunity and tell them they made a mistake! But I allow them to save face by giving them the chance to improve their English enough to figure out they haven't, indeed, landed on a Martha Stewart mirror site and they could make the choice to leave at that point. </p><p>So, now we see who the real not-so-nice people are, don't we, hmmm?</p><p>The past two weeks have been ROUGH. Not only did I come down with a terrible cold, I wasn't able to get ANY rest for it due to everyone from family and friends to the CDC calling daily to analyze my symptoms to determine if it was Covid.</p><p>Look...I didn't have a fever. Just a sore throat and sinuses that simply didn't care if someone slapped tape over my mouth in a kidnapping attempt...they were <u>not</u> going to open for <u>any</u> reason. I could taste ice cream and Oreo cookies. Strangely enough, however, I could not taste broccoli, cauliflower, salad, anything low-calorie, low-fat or anything with letters written in pastel colors which as we all know, tend to represent the two, previously mentioned hyphenated words.</p><p>That being said, I could've sworn I heard the whir and saw quick flashes of drones outside my windows, checking on me and my progress. </p><p>Of course, the unknown factor is whether they were sent by the CDC (likely) or my mother (even more likely).</p><p>See, October 2nd was my mother's 75th birthday. And she was <b>not</b> letting <b><u>anything</u></b> get in the way of THAT party. Even if it was a daughter of whom it was 99.999% certain didn't have Covid but that .0009% (or whatever % was left...my math has always been somewhat...hmm...suspect, shall we say?) was enough to still set off alarm bells. </p><p>Fortunately, by the 2nd, I was in good enough shape to attend. I was finally symptom free and while I chalk it up to rest, Afrin and Ibuprofen, I'm sure my mother's hosing me down with with an alcohol/clorox/ammonia based solution didn't hurt.</p><p>Oh, forgive me. The alcohol she drank. </p><p>Actually, I write all this in jest. My mother knows she is my world. She is the most lovely, gracious and elegant woman I've ever known. Her talent for design is simply awe-inspiring and I'm so lucky to to have her! She has always encouraged both my brother and me in anything we took interest in while growing up: dancing, acting, children's theatre, singing lessons, swimming or anything else we could dream up. She would <b><u>make</u></b> it happen! </p><p>She's the one who encouraged me to read. She would take me to the library in downtown Greensboro, NC in the summer and I would read for hours. Then, I'd check out as many books as I could carry and walk the 8 blocks or so to her office and lay on the gorgeous Art Nouveau couch (that now resides in MY home!) and read until she got off work. She allowed me to take pottery lessons, fostering a love for all art that didn't take root until 6 years ago when I needed it the most. All of this is because of her.</p><p>Thank you, mama. Know that you are loved and treasured and that everything you gave me has become my salvation, even though neither of us could've possibly seen how it would manifest. I love you. I hope you're around for another 75. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-51034168888510348872020-08-07T15:55:00.000-04:002020-08-07T15:55:00.188-04:00Finally...A Rose for Miss.Bea Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh, come on now...did you REALLY think this was going to end with me NOT cooking up the most fabulous rose I was capable of making to give to a 99-year-old woman???</div>
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Not that you'd be wrong in thinking that I fought starting the whole project tooth and nail. THEN, when it turned out like this, it sat in my studio for 5 days before I sent it! I almost didn't! </div>
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To FULLY understand this post, you must read part 1. Oh. You didn't. Didn't have time, huh? Ok. Well, let me recap part 1 for you so you'll be caught up. </div>
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Ready?</div>
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<b>Miss. Bea</b></div>
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<b>99</b></div>
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<b>Ma's friend's Ma</b></div>
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<b>Ma says <u>make card</u></b></div>
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<b>What like</b></div>
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<b>Loves roses</b></div>
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<b>I hate roses</b></div>
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<b>made begonias</b></div>
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<b>sent in time</b></div>
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<b>decide try roses</b></div>
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And we're all caught up!</div>
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I went digging for rose punches and dies. I stumbled on Susan's Garden Rose Dies by Sizzix that I'd never used. </div>
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I'll start by saying that while it's not brain surgery, you do have to build it petal by petal. Every petal needs to be shaped and rolled with tools, including tweezers. It takes time and, if you're like me and cuss like a sailor, then you can't work on it on a Sunday. </div>
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Trust.</div>
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I decided to stay with a simple, pink rose. I always use a heavy weight paper for my flowers. SU! 85 lb is a staple. I'll shape the petal, then spray it with water and shape again then let dry. When all the petals are assembled, I go back and shape some more, then I spray them with at least 3-4 coats of acrylic spray (in the garage!!!) that has just a bit of shine to it. Then I shape again and let dry. </div>
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Repeat spray</div>
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Let dry</div>
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Laugh at everything due to unintentional inhalant high </div>
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Take nap</div>
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Wake up grouchy</div>
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Refuse to part with project because it turned out so nicely and dang it! YOU WANT TO HOLD ON TO IT AND SHOW IT TO YOUR MAMA!!!</div>
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But never fear, it's now out of my life and into Miss. Bea's. And in a way, I'm kind of glad it's gone. Because I can totally forget I made it and slip back into the default position of "I don't do roses, sorry."</div>
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<br />papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-65737825772404451172020-08-05T14:05:00.001-04:002020-08-05T14:05:17.585-04:00Stitched Slots-Careful-Don't Say it Fast-Just Don't Say it at ALL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPjCAcPgAPhuadUb4PXfEg7x0w8cOUtwp_-FMVL-H1j4Ha6DROROaqkPxJpmDkaq7NIXmEK_9MGdG2xkhDQJ2zUtYC_59JyvEivEm9RwIeI1s7pZAe7FZR7-lUHjblt7HR3qnRlRt3f4/s2048/IMG_3293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1477" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPjCAcPgAPhuadUb4PXfEg7x0w8cOUtwp_-FMVL-H1j4Ha6DROROaqkPxJpmDkaq7NIXmEK_9MGdG2xkhDQJ2zUtYC_59JyvEivEm9RwIeI1s7pZAe7FZR7-lUHjblt7HR3qnRlRt3f4/s640/IMG_3293.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62IyDGpDPbH8UZFnu65bT-2VZeoP3Iy1FWGmsOt6Z7keTqMA4VdRT5I5hEwW7VBzalvIlzQ7vhWbUTDCFFa7b154Sm5E_3TDX2DtVz2dzk2INs7WK4HuOxrAXs5YUQD09Shmt14j1eRg/s2048/IMG_3295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1239" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62IyDGpDPbH8UZFnu65bT-2VZeoP3Iy1FWGmsOt6Z7keTqMA4VdRT5I5hEwW7VBzalvIlzQ7vhWbUTDCFFa7b154Sm5E_3TDX2DtVz2dzk2INs7WK4HuOxrAXs5YUQD09Shmt14j1eRg/s640/IMG_3295.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYC-bFWfu7nkYxNsbWCD1d0bkKQgA6UgWY-sbhAPL9f-LAM49FqQdUOtceOCDPC42ICWGs3VNsph2LeKzFov3kxFrI8ZAoGXZv5wdSlidr00dtOiRnGtmyF4XdOeiIl7KT_-y4Cy5SMY/s2048/IMG_3297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYC-bFWfu7nkYxNsbWCD1d0bkKQgA6UgWY-sbhAPL9f-LAM49FqQdUOtceOCDPC42ICWGs3VNsph2LeKzFov3kxFrI8ZAoGXZv5wdSlidr00dtOiRnGtmyF4XdOeiIl7KT_-y4Cy5SMY/s640/IMG_3297.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">To be fair, I didn't think I was gonna like these little suckers AT ALL.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The very talented and VERY patient Laurie over at VIA sent us these cut outs from the Tim Holtz dies and said "have at it".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Like I said...didn't know what to do with them, ergo, I did not care for them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After mucking around a bit, it occurred to me to make the piece a "unit" instead of just random stuff stuck in it willy nilly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I used a very old piece of scrap-close to a century, I'd guess-to form the idea. Which was the roses in the urn. I glued the slot to make it curve just a small amount so I'd be able to put what I wanted within. I used G45 tags, notes and envelopes. I used another tag at the top I covered with G45 (all from Botanical Tea) and left journal spots (not shown)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The butterflies, also a century or more old, are actual Dresden and were stamped from the moulds in Germany. I was given several sets of Butterflies, Eagles and Asian Samurais from a generous friend and try to pass them on when I can.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think it turned out nicely. Weird how the things you think you like are the things you struggle with the most...but things like this I think on which I'll crash and burn?? Hmmm.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Or maybe it's just medication time. Who knows?</div>papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-47385549433147976302020-08-05T10:15:00.003-04:002020-08-05T12:59:14.836-04:00Begonias for Miss. Bea...Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This Begonia card is one I made for a certain Miss. Bea. This lovely lady is the mother of a close friend of MY mother. I've never met Miss. Bea. But when mom asked me to make a card for her birthday, I said okay.</div>
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I didn't even get uptight at my mother's standard 2-day notice. LORD that drives me INSANE. </div>
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But there's NO WAY you can get too aggravated when you find out that the card you're making is going to a woman who's turning 99-years-old. </div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">99-years-old!</span></u></b></div>
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I can't imagine living that long! </div>
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Think of what all she has lived through! Not to mention how long she's lived with her children!</div>
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Sorry. But I'm 52 and my y-chromosomes have already driven me bat sh*t crazy. Living another 47 years with them and I'll be committed before I draw Social Security.</div>
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<u>By choice.</u> But enough of that nightmare, already.</div>
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I told mi mamacita I'd make the flower card. I asked Ma what Miss. Bea's favorite flower was and mom said "She loves roses!"</div>
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I said, "Great! I'll get started on the Begonias right away!"</div>
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Look. It's NOT personal...I swear! It's just that every single time I've attempted a rose, be it via punches or dies-especially those little spiral rose dies-there seems to be a conspiracy against me. I've never...and you can check this blog from start to finish (oh, please don't do that. I created this blog and the thought of doing that makes me want to cry with sheer hopelessness. Seriously.) and you won't see a rose worth its' salt. </div>
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But I knew I could knock out some pretty good begonias with my McGill punches, right? I hand colored and shaped each petal, the leaves have the right shape and shine, the colors will never fade, the sentiment is right, I mean, this is a really good card! One that I'm sure she and my mom's friend will love! I know this with all my heart.</div>
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But she wanted a rose. And this isn't a rose. While this will reach her on her birthday, shouldn't I try just once more? As if in answer, I was organizing my dies and stumbled across a forgotten about die from Susan's Garden. I have quite a few from her that I've used many times. Except this one. And yes. It's a rose.</div>
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Let's see if I can make this a part 2, shall we?</div>
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papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-4679548935649934762020-08-02T19:53:00.003-04:002020-08-02T19:53:51.184-04:00ATC Coin “Road Trip” (Imagined) for VIA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzhg56Ppa7BIl4thPmVi4Py6cR9wHzrcWWUCwSKsSQUrEAI8yGty0Rkzwyt6JGXbyjtq8pzV5-nyQU1mw7RZ9YNrwiLVyZ1PPYP4UBQ3r0JI8EAgj2naeDi9HEJLVn_LraxAPABQM760/s1600/F02D0038-0A39-4CCD-8F5C-41241C7CB202.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="962" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzhg56Ppa7BIl4thPmVi4Py6cR9wHzrcWWUCwSKsSQUrEAI8yGty0Rkzwyt6JGXbyjtq8pzV5-nyQU1mw7RZ9YNrwiLVyZ1PPYP4UBQ3r0JI8EAgj2naeDi9HEJLVn_LraxAPABQM760/s400/F02D0038-0A39-4CCD-8F5C-41241C7CB202.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Vintage imagery ATC, my swap group over at swapbot.com, came up with a Road Trip coin swap. ATC coins are 2.5 inches and they've been very popular lately.</div>
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I want to start by saying that my family never, ever went on road trips when I was young. In fact, the longest car trip we ever took was a designated point A to point B one. Point A being our front door and Point B being Anna Maria Island, Florida. Which, I might add, couldn't be reached by I-95 back in those days. It took 2 hours longer to reach, as we had to make the trip on I-75. </div>
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That trip was also made in a two-door, sub-compact Toyota Corolla, with 4 people and no air- conditioning. As this was a yearly trip that my father insisted on making in one fell swoop, I, always the little wordsmith, quickly mastered the pronunciation and definitions of "patricide" and "matricide", along with figuring out whether or not I could actually be charged as a minor.</div>
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Ok. I'm just kidding. I just fantasized about throwing a tantrum and forcing them to buy me a Barbie and Ken Swimming Pool to play with on the way down. At least there'd be someone finding relief from the misery.</div>
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So I have to say that I’m grateful the whole road trip idea never occurred to my parents. Since they both worked, I’m not really sure how it would have worked anyway. But good Lord I’m sure glad it didn’t. </div>
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Back to the Road Trip thing...I DID say this whole thing was imagined, right? </div>
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I decided to work with the states in which my swap partners were located. First, there was Texas. I found a background using an old vintage whimsical map and enlarged Texas. I printed it twice and cut the Alamo Route 66 image to pop up over the original. I printed the Texas state flag and, using flower soft, made a poor man’s copy of the Texas bluebell which is the state flower. I used a soft leather around the sides and, taking a long horn pendant I found in my stash, used it to act as a hanger.</div>
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For Iowa, I cut the harvester and popped it up. I printed an image of the state flag and some corn, for obvious reasons, and re-created a miniature prairie rose, the Iowa State flower, using my McGill punches. The Asian emblem at the top signifies the numerous Asian sister cities that Iowa shares with many different Asian countries. Last but not least, Iowa's state stone is the geode. </div>
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Now, many of you may be looking at one another and saying, “But, that looks like anything but a geode!”.</div>
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This would not be a very nice thing to say. So take it back. Right now. Because after searching Michaels and Hobby Lobby (to include their Clearance sections and you KNOW how long that takes!) for all intents and purposes this is a #*%^*}% geode. </div>
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Forgive me for zooming off into that good ol' worn out section of left hand field again, but every time I look at that Iowa State flag I keep seeing a face and it drives me a little crazy. ER. Sorry. Let’s move on. </div>
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Actually, there’s nowhere to move!! I actually have more art than posts. Can you believe it? I have at least THREE COMPLETED ART PROJECTS just sitting here waiting for me to post them! Will wonders never cease? Will these miracles continue to happen? When did my meds decide to wake up and actually go to work instead of lying around on their asses all day watching Netflix? </div>
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Who cares?!? I'm just gonna run with it.</div>
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Well, at least walk a little faster than usual. You know, the one where your entire foot leaves the ground with each step?</div>
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Talk about a Road Trip waiting to happen, huh?</div>
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(In terms of the most awful ending lines I've ever written, this one takes first prize. So, enjoy it. Savor it. Embrace it. Pet and stroke it and...hmmm...that's completely awkward. Just appreciate it, why don't you?)</div>
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papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-41885259314337706572020-07-04T11:00:00.000-04:002020-07-04T11:17:10.831-04:00The 4th: A Time for Celebration, Smuggling Contraband and the ER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/">Technique Junkies</a> July New Release <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/burst/">"Burst"</a></div>
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<a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/dandelions-in-the-wind/"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfB7PffIbVLWhfN5Ju699-k2EYbYF1Kkb-LtLR0KbsFFiss9iG6Y1ZTGMzWX0jPotEnwEqmPq26n6QEqFTKo1aEIU_Fw2RUopU1QwX6LjUp62KoS3xoE1EEtkbo1cFzZIZWNwqgDGFnQ/s400/IMG_3272.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/dandelions-in-the-wind/">"Dandelions in the Wind"</a></div>
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BEFORE I even START on the 4th of July, I want to stress you have FOUR DAYS LEFT to take advantage of Technique Junkies July New Release 15% off. AND, if you make it to the end of this post, you'll find you can take another 10% off if you type the winning phrase, which consists of my name and some mystical letters and numbers.<br />
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<a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/cart.php">TJ10Carmen</a></div>
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So get your hiney in gear and get to shopping.</div>
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NOW...let's talk the 4th of July.</div>
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(I reprint this story every year. The original can be found <a href="https://www.papercraftgoddess.com/2014/06/fourth-of-julytime-for-celebration.html">here on my blog</a>. The original post contains quite a bit more of my<strike> unmedicated rambling </strike> childhood reminiscences, so if you can make it, great. If not, I completely understand. I tend to wear people out.)</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">The 4th of July. As a holiday, it's incredibly important to me. But it's also my least favorite. That's right....I said it. Out loud. Sort of. On this blog. Where I can always claim it was hacked, if necessary, by anti-4th of July progressives, who are Communists. Or al quida. Wait...it is al queda? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW HOW TO SPELL THE NAME OF A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> Look, I am properly reverent, appreciative and proud of this day. I honestly am. I'm an ardent supporter of our troops throughout the year and am a consistent donor to various troop-related charities, such as </span><a href="https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Wounded Warrior Project </a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">and </span><a href="https://fisherhouse.org/" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Fisher House</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">-both of which are very dear to me. (links provided in case you want to throw a little money love their way!!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">My attitude has to do with my actual dislike of the month, itself. July. It's miserably hot and I can't see the proverbial summer "light at the end of the tunnel". </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i>"Light"</i> meaning <i>"School"</i>, mind you. There's also too much humidity and too many kids for me to properly appreciate what this day should represent. Besides, as far as commercialized holidays go, I find this one the most expensive. Not merely in terms of money, but also in terms of my mental health.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">The insanity begins the instant July 1st comes around. That's when the Marital Unit, along with the three y-chromosomes, break out a map and begin planning their smuggling route for all the illegal fireworks they plan to buy, just across the state line. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You see, North Carolina has pretty strident laws regarding the regulation of fireworks. This results in very limited choices of "toys" containing gunpowder. Meaning, the 4th is great here if your expectations don't exceed 40 boxes of Snap and Pops, or those </span>infinitesimal<span style="font-family: inherit;"> sparklers that cause 3rd degree burns if the stick touches you after the sparks stop. Never mind what heinous injuries they can cause if you forget where, in the dark, you've stuck the things in the ground and step on those &%^$ suckers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Any self-respecting North Carolinian knows that if you want decent fireworks, you have no choice but to make the trek to the state that gives us everything from the historic Charleston Battery to the flying roaches they have the audacity to call "Palmetto Bugs". That's right; I'm talking about South Carolina.</span></span></div>
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(Author's Note: I'm not entirely sure that the flying roaches are a byproduct of South Carolina. But at 2-4 inches and solid enough that you can hear them scurrying across hard surfaces, well, all I know is that <i>someone</i> has to take the blame.)</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">So, the Marital Unit <b>et al</b> spend hours pouring over every highway route to the border and speculating at which major road arteries the North Carolina Highway Patrol will be stationed; presumably to search any and all vehicles for this highly illegal exploding contraband. The discussion then turns to whether they should modify one of our cars to hide the ill-gotten gains. Naturally, it's MY car they want to modify. Even though, they agree, they are sure to be on the watch list of the ATF, FBI (and any other lettered agency unlucky enough to be dragged into this post) so it will be difficult for them to hide. As if a beat-up Volvo station wagon would be lucky enough to generate an APB for suspected smuggling of Black Cats and Bottle Rockets. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Not to mention what my house full of y-chromosomes MEAN when they start talking "modifications". Dummy gas tanks and tire wheel wells always lead the discussion. About the time they get to <i>convertible conversions</i> and <i>nitrous oxide injectors, </i>is when I step in and have to redirect the conversation. And by "redirect", I mean "threaten to Facebook every nudie baby pic I've kept secreted away for moments such as this, along with the Marital Unit's portrait at the tender age of 19, in which his then-girlfriend snapped him staring stoically off into the distance. Shirtless. With poufy hair. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At this point, having been forcefully reined in, they move to the next phase of the smuggling operation, in which they begin taking practice dry-runs using my car. This is fine by me because this normally entails a half-hour of taking corners hard enough to see if the the tires will make squealing noises. It also means leaving black tire marks in the parking lot of the local Wal-Mart in order to perfect spin-outs, doughnuts and the rest of the driving techniques the Unit acquired from watching <u><b>The Dukes of Hazzard. </b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thus, having assured themselves of their vehicular mastery, they move to the final-and most crucial-part of the whole project. This is where they each rehearse what they'll say to police if they're caught and taken into custody.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's agreed that they will probably be interrogated </span>separately, so they <span style="font-family: inherit;">must have similar stories. They swear to never betray one another and make a pact that they'll never fall for the old 'Law & Order' trick of being told that one ratted out the others. This part is pretty harmless, although I DO have to stress they will NOT follow through with selling out the 8-year-old due to the fact he can't be prosecuted due to his age.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With everything in order, they get up early on July third and dress in solid black. This year will be the first that face masks are optional. The Unit confided the decision was heat-related, but I'm pretty sure it was due to the fact he hates messing up his pouf of hair.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then, they'll pile in the car and swear to abstain from all food and drink (ostensibly negating the need to stop) and off they go, each sitting stiffly and staring straight ahead. They only talking in which they will indulge is out of the sides of their mouth and is merely to congratulate the other on how natural they look. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The drive is grueling; an hour and forty-five minutes on...well...the interstate. At 70 mph. Until they cross the state line into South Carolina, where there are fireworks stands every seven and a half feet until you hit the Georgia state line.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">They'll drive past 7 or 8 of these tented retail establishments before stopping. They all agree this is smart because they're sure NC State Troopers will be watching for the smuggling novices who are idiot enough to stop at the first stand or two they encounter. At the 17th or 18th stand (or, about a mile into South Carolina) they'll load up the car with several hundred dollars worth of fireworks and begin their return home. It's slow-going for a bit because they're usually behind a bevy of NC State Patrol cars, who have ALSO loaded up with the <b>same</b> fireworks and are trying to get home to drop them off. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When mine arrive, they celebrate their successful mission by lighting all of the Black Snakes on the driveway, which serves as a yearly reminder for me to schedule a power wash. I do this immediately, all the while pondering why they're called Black Snakes when they actually look more like poop when all is said and done. I'm asking asking the question of how both snakes and poop would appeal to a bunch of boys. Then, having solved this conundrum, I feel stupid and go to bed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The next day, July 4th, as the y-chromosomes are counting down to sunset, I shower and go ahead and get dressed. Past experience dictates that after sunset, when it's almost fully dark, I usually have about an hour or so before the single firecracker explosions become the sound of entire packs at once. Here, I make sure the keys and my purse are in reach and I have my iPad, phone and power cord in my tote bag. Then I sit down at the kitchen table, as I do every year, and ponder why I</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A: Never think to buy M&M's for a portable snack </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">B: Why did I eat the M&M's I purchased to take as a portable snack.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Right around this time, the menfolk are so deaf from blowing up entire packs of M-80's that when they decide it's more fun to hold Roman Candles and fire them at selected targets (mostly each other) no one can hear the yells of "Fore!" or whatever the safe word is these clowns have instituted. And since those things are little more than firecracker handguns, I'm off to the emergency room, once again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fortunately, our local hospital has instituted call-ahead reservations, so I only have to wait an hour or two to get my idiot seen instead of pulling the obligatory all-nighter's in the waiting room, as is the norm. When we get home, everyone else is watching TV, having put the rest of the fireworks away for fear my rage would be such I would shove bottle rockets in orifices that would make even South Carolina consider banning them. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">There, in the garage, the fireworks will join other fireworks from years past, waiting for either dry rot or a lightning strike to occur.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope this sheds a little light on why the 4th simply doesn't hold a dear place in the line-up of overly- commercialized holidays for me. At some point, we all have to take a step back and really think on the importance of this holiday. This should be a celebratory time, of course, but one that has more of an emphasis on giving thanks to the men and women who have fought for U, to include their families, who ALSO make their own sacrifices for this great nation. It's also a time to pay our respect to those who have made the ultimate sacrifices for our freedom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll also insist the boys-including the one I stay married to (if only to punish him), stop the madness of this month. Granted, I swear to do this every year, but it's hard to get them to quiet down and focus, so that they can <i>listen</i> to these ideas.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> There's a sweet spot in which I can deliver this speech (usually between returning from the ER and when the painkillers kick in) where it'll have the most impact. Every year, I seem to miss it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But at some point during all this, we will come together as a family and voice our appreciation. We will realize fireworks aren't needed (especially when we can go have a beer at a local Highway Patrolman's house and play around with their SC fireworks) and we can give this holiday the respectability it deserves. Only at that point, will we finally be able to celebrate the 4th in the way I feel it should be celebrated.</span><br />
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papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-85142830171771762342020-07-01T09:00:00.000-04:002020-08-03T15:28:41.699-04:00Technique Junkies JULY New RELEASES! And an "Oldie but a Goodie"!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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TJ July New Release <a href="http://www.techniquejunkies.com/wish-upon-a-starfish/">"Wish Upon a Starfish"</a></div>
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<tr><td style="font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><img src="https://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/customavatars/avatar361188_9.gif" style="border: 0px;" /></td><td style="font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </td><td style="font-size: 10pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">I swear on all that is holy, my friends, that it seems I JUST DID THIS FIRST OF THE MONTH NEW RELEASE THING YESTERDAY.<br /><br />Actually, I DID do this yesterday.<br /><br />But that's not the point.<br /><br />I meant this blog hop thing.<br /><br />It seems that it has only been a few days since I stressed out trying to do all of this at the last minute. How many of you can truly relate to the stress of barely sliding under the wire to finish things I had plenty of time to do, yet managed to not do them?<br /><br />And please don't mention the "P" word. This isn't procrastination. Procrastinators are merely "wannabes" to those of us who have elevated being "late" into an art form. You see, procrastinators simply sit around and think about the things they should be doing and consciously putting off.<br /><br />Professionals, such as myself, don't think about what we should be doing AT ALL. Then, as the clock winds down, an internal alarm goes off and we rush to finish whatever it is that needs finishing.<br /><br />Then while procrastinators sit around feeling guilty because they're late, my people sit around and feel insanely aggravated we had to do it in the first place.<br /><br />That's why, I'm one of the elite: An Overachieving Underachiever.<br /><br />And before you get your hopes up, know that many will want to emulate my success and few will succeed. So, you keep not-trying as hard as you can and one day...Congrats...you'll might not make it.<br /><br />I was at Hobby Lobby when I saw this cute chest and figured it would be perfect for a little box in which to keep sea shells or other treasures. I covered it with design paper and Dresden scrap, then stamped and embossed the sentiment in white, glossy powder on a piece of adhesive cork paper. I also used splotches of gold embossing powder on the edges of the cork and sides, at random.<br /><br />I found a small closure and used a small piece of brass I had that was an anchor that I used on the front. This can be a little tricky, but if you use brads to hold your hinges in the back and clasp in the front you'll have some wiggle room...literally!<br /><br />This project took me less time than most every card I made during this 'seaside' theme. Oh! And I made sure to use 2 coats of white gesso before I even began. And that's how easy it is!</td></tr>
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Now, enough of my silly rambling!! It's time for the <a href="http://www.techniquejunkies.com/july-2020-new-release-stamps/">Technique Junkies JULY RELEASE</a> BLOG HOP! </div>
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You should know the deal by now, but just in case your attention span is like that of a gnat (such as yours truly) I'll remind you:</div>
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From now until the 8th, ALL new releases are 15% off. And if you use my discount-<span style="color: blue; font-weight: bold;">TJ10Carmen-</span>you'll get an additional 10% off!</div>
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While you're at it, stop by and see my hard-working homies! We LOVE it when you stop by!</div>
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<div class="_2cuy _3dgx _2vxa" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d2129; direction: ltr; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px auto 28px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 700px;">
<a href="https://techniquejunkies.blogspot.com/2020/07/technique-junkies-july-release-and.html">Technique Junkies Blog </a> </div>
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<a href="http://patstamps.blogspot.com/2020/07/july-2020-new-stamp-release-celebration.html">Pat Huntoon</a> </div>
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<a href="https://www.sunflowers-dragonflies.ca/blog/63288/technique-junkie%E2%80%A6release-and-sale/">Beth Norman-Roberts</a> </div>
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<a href="https://simplybeautifulcreations.blogspot.com/2020/07/technique-junkies-stamps-july-release.html">Ceal Pritchett</a> </div>
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<a href="https://glitterstampsandink.blogspot.com/2020/07/july-2020-technique-junkies-stamp.html">Holly Brown</a> </div>
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<a href="https://inkypaws.splitcoaststampers.com/2020/07/01/tj-july-release-and-discount/">Jeanne Streiff</a> </div>
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<a href="http://judysstampart.blogspot.com/2020/07/jewels-of-july-new-beautiful-stamps-and.html">Judy Jackson </a></div>
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<a href="https://rodonner.blogspot.com/2020/07/new-release-for-technique-junkies.html">Ro Donner </a> </div>
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<a href="https://paperartscafe.blogspot.com/2020/07/technique-junkies-july-2020-release.html">Lynda Pleckan</a> </div>
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<a href="https://cherisheachpreciousday.blogspot.com/2020/07/technique-junkies-new-release-blog-hop.html">Patti Gilliam </a> </div>
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papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-45966594961649579862020-06-22T15:09:00.002-04:002020-06-22T15:09:54.525-04:00A Summer of Sharks, Sots and NOT's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/coral-seaturtle/"><img border="0" data-original-height="1325" data-original-width="1600" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_d8sljnuTq37HuQ_qEl0tEphW1BWG3i-_RBFP563h4G6-1SABG0-aU9cOjLV26EUCYyoU7lpSen3t6duDCFq0pLZyZIsfV6aSOwnQAXJYj42cfNiz7DKiN5ikKg0wbyBT2CRPKYga0Mz/s640/IMG_3094.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And somehow, once again, another month comes to a close. </div>
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Another month in which I've managed to <b><i>NOT</i> </b>do so <i><b>MANY</b></i> things. </div>
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There's the furniture I have <b><i>not</i> </b>pulled out from the wall to clean behind. Choosing, once again, to let nature's critters feast on the crumbs left there, until the day I thank them by inviting Mr. Exterminator to the party.</div>
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There's the matter of the y-chromosomes, who are still residing somewhere within the utmost regions of my house, whom I have <b><i>not</i></b> evicted due to their lame excuses of being "underage" and claims of "child protection laws". </div>
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And let's not forget the Marital Unit, who I have <i><b>not</b></i> sued for abandonment and subsequently divorced, only because I can't find him on the golf course.</div>
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Lastly, as we're coming to an end of another summer month, I have <b><i>not</i></b> dipped even one toe into the body of water we call the ocean.</div>
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It's this last one I consider most important, because it means I'm here writing this post and not being digested in part (or whole) by a shark.</div>
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I know, I know...I hear it every year. My little sun bunny friends are the first to poo-poo my fears.</div>
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"Do you know how rare it is to be attacked by a shark while swimming at the beach?" my slim, tanned and very buxom friend Eva said, while trying on a tiny bikini she was considering as we shopped for summer wear.</div>
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"It's not rare.." I said, a bit testily, silently chanting to myself that I did <b><i>not</i></b> hate her for having two children and still being able to pull off "twenty-something in a bikini" while in her 40's.</div>
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"Oh, come on." she said. "It's incredibly rare! Name the last time someone was attacked by a shark. Especially here in North Carolina."</div>
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"Which of the 36 attacks since 2010 do you want to know about?" I said. "Or is it enough to know that our state ranks 5th in the nation in shark attacks?" </div>
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She paled. "Oh, God. Are you serious?"</div>
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"I would never make something like that up." I said, grateful that she suddenly seemed less interested in the bikini that rudely boasted only<u> one</u> number in the "size" portion of the tag.</div>
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She looked sadly at the bikini as she handed to the saleswoman. "Well, I guess I'll just lay out on the beach and tan this year. By the way, do you have this in a size 4?"</div>
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Gritting my teeth, I told myself I did <b><i>not</i></b> want my sweet friend to test any<br />
<i>"swimming in the ocean/ shark"</i> statistics.</div>
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As bad as friends could be, it was nothing compared to my mother's reaction. We were settling in for a week's vacation at Myrtle Beach and had sunk down into our lounge chairs to read and sunbathe. </div>
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As my y-chromosomes raced to the water, I stopped them at the edge with a shrill whistle.</div>
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"Remember," I called to them. "Ankle deep ONLY! What is it we always say about the beach?"</div>
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The y-chromosomes chanted in unison. <i>"In to your knees, the sharks you will tease. Up to your bum and you become chum."</i></div>
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Rolling her eyes, my mother said, "What in the world has gotten into you? I thought you loved the ocean! I remember you swimming in it all the time when you were a kid. What changed?"</div>
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"You took me to see <u>Jaws</u> at the theater when I was seven." I said.</div>
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"Couldn't have been." she scoffed. "That must've been your father. He was always doing silly things like that when he'd had a few drinks. Remember the time he he took you and your brother to the Drive In, then promptly fell asleep in the front seat? Not knowing the movies were scary ones?" </div>
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"Yes, mother. I remember it distinctly. It was a double feature. The movies were <u>Coma</u> and <u>The Omen</u><b>."</b></div>
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"That's right!" she clapped her hands enthusiastically. "You have such a good memory! Why on earth did he take the two of you to something like that, I wonder?"</div>
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"Because he'd had a few Boilermakers and misread "Coma" as "Comma" and thought it was an educational film. And "The Omen" he thought was a film about the Bible." I said, drily.</div>
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"Only your Dad!" she laughed.</div>
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As June comes to a close, I've found myself gearing up for another summer of remaining faithful to my "<b><i>not's".</i></b> </div>
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I have <b><i>not</i></b> allowed any surgery to take place unless the Marital Unit has conducted an investigation into the character of the Anesthetist <u>and</u> checked hospital records to see if there have been a rash of patients who've had surgery and mysteriously vanished.</div>
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I have <i style="font-weight: bold;">not </i>neglected to shave each y-chromosomes head at one point to check for any numbers or signs that might be hidden there. It certainly didn't help that the last one was born on 6/6/06, but that was my fault for insisting on induction at the earliest possible moment.</div>
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Don't worry, though...I still have my eye on that one.</div>
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Last but not least, I have <i><b>not</b></i> and will <b><i>not</i></b> ever, in any lifetime, be eaten by a shark.</div>
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And in the history of my <b><i>"not's"</i></b>, this will prove to be the most important of all.</div>
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NOW, onto the gorgeous <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/">Technique Junkies NEW Releases for June!!!</a></div>
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My first is <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/coral-seaturtle/">Coral Seaturtle</a>.</div>
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I stamped and embossed the image in white, Using masking fluid, I made "spots" on the back of the turtle. After watercoloring him a dark brown, I removed the masking and did a quick wash of the dark color I'd already painted. I really LOVE how this effect came out. And it was totally accidental. Wait...I mean, I just knew that would happen. Because I'm experienced, like that.</div>
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<i>Ahem.</i></div>
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<a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/coral-seaturtle/"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="449" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMqFi9LlhjRCr7B2I7X8sZiUjRO-nY_SzNcfPc-JqHvLhQM_vrN2vGxN7l2hzCEwiKNKqJBjagi4CvVxCU-TZXiLavLsQhyphenhyphenXMTl8ii07m7Uq8ITyjCmKiiHa1aXkOFFZgwM8qT0KyL8i7/s320/SD1013_Coral_Sea_Turtle__42144.1590588675.500.659.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="1600" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2faZi4TSDtCFX_byWSRY_IrW2Dq1gxwKeM0uJhsDEA3H00YtOZnWo4g-QSTHl4r_GTr7odJ3WML_68tRphBKnsBckZNSeQBsuTmqrb9QyStB3CQEbLGislHOza8vCFAyZNR45XBOnd6U/s400/IMG_3112.jpg" width="400" /><a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/inside-out-silence-is-golden-set-of-10/">https://techniquejunkies.com/inside-out-silence-is-golden-set-of-10/</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9z4knZVAForlEDyD5zEUCZb7J8I-Uns8Gkh-j42KHTQJSTiOGgBwgtaIoXcqkMQ1IQNHHbL2SuGUb6VO9QgD2B5Kz7f-gAUgJnPC-IOK4Lc8O1qCKUskNXyeyOajDv9EmpYt7TNXyZWn/s1600/IMG_3101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9z4knZVAForlEDyD5zEUCZb7J8I-Uns8Gkh-j42KHTQJSTiOGgBwgtaIoXcqkMQ1IQNHHbL2SuGUb6VO9QgD2B5Kz7f-gAUgJnPC-IOK4Lc8O1qCKUskNXyeyOajDv9EmpYt7TNXyZWn/s640/IMG_3101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My second card was one of those that assembled itself much better in my head than I was able to pull off for you. Using the <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/inside-out-silence-is-golden-set-of-10/">Inside/Out</a> set, my intention was to make a wall with the mirror showing the outside sentiment "Mirror Mirror". I stamped it with Staz-On, then tried to use little frames with pictures of stern looking people to look like a wall. </div>
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Then, I used the Inside sentiment (which we won't point out to anyone, specifically my parental unit...will we?) and the TJ stamp set <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/crabby-set-of-3/">Crabby</a> I finished it off with the crab and sentiment. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9k_3NMpy2wBGp7KE_10Zal__aDxAcxLAm7wc_Ia0DhzkGKEC-Q3y7MZr3iGT_2rUragbSfuJHck4llCNqdOPdBrfMCpQNQJ_ixGWAGLZRYUddi6j55rSlY7stwgtyeKe8vqDOomEeEMrc/s1600/SS116_Inside_Out_Silence_is_Goldenpkg__91093.1590592901.500.659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9k_3NMpy2wBGp7KE_10Zal__aDxAcxLAm7wc_Ia0DhzkGKEC-Q3y7MZr3iGT_2rUragbSfuJHck4llCNqdOPdBrfMCpQNQJ_ixGWAGLZRYUddi6j55rSlY7stwgtyeKe8vqDOomEeEMrc/s320/SS116_Inside_Out_Silence_is_Goldenpkg__91093.1590592901.500.659.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JvD-y4S7w0EZyOhv7rBGAfHNClx4t-HvgGJakfPU6pm5wqI0vm9k_c6aPny-PHg0nlU0R6pg0JGmyrQa2zIpBnz7bIQrU0joTy0Ehm8D58hoyqsrQwkOm4BswV3rNExqGioqqSK_zUdf/s1600/PS008_crabbylow__73291.1455507042.500.659.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JvD-y4S7w0EZyOhv7rBGAfHNClx4t-HvgGJakfPU6pm5wqI0vm9k_c6aPny-PHg0nlU0R6pg0JGmyrQa2zIpBnz7bIQrU0joTy0Ehm8D58hoyqsrQwkOm4BswV3rNExqGioqqSK_zUdf/s320/PS008_crabbylow__73291.1455507042.500.659.gif" width="268" /></a></div>
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ALL of these sets-and everything else you might want-is 10% off if you use my discount code <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/cart.php">TJ10CARMEN</a></div>
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Thanks for stopping by...and keep on stamping!</div>
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It's MUCH safer than swimming in the ocean</div>
papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-27764116461196036392020-06-19T17:50:00.001-04:002020-06-19T17:50:58.402-04:00She Sells Sea Shells Down by the Sale Page!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyaee1kY9G6z5Gc1-6qabhB4pqU3rwBC353npouItdd9KfIDA0ijWOB2TM46JAS3GBoti0i7SUPocluSYBFyq4_o0u1aA4CIRcwsiX2mxk7mn61AQdKh3NocvhageRbAOYfJXUcVddi3i/s1600/IMG_3111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="811" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyaee1kY9G6z5Gc1-6qabhB4pqU3rwBC353npouItdd9KfIDA0ijWOB2TM46JAS3GBoti0i7SUPocluSYBFyq4_o0u1aA4CIRcwsiX2mxk7mn61AQdKh3NocvhageRbAOYfJXUcVddi3i/s640/IMG_3111.jpg" width="324" /></a></div>
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Once again, it's my turn to showcase a project made from Technique Junkies July New Releases!!</div>
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This shaker tag is the first of 5 that I ended up making-and could have made SO MANY MORE using my Gelli plate and the New Release stamps </div>
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<a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/bubble-flow/">BUBBLE FLOW</a></div>
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<a href="https://cdn10.bigcommerce.com/s-n4mhlz9/products/3508/images/15980/S837_Bubble_Flow__14072.1590585976.1280.1280.png?c=2"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="788" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpYxITesowC8pWyAQuBoaQ-qqW1cGkyGieqAEBmXcwVA8kAa0_zzZRRH56m-P38v_IEsVeXFmZwmRwSoaGwfOGyN491qhGYgiLR5x55pu8GuAjysKE49Zo4GwlAZ6nSY5rWAEK5ALMP-z/s320/S837_Bubble_Flow__14072.1590585976.1280.1280.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/stir-your-soul/">LET THE SEA STIR YOUR SOUL</a></div>
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Making this tag was easy. I hate saying that. Naturally, I want you to marvel at it and think "Wow! That Carmen sure is a goddess when it comes to creating spectacular projects! She's so great I bet the Pope will beatify her hands at some point!"</div>
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Okay. So maybe only <b><i><u>I</u></i></b> think that. But pretending <i>you</i> are saying it as well gets me through these post house arrest days. Besides, as my Therapist Darlene says, "whatever works, as long as it isn't manslaughter or maiming".</div>
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Therapist Darlene and her ilk are such downers. They're <i>always</i> trying to make us work harder than we should have to with their whole "communication" and "compassion" racket. </div>
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These post house arrest days should be good ones for all of us, right? So why am I dragging and feeling as if nothing has changed?</div>
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Oh...right...<b><u>BECAUSE IT HASN'T.</u></b></div>
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You heard right, my friends. </div>
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All three y-chromosomes are still in their rooms. They haven't emerged except to eat and complain that there's nothing to eat. Granted, this has been the case for the past decade but I could actually get them to leave occasionally. </div>
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All I had to do in the past is have their room fumigated. Turns out taking away a fresh air supply would make them leave in a hurry and, like little cockroaches, they'd scuttle out and hide in some dark corner with their Nintendo's. But, as soon as the dust (fumes) settled, they were back in their rooms. Now, those little suckers are immune to the pesticides.</div>
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Not that I won't keep trying, mind you.</div>
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The Marital Unit is working from home and now it's permanent. He sits in the loft at the top of our stairs, watching Fox News, and shouting out random headlines. It's like having a sniper in the house. Imagine pouring a cup of coffee in a fairly quiet house then someone yelling "Trump shutting down air travel!"</div>
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Naturally, I tend to jump when this happens, spilling and/or dropping whatever is in my hands at the time. I'm telling you, people...there are NOT enough pharmaceuticals to get me through all this.</div>
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NOW you see. House arrest has become a life sentence. And I'm stuck in a 4br cell with a Marital Unit who has developed a television news-based Tourette's and children who used my entire 3 month toilet paper stash in two weeks. </div>
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And when it comes to 3 boys eating and never leaving the house, I can tell you <strike>how I've become an expert in toilet plunging!!</strike></div>
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I used my Gelli plate and covered it with metallic acrylic paint. Then, I stamped the Bubble stamp and lifted the print. The shine is AMAZING! I love those paints (I got mine at Michaels). Next, I punched a hole for a shaker cup. The only cups I had were Stampin Up! and they made a proprietary punch to fit those cups. So, I used my circle punch, used a small amount of Viva Ferro Amber Gold paste that I'd allowed to dry out as sand and filled it with small shells and starfish. </div>
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After adhereing the cup, I had the flattened part on the bottom so I used pearl trim to surround the scene and crystals to cover the part showing. Then, I used the Ferro again to spread on the bottom and glued my shells to it. </div>
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(NOTE: I can't find Viva Ferro for sale in the US anymore. It's a shame. But you can use a cheap tube of texture paste from Michaels or Hobby Lobby and mix it with paint or alcohol ink for the same effect)</div>
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When I stamped the sentiment, I realized that I should've stamped and embossed in a darker color as it got lost in the shuffle. </div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow;">Let me say that BOTH are what I call "core stamps". They have tons of usage possibilities and both are less than 15 bucks. 10% OFF USING MY CODE </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/cart.php">TJ10CARMEN</a></span></div>
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Then, YOU'RE PRACTICALLY GETTING THE SENTIMENT FOR FREE (if you purchase by the 8th and use my code!!!!)</div>
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Whew...tired myself out with all those caps. But when it comes to "discounts", I get a little excited. </div>
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My second project is using the FLORAL SEAHORSE </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnH5SsVThBnF2f4WFTsOEsN7AWGMSBUOedL8d1X_0lkqMu3pwjtHWKETkdPdpQsCCWFvAEHVBpFhYF5gqqpuJ2KM97fTz0DaToBbWZGVeDBAtmLFUvXcdQcENstXuUPBz2DZ7YfXajBfa/s1600/SD1010_floral_seahorse__96766.1590588106.1280.1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="392" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnH5SsVThBnF2f4WFTsOEsN7AWGMSBUOedL8d1X_0lkqMu3pwjtHWKETkdPdpQsCCWFvAEHVBpFhYF5gqqpuJ2KM97fTz0DaToBbWZGVeDBAtmLFUvXcdQcENstXuUPBz2DZ7YfXajBfa/s320/SD1010_floral_seahorse__96766.1590588106.1280.1280.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>
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Michaels had these small 4 x 4 white canvases that came in a pack of 9. I painted this with black gesso and stamped the seahorse in VersaMark. I used white embossing powder then mixed my metallic acrylic paints with molding paste, trying to add a little dimension to the piece.</div>
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This was NOT successful. </div>
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But, once I started, I was gonna finish! </div>
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I added the sand dollar for 2 reasons: the first is that I thought it complimented the piece and elevated it to "mixed media" since I used two different elements other than paint. </div>
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The second reason is that I blew it painting the flower. Seriously. It was horrific. And what do we do when we totally mess something up and we're almost at the end of a time-consuming project? </div>
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WE HIDE IT! </div>
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Next time, I'll stick to just paint without the mixer. </div>
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I hope you enjoyed your visit to TJ's this morning. Take my discount and run with it! </div>
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GO GO GO! </div>
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papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-78698241737900341572020-06-06T07:36:00.000-04:002020-08-03T14:57:21.878-04:00Vintage Imagery ATC's Triptych <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5F2Tb5XR_z9rorLtALwz491NJlnNJYnp3_HjnMO_xOh-nPRBc4mXjDToA-FrcJbI63Xal9nLC8PN1ogt296qJ3M6LyQFJZndrOXk02AAjh8htIAK6K2tKogTYC5-1MansqxQ8B3WFi-Y/s1600/IMG_3035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1471" data-original-width="1600" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5F2Tb5XR_z9rorLtALwz491NJlnNJYnp3_HjnMO_xOh-nPRBc4mXjDToA-FrcJbI63Xal9nLC8PN1ogt296qJ3M6LyQFJZndrOXk02AAjh8htIAK6K2tKogTYC5-1MansqxQ8B3WFi-Y/s640/IMG_3035.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For this ATC swap, I chose a Beauty and the Beast theme.<br />
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I named it...ahem..."Beastly Seduction".<br />
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No, wait...that's the title of the new book I'm reading. I'm sure that's a copyright violation. Let me try again.<br />
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How about "Beast Leaving Hairs on the Couch While Beauty Readies Her Fan to Discipline Him".<br />
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Oh, crud. NOW I’m thinking that’s the opening line of the aforementioned book. I guess I could check, but I don’t feel like climbing under my bed to retrieve said book from the hollowed out part of my mattress, hidden behind the third slat from the headboard.<br />
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Not to mention it was a little on the wordy side, anyway.<br />
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Let me try one more time.<br />
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"Beauty and the Beast: You, Me and Hairs All OVER the Couch”.<br />
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Oh, good Lord, people. Just make up a name and go get your own book and stop making me dance around here like an organ-grinder's monkey!<br />
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You know, that just brought back a VERY early childhood memory. When I was a child, I actually SAW an organ grinder and dancing monkey!<br />
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I was about 5-years-old. My parents had taken me to a local fair to temporarily distract from a new little brother, who’d just arrived to usurp my place as ruler of house, home and all things “Grandparent”.<br />
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Whoa! Sorry. I’ll get into that at a later date once I’ve worked it out in therapy.<br />
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As we left the fair, there was a man who had a large...well...organ...on a stick (I swear...this is NO double entendre...unless you want it to be... no judgement here, my friends) and he had a little monkey on a leash<br />
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The monkey was wearing a tiny cap and jacket and cavorted to the music. He also carried a little pewter cup. If you held out a coin, that precious little monkey would come take it from your hand, drop it in his cup, then tip his little cap to you.<br />
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I probably begged around ten bucks worth of quarters from my parents,s just to keep that monkey coming my way. And he did. He would turn his nose up at pennies and wouldn't take them. Nickels and dimes were ok, but if you held out a quarter, he was yours!!<br />
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Yeah, there was a sign that said "Do not touch the monkey". At least that's what my parent's said. And they kept saying it over and over. But I'd given him so many quarters that we'd bonded, right? He was doing tricks for ME that he wasn't doing for any other kid! He came to ME first when he emptied his little cup and came back for more!! Surely he couldn't possibly mind if I just reached out to gently touch him? Unlike the other stupid children around me, who would grab or try to hug, I-due to my superior animal understanding (as evidenced by our lightning-fast bonding...no amount of quarters in the world could've MADE that happen, right?) would settle for a comforting, feather-light pat.<br />
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So, I reached out and stroked its little arm. The monkey spun around, bared its teeth and made as if to bite me. I was terrified! It was made all the worse by the filthy, toothless organ grinder who laughed raucously at me.<br />
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"I hate that stupid monkey!" I screamed to my mother. The monkey was still looking for money and ignoring me completely. So much for the relationship I thought we had.<br />
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"Stupid monkey!" I stomped my foot, still crying. Pointing at it, I yelled “Mama, Daddy that's a bad monkey! You tell that man to spank his monkey!”</div>
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It was my father who grabbed me and quickly moved us along as the mean-monkey-owning-man guffawed loudly.<br />
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And I <u><i>never </i></u>understood <u><i>why</i>.</u><br />
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Is it me or do you fell like you need a shower just reading this far into the post? I swear, this is the dirtiest, non-dirty entry, I've ever written.<br />
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The takeaway so far is twofold: Avoid all things “monkey” like the plague. The second is that you have a very dirty mind.<br />
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I <i>knew </i>there was <i>something</i> I liked about you!<br />
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papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-80310317040157534272020-06-01T08:00:00.000-04:002020-08-03T15:30:09.630-04:00JUNE New Releases-Covid OUT-Summer IN! Technique Junkies ON IT!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBWXfMO8SjTkU1FzNzc5i5ZRsmiIg69KtaclTOo-DElzdHrOMeggjvnWEnyDR_e4kNdzTd8OAxuf017W9DfzDkpt4V9Kvfi6qObin-U1DI1KWx9SFshdXDOfLV0eCtiiRpE5OwnpmO8c/s1600/TJ+Discount+Badge+-+Carmen+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBWXfMO8SjTkU1FzNzc5i5ZRsmiIg69KtaclTOo-DElzdHrOMeggjvnWEnyDR_e4kNdzTd8OAxuf017W9DfzDkpt4V9Kvfi6qObin-U1DI1KWx9SFshdXDOfLV0eCtiiRpE5OwnpmO8c/s1600/TJ+Discount+Badge+-+Carmen+%25281%2529.png" /></a></div>
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Oh wow! I can’t believe it! It’s June!</div>
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Already.</div>
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You know, I thought I would be a little more excited with our collective house-arrest now coming to an end. And perhaps I would be, had I <b>not</b> been forced into a quarantine with three children, a husband and a dog. </div>
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It would’ve been significantly more bearable had the MU (marital unit) and the three hormone-oozing Y chromosomes been forced to do <b><i>their</i></b> American duty by quarantining somewhere else. But this was not to be. Which should prove that our government may not really have Covid figured out, but they excel in human rights violations by forcing me into seclusion with <i>them. </i> </div>
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Finally, this weekend, with whatever "wave" we're in, in terms of things opening at the moment, Friday hit with the restrictions lifted!! I would have danced with joy!</div>
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Had I been able to find a clean space on the floor.</div>
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I waited all day on Friday for at least one of the offspring to mention going to visit friends. At 10 o’clock on Saturday night, all three of them were in various stages of sleeping, eating or gaming or-as has been shown in the past to be possible with teenage boys – all three at one time. Which was fine, <b>except they were still here.</b></div>
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So, this morning, while I’m happy things are opening back up and our economy will start to roar as it did before this mess started, there is one thing that I demand from my government. And I will stand tall and speak to both parties as I hold BOTH responsible. With millions at my back, I shall stand tall and rock Washington, with my war cry echoing all over the US.</div>
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“<b>You</b> jack holes put them in there, now <b>you</b> get them out.”</div>
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Now, on to <a href="https://techniquejunkies.blogspot.com/2020/06/technique-junkies-june-release-and.html">Technique Junkies June release!</a> The most important take away, other than the awesome stamp designs, is that until the eighth you get <span style="background-color: yellow;">15% off new releases.</span> If you add my discount, you get another 10% off the new releases, plus an additional 10% off anything else you purchase.</div>
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On my mixed media card, I used <a href="http://techniquejunkies.com/scenic-route/">Scenic Route</a> and <a href="http://techniquejunkies.com/open-road-set-of-2/">Open Road</a> . Using a round mask, I inked the sky with Distress Ink, then used a metallic acrylic paint for the water. I got texture by making ridges and designs in the wet paint with my brushes and then heat setting them quickly. Any acrylic paint can be made to do this and give your projects a little extra depth and interest.</div>
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The sand substance at the bottom is by Viva and it’s called Ferro. The color is amber gold. Unfortunately I can’t find this for sale in the US anymore. I love it because I can spread it on anything and it takes on the look of sand. In this case, once it dried with all those awesome textures, I stamped The tire tracks from the open road sat then use the sentiment take the scenic route stamped on acrylic at the bottom left. The white foam was made with liquid appliqué in white</div>
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I was off the month of May so it sure is nice to be back!</div>
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Before you go, don’t forget to check out ALL the new releases, as well as the incredible work from my co-designers!! It means a lot when you stop by and comments mean even more. </div>
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<a href="https://techniquejunkies.blogspot.com/2020/06/technique-junkies-june-release-and.html">Technique Junkies Blog</a> </div>
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<a href="http://patstamps.blogspot.com/2020/06/june-2020-new-stamp-release-celebration_1.html">Pat Huntoon </a></div>
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<a href="https://www.sunflowers-dragonflies.ca/blog/63201/technique-junkie%E2%80%A6and-how-to-video/">Beth Norman-Roberts</a></div>
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<a href="https://simplybeautifulcreations.blogspot.com/2020/06/technique-junkies-stamps-june-release.html">Ceal Pritchett </a></div>
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<a href="https://giovana-believe.blogspot.com/2020/06/technique-junkies-june-release.html">Giovana Smith</a></div>
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<a href="https://glitterstampsandink.blogspot.com/2020/06/june-2020-release-for-technique-junkies.html">Holly Brown </a></div>
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<a href="https://inkypaws.splitcoaststampers.com/2020/06/01/technique-junkies-june/">Jeanne Streiff </a></div>
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<a href="https://judysstampart.blogspot.com/2020/06/jubiolous-june-and-joyful-savings.html">Judy Jackson </a></div>
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<a href="https://rodonner.blogspot.com/2020/06/new-june-stamps-from-technique-junkies.html">Ro Donner </a></div>
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<a href="https://paperartscafe.blogspot.com/2020/06/technique-junkies-june-2020-release-and.html">Lynda Pleckan </a></div>
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<a href="https://cherisheachpreciousday.blogspot.com/2020/06/find-my-soultechnique-junkies-june-2020.html">Patti Gilliam </a></div>
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papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-57388364531206164722020-05-03T12:59:00.001-04:002020-05-03T12:59:54.852-04:00Vintage Imagery ATC's "Masquerade" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuqdgH0ZQ9j812f8VNctdVuCboKi1NadQ63Um18tQiNe9eKrksu0eVse6RCJh9GfGeJumml4i4yp8FVXNHaObYPYrdFp_RThjPxk1W0_Ev4HAzsKRUmP0wZtrzrBSnub4OPaQxNOSMoU/s1600/IMG_2984+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1172" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuqdgH0ZQ9j812f8VNctdVuCboKi1NadQ63Um18tQiNe9eKrksu0eVse6RCJh9GfGeJumml4i4yp8FVXNHaObYPYrdFp_RThjPxk1W0_Ev4HAzsKRUmP0wZtrzrBSnub4OPaQxNOSMoU/s320/IMG_2984+%25282%2529.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
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In a hurry...ALWAYS in a hurry, it seems.</div>
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I have an ATC triptych due in 3 days and my new release stamps for June from Technique Junkies are on the way, so this post will be short, people.</div>
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But stay tuned...I did a very early Father's Day for the Marital Unit and I KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK. </div>
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And you won't believe what the 2 gifts were that rocked his world. </div>
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AND bought me the peace and quiet I've craved since...well...pretty much since we married and procreated. </div>
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Stay tuned....</div>
papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-45180193754394038882020-04-26T11:16:00.000-04:002020-04-26T11:16:10.648-04:00The Juggle is Real...No matter WHAT age you may be...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bF3XHEz0EwHPRa8wAa_E_dBrOn6U-X3IBXuhTGUI79jbNPO3xZAryn8pXdqEkTPFmnLoeKumQQaMwJzBJGYLigBQiPULwDpc_b9wP9sS1mrBWoC3Jxyhr4zkK3wVLK5GbHlpuAvBsAIt/s1600/IMG_2809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="1600" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bF3XHEz0EwHPRa8wAa_E_dBrOn6U-X3IBXuhTGUI79jbNPO3xZAryn8pXdqEkTPFmnLoeKumQQaMwJzBJGYLigBQiPULwDpc_b9wP9sS1mrBWoC3Jxyhr4zkK3wVLK5GbHlpuAvBsAIt/s400/IMG_2809.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I HATE this picture...got to learn how to photo balance a dimensional piece...tips and tricks appreciated at the bottom!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Technique Junkies<a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/juggle/"> The Juggle is Real April New Release</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And 10% off if you use TJ10CARMEN</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I know, I know..no excuses. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But you HAVE to understand the week I've had.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">First, there came the news that school has been cancelled until 2030. Or some date so far in the future I despair of ever ridding my home of "hormonal y-chromosome ordure". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">THEN, the wireless went down Thursday night and didn't reappear until an hour and a half ago. And due to my being a chronic procrastinator, I didn't have this post ready and now I'm late. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And then it was my birthday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It all started with a call from my mother on Wednesday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Happy Birthday!", she sang. "I remember 52 years ago having my first child, a little girl, and you were so beautiful! I held you in my arms and for whatever reason, I decided I wasn't going to name you Rosie, as I'd planned all along. I would name you 'Carmen' After the beautiful opera of the same name". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"You said you named me after the, and I quote, '<i>cute little Puerto-Rican dancer from the Dick Clark show that could really move</i>!'", I said.</span></div>
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She sighed, deeply, "I just <i>loved</i> how she danced!"</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Also," I reminded her, "you said when you went into labor and they doped you up on Scopolomine, all you remembered is the doctor holding up his hand and snapping each finger of his glove in some weird, creepy manner."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Oh, I'm sure that was a hallucination." she said, thoughtfully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"So you remember me being born?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Wellllll..." she tutted, "maybe not actually being born but I remember my beautiful girl!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Mother," I said, sternly, "there no pictures of me as an infant and, according to you, it was because I was born an entire month late, and due to the fact my head was lodged in your pelvis that extra month, I was born with a deformed, pointy head!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"It wasn't deformed, it was just...um...misshapen." she said, warily.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Dad said I was so weird looking that he showed me off as a future lab experiment that would make him a millionaire!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"That was just the alcohol talking, dear. Don't believe everything you hear." she said, briskly. "But let's get to the good part! What do you want for your birthday?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Well, I think I'd..." I began.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Now wait!" She interjected. "Remember what happened last year! We went out shopping because you said you wanted clothes for your birthday. So, I bought you clothes and then you ruined it all by losing weight and not being able to wear them!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"I wouldn’t call that ruined…", I said, slowly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"The year before that you wanted Botox and you wore that out after two months!" she said, sternly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I gritted my teeth. "I happen to have custody of your three grandsons. But if I turned them over to you to raise, I bet that Botox would last..." I began.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"But who's keeping count?" she broke in. "Let's just concentrate on the positive. What do you want this year?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I took a deep breath, "Mom, I want a kayak."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There was silence for a moment. Then she said, "But can you swim?".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Look people, I’m certainly not one-up on this parenting game. I wouldn’t even call myself accomplished. I think my claim to fame is that I have survived puberty of three boys and managed to keep my car dents to a minimum and my sanity, thanks to good medical care, excellent pharmaceuticals and virtual therapy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m calling that a win.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But, what I can say is when it comes to things like rollerskating, bicycling or… I don’t know… <b><u>swimming</u></b>, I know exactly which child is independent in what medium and which child needs to be accompanied by myself, a guardian and back up EMT.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And extra virtual therapy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But when it comes to swimming… <i>Swimming!</i> How do you not know if your kids can swim or not??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Obviously, she forgot the many checks she wrote to the YWCA in Greensboro, where I learned to swim. Not to mention all those summers I spent at camp Tapawingo, where I was a counselor and forced to swim with young children in the resident lake, which caused trauma I struggle with to this day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Whether that trauma is confined to just swimming in lakes, being around hordes of small children or both, I’ll have to continue to work out in counseling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But how does she forget those years of my strapping a Styrofoam bubble to my back and jumping off the diving board until I worked up my courage to dive? And all in front of her!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What about all those summers at the Moose Lodge Pool? Or down in Florida where I swam in those crystal clear waters… Until I saw a manta ray under my raft, a horse shoe crab stalking me and the movie Jaws… then it was over for me. But that’s not the point!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Are you still there?" my mother asked</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Here, mom. And yes, I can swim."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Do you have a life jacket?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Yes, mama I have a life jacket."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Well, I’ll pay for the kayak but I’m not sending the money until I see a picture of you in your life jacket! Don't think you can trick me… You’ll never know when I’ll show up down at the lake! And if you’re on that boat without a life jacket then that’s it… no more kayaking for you..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Just my luck. My mother doesn’t remember whether or not I can swim but she sure remembers how to ground me</span></div>
papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-75938817871170336872020-04-13T15:23:00.000-04:002020-04-13T15:23:07.416-04:00Fusion Card Challenge-One of my very 'gnome' creations<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqI9ByDykkkc4eSY-tEziBN6FFG6AV2MlE76pn2eLJ7MjVf-LZcdZSbDjNpRPzWC5XyODGnOqivCK95UWx14hjByQXLi0saoaTQo5WyzW-N2ec2oPwQBhRNS_NpHzgK_nqdjp4wi4um4w/s1600/IMG_2930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1600" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqI9ByDykkkc4eSY-tEziBN6FFG6AV2MlE76pn2eLJ7MjVf-LZcdZSbDjNpRPzWC5XyODGnOqivCK95UWx14hjByQXLi0saoaTQo5WyzW-N2ec2oPwQBhRNS_NpHzgK_nqdjp4wi4um4w/s640/IMG_2930.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I can't help but believe this is my first Fusion Card Challenge! And I'm so excited to have found them! </div>
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The concept at fusion is simple: Use the sketch OR the photo OR fuse them together. I decided to fuse those suckers.</div>
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<a href="http://fusioncardchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/04/fusion-gnomes.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="640" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlPhJ4hB6px-TjqfHHTcQHD-StWVkft0lpe_jNxNufqnhteghIBjQdjTlHHMBAP354Za1tf4AW2A2qogQN8VqS7VHiCq5BQroAXr_COs91aVKDFzhdxK7u1TjKPkIO2rbR2AeZQ9qBJA/s400/Fusion+200402+Gnomes-001.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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For whatever reason, I had my mind set on using my Memory Box Gift Bag die. I've never made a gnome before but they looked simple. So, I combined the 2 with the most adorable Easter paper I've ever seen! And I have no IDEA what it is!!! I'm so sorry.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgZcgkL9vfc9856Bnv-XEfDm1I57BQcMbvWMRbeapTat4FCjDV_P5ZY9roGutxACflqwn1TvcXfuj0BWTO2Tf66gqBlM0T9O15X10_BAxYMQR8YGppjpQS-eVQieJMd9fCFexmtDsbE8/s1600/IMG_2932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1414" data-original-width="1600" height="563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgZcgkL9vfc9856Bnv-XEfDm1I57BQcMbvWMRbeapTat4FCjDV_P5ZY9roGutxACflqwn1TvcXfuj0BWTO2Tf66gqBlM0T9O15X10_BAxYMQR8YGppjpQS-eVQieJMd9fCFexmtDsbE8/s640/IMG_2932.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm spending the next 30 days working on design. I can build anything or create anything when it comes to building scenes or any of that...but card design is HARD. </div>
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I was really surprised I wanted to do this challenge. First of all, the first thing that popped into mind was a sign I saw in someone's garden that said "Gnome Sweet Gnome" and I was done for. See, I hate puns. I hate them so much that, at any opportunity, I'll begin thinking in puns. I'll actually torture myself with them and, being ADHD, there is NO way to stop (or medicate) myself out of it.</div>
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The only way to break the cycle is to put on Broadway show tunes.</div>
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Seriously. No joke. And I have no freaking idea why this works. All I have to do is slap on "Hamilton", my current fave, and I can rap myself out of any OCD-related repetition.</div>
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My kids HATE Hamilton. They loved it at first because it's written in rap and hip hop. Until their female parental unit-who is STILL convinced she was a hip-hop artist in a previous life-decided she would be ready in case auditions were held in Burlington, NC and there was a need for a 52-year-old, slightly chubby, so-white-she's-almost-translucent female who (thinks she) can rap her a** OFF!</div>
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Granted, I may miss a word or two if it gets really fast or my timing lags (which is where skipping a word helps me catch up) but there has to be a place for me somewhere on this show.</div>
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When it first came out, I practiced like a madwoman. I rapped at every opportunity. I nearly brought my entire household to its knees. They'd clear whatever room I was in if I started rapping about fighting in the Revolutionary War. I'd be halfway through "Hamilton", rapping my heart out about the founding of a new nation while fighting (rap style) with Aaron Burr, as I picked up the middle kid from school. </div>
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I can't tell you how many times I caught that kid trying to crawl into other people's cars or hiding in the last stall of the bathroom after school let out. Finally, the guidance counselor met me in the car line and asked if there were problems at home. I told her yes. After an hour of telling her story after story of the rejection I suffered from my Marital Unit and the Y Chromosomes I'd birthed as I worked to make my Broadway dream to join the cast of "Hamilton" come true, she asked me to wait a moment, then ran to find the kid and dragged him to the car. From then on, she was there to shove him in the back before I'd even fully braked. I barely had time to wave goodbye to her before she frantically motioned me to drive on. Not even when the kid's backpack got entangled in the door and I dragged him 50 yards did I have a moment with her.</div>
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"Do you need an ambulance?" she yelled, with surprising volume from that distance. </div>
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"No," I screamed back, disentangling the kid from the door latch. "Maybe just some bandages and gauze."</div>
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"Oh good! I'm glad he's fine. I'm sure you have band-aids at home. Now, move along! You're holding up the line!" She turned back to directing traffic, at a much slower pace now that we'd passed through, I noticed.</div>
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I sighed. I was sorry to have lost that sympathetic ear.</div>
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As to the moral of this story? There isn't one. Other than it's fine to suffer delusions of grandeur and that one should be <i>required </i>to maintain these delusions when one is a parent. I guess the other takeaway could be when picking up your children from school, try your hand at a little old school rapping. Especially when they hit eighth grade on up. </div>
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Nothing like a rapping mom to keep your teenage kid humble. </div>
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papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-66854339301966985852020-04-01T08:30:00.000-04:002020-04-01T08:30:00.377-04:00ANOTHER Technique Junkies NEW RELEASE? Yep! April!! With DISCOUNT!! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://techniquejunkies.com/butterfly-collage-with-text/"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="951" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZRTR8kflUNDQNLdlYj93OPa3hxqUWnrrUgxR8iVQj3Bqc5vP0HiKL5HJpQ8H1QCERStTxANNN2yzdepLrs559jgbbuGmdDnKcBOLd45pHb7rtx24hJ-COkH7bn2JIuG11oMhlteRG3Y/s640/IMG_2808.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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Let me first begin by saying that I want to take a moment to celebrate...well...</div>
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me.</div>
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My generosity, that is.</div>
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You see, not only am I going to selflessly hand you not <b><i>one</i></b>, but <b>TWO</b> coupons for Technique Junkies new April releases and <i>one</i> discount coupon good for the rest of the TJ site, I am also going to share my mind-blowing, delicious, mouth-watering and <i><u>highly secret </u></i>recipe to my Banana-less Banana Pudding.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5ZhP0bdUyyCOPfhFprka8owqAqksLH86fZY7BQd2oa12khSn65R6FL0gL0IF0YkTuhGlKtVLTqL933zfP8kQCU3RczF_ZQbINEOg4gIAbRq5qRZjQmUFOU9z_A7-RizNMm3cEhIXMZo/s1600/IMG_2850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5ZhP0bdUyyCOPfhFprka8owqAqksLH86fZY7BQd2oa12khSn65R6FL0gL0IF0YkTuhGlKtVLTqL933zfP8kQCU3RczF_ZQbINEOg4gIAbRq5qRZjQmUFOU9z_A7-RizNMm3cEhIXMZo/s320/IMG_2850.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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By the way, yes. You read that correctly.</div>
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Banana-<i>less</i> Banana Pudding.</div>
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But we MUST follow a linear path in terms of importance. Granted, dessert is #2 on my priority list. #1, however, is crafting. On down the list would be all things offspring-related and rounding out the top 50 would be something pertaining to the Marital Unit. Though, as to its importance, I'd have to check. As usual, however, I digress. Back to our #1.</div>
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Technique Junkies April New Releases are TOO much fun! And so that you can see for yourself that it's just not bias speaking, here's 15% off on said New Releases!!</div>
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<a href="http://techniquejunkies.com/april-2020-new-stamp-release/"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCWlP1E4tGr8Bm_-7a3cVb0gS67R9pg6vlkDtn202Waqvjn0BJvn-WiqRwM_cxXRbNgfCSE2CtYQV5sNf7LiN0MnLtQiSaHzuKD8hv-xkoJDiscG6lwU2RbIx5-oeUkOdgQxkCPqE9rc/s320/89475079_10216569778940042_6329495408649175040_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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AND to really drive the point home, here's an additional 10% off those New Releases!! This can also be used on the rest of your TJ purchases as well! But you've <span style="background-color: orange;">GOT TO TYPE IN THIS CODE.</span></div>
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The code being <a href="http://techniquejunkies.com/april-2020-new-stamp-release/">TJ10CARMEN</a></div>
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<a href="http://techniquejunkies.com/april-2020-new-stamp-release/"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH58SbpDgVCrIUw0zWHuQl_1apEa53QWCSQ6ulo0o45g2oMQCwFTiVgUKSYatK8pV-nwjps8Hi-qs5ech3CAXlmFTbblsNjZHtoafRQv8vYTCJl28qy0dnrtaeC5qespLXhgoStV8jeyE/s1600/TJ+Discount+Badge+-+Carmen+%25281%2529.png" /></a></div>
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For my project, I used the beautiful background stamp <a href="http://techniquejunkies.com/butterfly-collage-with-text/">Butterfly Collage with Text</a></div>
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I stamped it with Versa Mark on Sticky Canvas and embossed with blue glitter powder. When I first saw the stamp the first thing I thought of was Moulin Rouge!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg7nRF9og5770kfkxf9VlKr74KDfxckwmSyvWPyiBHQfivIBfN3CbaMGR81ujEWdMWTL-gwu2hhVApme-8nUEnLlQ86rhAG0d8bikwBTvKApVTeyGL7xSmc29s6AjJzBCIJqODvzFp-k/s1600/IMG_2808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="951" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg7nRF9og5770kfkxf9VlKr74KDfxckwmSyvWPyiBHQfivIBfN3CbaMGR81ujEWdMWTL-gwu2hhVApme-8nUEnLlQ86rhAG0d8bikwBTvKApVTeyGL7xSmc29s6AjJzBCIJqODvzFp-k/s640/IMG_2808.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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As my fave scene was the first time we see Satine on the swing as "The Sparkling Diamond", I set about to create the swing with chain trim from Hobby Lobby and chipboard. I regret the 2 pieces of wooden trim on the sides, painted red, because all I can think of are Twizzlers Strawberry Licorice. The Marital Unit contributed this and all I can say is that I was exhausted and clearly out of my mind to listen to him in the first place.</div>
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Dresden trim dressed up the top and bottom. The lion and wings are also Dresden. </div>
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But the BEST part was finding Satine!! </div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PaperDollsByCory/?__tn__=kC-R&eid=ARBedwL_tIaH_zmLUM6EFpkEYPLs1RkJX43trivPNAk1x2ZiD2f5Nj1fA1AT6ZhXV88k632W-ABIyDjj&hc_ref=ARS1furbh-TazpeHWnrfjVk48sDigCKT9Eo7JXnVxODtwX1FjAHo6amuIyZLC_9T460&fref=nf&__xts__[0]=68.ARBvQpLeXJY5ceWfEEke94EBzscIFzicjffJXikJLXX6__Tje8LKi2Zk4VA4WFBTP6Iu_1TiFXJlBeTF9RHezfDa3dvFH8kwkUZZ5PQTLONhXl8hNuG1Odv-HNFUHGr5mURF-FC1GqNyULDbz4EJqenjMAKCKiKtioGU2ELAbwlVDGwdLrQZXjcJ8Dp5i-kswKJodGA_vEtJgwunbCWh26lssXTkqJjxKAeHxPzMX9qvZ-mGUkipZRVos0s2xelStIFIxu0OVN3bs42w4zbixtAmyko4_UJxmIriMOFWrvHh-V9P_K6QTt_mLIjQl8-XhEhOCH2FPeqbv2r-93k8fR1_6Q"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="742" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx25lYihqLop4mM5Ahx_BXoQ5YYQFPPnSAJjEEpUGQ6UsKwD1gDOUejSpzlJm7RFsETehCqltZs0jPKCLeCpp5VCtBSuwyHwxXzBdZBERZNB1mXfLgKg_oSaTLuy9DUbrqFT_VqOGOLM/s400/ad84249b740086e36fc326883e69334c.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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As I was googling images, I ran across this beauty by Cory Jensen. He's a wonderful artist who, as far as I can tell, simply shares his art with everyone. I asked permission to use Satine and offered payment because you have to admit...she's worth it!</div>
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I resized her and cut both pieces out. I used my glitter pen on her just a little so she wouldn't get lost. If you click on Satine, you'll find yourself on Cory's <span style="background-color: yellow;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PaperDollsByCory/?__tn__=kC-R&eid=ARBedwL_tIaH_zmLUM6EFpkEYPLs1RkJX43trivPNAk1x2ZiD2f5Nj1fA1AT6ZhXV88k632W-ABIyDjj&hc_ref=ARS1furbh-TazpeHWnrfjVk48sDigCKT9Eo7JXnVxODtwX1FjAHo6amuIyZLC_9T460&fref=nf&__xts__[0]=68.ARBvQpLeXJY5ceWfEEke94EBzscIFzicjffJXikJLXX6__Tje8LKi2Zk4VA4WFBTP6Iu_1TiFXJlBeTF9RHezfDa3dvFH8kwkUZZ5PQTLONhXl8hNuG1Odv-HNFUHGr5mURF-FC1GqNyULDbz4EJqenjMAKCKiKtioGU2ELAbwlVDGwdLrQZXjcJ8Dp5i-kswKJodGA_vEtJgwunbCWh26lssXTkqJjxKAeHxPzMX9qvZ-mGUkipZRVos0s2xelStIFIxu0OVN3bs42w4zbixtAmyko4_UJxmIriMOFWrvHh-V9P_K6QTt_mLIjQl8-XhEhOCH2FPeqbv2r-93k8fR1_6Q">Facebook</a></span> page. He also has a <a href="https://www.redbubble.com/people/coryjensenart/shop?ref=artist_title_name&fbclid=IwAR1nNeZHsqeF4sW5W9Q7ZA_MrW4JkAOXlOjhGGUpFYTfqWXV43UVJKjNVcU" style="background-color: cyan;">RedBubble</a> page (it's a terrific graphic arts company, very supportive of artists, mostly t-shirts) and I encourage you to visit both.</div>
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Now, speaking of "visiting", I also ask you to visit Technique Junkies and the rest of the gals to see what they've done with April's New Releases. And don't forget...that 15% off is ONLY good through the 8th! After that, you'll still have the 10% coupon but nothing beats picking up New Releases using both discounts.</div>
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<a href="https://techniquejunkies.blogspot.com/2020/04/technique-junkies-april-release-and.html">Technique Junkies Blog</a> </div>
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<a href="https://patstamps.blogspot.com/2020/04/april-2020-new-stamp-release.html">Pat Huntoon</a> </div>
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<a href="https://www.sunflowers-dragonflies.ca/blog/63119/technique-junkie%E2%80%A6pril-new-release/">Beth Norman-Roberts</a> </div>
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<a href="https://simplybeautifulcreations.blogspot.com/2020/04/technique-junkies-stamps-new-release.html">Ceal Pritchett</a> </div>
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<a href="https://giovana-believe.blogspot.com/2020/04/technique-junkies-april-release.html">Giovana Smith</a> </div>
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<a href="https://glitterstampsandink.blogspot.com/2020/04/technique-junkies-april-2020-release.html">Holly Brown </a> </div>
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<a href="https://inkypaws.splitcoaststampers.com/2020/04/01/technique-junkie%E2%80%A6ase-and-discount/">Jeanne Streiff </a> </div>
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<a href="https://judysstampart.blogspot.com/2020/04/not-april-fools-post-but-new-stamps-and.html">Judy Jackson</a> </div>
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<a href="https://rodonner.blogspot.com/2020/04/april-release-for-technique-junkies.html">Ro Donner</a></div>
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<a href="https://paperartscafe.blogspot.com/2020/04/technique-junkies-april-stamp-release.html">Lynda Pleckan </a> </div>
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<a href="https://cherisheachpreciousday.blogspot.com/2020/04/blog-hop-technique-junkies-april-release.html">Patti Gilliam</a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And NOW...on to priority #2. Dessert. As promised, the recipe for my <span style="background-color: transparent;">my mind-blowing, delicious, mouth-watering and </span><i style="background-color: transparent;"><u>highly secret </u></i><span style="background-color: transparent;">recipe to my Banana-less Banana Pudding.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5ZhP0bdUyyCOPfhFprka8owqAqksLH86fZY7BQd2oa12khSn65R6FL0gL0IF0YkTuhGlKtVLTqL933zfP8kQCU3RczF_ZQbINEOg4gIAbRq5qRZjQmUFOU9z_A7-RizNMm3cEhIXMZo/s1600/IMG_2850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5ZhP0bdUyyCOPfhFprka8owqAqksLH86fZY7BQd2oa12khSn65R6FL0gL0IF0YkTuhGlKtVLTqL933zfP8kQCU3RczF_ZQbINEOg4gIAbRq5qRZjQmUFOU9z_A7-RizNMm3cEhIXMZo/s320/IMG_2850.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">This came about because my offspring inherited my good sense when it comes to the travesty of </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;">fruit traipsing around in dessert, as if it belonged there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Spoiler alert: It doesn't.</span></div>
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Fruit in desserts are impostors. Raisins are merely "pretend" chocolate chips. </div>
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Besides, fruits in desserts are liars. They insinuate that whatever you're about to eat has some type of nutritional value. Fruits will innocently sit there in 1,000 calorie per bite desserts and claim that what you're about to eat can't possibly be that bad, could it? Because it's fruit, right?</div>
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Chocolate covered strawberries? Pffft. Don't bother. I'll take chocolate covered chocolate and be done with it.</div>
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I know you think me harsh. It's not that I'm not flexible, however. Take cake, for example. I give cakes a pass. Fruit baked in cake or folded into icing makes sense. The cake and icing are <b>clearly</b> the stars of the show-the fruits are the proverbial "back-up dancers". Where they should be.</div>
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My mother tried to disagree. "What about homemade apple and peach cobbler?</div>
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"Ok Ma. Take out the fruit and you have just the juice and extra bubbly homemade pastry on top. No pesky apples or peaches to mess it up. Just the goods." I said.</div>
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She was silent a moment. "Well, I guess I see what you mean."</div>
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HAH! <i>See?</i> <b>This </b>is why I was determined to come up with a banana pudding that wasn't swimming with nasty bananas that turned black about 2 and 1/2 seconds after putting it on my plate. Not to mention one of which I could openly partake without having to surreptitiously peek over my shoulder as I tried to scoop just cookies and pudding onto my plate. Which was a lost cause because the ingrates that stole my youth, natural hair color and face collagen (along with half my DNA) had already gotten to it and done the same thing.</div>
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So, I did it. I created it. And now, I will share this accomplishment with you. Mostly to prove that I'm right about the whole Fruit-less Dessert thing and to justify this rant. </div>
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Not to mention it's pretty da*n good and I'm really feeling a little snooty about it. </div>
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So there.</div>
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<b><u>Banana-less Banana Pudding</u></b></div>
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1 lg. box Instant Banana Cream Jello Pudding</div>
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3 cups whole millk</div>
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1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk</div>
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1 tsp vanilla extract</div>
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1/2 c sour cream</div>
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8 oz whipped topping-divided</div>
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1 package wafers</div>
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Combine condensed milk, sour cream, vanilla and mix. Add pudding and 1 cup cold milk and mix on medium then add additional 2 cups making sure everything blends together. When pudding thickens, fold in 4oz whipped topping. Layer bottom of dish with wafers then spread pudding on top. Repeat, using as many wafers and creating as many layers as you like. Top with remaining whipped topping and wafer crumbs. Chill for a couple of hours. Serve. Eat. Give thanks to Carmen and consider sending her a monetary gift. </div>
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papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-36262200596857302542020-03-19T08:00:00.000-04:002020-03-19T08:00:03.207-04:00Weddings and Their Gifts are a BEACH!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0ptv17tCNI1irhgBneRigYpGI1SohjtlR1ECNwCnFi5ggTUYiYE-ckXBFlrVTqucqJPwynUbYJlVtzXK_KKgiAWDK2scAZQBG91ZoxRJrXdrgUmaDlux2iJC57xgnZQKss-LfWKX8SY/s1600/IMG_2702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1600" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0ptv17tCNI1irhgBneRigYpGI1SohjtlR1ECNwCnFi5ggTUYiYE-ckXBFlrVTqucqJPwynUbYJlVtzXK_KKgiAWDK2scAZQBG91ZoxRJrXdrgUmaDlux2iJC57xgnZQKss-LfWKX8SY/s640/IMG_2702.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Groom's Boutonniere<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOM1TAIBNMMMenDN7W34c_441W8BOL7GcS-UnWLy6dHFgzgNfbOHmQS88darY5KLuTlHSI3B8lBVwY_abGegtB7S_5rPIz2xzGVJjp9OMd6yxi4LJfZyhB3AC_NxALwHEHBF1V0Bvb1A/s1600/IMG_2700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1600" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOM1TAIBNMMMenDN7W34c_441W8BOL7GcS-UnWLy6dHFgzgNfbOHmQS88darY5KLuTlHSI3B8lBVwY_abGegtB7S_5rPIz2xzGVJjp9OMd6yxi4LJfZyhB3AC_NxALwHEHBF1V0Bvb1A/s640/IMG_2700.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bridesmaid Corsage<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4BM7xnON1bzfeYIlbn-tovfDY_iQcKD3uAjaqUiRjliL0ja2tJk0nQQsjaV2fhqn6irjGZJTXCzj5IQivn5Dq8k-TZJLthAeuaoAbSlR7d5MhmXVzULqrW5zXNi5TpinELvzkmmJY2I/s1600/IMG_2699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1599" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4BM7xnON1bzfeYIlbn-tovfDY_iQcKD3uAjaqUiRjliL0ja2tJk0nQQsjaV2fhqn6irjGZJTXCzj5IQivn5Dq8k-TZJLthAeuaoAbSlR7d5MhmXVzULqrW5zXNi5TpinELvzkmmJY2I/s640/IMG_2699.jpg" width="636" /></a></div>
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Bridesmaid Corsage<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UxTjo3FFyktfyN9dlgLUUfGmbGxL-bj_m30y1jgFnaGw76v-qIaU6IZ755zuFm5fbwenX7fW_iBHJtiANU5sfMpkzuvNZYdJfCszCqta_honnLhqF1l0nQ3SOhzCpqAM9dBlcgUODr0/s1600/IMG_2701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="1600" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UxTjo3FFyktfyN9dlgLUUfGmbGxL-bj_m30y1jgFnaGw76v-qIaU6IZ755zuFm5fbwenX7fW_iBHJtiANU5sfMpkzuvNZYdJfCszCqta_honnLhqF1l0nQ3SOhzCpqAM9dBlcgUODr0/s640/IMG_2701.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Groomsman Boutonniere<br />
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Both Grooms and Groomsmen Boutonnieres<br />
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I was asked if I would create 4 boutonnieres and 2 bridesmaid corsages for a beach themed wedding. The colors were turquoise and tangerine.<br />
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I have to tell you, friends, my jury was out on doing the project. Mostly because I can't seem to get 5 stamping projects done in 3 weeks. Much less 6 wedding thingies from scratch...something I've NEVER done before.<br />
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Then, I was told the wedding was actually being HELD on the beach.<br />
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Needless to say, knowing that the element of fun had been kicked up a couple of notches, I was close to being in---CLOSE. But not quite there. Mostly because the beach themed wedding stuff on pinterest was simply crapola. And I wasn't in the mood to create stuff from scratch.<br />
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But then, she closed the deal. "They're wearing cut off pants and gauzy dresses with uneven hemlines. And did I mention all the guests have to take off their shoes and leave them in baskets before they cross the sand and take their seats?"<br />
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Now I know what fish must feel like when they discover that tasty morsel has a hook in it.<br />
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At any rate, I knew I could have fun with it. Therefore, I committed. Plus there were only four guys and a like number of ladies so I didn't feel too overwhelmed. Until it came time to use my Scan N Cut.<br />
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Contrary to popular belief, the Scan N Cut won't cut through much of anything. For me, at least. Even with brand new blades. Except the mats. The Scan N Cut will ALWAYS find a way to cut through the mats, even when the pressure and blade is set to 1. It's truly miraculous, in a way that speaks to pure evil and possible possession by some entity with a yen for crafty electronic products.<br />
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I had one piece of laser cut coral. I scanned it and managed to cut 19. Of those 19, approximately 4 were close to perfect; 8 were okay and the remaining 7 were an embarrassment to sea life everywhere.<br />
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So, I glued 3 together to make the 4 boutonnieres that I needed and painted them with a metallic turquoise. The arrangement of shells speak for themselves. E6000 and Copic markers achieved what I couldn't with the pearls and shells arranged to look like clams with little pearls inside. I really wanted to make the Groom's boutonniere meaningful so I put a "dove" from a sand dollar on the mini starfish as a reminder to keep Christ first in the marriage and to spread His message of goodwill and peace.<br />
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You would think that after creating something so meaningful and true that I would have smooth sailing. Yes. You would certainly think that. Read on, friends. Read on.<br />
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The boutonnieres were relatively easy. I only needed the flowers. Which should have been the easiest of all things to find. But they weren't. The flowers became the straw that broke the camel's back AND my bank account. How? Not only did they cost a mint, they also robbed me of a chunk of porcelain veneer on my front tooth. Granted, it could just be coincidence that it just happened to shear off at that time but considering I did a lot of teeth clenching and grinding during the flower debacle, I'm saying it's all on the flowers. All 1800-2500 it'll take to fix because both front and the two on either side have to be replaced. Why? Because of the *&$%^%$ COLOR MATCHING.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJfkau7KUnp8DDBARKbJwGm96h-6u5IEPCb3_ddgrUDFrDJ-V3mQASigCh403pWV8m8FT4Kl-UYpu7_9UMOJEtFq66hlguuD4SB0TBDukCYXSpina-PlwjUTro0JvDIWYzsvmMN_oFTg/s1600/IMG_2733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1580" data-original-width="1600" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJfkau7KUnp8DDBARKbJwGm96h-6u5IEPCb3_ddgrUDFrDJ-V3mQASigCh403pWV8m8FT4Kl-UYpu7_9UMOJEtFq66hlguuD4SB0TBDukCYXSpina-PlwjUTro0JvDIWYzsvmMN_oFTg/s400/IMG_2733.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But back to the flower problem before I go apoplectic over the tooth situation, of which I'll find out the damage during my 7:40 a.m. appointment tomorrow morning.<br />
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Let me explain. About the flowers.<br />
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The flowers I used are called Mini Dendrobium. Kind of an Orchid. I bought them because I'd seen this corsage on pinterest and fallen in love with it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujmQFuswE4RAeqfP3ZpaKZGte1_QHeJaRnPpFfmLgAmsCbQhL9B6VvwVuUp890eEe4mAhYBSeIzaF8BKX1Z0-vZyPow0MuU7V3i-clLS6GLAzI7KjvyWkaQo4piPmo5A5AJ_a0togxfc/s1600/de10660fb00b8ef27db7bfc21c6c3686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="563" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujmQFuswE4RAeqfP3ZpaKZGte1_QHeJaRnPpFfmLgAmsCbQhL9B6VvwVuUp890eEe4mAhYBSeIzaF8BKX1Z0-vZyPow0MuU7V3i-clLS6GLAzI7KjvyWkaQo4piPmo5A5AJ_a0togxfc/s320/de10660fb00b8ef27db7bfc21c6c3686.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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I wanted to use similar flowers but couldn't figure out what they were. A friend of mine who works for a florist helped me look and the closest she came were the Dendrobium.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwNjETnfVGd43oFuFU2MIvhRDSNi0nqUDbireu454V3qxsG9WzCppSXp6TltiEwHfz_Mg3eSbpM5kd753dqga9gBpJmYe403gxyk7dJSeKFJ8bDJ1wWUCq7C5TkGOTNnIqflC3eAtGx0/s1600/61tED%252Bc2NOL._AC_SL1200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="879" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwNjETnfVGd43oFuFU2MIvhRDSNi0nqUDbireu454V3qxsG9WzCppSXp6TltiEwHfz_Mg3eSbpM5kd753dqga9gBpJmYe403gxyk7dJSeKFJ8bDJ1wWUCq7C5TkGOTNnIqflC3eAtGx0/s320/61tED%252Bc2NOL._AC_SL1200_.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
I thought they'd be perfect! Until I saw the price. 40 bucks with tax. But hey...free delivery!!<br />
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Wait. Just kidding. It DID give me pause. But I justified it by thinking I hadn't spent anything so far AND it counted as a wedding gift AND since I WAS going to duck out of going at the last minute (no one knew that yet...I'm just not really big on social activities. I'd like them a lot better if not for the whole "people" aspect of them) then 40 bucks wasn't really that big of a deal. Although, it's kind of sad to see the Dendrobium now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrQC79mcnNRHPaOO2FH30y9hCEyMxI5z5_a1td5Grk4LkZWN4oQB0Oeuw7po4OcjE-rXd5hZ5qIxX7VKOiaWQHPqeulWAtAl-kwW1cf9XDIu0ISohAA6vIYgTbhnTmnH60uV_PV4zRUc/s1600/IMG_2727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="762" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrQC79mcnNRHPaOO2FH30y9hCEyMxI5z5_a1td5Grk4LkZWN4oQB0Oeuw7po4OcjE-rXd5hZ5qIxX7VKOiaWQHPqeulWAtAl-kwW1cf9XDIu0ISohAA6vIYgTbhnTmnH60uV_PV4zRUc/s320/IMG_2727.jpg" width="152" /></a></div>
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(I made sure to shoot it in the portrait filter so the empty, green limb isn't as prominent and the fact there are only 4 blooms left isn't too obvious.)<br />
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This is the first-and probably last-bridal contribution I'll make. Unless there's money involved. Quite a bit of money.Their money. NOT mine.<br />
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The 40 bucks really seemed to be a great deal for me. Normally, I'm not one to really find great deals like many of my friends. It's really rare I stumble on a real find. So, to get out of a wedding gift for only 40 bucks seemed pretty decent for me. Until the tooth. So, I hope the couple appreciates my 2k wedding gift. It's certainly the most expensive I've ever given. Okay...I'll stop being snarky. I'll just deal with it and have it fixed.<br />
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But I can guarantee that it won't be the mother's who are the only ones crying over this wedding.<br />
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papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-39069951547785727282020-03-18T13:10:00.001-04:002020-03-18T13:10:33.493-04:00A Stamp-n-Storage Junkie Comes Clean<div style="text-align: center;">
It was bound to happen at some point.</div>
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Crafters have a need...a deep-seated, gnawing desire for organization. </div>
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We want it...we crave it...we have to have it. Yet, when it comes time to choose between an ink pad holder and a new set of ink pads, well, we can't help ourselves. Product over product placement, almost every time.</div>
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Until the scale tilts just a little too much and you've had it. You need SOMETHING. Just one or two things to hold the *&%^&^ paper and pens. Just to keep them organized and near to hand. So you start searching. And in my case, 8 years ago, I stumbled on a company that was just starting up, who made simply awesome products out of wood. Some guy in Minnesota, whose wife happened to be a stamper and put him to work making storage systems for her craft room when he got home from work.</div>
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On a side note, she could make a fortune with seminars titled "How to tell your husband to do something in a way in which he does it. Immediately."</div>
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THAT'S a few million just WAITING to be made, people.</div>
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I'm kidding, of course.</div>
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I liked these people because they made high-quality product for really good prices. And they're people who stand behind what they make. They're also people of faith. I like them and their company. A lot.</div>
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So, I became an Ambassador! That's where I say lots of nice things about them that are all true and tell you that you should get your butt in gear and buy their products and make your life easier while protecting your investment. This is also true. Just use my link if you do. That way, I earn a percentage that I use to buy more SNS. I haven't earned a dime yet, but feel free to be the first to help me do so!</div>
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All right...let's go! </div>
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I'm in the process of redoing this wreck of a craft room. Here's one side that's in pretty good shape. My pano isn't so bad either.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpvHho41RjA07JuqSR2IkXndqmXeQFqc6LTg3u4NTyuN3CgkEQXa90MDU-2orhbomx_JsHlL7BgjzosC3dwHKIbESVT_tg6fol0HKCjygOYFiaroypQQXR1Dl6IJ_l2PxvpLHgcG2KTs/s1600/IMG_2744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1600" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpvHho41RjA07JuqSR2IkXndqmXeQFqc6LTg3u4NTyuN3CgkEQXa90MDU-2orhbomx_JsHlL7BgjzosC3dwHKIbESVT_tg6fol0HKCjygOYFiaroypQQXR1Dl6IJ_l2PxvpLHgcG2KTs/s640/IMG_2744.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm going to have to walk the dog in a bit and want to post this so I'll come back in a bit and identify everything...I promise! But for now, I'm going to give you pics and basic explanations.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzzQRAc2dPvwUMDXsPOrCvSKDtGrMB-eujiEN0peGxj4usa-UDvAMkEX722FHak8AKDt6s_CQmfcCNKGasmGGhIFsppj7_vcr_ISgVsFjZ4jMzwYZPKh-XnPZTQ3sVCEYF3mab5O9nJw/s1600/IMG_2745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1503" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzzQRAc2dPvwUMDXsPOrCvSKDtGrMB-eujiEN0peGxj4usa-UDvAMkEX722FHak8AKDt6s_CQmfcCNKGasmGGhIFsppj7_vcr_ISgVsFjZ4jMzwYZPKh-XnPZTQ3sVCEYF3mab5O9nJw/s320/IMG_2745.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Still shots left to right on the pano</div>
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Tim Holtz Distress Pad/Reinker/Marker Holder also for Dioxides Also regular inkpad holder. Two types punch holders. Also just got the awesome little holder for alcohol inks and reinkers on the desk.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFSPUuo35uPChHtyakN5X5Y56NU_TEAG_5MAwq71aIsrFu79KKJf6szvRANIX8qwSsCSjTdQg-38C59Dc6VvWNLKaMURVkvzq5saenQrbZyw4WX-G4kZEahnhX5X96CNZWa2cGAx90ks/s1600/IMG_2747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFSPUuo35uPChHtyakN5X5Y56NU_TEAG_5MAwq71aIsrFu79KKJf6szvRANIX8qwSsCSjTdQg-38C59Dc6VvWNLKaMURVkvzq5saenQrbZyw4WX-G4kZEahnhX5X96CNZWa2cGAx90ks/s400/IMG_2747.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Another punch holder and one of two 6 drawer sets. One of many shelves I have from SNS. This is a smaller one and a bigger one is to the right</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKSZwnuNrxlc8E2QrY3l8UxA2AyNG6VKyj1gwlwe3_Hd2XQEItzEDv1K7RhGZA0fwVvuGcnxfvW7lohPCwESs6oWpiC1Vn7ytJFyYkblMXQEp0kksmRRHIhJMH13UKtTLJwhnLKSp7p0/s1600/IMG_2748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1411" data-original-width="1549" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKSZwnuNrxlc8E2QrY3l8UxA2AyNG6VKyj1gwlwe3_Hd2XQEItzEDv1K7RhGZA0fwVvuGcnxfvW7lohPCwESs6oWpiC1Vn7ytJFyYkblMXQEp0kksmRRHIhJMH13UKtTLJwhnLKSp7p0/s320/IMG_2748.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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ANOTHER punch holder but this is how I make my flowers! I LOVE my Mcgill punches!!</div>
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NOW...the OTHER side of the room...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitA3IEXmyZmKz5GDQD40CZBLITVANQ-2nGsrzNYi6mS3NSEJnXuGjRoh8GVeknikVZYqkKxfxJ_WlZPFfkd9WUe_1JWtAbV3kFQO5l_O4tVzU0NipLf1Yb0r9LDjgpdaYd4UtbFDo8kW0/s1600/IMG_2740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitA3IEXmyZmKz5GDQD40CZBLITVANQ-2nGsrzNYi6mS3NSEJnXuGjRoh8GVeknikVZYqkKxfxJ_WlZPFfkd9WUe_1JWtAbV3kFQO5l_O4tVzU0NipLf1Yb0r9LDjgpdaYd4UtbFDo8kW0/s640/IMG_2740.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Just had large shelves put in to replace space eating bookcases. I'm waiting on a third 8-1/2 x 11 paper holder with 15 slots instead of 12. They just started offering this after I purchased these two or I would've ordered them! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7COSTEBoCJ4A5Zgruf11hPKF-L_ugxjJ326NDfZEYkl0xa4aPhOaTPcmDF_ZlDbP4cfu6Y4HIcCiN5ALcn87shANIIPY0WMT3L5XvHMcXmU6iWjRoJNFTwAhuaMnl4M3_qSovQxJvtsc/s1600/IMG_2753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7COSTEBoCJ4A5Zgruf11hPKF-L_ugxjJ326NDfZEYkl0xa4aPhOaTPcmDF_ZlDbP4cfu6Y4HIcCiN5ALcn87shANIIPY0WMT3L5XvHMcXmU6iWjRoJNFTwAhuaMnl4M3_qSovQxJvtsc/s320/IMG_2753.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Embossing folder holder</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AqcZL_qqWyesN6UMHSmb5iotymX-ogfYmcBs56ahdAEi_aYbb4XEcBPIC7ZN1dDHtaegy7B3JPw-gPKAXDO1xYruQK6pUPxv3agxu1crzKwZj9BFEkrEajm5g6Ium7uCLXMB3gcBq6k/s1600/IMG_2754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="938" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AqcZL_qqWyesN6UMHSmb5iotymX-ogfYmcBs56ahdAEi_aYbb4XEcBPIC7ZN1dDHtaegy7B3JPw-gPKAXDO1xYruQK6pUPxv3agxu1crzKwZj9BFEkrEajm5g6Ium7uCLXMB3gcBq6k/s640/IMG_2754.jpg" width="374" /></a></div>
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I have two diecut holders I'm reorganizing. I use SNS magnet cards too. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqDsjpB7ox_WHOU5fRvAKdNbx_kSL5eoTVpdqxxYfqy3CMcZBxWFiAQ_hBc7Vwb8G7OuUp95cOqKtIf5W6iwHc2u3Cdp91l5w_7tUGlPzH69w5r6YUZDNAcx6w7fh7LE8Fxb4CkMq228/s1600/IMG_2752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqDsjpB7ox_WHOU5fRvAKdNbx_kSL5eoTVpdqxxYfqy3CMcZBxWFiAQ_hBc7Vwb8G7OuUp95cOqKtIf5W6iwHc2u3Cdp91l5w_7tUGlPzH69w5r6YUZDNAcx6w7fh7LE8Fxb4CkMq228/s320/IMG_2752.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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NOW...I JUST GOT THIS AND I"M SO EXCITED!!! Since starting with Technique Junkies, I'm already drowning in stamps. Nice problem to have, but still need a way to file them in a way I'm not running out of space, right?? Well, here ya go!</div>
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SNS has stamp storage cards and stamp cards. You take the stamp card and peel off one protected side. You can fill both sides using poly stamps or one side with rubber stamps.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSljRZFYEtX2RCvYWRgBskboetk2-bmYKZFESYfoB50bfe4rC3kPB4lknEKrkmxzniHO767YH9gg7aslJQvlCukjYfeTvIvopi0kmZJv3szyjhWrVJVr6mneHWPyIrZT1HJ0q5DmFjjbQ/s1600/IMG_2755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSljRZFYEtX2RCvYWRgBskboetk2-bmYKZFESYfoB50bfe4rC3kPB4lknEKrkmxzniHO767YH9gg7aslJQvlCukjYfeTvIvopi0kmZJv3szyjhWrVJVr6mneHWPyIrZT1HJ0q5DmFjjbQ/s320/IMG_2755.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAIu5fbifph4gAdtM93c4CH3lZxt5g2gBF9mFmsSXfxDz3BlmrQ1D4V2sLfWORB2bhy9LqBQJjLgqJxAiXaKAknBEAPZhD18Pw9CjueYa614nY1O3vrRVRXLwYP0m5aETAS-zx05X0cQ/s1600/IMG_2756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAIu5fbifph4gAdtM93c4CH3lZxt5g2gBF9mFmsSXfxDz3BlmrQ1D4V2sLfWORB2bhy9LqBQJjLgqJxAiXaKAknBEAPZhD18Pw9CjueYa614nY1O3vrRVRXLwYP0m5aETAS-zx05X0cQ/s320/IMG_2756.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Naturally, I'd put another sentiment stamp next to these because there's more than enough space left on this side. But, afterwards, I take the pics of the stamps (because i can NEVER figure out what a stamp is) and put it in the back of the stamp folder with the stamp card.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWxE7jdtEjpgTmWd5yR8hyi1qo0BxAv0stWk2thM7JALww0ZbW9ygg1IXGQ53y_HzzyhBq82PRm8Elom7_jjGQK58115IcHz826l1S_z1_eUySJWD8SfyFbMCkC6ggGZBzpYlL1OXKII/s1600/IMG_2757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWxE7jdtEjpgTmWd5yR8hyi1qo0BxAv0stWk2thM7JALww0ZbW9ygg1IXGQ53y_HzzyhBq82PRm8Elom7_jjGQK58115IcHz826l1S_z1_eUySJWD8SfyFbMCkC6ggGZBzpYlL1OXKII/s320/IMG_2757.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqCZ1y-rJfCuWC6SLKGcRe3bUmxRrajJyaZQZBgFF3mbu8djygTcfI5quqMvod5ephr8vgmmj5G57zTJZuQmTLTDNQgLJUP3-F4ZDvEyoyTS_pdV7eREv9zy4YsKcfeiqEGXyW-Pi3EQ/s1600/IMG_2758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqCZ1y-rJfCuWC6SLKGcRe3bUmxRrajJyaZQZBgFF3mbu8djygTcfI5quqMvod5ephr8vgmmj5G57zTJZuQmTLTDNQgLJUP3-F4ZDvEyoyTS_pdV7eREv9zy4YsKcfeiqEGXyW-Pi3EQ/s320/IMG_2758.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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For the tab at the top, you purchase these Avery labels. I bought 2000 for 9 bucks from Amazon</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ex2Ww6R4wzlMjiQxxIviHF5JfeE33oUkZ2t82iRrAVGHwti6WZ_XJS1HpSsc0OBvMybSh_JCw2iR08t1d-IjTYY1hx2WDSCqgIlLG5YksI0HVBjrHm_ft-66OGF9U5omkcdtJbbA3u0/s1600/IMG_2760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ex2Ww6R4wzlMjiQxxIviHF5JfeE33oUkZ2t82iRrAVGHwti6WZ_XJS1HpSsc0OBvMybSh_JCw2iR08t1d-IjTYY1hx2WDSCqgIlLG5YksI0HVBjrHm_ft-66OGF9U5omkcdtJbbA3u0/s320/IMG_2760.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Then you put the card in the crate. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz012ZUGObnckOgTmHIEmc-hJLtchNYdaLTjoTynUjJSnkO2S8U1H7VsdEeVl-8bkU7aVj_7xftZxH_CV_aHH2GI85wB_Vgy0Ld_h7alAcGgPP07UaYiU0G62llpYB8uvCh74ijb7LJd8/s1600/IMG_2759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz012ZUGObnckOgTmHIEmc-hJLtchNYdaLTjoTynUjJSnkO2S8U1H7VsdEeVl-8bkU7aVj_7xftZxH_CV_aHH2GI85wB_Vgy0Ld_h7alAcGgPP07UaYiU0G62llpYB8uvCh74ijb7LJd8/s320/IMG_2759.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The crate holds 100 of these!!!! WOOT WOOT!! </div>
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Granted, it'll take time to get it together. But when I'm not feeling creative, this is what I do. And it makes me feel a LOT better to find stuff when I need it. At some point, I'll tell you the true story of how I ended up losing over a hundred bucks worth of merchandise, which was the catalyst to my looking for-and finding-SNS.</div>
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So, my friends...that's my story...now, click away!!! </div>
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papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-7656977924699495152020-03-16T18:43:00.002-04:002020-03-16T18:43:48.289-04:00More March NEW RELEASE Fun-Bandanna Mandalas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.papercraftgoddess.com/"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUJQv1Nd38e8zy038_zdTiVntPCm0GGercOTGE6PBmzWMONUMtReXFKaZgyrygchq3oxc0nbkzsCxAl5iCLLN7go1EFJ654w_PgwnY3uT1Sh8Eo6siF5zd97Bt7NzqBPExkkmUcr4OqZN/s400/IMG_2605.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hello everyone! </div>
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It's Carmen and it's my turn to feature one of our new release stamps for March!</div>
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<a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/bandanna-background/">Bandannas</a>! I LOVE this stamp! </div>
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I was a little intimidated because it was so bold and gorgeous that I knew I wanted to make it shine by itself but couldn't figure out what to do with it. Then, I remembered a cool technique I learned from watching a youtube video from many months ago. For the LIFE of me I can't find it again...I had to use a small canvas I'd made as a guide. But all you need are the following:<br />
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1-A regular pencil (with an unused eraser)<br />
2-A fat pencil with an unused eraser (think pencils for kids beginning to write)<br />
3-Small, round dowel (I used a 1/8)<br />
4-A tiny tool to make a dot. I used a flower shaping tool but you can use a stylus<br />
5-Acrylic Paint and some metallic paint<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUf2GMe7CV6VH2T7HcWmGpL577oLkrL8Tfsd1Tg1iZdAPQdCGrr1qKqooI_FLPbRoxuTYooAMivqVmZ6OaDWkkvrvIHXFhyphenhyphenDxJAqCzjxSNJNKPcarhyphenhyphenDcuHS-XzpxoBsiGbFl3TXEscnwa/s1600/A68C49E8-2917-42D2-9701-E790E59073B2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1492" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUf2GMe7CV6VH2T7HcWmGpL577oLkrL8Tfsd1Tg1iZdAPQdCGrr1qKqooI_FLPbRoxuTYooAMivqVmZ6OaDWkkvrvIHXFhyphenhyphenDxJAqCzjxSNJNKPcarhyphenhyphenDcuHS-XzpxoBsiGbFl3TXEscnwa/s320/A68C49E8-2917-42D2-9701-E790E59073B2.jpeg" width="298" /></a></div>
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I stamped the image in black on some hot pink cardstock. Then, I simply started dotting. When I finished dotting, I dotted inside the dotting!<br />
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There was a LOT of dotting going on here, people.<br />
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But I really loved the effect. And it truly is VERY easy. Once you do the first one, it's a cakewalk after. I PROMISE!<br />
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I ALSO promise to give you 10% off this stamp purchase or ANYTHING you purchase at <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/">Technique Junkies</a>! Just type in TJCarmen10 in the coupon code when you checkout and it's all yours, baby!<br />
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Go ahead...try the mandala art! You'll be shocked at how good you are on your FIRST attempt! That's another promise!<br />
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Enjoy stamping!</div>
papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-31656404680560449762020-03-06T20:31:00.000-05:002020-03-06T20:31:13.878-05:00Vintage Imagery ATC Swaps-Carousel ATC Coins & Altered Bingo Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Mc3qhv-gGHG0q9a-KU_9Xh2sj5e6FtyT8HMCrP0jz2S5XkOIDsqNZkaHO8vinc_QonMhpOEPad4tt0yoTV1cAq1DoVRxnwljFYgggdxEHgrzGMvZRd78bYo-KJj9oA2rBCEJB8Oseq0/s1600/IMG_2644+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1498" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Mc3qhv-gGHG0q9a-KU_9Xh2sj5e6FtyT8HMCrP0jz2S5XkOIDsqNZkaHO8vinc_QonMhpOEPad4tt0yoTV1cAq1DoVRxnwljFYgggdxEHgrzGMvZRd78bYo-KJj9oA2rBCEJB8Oseq0/s400/IMG_2644+%25281%2529.jpg" width="373" /></a></div>
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Allow me to begin with simply describing the work. Then, I will proceed directly to the nervous breakdown I've promised myself and scheduled for this evening. I will not pass Go. I will, however, collect 200+ dollars. </div>
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Preferably from the marital unit.</div>
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But first things first.</div>
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We have an ATC swap group on <a href="http://www.swap-bot.com/">swap-bot</a> named Vintage Imagery ATC's. Swap-bot has tons of groups and swaps and accounts are free...we'd love to have you join or just go and have a good time on the site! </div>
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For both swaps we created two pieces to mail to two partners. The first swap was for ATC coins with the theme of "Carousel". </div>
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Naturally, I'm not content until it takes me 12 hours...yes...12 HOURS to finish both. </div>
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Well, off and on. Mind you, I took numerous breaks to yell at the dog/boys/marital unit and to eat my way through a warehouse sized box of various mini cereals because, let's face it...TWO of those tiny things are barely a regular bowl. For me. Whatever. Don't judge.</div>
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ATC coins are 2.5 inches. I cut another circle in half to form the slanted top and topped it with Dresden scrap along with rhinestones I colored with neon Sharpies and a vintage Limoges porcelain pendant on the top of each one. I also cut a dowel and glued beads on top and bottom to make the pole. </div>
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The marital unit wandered in to read over my shoulder and began to make a joke about a "stripper pole". To his credit, however, for once he correctly interpreted my withering glance that clearly said "I don't care that you know about stripper poles because you're a (non-active duty) Marine and you probably spent your youth training for ground assaults and obtaining expertise in the engineering of said poles, but don't forget that I rarely find the funny things you say even mildly amusing, so it's best you keep it to yourself and vacate the area that is my immediate presence at once because I'm tired and NOT in the mood to fake even a slight smile tonight."</div>
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HEY PEOPLE...DON'T THINK I DON'T KNOW WHAT JUST WENT THROUGH YOUR HEADS AS YOU READ THE LAST SENTENCE. JUST ASSUME I'M SENDING YOU THE EXACT SAME WITHERING GLANCE AND MESSAGE WITH ONLY A SLIGHT CHANGE IN VERBIAGE. </div>
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Alright, now that everyone has been scolded, we shall take our new, somber demeanor and move on to the altered bingo cards.</div>
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This was my first attempt at these. The trick is to not cover up the entire card. For whatever reason, I saw an Alice in Wonderland theme. I used nesting dies to cut the holes, collage papers I'd purchased and printed out, along with my mortal enemy: Flower Soft.</div>
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I hate that stuff. I only resorted to it because I was too tired to make flowers after the effort I'd put into the cards thus far. Call me lazy...whatever. But I'd just wrestled with Dresden scrap that I'd glued around the edges to hide the big gaps created by the rabbit holes. Judging by the end result, I probably should've left the gaps. </div>
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Normally, when we do swaps, we include little little gifts that can be used for ATC's. Papers, beads, scraps...that sort of thing.</div>
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So, I really loaded the gifts on these. Hopefully, my largesse will blind them to the reality of crappy edging. </div>
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Alright. I've reached the end and NOW I'm too TIRED, not to mention too LATE for the nervous breakdown I'd scheduled! I'd put it on the calendar for tomorrow but my weekend is booked! I have a doctor's appointment on Monday and something on Tuesday, it looks like. So the earliest I can reschedule it is Wednesday. I totally blame the Marital Unit for this. </div>
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Why? Because I can. It's my right. It was in my marriage vows and it's also in the Bible. At least that's the way I remember it. This is clearly his fault. And he will pay dearly for it.</div>
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Oh look! There just happens to be a Lego convention tomorrow and my HFA (high-functioning autistic) kid LOVES Legos! He'll be bouncing off the walls! He'll insist on arriving the moment the doors open, then he'll be running full-speed from place to place and refusing to leave until close. </div>
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Well, my work here is done. Hope you enjoyed your stay and I'm sorry I'm giving you such an abrupt sendoff but that's just how it is, sometimes. Right now, I have more important and timely things to do.</div>
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Namely buying a pair of tickets and hiding a set of golf clubs.</div>
papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-74577187902014481892020-03-05T17:45:00.002-05:002020-03-05T17:45:57.665-05:00Technique Junkies NEW RELEASE Watercolor Jewelry from Stamps!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLRtp5Y8k_3VdQI71cgotFSWIGsyVYrATHCyRKOXyjXotSY0mD4Q_XbNGXFWRI4qCUeSso-3eAn-NcYeymx0VmoM3_pQQOGxSGZIReZpc9F-nTW4rRmjasWcTjnnjakX3kZF4qr-ssRE/s1600/IMG_2590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1346" data-original-width="1162" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLRtp5Y8k_3VdQI71cgotFSWIGsyVYrATHCyRKOXyjXotSY0mD4Q_XbNGXFWRI4qCUeSso-3eAn-NcYeymx0VmoM3_pQQOGxSGZIReZpc9F-nTW4rRmjasWcTjnnjakX3kZF4qr-ssRE/s400/IMG_2590.jpg" width="345" /></a></div>
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Well, this one was DEFINITELY a first for me.</div>
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The idea to do this actually came from a box of junk jewelry.</div>
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In it, there was a handmade pin. It was a piece of purple velvet that someone had stamped with a pansy, glued it to a fragment of broken acrylic and surrounded with Dresden scrap. Then they glued a pin to the back. </div>
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I'd already stamped <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/">Technique Junkies New Release</a> stamp <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/old-fashioned-roses/">Old Fashioned Roses</a> and embossed with gold powder and begun to watercolor. </div>
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After coloring the large rose, I caught sight of that piece and that was all she wrote.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgS6QVvzD7F86ZMdcOLyrWG868m10X2xNG8Mjx65OLp8hvajc3t0KZsaJYNYNNzbajPw_FwUVgA7AaqxEDomzs9GjQi3foUo07kHxdX5z8UBc3aB3uWqEP0LjVpytwCVNsHJDYEkr2cY/s1600/IMG_2585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgS6QVvzD7F86ZMdcOLyrWG868m10X2xNG8Mjx65OLp8hvajc3t0KZsaJYNYNNzbajPw_FwUVgA7AaqxEDomzs9GjQi3foUo07kHxdX5z8UBc3aB3uWqEP0LjVpytwCVNsHJDYEkr2cY/s400/IMG_2585.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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You can see where I pulled the old velvet piece on and put a thick coat of glue over the same piece of acrylic and placed my rose on top (after fitting it to the piece and trimming the rose until I got the same fit). I used clothes pins to hold all edges down until it dried. Then, I glued new Dresden scrap around the edge. I let everything dry overnight. The next day, I coated the top with Glossy Accents and it was done.</div>
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Personally, I thought it came out much better than I originally thought. And God knows how rarely THAT happens!</div>
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Don't forget! <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/">Technique Junkies New Releases </a> are 15% off (no code needed!) until March 8th! </div>
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PLUS, if you use my code, you get an EXTRA 10% off the New Releases along with everything else you buy! </div>
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<a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEg2UQWxA4kY0dEmYS4c_0eVYIbfxMF2X9Ur99aMtdiYYMqVV0qdGFmAYl52HJOs60GGkzzbXAQ8kt-r9xJ6vuZbXLHjjWbrue8s02AQSbYz2F-BZvjnW2mb09sWuY3xK3ePiPuG1A2sg/s1600/TJ+Discount+Badge+-+Carmen+%25281%2529.png" /></a></div>
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So go!! Buy, buy, buy!! But don't forget my code! </div>
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papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-64420132830983751852020-03-01T08:00:00.000-05:002020-03-01T11:10:15.681-05:00Technique Junkies MARCH NEW RELEASE!! Eggs, Music Boxes and Jazz Hands!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGvA5xB5wh35fZzOjCbJgdNfvBdS-C2B-WfhOeayssOvCAwKFLzsiCZbxq4wfmLmLbPpF9AG9by3wElYwIm3jgb0og4S_v3WD9ZeuCwzA0IbxSZH0StxhuIeePc9GM0QvkSV07SvFaO0/s1600/IMG_2606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="973" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGvA5xB5wh35fZzOjCbJgdNfvBdS-C2B-WfhOeayssOvCAwKFLzsiCZbxq4wfmLmLbPpF9AG9by3wElYwIm3jgb0og4S_v3WD9ZeuCwzA0IbxSZH0StxhuIeePc9GM0QvkSV07SvFaO0/s640/IMG_2606.jpg" width="389" /></a></div>
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Well, here we are again! It's March 1st and on the first of every month</div>
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you should know I'm ready to celebrate! </div>
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Mostly because another 28-31 days have passed and none of the offspring have wrecked a car, flunked out of a class or been hit with a restraining order. Hey...my general expectations list is small for a very good reason when it comes to 3 y-chromosomes who are in the throes of puberty and secreting odors I have never experienced in my LIFE. Therefore, I say keep those expectations low.</div>
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But the main reason for the celebration is that we throw one Hades of a party at <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Technique Junkies with the NEW RELEASES!!!</b></span></a></div>
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This will be picture-heavy blog and, as always, I urge you to hop your heinies to each of my TJ Design Team sisters and see their creations as well. </div>
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Last thing before we get to it: Now through the 8th you get 15% New Releases AND an additional 10% of them as well! Not to mention an additional 10% off everything in the store if you use my code. <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/cart.php" style="background-color: yellow;"><b>TJ10Carmen</b> </a> Your 15% on New Releases come off automatically. But NO 10% for you if you don't use my code!! </div>
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After the tutorial, I'm adding my Diary of a Desperate Housewife "Spring Easter Play" for your pleasure. Now, lets go!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Zh9Lh7g-FpvdUglb7TKpbv6rEx9E6S2PwKg66F0AbXigyS3FzMpwhIRYjueTGHBiG2NYEAhzGLeH6BnjWPcyiAtzAUpc6nI-e3iUqKzRcqRheb02gWRVIOkhscHinvUBKBUOpFc9nu8/s1600/IMG_2614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1204" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Zh9Lh7g-FpvdUglb7TKpbv6rEx9E6S2PwKg66F0AbXigyS3FzMpwhIRYjueTGHBiG2NYEAhzGLeH6BnjWPcyiAtzAUpc6nI-e3iUqKzRcqRheb02gWRVIOkhscHinvUBKBUOpFc9nu8/s640/IMG_2614.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is the second egg I've made but the first with a music box attached. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN0k2VKtBsn1A15y6TKKORIHLJGDcN5e4s8e9AYTfa0jkP6FUZlRYMQ6_tyPhZ5HqaHUvCc-wsJZOVLOIpQLNNekjDI5v6dd9cWtpXfLlyRPuIiJu-rdmUrAjS5FliTylzpsZkHQgBQw/s1600/IMG_2618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="865" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN0k2VKtBsn1A15y6TKKORIHLJGDcN5e4s8e9AYTfa0jkP6FUZlRYMQ6_tyPhZ5HqaHUvCc-wsJZOVLOIpQLNNekjDI5v6dd9cWtpXfLlyRPuIiJu-rdmUrAjS5FliTylzpsZkHQgBQw/s640/IMG_2618.jpg" width="344" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-_lM57OPWgka-tjNUX40XDjbNFIXkalrdM-ahQyRnbnfFPK3wozZBI1_aO_fBZO8yYAEiWeXpcFQYsuKwDVLtB3aAlaNY1lrj8kUy6XPMkRIk-mDC1ydsTD9z1S4Xna_XnF6ODEhFPk/s1600/IMG_2634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1559" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-_lM57OPWgka-tjNUX40XDjbNFIXkalrdM-ahQyRnbnfFPK3wozZBI1_aO_fBZO8yYAEiWeXpcFQYsuKwDVLtB3aAlaNY1lrj8kUy6XPMkRIk-mDC1ydsTD9z1S4Xna_XnF6ODEhFPk/s320/IMG_2634.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAawYpvBgfL-Bj99Clf138s81JosmaSslc4BzI_uSg8VHWZWOW79jSuEpy9_YG2shLFlXtxZ1QtPdix9ufDmGdqhoRShWmGD1M8DfYS2bFCgwCOxJdAx2FiV7mDD1d34Ush4VsfE3QaNQ/s1600/IMG_2576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAawYpvBgfL-Bj99Clf138s81JosmaSslc4BzI_uSg8VHWZWOW79jSuEpy9_YG2shLFlXtxZ1QtPdix9ufDmGdqhoRShWmGD1M8DfYS2bFCgwCOxJdAx2FiV7mDD1d34Ush4VsfE3QaNQ/s400/IMG_2576.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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You can purchase the paper mache' eggs fairly cheap at Hobby Lobby. I also grab lots of their pearls and sparkly things when they're on sale as well. The gold <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=hot+off+the+press+dazzles+stickers&crid=1855C0E7ANU2Z&sprefix=hot+off+the+press+daz%2Caps%2C162&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_21">Dazzlers</a> I had to order online. This whole idea came from one of the stamps I watercolored from Technique Junkies New Release stamp <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/old-fashioned-roses/?fbclid=IwAR0oAtNs4A29bYgfdkA4PsvmJrkJoe4S1FesnSudVrciMbOQNTgsAnQLJoU" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: red;">Old Fashioned Roses </span></a><b> (Remember...15% off automatically through the 8th with an additional 10% off using my code </b><span style="color: #0000ee;"><b><u style="background-color: yellow;">TJ10Carmen</u></b></span><b> through the 8th).</b><br />
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Using a rubber band to mark a center line, I cut the egg in half. I painted the inside with gold acrylic paint and used a bright, sparkly blue embossing powder for the outside.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHIFRirls9uPzqdSIENwfl1gSr6cNuIF0L3Uv2s8P1sMvOjznb1ekruVCNzJ8-gZ7Wx03DWyvXXIV5VX77Jjh9wVDWB42hXeQzCxK0eFZkWftCjR7fSI7pkdBvwwKmFYKNdhRJI3XgiY/s1600/IMG_2584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHIFRirls9uPzqdSIENwfl1gSr6cNuIF0L3Uv2s8P1sMvOjznb1ekruVCNzJ8-gZ7Wx03DWyvXXIV5VX77Jjh9wVDWB42hXeQzCxK0eFZkWftCjR7fSI7pkdBvwwKmFYKNdhRJI3XgiY/s400/IMG_2584.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYRId5rN0TVOhyphenhyphenISTpJi6FuiHwmkw4oHKOGyUIktWFwmIoT4w3tGp3yWU_mkN5QY8e4t40mvxBdQtNdewhXSENl0NnPQ7NS7BCzipWZ4Y8MX4CDKK_NaneyiD4wWG1yGyHUW3XF05DyY/s1600/IMG_2583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYRId5rN0TVOhyphenhyphenISTpJi6FuiHwmkw4oHKOGyUIktWFwmIoT4w3tGp3yWU_mkN5QY8e4t40mvxBdQtNdewhXSENl0NnPQ7NS7BCzipWZ4Y8MX4CDKK_NaneyiD4wWG1yGyHUW3XF05DyY/s400/IMG_2583.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The little music boxes can be found <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=music+box+components&crid=3RK7L4ZCPGF38&sprefix=music+box+com%2Caps%2C165&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_13">everywhere</a> I took half the white plastic off, unscrewed the key and then took a sturdy chipboard piece to attach to the top. I made a little stand for the water colored rose pin (that tutorial and full project coming up VERY soon!) which I'll attach. Then you can remove the pin and wind the box. Mechanically, I could've moved the key elsewhere but liked the placement here. Using a cheap, wooden stand from Hobby Lobby that I pained gold and used pearl and crystal stickers, I cemented the egg and it was ready to go.</div>
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Oh...and the song?</div>
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"I Never Promised You a Rose Garden".</div>
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Now, time to get hopping! Here are the designs and creations from the rest of the TJ Design Team! And don't forget...<b><a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/march-2020-new-stamp-release/">15% off New Releases</a> (No code needed!) </b> until the 8th with an additional 10% off with my code <span style="background-color: yellow;"><a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/cart.php">TJ10Carmen</a>.</span> (<b>Code needed</b>)</div>
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<a href="https://techniquejunkies.blogspot.com/2020/03/technique-junkies-march-release-and.html">Technique Junkies Blog</a> </div>
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<a href="https://patstamps.blogspot.com/2020/03/march-new-stamp-release-celebration.html">Pat Huntoon </a></div>
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<a href="https://www.sunflowers-dragonflies.ca/blog/63025/technique-junkie%E2%80%A6ch-new-release-2/%E2%80%8E">Beth Norman-Roberts </a></div>
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<a href="https://simplybeautifulcreations.blogspot.com/2020/03/technique-junkies-stamps-march-release.html">Ceal Pritchett </a></div>
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<a href="https://giovana-believe.blogspot.com/2020/03/technique-junkies-march-release.html">Giovana Smith</a> </div>
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<a href="https://glitterstampsandink.blogspot.com/2020/03/march-2020-technique-junkies-stamp.html">Holly Brown </a> </div>
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<a href="https://inkypaws.splitcoaststampers.com/2020/03/01/tjmarch2020/">Jeanne Streiff </a></div>
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<a href="https://judysstampart.blogspot.com/2020/03/marvelous-march-marvelous-new-stamps.html">Judy Jackson </a></div>
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<a href="https://rodonner.blogspot.com/2020/03/new-stamps-from-technique-junkies-happy.html">Ro Donner </a> </div>
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<a href="https://paperartscafe.blogspot.com/2020/03/technique-junkies-march-2020-stamp.html">Lynda Pleckan</a> </div>
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<a href="https://cherisheachpreciousday.blogspot.com/2020/03/technique-junkies-new-release-blog-hop.html">Patti Gilliam</a> </div>
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<a href="https://myheartspleasure.wordpress.com/?p=1038">Ginger Pelfrey </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><u>Diary of a Desperate Housewife</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Spring.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s a time </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">of rebirth and renewal.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">That is, </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">unless you happen to be me and stuck with your Kid’s first grade spring</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">recital.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"> It began with a phone call.</span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">“I’m so </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">glad I caught you at home.” The familiar, patronizing voice oozed from the</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">receiver. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“No habla
ingles.” I said, desperately.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“You are so funny.” Ms. Parisi said in a voice that let
me know I was in no way amusing to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ms. Parisi
was the Kid’s teacher and had been for the last two years. She loathed me and
was so professional in making me feel incompetent, I knew her management
position would be safe even if the Devil <i>did</i>
decide to downsize Hell. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“We need a
parent to coordinate the spring recital.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Uh, I
really don’t know anything about stuff like that. Really.” I tried to keep the
panic out of my voice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ms. Parisi
ignored me. “We need you to put together the play. The other volunteers will
meet you this afternoon at three.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> .................................</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I
arrived, the other parents were staring at me accusingly.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Hi, any
ideas for the play?” I said, in what I hoped was a calm voice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">There was a mutinous muttering but I made sure not to look them directly in the eyes so</span><span style="font-size: 17px; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">certain tragedy, probably involving dismemberment, was temporarily avoided.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One mother
finally spoke up. “There’s this cute play about an Easter egg trying to find a
basket he belongs to. He’s all sorts of colors so the blue eggs don’t want him
and neither do the red. In the end, he realizes how unique he is and how much
he has in common with everyone. It’s all about learning to be happy in your own
skin.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of the
other mothers threw her a disgusted look. “Is that skin botoxed? If so, some
people here should be awfully comfortable already.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Okay,
ladies.” I tried to sound firm but friendly. “We have to get a recital going
here. It’s the Easter Egg with the identity issues play. Is everyone in
agreement?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I took
their heavy silence as an affirmative.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I think it
would be cute to have someone dress up as the Easter bunny and hand out treats
before the show.” A woman spoke up from the back. “I’d be glad to do it!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I jumped on
her offer at once, completely ignoring the wide eyes and slight head shakes of
the other parents.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Terrific.
Rehearsal starts tomorrow at three.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I managed
to walk nonchalantly to the door, feeling the weight of their glares. Once
outside, I broke into a run.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">...............</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in; white-space: pre-wrap;">The opening </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in; white-space: pre-wrap;">night of the play found me struggling to refrain from mayhem directed onto my </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in; white-space: pre-wrap;">own offspring.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mommy,</span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in; white-space: pre-wrap;">this play is really stupid.” The Kid tried to put his hands on his hips but was</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">prevented from doing so by the egg costume he wore.</span>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">“Look, Kid. Eddie the Egg is a great play. Well, maybe not great but the dance routine that Karen’s two daddies put together really gives it a spark.” I said, trying to
stuff more newspaper through the Kid’s armpit holes.</span>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“The dance
routine is dumb too. What’re jazz hands, anyway?” He sulked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Look, I
don’t like it anymore than you do and if I’d known my karma would involve my
being roped into this, I certainly would’ve done things a little differently
like donate a kidney or eyeball just for the heck of it. Both would be less
painful than this.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I pushed
the Kid toward his basket and took a final look around. The play was done and I
felt confident I’d finally shown Ms. Parisi that I wasn’t a total waste of
atmosphere. Feeling pretty good about myself in general, I watched as the
Easter Bunny came hopping through the back of the auditorium doors to the
delight of the children in the audience. I had to say the volunteer mom was
doing a great job. She was really getting into it. She hopped, then danced a
bit, tossing candy to the kids as she worked the crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“She’s
great!” I said enthusiastically to two other mothers nearby.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They raised
their eyebrows in unison and stared over my shoulder.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Easter
Bunny was now gyrating and slinging candy at everyone. The candies were hard
and the people who were getting pelted were crying out in pain.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“My eye!”
someone yelled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As if that
were her cue, the Easter Bunny stopped and removed her costume head. Several
children screamed in horror. The screams were followed by moans of disgust as
the Bunny threw up in her basket. Then she replaced her costume head, stumbled
to the nearest seat and collapsed. I could hear her snores from backstage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“That’s
MaryAnn.” One mother said. “She’s supposed to be in rehab but skipped out.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“We <i>tried</i> to tell you.” The other mother
said, accusingly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mercifully,
the parent acting as stage director was on top of things and sprung into
action. The lights went out and the kids took the stage. Half of them spent the
entire play trying to either stuff newspaper back into their costumes or remove
it entirely. The dance number was hit but only because the kids refused to
dance and Karen’s two daddies performed the entire routine on the floor in
front of the stage, jazz hands and all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 17px; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Eddie the
Egg decided to join up with the blue eggs instead of the multi-colored ones
and, halfway through the play, the Bunny woke up and started to sing Barbara
Streisand’s ‘People’.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The
audience sat, frozen. The chaos on stage ground to a halt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Hey, we’re
through. You need to clap.” An angry, red egg yelled at the crowd. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I’m sure
that, at some point, Ms. Parisi took the stage and ‘thanked’ me for my efforts;
I wouldn’t have known. I dragged the Kid out the emergency exit and sped home
where I tossed the Kid, egg costume and all, into bed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“But Mommy,
how am I supposed to sleep like this?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“The same
way I deal with going to sleep with the same man who promised to love and
cherish me forever, then took away my call waiting, which is why I’m in this
state of humiliation. You’ll find a way to cope.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When my
husband came home, I was curled up on the couch in a fetal position and unable
to speak.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He stared
for a moment, sighed and handed me a bag. “I figured. That’s why I brought you
this.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Inside,
there was a chocolate bunny and a bottle of vodka. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now <i>that’s </i>the way to celebrate Spring.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692566498460539545.post-78373561201513972472020-02-16T10:06:00.000-05:002020-02-16T10:06:14.398-05:00A RIOT of Color (with a Little French to Keep it Classy)!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyEO8NUIYNPvGRDX6MmyyLpGoY6Y4O6ovJTwbq562hGEULNrTPJMKcX9o2Juv_RDf1ueLkXqztUOOpW8ZVchsY7kSyC7YW-LSjMl4cJsRXIJvZ-JNMjNHhDE8cVD57srd-M46yBGScAeD/s1600/IMG_2553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyEO8NUIYNPvGRDX6MmyyLpGoY6Y4O6ovJTwbq562hGEULNrTPJMKcX9o2Juv_RDf1ueLkXqztUOOpW8ZVchsY7kSyC7YW-LSjMl4cJsRXIJvZ-JNMjNHhDE8cVD57srd-M46yBGScAeD/s400/IMG_2553.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white;">Made using <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/">Technique Junkies New Release</a> stamp <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/more-fabulous/">More Fabulous</a> and stock stamp <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/french-sentiments-set-of-4/">French Sentiments</a></span>. Alcohol ink panel, embossed sentiment and figure, feathers, white glitter sheet and black backing.</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Good luck averting your eyes from this one, my friends.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I'm not sure if you're forced to stare because of the absolute riot of color (I honestly could NOT come up with any other adjective for this...well, one that would be acceptable <u>here</u>) <i>OR</i> because, as much as you wanted to avert your eyes, you were forced to look (like the whole car accident/rubbernecking thing). </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">You'll excuse me if I choose to believe you're drawn to it because it's...well...fabulously...um....fabulous. Or something.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Ok...look. I don't make many cards. I'm a mixed media/assemblage art girl. And why would I want to make cards? Have you SEEN the talent on this Design Team? Do you think I could possibly compete with these awesome ladies? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">So, the question is why even think about doing cards? The answer is that once in a blue moon, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I start to run low on ideas for projects. The only way to stimulate (more like terrify) my creativity back into action is to fall back on card making. And for whatever reason, making 2-4 cards does the trick and I'm good for a LONG time.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I really wasn't kidding about the "terrify" part. See, I'm one of these people who freak out because there are too many choices when it comes to card making. I have a terrible time mixing layers and textures. Deciding on stamp placement and sentiments and then decorating is something that literally...and I mean <i>literally</i>...takes an entire day. For one card. <b><u>LITERALLY</u></b>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">It's hard enough to make cards when you lack proper design talent. It becomes nigh impossible when your product conspires against you.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Ribbons hate me. They know I can't tie a bow and that I have no idea when to use them or what type to use or what layer to put them under. They plot. Usually with the Sequins or Stickers or other Embellishments. Because those horrid Ribbons know that I actively look for ways to exclude them, they make sure they're tight (pun not intended but it works!) with other card making materials that I might choose in their place.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Except for Paper. The Ribbons and Paper patently ignore each other. My Paper, I suspect, has its own Teamster's Union. But only the Patterned Paper. The Textured Paper has been lobbying for Union representation, but they simply don't have enough to vote it in. Ever since I used the last of the Wood Textured Paper for flooring miniatures and overcame my fear of Burlap Paper (I went on a binge of creating panels for Fall cards) they just haven't had the numbers. The Plain Paper has pretty much just given up. It knows its too easy to replace with Patterned and Textured Paper, so it just sits silently in the corner. Unhelpful, perhaps, but at least not <i>actively</i> working against me.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I won't even get into Flower Soft, which is so subversive and hateful that just getting up my nose and into my hair is never enough. It works its way through the air vents (along with Glitter, with whom it has an on again/off again relationship of terror) but it also clogs up my printer, ruins my glue and infiltrates my ink pads.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Oh...goodness. I have really jumped the tracks here, haven't I? My apologies. Let me get back to card making for a bit.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Here is my second card using the new release stamp <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/advice-from-a-giraffe/">Advice from a Giraffe</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCLZiNMmgQ9fS-gQb4Y1KRWpTsJ4jjOD_MrkzxQst0dovUr2UEl2mXqQnrh7Szg8Rsjnez8YH2UdMzR3VfWJe-vGNpG5ORIk7nLl7vkdBPuMFg95-OZ0qlbzORpxSy-JgIyoilGUmbw8o/s1600/IMG_2426+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1586" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCLZiNMmgQ9fS-gQb4Y1KRWpTsJ4jjOD_MrkzxQst0dovUr2UEl2mXqQnrh7Szg8Rsjnez8YH2UdMzR3VfWJe-vGNpG5ORIk7nLl7vkdBPuMFg95-OZ0qlbzORpxSy-JgIyoilGUmbw8o/s400/IMG_2426+%25282%2529.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I stamped the sentiment over and over on the Graphic 45 Safari paper then embossed it. I triple stamped the giraffe with three different browns, then fussy cut and placed in the exact same place as it is on the stamp using mounting tape. I fussy cut some pieces of the map, along with a border and popped them up as well. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Thanks for hanging in there with me. Seriously. I totally know how you feel. I didn't think it was going to end, either.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">BUT...for your patience and forgiveness, I'm offering you 10% off EVERYTHING on the <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/">Technique Junkies website</a>. That's right...I said it. 10% off EVERYTHING. Just use the code <a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/">TJ10Carmen</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">One more time:</span></div>
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<a href="https://techniquejunkies.com/" style="background-color: white;">TJ10Carmen</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Good to see you again! And watch out for that Flower Soft.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Kk</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Because it would be foolish to believe I'm the <i><b>only</b></i> one it's conspiring against.</span></div>
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papercraftgoddesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15095174364558305740noreply@blogger.com2