PAPERLICIOUS

"Sggchilett fired Tiger"

Oh Christmas Tree.  Not yet, not in my house.

Too busy dealing with the latest Mom event.  For the past year or so my Mom gets panic attacks.  This usually happens when she gets up to walk.  I think she is afraid of falling, breaking a hip and dying.  Just a theory.  These are getting worse, and frankly, have become her biggest health issue.

So her doctor tells her to double her dose of xanax, an anti anxiety drug.   (I'm really NOT happy with this doc).  No more panic attacks.  However, in their place, was a completely schlossed old lady.

Her caretaker called me at work yesterday morning to tell me that my Mom was fast asleep at the kitchen table and had put her hand in the hot bowl of Cream of Wheat.  "What should I do?"  I'm at work (thank the lord).  I have NO idea what to do.  But I'm in charge so I have to give an answer.  She cleans up my Mom and puts my Mom on the phone later that morning.

Me:  Mom, you are drunk with too much xanax.

Mom:  What?

Me: repeat.

Mom:  What?

Me:  repeat

Mom:  "Sggchilett fired Tiger"

Me:  Hangs up phone.

My Mom loves (loved??) Tiger Woods.   Watched him play all the time.  I guess she's upset that Gillette fired him as a spokesman.  Not sure though.

So I took away the pills and gave her a much smaller dose today.  She still seems weird (even for her).  Amazingly, I found an outpatient clinic staffed with board certified shrinks that takes Medicare and she has an appointment for January.

The lady at the clinic asked me if I would be coming in with my Mom. 

Me:  "Are you kidding? My Mom talking to a psychiatrist?  I wouldn't miss this for the world."

This weekend, the tree goes up.

Done, with Digital Help

Ladies and Gentlemen -- I'm thrilled to announce.  Christmas Card '09 is over.  Done. Finished.  Whew. 

And it ended well. I made 9 cards on Saturday, courtesy of LINK DELETED.**  Designed for gift tags, I printed out one sheet and used the tags for cards.  Here are 2 of the cards I made:

Card Construction Details:

1.  Printed out the sheet of tags on SU Whisper White.  Stared at the page for about 3 days.

2.  Cut out the rectangle tags by hand and the circle ones with a scalloped nestability die.

3.  Each of the tags had one thing in common -- a dark burgundy color.  Bingo.  SU Bravo Burgundy -- it has a brown tone that I'm not fond of, but was a perfect match for these tags.  When I thought about the brown tone, I thought about Kraft cardstock.  Double Bingo.  Made 9 A2 cards Kraft cards.

4. The rest is obvious, but in case you care  -- used Fiskars punch for the burgundy strip, a Corner Chomper for the square tags and cards themselves and a white gel pen for accents on the burgundy strip.

5.  I added SU Old Olive eyelets on the green tags and just punched a hole on the blue ones.  Threaded ribbon and tied the ribbon with PTI Rustic Twine. Did some of this while my Mom was at the kitchen table in order to multi task card making with spending time with her. 

6.  Adhered tags with dimensionals.

Mood when done =  Beyond Happy.  Cards are finished.  Let Valentine's Day card making begin!

** I have reason to believe that these tags are very similar to a design that was marketed and sold by another artist.  I realize that most of you saw my original link through Google Reader.  I've chosen to remove the link on my website.    I'm not making any claims, just being careful. 

Sweet Holiday Hugs

It isn't often that I love one of my own creations, but I really like this one. The little gingerbread guys and the small scale pinking edge look so darn cute.  And the red, white and kraft combo is my favorite!

Card Construction Details:

1.  A2 Kraft cardstock from Gina K Designs.  Top notch quality!

2.  Stamped gingerbread from Waltzingmouse Stamps Oven Fresh Gingerbread Joy over piece of kraft cardstock with PTI Palette Pure Poppy ink.  I purchased this ink because the SU Real Red ink looks burgundy on kraft cardstock.  The Pure Poppy stays more true red. However, I'm not a huge fan of the Palette inks -- this one was a bit more smooshy than I like.  On the other hand, Palette inks are perfect for stamping on fabric (the twill ribbon).  Compromises everywhere!

3.  Add white dots with a gel pen and trimmed.

4.  Cut kraft piece with my Mom's sewing pinking shears (she would flip if she knew I had them cutting paper!).

5.  Cut white scrap with pinking shears and lined up and adhered under the kraft piece.

6.  Stamped ribbon with sentiment from same set.

7.  Adhered ribbon, then kraft piece.

8.  Tied ribbon with PTI twine.  Threaded button.  Adhered button with glue dots.

9.   Trimmed ribbon.

10. Went back and trimmed edge of card (right side facing it) so that the entire card would fit into an envelope without smashing the ribbon.  

Mood when done = Super happy!

Pink, Purple, White Festive Frames

I have a quick post this morning as I'm short on time.  I made 3 more cards with Gina K Designs Festive Frames.  The addition of Ranger Glitz Tiara Stickles to the pine cones made them literally pop off the page (if you add enough they pucker up the pine cones).  Copics, etc.

My pictures are not the best -- but I have new photo editing software to work with soon. 

Ok, off to work!  Have a fun day.

Soft Festive Frame

I went back and forth on getting Festive Frame from Gina K Designs.  On the one hand, I loved it.  It's a beautiful and clever way to get a lot of detail on a card without a lot of layers.  And I loved the assortment of sentiments.  On the other hand, I am allergic to the Stamp Ma Jig and couldn't stand the thought of placing the greeting in the center of the frame.  I imagined wasting a lot of paper. 

Light bulb moment.  I cut out the center of the stamp and placed the sentiment on the block with the frame.  Stamping a few times on scrap paper, I could see exactly where the sentiment was.  No Stamp Ma Jig needed.  

Card Construction Details:

1.  Stamped image and sentiment on cream cardstock.

2.  Colored with Copics.

3.  Colored space on outside of frame with a copic.

4.  Added swirls to on top of and underneath sentiment.

5.  Trimmed.  I meant to leave a border of about a 1/4" around the green and black frame but goofed.

6.  Adhered to SU Blush Blossom Cardstock and adhered to cream card.

7.  Added Dew Drops.

8.  Added Judikins Diamond Glaze to berries.

Mood when done = Festive!!

Vintage with a Modern Twist

Ok, so things are bit wacky.  But, they are also looking up!  The issue with my Mom's caretaker has been resolved.  She will return to work today.  That's a bit of a story for another day.  In the meantime, inner turmoil was matched by total chaos in my house.  I spent all of Sunday cleaning out paperwork -- my own and my Mom's.  Whew.  What an awesome feeling to get that done.

But for now, let's turn to the card!  I need a LOT of Christmas cards and I need them NOW.  I made 9 of these earlier this morning -- in the wee hours of the night.  I wasted a bit of time trying to get some ribbon on the card, but once I abandoned that idea, things moved quite fast.

Card Construction Details:  (Repeat everything 9 times in assembly line fashion)

1.  Stamp label from Waltzingmouse Very Vintage Labels One on PTI cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Ink.

2.  Stamp sentiment from Waltzingmouse Very Vintage Christmas in SU Real Red Classic ink.  White, black and red looked modern and also added to the slightly Scandinavian feel to this card.

3.  Die cut using Nestability label and Big Shot machine.  My Big Shot grabs onto labels and cardstock so that there is no need to use tape to get the paper and die to stay still going through Big Shot. 

4.  Added rhinestone from Gina K embellishment stash.  The card really needed something, but I didn't want to add anything that would make mailing difficult. 

5.  Cut and scored PTI Stampers Select White cards (when making something this stark, I try to use either my PTI or Gina K white cardstock, although I tend to save Gina K's cardstock for Copic coloring).  Having a sturdy base and die cut adds heft structure to the otherwise plain card.

6.  Mounted die cuts with dimensionals. 

Mood when done = Happy

This is Special To Me!

Waltzingmouse Stamps released 2 sets this evening, one of which is particularly special to me.  Would love if you went over to Claire's Blog here and checked it out.  If you read her post, you'll see why I'm so excited! 

I'm a bit overwhelmed with life these days but feel like things are looking up and should have something to share soon! 

The 13,000 commenter is....

Starla!  Thanks Starla. You won the contest and will get the Waltzingmouse set of your choice, a feature on this blog and another stamp set of my "collection."  I will be in touch...And thanks to all of you who read and comment and those of you who only read.  Every reader is welcome!

Oh, the person who takes care of my mom had a heart attack.  I went into a major meltdown last night but stayed home from work today to try and pull together a plan.   I'll post more when I have a resolution! 

Lucky

In the past month 2 folks called me lucky.  The first was my neighbor. Her mom lives in Poland in a nursing home.  My neighbor told me how lucky I was that my Mom lived with me and I could take care of her. 

Then tonight I had to bring my Mom to the ER.  Normally, she goes by ambulance, but I took her to the urgent care clinic in the early evening for a very sore arm/shoulder and the doc listened to her lungs and told me to take her to the ER.**  So I dropped her off at the door and had to move my car immediately as it was blocking the ambulance entrance. 

I managed to snag a prime parking spot right in front of the regular entrance to the hospital -- important because it was already dark and I do not like to walk to or from the parking lots at night, plus I was in a rush to be the ears and mouth of my Mom.   I had the trunk open rummaging in my Mom's walker to get her ID when someone pulled up and asked me if I was leaving.  It was dark, cold and pouring rain.  I turned and explained that I had just arrived.   The man said "Oh you are so lucky."  To which I replied "not really."

As I walked to the ER I thought about my reaction -- thinking that I wasn't lucky to be at a hospital but in his view I was quite lucky to have the prime parking spot.  It reminded me of my conversation with my neighbor, who yearns to be in my position.  In that same conversation, she had been talking about a week she had spent at the beach.  I was thinking how lucky she was, not to be tied down by her Mom.  It was a luck face-off!!   Freedom to go on a vacation vs. Freedom from yearning and worry and guilt.   The proverbial grass is always greener.

I am not a "glass half full" kind of person, although I wish I was.  But tonight I thought about how I'm lucky in most things.  I just need to do a better job of remembering it. 

** she's being admitted but I suspect she'll be home tomorrow. 

Project 100: 20/100: Wishing You

I needed a second birthday card for my son -- so my Mom could give him one.

Card Construction Details:

1. Started with layout. Great for using up scraps.

2.  Decided to use this piece of plaid (unknown).

3.  Scrounged around for birthday image that I could repeat in a row and found this candle from Stampin Up's retired Mini Mates set.  Stamped using Real Red, Old Olive and Summer Sun markers.

4.  Stamped sentiment from Verve's Wishing You in Versamark and embossed in white. I love this image but would prefer it on one line. Am thinking of cutting it apart. 

5.  Assembled as shown and added ribbon.

6. Remembered design rule that images are not supposed to look like they are floating in air (unless a balloon I guess!) and added line of dots with marker between candles.  Whew -- the candles stayed put!

7.  Corner chomped and adhered panel on A2 white card with dimensionals.  Not centered.  Took off gently and slowed down and did it right.  

8.  Stamped inside sentiment "a very happy birthday" -- My Mom hates cards without prestamped inside sentiments ... as do all my friends....hmm...could use more inside sentiments. 

Are you in the DC area?

Just thought I'd mention that Suzanne Dean is having a Crafter's Holiday Open House at her home in Loudoun County, VA on Saturday December 5th.  Suzanne will have 10 decorated trees in her home so I have the feeling this is going to be fun!   Contact Suzanne for directions.  She lives near Ashburn.   

I'm planning on going and would love to meet you.  

Hybrid Placecards for Christmas Dinner

In a burst of semi Marthaism, I decided to make placecards for Christmas dinner.  Now keep in mind that I also made place cards for Thanksgiving and forgot to use them.  I try!

Place Card Construction Details:

1.  Made a template with Microsoft word with the border and names of each person. The template makes 6 place card fronts on one sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" paper.  You are welcome to use it.  Download Placecards frames09

2.  Type in name of guest. You can change the font, color, and the border.

3.  Trim as shown.

4.  Stamped 6 ornaments from Flourishes All That Glitters with Memento Tuxedo ink onto white cardstock.  Colored 3 with shades of blue Copic markers and 3 with shades of purple.  Cut out ornaments.

5.  Punched hole in top of ornaments, threaded silver cord and adhered cord behind each ornament and on back of white place card.

6.  Adhered each ornament with a dimensional as shown.

7.  Made 6 silver cards and adhered white place cards to silver ones. 

Mood when done = medium

Project 100: 19/100 19th Birthday

My son turns 19 shortly and this is his birthday card.  The layout is from Two Peas in a Bucket Monthly Class with Kristina Werner.  Class 11 - Easy Holiday Cards.  These classes are free and you can print out a pdf file with layouts and examples and suggested color combos.  Obviously, I didn't make a holiday card with this layout, but it was easy to switch gears.  One of the things I like about Kristina's lessons is that she uses a variety of products, only some of which are sold at Two Peas. 

Card Construction Details:

1.  A2 Avocado Papertrey Ink cardstock.

2.  Scrap of white -- stamp cupcake liner in PTI Pure Poppy, frosting in SU Chocolate Chip and the Cherry in Pure Poppy, wipe off stem and use SU Artichoke marker.  Took 3 tries to get this right because I tried to use Palette Umber ink for the chocolate frosting and got a very pale splotchy look.  Switched to SU Chocolate Chip and success.  On the other hand, SU's Real Red made a real mess on the cupcake liner.  Eventually, figured out which brand ink and color worked best and success.  Cherry off but my kid hates cherries, so I figured this was him removing it before eating (clever excuse for missing the mark!)

2.  Trimmed white and corner chomped 1/4".

3.  Trimmed red and white polka dot paper (retired SU) and used Fiskars punch to get edge.

4. Stamped sentiment from Technique Tuesday Everyday Words in SU White Craft ink and embossed with Judikins white embossing powder, using new MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT QUIET Ranger Heat It gun.  Got a bit of white ink on card.  AACK.  Let dry and rubbed off with eraser. 

5. Corner chomped 3 corners of card and added white stitching with white gel pen. 

6.  Adhered cupcake layer to polka layer with dimensionals.

7.  Added Sakura gold pen to cherry. 

Mood when done = Pleased but just a little freaked at how old son is...

Staying on Track

I do the holidays on two completely separate tracks -- Track One is the fun track: the music, the gifts, the cards, the food, the family.  Track Two is the anxious/depression track.  Starts early November.  The not sleeping, the nightmares, the dreading certain family issues, the whole boring "I had a dysfunctional family and can't get over it" track.  After over 5 decades, you'd think I'd find the switch off the second track and it would be smooth riding. 

The good thing is that as I get older, I spend way more time on Track One.  I'm guessing that many of you also have at least two tracks for the holidays.  If so, I'd love to hear how you stay on Track One.   I have a few tips (since I'm not religious, I don't have any tips in that area):

• I am not Martha Stewart.  I don't have coordinating colors in every room.  One tree with below average decorations!  I don't make cute ornaments or homemade candles.
• We are not, and never will be, the Waltons.
• Get the gift buying done fairly early, but not so early as to lose the holiday spirit.  It isn't fun if it's a chore on the to do list.
• Wrap the gifts early -- that is a chore!
• Do my Christmas cards with love.  I am not Debbie Olson and never will be.
• What doesn't get done, doesn't get done.
• Try and sleep at least 6 hours enough every night, but if I don't, I don't. 
• Keep in touch with friends.
• Keep crafty, it is a wonderful way to lose myself.
• Get outside of me me me.  Give.  Thank the people in my life.

So -- thank YOU.  All my fun blogging friends and readers.  To those of you who never comment, I know by the statistics that you are out there and I am glad you are.  I feel surrounded by a virtual hug every day. 

Have a wonderful holiday season.  If you celebrate Thanksgiving, enjoy.  If you don't, do something fun anyway.  (Pie is good.) 

About Blog Comments

I am nearing 13,000 comments on this blog (this doesn't count my first version of Paperlicious on blogger).  The 13,000 commenter is going to get a lovely prize: 

(1) one free set of your choice from Waltzingmouse Stamps, courtesy of me;

(2) a feature on my blog about your blog, or if you don't have one, about your gallery; or if you don't have one, I'll interview you if you'd like and

(3) prize box of assorted stuff I have accumulated. 

Now don't go crazy -- I'm still a few hundred away.  Just thought I'd mention it.  I'm not doing this so you will comment. I think I get an amazing number of comments.  Just want to thank you!

Second, about your blog.  I don't comment as often as I would like, but I always check out your blog or gallery link.  Like many folks, sometimes it is just time.  I know my readership is hundreds larger than the number of comments I get and that is fine.  I don't take the time to comment because to do so would mean not stamping, or not cooking dinner or not sleeping! 

Also, some of your pictures are too small.  If I can't see your work, I don't take the time to click on the picture to make it bigger.  I'm usually looking at a bunch of blogs at once, and I just don't want to break my stride!   So if your pictures are small consider making them larger. 

And that's it for commenting!