PAPERLICIOUS

Dear Paperlicious: Mr. DP Speaks Again, Sort Of

DP:  I haven't bought a single thing all week!  Stampin Up had its preorder for the new catalog and I didn't buy a thing. 
Mr. DP:  ..........

DP:  Don't you have anything to say?
Mr. DP:  No.  I have no comment.

DP:  This isn't a blog thing.  Just tell me what you really think.
Mr. DP:  I'm not discussing this.

DP:  Really, if you tell me what you really think, I won't put it on the blog.
Mr. DP:  No, this is like discussing your hair.  There is no right answer.  No comment.

DP:  Well, then I'll put this on the blog.
Mr. DP:  .............

**************

So, then I made this card.

Which is kind of cute.

Supplies:  

Stamps:  Lockhart Adirondack Chair and Sit Back and Relax

Paper: Fabriano Medieovalis Stationery

Ink: Memories Chestnut 

Other: Peerless Watercolors.  

I purchased the Peerless Watercolors last winter from Gina K, but I just checked and it doesn't appear that she is stocking these anymore.  They are sheets of paper bound together, which are saturated with intense ink. 

I got a little carried away with the chair. It started out green and I decided to go for a weathered look.  I'm not sure what look I achieved as this was my first try with these watercolors.  I thought about adding a ribbon but then I realized I liked this card simple -- goes with the sentiment.

For my USA readers, I hope you are enjoying Independence Day!  And for everyone, hope you have time to relax this weekend!!

Apple Pie on the 4th of July

This is a gift card for an apple pie that I will be making and bringing to a barbeque on the 4th of July.  At least, that's the plan!  Just looking at this image, from Lockhart Rubber Stamps, makes me want to put on an old fashioned apron and bake!

Before I colored in the image with pencils, I put some Ranger Glossy Accents on the apples and over the yellow flowers.  It really shines in person!  It also "forced" me to not mess up and cover up the entire image in color. 

The base is Memory Box stationery, so the inside of the card is white.  I used the large circle scallop Nestability die to make the card.  Of course, I got the idea from Debbie Olson.  Isn't Debbie's work marvelous?

****

Wow! After my last post, where I made reference to my childhood, several readers contacted me.  Let me put it this way -- we humans have a lot in common -- good, bad, and in between.  (No wonder we love to shop!!!)

Perhaps some of us derive a certain comfort creating little works of art, coloring, and cutting and gluing, just like kids love to do.  I used to think I was still in high school, but maybe I'm in kindergarten!!

And, that's a pretty good place to be!

Your Comments

Your comments are so much fun.  It is time to respond to some of them. 

But first, here's a simple card I made with Papertrey Ink's Flower Garden and that fun (inexpensive!) Sassafrass Paper I bought the other day.  The sentiment is from Cornish Heritage Farms and the rest is self explanatory!  Not exactly the Van Gogh of card making, but it is kind of cute.....

Ok, comments on money. 

YOU are cracking me up.  Some of you are egging me on to spend more and others are encouraging me to save and are trying to cut back also.  So, you ask, have any companies offered me free stuff after my little begging post?  The answer..... is....

YES!!  I'm not a huge fan of teases on my blog, but since you asked (twice...), yes, I've heard from 3 companies, but I'm not able to disclose what's going on right now.  Frankly, I'm amazed.  Who knew you could get free stuff if you don't have stamping talent!!!? 

Now my husband (good old Mr. DP) is as nuts about my cutting back as I am.  He loves it but is always telling me to buy.  Hmm, I think he has "issues."  Perhaps another discussion with DP is in order...

Comments about my Mom

A few of you miss hearing about my Mom and how we are coping.  If you really really want to know, she's available!  A few days with you and you'd be up to date on the latest! 

Seriously, she's in a fairly stable pattern.  Although she seems very tired, she no longer needs her diuretic, which I guess means her heart is stronger than before?  I have given up trying to be in control of the unknowable!  Frail, anxiety attacks whenever she stands up.  Skinny, few teeth, potassium issues (too high), so her ability to eat is limited.  I know she isn't getting false teeth because of the cost.  She expects to die soon and considers it a waste of money.  She is still a child of the depression.  

She spends her days mostly in bed or sitting up in a chair in her room.  Now that Tiger is injured, she isn't watching too much golf, so its back to Home and Garden and Lifetime TV.  I try to watch House Hunters with her every night.  One of my favorite times with my Mom is when we would spend Sunday afternoons going to open houses we couldn't afford!!!  I swear the realtors must have recognized us after a while.  So, now we do it through House Hunters.

She told me the other day that she thinks "all the time" about the mistakes she has made in her life.  I knew what she was trying to say, but I couldn't go there -- even now when I know she is not well.   I wanted to be able to respond to my Mom in a way that would help her, but I am pretty much useless on the topic.  So, I told her that we all regret a lot, but the best we could do is live our lives NOW in a good way.  Geesh, I sounded like Oprah!  

You may have noticed that there is one person in my life I never blog about. I can barely write the word father.  The last time I tried to discuss him on the blog, I went into an emotional tailspin and it took me two days to recover (yes, it's that long of a story...).

As I said earlier, I'm not a big fan of teases -- stay tuned type of thing -- but maybe some day I'll share a bit more about what we used to call the Hershey House (we lived in a house painted brown and my brothers and I called it the Hershey House -- brown on the outside, nuts on the inside!!).  And, I've said enough for now!

Discoveries

I'm chock full of little discoveries today, but first I'd like to share this card I made with one of my favorite Gina K Designs sets, Simple Pleasures.

Supplies:

Sentiment from PaperTrey

Paper:  Watercolor, Papertrey Ink Berry Sorbet

Inks:  Black Memories; PTI Berry Sorbet Palette ink and reinker; various SU Watercolor Crayons

Ribbons:  Gingham by SU and waxed linen threa

Other:  Cuttlebug Tiny Tag Dies; Soft Subtles eyelet from SU, Watercolor brush; Black Journaler and dimensionals from SU; Large Rectangle Nestabilities die

****

Ok, now for my random discoveries. 

1.  I think I need that A&E show Intervention!  Wouldn't it be cool to have a shopaholic on there, being intervened by her family and friends, and taken away to some place in Arizona to dry out?

Yesterday I went to my LSS to pick up a Tim Holtz Design Ruler that I had ordered months ago (HAD to have it).  The only LSS near me is Angela's Happy Stamper, and since it is about 30 minutes from my house, most of my craft purchasing has been on line.  As I took the final left turn into the parking lot, my heart beat just a bit faster --- I'm sure that's how alcoholics must feel when they remember that bottle of gin they hid two weeks ago.

Now here's the dilemma.  I don't have a lot of time to go to Angela's -- I only go there about 3 times a year.  So -- with the price of gas and shipping costs, etc, it seemed wise to stock up on a few things, KWIM???

I'm near hyperventilation as I walk in.  Boom!  As soon as I open the door, I'm hit with the smell of rubber and ribbon and inks, etc.  I slow my breathing, take one step and see 8 million cute new Memory Box penguins.  Ouch!  A whole wall of Amuse Arts stuff!!  Double ouch!   A Scor Pal!  The new Memento inks!  I NEED every black or my blog won't have the latest and greatest!!   Somebody, anybody, get me out of here or hand me a winning lotto ticket! 

Yes, my friends, I could feel the taste of gin on my parched lips!!!

So, what did I do?  I bought the ruler. I bought a pad of double sided 6x6 paper -- 24 sheets  (Sassafrass Lass) because the paper was cute and only $3, and 5 yards of waxed linen thread (.20 a yard) (I've been looking for something with which to tie tags, and this works).  Total with tax:  $11.55.   Not too bad -- pre budget days, I could have dropped $100 without looking back.... Can you hear my rationale???  It was really just a sip.....

Total since June 20th:  $51.55  (it's climbing, isn't it?)

2.  You can sort of watercolor with Palette reinkers.  I love Papertrey Ink's new line of papers, inks, etc., but have been wondering how to get a decent (quick) match when coloring in line images.  I thought I had read that the reinkers didn't watercolor. Well, as you can see on this card, I was able to take a small blob of reinker, dip a wet brush and move it around enough.  Unlike water based reinkers (such as Stampin Up's), the Palette hybrid ink will not blot up from the paper, making it harder to remove with a paper towel.  If you look at the vase, you'll see that I blotted the water in the vase a bit to give it a mottled look -- I could do that with SU's watercolor crayons, but not the Palette reinkers. 

3.  More people read this blog than I thought.  Whew, I had no idea that stamp company owners read this blog -- I've heard from a few recently!  It made my day.  Yes, I'm still in high school.  Some of the super cool kids like me!!

Tsumugi Paper and a Book Recommendation

I have a couple of sheets of this beautifully textured Tsumugi Paper from Hanko (linked below).  I used it to cover the front of a white card as I couldn't bear to use half a sheet for one card.  This line of papers is stunning, as are many by Hanko.  Sigh.  I want them all!!! 

Stamps:  Flower Garden and Text Boxed from Papertrey Ink
Ink:  Black Memories, Stampin Up Lovely Lilac and Pink Passion markers and classic dye ink pads
Embellishments:  Stampin Up ribbon and Amuse Arts Micro Dots Twinkle
Paper:  White unknown and fabulous Iris Tsumugi Paper from Hanko

Other: Stampin Up circle and corner rounder punches, Tool Kit

Book Recommendation:  Colored Pencil for the Serious Beginner, by Bet Borgeson Copyright 1998.

I got this book from the library, but it is available from Amazon.  I've been on the hunt for a book that can explain design principles in a clear and simple manner, and I think this book fits the bill.  It is chock full of color, design, and colored pencil advice. Good enough that I may want my own for frequent reference.

Inspired by Julie/Money Update

This adorable card by Julie Ebersole serves as the inspiration for this 4 1/4 inch square card.   Everything Julie makes is sweet!

Supplies:  White Papertrey Ink Stampers Select, Memory Box Homespun collection, except I added the red stripe with a Copic marker.  Small Polka Dot Alphabet by Amuse Arts, flower and stem from Flower Garden from PTI. Inks:  Stampin Up Real Red and Artichoke.  Amuse Arts Micro Twinkle on the flower and the dot for the letter "i." Nestablilities large square scallop die.  Stampin Up dimenstionals, and my amazing talent....

If you want to hear how I'm doing with cutting back on spending, read on.  Otherwise, smile!

Supplies Purchased Since 6/20/08:  Signed up for one Karen Lockhart colored pencil class:  $40  

Karen Lockhart is offering two classes in September at my LSS, Angela's Happy Stamper in Reston, VA.  This was a worthy purchase, although I compromised and signed up for only 1 of the classes!  One of the nice things about this pledge is that I thought awhile about the class, and what else I could do with that money.  Ultimately, it was an easy decision, but it was a positive move to think it through.  I know that I won't be able to buy a whole lot more in July because of that purchase, so let's see what song I'm singing at the end of July!! 

I was steps away from my art store, which sells Copic markers -- and which sent me a 30% off coupon on all purchases!!!  Ugh.  I didn't enter the store.  But, I kept the coupon, which is good until sometime in August.  So, it is going on the list of possible purchases.  If I hadn't been on this pledge, I easily would have purchased some Copics, some Amuse Arts, and some Verve Visuals this week. Whew, made it through a week with "just" one $40 purchase.

Note to Mike -- I talk like this just for the blog.  In the past, $40 a week would have been a huge amount  (wink).

Summer Fresh

Isn't this bowl of strawberries luscious? 

I love all Lockhart stamps, but I particularly enjoy Strawberries!  I've been practicing with my Copic markers and finally made something worth sharing.  I added some Glossy Accents from Ranger to the strawberries, which I hope you can see in this close up of the berries.

The gingham paper is from Memory Box and the red cardstock, ribbon and brads are from Stampin Up.

Stamping Purchases Since 6/20:  $0!

Stamping Purchases I almost made:

I want a few more Copic markers to add to my collection.  As I was coloring this image, I immediately thought to run to the art store and get about 4 more.  Then I remembered my budget and decided it could wait.  I saw Asela Hopkins' new line of stamps at Gina K and almost purchased Botanical Dreams, but decided to wait.

I've heard from my LSS that the Tim Holtz Design Ruler I ordered is in, so I'll be honoring that purchase and will report when it is in my greedy little hands.  Karen Lockhart is coming to my LSS, Angela's Happy Stamper, in September and I'm dying to sign up for her classes.  So, I'm weighing whether the class is in my budget.  I think it is!

By the way, the Lunch Table has authorized me to report that it has "no comment" on my blog posting about them.  Ha!

Dear Paperlicious: Money and Mr. DP

DP:  I haven't bought anything in 3 days!!

Mr. DP:  Thank You.

DP:  What do you mean "thank you?"  You told me that my spending wasn't a problem.
You said that after you read the blog thing on money. 
You came up to me, gave me a big hug and said I didn't need to cut back on spending. 
So, what's with the thank you!!!?

Mr. DP:  I'm, oh, listen, I'm just trying to, oh forget it.

DP:  It's all going on the blog...

Mr. DP:  I'm not saying another word for 30 years.

The Lunch Table

But, first a card!  I used an image from Stampin Up's Block Party to make a dent in my Christmas 2008 cards.  I used a variety of black inks to get a good image, but am still not satisfied.  Next time -- embossing!

Not sure how the lime cardstock (Memory Box) will look in the dead of winter, but it looks refreshing now! 

I know this card is enough to make a visit to Paperlicious worth your time, but wait, there's more!

$$ spent on crafting since 6/20/08:  0

If you are interested in a glimpse of a non stamping part of my life, keep reading.  Otherwise, go stamp!

***

Several days a week I eat lunch in the cafeteria with a group of co-workers.  With the exception of one wild man, they are all lawyers, which means they are craft snobs.  They do not appreciate stamping.  Yes, they mock it, they mock me, and by definition, they mock you!

However, they secretly love my blog.  I know this because the other day they asked why "the lunch table" isn't on the blog.  I can think of a million reasons not to write about the Lunch Table, but since I'll write anything for readers, here's my story of the Lunch Table.

We are the geezers of the office -- the youngest at the table turned 50 a few years ago.  There is another table of "newbies" -- they've only been in the office for 10 years or so, although a few are really new -- some young enough to be our kids. 

We geezers discuss argue about all the things you aren't supposed to discuss in polite company because the Lunch Table is anything but -- religion, politics, retirement, death, moving to a smaller house, our parents' illnesses, first floor bedrooms, retirement, our illnesses, co-worker gossip, our kids' college search or college graduations, and retirement.  Screaming, threats to never return, blaming each other for the state of the economy, the price of gas, the war, whatever, is all fair game.  We excel at making up things -- filling in the holes of information in the office with wild speculation. 

We will talk about anything -- except "W."

Yes, that's the one thing that is taboo. 

No talking about work.  No law.  Ever.  Sure we discuss the office, but never the substance of work.  If it sneaks in, we immediately shout it down.  Why waste lunch with work??  Lunch is the oasis in a day otherwise filled with phone calls, kids, emails, faxes, dinner plans, emergencies, parents, meetings to discuss what to say at the next meeting (sometimes there is a pre-meeting to plan the pre-meeting to plan the meeting.  I'm not kidding.) 

And sometimes we glance over and talk about the young lunch table.  They discuss baby showers, vacations, how many kids to have, buying bigger houses and day care.  At least we think they do.  We are banned from that table, so we can only speculate.  One thing we know for sure -- the young table mocks us. 

We don't blame them.  We used to be the young table.

Money

I love to buy stuff, especially stamping supplies!  I LOVE it!! I've joked about this often enough -- in fact I think my first Dear Paperlicious column was to how to hide stamping expenditures by tucking them into other budget categories -- buy adhesive at the grocery store and call it food, etc! 

I've tried various tricks to rein in my spending, but so far none of them have been effective.  However, a few things have happened in our lives to bring money issues more to the forefront.  Nothing dramatic -- we have been blessed with good secure jobs and excellent health and benefits.  No, just the typical things that every family faces as you age -- inflation, college, family responsibilities, and hopefully, retirement someday.  All good things (except inflation), but all that come with hefty price tags. 

I can no longer feel good about my hobby if it comes at the expense (literally) of my family -- even if it is cheaper than therapy, it still costs a bundle!!

So what's a stamper shopaholic to do?  Giving up stamping is not on the list!  Luckily, it isn't necessary.  A quick glance in my craft room and I'm good to go on supplies for quite some time...so...

Here are 2 resolutions to help curb the beast!

Resolution #1:  cutting off all spending would be like telling me to never go to Starbucks.  It isn't going to happen.  So, I'm setting a budget on stamping.  This blog costs money, Karen Lockhart is coming to my LSS to teach classes and you KNOW I want to attend, etc.  All these are included in my budget.  The budget is small.  Not enough to stay an SU hobby demo.  Not enough for all my greedy little desires!  But enough. 

Except for some orders yet to arrive, don't expect to see very often the latest new releases on this blog...(unless you are a vendor and want to see me use your stamps and other supplies on this blog, in which case feel free to email me for my address -- Paperlicious gets lots of hits!).  

Resolution #2:  To keep with resolution #1, I will be posting all my stamping expenditures!  Even if I go over budget. 

I'll let you know how it goes.  Really.

For the Best Dad

This is the card I made for Andy to give Mike for father's day.  Kind, generous, warm, funny, hardworking to a fault, Mike is a fabulous father. 

I am proud to be his wife and consider marrying him the smartest decision I've ever made.  Who else would put up with my nonsense??

Supplies:  Father Knows Best from Papertrey Ink, Assorted green and brown inks and markers from Stampin Up; Piercing tool; Cuttlebug Die; Wild Wasabi and other green ribbons; vintage brads fromSU: Garden Green and Whisper White cardstock from SU. 

Stampin Up Retired List

Here is a list of Stampin Up! sets that will be retiring as of August 10, 2008.  There are 2 versions, one alphabetical and one by number.

Download Retired_Lists_0608_US_A.pdf

Download Retired_Lists_0608_US_N.pdf

Stampin Up Dormant List

This is the list of sets from the USA Stampin Up! current catalogue that will be available until January 2009, but not found in the next catalog. 

Download Dormant_List_US.pdf

Directing Your Attention: Other Blogs

Yes, there are other blogs!!  (I have no idea why as Paperlicious should be providing you with all your stamping blog needs.  HA!)   I like to highlight a few of my faves every once in a while.  So many blogs, so little time...

Card of the Week is awesome!  Susanna highlights works of art that she selects as the best of the best from the week.  Yes, one of my cards was selected a while back....but that's not why I am recommending this blog.  It's just good!

You are probably already following Trudee's Bliss, but just in case you aren't get thee to Follow Your Bliss.

Cindy's The Creative Closet is full of work that is bright, cheery, and beautiful.

And, Natasha Trupp started a second blog that has quickly become one of my faves -- Clean and Simple. 

So, that's it. If I send you to too many other blogs, Dear Paperlicious might get testy, so come on back!

My Fortune, and a Smile

I'm always the one to break open the cookie to see the fortune.  I think I'll put this one on my office door!

I went through (meaning ruined) 4 of these Amuse Arts note cards before I came up with this card.  I love how it turned out so I think it was worth it. 

Treasures Used:  The flower and sentiment are from Text Boxed from Papertrey Ink and I colored in part of the flower with a Regal Rose SU marker. Self adhesive flower rhinestones from Kaiser Scrapbook.  Palette Noir ink.  Talent from yours truly.

Hope you have some fun time stamping this weekend.  The weather here should be hot!  My son is going to the prom tonight and we have a ton of other end of school year things to juggle.  The beginning of summer vacation is so sweet, it brings a smile!