PAPERLICIOUS

Love, Health, Peace

I made this card for Laurie Schmidlin's daughter, who is ill.  Laurie is a wonderful stamper and, although I do not know her, her sweetness just comes through her blog and her stamping.  If you are not familiar with her story, you can read about it on this thread at SCS.

The sentiment, from Papertrey Ink's Mazel Tov, expresses all of our wishes for Laurie and her family.  What more could anyone want?

I colored in the trees and the birds' eyes with a gold sparkle pen, so I added this extra picture to highlight the bling. 

Hard to believe that the trees and the bird are stamps from Amuse Arts.  This is so different than the typical adorable Amuse card, isn't it? 

Other supplies include:  Amuse Arts Birch Trees; Amuse Arts bird.  Various Stampin Up Classic inks in the earth elements family; SU Confetti Cream, Pumpkin and Night of Navy cardstock; Encore gold ink and gold sparkle pen; Marvy heart scallop punch and Martha Stewart scallop border punch. 

A Few Things

First, a 3 x 6 card inspired by a layout in a book I highly recommend, Simply Cards by Sally Traidman. 

Both the Cow and the sentiment are from Amuse Arts.  The green polka dot paper from Memory Box is punched with a 1 and 3/8 circle punch.    

The base card is Papertrey Ink, but I stamped and cut out the cow on SU Whisper White as the PTI paper is a bit thick for intricate cutting.  Mr. Cow is popped up on some dimensionals so I just drew in his tail.  

I needed to Think Simply tonight and am happy with the way this turned out.

Next item on tonight's agenda is Blog Awards.  Three very nice and talented bloggers nominated me for an I "love" your blog award, Etha at More Green Wool, Barb at FosterDesignHouse and Lisa at CrazyCatStamper. Thank you very much!  I haven't had much time to look at blogs lately but I hope to be back soon getting inspired. Edited to add:  I neglected to mention that Laurie Wilson at Clearly Delightful also nominated me.  I am feeling all sorts of love!!!

Finally, poor Impression Obsession never got much of a week out of me last week.  My Mom came home from the hospital and there was just too much going on to focus on stamping. I sat down tonight fully intending to continue with my IO stamps, but I just felt like going with this Amuse idea and so since I OWN this blog and can make and change the rules, I did! 

If you'd like to read a bit more about my life, please do so. Otherwise, enjoy some stamping!

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When last we spoke, I was tearing out my hair over my Mom.  While she was in the hospital I noticed that she eats much better and has no panic attacks. She feels safe there. 

So, I gave her the Dr. Joan lecture on why living the way she has been (obsessed with every minute of her health) was ruining her life and making mine intolerable.   I told her that her terror of dying was destroying the quality of her life and it wasn't worth it.  Poor thing, she wants to live to see my son graduate from high school next June. I explained I thought she had a greater chance of doing so if she would just give up the constant monitoring of every minute -- she really doesn't need to take her blood pressure 5 times a day.  

As much as she was able to, I think she basically got the message and definitely heard that I was stressed out to the max.  Her panic attacks are mostly gone and she is now in the process of having her teeth/dentures taken care of and she got her hair done yesterday.  These are good things!

On the other hand, she insisted on calling the hair shop herself to make an appointment. Kind of hard to do when you keep pressing the buttons on the TV remote control and the call doesn't go through!!!  "This phone is broken."  Hilda just gently says "Miss Helen, wrong thing."  I came downstairs and said yelled, "Mom, stop! That's not the phone."  Later that evening (Monday) she asked when she had her hair done.  I said today.  She thought it was last Friday and that Hilda was still there.  Sigh.  But she knows the entire Giants lineup for this season and is rarin to go! 

Isn't life a blast?

Amuse a Licious Week! sLeeP TiGht

I managed to squeeze out another Amuse card to close out my week of using Amuse Arts stamps. 

In this case, I used Tall House stamped and colored slightly differently to mimic the passage of a day. 

I colored in the houses with Y15, G14 and YG13 Copic Markers and SU Gray, Pumpkin and Summer Sun markers and used a lime Memory Box card as the base, with Summer Sun, Pumpkin and Black SU cardstocks to "represent" the time of day.  I used a CTMH alphabet sans serif set to make the "Sleep tight" sentiment.

If you want to read more about my last post, please continue. Otherwise, have a good day (and night).

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I read each of your comments and laughed and sighed along with you.  Unfortunately, the nurse was not threatening me because I was yelling AT the nurse.  I was yelling AT my Mom.  Yes, I admit. I was yelling at an 87 year old frail patient hooked up to a gazillion monitors. 

The hospital called me earlier in the day demanding my presence -- my Mom was refusing medical treatment, and demanding to go home.  So I go to the hospital and when I told her she couldn't go home because she wasn't well enough to get in the front door, she demanded to move to a Motel!!!  

Too many days spent caretaking, too many hours away from my family and my job and ME and I just burst into tears, sobbing and screaming that she couldn't live in a Motel because then I would be running from work to home to motel to home and back.  I couldn't stop yelling.  THAT's when the nurse suggested I go to the ER. 

It would have been so much more helpful for someone to just take me away, give me a nice shot of some of that Morphine my Mom is on and settled me down. But, I'm not the patient and those nurses are overworked and underpaid.  At least the good ones are. 

And then wonderful Colleen left me her SU catty on my doorstep.  And a company wrote asking me to be a blogging friend (can you say free stamps??) and my friends and family have tried to help.

So, I'm taking a deep breath, and trying to keep all in perspective.  I'm off from work for the next 2 weeks and I think that may help. 

Thanks blog readers.  You are so sweet and kind just when I need it. 

Amuse a Licious Week! Saltbox Basket and Some Mr. DP....

Saltbox Studio is a new (to me) company with clear sets in a primitive, country folk style.  Amuse Arts distributes these stamps, so I consider them part of the Amuse "family,"  and thus they are worthy enough to participate in my Amuse a Licious Week. 

This cute basket is colored with plain old SU markers. I used Memory Box Homespun collection papers.  The faux sewing uses a stamp from Clear Dollar Stamps called A Stitch in Time.  So, we've got a primitive country basket, some homespun paper, gingham ribbon, and some stitches from back in the day -- that's what I call a country theme.  Add some Ruby Red, So Saffron and a bit of black and I'm telling you I'm practically in the Amish country. 

You can find A Basket Celebration 1 here.  It's 15 bucks and a steal.  I'm assuming that we will be seeing A Basket Celebration #2 some time soon....in the meantime, I love this set because it is versatile.  Color the packages in this basket red and green and stamp the basket in a little gold and bang!, it's a Christmas stamp.  Oh, and the sentiment.  That sentiment is from me typing it out on the computer.  Pretty nifty, if I say so myself.

And now, my most recent attempt at marital communication:

DP: Do you realize that I am getting free stuff from stamp companies for doing absolutely nothing?
Mr. DP: That's great!

DP: Doesn't it bother you that total strangers give me more gifts than you do?
Mr. DP: No, I rather like it.

DP: Seriously, except for my birthday and Christmas, can I expect anything from you?  Any little surprises, trinkets, do dads, tiffany boxes, etc.?
Mr. DP: I don't think so.

DP: I bet Elizabeth Edwards is getting a gift.
Mr. DP: How badly do you want a gift? Because I could arrange to have Edwards be my role model.

DP: Um, I'm going to work on my blog....
Mr. DP:  Good idea.  I love you.
DP:  I love you too.

Amuse a Licious Week! Polka Dot Latte

Amuse Arts' motto is "Think Simply, Think Amuse."  So, in keeping with that motto, I took 3 hours to make this card!  (Seriously).  I had a coffee bean strip and all other kinds of layouts, etc. and finally went back to my original design.  Simple is best here.

If you examine it closely you will see several strokes of sheer genius.  First, I used an exacto knife (I consider it worthy of a gold medal just to pick up the evil tool...) to cut out the inside of the handle of the cup and inserted that very cute pale pink and brown polka dot ribbon.  Second, I did not injure myself using the exacto knife!  See, two strokes of genius!!! 

This card uses Amuse Arts Coffee Break clear set -- a steal at less than $8!  The quality of their clear stamps is perfect. Thick and a perfect impression right out of the package.  I need more!! 

Other supplies:  Palette Burnt Umber Ink, SU Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip cardstocks, SU circle punch and Pretty in Pink marker and sponge dauber.

Amuse a Licious Week! The Cow is Udderly Cute!

I have the little cow stamp from Amuse, courtesy of owner Linda.  I masked Mrs. Cow so she didn't look quite so lonely and popped her and the gang in a field on a scallop. 

Then I need a saying to go with it. I hightailed it over to Angela's, my semi local stamp store Friday afternoon.  Angela keeps a healthy stock of Amuse products on hand.  No Amuse sentiment to go with Mrs. Cow, so I opted for this sentiment from the former Just Johanna, now Odd Bird Planet.  The little upside down scallop is from Impression Obsession's clear Borders set. 

If you logged on earlier you may have caught a video of Mr. DP!!  It was only up for about a minute. I am trying, with help from teenage son, to put a video here.  The only way I got it up was for it to immediately "go live" as soon as I clicked on the blog.  Got to work on that!  I want the reader to be able to click to watch the video. So, stay tuned. You may get to see and hear Mr. DP sometime soon.

Amusing Amuse

Well, by now you've seen that I did go on a buying spree earlier this week.  However, despite my spree, I still spent WAY less during the past month and am sort of proud of myself.  When I posted on June 20th (a day that shall live in infamy), that I would stick to a serious budget, Linda Carnell, owner of Amuse Arts, emailed me to say that she read my post (I am flipping out all over again just repeating those words!!), and had some spare "stuff" to send me!  She didn't ask for a thing in return.  I guess my blog amuses the owner of Amuse.  (Sorry, couldn't resist!!)

So the other day, a large package comes stuffed with 9 Amuse stamps and a ton of Amuse papers.  I am flying MOST high!! 

Then, the pressure was on.  I knew I had to create a thank you note for her, but the idea of sending anything at all to Linda was totally freaking me out.  I even thought about commissioning Julie Ebersole, who works for Amuse, to make something FOR ME, but I figured Linda would recognize Julie's signature style and I'd be busted for sure!!! 

I tried out a bunch of the images, but was stumped.  I was using up the gorgeous Amuse paper way too fast and it was going in the trash.  Hmm.  So, during my now nightly insomniac stamping, I came up with this idea -- use pieces of ALL 9 stamps.  Also, HAD to use some of my Amuse Twinkle micro and heart dots (check out the chimney on the house -- I am so proud of my sparkle smoke!!!). 

Thanks Linda and Amuse.  You really do rock!

There are Starving Children in China so Eat Your Peas

Before I get to the title of the post, I thought I'd share a card. 

We went to a Fourth of July party where the hostess served frozen Watermelon Margaritas.  So, in keeping with that theme, I made this thank you note.  While I didn't actually drink one of these, they are looking pretty good right about now!

The patterned paper is from Memory Box and is part of a holiday collection.  I've had it for a while and could never incorporate it into a Christmas card, so I'm glad I finally found a use for it. 

I used Copic Markers to color in the image.  Little by little, I'm learning to like these markers.  The image is from A Muse Arts and the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink. The top layer is popped up on dimensionals. 

If you are interested in reading a bit about what's happening in my life, read on.  Otherwise, stamp or sip something refreshing!

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I can't get my brain around the concept of my own life issues compared to what's happening to others.  I look at the world and see incredible hardship, cruelty, beauty and good fortune.  I can't figure out where I fit in.  At the worst moments, I am jealous and resentful, immediately followed by a flood of guilt.  Remember not wanting to eat your peas and being told that "there are starving children in China, so eat your peas?" 

Well, I don't want the "peas" of my life -- those pieces that stink.  But there are millions whose lives are full of true misery and sorrow.  Does their tragedy mean I have to take all of my life and be grateful for the parts I hate?  Does it help the truly miserable if I'm a bit unhappy?    

I had to miss work today.  The details don't matter, but it had to do with my Mom, and I hate when that happens.  I want to go to work when I'm supposed to go.  Period.  No emergencies, no email explanations, just be there.  But, I have a good job.  So do I stress over missing a day, or rejoice in the comfort of a secure and well paying job? 

I wish I could find that balance, but every day brings a new test.  While I was home with my Mom today, she fell.  I rushed into her room and saw that she was behind the closed bathroom door.  Luckily, designed for the disabled, the door opens out into the bedroom, so I could see her.  Just sitting upright on the floor next to her walker.  Her legs gave out from under her.  She kept telling me she was unhurt, but I convinced her to sit there and wait for the paramedics so she wouldn't injure herself trying to get up. 

During the 10 minutes or so that she was on the floor, my Mom told me that she couldn't live with us anymore, it wasn't safe.  So I said "Let's talk about it later, Mom," but thinking "works for me, Mom."

In fact, she wasn't hurt, and the two paramedics lifted her 110 pound body up and into bed.   As the medics left, I burst into tears -- the result of the adrenaline draining away.  One of them looked at me, and said "Hang in there, lady, I totally understand." 

And then I thought.  Wow, my Mom is leaving.  Immediately, I was flooded with sadness, joy, but a real feeling of escape.  We can go on vacation this summer!  We can go out to dinner!  We can take Andy to look at colleges -- together.  The money saved!  Oh, the money we can use for other things.  Will I be able to visit her every day?  Maybe I can adjust my work schedule to get there every afternoon.  Will she be ok there?  Remember the stuff that happened when she broke her hip and was in a nursing home?  Hmm.  My mind was racing. 

After she was safely in bed, I asked her what she meant about not being able to live here.  Was she ready to talk about it?

She had no memory of saying it!  The look of panic that crossed her face was truly sad.  It must be so scary to depend on me -- someone who is tired of being there.  I don't want this.  I want to be someone else -- but quick -- not the folks with really horrible problems.  I don't want to be them.  I want to be me -- only without the problems.   

I'd don't want to eat my peas, but I don't want to be the kid starving in China either.  Besides, the same number of kids will be starving whether I eat my peas or hide them under the mashed potatoes, so why can't I just have what I want?   Does it help those who are really suffering if pieces of my life stink? 

As I thought about this, I concluded that maybe it does, if I do something with it. My ups and downs remind me that I'm human, and that I share that humanity with them -- and, more importantly, that I have a responsibility to reach out as best I can and help a few other humans.  Without a bit of sadness, suffering if you will, I'd lose my humanity. 

So, yeah, I'll eat my peas, and then help someone else have something, anything, to eat.