alexandra’s Sunday scrapbooking -a White (embossed) Christmas
Runs with Scissors
Oh, I am happy to be here, finally. I just got back from shopping for a new washing machine. It is my own fault. After our “troubles with liquids” all spring and having to replace so many appliances, including the air conditioner/heat pump (ouch!) I actually said out loud to Mr. RWS, “Well, all that’s left to replace is the washer and dryer.” Why did I think calling attention to the aging washer was a good idea?
I saw some dampness in the laundry closet last night and “just to be sure” it wasn’t an issue, I turned on the washer to “quick rinse” this morning and immediately the dampness changed to a puddle. Mr. RWS was very hopeful that it was just a loose or split hose, but no such luck. Water was coming out of the bottom as fast as it poured into the tub.
I am grateful to be here at the Penny Black happy place. I, the Laundry Queen, am without a washer for four more days leaving me with extra time to play.
No spiders this week! Just a black cat and bats from the Spooky Fun transparent set and a leafless tree from the Nature’s Silhouettes set. I heat embossed the black images for extra shine and deeper black. I don’t even miss the spiders.
I was a little sneaky using the Bird Amidst Holly die for a fall themed card. I blended fall colors of Luxe inks on my cardstock and cut out the bird and branches. I love being able to use my stamps and dies in non-traditional ways. I am never packing away that little bird. He may show up all year long.
The Manger die is on my favorites list for the Magic of the Season release. This time I added a bow made with the Bow Set die. I trimmed the tails so they didn’t cover up the nativity figures. This card would lend itself to making multiples by spending some time just die cutting and then sitting at your work space assembling. I think I am enjoying the gold and turquoise color scheme lately.
I love weddings. First of all I love weddings because they are a sign of hope and optimism and faith in the future. They involve young starry eyed couples who are so certain their marriage will be like no other. And while they vow “for better or for worse” I’m not sure they give full consideration to what “worse” might look like.
When I sit next to Mr. RWS at a wedding, I find my hand reaching for his, remembering our simple Friday evening wedding, walking to the church, parade style, with family and a few friends. We, too, assured each other we would not let our marriage grow stale, we would not take each other for granted, we would discuss rather than argue and we would enjoy growing old together. Ahh, we were not immune to being starry-eyed.
I wouldn’t label our marriage stale; perhaps predictable is a better word. And we have discovered that one of the blessings of a long marriage is the ability to take each other for granted. We have learned from experience that we can rely on each other, no matter what.
I must admit some of our “discussions” might qualify as arguments, but Mr. RWS usually comes to his senses and acknowledges the error of his ways. We have a sign in our home that says, “I would like to agree with you but then we would both be wrong.” (I bought the sign). I am not sure we are “enjoying” growing old together, but we are laughing about it when we can, fighting against it together, and filling in the blanks for each other’s memory lapses.
This is my grand nephew, Michael in his uniform as a Corporal in the U.S. Marines. Being a Marine was a long time desire of his. Michael and his friend Tony enlisted together right out of high school. In an unexplainable twist of fate, in 2011, Tony became a double amputee in Afghanistan just two months before Michael also lost both legs in Afghanistan due to an IED.
Michael and his family qualify as Poster Family for every family of a wounded warrior. His Mom and Dad and sister spent months with Michael while he healed and underwent rehab at the Bethesda Naval Hospital. His sister gave up her job and spent the next year living with Michael in a small apartment near the hospital so Michael could be fitted with prosthetics and become proficient at walking.
Tony and Michael retired from the Marines and began a nonprofit organization together to provide outdoor activities for fellow amputees. Having both been outdoor and hunting enthusiasts, they wanted not only to continue that lifestyle, but to share it with other amputees. There is no charge to the young men who take part in the program. Everything is donated: lodging, meals, special wheel chairs and all equipment. Two young men who could have become bitter, angry, or depressed rejected the negative and vowed to live positive lives.
Tony was married with a young son when he was injured and built a home for his family in a small Georgia town a couple of hours away from his hometown.
Michael built his home next door to Tony’s and has lived there with his two dogs for the past few years. Both men operate their hunting adventures and provide not only practical information about functioning as an amputee, but also inspiration as others see that the only limits they have are the ones they set for themselves.
I love weddings, but I also love happy endings. In one week Mr. RWS and I will be privileged to attend Michael’s wedding to Kaley which will not only bestow upon him the title of “husband”, but he will become “daddy” to Kaley’s two year old daughter.
In the small town where Michael grew up, he and his family are well known to everyone. Michael, his mom and dad and sister were supported by everyone during the long recovery. I am expecting there will be a large crowd to witness Michael marrying Kaley at the Twin Oaks Farm.
Now, it is known in my family how I dread driving through or near Atlanta. Traffic of such epic proportions terrifies me. Unless someone relocates Atlanta I will have to deal with it on our way to the wedding. But how do I whine about heavy traffic to a young man who bravely overcame so many obstacles in order to stand at the altar watching his beautiful bride walk down the aisle to him.
We will be there. We will have goosebumps. One of us will shed tears. And we will remember our own wedding, our own vows, our own plans for the future. We have no doubt this starry-eyed couple will overcome whatever difficulties life may present.
From their perspective, they have conquered “for worse” already.
I can write the end to their story right now: “And they lived happily ever after.”
This card was inspired by the jar of gold embossing powder that was sitting on my desk. The Christmas in the Round image is stamped with VersaMark and then heat embossed with gold. I filled in the “Merry Christmas” using a red pen as I had more control and could stay within the lines. I added some glitter to the birds’ wings and stars in the design just to have some sparkle. This would be an easily mass produced card for those among us who have a long Christmas card list.
This Holy Family image is from an older stamp, Sweet Nativity. I trimmed away the background and cute little animals so that my image would fit on the card with the O Holy Night diecut. I was in the mood for coloring when I made this card. Hmmm, maybe this is my favorite Christmas card. I have so many favorites with this release.
And here is Snowy number six! I love his sporty plaid scarf with matching cap and buttons. He has the pleasure of standing among trees made with the Conifer die. This is the sixth Snowy; now only twelve more to go until Christmas. I am still loving him as much as I did six cards ago.
Cooper witnessed the full tragedy of the death of the washing machine. He saw the water pouring out of the bottom, onto the kitchen rug. He saw the panicked humans tipping the washer back and examining the bottom. He is worried that the washing machine is now sitting in the garage, hoses hanging. Every now and then he goes over to the laundry closet and looks at me as if to say, “OK, now put it back.”
Once again, it’s time for me to stow the scissors, clean up the mess, and leave things neat and tidy for all that will be happening next week on the blog. I love being here on Saturdays when it’s just me and no phones are ringing, there are no interruptions, and I don’t have to share with anyone.
Before I leave, I will share this bit of wisdom that might be helpful for when your mojo goes into hiding. I wrote it a few years ago and rediscovered it when looking for the photo of Michael. “If your mojo has disappeared, just sit at your desk with the happiest stamps you have, turn on great background music, pet the dog (cat) a bit and start stamping.”
Speaking of sharing, see you at the Penny Circle Flickr Gallery.
Shop for today’s featured Penny Black supplies
- Card No. 1: 30-371 Spooky Fun, 30-380 Nature’s Silhouettes, 51-003 Chat Bubbles, 51-245 Halloween Creatures, 51-074 Encircled
- Card No. 2: 40-470 Script, 51-249 Winter Garland, 51-071 Words of Gratitude, 51-260 Bird Amidst Holly
- Card No. 3: 51-254 Manger, 51-194 Believe II, 51-212 Bow Set
- Card No. 4: 40-487 Christmas in the Round, 51-266 Frosty/Snow Match
- Card No. 5: 40-001 Sweet Nativity, 51-259 O Holy Night
- Card No. 6: 51-248 Merry Christmas, 51-264 Conifer, 51-136 Stitched Edges, 51-266 Frosty/Snow Match
Fun Friday: Simply Elegant
Over the next couple of months, several of our Fun Fridays will have a clean and simple twist as we feature the elegant stamping of Patti Kehl.
Shimmer and Shine… two words to describe Patti’s clean and simple cards for us today! For her first card, she’s embossed our Slapstick/Cling wreath, 40-490 Pine Burst, with copper embossing powder. By also embossing the sides of her card, she’s ensured the entire design is well balanced and extra shimmery.
Next, Patti demonstrates that our brushstroke stamp, 40-494 Scarlet Majesty, is not only great for watercolor techniques. Just look at the detail she achieved by simply stamping it with VersaFine ink! And to add some extra shimmer and shine, using her MISTI, (after stamping with VersaFine ink) Patti inked only the edges of the petals and leaves with VersaMark ink and sprinkled them with silver embossing powder. A small paintbrush was used to brush off any excess powder before setting/melting the powder with a heat tool. To tie everything together, she also added silver embossing to our Creative Die sentiment, 51-251 Rejoice.
And finally, Patti’s next card is as fresh as newly fallen snow. She’s cut the background layer our Creative Die, 51-265 Woodland Scene, from glittery cardstock.
Will you be adding shimmer and shine to your stamping and die cutting this weekend? We’d love to see YOUR Penny Black creations. Upload them to our Penny Circle Flickr Gallery and/or our Facebook page.
Shop for today’s featured Penny Black supplies
- Card One: 40-490 Pine Burst
- Card Two: 51-251 Rejoice, 40-494 Scarlet Majesty
- Card Three: 51-265 Woodland Scene, 51-251 Rejoice
It’s Friday and that also means…
“Like” our page on Facebook for exclusive inspiration by Birgit Edblom!
Unexpected Layers
Don’t miss the new creation on our Simplicity Site today… click HERE to check it out!
And now scroll down for more inspiration with Peet.
Get ready, here come our designers with their tips, techniques, and tutorials featuring our newest releases Magic of the Season and Autumn Wishes. This week Peet Roeven joins us with her Top Three Die Cut Embellishment Ideas.
Sometimes an unexpected die cut design makes the perfect embellishment… like using 51-240 Bird Flower Doily on a holiday card!
Those little birds peeking out from behind this poinsettia add the perfect whimsical flair.
Peet stamped her poinsettia using our Slapstick/Cling stamp, 40-481 Red Sparkle. By stamping it multiple times, fussy cutting the petals, and layering them with dimensional adhesive, she added elegant depth to her design.
Peet watercolored her poinsettia using Derwent Inktense Pencils.
Two additional elements bring this entire design together: our designer paper pad, 80-013 Holiday Trimmings, and Creative Die sentiment, 51-255 Winter Cheer.
Shop for today’s featured Penny Black supplies
40-481 Red Sparkle
51-255 Winter Cheer
51-240 Bird Flower Doily
80-013 Holiday Trimmings
Get Glittery
Get ready, here come our designers with their tips, techniques, and tutorials featuring our newest releases Magic of the Season and Autumn Wishes. This week Peet Roeven joins us with her Top Three Die Cut Embellishment Ideas.
Want to give your next holiday card that extra “wow-factor?” Add glitter to a die cut and use it as an embellishment. Peet did just that with the deer from our Creative Die, 51-171 Nature’s Beauty.
And where is the perfect place for this glittery deer to live? In a heart wreath, of course!
Peet colored our Slapstick/Cling stamp, 40-482 Heart Wreath, with Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils and then fussy cut it out.
And Peet expertly matched up her stamped and die cut embellishments with pattern papers from our designer paper pad, 80-012 Wintertime.
And one more thing before we go…
The winner of our Slapstick/Cling stamp and Shimmerz Paints giveaway is Lisa Bankes-Lahiff. Lisa, we will be contacting you via a private message on Facebook with directions on how to claim your prize. Thank you to all who entered!
Shop for today’s featured Penny Black supplies
40-482 Heart Wreath
30-307 Holiday Snippets
51-171 Nature’s Beauty
51-161 Into the Woods
80-012 Wintertime
Let it Snow
Don’t miss the new creation on our Simplicity Site today… click HERE to check it out!
And now scroll down for more Top Three fun!
Get ready, here come our designers with their tips, techniques, and tutorials featuring our newest releases Magic of the Season and Autumn Wishes. This week Peet Roeven joins us with her Top Three Die Cut Embellishment Ideas.
Embellishing your holiday cards is easy when you use snowflakes from our Creative Die set, 51-268 A Blizzard.
For her first card, Peet has layered her snowflakes right along with her stamped images from our transparent set, 30-375 Merry Jingle.
Peet’s stamping was colored with Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils and she also added Glossy Accents on top.
In addition to her beautiful stamping and coloring, Peet’s background features designs from our designer paper pad, 80-012 Wintertime.
Her shaker element was stitched and then filled with sequins.
You can see where she layered her die cut snowflake embellishments on top of and beneath her stamping for that extra special finishing touch.
And bonus! We have two cards from Peet today.
The die cut snowflakes pair perfectly Peet’s stamping using our transparent set, 30-374 Winter Joy.
Peet colored her bird and holly with Derwent Coloursoft Pencils and added Glossy Accents on top for extra dimension and shine.
Her background pattern papers are from our designer paper pad, 80-013 Holiday Trimmings.
And once the snowflakes were layered with the stamped elements, this fantastic card was complete.
Shop for today’s featured Penny Black supplies
- Card One: 30-382 Yuletide Wishes, 30-375 Merry Jingle, 30-374 Winter Joy, 51-268 A Blizzard, 80-012 Wintertime
- Card Two: 30-374 Winter Joy, 51-248 Merry Christmas, 51-268 A Blizzard, 51-051 Tabs & Toggles, 80-013 Holiday Trimmings
Die-Cutting with Peet
Get ready, here come our designers with their tips, techniques, and tutorials featuring our newest releases Magic of the Season and Autumn Wishes. This week Peet Roeven joins us with her Top Three Die Cut Embellishment Ideas.
Here’s a peek at what’s to come this week. We’re already swooning!
See you tomorrow… and don’t forget to bring your mittens because the flurries will be flying!
