RWS: Inspired by Vicky!

December 20, 2014

Hello again! No trouble finding the Penny Black blog today! I just followed the trail of this past week’s guest designer, Vicky P. I have been a fan of Vicky’s work for a long time and always enjoyed her Sunday videos. I can hear the background tune in my head as I write this.

Penny Black keeps the blog interesting and inspirational with the many guest artists that share their work. I am honored to follow Vicky with the cards I made inspired by her designs.

Vicky has treated us to a shaker card using the Winter Song slapstick stamp. I, too, made a shaker card, sandwiching wooden snowflakes and clear sequins behind a piece of acetate sewn to my circular image. I find that stitching layers together instead of using foam tape prevents the sequins from becoming stuck in the tape. Because Vicky’s red bird is so striking, I added a red bow to my card for that splash of color.

When it is not necessary for die cut words to be bright white, I discovered that I like using watercolor paper for diecuts. It is thicker than regular cardstock and adds a bit of depth and texture.

Note to self: Next time be sure to leave an opening to insert snowflakes and sequins when stitching up the circle. This will save time and frustration and you won’t scare the dog!

Vicky’s second card is a lovely snow and tree scene. Since I haven’t mastered the art of background snow, my winter scene is this:

I’ve colored a piece of watercolor paper using Distress inks and the distressing tool. I then stamped the image with black VersaMark ink. This stamp makes it appear as if I’ve spent hours creating this scene. I love how the different colors end up being featured and look as if I planned their placement.

I saw a little billboard on Facebook the other day that said, “I wish I could Google-search for things in my house.” It’s been a crazy week for misplacing items and a Google search could have helped.

One little guy that went missing was the kitty from the transparent set Frosty Fun. One moment he was on my desk and the next he had disappeared! Because I was certain he was nearby, I searched through all the mess every item on my desk, checked the bottoms of stamp pads, and crawled on my hands and knees under the desk to make sure it wasn’t there. Finally, I gave up and used a different kitty image for my project, but I was going crazy wasn’t happy about losing that kitty.

Well, later that day as I was preparing dinner in the kitchen, Mr. RWS came into the kitchen to “help” and suddenly let out a little sound indicating he had something stuck on the bottom of his foot. Yes, it was my kitty!! Evidently it rode into the kitchen on the bottom of my sock but stuck itself onto the hardwood floor just in time for Mr. RWS to step on it in his stocking feet! It could not have happened if we had planned it!

Worse than losing that kitty, is my experience while shopping last week for a sweater or two to wear on our trip to Wisconsin. After a couple of hours of shopping, I thankfully got behind the wheel of our car for the return trip home. Out of habit, I checked my ears to make sure both earrings were still in place and then moved my fingers up a bit to check for both hearing aids (hearing loss runs in our family) and to my utter shock discovered the right one was missing!

Well, I spent the next hour and a half retracing my steps and leaving my name and phone number at the stores I had visited. I was so frustrated and angry with myself for not checking immediately after trying on clothes. After walking what seemed like miles and no luck finding my hearing aid, I sadly headed home. Mr. RWS was very understanding and comforting when he met me in the driveway. But we had to hurry to get to the vet’s to pick up Cooper who had been there all day after a teeth cleaning procedure.

I ran into the house to quickly change into different shoes, and then almost caused poor Mr. RWS to have a heart attack as I was yelling out to him. I was shouting in absolute joy and surprise … there on the dresser was the missing hearing aid! I hadn’t lost it; I had forgotten to put it in!!

Now, I would be worried about possible dementia after an episode like this, but this is so typical of me throughout my life. If anything was lost or missing in our family, you could be sure I had been involved. There are still a couple of items on my missing in action list and I will keep you posted.

Vicky was so creative to hang ornaments and a Christmas stocking from the diecut sentiment. I used the Jingle creative die to provide a place for hanging snowflakes. Those large dies make a statement and it doesn’t take much to finish the card.

I used the slapstick stamp Tree Lined to imitate Vicky’s linear, red and white color combination card. I love it that the trees are all lined up for me and I don’t have to struggle lining up images or sentiments.

As I write this column, I am home creating some Christmas Magic for the family gathering in Wisconsin (or is that dust?). The gifts are purchased and packed in a carry on suitcase that was bought as a gift for my daughter. Since she arrives the day after we do, she won’t see it until it is wrapped and under the tree. It was the best way I could think of to get her gift to Wisconsin. Our second carry on will be filled with containers of the traditional stuffed rolls and Puppy Chow treats.

As you read this column, I am in Milwaukee with two of my sons, my daughter in law and daughter and granddaughter Evelyn Rose and little baby Jack who I am seeing and holding for the first time. We are having an early Christmas and will be in our own home for the actual holiday.

My thanks to Vicky P. for the week of inspiration her cards provided. And my thanks to Penny Black for sharing their blog and allowing me to run with my scissors. Also, my thanks to all of you for sharing time with me

And what better way to share the spirit of Christmas than this amazing photo of Evelyn Rose as she anticipates her second Christmas:

And baby Jack who will most likely sleep through his first Christmas:

And of course, Cooper sends his best wishes for a Merry Christmas, too:

I wish all of you who celebrate Christmas a holiday of peace, love and contentment. May you take time to enjoy the fruits of all the work spent preparing a special holiday for your friends and family. Finally, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

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