Runs with Scissors

Hello, Penny Black friends. I am feeling a bit like Rip Van Winkle lately. What happened to February? For some of you, I am sure, it’s good riddance to February with its wind, snow, ice and rain. Here in Northern Alabama the constant rains caused the Tennessee River, just a couple of miles from our home, to overflow its banks. The Fire Department just made a very impressive trip down our street passing out this notice:

Well, our home is not in a flood plain, but these are unusual circumstances. We will keep an eye out for flash flood warnings and be responsible citizens.

February may have brought rain and floods, but it also brought Penny Black’s new Timeless release, replete with flowers, cute critters, butterflies and birthday celebrations. Snowy or rainy days are perfect for crafting and I’ve taken advantage of the new release and bad weather to make these cards:

Sing ala Julie Andrews: “Rainbows and Teddy Bears, these are a few of my favorite things …”.   This rainbow background is made of strips of cardstock; the Flower Teddy stands in front of a circle cut from the Stitched Square and Circle die; and that sweet tiny sentiment is from the Lovely Birthday stamp set. I have noticed lately that my cards usually contain a lot of white space, so I am trying to be mindful of other options for backgrounds.

I’ve stamped the brushstroke stamp At Grace with a deep plum ink and then cut the card to a square, leaving room for the sentiment from the Good Wishes stamp set. Penny Black’s sentiments deserve to be center stage sometimes! I indulged my love for white space with this card and I’m happy to use that ten year old inkpad at least one more time.

Patterned paper is one more great way to create a background. Here I’ve used the vase and flower image included in the From the Garden set. After coloring the image with Copics I added Nuvo white dots to the vase and flower for interest. See that little green leaf? That is one of about 120 “stick pin” embellishments I rediscovered in my stash. I remember when those stickpins were very popular. I wonder how many card recipients were wounded in their use?

Dear Marie …

After a week of attempting a “ Life Changing Method of Tidying Up”, I felt the need to let Marie Kondo know of my experience. Thus, this letter:

Dear Marie Kondo;

Marie, I tried! I really, truly honestly tried! I know that your books have been translated into multiple languages and are read all around the world. I know that you reach even more people in more locations by way of your successful Netflix show (which I am sure brings you joy). But I have to let you know that there is one small brick home in northern Alabama where your system did not work.

Like I said, I tried. First I tackled my closet and managed to empty 60 hangers. Those were just blouses and tops. Accomplishing those sixty hangers took me two days, since I work in small bursts of energy. I couldn’t tackle the pants, of which there are way too many, because they are of three different sizes; let’s just say “small”, “medium” and “large”. I am hopeful that one day I will again fit into the smaller sizes which will bring me absolute joy. I’m sure you understand; if you don’t, many other women will.

My next target for decluttering was the bookcase. I was a bit more successful there, filling a box with outdated reference books including a huge Webster’s Dictionary which became obsolete once Google was created. However, the bookcase remains looking cluttered due to the family photos which bring great joy. How does one part with the older family photos when they are updated each Christmas? There is just too much joy in those faces to toss the older photos.

Marie, then there was the kitchen pantry cupboard. I did manage to toss many outdated items including the three cans of jellied cranberry sauce, representing the last three Thanksgiving dinners where it was not served. It seems cranberry sauce does not bring joy to anyone in our family. Oh, and there was the jar of turkey gravy; you know, just in case.

On the fourth day of decluttering, I tackled the bottom of the hallway closet. This is a wide space, with shelving from ceiling to floor. The floor is where I have large plastic storage containers whose purpose is to store seasonal decorative items. While I did manage to tidy things up, the only items I tossed were some inexpensive plastic flowers, a chipped decorative piece of pottery, and a glass Halloween pumpkin complete with cover. (And I wasn’t so sure that was a good idea, except I had two other pumpkins). I failed, however, to find the wooden Valentine heart to hang on the outside door. I hope it is bringing joy wherever it has gone off to.

Marie, I was still hopeful when I entered my craft room, anticipating a major decluttering operation. I started touching items, using the “does it bring me joy” test for each thing I touched. While I did manage to fill one kitchen trash bag with mostly damaged paper, old candy wrappers and dried up ink pads, my joy meter was rising as I spent time with my stamps, dies and papers. The joy that I feel when among my “stash” has neither lessened nor dissipated over time. I still treasure the handmade cards I’ve received from my stamping friends and I am sure I will find a source for the cards I’ve made, thus spreading joy. If you doubt the impossibility of purging one’s craft room, I can refer you to others who share my hobby.

So, there you have it. If you are tracking data regarding the success of your “Life Changing Method of Tidying Up”, put me in the “no” column. I have reread one of your quotes: “The point of the KonMari method is not to have fewer things, but to cherish the things you have.” Since this seems to offer me a choice, I choose the cherish part. It’s a lot less work.

Sincerely,

Judy Jung

P.S. Loved the dress you wore to the Oscars. I would feel joy if I could fit into it.

I’ve used this card and the following card to demonstrate the versatility of the Poppy Edger die. It is lovely either way and each is a different look. I’ve added yellow butterflies to this one, from the Flights of Fancy die set, because I’ve been told that black and white with a touch of color is pleasing to the eye. Personally, I loved it even without the touch of color!

Here I’ve used the Poppy Edger die aligned with the left margin, leaving space for a sentiment on the right. Believe it or not, that butterfly is deep pink in real life, but the camera insists it is bright red. Who am I to argue? This die will be just right for many occasions and will indeed, be timeless.

Be still my heart! The Smiling transparent set includes four adorable bears, a balloon, a present, a butterfly and two sentiments. This is all you need to make some sweet cards for any celebratory occasion. I’ve placed this sweetie in front of the die cut created with the Cut and Stitch Circle die. Perhaps a better name for this die would be “Wow!” It makes anything within its borders pop. It is yet another timeless die.

Dear Readers, I need your opinion. We take Cooper to a very talented and skilled groomer who can carve out of his shaggy curly coat a Bichon looking Cooper or a poodle looking Cooper. When we first adopted Cooper we asked Christina, our groomer to bring out the Bichon look, which she did, fluffy face and legs and all. We soon learned that the groomed look didn’t last the four weeks until the next haircut, so over the years we’ve chosen to clip his coat shorter and with fewer breed specific details. This results in a more poodle look and the haircut lasts longer and looks better over time.

Mr. RWS and I, however, are not in agreement about Cooper’s ears. Well, not actually his ears, but the fur on his ears. Mr. RWS likes the look when the fur is cut short, I prefer longer furry ears. Now, in the face of blizzards and floods, this is not an earth shaking issue, but does give us something to think about until spring bursts forth. We, Mr. RWS and I, (Cooper really doesn’t care) would like your opinion: short or long ears for Cooper. Mr. RWS and I have agreed the majority opinion will determine Cooper’s next haircut.

And once again, I am done chatting and cutting and pasting and coloring. I’ve stowed the scissors safely and vacuumed the scraps. I have decided that I am definitely a messy stamper and that brings me joy!

Remember, there is a Party with Penny Blog Hop on this Monday, March 4^th to celebrate the new Timeless release. There will be fourteen stops on the hop, including Yours Truly. Of course there will be prizes! Five lucky winners will win a $50 shopping trip to the Penny Black online store. Who doesn’t love prizes?

On that happy note, I say good-bye until next time. See you at the Hop!

Shop for today’s featured Penny Black supplies

Card No. 1: 30-543 Flower Teddy, 30-557 Lovely Birthday, 51-422 Stitched Square and Circle

Card No. 2: 30-541 Good Wishes, 40-680 At Grace

Card No. 3: 30-557 Lovely Birthday, 30-560 From the Garden, 51-409 Ribbon Stackers, 80-015 Golden Moment

Card No. 4: 51-132 Flights of Fancy, 51-292 Just for You, 51-507 Poppy Edger

Card No. 5: 51-132 Flights of Fancy, 51-339 You Enjoy, 51-507 Poppy Edger

Card No. 6: 30-546 Smiling, 51-508 Cut and Stitch Circles

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