Jul 18, 2017 | About Me, Gallery, Hand-Crafted Cards |
I had an idea of the meaning of “going viral,” but wanted to get an explanation. In today’s age of technology, it’s important to know these things, so who better to ask than Siri.
She led me to a number of definitions, and I’ll boil it down to this: It’s the sharing of something on social media that gets re-shared multiple times. I think I knew that, but what constitutes it being called viral was where I needed understanding. I learned that it’s all relative. For some, it would take thousands or even hundreds of thousands to be considered viral. For others, it could take a mere 100, or 50, or anything that’s above your average. This is nice, because you don’t have to compare yourself to anyone else (we shouldn’t do this anyway) to have a viral experience.
I can now say, with confidence, that this card has gone viral. I found this picture stored in a cloud (crazy-huh?) dated July 6, 2016. I posted it on Pinterest a year ago, attracting 3,000 pins, and it’s still being re-pinned today. I’m not saying this to brag, but rather as a curiosity. I mean, it’s an okay card, but not the one I would have chosen to “go viral.”
That’s the other thing about “going viral,” you can’t predict it or determine it.
In the end, it’s all about sharing. I’m grateful for the technology that enables us to do this so easily. And, I’m even more grateful for those who enjoy what I have to share. May we all have a viral experience today!
Jul 16, 2017 | About Me, Gallery, Hand-Crafted Cards |
I learned the meaning of anticipation early in life. My brother and I would spend countless hours talking about the morning when Santa Claus would finally arrive. This little, backward girl from Birthday Delivery re-creates this memory of sending up wishes to Santa.
The inspiration for this card was from the challenge going on over at Just Add Ink. We were asked to use a birthday set for Christmas. I often use a combination of sets for one project, so this was a “must do” challenge.
In addition to Birthday Delivery, I used a Celebration Times Thinlit, which cut the gifts (birthday) from Whisper White cardstock. I stamped it with “Merry Christmas” from the Teeny Tiny Wishes” stamp set, so there would be no mistaking. It was backed with Sending Love Designer Series Paper from Valentine’s Day, matching the Real Red card base. The little girl loved her stuffed toys (I still find them hard to resist), so she is clutching her favorite Christmas time gingerbread boy. He and the gum drop paper are from last year’s Candy Cane Lane DSP. The pretty, white, floating wishes are made by Celebration Thinlits.
I enjoyed combining birthday elements with Christmas, and it made sense to me. Afterall, Christmas is Jesus’s birthday. It was later in life that I learned the real pleasure in anticipation, and how looking forward to something can be just as exciting as the actual experience. So, high-five to the memories, high-five to the here and now, and high-five to those plans in the future!
Jul 15, 2017 | About Me, Gallery, Hand-Crafted Cards |
Life isn’t easy, and “boo boos” happen! I could tell you this Case this Sketch #230 was easy, but that would be far from the truth. First of all, I started this project late at night, I was tired, yet determined to replicate the sketch.
This happened:
With perseverance, I was able to accomplish my goal before going to bed. The Whole Lot of Lovely Designer Series Paper is beautiful, and I was able to choose three different prints, which I layered on Tranquil Tide. I raised the three rectangles on Foam Adhesive Strips and attached them to a Pool Party card base. Completing the card would have to wait for morning.
After much experimentation, I decided to use Celebration Time, because the cake fit perfectly in the upper right rectangle. The final step was to stamp “Time to Celebrate” on the bottom rectangle.
And, this happened:
It’s times like this when you need to get most creative. My disapointment was overcome when discovering that this sentiment fit perfectly in the Pretty Label Punch. Whew, project completed!
And, the moral is: 1) Don’t create when tired 2) Don’t force something when your gut tells you otherwise 3) Do make the best of a bad situation 4) Do forgive yourself.
Thanks for sticking with me on this one!
Jun 20, 2017 | About Me, Gallery, Hand-Crafted Cards |
Growing up in San Diego, I was able to spend many weekends at Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. The flamingos were located at the entrance of the zoo, and what a fabulous sight they were! I would feast my eyes on the multitude of gorgeous pink birds, and wonder how they were able to stand on those long, skinny legs. I learned that they get their color from the food they eat, including shrimp. They are highly social, so they move around in groups, eating and sleeping together. While they are eating, they stand on two legs, but they are famous for their one legged resting stance. I’ll leave the research on that to you.
CAS(E) this sketch #226 was the inspiration for this week’s flamingo card. I could see the body of the bird in the rectangle, and the long, skinny legs underneath.
It was easy choosing the card base color, which was Flirty Flamingo. How could I go wrong with that choice? I stamped the bird in that color also, and used watercolor pencils (Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo) for coloring. I fussy cut her, and decided that a Soft Sky background with a frame of Basic Black would bring my memory into focus. There was greenery at the zoo, and lots of palm trees, so I stamped the beautiful branch that comes in the set with Garden Green ink. After positioning and stamping her Calypso Coral legs on the Soft Sky cardstock, I ran it though the Big Shot using our new Dynamic Ruffled embossing folder. If you saw my Magical Mermaid card, you know I’m really liking this embossing folder.
Last, but not least, the sequins. It was such a good memory, I just had to add some sparkle. So, “thanks” CAS(E) this sketch for the inspiration, and “thanks” Stampin’ Up! for the Fabulous Flamingo stamp set.
Jun 16, 2017 | About Me, Gallery, Hand-Crafted Cards |
I grew up in San Diego, and spent many happy hours hunting for seashells along the beaches. My grandmother, Mimi, was especially appreciative of shells, and had them displayed around her home. I can picture her in heaven, surrounded by seashells and sunshine.
I thought our Burlap Backgound stamp would make a nice place to display her shells from our So Many Shells stamp set. I was anxious to use these two new sets, and they seemed to go perfectly together. I stamped the mat with Sahara Sand ink on Sahara Sand cardstock, and glued this to a Soft Suede card base.
I double stamped two of the shells. The conch shell was first stamped in Calypso Coral, and then Sahara Sand. Can you see the two stamps pictured in the stamp set? I also double stamped one of the scallop shells, using Sahara Sand and Blushing Bride. A second scallop was stamped just once with Blushing Bride. The round shell ( I can’t recall its name) was stamped once also: one in Wisteria Wonder, and one in Sahara Sand. The two round shells were cut with a Layering Circles die with an edge that was just right for the shell, and the sentiment, “For You,” fit perfectly. Speaking of sentiments, I know this stamp set received many Pal’s votes for the most beautiful sentiments in the Stampin’ Up 2017-1018 Catalog.
The final touch was popping up the shells on dimensionals, and placing three tiny pearls. This is for you, Mimi, forever my playmate.
May 31, 2017 | About Me, Gallery |
One year ago today, May-31-2016, Mama met Jesus face to face in Heaven. I’m happy for her, so why am I crying? For all of you who have lost someone close to your heart, I know you understand. There’s a longing to put things back the way they were. I want the phone to ring, and hear her voice on the other end of the line. Remember? The ones that connect to the wall. We talked endlessly, and laughed about how we could solve the problems of the world. I want the memories that I see in pictures to be real again. I just plain miss her, and the aching is real.
I miss Daddy too, who passed Easter morning, 2006. But, it’s a different type of missing. He’s the one who filled me with my competitive spirit, and a stubbornness to persevere. He helped me compose my first poem, and instilled in me the desire to write. I feel his strength, but not his pull. It’s comforting knowing my parents are together.
Thank you, Mama, for nurturing me in your womb, and for giving me this desire to create. Thank you both for your constant, and continuing inspiration and steadfast love. I feel your presence, so today, I choose joy. Until we meet again.
Your daughter,
Su, Susan, Susie, Stinky Su, Missy Moo
