So, I'm sitting here today and I called out for my husband's help. I try NEVER to do that. Mostly, with marriage being pretty much a game of 'one up', unless I'm really far ahead (which is usually the case) I try to not tap into that credit line by allowing myself to get indebted to him. But I finally had to break down and ask for his help in fixing my webcam so I can produce my FIRST crafting video (which will probably make me insufferable...well, more insufferable than usual...) and I knew that to make this happen, IÂ’d have to tap into the reserves to get a little technical help.
I’d like to point out how incredibly desperate I am to do a video. The last time I cashed out all of my ‘one-up’ balance was when I broke down and finally begged him to install a program on my computer that would make it possible to unzip that 772 vintage collage files I’ve been collecting for when I’m brave enough to venture into mixed media. I’m telling you, it hurt.
IÂ’m telling you people I couldÂ’ve opened my own CRAFT store with the bonus points from THAT week!
Sigh.
Now, IÂ’m waiting for him to come solve all my webcam and software problems. I could hear the unbridled joy in his voice as he called to me to wait and that heÂ’d be there to help me and that heÂ’d also hang out edit the video for me.
If I werenÂ’t so anxious to show everyone how marvelous I am on video, IÂ’d be sick. SICK, I tell you.
So, flash forward to Monday afternoon.
It has been a downer of a week up to this point; the unzip program crashed, my video software isnÂ’t handling marvelous-ness, apparently, and my children are still plotting against me. When theyÂ’re not asking for a ride somewhere or money or contacts that make their eyes red. Seriously. Red eyes. Santa is totally you-know-what this year.
But despite all that, I had ONE thing going for me. I kept thinking, “I’ve got this awesome card that I can’t WAIT to preview at the color challenge!”
I’d been working on it Friday and Saturday. It was 2 stairstep card with an entire 5 and ½ inch flat panel in the back. It sported a staircase with evergreen branches and poinsettias running down the railing, a window with greenery on top that looked out to a winter blue snowy skies and evergreen trees topped with snow (thank you, liquid applique!) and I’d just assembled the huge fireplace (with evergreen, Christmas ornament garlands, etc.) to take up the wall under the staircase on the second stair, when tragedy struck.
Side note: Ok. It wasn’t like an ‘Act of God’ or anything. I had a massive glue incident and I overreacted.
The first mistake I made was to panic and start pulling things apart. Of course, this would be the FIRST time that Glossy Accents completely dried in 2.5 seconds instead of the usual 7-10 and when the first rip occurred, I MIGHT have lost my temper and it COULD be that I ended up throwing my challenge entry against the wall at 7pm on Monday night when said entry is due in 3 hours. ItÂ’s POSSIBLE that I used words that were so bad that my own grandma wouldÂ’ve been motivated to rise from the dead just to cut a switch and beat my tail.
PERHAPS it resulted in me (while still spewing a litany of profanities) having to pull together a chipboard ornament in 2 and ½ hours when something like this takes me a day of thinking about it and a couple of days to put it together.
Whatever the case MAY have been, I now present you with this ornament that is CASEd because I saw it a long time ago but have no idea who did it and, if I may be so blunt, I donÂ’t care at this point.
In short, itÂ’s been a long, long, LONG week. I NEED to go to bed, then arise in the morning to see the promise of a new day (as long as I see said promise after I have sufficiently caffeinated myself and taken the meds that that are pretty good about preventing me from tearing up challenge products..well, for the MOST part.) The bottom line is, I have to stop being an overachiever. I canÂ’t do everything for everyone. I need to take better care of ME.
I see now that I really shouldnÂ’t have pushed myself so hard.
ThatÂ’s rightÂ…there was NO reason to force myself to get through an entire week completely sober. I certainly wonÂ’t make THAT mistake again!!
Date: Monday, September 22, 2014 GMT Views: 1389
Favorited:5
Registered: April 6, 2009 Location: Weyers Cave, Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley Posts: 31083
Tue, Sep 23, 2014 @ 2:24 AM
I'm almost 'speechless' here, Carmen! What a mess you've been in......Talk about frustration! And having a deadline is not the time for a creation to crash and burn, so to speak! But look what you came up with in the blink of an eye! A most beautiful dazzling poinsettia adorned with lace, jewels and pearls; one of the finest I've seen! A very special ornament indeed! (whispering) *I think Santa should stuff this in one of your children's stockings~
------------------------------ ~Roberta
�Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.�
― Lou Holtz
Registered: March 20, 2005 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 77633
Tue, Sep 23, 2014 @ 5:12 AM
Wow...lots of verbage here with some frustration and humor...but, ultimately everything worked out for you! I do know that this is an awesome work of heart...gorgeous! Well worth the frustration!
------------------------------
If you open someone's card, you must have liked it...please leave a comment to encourage them!
Registered: March 31, 2008 Location: Eastlake, OH Posts: 22598
Tue, Sep 23, 2014 @ 6:10 AM
Carmen, this is incredible!! WOW! Love that poinsettia, the gorgeous colors, tulle and rhinestones! Thank you too for the chuckles! Right into favorites with this!
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni My Pinkie is Inkie in Boxertown
Registered: April 4, 2006 Location: Boxertown USA, IL Posts: 67305
Tue, Sep 23, 2014 @ 7:10 AM
Carmen, my friend, you are a mess. (saying that lovingly)
What a week. I am glad your hubby is willing to help you since you are so far up on him. Your ornament is beautiful. I love the fabulous poinsettia and the pearls. Your step card sounds beautiful, too. Can't wait to see it.
Registered: November 7, 2004 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 15142
Tue, Sep 23, 2014 @ 8:51 AM
I know I would not have been able to come up with this in short order! Absolutely beautiful. Loved your story, but know your frustration. I'd be glad to share a glass of wine with you any day of the week!
------------------------------ Peggy SCS Color Challenge DT/Crazy4Challenges DT
Blog: Artfulljourney
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Proud Fan Club Member
Registered: September 24, 2007 Location: WA Posts: 13911
Tue, Sep 23, 2014 @ 9:27 AM
Oh, Carmen, I can only hope that at least 50% of this story was creative fiction! What a week! i know I *do* want to see that video. Meanwhile, what a lovely ornament you've created, with its blingy poinsettia and pearls. Love it!
------------------------------ Barbara Splitcoast Dirty Dozen My website: Inky Fun SCS Fan Club Member Color Challenge Team Member QFTD215
Registered: May 28, 2008 Location: Arnold, Missouri Posts: 15273
Tue, Sep 23, 2014 @ 10:54 AM
Carmen, with all the frustration, you can sit back and be pleased with this amazing work of art. What a gorgeous ornament. And the colors are fabulous!
------------------------------ "The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8
Registered: June 9, 2006 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 55665
Tue, Sep 23, 2014 @ 11:38 AM
This is a beautiful ornament Carmen!! I love the tulle, the gems, and the gorgeous pearls with the pretty luster. Very nicely made and a special piece to put on the tree or just somewhere in the house. :>)