When Sheri asked what a good theme for my step-dad would be, I immediately said "Fishing!". Afterwards, I spent the next 24 hours, vowing never to tell the truth again.
You see, the truth doesn't always set you free. It can actually enslave you and cost you precious time, money and whatever peace of mind you've managed to salvage as a hostage of the little militant army in your house you gave birth to. Of all the 27 thousand dollars in stamps I've purchased (upfront as well as with embezzled funds from the grocery budget and maybe a SMALL loan or 9 from the kid's college funds) can you guess the ONE stamp I DON'T possess in ANY form?
Yep. You got it.
Had I not been so inclined to tell the truth, I would've taken a mental inventory of stamps I DO have and replied with a theme that calls for plenty of those stamps and the style to go with it. Of course, Sheri might've questioned my response of "Pretty Pink Princess' and Flower Fairies! Yes. I'm sure. Joe is TOTALLY into that!", but I would've been able to pop out a card, secure in the knowledge that, not only would I get to play with plenty of sequins and stickles, those who might possibly question my step-father's 'likes', would probably never meet him.
Not having anything that would work, I turned to the computer. I don't have much experience with digi stamps, and it's not that I don't like the concept, it's just that the extent of my computer knowledge is equal to that of whomever happens to be in my scream range. But I stumbled on this wonderful image and purchased it.
I immediately downloaded and clicked 'print'. 17 pages later, I realized that a resizing was a necessity and I would have to scream...I mean 'call' the pros in. Thank goodness my husband (along with the rest of the neighborhood AND our community emergency response team) responded quickly. With help, I DID manage to get it down to a workable size.
It didn't take me long to watercolor, and I was pleased that I would be able to get this uploaded earlier than my usual 5pm. Unfortunately, it was about that time my OCD woke up and, probably unhappy I was a little low on coffee and had allowed the cereal boxes to fall out of alphabetical order, began nagging me to add a lure to accent the card.
"Come on," my OCD whispered, "you can do it! You'll have to run to the store for beads and while you're out, you can grab a Whopper and then a frozen yogurt for desert to cancel it out. Oh! And don't you DARE forget the coffee. The cereal boxes we'll deal with tonight. You know, right after you go to bed and just before you drift off to sleep? Yeah, I'll make sure to pop in at that moment to remind you that Froot Loops NEVER come after Fruit and Raisin (the fact Froot should be spelled "Fruit" does NOT count as a technicality) and you can fix it then. Ok? Ok. We're good."
So, it was on to the store and the result is this fabulous lure, made from a feather, beads, glossy accents and Bowdabra wire.
Thanks again for doing this for Joe and if you don't send a card, that's ok too! I know how it feels for things to be overwhelming. Besides, numbers of cards notwithstanding, I know you all care and you're always here for me, along with anyone that needs some cheering up...I home you know I'm here for you, too. Love and hugs again, my friends!!
Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2014 GMT Views: 1905
Favorited:7
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Proud Fan Club Member Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: April 18, 2011 Location: Melbourne, Aus Posts: 51844
Tue, Jul 22, 2014 @ 3:09 PM
WooHoo Miss Carmen what a wonderful card you have created. I love reading your stories and seeing your cards. Your water colouring is fantastic. I am glad you won the battle with the Digi image LOL.
------------------------------ Susie
Please don't take your organs to heaven - heaven knows we need them here.
Registered: March 31, 2008 Location: Eastlake, OH Posts: 22598
Tue, Jul 22, 2014 @ 6:33 PM
Carmen, the effort you put into this is amazing! Fantastic watercoloring! Thank you for your so funny story! I really CAN relate to panic attacks at not having an image I need right this minute! What a fabulous job on that lure!! Being a fishing family, I must remember that one (or better yet, just rob his tackle box!)
Registered: January 8, 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 40445
Wed, Jul 23, 2014 @ 3:15 AM
You found the perfect digi image, Carmen, for this challenge and your colouring is just wonderful!! Your story was very amusing, too, BTW!! I do hope this tea party puts a huge smile on Joe's face!!
------------------------------ Sue
Fan Club Member QFTD143 FS420
Registered: August 15, 2007 Location: Twin Cities MN Posts: 50761
Wed, Jul 23, 2014 @ 4:53 AM
The lure alone was worth getting the cereal boxes out of alpha order Perfect card for a fishing enthusiast!...Great watercoloring...loved your write up. Oh and you can't count on that mental inventory of your twenty seven thousand dollars worth of stamps...it isn't the stamps you don't have..it's the duplicate of the ones you do....did I use too many double negatives in that? It'll make sense some day..
Registered: April 1, 2012 Location: Rogers, AR Posts: 28964
Wed, Jul 23, 2014 @ 7:16 AM
Fantastically done!! Love that fishing fly in the corner and your coloring is amazing!!!
------------------------------ Jan 'Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ'. Philippians 1:6
Registered: March 15, 2012 Location: Alabama Posts: 11018
Wed, Jul 23, 2014 @ 2:48 PM
You did amazing!! Digital images can be hard to work with, especially with water. But your water coloring is beautiful! Lovely scene and that fishing lure is the perfect trimming! Fantastic card for your step-dad!!!
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni SCS Gallery Moderator Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: July 27, 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 132020
Fri, Jul 25, 2014 @ 12:22 PM
Hilarious write-up, Carmen. At least you also got a wonderful card at the end of it all. I sent Joe my Snoopy and Woodstock; been busy practising music and enjoying the rare sunshine all week, so I decided to be realistic and get something mailed out today instead of thinking it might still happen. I still have Fred Bear Fishing sitting on my desk looking reproachfully at me.
What a great story!!! You have such a way with words!! Your fishing lure is perfect! I love it that you listened to the little voice. Too often I skip the voice and I think skip that extra touch of magic! Terrific card!
Registered: September 21, 2006 Location: In the beautiful Sequatchie Valley, Home of the Paper Clip Project - The National Cornbread Festival Posts: 26563