First of all, I LOVE my SB Captivating Squares. Secondly, it was a downright GORGEOUS card that I had no hope of doing any justice to, which is fine by me. All I know is that Kathy-without having a clue-made me sit down in front of my sewing machine and try like the dickens for a good half hour to sew a straight line. I didn't succeed, but I needed the practice!! Next, I did the hole punching thing which I have NEVER done before...in my life! And last but not least, I was able to CASE her layers and not break out in hives...not a one!
Kathy, your gallery is unreal, chica! You deserve the honor and I'm so happy to get to try my hand at one of your cards!!
Instead of the roses, I went with my poinsettia. You'll see a lot of these from me until about mid-January. Then I'm over it. I couldn't care less about seeing one of the dang things until the following August.
Lately, I have secretly been working on some of my bad crafting habits. Like keeping my scraps organized and going there FIRST when I start working on a card, instead of pulling a fresh sheet. Or forcing myself to wait 24 hours when I see a die or stamp I just HAVE to have and want to buy immediately. (I'm up to about 45 minutes...hey...it'll come. Rome wasn't built in a day and I can't just dump Ebay after being in a 15 year relationship. Baby steps, people. Baby steps.)
Lastly, I've been actually making myself use my designer paper.
Don't you look at me like that!!!! Don't you act like what I just said was all crazy and that you have NO idea what I'm talking about!!! If you claim to not understand what I'm saying then you LIE like a rug!!
What IS it about designer paper? Well, other than it being all 'designer'. And more expensive. And has a tendency to go out of print sooner than later. But other than that, WHY CAN'T WE BRING OURSELVES TO USE THE *&^*&* STUFF??????
Look, all those reasons notwithstanding, we ALL purchased our DP WITH the intent of USING it. You would've laughed in the face of anyone who dare suggest you would pay good money for paper, then refuse to use it.
Julie, from justwritedesigns, in a moment of touching candor, admitted to the inability to use much of her designer paper. "But," she said, "I DO have visitation with mine and I try to make it as positive an experience as I can. Why would I mess up that relationship and shatter the trust between us by being so cold-hearted as to cut into it?"
Excellent point, Julie.
So, while I'm working on this character flaw, I hope you can draw strength from my struggle. I'm proud to say I purchased a Carta Bella kit the other day and used almost every piece, INCLUDING the stickers!!!
Unfortunately, I only did it AFTER I ordered another from Amazon. Next time, I'm going to cut into that sucker and THEN shop for an immediate replacement!!!
Baby steps, people. Baby steps.
(Thanks to Julie for letting me share our conversation. Of course, I MIGHT have taken a teeny tiny literary license with it...just a very, minute amount. As far as you know.)
Date: Sunday, August 31, 2014 GMT Views: 5500
Favorited:10
Registered: December 4, 2009 Location: Southern Utah's Dixie Posts: 20572
Sun, Aug 31, 2014 @ 8:16 PM
So beautiful! I need to pull out my Fleur De Lis Squares Set and use them more often. I love your story about how we buy and use our stuff, that's me all the way!
Registered: March 31, 2008 Location: Eastlake, OH Posts: 22598
Sun, Aug 31, 2014 @ 8:35 PM
There is no way I could begin to case that card of Kathy's but you did a magnificent job with it! Your poinsettia is GORGEOUS! Flower forming has been my nemesis. I love the way you somehow made it look textured too! Love the framing, Carmen! This is outstanding!
Registered: January 23, 2011 Location: chattanooga, tennessee Posts: 62
Sun, Aug 31, 2014 @ 8:39 PM
you have done an excellent justice to Kathy, you nailed it and I love your beautiful creation with you designer paper background. I totally related to your story and thank you for giving me a chuckle.
Registered: September 3, 2007 Location: native Texan living in extreme N. GA Posts: 73400
Sun, Aug 31, 2014 @ 8:48 PM
Ha ha, Carmen! You did GOOD! I can't even begin to tell you how many doubles of 6x6 pads of dp I have. And I STILL have a hard time cutting it.Especially the stuff I really like. Some stuff I liked but got over it sooner, now I'm like "umm. yeah. don't really want to use it. not as pretty as I first thought. what else is in there?" Then I proceed to make my own background, as usual.
Well, you deserve a pat on the back! And I love poinsettias. I guess that means I should probably use that poinsettia die I bought a couple of years ago. Shoot. Now I have to USE all the stuff I buy?? I hear ebay calling my name.
Registered: November 1, 2005 Location: Posts: 77159
Mon, Sep 01, 2014 @ 6:37 AM
Bawahahha... Okay I almost spit my coffee on the screen as I read this. You are a crack up! Glad you didn't break out in hives too, that is always a good thing. Your poinsettia looks beautiful! The SB Squares frame it perfectly and yes I am with you on the DP. I always have a hard time using it. The visitation part for Julie is priceless!!! She is a sweetheart isn't she! Awesome card!
Registered: April 1, 2012 Location: Rogers, AR Posts: 28936
Mon, Sep 01, 2014 @ 8:03 AM
There is only one word for this card: GORGEOUS!! Love love this card with the poinsettia and all those square die cuts -- gorgeous!
------------------------------ 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: September 14, 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 993
Wed, Sep 03, 2014 @ 1:51 PM
Carmen, your card is just gorgeous! What a fabulous CASE you have created! Love the poinsettia flower with the branch punch and the beautiful die cuts!
I have to tell you a little secret, my stitching was faux stitching...I hate to sew fabric (ugh!) let alone paper!!! I did the piercing and then used a sewing needle and floss for mine!
You are just so funny! Love all your stories about dp and all our extra stuff we must have! I'm right there with you!
Thank you so much for your kind words and honoring me with this beauty! Blessings! Kathy
------------------------------ Let your light so shine before men...glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt. 5:16 My blogMyGallery
Registered: September 21, 2006 Location: In the beautiful Sequatchie Valley, Home of the Paper Clip Project - The National Cornbread Festival Posts: 26563