Saturday, April 23, 2016

April Showers Blog Hop

Welcome to the
 
We're so glad you are hopping with us today.
We've got all kinds of great baby and bridal shower related crafts and ideas for you.

You should have arrived here from Miranda (AKA: "Nana") at Nana's Scrap Spot.
If you just stopped by, be sure to hop to the very beginning at Theresa's blog scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com to get started and not miss any of the great projects.

Now on with the projects.

Ok... first of all... So sorry I'm late. Believe it or not, I was totally going to be on time like yeah, dude. But... the hubs got in a car accident last week and blah blah blah and (yes, he and my 11yo are fine) but, long story short, we had to go get another car today after finding out the insurance was going to pay us off... (which isn't very much, when your car was a 2006 and had 213,000+ miles on it... ugh...) Did I say I hate car shopping? Anwyay... I got home after midnight (my time - PST), and here I am... Did I say he insisted I go... to read and look over documents? Finishing up and putting it all out there. So... during the sunset, this was my view:



Note - this is NO filter, and there is NO tint on the windows. It was breathtakingly spectacular. and windy as hell outside
 
Moving onto my project and be mindful of the blurriness of some, as I asked for help and/or suggestions, and no one has spoken/written up...
 
Above, you see Mike and Ike (yes... named them.) They are two failures, but I was almost out of flesh-colored cardstock and had to salvage one, so I chose Ike. My best buddy Cricut Explore Air kinda dropped the ball... The intricate cuts on the faces didn't cut out too well. So I gauged Ike's eye with a Cricut hook. It came out as best as can bee oh wait. that was a whole hop ago... (you'll see the result a couple more pics down...)
This is everything I cut on the Cricut. Other cuts turned out just fine. I guess I'll have to check my blade.
I went with a peach gingham-type patterned mat because I rarely mat, and wanted to show ya'll that I don't have to have everything naked on top of white cardstock. Sure. It looked clean enough... but that just wasn't enough for me. It needed something else. OMG! Do I have to say it every time? Guess so... It's staying.
So... I cropped all the corners of the mat and card with the "picture" Corner Chomper. And I loved it... but it still wasn't enough... and so...
I took my chalks out of retirement hiding since I couldn't find a peachy-type ink in my stash that wasn't too orange and wasn't too red and wasn't too pink.
and chalked the edges. Yes. I know it's blurry. See the note above regarding this issue and/or other posts asking for help and if you can help, then please do and if you can't then... well... YOU figure it out. Shhh... it really is there. It's subtle. If you look very closely, you can see the fine peach edge...
And then I was hungry... so I broke out the Gelatos... first in a nice pink sorbet... then in a purple... because? why?
Everyone now... "It just wasn't enough!"
I colored and glued it all down...
(Side note... um... SQUIRREL!!!! This reminded me of Batman, and I've been singing/humming the tune since I got home. My husband thinks I'm nuts!)
This is where I gauged Ike's eye out. It was kinda fun. I might want to do another gauging after tonight's car-buying non-adventures. Did I say I hate car shopping?
And here she is... (Is she a baby or a bride?) haha... We shall see! Whatever she is at this point, she's being "showered with love..."
Seriously. 6 attempts. SIX! to get the inking and embossing powder right. Ugh. You're so lucky I'm not posting pics of every single attempt! Right about now... I'm totally wishing and needing for a MISTI (Most Incredible Stamp Tool Invented). Check out this video and you'll want one, too!
Clap your hands, folks! I finally got it right!
And with that... I applied a little heat and was D-O-N-E with it. Woohoo!
I'm totally lovin' the facial expression. It's about how I felt when the embossing powder finally adhered the way I wanted it to.
And Voila! The finished project... In case you didn't get it... It's a B-A-B-Y! but not mine!!!!

Hope you enjoyed your April "Shower" and hope the showers aren't too bad in your area. I'm stepping on deck tomorrow (swim meet) in 80-degree weather!

Thanks for hopping with us today. Be sure to comment on each blog along the way
to be entered in today's giveaway for a $15 gift certificate to

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/scrapsbygracie


Your next stop is... Um... (looking around...) All I can see is... ME! But... You can start back at the beginning. I'm sure Theresa would love to have you visit again! Or check out any of our wonderful projects by following the links in today's lineup: 

Card A Day Challenge Blog Design Team ~ cardadaychallenge.blogspot.com
Kim ~ katydidcards.com
Anna ~ http://grumpygrandmacreations.blogspot.com
Sarah ~ www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com
Sharon ~ http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com
Holli ~ Sunflowerholli.blogspot.com
Amanda ~ http://salnclts76.blogspot.com
Jearise ~ http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com
Alicia ~ http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com
Enclade ~ www.nanasscrapspot.com
See ya next time!!!! (*Waving frantically*)

27 comments:

  1. sorry for the circumstances of your new car....but hey you have a new one! I just recently went through this...minus the accident...but I had to work on selling a car falling apart...lol! I did it! And I love having a newER dependable car with under 100,000 miles again! anyway great project! hope you enjoy your new vehicle! and glad everyone is alright!

    Alicia

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    1. thanks! yeah... but... we'd just bought one (to replace mine) less than a year ago. Hubs car was PRISTINE! I'm sure he cries when no one's looking. and all is well... again. Thanks for visiting.

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  2. Glad your family is fine! I agree car shopping is a pain but I have to agree with Alicia on the bright side you do have a new car!!!! Love your card and your posts are always entertaining!!! Have a great day!!!

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    1. Thank you. Yes. So glad they are fine. A prerequisite for any new car (in my husband's opinion) is ONSTAR. He feels as if ONSTAR saved their lives, as (in the accident), he was turned into facing oncoming traffic... the ONSTAR activated and someone came on WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL IN MOTION and alerted Emergency Response Personnel to the scene immediately.

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  3. I am driving a 20 year old car with just under 200,000 miles and really need to get a newer one, but hate shopping for them (really the paying for them part) so much, it will probably just rust out under me until I don't have a choice. Lol. Cute card and the more in a hurry you are, the more things don't cut the way you need them to.

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    1. Haha. I hate the payments, too. Funny thing... the card was DONE. Just not the post. I was out of flesh-colored paper, and I'm really REALLY trying to utilize scraps more.

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  4. Cute card! Glad everyone is OK and yeah on a new car boo on payments.

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    1. I know! BOO! and thank you for being so understanding. My husband came to me while I was writing the post, saying, "I thought you had to work in the morning..." I told him, "But THIS was due at FIVE." He knows I stick to my commitments. He doesn't get it, but he knows I won't change.

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  5. Cute card...and commentary! And thank you also for the step by step...I know how time consuming that is to stop and take a picture of each component. I'm so glad your hubby and son are find and that you found a new card (minus the car payments, of course). That reminds me of the commercial about auto insurance where they give you enough to buy 3/4's of a car, LOL As always, it was a pleasure hopping with you.

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    1. I don't watch many commercials, but that is one I think is funny as heck (I'd totally choose a different word here...). Glad you liked it. And not a problem at all. I just have to clean my hands sometimes... hahaha. And my troopers are just that. Crash... and get back in. Thanks for the great thoughts.

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  6. Cute little card. Beautiful sunset - sorry about the car though. Least the family was all good!

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    1. Yes! I loved that sunset. Car? meh. My husband will survive his loss. And yes that the fam bam is good! Thanks for your concern.

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  7. So glad your family was not seriously hurt. A car can be replaced .. family cannot. Thanks for sharing this cute card. Your humor is refreshing.

    Sharon
    A Piece Of Heart Blog
    **Make sure to visit my blog to grab some really great FREE Digi Sentiments.**

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    1. Awwww... THANK YOU! Family can't be replaced, true... But I believe my husband BELIEVES that THAT card WAS his baby! lol!

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  8. Your card is so adorable! I enjoy reading your post and I am happy your husband and daughter were not hurt.

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  9. You always crack me up! The card is too sweet and yes, you must invest in a MISTI! Best purchase I have made in a long time!

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    1. I will invest, one day... They're just SO expensive. It seems that right when I'm ready to get one, something else happens, and I have to put it off again. I've been pining for one for over a year.

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  10. Very creative... So glad your family is not harmed... A new car can be fun, I hope you find the perfect one 💖

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    1. Thank you. Oh we got it all right. It's a mini of what we just bought less than a year ago (I got a Chevy Traverse). We ended up with a Chevy Equinox. Quite a nice "little" car...

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  11. OMG, I was laughing through your entire post! I'm glad, under the circumstances, we saved the best for last!:) I'm glad everyone is ok. Great job on your card & I'm glad you didn't give up on the embossing powder!

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    1. Ha! I never give up... (well... almost never!). And thank you so much!

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  12. Thank you for the entertaining post! Your baby card is super cute!

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  13. Cute card and thanks for all the directions on the way you made it. I always find them so helpful since I am a curious sort.

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  14. So glad you finally got to post. It wouldn't be a hop without you! Because by the time I am done reading I am usually laughing so hard I am crying. I have gouged out eyes too! Next time just set the face to draw! OR Print/cut! I have decided I will NEVER do a cut out disney princess face EVER again! Thanks for hopping!!!

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  15. Fun card! Love that cute umbrella!

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Thanks for sharing the luv! Feel free to look around to other posts. I so appreciate you stopping by and commenting. Love to know you were here! Have a happy day!