I thought this was supposed to relieve stress...

Most days, if I couldn't stamp, I'd probably blow a gasket. It's usually really beneficial, much more beneficial, than say, oh, I dunno...cleaning. But sometimes you have those days....

I woke up in the morning knowing that I would have to do SOME cleaning. Leaving 4 people here for 3 days on their own with the house already in the state it was did not bear thinking about. (BTW, I do appreciate the advice about taking the kids to the funeral; I would if it were here in town, but since it isn't I'd have to pull them out of school for 3 days and Dan and I just didn't think it was a good idea, so they and their dad are staying here.)

But, even if some cleaning had to be done, surely I could sandwich a little stamping time in there somewhere, 'cause after all, you may have noticed a new design team there off to the left side: Kitchen Sink Stamps! Normally, I would be unsufferably puffed up about it and tooting a big horn but under the circumstances, I decided just to make a card today and let you see some of the fun you can have with these nifty stamps. Yes, fun. It started out that way, anyway.

I started out by playing with Pretty Petals, wanting to get a Christmas look and decided that, while I wasn't having any luck getting the petals to look like a snowflake, that a poinsettia was perfectly achievable. I used SU! inks because I just love the In Colors and these stamps take dye inks beautifully...you don't even need to scuff 'em up like you do some acrylics.

I got my piece all stamped and decided to use the Wrought Iron corner punch (retired last year) on the mat. It was kind of cool [she looks around, shifty-like] not to have to worry about what was retired and what couldn't be used...all these toys I've collected that mostly sit because I only wanted to use current SU! are now all available to me...heh heh heh...

But if you've used that punch you know what a pain in the patoot it can be to get your insert piece just the right size and if you don't want a gigunga 1/4" reveal on your mat you have to trim it down AFTER you punch it. Then you have to bend back all those little notchy pieces in the corner to get your insert to slide right into the corners properly. And half the time, you'll get one corner in right and another one will pop back out again. "THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN!!!" I thought, "NOT MORE STRESS ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE!!!" Funny thing...I could hear my brother somewhere laughing his butt off...this would be very funny to him...as my sister reminded me on the phone yesterday, he never let anybody else pick on us because he figured that was HIS job.

So after fiddling with the mat and the insert piece, pulling it out a couple times to put adhesive on the back so it would stay in there, and sponging the edges, I stuck it down with some of the gold ribbon we used to sell tied around the bottom. Then I made a big  mistake: this set does not have little dots to do a poinsettia center, so I figured some yellow Stickles that I bought a while back and had never used would be perfect. WARNING: never, never put Stickles on your card until you are SURE you are finished. Absolutely, positively finished.

Oh, I sweated over those Stickles (I had the world's WORST clogging bottle of these things, I had to ram a pin in the opening everytime I got one drop of the stuff out! MORE STRESS!!!) And then I decided that the gold ribbon looked WRONG and I really needed something in the Always Artichoke color I was using to stamp part of the leaves. I pulled up the mat on the bottom, removed the gold ribbon and starting to tie the Artichoke grosgrain around the mat...and, yes, you guessed it: I smeared the yellow stickles all over the place! ARRRGGGHHH!!!

I tried wiping them away, but then the Purely Pomegranate ink smeared underneath...ARRGGHHH!!! ARRGGGHHH!!!!

So I had to trash it and start again and do everything all over again. I managed to save the card base...that was it.

Anyway, after my struggle and stress, here it is:

Ingredients: Stamps - Kitchen Sink Stamps Pretty Petals, River City Rubber Works (sentiment); Paper - Certainly Celery, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White; Ink - Purely Pomegranate, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke; Other - Wrought Iron Corner punch, Yellow Stickles, Always Artichoke 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.

Yes, it's lovely and I hasten to add that these stamps are usually a breeze to stamp with, so it is definitely the loose nut behind the acrylic block in this case. If you'd like to read a great review of these stamps, head on over to Craft Critique today, where they will not only show you more stuff, but tell you how you can win a free set of Kitchen Sink Stamps! How cool is THAT?!?!

And I'm also going to say that there are some great new sets coming out on November 1st and I have already seen them, now that I'm a member of the Kitchen Sink Crew! As I like to say, "Love to stamp with the Kitchen Sink, just don't ask me to clean it!" I can't wait to get my hands on those sets!

Now, for those of you pining for more Stampin' Up!, never fear! I am still holding a class next Monday, though I had to cancel tonight's class at Scrappy Chic, so I decided to get a card out of the way so I didn't have to design everything when I get back. So last night I headed down for more stamping therapy (which it was last night...must have been holding my mouth wrong today):

Stamps - Stampin' Up!™ Season of Joy; Paper - Soft Sky, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke, Wintergreen DP; Ink - Soft Sky, Certainly Celery, Purely Pomegranate, Versamark; Other - Pretties Kit, 1" & 1 1/4" circle punches, tag corner punch, Purely Pomegranate double-stitched grosgrain, Iridescent Ice EP, white gel pen, stampin' sponge, dimensionals.

This is another Irridescent Ice Resist card; here's a detail:

I tried to capture with the camera the glitter of the Iridescent Ice, but I didn't quite manage it.

Yes, it is GOJUS! The ribbon was actually tied around the card vertically until this morning, when I got up and realized it really belonged horizontally across the  patterned paper.

So now that I've gotten that out of the way, I guess I'll continue cleaning. The bathroom, at least, is done...just need to change the sheets and the comforter on the bed and put the Velux blanket on for the colder weather that's coming.

As I mentioned, my sister did call yesterday and tell me she wanted to speak at the funeral, so at least I won't have the whole thing to do. If she says a few words, then I can say a few words and the rest is in the prayer book and easy to follow. We had a nice time swapping our Steve stories and remembering him...LouAnn was closer to him than I, since they shared the same birthday a year apart and sometimes it seemed like they were twins. The first shock is over and I've been spending a lot of time trying to remember things about Steve that I can talk about and it is SO helpful! I'm still trying to shake this cold though...need a voice for Wednesday. Right now I sound like a fog horn. I might have time to post tomorrow before I go...I really appreciate all those kind words that keep pouring in and I can FEEL the prayer support holding me up. Thank you so much!

Comments

[joyk]

Ohhhhhhhhhh I love this one! My set is coming this week and can hardly wait to play. I wish you Godspeed on your trip and strength to get you through the difficult days ahead!

[Tandra Boyer]

XLLNT cards Jan! So where is th etoot on the Iridescent Ice resist? Do you use IIce instead of clear emaboss? Did I just answer my own question?? LOL

Taks care Jan. Its funny that once the shock abates, you can start thinking of all the funny things that happened with your brother, and youll want to talk forever about them. It makes it easier when you can tell about all that stuff. Eases the pain a bit fo rthe day of his service.
Hugs!

[Shannan Teubner]

I love both of these cards and yes, have smeared the Stickles many a time. lol

[Lori]

Looking forward to working with you on the Kitchen Sink Stamps design team! I can relate to your Stickles issue . . .

Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts.

[Robin (robth)]

Just wanted to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow.
And, the cards are beautiful!

[Susan]

your cards are beautiful. i just visited the kitchen sink to see the stamps - lovely. i don't need another stamp company addiction, oh well... bless you while you are traveling and speaking. prayers will be with you there and back.

[Peggy Maier]

Glad the shock has worn off & you can reminisce about all the fun times with Steve! God bless you as you lead his service - I can't imagine how hard that will be. But God is faithful & will be there with you through it all! Love the cards & can totally relate to your stickles story!

[twinks]

Aw, Jan...
You really are marvelous!
Be good to yourself and don't attempt to do too much; just go with the flow.

More hugs being sent across the Pacific O.

[Mary Jo Price-Williams]

This card is stunning! I will be keeping you in my prayers for the next few days. I am sure you will do a wonderful job with your brothers funeral. Quite an honor. My condolences to you and your family.

[Cheryl K]

Congrats on Design Team debut! Your work is so awesome and inspiring, it will be wonderful to see your work there too. God's Blessings this week for your family. Prayers are there for you!

[Tina]

Gorgeous card. I will continue to pray for your family in this hour of great need. I am sorry for your loss.

[Kathleenh]

Gorgeous cards Jan! I'm glad you were able to fit in some stamping therapy during this stressful time. Good luck with the funeral.

[Chris Mott]

Just found your blog. Love this card. I was looking for other texas bloggers! I have seen your work, but did not realize you were from Texas. Chris

[Lisa (crazycatstamper)]

Love both cards... I know what you mean about the Wrought Iron corner... it's so pretty, but such a pain sometimes!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE what you did with the tree from Season of Joy.... case case case-ing that idea! Thanks for the inspiration!

[Beth]

Jan - these cards were SO worth your effort, they are stunning!
Keeping you in my prayers (especially tomorrow), you'll be fine. Your family is blessed to have you as part of their spiritual foundation.

[Heather Mitchell]

Hey, Jan... I read your blog on my Google reader, but don't usually have time to leave comments. However, I got this e-mail the other day, and posted it on my website. As I was posting it, I thought of you and thought you might enjoy it! Here's the link: http://mitchells2000.blogspot.com/2007/10/funnies-for-today.html
I'm sorry about your brother, and hope everything goes well with the funeral, etc.

[Speedystamper]

Jan, I'm so sorry about Steve. I have you in my prayers at 2:39 pm on Wednesday, October 24.