Sounds good, doesn't it? Actually, as hot as it is here this week, this sounds more like it:
But it doesn't fit in with my theme, ya know? So we'll go back to the bath analogy. Yes, the dribble has filled up the bath tub and it's time to show you yet another UNaward winning project from my attempt to garner fame and fortune:
Ingredients: Stamps - Boatloads of Love, Family Phrases; Paper - Rainbow Sherbet DSP, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White, Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise; Ink - Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Apricot Appeal; Other - Bigz Oval Scallop frame, Large Flower punch, Word Window Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, A Perfect Day rub-ons, whtie gel pen, sponge wedges, Apricot Appeal grograin, Tempting Turquoise grosgrain, Whisper White grosgrain, Bold Brights brads, eyelet, Target $ Spot bucket.
Yes, it's STINKIN' CUTE!!! (YILM!) And the level of detail is absolutely INSANE! Why didn't they choose me?!?!?!?
{deep breath} I was feeling freaked out about the Artisan Award, but I'm much better now. Really. Much better.
So they didn't appreciate the incredible detail in this paper tole! So what?
So they didn't think this awesome piece of pescetarian punch art made the grade! So what?!?!?
I don't feel unloved! I don't feel REJECTED!
REJECTED!!!
{deep breath}...I used...{deep breath)...I used to feel rejected because of the Artisan Award but I. AM. FEELING. MUCH. BETTER. NOW.
Okay, time to immerse myself in a cardstock bath yet again...it is really the only thing that is fail proof...afterwards, I will be like this again:
Enjoy the rest of your day and the preettyy colors...ta!
OMG!!! I LOVE this fish. Stampin Up missed the mark on this one. I can't wait to see the winners if they think your stuff isn't worthy. Your is the first site I check every morning. I love your work (and humor) so I can only guess that the judges were asleep when they got to your entries.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Jennifer Hart | June 23, 2009 at 11:26 AM
You are hilarious! Love love love this project!!! Great job!
Posted by: Yvette | June 23, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Wow that fish is awesome!!!! Someone needs to check out who ever didn't pick this project cause it totally rocks! I agree completely with Jennifer Stampin' Up missed the mark. Love you humor by the way.
Posted by: Brenda | June 23, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Wow Jan, that fish is really awesome! I love the tin too. Any new mom would gush over this gift. Sorry it didn't win the award for you!
Posted by: Stefanie | June 23, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Something is really Fishy.. Wonderful gift idea..
FYI - ugh.. when is the tutorial coming out for the fish??
Posted by: Angie Resendiz-Magnine | June 23, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Bwahahahahaha....too funny!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your bucket and fish and every single thing you did with it!!! Absolutely AWESOME!!! It's not your fault that the judges were brain dead! LOL
Thanks for sharing with us...I'd pay a pretty penny for THAT ensemble! FABULOUS!!! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | June 23, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Wow, this is absolutely adorable, don't know how you didn't catch their eye with this one. What a great gift idea!
Posted by: Kim Howard | June 23, 2009 at 12:09 PM
This isn't just stinkin' cute, it's adorably stinkin' cute! I have no idea why they didn't choose you for the award! Maybe it's because you are TOO talented and that the entries for years to come would just pale in comparison. At least that's what I'd tell everyone!
Posted by: Cathy Green | June 23, 2009 at 12:12 PM
INCREDIBLE!!!! Wow, that is one fabulous baby gift!!!
Posted by: Marilyn G. | June 23, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Tsk. Tsk. I don't think they actually received your entry Jan. Or maybe someone stole it and hid it for themself! That's it! It's been fishnapped! There's no way anyone's work could be BETTER than this. That little fish is wonderful.
Posted by: Anita | June 23, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Jan-
Your work is over the top! I just love this and I love your blog. I'm always wow'd and have something to smile about when I visit. Keep up the inspiration!
Posted by: Julie Arvin | June 23, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Jan,
Wow, that is just simply fabulous as have all of your projects been. The card that showed up on the showcase must be the only thing that was not lifted by sticky fingers when they were opening your box. Seriously, how could you not win, I am flabbergasted.
Posted by: Kirsten Brown | June 23, 2009 at 12:54 PM
This is simply amazing! I love that fish. I think you were right in your guess that your entries caused someone harm upon opening & had to be safeguarded for future viewing. They are just that stunning! Thanks for sharing your entries with us...I would've felt very deprived if I had not been able to view them :-)
Posted by: Nan Goerlitz | June 23, 2009 at 01:07 PM
LOVE the fish!!!! Too clever!
Posted by: leslie | June 23, 2009 at 01:15 PM
Oh my word!!!! Are they BLIND??? Seriously! This is the coolest thing I've ever seen!
I say enter some other contest (esp one where you just send a PHOTO!!) I would hate to have made something this awesome and then not get it back!
You are an amazing artist Jan! Don't let this let you think otherwise.
Posted by: Debbie Fisher | June 23, 2009 at 02:00 PM
gosh that's so cute- yeah probably someone needed
a baby gift !
So, when you send in a project like this for Artisan
Award, do you send it with the products inside?
Or a picture of it with the baby stuff in it?
Posted by: Trish | June 23, 2009 at 02:02 PM
What the *!@*&^! were they thinkin', NOT adding you to the award winners! I've liked everything else you've shared, but this one is my fave and I just don't get it. Who makes the final choice on who wins, anyway? Are they looking for something that's easily reproduced? I would think they'd want everything you sent them! I'm off to eat some chocolate for you...
Posted by: Cheryl | June 23, 2009 at 02:17 PM
It is pure genius - everything about it! I also believe SU! missed on all of your gorgeous creations...Your work is really amazing!!
Posted by: Lauren Vincitorio | June 23, 2009 at 02:42 PM
I echo everyone else's comments when they say that the folks at SU! were ASLEEP when they got to this. I couldn't believe all the detail and bright, pretty colors. SPECTACULAR!!
Posted by: Kathy | June 23, 2009 at 02:59 PM
I think I've figured out why they didn't choose you Jan. You're work is too amazing. You make people of mediocre talent (myself) want to throw in the towel. There is no way I could ever be as creative as you are!
Posted by: Angji P | June 23, 2009 at 03:19 PM
I have no idea why you weren't chosen, other than they read your blog and didn't want your kids to get a wii.
Posted by: Wanda McIntyre | June 23, 2009 at 03:22 PM
*** !! THUD !! ***
Someone PLEASE pick me up off the floor!! This creation is THE BOMB!!
I think I'll just sit and stare at it for a while longer..........
Char in So Cal
Posted by: Char in So Cal | June 23, 2009 at 04:18 PM
much love to the fishie, he MAKES the pressie!
Posted by: Carol | June 23, 2009 at 04:49 PM
This is a totally awesome project. Your attention to detail is amazing!
Posted by: Susan Moore | June 23, 2009 at 05:31 PM
Oh, I think it is adorable!
Very nice, worthy of an award! Who do they think they are?
I love it!
Posted by: Sharon M. | June 23, 2009 at 05:43 PM
Jan,
I am so so angry at you right now. Now I have to buy Boatloads of Love!!! Do you hear that sound???It's the "woosh" of money leaving my wallet.
This project is precious!!! I can't imagine why it was not selected. I know it's no consolation but I have just dubbed you the very first and only recipient of "Madge's Spectacular, Superlative and Downright GOJUS Artisan Award Contest"
The grand prize...what else...chocolate!
Posted by: Sharon L | June 23, 2009 at 06:00 PM
Wow Jan, Wow! That's all I can say. You have amazed me again! I love your work and the little fish on this bucket is darling! If it would have been up to me I would have picked this for sure :)
Posted by: Randi | June 23, 2009 at 06:24 PM
Jan,
This is insanely GOJUS! My heavens the fish is awesome. It is sad that SU! doesn't make a rule about people winning more than once or even twice. After a while they need to bring in some new blood. Your entries are awesome and they are CRAZY for not picking you! Sometimes I think SU! needs to wake up - simple is okay, but people want wow and you definitely have it!
WOW!
Posted by: Heidi Lopez | June 23, 2009 at 07:15 PM
OMG that is the cutest!!! I would nominate you :)
Posted by: Anne | June 23, 2009 at 07:18 PM
Oh Jan--the fish alone should've won you the Artisan award. You really outdid yourself on this 3-D project.
Sending you love for all your entries! (I know, chocolate would be better!)
Kelle
Posted by: kellestamps | June 23, 2009 at 08:26 PM
Yeah, I'm pretty sure the judge must be blind, or oblivious to how this stuff is done, and what's in the catalog....meaning they wouldn't know their stuff even if it bit 'em in the behind! You're a winner to me!
Posted by: Karen | June 23, 2009 at 09:15 PM
.......thud!!! That is the sound of all of us falling on the floor in awe! No explanation for you not winning will be accepted now that we have seen this. Incredible! I'm going to print a pciture for my stampers just so they can see what stamping genius looks like!!
Posted by: Jennifer | June 23, 2009 at 09:15 PM
That fish alone is one of the neatest things that I have ever seen done with punches, rub-ons & cardstock. Put it with the tub and it's out of this world!! Are you sure your entry got in front of the judges??
Posted by: Staci Miserlian | June 23, 2009 at 11:34 PM
OMG Girlie! This is fabulous .. Showing you the love here in Michigan .. This project totally rocks my socks off WHAT is SU! thinking anyway .HELLO.
By the way Thank you for my Pickle card I got it before I left in vacation . Your card is awesome too made my mouth water just looking at it Hee! Hee!
Thank you and your the winner in my book your project totally Rocks !!!
xox
Dawn Griffith
Posted by: Dawn Griffith | June 24, 2009 at 12:03 AM
I LOVE LOVE LOVE you fish. this is adorable
Posted by: nancy | June 24, 2009 at 06:15 AM
Jan Omgosh you should have one. Your creations are awesome. This one should have won it for you!!! I love the fish...now directions girls...come on lets here how you did it.
YOU WIN THE AWARD IN MY BOOK ANY DAY!!!!!! Shame on SU and picking people that have already won is no fair! Just like you cannot be a convention helper twice in five years same goes for the Artisan Award. Everyone should send an email and maybe they will make changes for next year!!!
Posted by: Terry Molineux | June 24, 2009 at 06:57 AM
oops it should have said...you should have won!!! dah....how come there isn't an edit button on these thingys??
Posted by: Terry Molineux | June 24, 2009 at 06:58 AM
Ah, Jan, your creations are absolutely fabulous! I so understand the heartache you have over these projects. Thank you so much for sharing them with us, so that we too can be astonished and amazed in wonder as to why they didn't choose you. As you were clearly our top choice. Please don't let it discourage you from creating. We love you!!!
Posted by: AKSTAMPER | June 24, 2009 at 07:31 AM
Amazing, super cool perfection! Obviously the selection committee didn't have their proper share of chocolate that day! Humph.
Posted by: Karin | June 24, 2009 at 08:09 AM
Doggoneit, that is so cute. I am still in love with "Boatloads of Love" and am hoping another vehicle comes in the "Loads of Love" theme. The colors are absolutely adorable. Thanks for the fantastic inspiration.
Posted by: Elizabeth S. in mid-Michigan | June 24, 2009 at 08:41 AM
I LOVED YOUR FISHY, IT MADE ME SMILE. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.
Posted by: Dolores | June 24, 2009 at 09:27 AM
Your project is unbelievably fantastic. Your ideas are just wow!! I am shocked that your entries did not get more attention. That fish is just genius in ever way. You are an artisian in my book!
xoxo, Christine
Posted by: Christine | June 24, 2009 at 09:37 AM
Holy Cow this is so stinkin cute!
You did an amazing job on this whole project, I love all the details you put into it to make it so adorable!
Posted by: Lynn | June 24, 2009 at 10:03 AM
It's an award winner in our books!!!! Love it!!!!
Posted by: Kreates Kards | June 24, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Jan, that is so awesome! The only thing I can think of is that you have a BIGGER award waiting for you at convention! They are just waiting to give it to you in person! I love that fish!
Posted by: Shona Watson | June 24, 2009 at 10:09 AM
They may not know great work when they see it -- but we do! Your minions love you :)
Posted by: Pat Huntoon | June 24, 2009 at 10:09 AM
I am nobody, but I would like to give you the NOBODY AWESOMENESS AWARD for your project- it is amazing- who is on that panel of judges at SU anyway??? Maybe they need some new glasses or bifocals or something??? Love your project- this is just adorable! TFS
Posted by: Shelly Schmidt | June 24, 2009 at 10:33 AM
I never leave comments on blogs, but I just had to this time. What were the judges at Stampin' Up thinking??? This entry was awesome--the detail is incredible. (Love the little fish on the handle). I enjoy your blog so much. Keep up the wonderful work!
Posted by: Shari Fritz | June 24, 2009 at 10:45 AM
I can't believe you didn't win an award. This project is amazing! The fish alone is award worthy. SU really 'missed the boat' on this. Shame on them. But, all your readers award you!
Posted by: lisa808 | June 24, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Looks Artisan Award-worthy to me! GREAT project!
Posted by: Nancy Riley | June 24, 2009 at 01:11 PM
YOU MAILED THAT SU.. yes I agree w/another person here it HAD to be Fishnapped HAD TO... I have my jaw on the floor! THAT IS GOOOOOJUS.. yes I think we need to send some glasses to SU ASAP!! (((HUGS)
Posted by: Ellie Augustin | June 24, 2009 at 04:56 PM
OMG!!! I love your art work on here...the tag is awesome!!! I really think they missed the boat not picking you!!!!!
Posted by: Gail Hermann | June 24, 2009 at 05:40 PM
Are you sure they even received these projects??!!! How could you not win!!!! Great Job!
Posted by: Roxane | June 24, 2009 at 06:11 PM
LOVE the little fish, Jan! Too stinkin' cute! I really think you should have won with a stunning creation like this. I am looking forward all the more now to see the winning submissions, because they better be out of this world, over the top gorgeous!
Posted by: Brenda | June 24, 2009 at 06:21 PM
Wow - that fish was amazing! I think that fish could have been an entry on its own, it's that amazing.
I have a theory - they couldn't give you the award, because your entry was just too good. It would have elevated the standard too far above us mere mortals. The rest of us need to have some hope of being able to enter. That's the only thing I can think of.
Posted by: Karen | June 24, 2009 at 08:16 PM
Super CUTE! I can see why you are proud of this project. It's really fun and creative.
Posted by: Ida | June 24, 2009 at 08:18 PM
OMG!!! Jan Tink, you have outdone yourself on this project....outdone yourself, I say!
The only possible explanation for you not getting picked is that they were so bowled over by your incredible talent (and yes, attention to detail...yikes! and WHAT attention to detail it is!) that they knew all of the other artists would go slinking away never to enter again. I still can't believe you were not selected but seriously, this is an unbelievable project and I stand in awe. Again! Jan
Posted by: Jan Hoyt | June 24, 2009 at 08:27 PM
You know Jan I was thinking that you used a few sets that retired and maybe THATS why they didn't pick you to win. Because this and all the other creations are very awesome! I love how you did so much detail. Love it all actually. :)
Jackie
Posted by: Jackie Barfield | June 24, 2009 at 09:19 PM
Oh, my word this is way cute!!
I absolutely looove that fish Please tell us how you made it!
Posted by: shila | June 24, 2009 at 11:37 PM
This is a GREAT project!!! What were they thinkin'?
Posted by: Carol V | June 25, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Holy Rich Razzleberry! That's a wonderful project.
Do you sell your creations on Esty? If not, you should.
Do you submit your work to magazines? If not, you should.
Keep up the GREAT work!
Posted by: Angela Sulik | June 25, 2009 at 07:57 AM
Ditto.
All of the above. Ditto.
Very fishy, indeed.
And very stinkin' adorable.
As usual.
Posted by: Gayle | June 25, 2009 at 08:33 AM
This is one of the most adorable and creative projects I have ever seen! Shame on Stampin' Up!
Posted by: Lori Lauterbach | June 25, 2009 at 10:27 AM
OMG! This is so cute and creative! It's a winner to me!
Posted by: Miss Boo | June 25, 2009 at 11:06 AM
O Jan - I don't know why you weren't picked, but I love, love, LOVE your pail!! The fish - adorable!!! I look to you and this site quite often for inspiration. You're my go-to-guru.
Posted by: Nancy | June 25, 2009 at 03:16 PM
This is seriously cute!! I didn't like this set until NOW!! Thanks alot Jan! It's just like you to make me go a buy some more things!!! lol...
No, but really, I love it all. I used to be a demo so I know that this definetly meets and exceeds the quality of work that is normally choosen for Artisan Award
Posted by: Joelle | June 25, 2009 at 05:36 PM
All I can say is WOW!
Those judges didn't have their morning coffee. Im anticipating the tutorial on this one! We will all make you famous when we start making the "JAN FISH"!
Posted by: Paula | June 25, 2009 at 07:16 PM
This is super cute!! What is wrong with Stampin' Up!! I'm impressed with all you submitted!
Those that won better be spetacular!! :)
Posted by: Wendy Riordan | June 26, 2009 at 01:30 PM
So the AA Judges are blind! We all know that YOU ARE a winner despite the judges lack of good taste, smarts, and artistic knowledge!
Posted by: Janice (doxiejan) | June 28, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Dear Jan,
Your bucket is simply stunning. I didn't read all the other comments, but there is no reason why you shouldn't have won. I think you did what you should have done ... played to your strengths, not try to play to the judges interests. Unfortunately that is the difference between winning and losing here. If you had won, it would be hard to see so much close up detail of your entries. In the past (because I don't go to convention), I barely caught a glimpse of the entries on line. You are an amazing artisan, Jan. Thanks for sharing your talent with us now and always.
Posted by: Brenda (Qbee) | June 28, 2009 at 01:36 PM
OMG, that fish is SO adorable! Very creative!
Posted by: Michelle Sturgeon | June 28, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Oh my goodness! I just found your site, and I am blown away by your creativity and spunk! I do not know what an Artisan Award is, but apparently it is too menial for your quality of work! Surely you are just too advanced in thought and your projects are too incredible for the judges to comprehend! My advice, have a bowl of chocolate and next time send them a chocolate bribe. :) Please keep up the great work and congrats on Year 5 cancer-free! Praise God!
Posted by: Leslie Jones | July 03, 2009 at 08:45 PM
I like it! I give it the ILUVIT award!
Posted by: betty | July 11, 2009 at 01:34 AM