For the next two weeks, the SISTERHOOD OF SNARKY STAMPERS challenge you to make a winter themed card or project! (Obviously why Edna is sporting her 'Nanook of the North' attire!) Here's the card I made:
and here is my poem on the inside:
This will be the first time my Sisters read the poem also, since I was evil and wouldn't tell them what it said on the inside! Muahahahaha! I just love surprises! It may be hard to see, but this card is all about the sparkle and shimmer.
OOOOH! SHIMMERY!
After I sponged the background, I went over it with pearl Glimmer Mist. The birch tree plate is die cut from black glitter paper, and the deer is die cut from brown card stock that has a subtle shimmer to it.
It feels really strange to be composing a blog post that's not scheduled 2,3,or 4 weeks in advance. I wasn't in town for most of December, with two unexpected trips home planned at the last minute due to family health issues. My Dad has Dementia, and we found out my Mom has been downplaying how bad he's gotten. (They live in Illinois, and I live in Maryland) My sister Sandy (who lives in NC) and I flew home at the same time for two weeks to help out in any way we could. (from making sure my Dad is on the waiting list for a room at the VA hospital wing that is dedicated to Alzheimer's/Dementia patients, to just cleaning the house, to taking my Mom to support group meetings, to finding and signing her up for in home care services provided by the VA. If any of you have a VET in your family or know a VET that has Alz/Dem, the VA has many services free or almost free for the main caregiver to take advantage of. The catch is that they don't advertise these services. You have to ask for them! Look into support groups - that's how we found out about a lot of services provided! Our second trip was driving to my in-laws in northern Wisconsin for the week between Christmas and New Years. My Father-in-law has a lot of medical problems: diabetic, he's had a heart attack, several strokes, has had quadruple bypass surgery, is in the first stages of Dementia. He has a leaky heart valve which because of all his ailments and his age, is inoperable. Technically, his heart is slowly giving out on him. So, Andy, our dog Colby and I went up there to again to help out in any way and to just be there with them. But even with all their medical issues, we all found many, many times to laugh and have fun. ☺ Because of these trips, most of my posts for December were scheduled at the very end of November! Holy hurry up and get your shit in gear Batman!! (right now it's Friday the 9th at 5:10 pm est!) It feels good to get back to my normal blog-at-the-last-minute routine! ☺
So enough of my Debbie Downer story (thanks for listening though! ♥) It's time for you to make a card or project with a Winter theme and link it up at the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers! When you are there, please take a moment to leave some bloggy love for my Sisters, and our newest Queen of Snark: Nanette! You won't be disappointed!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all get some time to be crafty today! Rock on peeps!
Chris
Supplies
Stamps: Paper Smooches - Alphadot, Steamers
Ink: Ranger DI - Wild Honey, Shaded Lilac; Memento - Rich Cocoa, Elderberry
DP: DCWV - black glitter/brown shimmer paper; scraps
CS: Darice
Accessories: Taylored Expressions - Birch Tree plate & accessories dies; Paper Smooches - Streamers die; GC; Tattered Angels - Pearl Glimmer Mist
Adhesives: SA by 3L - MyStik permanent, 3D foam squares; Scotch - scrapbooker's glue
Absolutely loving this scene and the glow of sunrise behind the trees.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Desíre
{Doing Life – my personal blog}
This is a truly fabulous scene, awesome background and super surprise snark on the inside (but true). Glad you had a chance to help your Mom organize things, it's so difficult to do alone. Also some laughs with your FIL
ReplyDeleteBEST.POEM.EVAH!
ReplyDeleteYour card is fab and you are never ever ever a Debbie Downer....in fact I think you are an Ursula Upper (LMBO)
Vent away sistah, that's what we are here for....luv ya mucho
Ursula Upper! BUAHAHAHAHA! Can we make that a thing?!
DeleteYour card is gorgeous, and the poem just made me laugh. Awesome. Sorry to hear you had a rough time over the holidays, but as you said, the main thing is to get to spend time with your family, that's what matters.
ReplyDeleteHa!Ha!Ha! .... I can always count on you, Sistaaah, to CRACK ME UP! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! and I agreeee "Ursula Upper".... Let's make that a THING@!! Grin
ReplyDeleteIt's my favorite winter-time poem! I love that you've juxtaposed your snark with such a beautiful scene. Made me laugh. As for the rest of it, I can't imagine the weight and the responsibility you must be feeling, taking care of your parents. Informal caregiving can be such a hard, lonely, isolating process so I'm glad you've found some support groups to help you.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, my dear - can you send me your address pretty and please? My email is bexcruger at gmail dot com
Your card is Gor G Us, and the poem inside is truly lyrical. :D You may just be the best daughter/DIL ever. :)
ReplyDeleteUrsula Upper is now a thing, I say, along with BONG RATS! lol That poem on the inside was TOTALLY worth waiting for (you mean bitch) and the prettiness and sparkliness of the front makes it even funnier :)
ReplyDeleteAnd as for the Debbie Downer - it's life, baby. I'm so grateful that you & Sandy could go to your parents, and that you & Andy & Colby could bring your particular brand of sunshine to his parents. And? The information about services for vets could end up helping who knows how many people. You rock, sistah :)
I love your winter poem. It is recited often here in Southern Arizona as well (because we are wimps). LOL! I love that you are now Ursula Upper. It is totally rough taking care of aging parents/grandparents. There are so many emotions at play. Veteran's services has a lot to offer that they don't advertise, you have to ask and ask and ask again to get the right department and the right people. They've kept my MIL from being a homeless incomprehensible bag lady. She's got housing, medication, and supervision.
ReplyDeleteomgoodness, Chris, I am so, so sorry to hear about your family health issues. I'm sure that's been terribly hard on you. Sending you lots of hugs!
ReplyDeleteNow I feel bad for laughing at your card, but geez girl, you do crack me up! Genius poem, my friend. And LOVE the shimmery goodness of your winter woodlands scene!
Fantastic shimmer (frost layer) on that card. And your poem is a true and genius ode to winter. Glad that you were able to be with both sides of your family. And thanks for the FYI on the VA. I'll keep that in mind if my father develops this problem.
ReplyDeleteLove the card. Very cool. It's hard dealing with our parents getting old (well I just have the inlaws really). Hugs and glad you were able to find some great services.
ReplyDeleteI just knew there was gonna be hilarious on the inside of this! Yea, you! Especially with all the stress over the holidays. I feel your pain about the dementia. My father was an Alzheimer's victim and my Mom did the same thing. It wasn't 'til she fell ill and died and I was staying with them that I realized how bad it was. He eventually came to live with us in CA (from Illlinois, I might add). Very difficult times. So glad you were able to have some fun and enjoy your family over the holidays. Kudos to you for working in advance. xxD
ReplyDeleteAwesome writer card! It was so worth the wait for the poem! Cool background and a neat birc tree die.
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