Is this my beautiful life?

If you were to guess what I hate most about Spring, you'd probably guess it's TORNADO SEASON.  But that's not the worst thing about Spring.  The worst part of Spring is:  ALLERGIES!

My head feels like it's gonna explode.  By explode, I mean EXPLODE.  BOOM!

Seriously, it hurts.  I have more sinus pain than MTV has shows about stupid pregnant tweens.

Work was a nightmare.  It lasted forever.  The only bright spot of the day was a trip to Michaels on my lunch hour.  I don't think I would've gone to Michaels if it weren't for Co-Worker Michelle wanting to go, in search of more letter stickers (I don't know how many letter stickers this woman needs, but the same could be asked about my paper collection).  Aaaaaand speaking of paper, I was thinking I could find a nifty pad of paper, since they were 1/2 off today- but only the 19.99 pads- the Tim Holtz paper packs I want (Kraft Resist and Crowded Attic) are 14.99, so they WEREN'T on sale.  So, I settled on two more packages of the Recollections Washi Tape, since it WAS on sale.  I got the brown pack, and one of the blue packs.  Bargain!

  Oh, how I would love for My Heart's Fancy to be within driving distance from the office.  I would be there every day.  Maybe that's a good thing- I'd hate to have to resort to unsavory behavior to support my rubber stamp spending habits.

And SPEAKING of My Heart's Fancy-  while I was there on Saturday, to drop off my Spring Pennants for the swap, I picked up a brand new stamp!  I had to have another stamp by Daniel Torrente.  Wanna see?

 I love these creepy, sad, but hopeful looking little guys.  I can't get enough of them!

I've been wanting to make something with this stamp since Saturday-  but you know, tornado warnings and work get in the way.  Well, they make good excuses.

I've been sitting around since I got home-  wanting to take my Nyquil and call it a day, but knowing that if I took it now, I'd pass out before 7 and be awake around 3am.  I finally talked myself into just getting up and doing something, no matter how simple or 'bad' it might turn out- just make a little card.  Because this TV show about people who catch alligators for a reason isn't that entertaining AND I started thinking: DAMMIT,  soon, I will have even less free time.  I start work on my next show in a few weeks.

Yeahp, I'm back in show business.  I'll be stage managing a new show, rehearsals start sometime around the end of April.  So, I've got to enjoy the time I have, while I have it...  I always, always say, that I'm going to take a long break between shows- but the second one closes, I'll say 'yes' to the next job that pops up.  I think it's because I like making opening night gifts so much.  I should find a picture of the cards I made for the opening night of 'Buried Child.'  I made really cute kraft cards, made my own stamp, and made necklaces for the cast- using the Tim Holtz Muse Tokens.  They turned out very cool and impressive looking-  everyone loved the words they got and I felt like such a superstar.  Oh, wait- what am I talking about?  Oh yeah- my card- wanna see it here it come!

Here's my card:

I colored him with a couple of Distress Markers, first.  I LOVE these markers- I have to say that every time I use them, because I'm amazed at how much I love them.  I've never really liked markers of any kind- but from the first time I used a Distress Marker, I was in love.  They work beautifully.  I also used a couple of colored pencils on the little guy, too- and some regular Distress Ink (Vintage Photo) on his edges.  I loved how the Vintage Photo looks on the top of his head there- it really gave him some dimension.

For the background, I ran my cardstock thru the BigKick with my newest Tim Holtz Texture Fade embossing folder.  As much as I love my BigKick- OHhhhh what I would do for a VAGABOND!  I'm jealous of all that have one- but if you don't- have you ever seen it in use?!  I saw someone using one at a local shop, and I couldn't close my mouth.  Amazing machine.

And HOW cool is this Bubble Wrap embossing folder?!?!   I colored it with a handful of Distress Inks-  some Wild Honey, some Frayed Burlap, Broken China, Victorian Velvet, Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo.  Just rubbed them all in and misted with water-

Then, I cut his arm so I couple pull it up- glued him down, then added the word 'Smile' from the new ChitChat word stickers.  

Well, that's it for the day.  I've got to rest.  I'm old.

If you really want to see some beautiful work, you've gotta check out Frank's HAUS OF W and Paul's THE ARTSIDERS.   Seriously, go look, it's beautiful.

-kory