First things first... I'm a wee bit late with my sample for today's Sketch For You to Try. I took my sweet time making this, and had so much fun doing so. Sometimes you just need to out and out play while you're creating and remember to have fun, you know?
I always have fun when I make cards with My Favorite Things' iconic Who's That Girl, and today was no exception. Ready for a peek at the newest WTG set being released on Wednesday? Sure you are! Isn't this so much fun? The set is called Let's Picnic. You can't imagine how good that big ol' sandwich and bottle of wine looks to someone who's on Day 10 of the Master Cleanse! (More on that later.)
Summer colors to me always include red, white, and blue/navy -- I love this Strano ribbon that adds a dash of turquoise to the patriotic mix, so I built my card around that color palette. I used three random patterns of paper (two oldies from my scrap files and the turquoise is SU!'s Pink Flamingo dsp). WTG scenes are perfect for paper piecing, thus there's a whole lotta that going on. I sponge inked the grass with a foam dauber, and then airbrushed the sky. The ribbon treatment was threaded through the turquoise panels by using a Making Memories ribbon tool (that's not quite as easy as it looks, btw. If you happen to be interested in how that sausage is made, though, let me know and I'll try to do a write-up on it sometime). The white dots in the corner are actually opaque white Swarovski crystals from MFT's Chocolate Kiss Adornments.
Of course, it all starts with a great sketch, and Jen's Sketch for You To Try this week is definitely one of those! Be sure to stop by Jen's blog for the sketch and to see what she and May Guest Designer Julie Lacey have created. Then, blurf on over to my SFYTT Sisters' blogs for even more fabulous fun:
Susan Liles
Kelly Lunceford
Amy Sheffer, and
Amy Rohl
Now, ready for a Master Cleanse update? I've been promising one for a few days now...
Master Cleanse
Can you believe it?! I'm on Day 10! Ten days of choking down that God-forsaken salt water flush each morning, drinking glass upon glass of that so-called lemonade, and winding up the day with an unsweetened cup of Smooth Move tea. It hasn't been that bad, but it hasn't been a whole lot of fun, either. I really, really, really miss the taste and texture of different foods.
I can't say I've been hungry. I don't think I've been hungry the entire time I've been on this. I have had powerful cravings and mad desire to cheat, but somehow I've been able to put those to the side. You know what that means? If I can do it, so can you if it's something you're considering. Believe me, I am no paragon of self-discipline. This should motivate you! Kinda like everytime I think about running a marathon, I think, "If Oprah could run a marathon? So I can I." Not that that's ever motivated me to actually run a marathon. Or even a 5K. But I think I could if I really wanted to, thanks to my buddy O.
The worst part of the Master Cleanse is that foul salt water flush each morning. Man, do I hate that with the white hot passion of 1,000 suns. See, you have to chug a quart of water mixed with two tablespoons of uniodized sea salt. It's positively revolting. Other people who've done this say it gets easier the longer you do it. Not me, I dread it more every day. But it's part of the package, so I've been doing it. Yuck.
In addition to doing the cleanse, I've been walking with my next-door neighbor each morning, and my hubby every evening. In the morning we cover about 2.7 miles, and in the evening just over 4 miles. Between the Cleanse and getting moving, I'm really feeling much better as far as getting a jump-start on a more healthy way of living.
Before I started the Cleanse, I felt out of control with respect to my weight, and now I've proven to myself that I have the willpower to make positive changes. I know I'll be able to make better choices with respect to food and drink, and I'm definitely going to keep up with the walking. It's a great way to start the day and check-in with a good friend, and in the evening, it's become almost a mini-date for my husband and me. But for the occasional dinner out, Sean and I don't do a lot of things together just the two of us, so it's been great to walk for an hour and chat about whatever happens to flit into our minds. Sometimes it's just silly stuff like, "What's your very favorite food in the whole world?" or "What's your favorite candy?" (Hmm... notice a theme here?) Questions we used to know the answers to in the pre-children years, but that haven't been pondered in a really long time. Anyway, that's been a really good, totally unexpected benefit of doing the Cleanse.
So here's the part I know you're all waiting/weighting for: I've lost about 8.4 lbs! Yay! And for that reason, and to support my hubby throughout his last days, I'm going to hang on and do it for two more days. Can you believe it?! Me neither, but I am!
Be sure to let me know if there are any questions about the Cleanse you'd like answers to, and I'll definitely try to address them within the next week. And remind me to tell you next time about being about a mile away during one of those evening walks and being seized by an intese urge to... well, you know...
Supplies used:
Stamps: Let's Picnic by My Favorite Things
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Night of Navy, Adirondack Lettuce (grass sponging)
Paper: Real Red, Night of Navy, Blush Blossom, Pink Flamingo dsp (SU!), Solar White (Neenah), navy gingham by Creative Memories, paisley by Magnolia
Accessories: Copic Markers, Strano ribbon, Making Memories ribbon tool, SU! scallop border punch, MFT Chocolate Kiss Adornments
Hahha that last line is funny...I can totally imagine!
I can't believe you made it through 10 days already! You're a machine! Congrats all around!
And this card is totally sweet. I especially love the coloring on the basket. Awesome.
Have a great Saturday!
Posted by: Kathy Daume' | May 30, 2009 at 03:55 PM
You are SO amazing...I would NEVER have the willpower to do this!! Good for you!! Your card is gorgeous, but that last image...HILARIOUS!!
Posted by: Jessie/knightrone | May 30, 2009 at 04:44 PM
This is a gorgeous card!!
Posted by: Tracey | May 30, 2009 at 05:21 PM
That card is gorgeous! I love it! The colors are awesome and that ribbon is the bomb! But OMG $2 a yard! OUCH! LOL That "smilie" at the end is revolting! LMAO Running poo... hmmmmm.... LMAO Congrats on the poundage lost. I am guessing you are going to need to chop off an arm or something if you want to lose anymore weight. You look GREAT the way you are! HUGS!
Posted by: Jody Morrow | May 30, 2009 at 08:12 PM
Well done on the cleanse. Who knew they made poopicons?
Posted by: Lisa | May 30, 2009 at 09:38 PM
love the ribbon and the paper piecing! such a cute card! congrats on the lbs. lost...go you!!
Posted by: jen del muro | May 31, 2009 at 07:48 AM
So cute Carole! I really like how you added the ribbon!
Congrats on your weight loss! I'm not sure I could chug that salt water down either...lol
Posted by: Dawn Easton | May 31, 2009 at 08:36 AM
As your faithful (although very often Stampingville absent) grasshopper, you know I envy and adore your cardmaking ability.
As you also know,I'm a follower. . . if you take the time to link something in your blog, chances are I take the time to check it out. That could explain my massive collection of stamps, ribbon and paper! All of that to say I've been exploring this Master Cleanse thing like a fool. I've Googled the topic more than any other in months!
I'm amazed at the 8.4 lbs. I swear I'd buy a bikini if I could lose that much! I'm committed to giving it whirl when I get back from NYC next week. I didn't want to be spending an unknown amount of time in the "little girl's room" and completely miss the Big Apple!
Wish me luck!
Posted by: Lesa | May 31, 2009 at 09:32 AM
Ok Carole I am in! I love lemons so that is a start, and I need 20 lbs off so I take 8 in a 10 day period as a charging start....so here is my question: can you send me the recipe for a whole day batch of the lemonade, I know I am going to be drinking a LOT so I need a good batch to last ALL day...prety pleeeeaaase! with lemons on top! I bought the book and loved it! can't figure out the amounts for a big batch specially the 1/10 cayenne pepper one ;)
Posted by: Nancy Panko | May 31, 2009 at 01:18 PM
Love the card, Carole. Love that B&W gingham dress! ....and I know all about cleansing. Except I'm not trying to cleanse. It's the radiation treatment that's doing it to me. I swear if the stupid cancer doesn't kill me, the side effects sure will. AAARRGGGHHH. I'm so proud of you for your 8+ lb loss.
Posted by: Vexed in VA | May 31, 2009 at 01:47 PM
OMHeck! Ok...this is the cutest thing ever! ...and your new blog is WONDERFUL! I LOVE it! :)
Posted by: Jennifer Buck | May 31, 2009 at 06:39 PM
OK...I can not miss another one of your posts!!!!! I just love your projects AND I really love hearing what you have to say. You are crackin' me up...that walking poop is awesome!!!!
Posted by: Sara :) | June 01, 2009 at 08:12 AM