Good Monday Morning, friends, and for those of you living in the U.S., Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I have been re-learning all sorts of fun facts about Dr. King thanks to my second grader, whose class had a unit on him over the past couple of weeks. I have also been climbing a mountain of laundry this weekend thanks to my tenth grader. It's even worse than that photo of a big pile of laundry that I use as my Facebook banner. It's a good thing that kid is cute, or I'd seriously consider selling him the next time a carnival comes to town.
Laundry, laundry: how I detest you, oh laundry. You are the bain of my existence, you wretched, wretched task!
I realize that my whining about the laundry is a First-World problem and that there are starving people the Earth over who would love to trade issues with me. I should "put on my big girl panties" (provided they're clean) and make peace with this chore, I know. Laundry - my frenemy - is my muse for this week's Mojo Monday sample, a ring-around-the-collar-free Valentine for my hubby:
My non-traditional Valentine scheme was inspired by - what else? My actual washing machine and this:
I used lots of Paper Smooches stamp sets to create this ode to the L words, including
- Squeaky Clean (washing machine, basket elements, 'I'm' and 'love machine' sentiments),
- Sentiment Sampler (for 'just a'),
- Sunny Side Up (eyelashes), and
- Chubby Chum Pals (lips)
Here's a close-up of the image panel, where you can get a good look at the Glossy Accent-ed front loading door:
And here's the sentiment panel, so you don't think I'm playing favorites. Note the gingham 'towel', Tide and Shout! in the basket...
I tweaked the sketch by turning it from a vertical card to a horizontal card so the images I wanted to use would fit. Oh. I haven't shown you the sketch yet, have I? (duh!) Here it is:
Kind of a strange one - not sure what I was thinking when I drew it... But hey - a challenge is supposed to be challenging, right? So go to the Mojo Monday Blog and get after it! When you get there, you'll find all the info about how to play along with me and my fellow Mojo Makers. Since this sketch is sort of a toughy, be sure to visit these talented gals to see how they made heads and/or tails of it:
- Julee Tilman
- Debbie Carriere
- Marisa Ritzen
- Mary Fish
- Sarah Bigelow
- Teresa Kline
- Stephanie Kraft
- Wanda Cullen
I'll see you tomorrow, when I'll be back for this month's Taylored Expressions' Bakers Dozen Studio Challenge. TALK ABOUT A TOUGHY! I'm still struggling with it...
Can't wait to see it, can ya? :D
Supplies used - Stamps: Squeaky Clean, Sentiment Sample, Sunny Side Up, Chubby Chums - all from Paper Smooches; Paper: Choice Buttercream (Taylored Expressions), Sn@p! Color Vibe 6x6, gingham from stash, Enchanted Evening (PTI), A Boy's Life 6x6 (Echo Park); Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Adirondack Denim, A Muse Orange; Accessories: Square Nestabilities, Copic Markers, Viva Decor Silver Pearl Pen, Jody's Foam Boosters, silver brads (American Crafts), Glossy Accents.
adorable. said listening to the washing machine do its thing...
Posted by: Joan B | January 21, 2013 at 06:07 AM
Oh my goodness, how cute is this?! Love it, Carole! Very interesting sketch too! Hope I can find time this week to play along!
Posted by: Dawn Easton | January 21, 2013 at 06:26 AM
So stinking cute...love your brain!
Posted by: Amy Rohl | January 21, 2013 at 07:09 AM
This is so great! I luv that it is not a traditional Valentine's Day-the color scheme Is FANTASTIC! Your use of the stamp sets is very clever- it inspired me to take a look at my stamps to "find" what's hiding inside them to make a sentiment:)
Posted by: Rachel | January 21, 2013 at 07:45 AM
Nice Sketch, Carol! Love your quirky little images and fun card!
Posted by: Robin | January 21, 2013 at 08:46 AM
This sketch of yours kicked my butt, Carol! Hade to take a little creative license with it ;) Love your take on it!! Off to do laundry myself today.
Posted by: Marisa | January 21, 2013 at 08:51 AM
LOVE this! Only you could make laundry look cute!
I'm off to tackle my own ginormous pile of laundry -- thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Christina Fischer | January 21, 2013 at 09:32 AM
My laundry is getting tackled as I write...a never-ending job! LOVE this adorable card and it's sure to bring a smile to DH!
Posted by: Wanda Cullen | January 21, 2013 at 09:41 AM
Oh your card is super cute! I love Paper Smooches stamps and have this set. I think the perfect washer and dryer would be those that fold and put away the laundry too! All would be well with the laundry then =)
Posted by: Jan Hunnicutt | January 21, 2013 at 10:07 AM
Oh this is so cute!
Posted by: Tina Campbell | January 21, 2013 at 11:03 AM
Laundry - UGH!! I just yesterday unloaded my suitcase to find a ginormous pile of clothes that filled up my laundry sorter. What's even more annoying is that I need to wash all that crap and refill my suitcase for my next trip to Seattle on Saturday. Oh well, you're right . . . there are bigger problems in the world. I'll suck it up and soothe my need to whine by enjoying your brilliant card. Freakin' amazing, I tell ya!! XOXO
Posted by: Karolyn Loncon | January 21, 2013 at 11:38 AM
What a fun card...and oh my goodness, what an adorably fun website!!
Posted by: Tristine | January 21, 2013 at 12:31 PM
Great card, love the color scheme!
Posted by: Kim Howard | January 21, 2013 at 01:57 PM
Love this, Carole! the colors are fab - great inspiration piece! Laundry is my frenemy, too... ;)
Posted by: Stephanie Kraft | January 23, 2013 at 08:08 PM
What an adorable card! I have 7 children and when they all lived at home, I took up "residence" in the Laundry room! Now it's just me and hubby...Oh, what joy.TFS
Posted by: Bernadette | January 24, 2013 at 10:02 AM