Mother's Little Helper

YNS June New Release Blog Hop

Well, friends, looks like we made it.

Look how tiny his waist looks in this photo. I'm envious.

We are in our very lovely condo in Navarre.  Go check it out -- it's VRBO listing #616393. Now that we live in Magnolia House, I can honestly tell you this condo is nicer than my home. BUT NOT FOR LONG! More about that in a different post. Now, though, I have some bidness to attend to. You see, I'm sorta in the middle of the Your Next Stamp June New Release Blog Hop. Those who are hopping along may have no interest in my travels or living situation. They may be ignorant to how remarkably fascinating I am and just wish to see whatever I've made to promote the latest and greatest from YNS. I get it. Sometimes when I go to blogs, I just look at the pictures, too.

So, as I was saying, you're in the middle of the YNS Blog hop.  Good little bunnies would have started with the Beautiful BRIANNA, and come here via the Wonderful WENDY. Now that you're here, I want to give you a look at a couple of new sets. First up, it's a lovely little lady who we're all very familiar with. She goes by the name of Belle, and she's no shallow Sheila. She's well read and sees the inner beauty in all.  In YNS Speak, we call her LITTLE DARLING BELLE, and, appropriately I made a bookmark for her (using the Bookmarks/Tags Large dies).

 

 

Isn't she sweet? I really think Belle is the Disney Princess with whom I most relate. In case you were wondering. But really?  I kinda dig the Disney Villains much more than the princesses. 'Cause I'm hardcore and that's the way I roll. I see myself as Maleficent, with her magnificent horns. Plus, she turns into a dragon, which is undeniably badass.  But I digress...

Next up is a look at what may be one of my favorite YNS sets, ever: HAPPY MEAL!  Look at these savory little fellers...

And here's a close-up...

Don't you just want to eat 'em up?  Well, guess what?  You can!  Because they're available now in the YNS Store, and from now through June 14th, you can get them at 20% off. McFabulous!

Now, hoppers, skeddadle on over to our LOVELY guest designer, LORI TURNER'S blog. Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to leave a comment 1) because you're a delightful person who wants to show me some love and 2) because it will better your odds at winning the $20 YNS gift certificate awarded to a random commenter.

YNS June Release Sneak Peek

Where y'at? How's your momma and dem? I’m writing you from the second row of a mini-van as the fam rolls down the highway, toward today’s destination of New Orleans. (Waving “hi!” to NOLA native Lexi Daly) We are stopping in NOLA for the evening to eat the best food in the world and stroll around Bourbon Street before grabbing a few hours of shut-eye. I imagine the evening may involve the consumption of a beverage or two, as well. Then, on Saturday morning, we’ll hit Café Du Monde for some coffee & beignets, then we’re on the road again until we arrive at our destination on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Let the good times roll!

 Speaking of good times, it’s Sneak Peek day for Your Next Stamp’s June Release.  I’m going to give you a look-see at the new Whatnot Sentiments Five set.  As you’ve probably seen, big swirly sentiments are in papercrafting vogue right now. Whatnot Sentiments Five has the basics covered for you in one sweet set.  I love it, and know it’s going to be one of those go-to sets for a good long while.

This year’s graduation season cleaned me completely out of congratulatory cards, thus my first impulse when I got this awesome set in my hand was to replenish my stash.  I also wanted to try my hand at the Bokeh technique I’ve been seeing on Pinterest. I think I likey…

I’d write you up a nifty tutorial, but as I mentioned, I’m on the road.  I did take some pictures of the process, but I’m pretty sure they are still stuck on my phone.  I know, I know – fat lot of good they’re doing you there.  Just go to Pinterest or Google Bokeh Technique, and you’ll find several YouTube videos that can probably explain the whole process better than I can, anyway.  Here’s what I can tell you from my experience:

• You’ll need watercolor paper.  If you can’t find yours after a move in which you’ve only unpacked half of your stuff, WalMart does carry some watercolor paper, if you live in a small town with no other hobby stores from which to purchase it.
• It’s kind of a messy technique.  While I love trying new techniques, I know myself well enough to know that if they’re kind of a bother (as the messy ones usually are), I probably won’t want to do it again anytime in the near future.  Thus, I usually plan on making a set (i.e. at least three) of such cards.  Knowing this ahead of time will save a little sanity as you won’t be kicking yourself for going to all this trouble for one measly background.  Here’s my trio of Bokeh Congrats cards – stash replenished!

Other YNS supplies used include Stitched Rectangle Dies and Black Licorice Glittered Gumdrops.

Alrighty, peeps.  That’s all I’ve got for you today.  I’ll be back tomorrow, though, for the YNS June Release Blog Hop.  I’ll also give you an update/lowdown on our hours in New Orleans.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Hello, Is it Me You're Looking For?

No, Lionel Richie, it is not. Though I do wonder if you kept that creepy sculpture from your "Hello" video. Nevermind. I really don't have time for all the different directions this particular tangent could go...

Yep, yep, I'm a busy little bee at the moment, trying to get ready to hit the road for two-weeks. It's once again time for our bi-annual Navarre, FL multi-family getaway, which I've written about in the past (2013, 2011 - here and here, and very briefly in other years probably due to the fact that most condos didn't have wifi then). Despite the fact that I've gained a more than a few extra pounds over the past couple of years that I'm very self-conscious about¹, I'm so looking forward to this vacation. For one thing, I no longer live near all of these wonderful friends, so getting to spend time with them is extra-sweet. Number two: we are staying for TWO -- count 'em TWO! -- weeks this time². And, lastly, it's our last big vacation before Truman leaves the nest, and he's staying for both weeks, which makes his mama happy.

 On to business... it's Your Next Stamp's FUN FRIDAY, which means two challenges for you to choose from.  This week, I decided to take on both challenges with one card...

Ta-da! See for yourself how it meets both YNS Sketch and Color Challenge # 15.

One more thing I want to show you - I die cut YNS's FANCY HELLO DIE six times, then glued the die cuts one on top of the other to give them that wood-cut look that I love. Nice & thick! (<--- Ugh!  Don't say it like that... ;) A little "Regular Show" reference, there, for anyone else who happens to live with a 10 year-old.)

The circle border separating the top of the oval from the bottom oval layer was created using YNS's WHATNOT SEASONS dies. Head on over to the YNS Blog to see how you can play along with us and be eligible to win a YNS Gift Certificate, as well as to see some awesome inspiration from other YNS designers.

Okay, friends. I must go and finish the worst part of going on vacation: packing! Next time I visit with you, I will be miles and miles away.

Footnotes:

1.  I'm telling myself to breathe deep, know that I'm working hard on losing this weight (most of which was put on due to funky medication... grrrr... and maybe stress & age, too, who knows?) (exercise parenthetical: I've started running again), and that my friends aren't going to judge me or think about it for more than a split-second, if they think about it at all. It's MY hang-up and only an issue if I make it one...

2. We're staying two weeks this time to accommodate older children's schedules so that all who want to can come down and hang out. Not every working-adult child could make the same week, so a couple of moms decided to stay for two weeks. That sounded good to a couple more of us, so all but one family are doubling down this time. Most of the dads will have to go back and forth at some point, including ours.