Thursday, September 11, 2008

Not According To Plan...

My day has not quite gone according to plan. I planned to redo this card last night because I wasn't happy with the sponging. I planned to do a lot of other things that now seem to be on the back burner. You see, I had a phone call....from a man....who wants to come get me and take me to dinner at a nice restaurant. We're not talking McDonald's here, girlfriend! We're talking valet parking! You must understand that I'm 50 something years old. I have been divorced for 30+ years, and have not dated in a while. Quite frankly, it's not even on my list of things to do before I die! I have two grown sons, 6 grandchildren, a very demanding REAL job, a blog, my own webstore, and the best design team in the universe. What else could one want? I don't have time for this. I have a life and real things to do...that are important! Like stamping!

My first thought was to write to Paperlicious . She would know exactly what to do, and which questions to ask to see if he's worthy of my precious time. But since time was of the essence, I was afraid I wouldn't have time to receive her reply. So I said yes....I will go to dinner with you. If Paperlicious has advice for me, I need it quickly. I fear that he doesn't know the difference between red rubber and photopolymer, or pigment and dye ink. And I won't even speak of hybrids. If he thinks rubber stamping is putting a return address on an envelope, that just may be a deal breaker. I cannot raise and educate yet another child! He is also a Methodist and fellow Republican, but I know there is much we cannot discuss without emotion. What if he doesn't like Sarah Palin??? What WILL we find to talk about?

So last night I spent hours plucking, shaving, delousing and chiseling off layers of old nail polish so I could replace it with a fresh coat. You know the drill. Geez...what A LOT of work! This meal had better be damned good! Should I order the 16 oz sirloin with a loaded baked potato? Or go for only a dainty side salad, then eat when I get home because I'm still starved? Do you think I could order a double shot of tequila? Or should I just stick with mineral water? So much to deal with! What's a girl to do?

But I KNOW you didn't come here to listen to my woes, now did you?

On to the card...you know, the one that I didn't have time to redo the sponging?
The stamp I used for the main image is Penny Black's Pine Cones . I colored on the rubber using Tombow markers, then spritzed with water using a JudiKins Extra Fine Mist Spritzer . It was stamped on Neenah Solar White cardstock. I sponged the edges with Ranger Distress inks.

Then I mounted it to Herbal Green Prismatics cardstock and added Chocolate Pearls to each corner. I LOVE those pearls!

The sentiment, also from Penny Black, is called Merriest Christmas .
I stamped it using VersaMark Ink then embossed with JudiKins Malachite embossing powder. It was cut out with a Spellbinders Petite Oval and sponged with Ranger Distress inks.

The designer paper is new from the Memory Box Frost paper collection. The ribbon is May Arts .

Now...for those of you who have been paying attention and actually reading my posts, here's a little reward for you. (Lord knows you deserve it after reading all this!) I'm going to sweeten the pot by adding a second prize if my counter reaches 100,000 hits before the drawing on Sunday! The second prize is a Curlz Font and Border Kit. How sweet is that??? If you leave a comment on this post, you get yet ANOTHER chance to win one of the Dreamy Treats! Yep...that's right. This will be your third opportunity to register for one of the two prizes, so you can definitely increase your odds! Any comment will do...you decide. I'm too stressed! I have to go fluff my hair and get all gussied up for "the date". He will be here soon.

Thanks for stopping by.....

135 comments:

Unknown said...

Have a great time on your date Michelle! Love love love the card... I think I may have have to get that stamp!

Anonymous said...

OOOO have fun on your date. So exciting! It may be too late but I'd avoid any long pasta that needs fork-twirling.

lindastamps at gmail dot com

usafcole said...

Life has a way of not going as planned. At least the last year of mine has been that way. That is okay, though. Sometimes it is okay just to take one day at a time.

Hope you had a great time.

mimiburroughs said...

You are too funny!!! (does he read your blog???) I love that stamp...I'll have to pull mine out soon.

Let us know how your 'date' went...have fun!!

Tosha Leyendekker said...

The card is gorgeous!! The sponging fantastic!! And the date....WAY COOL!!! Now that you've *put it out there*, you know we're going to need deets!! Bwahahahaha!! Have fun my friend!!

Kerry Johnson said...

Oh Michelle - I think this is the funniest post you've ever written!! I do believe you were channeling Dear Paperlicious when you wrote it!
Good luck on your date! Can't wait to hear how it turns out!

Anonymous said...

Great card! Hope the date is/was just as good!!

Pegg S said...

I hope you enjoy your date and definitely get a steak :) !! Very funny - Paperlicious *would* know what to do!!

Cheryl said...

Wow, Michelle. Can't wait to hear all about this date (and you had better tell us ALL about it). I hope you had a good time and that you did order the steak. Life is too short. Love your card and enjoyed this post. You and Paperlicious make quite a pair. I wonder what she would advise you? Can't wait to hear about tonight.
Cheryl Sims

Anonymous said...

OK well your next post has to be about this date - you can't leave us hanging!! I hope you have a great time!

Nancy Jensen said...

I hope you have a fun time on your date. I remember the dating thing... I enjoyed it at the time but am so glad I don't have to do it right now. LOL I would be such a mess! But hey, you are doing a fantastic job of juggling so many things that I'm sure you will enjoy going out with someone nice. Relax. Be yourself and have a good time.

ps:
Go with the 16 oz steak! And enjoy it!

Amy said...

Wow! How awesome! Hope you have a great time!

Anonymous said...

Oh that is SO Paperlicious of you! I wish Joan B would have had the opportunity to provide you with, er uh, proper counsel before the big date. I, for one, will be waiting with baited breath to here every last juicy detail of your date tonight. Your card is beautiful, Michelle, what's not to love?

Dottie K. said...

Love the card. Can't wait to hear the details of your date. I hope you have a wonderful evening. Order whatever you want, all that getting ready you deserve a good meal. I'm really enjoying your blog and your work. :)

Charlene H. said...

I am definitely coming back tomorrow to find out how your date went. You can't just leave us hanging. I think you should do another post after you get home so we all know how it went. This is like a series finale - the biggest cliffhanger ever! Bigger than "who shot J.R.!". This is "how did the date go?????"

Anonymous said...

You absolutely better dish on the date. Don't do anything that isn't you. If it's you to have the steak, go for it! Can't wait to hear what happened. (Good for you for choosing to go. Life is too short to miss out on the possibility of 'happily ever after'. And if it doesn't, you spent a few hours conversing with someone, had a nice meal and spent a little time making yourself look good which helps the self esteem. So you didn't really loose anything!)

Anonymous said...

The curlz font is my favorite. Cool Candy.

None None said...

Ooh!! How fun - enjoy your date and hope you are hitting it off well. Thanks for the extra chance to win some blog candy - I don't have the Curlz font so my fingers are crossed hoping you select me. :) BTW, the card is beautiful! The sponging is just perfect.

Kacey Elliott said...

That made me laugh - now you know you have to give us a full report on "the date." It sounds exciting to me! Hope you had fun!

Anonymous said...

Even though I have ordered from your store before (and will again), I've never found the blog before now - found it on the Just Rite page. Hope the date goes very well, and thanks for the chance to win!

Cat Tidwell said...

HAHA! You made me giggle....lmao. Im about the same age as you, but am married, lol. I can fully understand how you must be feeling though! YOu GO girl though! How awesome! And eat the full meal! At our age, they dont want someone hung up on eating salads....lmao

Oh, the cards are GORgeous as always!

Anonymous said...

Oh Michelle, I'm delighted for you and your date! Your preparation story is hilarious but just be yourself and everything will be fine. Don't order the steak - order prime rib! I mean if it's valet parking, shoot for the stars girl!! LOL Seriously, enjoy yourself - you're so deserving!!
BTW, that's a great card you posted! Love it!!

Sara said...

Good luck and have fun!! Thanks for yet another opportunity to win. =)

Marge Sexton said...

Sure hope we get an update after the date; I can't wait to hear if it was all worth your time...hee hee Hope you have a Grand Time!

Anonymous said...

Pretty card, sure put's me in the mindset of Christmas.
--Becca

mnhyrkas said...

Just thought I'd pop down to the comments to see if Dear Paperlicious had any advice. Relax and have some fun on your date :)

Sandy said...

Have fun on the date. You must tell us how it goes. I love pine cones and pine branches and the colors. The card looks great. I don't think you need a do-over.

Kelli C. said...

Ya know we'll all be waiting to see how the date goes, right?

No need to re-do this card--it looks great!

And I NEED that Curlz Font!

Paula said...

Can't wait to hear about the date! Hope it was fun and you ate hearty! Would love the Curlz Font and Border Kit! You'd make my Stamper's Dreams come true! :)

Anonymous said...

Oooh, my dear, have a tremendous time on your date -- hope you ordered well -- if you have what he has, you can't go wrong :-) You WILL tell us about it, won't you???? (...tap...tap...tap...waiting impatiently...tap...tap...tap) :-)
Would LOVE the curlz font - how utterly versatile!!

Linda w said...

Definitely have fun and report back to us asap.

Bunny B said...

Have fun!! Woohoo!! :))

Deb Neerman said...

Hey, the heck with the blog candy; how'd the date go?!?!?

Did you have to explain what rubbah was?!? Or bloggin'? Details, Michelle, we need details!

LOVE your card ... like that's something new, lolol! But I really do like the vintage look to this card ... you don't do a lot of shabby/vintage stuff, so this one really caught my eye!

Stay safe and high & dry! Your other date, Mr. H. Cane Ike is on his way!! You'll be in my thoughts and prayers, Kiddo!

~Hugs, Deb

lalalla said...

very elegant card!

lisa808 said...

Wow, you sure did sweeten the blog candy!

You definitely should order dessert. You deserve it. Enjoy your date!!!

Amy said...

Ohmygosh!!!! You are a great writer...I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your impending date. I say be yourself and if he doesn't like it, too bad for him! Thanks for starting my morning off with a smile!

hugs,
Amy

Jami said...

So, I'm reading this thinking to myself...this is a woman after my own heart. She's got her priorities figured out AND she likes Palin! I was already figuring out what to leave as a comment, then I read about ANOTHER chance to win dreamy stuff! You rock girlfriend!!
Smiles, Jami

Anonymous said...

Hope you had a wonderful date. Just be yourself so there's no surprises later on and he knows exactly what he's getting if he calls again. Thanks for offering the blog candy.

Jingle said...

LOL! You are adorable! I hope you had a lovely, low pressure, evening and I REALLY hope he knows a lot about stamping! LOL! Your card is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo! Thanks for another opportunity to win! Hope your evening went well!

Susan Hackney said...

I must say, I hope you had a wonderful time on your date! I enjoyed your post, but am glad that I am married and don't have to worry about what to wear or what to order at dinner. :)
Great card too and the blog candy is delicious!
Susan H

Anonymous said...

The card was beautiful,
the sponging fine.
Thanks for the laugh,
I hope you had a good time!

Primitive Seasons said...

Thanks for this extra chance to win. Hope you date was super. How could he not like a wonderful stamper like you!!!! HA!

Mary
www.primitiveseasons.blogspot.com

Dragonpynk said...

Thanks for the chance to win some of your great Items. Love how creative you are with them. Hope if I win one I can be half as creative as you and your team.

Angie

Rachel said...

Wonderful Blog! Love it all!

Karen said...

You pulled me in, you have to let us know what happened on the date. My advise would be eat and act like you normally would, if they can't take us warts and all, they don't deserve our time. Waiting patiently to hear what happened. Oh, almost forgot, thanks for the opportunity at the amazing blog candy.

Val said...

I hope you had a great time last night and I also hope that you will let us know all about it! I also hope you reach 100,000 by Sunday...only because you have such a great blog :-) Thanks for a chance to win some awesome candy!

Heather said...

I think your card is aboslutely terrific!

Angel said...

I hope you had a great time on your date! And I don't see why you would need to redo this card. Looks fabulous!

Kara said...

WooHoo...a second chance:)
Kara

Rosette said...

Oh.. you really goeme laughing and chuckling with this post Michelle!! :) I hope it turned out really well yesterday. I'd love a second chance you're offering, as yuo have so mucj entries for your candy that I really don't have my hope too high to win!! :(

Scott Franson Photography said...

I can't wait to hear how your date was. Love this card, that green is my favorite.
Claudia
scfranson@charter.net

Susan (susiestampalot) said...

SO? Well? how was it? you MUST fill us in on the continuing dating scene saga!!!! i hope you had the steak, girlie---you deserved it after all that work!!

Anonymous said...

I'm always excited to visit your blog to see your wonderful cards, now I can't wait to hear how the date went!!! Was your hair fluffed enough, did you eat the steak, does he know what polymer is??? Spill girl, spill!!!!!!!!

Lisa L. said...

This is my first time here - great blog!

Anonymous said...

Hope you had a good time on your date. I've been married for 24 years so I have no idea what all the dither was about. Of course you say "yes" when asked out for dinner!

Angela said...

I hope your date was fun! Love the card - chocolate pearls, yummy!

I've been blog hopping today and just came across your's! Lucky me!

Looking forward to more inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Love that card. Curlz font has been on my list of "must haves".

Anonymous said...

Hope you had a great time on your date...

Love the pinecones card!

Krissy

Anonymous said...

Have just found out about your "stamper" and think it is so neat. You sound like a really neat person and I think it is great that you had the date--cannot wait to hear about it and hope that you had the most wonderful time. You lead such a busy, productive life and I admire all that you do.

Erin said...

I love your blog and I really like this card!!! I really needed some ideas for christmas cards and this really helps!! Good luck on your date!! Sounds like fun!! Thanks for the inspiration and I look forward to seeing what you come up with next!! Erin

MaryBeth said...

Sometimes the best things in life do not come as planned. I hope you had a great date and a fabu;ous dinner. I love your card just the way it is. I'm in love with the curlz font and just have to have it!!!!!!
PS Don't forget to fill us in on all the details of your night out!

Anonymous said...

Hope your date was great! Who can resist another chance at winning some of the wonderful Just Rite products?
Thanks for the chance.

Swedie

Michelle said...

How exciting... Hope your date is fun fun fun! Enter me for the drawing.. I would LOVE to win something. Your generosity is really wonderful.

Michelle

The Country Rose said...

This is my very first time to your blog and I am ROTFLMBO!!! You are so,so funny!!!! I hope that your date went well. Will you update all of us in bloggerland as to what the final verdict was on the 'man'? Lol!

Kim said...

Michelle...I can't wait to read all about the date! Hope you had a WONDERFUL time!
Hugs~ Kim

Atty said...

Well let's hope you have a good time. I so enjoyed all your comments about dating. Sure can relate. LOL I'll also be back to find out the outcome. I agree be yourself.

I really liked your card. At times we're just to critical of our own work. TFS
Donna

StampinCathy said...

You are just to funny with this dating thing. Beautiful card. Love the colors, layout, and all the details you added. Thanks for another chance at this sweet candy.

KSinMT said...

I cannot wait to hear how the date went. I too am 50 something, but have been married for 31 years. I would be so nervous. Hope you had a wonderful time!! Kathy

Janet said...

I hope you thoroughly enjoy yourself tonight--I too started dating again after a divorce--very nerve wracking--but fun too.

Love your work.

Mary Jane said...

I hope you had fun on your date. Very nice card too. Thanks for sharing.

Eveline said...

I hope you had a fun date and a good dinner. My DH still doesn't understand why I buy more stamps all the time. He thinks you can have enough!!!!!!!!!!!
I really like all the JustRite projects you see everywhere and wouldn't mind winning some.
Eveline.

Anonymous said...

hope you had a great time and it was worth all the effort!
Fioa

Sara Mac said...

How exciting for you!! I hope your date is wonderful and full of interesting conversation. Let's hope he's well worth all the primping!

Unknown said...

Love the dating blog. Hope everything goes well. Give us an update.

Anonymous said...

Any comment? Wellllll----isn't it a glorious day? And I am so happy that I found your wonderful blog! I search the sites a lot for inspiration and yours looks like it is going to be a great one! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

PS-----having just gone through a nasty divorcem I could use some dating advice!!! Let us know how it goes.

Susan G said...

Now that was just too funny! I hope you had a good time. We'll all be anxiously waiting on a report. Does this guy have any idea that his every move will be reported to the world?--at least the stamping world.

Your card is gorgeous with or without the sponging.

Thanks for offering a second prize. I'd love to win either.

Anonymous said...

I hope that you were able to relax, enjoy your date and have a wonderful time! I love the new stamps and paper you used on your card; thanks for sharing your talent with all of us.

PaperAddictJenn said...

I hope you had a great time on your date--maybe he's a closet stamper! Ok, maybe that would be weird, but I hope you enjoyed him anyway.

Anonymous said...

Michelle, please let us know how your DATE went. :-) And yes we all know that pain vs was it worth it.

Thanks for the second chance to enter, love your goodies!

Lori-Anne
lorianne@ocsnet.net

Rae C. said...

Sharon: You will be fine on this date. Order up, enjoy your meal. We 50+ year olds have arrived--come into our own, if you will, and you have tons to offer, being the talented lass you are! I say listen to your instincts which you've honed over the years and have a terrific time! How's that for a blog candy comment! You go girl!

Patty Williams said...

ROFL... Girl, go for the big steak if that's what you like !! He is paying, treat yourself! If you drink Tequila, have Tequila ! :)

I love the card!

On mine and hubbys first date, I ordered a corn beef rueben, I figured if anyone could sit through watching me eat that... he was a keep! It'll be 20 yrs in December!

Do tell how it goes!

Sue D said...

Thanks for another chance to win. Enjoyed reading your pre-date post--looking forward to the post-date post!

Andrea said...

I hope you had a great date! Or at least a great steak! Hee hee.

I have a feeling you will hit 100,000 very soon. Congrats!!

Andrea

inkedx2 said...

Oh I know what you are going through! Been there done that. Just remember when you least expect it is when it happens. Just enjoy the evening out and have fun!

Robbie

stampqueen said...

Heck with the steak - order the Lobster or better yet go 'surf and turf' get the steak and the lobster!!! Have Fun!!!!

Sharon B. said...

When things don't go as planned I think of that song about "Unanswered Prayers." Hope you enjoy your date.

Toni K said...

How fun! A date at a real restaurant! I hope you had fun.

Marilyn said...

Hope you had fun on your date!!

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to hear the details of your big date! I would love to win one of your little goodies! :)

Anonymous said...

Hope you had a nice evening...and tried to relax. Dating is so much different than when we were in our twenties. Best of luck to you, Judy

Michelle Tech said...

Love the card, but how was the date?!!!

Anonymous said...

Love your blog. Your dream team does amazing work. Hope you weren't so nervous on your date that you couldn't enjoy the food.
Enquiring minds want to hear all the details..........

lynn said...

I hope you had a GREAT date! The card is beautiful just the way it is. I would sooo love to win some goodies.

Anonymous said...

Never mind the card, we want to hear some more about the date! Your post was a riot to read. I would love to hear some advice from Paperlicious on this, as well! Anyhow, hope all went well! Keep up the great blog.

chinamomxtwo said...

OMG! I could SO relate to your comments! Had me LOL.
Hope the date was great & hope you pick ME! :)
pretty please?

Julie S. said...

Hope you have a great time, and I can't wait to hear what Paperlicious has to say about all this!

Anonymous said...

OMG The Curlz font is to die for! Please enter me!!!!

Sheila

sheilah660@aol.com

Unknown said...

I hope all of the plucking and delousing turned out to be worth the effort. I say you should get the 16oz. Might as well get your reward for all the hard work getting gussied up :)

Anonymous said...

So funny! Hope you had a great time!

Unknown said...

Sorry for commenting twice, but I just noticed on your About Me section that you are from Bossier. I grew up in West Monroe, so just wanted to say hi to a fellow North Louisiana girl :)

Paper doll said...

Oh candy!!

Anonymous said...

Hope you had a wonderful time on your date! Just be yourself! =)

kat said...

OOOooooh! Dreamy Treats; I want to win!!!

Anonymous said...

Love the card. Please come back and tell us "the rest of the story".
Thanks,
Pam

Unknown said...

How unbelievably generous of you! This is a great opportunity!
Debra

The Crafty Den said...

Hi, hope your "date" went ok. Would love to hear how it all went. Thanks for yet another chance at candy. Lots of love, Denise x

Denise said...

Thanks for another chance to win! Denise

Anonymous said...

It has been so stimulating to look at all the designs during the contest. I would love to win a prize so that I could try a design on a small scale. Thanks for the opportunity. Stay dry today. It looks like the hurricane will go your way. Dry in Dallas. Jerry

SusanR said...

Very pretty card - love the sentiment! Hope your date was fun!

Cindy Vernon said...

Have fun on your date. Thanks for another chance to win.

Anonymous said...

Just be yourself and enjoy your date! Love the pine cones, maybe I'll start thinking of Christmas!

Shirley said...

We'll all be waiting to find out the details of your date. The prep for a date is a lot of work. Love your card, too. I really enjoyed your story, too.
Shirley L.
Roseville, CA

KimberlyO said...

Wow! This is the card you wanted to re-do? It's gorgeous!! :)

Kimberly

pammy jo said...

what a great sentiment and lovely design - thanks for the inspirations!

Elaine said...

Tell him to fly you to Santa Barbara for the date and have a great meal there...you'll be swept off your feet and then you can buy a home in that city and live there stamping in your studio by the ocean! ;-)

BTW - how come my spritzed images never make a card as great as yours? I love that it's a perfect masculine / northwest kind of feel!!

Oh, and yea, please pick me! LOL

Elaine

Brenda said...

I hope you had a great time. Thanks for the chance to win.

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous adventure! You are a stitch!! Here's hoping you had a Great time! Your Pine Cone card is just great "as is"..love it. Thank you for a chance to win

Anonymous said...

What a day - love your card. I need some of those nestabilities - just need to order them. Lovely. Hope your evening was enjoyable.

Michelle said...

Beautiful card! Hope you had fun on your date.... thanks for the new opportunity to win!

cathy said...

I love your card. I don't know why you wanted to redo any part of it.

Elaine M said...

Oh course I read every word - you're most entertaining and, if I don't read every word, I'd miss something - can't have that. Oh - and especially - thanks for the opportunity to win.

slbt17 said...

Well I hope you had fun, and ordered real food - so you weren't hungry - I find it always easier to converse with a full tummy! let us know how things went!
Love the cards and am always looking for new tips and toys!
Thanks for sharing!
Snadra

C. Sage Deerborn said...

Love your blog!

Anonymous said...

Great card and hope it was a great date. I hope you went for a steak...maybe not a 16 oz. though. I would get a salad, a 8-12 oz. steak, offer to split the dessert unless it was sorbet and keep it to 1 1/2 to 2 glasses of wine only. If he doesn't get the stamp chatter you won't have to worry about him wanting to play with your "babies" if he is a winner and merits another date. We will be waiting to hear how it went.

Ad K.

Anonymous said...

Very cute card!! Love it.

Penny Wessenauer (d0npen) said...

I'm loving the colors you've used on this card.. very subtle and total opposites.. they really POP!

Too fun too to read about your date.. hope he calls again.. would love to hear more!!
xxooxx Penny

Anonymous said...

Hope your DATE goes well. I really like the soft muted effect on your pinecone card. Thanks for the chance to win some blog candy. Ann Lind

Anonymous said...

Beautiful card as usual!

Anonymous said...

Loved hearing about your date - too funny, when he saw your studio. I also think your Pine Cone card is really preaty - love the sponged edges.

Sandy Duley

Anonymous said...

Michelle,
I like your card and don't think you need to fix anything.
Thanks for another chance to win!

Anonymous said...

You go girl! Love has no age limit...hope your date was fabulous!

Nice card, too.
TFS!

Linda Carson said...

Congrats on your blog success!! Fabulous cards....as usual...!

thimbles bobbins paper and ink said...

Michelle I wish I'd known earlier about this date. I can tell you from my own experiences and certainly can relate to what you went through and the trials and tribulations of "the date."

This card is gorgeous! Yours always are but I'm reliving old times through these posts and your new dating experiences. I'm glad I don't have to do that anymore but I certainly understand what you are saying.