Motivated by an email

I got my first email from my cards today (WhatUpEchidna@gmail.com)! I feel SO special. I also feel like I REALLY need to start posting more. So here's a Christmas card I selvaged from this other style that really needed something else (in other words, it was too boring for me). I have to tell you that I am in love with Stickles right now. Oh, the hat is colored with prismacolor pens and the white parts have liquid appliqué added and puffed with the heat gun.


This is a thank you card that I made into Christmas gifts. I sent packs of 8 or 10 (depending on how lazy or motivated I was feeling) to family and friends. It's also the style that I auctioned off at school to help my senior class! BTW I'm almost a full fledged nurse! Just need to take the NCLEX and have someone hire me!


Well, take care. Hope you had a fantastic Christmas and I wish you all the best in the new year. I hope that I can create more cards to share, but I am now engrossed with knitting (my newest hobby, started 1 month ago!). I'll post pictures of my scarves and hat later. Cheers!

Lazy

Hi. I'm lazy. I've made a few card-like things, and attempted a collage card. Not too successful. I have, however, created some Christmas cards that I will be selling at Paperdoll (if all goes to plan). I've been having fun with those and I want to keep them. However, my friends will be receiving all the cards I have from a box. I bought a ton last year and forgot to send them (I blame school). Maybe I'll add glitter or something to those. Anyway, just wanted to post something. Hope your weekend is going well and I wish you a happy week! Cheers.

More Stuff Made on Maui

Hello. I finally got my pics from the cards I made back on Maui. Here are a few of them... I made them upolad small so they would not take up too much room.

Must buy baby clothes...

My cousin's boy is a baby model and he wants you to but Carter's from Fred Meyer this week.

World Card Making Day

Celebrate World Card Making Day! It's on 06 October 2007 (or the first Saturday in October). Sounds like fun to me. Also, in the spirit of card making goodness, A Muse is selling card kits for 15% off the retail price AND they will be giving a whopping 25% of the proceeds from these kits to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Through Cards for a Cause, A Muse will also be accepting donations of cards for the children at the hospital up until 31 October (and there's a drawing for A Muse money if you send some in).

Here's an example of the card kit that I really want:You can buy it off their blog through PayPal... it's so easy! So, if you need new stamps or want to try it out for the first time, this is one awesome way to go.

Insomnia got the best of me...

Here is a card that I made in the wee hours of the morning. I couldn't sleep and decided to stamp... until 0430. I'm not the happiest with it, but the card makes me smile... I miss the beach. I made others but those are my samples for my make and takes (and cuter, I think).

(A Muse Surf Shop, Fence, Waves, and sentiment. Ribbon is "wavy". I just omitted glue on the parts that I wanted to stick up a bit.)

What? Me?

So, I'm super-uber excited because I am going to be a part-time make and take demonstrator at paperdoll! This is especially neat for me because I fancy myself as still quite new at this stamping/cardmaking thing. I feel so honored... although, I guess what the make and takes really will be geared toward are simple (to encourage folks into the art of stamping), and quick (I don't like complicated, overly done stuff too much).

Drop by for make and takes on:
September 15 (Sat) 2:00-4:00
October 13 (Sat) 12:00-4:00
October 20 (Sat) 2:00-4:00
[None in November, but check out their "Christmas Card Retreat" at their website.]


Check out papedoll online , call 503.408.6867, or visit them at 7909 SE Stark St. Portland, OR 97215.

What I want to be...

So, a question was posted on the A Muse blog site. If you answer it, you have a chance to get a neat stamping prize. I liked the question so now I ask you, as a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Here's my answer to the post. Of course, there's much more to it, but these were the main ones:

In preschool and kindergarten I wanted to be a school bus driver since I loved singing "the wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round". In third grade, I wanted to be a marine biologist since I lived in Hawaii and saw all kinds of neat sea creatures. Then I was tossed by a wave and almost drowned so I developed a fear for the ocean. I wanted to be an anesthesiologist in 5th grade since I thought it was neat to help people "go to sleep" before they were going to be in pain from surgery (I wanted to be a surgeon but I didn't trust my shakey hands.) Later, in fifth grade, I learned that medical examiners did sort of similar things as surgeons, but they also got to help solve crimes. So and that's what I wanted to be until my senior year of college (after studying abroad) when I decided that I wanted to help more people in the world and fulfill my dreams of travelling. So, I am currently in nursing school. Now, when I grow up, I want to be a nurse with knowledge of sea and land creatures, other people and cultures, and how to make fun cards and crafts to share with friends!

Here's the list I can remember as of now... I guess I can add them up:

1. School bus driver
2. Marine Biologist/Oceanographer
3. Veterinarian
4. Architect
   
5. Surgeon
6. Anesthesiologist
7. Virologist (level 4)
8. Forensic Pathologist/Medical Examiner
   
9. Seventh grade science teacher
10. Diagnostic Imaging Tech (MRI, CT, Nuclear Med)
11. Paramedic
12. Nurse
1. Emergency Room
2. Operating Room
3. Nurse Anesthetist
   
4. Forensic Nurse
13. Lottery Winner
    

You're Cool!

I made this card for my parents since they let me stay with them for almost three weeks while I was visiting. They also let me use their cars, including my mom's precious Prius, pretty much whenever I wanted. Of course they're my family, but I think they really went out of their way to accommodate me. Anyway, I got three of these A Muse stamps during A Muse A Palooza... the two new stamps "you're cool" and little penguin, and the pool is new for me. The grass is practically a basic that every A Muse fan has. The green paper is from Target and is really stinky... actually, more like toxic. Woo! You get a good whiff when you open the package. Probably made in China.

This one's for Janene

Hey. I was bad and went to Paperdoll today. I bought these two new stamps (flourish from and tree birds--actually a "book belongs to" stamp, both from Impression Obsession) as well as a clear set of words (love) by Clearly Wordsmith, and had to use them... literally... there's a wedding coming up. I took forever in Paperdoll and Janene helped me pick out the perfect stamps. I made this tonight with Marvy LePlume II pens and some new inks that I got from Art House (Versa Color). I messed up on the scalloped edges with the blue and green so I used my finger to smudge in sky and grass. It might be just a bit over done, but I like it Hope you do too! Cheers!

Made on Maui

Here's a card I made for a friend that took me around hiking and dancing on my vacation. He's a bit of a partier and has a house good for dance parties. I gave it to him after he was talking about how big his place was for just him to be living there and he was impressed that the timing was so perfect.




Amuse sentiment, Judikins slippers or "flip flops".

Kristina's got some blog candy!

Hey friends! Kristina, a fantastic card-maker, is going to give out some blog candy that she's getting from a convention. Check out her blog about it and then check out the rest of her site called Balance, since she's got awesome art to share. There's also a link to her site on my sidebar so you won't forget where she's at. Cheers!

Making cards in paradise

Hey all! I'm back in my homeland of Hawaii. Just visiting my family and old friends. It's been fun so far but I am constantly tired. Maybe it's my allergies to Maui (the sneezing and sinus stuffiness always returns when I return). Anyway, I brought over a few stamps, am buying a few Hawaiian stamps, and making some cards! I haven't really used the Hawaiian stamps yet but here's two cards I've made so far.

A thank you card for my mom's friend. My mom has a poodle and wanted it on the card (as I knew she would). I don't have all my tools here so I had to get creative with the direct-to-paper method in order to fill in the empty top portion. Making this card was super fun!

This card was for a childhood friend's surprise baby shower. Today was the day of the event and I crossed out all the days leading up to today. She's actually due in August so I stamped another calendar (A Muse) on the inside and filled it in for August. "Counting down" was individually stamped and cut out, similar to the other baby card I made. I'll post more when I get more done!

So, tell me about yourself...

Take my new poll! It's an easy question because I'm bad at asking good questions.

Please feel free to leave comments on my site too! I like feedback (but only if it's said nicely).

Cheers!

The Neatest Tees Ever!

Hey! My friends have been getting these awesome t-shirts and I was getting jealous so they told me about this website called Threadless T-Shirts. If you link thorugh me I get some credit dollars to get even more awesome clothes so if you buy something use me: http://threadless.com/?from=barkquack. Below is an example of one that I'm getting. It's called "we are made of carbon."

I am so conflicted... should I get four? I like them all equally. Oh well... probably just three (I'll minus the one that is totally me--japanese cartoonish bio characters in test tubes). Anyway, check it out! It's rad. Oh! They take entries every week and people score them to see which design will be made into a shirt, so it's not all the same 'ol manufactured stuff... totally unique! Cheers!

Kissy Birds

Another wedding this weekend! Cats Life Press birds (embossed), most embellishment stuff I got from Paperdoll. Yay!

Coming soon...

I recently found out that one of my best friends from high school is pregnant! So super exciting since he's a honeymoon baby. This is the card I made for them...


I don't know what the onesie is but the duck is from River City Rubberworks. I used snippets from the Willamette Week to do the lettering.

Challenge #8

This challenge is to make a card for an odd day of celebration. I am representing Turkey Lover's Month... that's June. The turkey is obviously happy because it's not being eaten... I love turkey because they're good to eat so I will celebrate Turkey Lover's Month for sure!

A super quick card made with A Muse stamps from clear holiday set.

Paperdoll's Stamping Extravaganza!

Paperdoll, my absolute favorite stamping/craft shop will be hosting A-Muse-A-Palooza! It's the second annual event put on by the stamp company A Muse, and Paperdoll was selected as the only host in the Portland Metro area! They'll have *all* A Muse stamps plus the newest stamps for 2008! I hear the Halloween and Christmas stamps are particularly adorable.

So, mark your calendars for July 10-14 and head on over to Paperdoll at 7909 SE Stark St. here in P-town to have some super-duper stamping craziness! They're having card-making classes all week and a couple free ones too! You can call to see when these events are happening... 503.408.6867 or click on the schedule below! Cheers!

Babies being born!!!

I found two articles on Yahoo News that announced the births of two rare animals.

A female giant manta ray was born at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium on Saturday. This is the first manta birth in captivity. According to the Japanese sources, "the baby manta, rolled up like a tube, came sliding out of the mother manta, then quickly spread its fins and began swimming around." Her wing-span was recorded to be 6 feet wide. The baby manta's mother was pregnant for 374 days! Yay for adult and baby rays! See the article here.

The aquarium was featured on a Discovery Channel program and is the second largest in the world. They are probably most popular for their tank with surviving whale sharks. Sounds cool and hopefully I can go someday! I love aquariums... I've been to quite a few around the world.

My favorite is the Maui Ocean Center, not because I'm from there; they have scalloped hammer head sharks, green turtles, and a great array of aquatic life, including amazing corals. They also have a tiger shark! When I saw it coming straight at me through the glass I had a 'sense of impending doom' as they call it in EMS. It wasn't like the others and instilled fear in me immediately. It turned and I recognized it right away. I like sharks so it was an exhilarating scary experience. I also like the Seattle aquarium. The aquarium in Melbourne, VIC, Australia was cool... they have the leafy sea dragon seahorse thing because they're only found off the of western and southern coasts of Oz! Oregon's in Newport is okay, but I usually go when the weather's not the nicest. Honestly though, not my fav. The one in Boston was neat; it was one of the first in it's style. I think the aquarium on Oahu (Waikiki) was designed after Boston. I'm sure I've been to more but I can't think of them...

An endangered turtle, Sacalia bealei, was born at the Tennessee Aquarium. This adorable little reptile is called a "Beal's four-eyed turtle, named for two white spots on the back of its head that look like a pair of eyes, hatched from a clutch of three eggs. The turtle weighed 0.21 ounces and was 1.52 inches long when it hatched June 9." There are only 18 of these turtles in the world. Their population was decimated in their native lands in Asia because they're apparently tasty and have medicinal properties. Read about this little dude here. Look at his little claws and adorable tail! I want one!

Seaglass and Lilac

Hey! I made some cards a couple of nights ago. I got four new Color Box cat eye inkpads. Seaglass, lilac, orange and fresh green. I found that seaglass and lilac look pretty good together so I made a few cards with that color scheme. I also got new clear stamps from Craft Warehouse because they were on sale. They're the wavy, curly, viney ones from Technique Tuesday. It's cool because you can bend the clear stamps so some of the curlies have more of a curve than others. The bird is one of two of my first stamps that I ever bought; it's from Cats Life Press, another one of my fav stamp companies.




This last one I made last and although it didn't turn out as I had imagined, I think it's okay. I used Martha Stewart clear letter stamps. It sucks getting them off the backing and they're not all cut properly so I had to take an exacto knife to them. Oh well, it was MUCH less expensive than other brands and I like the small size of the font. Hope you like my cards!

Glitter Challenge

Here's my entry for A Muse's glitter challenge. Not too much glitter, but I like it that way... (it's on the steam). A Muse wavy background stamp, big block, and sentiment. Yum, coffee...

Opposites Attract

Here's a picture of my fridge. I like magnets... so I made two yesterday as I was procrastinating (got my homework done tonight).

FYI the GWB card says on the outside: "I have three little words for you" inside: "Thank You"... I have a Mr. T 1-800-COLLECT magnet from college that says "Call yo' mama". A couple of plaster of paris Care Bears from my childhood, a "your anger makes me happy" bunny magnet (Eddie's absolute favorite), New England Aquarium: Boston penguin, Oregon Humane Society, "Mr. Brewski says 'beer is good'" sticker, magnet that Martha made for me in college, a Hawaii gecko, a "don't hurry me, I'm on Hawaiian time" turtle, Nebraska chicken on a farm, five japanese alien thingies, an echidna crossing, an "all biggots will be reincarnated as gay, homeless people of color" pin and an encouragement magnet from a staff person at Pacific University for my graduation.


Here are the two... The crab is embossed in silver and says "shake a stick at it for your protection". I love that one but don't know how to use it on a card. The second is my favorite bird stamp. It's embossed in queen's gold and standing of a 'branch'. The bird says "chirp". Not too fancy but I am enjoying them.


You can also see a bit of my favorite post card sent to me by Oxfam Unwrapped (International) telling me that they have great new gifts that I can give to people that will really go to someone else in the world. Check out their site, it's great (there's also a link on my sidebar). I got my dad manure for the most recent Christmas and my parents got a cow the prior Christmas. When I'm working, I might buy a teacher or bathrooms... They also started to send magnets (fancy that) with pictures of the item to the recipient. So my parents have a magnet of manure on their fridge. There's also a new American Oxfam site so you don't have to convert pounds to US dollars and pay the extra international credit card fee. They're selling a crocodile for only $50!

Oh! You can also see my echidna crossing magnet! Yay for echidnas! Don't run over them...

Happiness is a cup of coffee...

Hey! Here's my entry for the A Muse-A-Palooza challenge #6... embossing. You can't really see it but the Cafe and sentiment (both A Muse) are embossed. I stamped in black and embossed in clear since I don't yet have black embossing powder (on my to-purchase list).

I started off with the idea of a mellow cafe but went crazy with color! I love the colors now because it reminds me of Pambiche, a Cuban restaurant in Portland. Mmmmm... I want a nice cappuccino and maduros.

Bird x3

Hey all! I have a few more cards to post. I made these last weekend. This first one, I made during my card-making day with Martha. We went to Paperdoll for some inspiration before starting and she bought the bike. I got the dog (Patch), fence, and bird (masked from bird line, see Father's day card) that day too. Paperdoll got a bunch of new A Muse stamps recently and they were being sold quick! All stamps including the sentiment are A Muse stamps. I colored with Prismacolor pens, a Gellyroll Glaze pen, and Faber-Castell PITT artist pen.


The next card was a test. I stamped with a new Martha Stewart bird stamp and colored in with Kol-I-Noor pencils. I suck at blending colors. The sentiment is a masked Savvy stamp on a regular tag attached with a hemp cord.


Basically the same thing as above; a Martha Stewart bird colored in with pencils. Sentiment (happy birdie to you) is from A Muse. Flower brads and organza ribbon make this card a little more fun. I found out here that cutting a scalloped circular-like object is quite difficult. I think it looks pretty okay though. Let me know what you think. Cheers!

Response to Crystal

So, Crystal asked "If you were a manakin, what would you be wearing and doing after store hours?"

This is my response:

I would be wearing...



and



with



...the bling, not the dude or his hairy chest...

Echidnas! I love them!

Being sneaky...


Crossing the river...


Rolled up for protection!


Eating food with it's long sticky tongue. Echidnas are insectivores.

Father's Day Card

Here's a card I made for Eddie's dad. They used to have chickens and live in the country. I colored with my Koh-I-Noor pencils. The chickens are actually the A Muse bird line; I just added the little head and neck thingy to them. I think the pig is Cavalini and the sentiment is Anna Griffin. Don't know about the barn... Cheers!

Last one for the day!

Okay, so please don't be offended. This card was inspired by actual events in my short nursing school career. I won't explain the details to maintain confidentiality. The crazy circus background is supposed to indicate the delusions of the patient. Hope you like it! Oh, all stamps A Muse.

Amuse-A-Palooza Challenge #5 Card #2

Here's my second card for Amuse a palooza! I drew the tree (probably obvious) which I am proud of since I lack in the artistic drawing talents. The nest, superhero, and Thanks are from Amuse. I took the Thanks from a block of thanks words from different languages. The dog is Global Solutions.

Amuse-A-Palooza Challenge #5

This challenge is to create a scene with stamps and embellishments. The first thing that came to mind was a beautiful beach on Maui. I'm not this talented however, so here's the next best thing! The sun, sentiment, palm tree and grass are all A Muse. The fly is from Judith (see previous post) and the hula dancer, which my wonderful mother sent from Hawaii, is (I think) Stampettes. I colored her in with prismacolor pens.

I'm a Yap

So, I have an island... it's Yap Island.

It's in the Pacific Ocean, part of Micronesia and just north of West Papua and Palau. I added an asterisk (under the Y) to show you where the island is...



This is the picture that inspired me to do a little more research on my island. It's of a reef scallop that I got from google. It looks so cool. I saw something that looks sort of like this while I was snorkeling off Kangaroo Island, South Australia. I think I saw a sea slug though and it was brighter and had white (ha ha! A patriotic sea slug for former British colonies.) I don't know what I really saw because I get frightened when I snorkel and the current was strong and we were in between canyons of coral (I'm afraid of coral too). Anyway, this thing is neato!



Yap is also known for it's absurdly large, stone money. They probably started with small money and as people got richer, the stones needed to get bigger. I don't know really, but I'm speculating and need to do further research. Here's a pic of a Yapese with three stone monies.



Cool huh? Well, I sure do think so. I just decided that some day, I will visit Yap Island. This is now a part of my list of things to do and near the top. Maybe when I'm rich, I'll bring my dad, mom and brother with me... yeah, I'm dreaming again.