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Thursday 22 October 2015

...It'll get easier...they said...


I'm not even going to write you a big excuse as to why the blog has been empty for two weeks, I'm just going to say one word and I know you will understand. Children. Not complaining at all, they remain the most perfect, sweet smelling, delightfully grinny little fluffy angels that the Big Man above ever created (present company excepted) but they sure know how to induce a heart attack keep me on my toes... which is grand... that's what I'm here for... breathe... "Hello is that Mrs Brennan? Can you come to school? Your son has passed out/your daughter is ill/there's something living in his schoolbag..." breathe. Also it takes a day and a half to track down a decent looking cowboy hat in Northern Ireland.... gap in the market?

Meantime, back at the ranch, this sorry excuse for a card had been hanging around the desk waiting to be put out of it's misery. It was only after I had finished (because, by Jove, I was determined to finish at least one blasted project this week) that I realised how dreadful this card actually was... poor Moose got hung by his horns without a hint of grounding, and as DH says "Warm winter wishes? You wish me a season of dead moose?..."

Yep this card is my lesson for you on how NOT to put a card together....

1) Choose a sentiment that actually matches or relates to your focal point...
2) Decide what you want the focal point to be before you assemble the card... Tip - 3 focal points on one card don't work.... unless you are a genius stylist such as Melissa Phillips and can combine different elements with aplomb....
3) While it's tempting to use card fronts/bits and bobs you already made up for another project, just because you are pushed for time... Don't. Unless it already matches. Turns out rusty orange Moose (Mooses? Moosiae?) and blue snowflakes don't really conjure up that Christmas/winter vibe....
4) In fact, if you are feeling mojoless, or really tight for time - so tight that you don't even have time to turn the handle, just once, on the die machine - Give up. Walk away. Leave it alone or risk the curse of the poor winter moose.

 If you happen to have some rusty moose hanging about (see what I did there) and are desperate to recreate this horror for your own edification, you could use these items that I also used... I can assure you that these items are all terribly well behaved of their own accord and only get into trouble, such as above, when I am 'just not feeling it'.... Chat soon. C.


http://www.waltzingmousestamps.com/products/flurrieshttp://www.waltzingmousestamps.com/products/brogue-die-sethttp://www.waltzingmousestamps.com/products/snowflake-two-die-set








45 comments:

  1. Too funny. Sounds like you are the typical parent with school-age children fun! LOL.

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  2. "It will get easier" is the biggest lie ever!

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    1. Yep it is Jen, it's just getting crazier! Ta for popping over!

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  3. I like the bottom half! Nice to know you're human, Claire. There's hope for the rest of us.

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    1. Ah Charmaine, I'd love for you to see my house and you'd realise just how human I am..... thanks for stopping by!

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  4. Hilarious! I love you Mrs Brennan!!!

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  5. Oh Claire! Kids DO make life more...interesting....

    And I'm desperately seeking a denim/chambray jumper suitable for Anne of Green Gables....I am going to have to venture out to a thrift store, with children in tow....

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    1. hope that went ok Miriam!! I'm just coming up for air after Halloween week... Thanks for stopping in, I owe you an email!!

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  6. Moms the world over understand. And we do not judge lol. Well deserved shout out to Melissa Phillips/Lilybean. Hang in there, this too shall pass.

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    1. Hugs Linda! thanks for not judging! Ta for popping over!

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  7. Oh the joys of raising our kiddos! Hope all are feeling better now! Your post brought a smile...I can totally identify!! :)

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    1. Cheers Jill, thanks for popping in! hope your Halloween was fabby!

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  8. Well, I'm laughing. Even the moose had a chuckle. 1 moose. 2 moose. Many moose. Don't forget to breathe. Hugz

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  9. I think we've all been there. I know I have! I look at my finished card and wonder what in the world happened?! Love your little stories - they make my heart smile. :)

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    1. Glad I posted it, I nearly didn't, but what the heck, we're all in this together I figure!! Hugs!

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  10. Love your sense of humor. Love your moose though!!

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  11. Oh Claire, you really are a delight! Thanks so much for this post – it definitely tickled!

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  12. Oh Claire, you are just the most delightful writer: and you hubby's comment made me laugh out loud!! :-D I hope the kiddo's health is improving, especially your little one who passed out! And I didn't notice anything wrong with the card till you laid it all out for us! :-) Hope all calms down in your neck of the woods and you finally find that cowboy hat (Halloween, I'm guessing?) Hugs, H

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    1. He just calls it like it is Helen, which is just as well, I get all caught up in the moment! yep, all grand, Hugs, thanks for stopping by!

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  13. I enjoyed reading your post about your kids today and I loved that you posted a "dreadful card"!!! I didn't think is was dreadful. I like knowing I'm not the only one that has awful cards. Actually I've seen lots worse than your moose card and the poster was pleased with their post. So beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess.

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    1. That's it Sadie - and I'm developing the ability to squint at my stuff, if I squint I don't see so much of what went wrong! Thanks for taking the time to comment! much appreciated!

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  14. LOL, you are right. Although he looks very cool, Mister Moose is a little out of place. However, if you save him for another card and just use the snowflake where it is, it would fit together perfectly. I know just how you feel. When my children were little, it was almost impossible to do anything artistic during the day. My only option was to give up sleeping and try to work when they were asleep.

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    1. Totally Jean, I might just liberate him for a future project, good thinking! thanks for popping in!

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  15. Life is never dull as a parent!
    Thanks for sharing your card :)

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  16. I'm just happy I finally got to see how the designer meant the Brogue dies to work together. Ok they probably don't work so well with the rustic charm of the hung moose but hey I've seen (and done) much worse.

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    1. LOL, yep what was I thinking...? lol!! hugs Kate!

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  17. Oh my gosh, your post just has me giggling! I know just what you mean about your darling children running you through the wringer at times and requiring 200% of your time, which leaves just enough energy for the bare necessities. This adorable rusty moose is a fabulous embellishment and I can understand why you wanted to use him on a card. To tell the truth, it didn't strike me as a dead moose hanging from his antlers until you mentioned it...haha! I would guess just a tweak or two would turn it into a card you are satisfied with so I wouldn't count it a loss at all. Slip the twine off his antlers and add some ground....voila! Many of my cards go through a number of transformations on their way to complete so I'm glad you decided to share it with us anyway!!

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    1. Cheers Karen, yep, I'm no Martha Stewart...lol, but it's all fun, thanks for stopping by and taking time to comment!

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  18. I for one, love the rusty moose and blue snowflake with your awesome wingback die. At least you made a card. You're over thinking it. Hope you kiddos get well soon. (((Crafty Hugs)))) Paulette S.
    http://paulettesprettypapercrafts dot word press dot com
    since Google can't remove my frozen outdated Blogger profile for a blog moved to WP in 2012!!!

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    1. Ah cheers Paulette, thanks for the kind words!

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  19. Things I like: rusty moose (love!!!), gorgeous twine (love too), kraft and turquoise. So not all bad! Quite normal, we all make hit and miss cards!

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  20. Bless - sounds like things are full on for you! We only just made it to half term unscathed this time around :) I do love the brogue details at the bottom of your card....it is on my very long wish list. Your random moose has made me smile!!

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    1. Ta Sarah, yep it's just a blur really, isn't it! hugs to you!

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  21. I've checked daily for blog posts....glad to hear your life is just like mine. There's hope for us all. Hey, I love the moose. I need some rusty moose. Where do you get them? Not a bad card in my opinion, although I agree the sentiment doesn't match...lol....but hey, I don't ever match.

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    1. OOOh Marci, that poor guy has been in my cupboard for years, think I got him at a craft fair sometime, sorry, I know that's not much use! Ta for popping by tho!

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  22. I like a different perspective on things so rusty moose with turquoise trims - so the moose ventured down into Arizona... it could happen! I love you, Claire - your wit, your down-to-Earth-it-is-what-it-is attitude, your real life issues - you are the best and you hang in there!

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    1. Thanks Christine, what a lovely comment - you made my day! hugs to you! :)

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  23. Huge hugs, Claire! You don't have to apologize! You are a mom first...everything else falls into place. And if you figured out how to stop time or conjure extract time you'd be a genius and filthy rich. You'd crack one life's horrible conundrums. If you figure it out, send me a smoke signal. I'll come running ;) here is another set of hugs for good measure...!

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Thanks for taking the time to comment, :) I read them all and I appreciate you taking time to visit!