What's Wrong With Mermaids? Or Sombreros?

Over in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Cards on SCS, Roxie picked the fabulous theme of non-traditional holidays for October's swap. After poring over the amazingly long lists of unknown quirky holidays, I decided on National Tell A Fairy Tale Day, which is celebrated on February 26.

I just love this Mermaid Anya from The Greeting Farm! She was a gift from the sweet Kadie and I can't believe this is the first time she has seen ink! And no, the colors are not very sea-like, but it IS Tell a Fairy Tale Day, so my little mermaid can be pink and flowery instead of blue and watery, right?

I colored the Anyas with Copics when I met up with Catherine a few weeks ago at the Archiver's crop. Yes, that's right. I drove 3 hours round trip to color with Catherine, and I'd do it again! (It also helped me keep my crop tab under $50.)

I wish you could see the shimmery paper IRL that I embossed - it's gorgeous! I couldn't decide where to put ribbon, so I made a little sentiment tag instead. I added the rhinestones to the flowers & her hair, and finished with a sparkly dot border.

So, have you ever Googled "obscure holidays" and looked through the results? Here's just a teeny-tiny sampling of what's out there:
National Peach Cobbler Day Yummy!
Hug an Australian Day {HUGS} to Sandra!
Measure Your Feet Day Uh, why?
Beercan Appreciation Day There's one for The Man!
Clams on the Halfshell Day What???

Not only are they inspirations for cards, they're also reasons to throw a party every day! WOO-HOO! I still cannot believe there is not National Mermaid Day or Wear a Sombrero Day. Oh well, I could always dress like a mermaid with a sombrero on Wear Something Gaudy Day!

I'll leave you with a fun "tidbits about me" quiz that I found over on Sandra's blog, where the catch is to use only one-word answers. If you decide to take the quiz on your blog, post a comment here so I can hop over and check it out!

1. Where is your cell phone? Charging
2. Your hair? Layered
3. Your mother? *Missed*
4. Your father? Wise
5. Your favorite food? Pasta
6. Your dream last night? Nonsensical
7. Your favorite drink? Tonics!
8. Your dream/goal? Evolving
9. What room are you in? Craftin'
10. Your hobby? Hello?!
11. Your fear? Blindness
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Here
13. Where were you last night? Recliner
14. Something that you aren’t? Active
15. Muffins? Croissants!
16. Wish list item? Housekeeper
17. Where did you grow up? Pennsylvania
18. Last thing you did? Texted
19. What are you wearing? Sweats
20. Your TV? Selective
21. Your pets? Felines
22. Friends? Priceless
23. Your life? Blessed
24. Your mood? Neutral
25. Missing someone? Several
26. Vehicle? Pontiac
27. Something you’re not wearing? Makeup
28. Your favorite store? LSS
29. Your favorite color? Pink
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Yesterday
32. Your best friend? Rosie
33. One place that you go to over and over? Market
34. One person who emails me regularly? Mary {my sister}
35. Favorite place to eat? OliveGarden

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Creating!
~Susan~

DETAILS
Stamps: The Greeting Farm 'Mermaid Anya', Studio G sentiment
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Papers: Bazzill, Stampin Up, The Paper Company
Copics: E00, E000, E11, R20, R22, RV000, Y21, Y23
Accessories: Sakura Gelly Roll, Primas, Rhinestones, Nestabilities, Dimensionals

It's Five O'Clock Somewhere!!!

Earlier this year when I was lamenting that I overcommitted on card swaps and was not signing up for any more, what do you think I did? Yes, I signed up for another one. I had no choice....the theme is one of my favorite mantras to get me through a crazy workday: It's Five O'Clock Somewhere!

So here you have the card I made for Viv's (SCS=blusky) It's Five O'Clock Somewhere! card swap. At first I was feeling all retro: think Rat Pack music & martinis & white pleather & chrome. But as the weather warmed up and the days got longer, the tropical feel took over! I must admit that I have yet to meet an Umbrella Drink that I don't like! LOL!!!


The card base is SU Chocolate Chip, and I used the same wonderful palm-leaf textured DP that I used on my Cup of Tea card. When I spied a stack of woven summer place mats on my monthly walk-thru the dollar store, I knew I had to incorporate them into the card. The hardest part was that after cutting the mat pieces, I had to remove some pieces from each end, then carefully wrap the threads around to the back and secure them with uber-sticky-tape so the mats wouldn't fall apart. (I already made a mental note: no more woven placemats)


The Studio G drink images are stamped on WW and colored with Prisma pencils. (In hindsight I wish I had coated each drink in Crystal Effects or Glassy Glaze.) For fun umbrellas, I stamped them on some colorful K&Company Berry Sweet DP, then cut and glued them on the drinks. I finished by adding strips of colorful craft store ribbon adhered with a brad on each end. (Happy to report that I lost only one umbrella in the process of cutting out 21 drinks and 21 umbrellas!)

I hope Viv and the gals who receive them feel the tropical vibe! Oh by the way, the drinks are supposed to be Joe's Crab Shack Swamp Water, a sweet, murky-green, melon-y drink perfect for summer! You can find the recipe online - give it a try!

Happy Creating!

Susan