Papertake Weekly Sketch Challenge

This is the card I made for Katharina's Sketch # 2 over at Papertake Weekly Sketch Challenge. Go check it out and join in the fun.

This card utilizes all things Papertrey Ink, from the cardstock, the images, the ribbon and even the ink. There were three exceptions and I will tell you about those as I describe the making of this card. I began with the newest cardstock, Summer Sunrise, for the base. Then I added layers of patterned paper which are from HOTP, their Citrus line. The circle was cut from Lemon Tart cardstock, also new this month. The main image is from the Little Lady set. I stamped the base of the ladybug using Lemon Tart ink, then stamped the spots in Summer Sunrise. The flowers were stamped in the same colours. Man, even the white c/s is Select White. On the white square, I stamped the edges using the Faux Ribbon set and on the circle, I used the Borders & Circles set which includes the sentiment. I layered it beginning with the striped paper, then added the green circles and the yellowish letters. Next came the circle and then the striped paper along the lower portion with the stripes going in the opposite direction. Now it was time to add the ribbon which is from the Lemon Tart collection. I finished it off with some Bazzill flowers and some glitter dots from Gina K. Designs. I really like this sketch and will use it again because of its versatility.

I had some play time today, yay!

I'm tellin' ya, ladies, trying to keep a tidy house for house viewings is difficult. I really feel for those women who are selling their houses AND have children to look after as well. There is just the two of us here and it's hard enough. We had people here on Saturday, and Open House on Sunday, people here Monday, agents' tour this morning and now someone coming over tonight at 7 pm. I know it's all good, but it sure does cut into my play time. That being said, I loved the challenges on the Gina K. Forum on Sunday night and just had to participate. Only now did I realize there were three challenges, but I only have two completed. Here's my card for April Release Challenge # 1 by Carolyn King. Duh! There seems to be a problem uploading, so I'll put a link here to my SCS gallery and fix it later. Front of Card and Inside of Card. I used Berry Sorbet by PTI as the card base and put a strip from their Pink Patterns and then added some Swiss Dot ribbon, also in Berry Sorbet. I cut a circle of Aqua Mist and used my Marvy Giga Scalloped punch, with Select White by PTI for the image. I used the You Know You're Getting Old When....set for Challenge #1.




And, for April Release Challenge # 2 by Erika Martin. Here's the link to my card. This card started with a base of Certainly Celery. I placed a layer of patterned paper by CTMH that is close enough to Pretty In Pink. The image was stamped onto Very Vanilla and double-matted in Chocolate Chip and Certainly Celery. The set I used was Getting Buggy, which I just love. I added some pink grosgrain ribbon and some button brads to finish it off. You just have to go look at the pics, please. This card also meets the criteria for the Colour Challenge today, CC163.



My goodness these posts are boring without pictures! I hope it gets fixed soon by Blogger! YAY! BLOGGER IS FIXED.

Have you seen Hänglar & Stänglar stamps or images?

If not, here's a chance to win some. Hänglar & Stänglar images, and a stamp, are being given away as blog candy by Katharina for her 30th birthday, which was April 17th. Just visit her blog, Creative ideas by Katharina, to enter.

Here's a picture of the stamp Katharina is giving away.



These images are so darling and I would love to win them myself, but wanted to let my readers know about this fab opportunity, too! So, quickly now, go enter. You have until April 25th, Middle European Time to enter. You can click on the link in this post, or go to Katharina's blog via my blogroll, either way will get you there. And, if I don't win, I hope YOU do.

I want Spring!

Will Spring never arrive? Just this past Friday we had a snow storm. I mean, really, enough is enough. However, today is gorgeous and it should get up to around 11 degrees C. today and higher tomorrow and Wednesday. So, in an effort to get my mind into Spring, I made this delightful card.

This image is one of several digital images available from Pink Petticoat in the UK. I downloaded them and tried to print them out, but my printer does not take cardstock easily so what I ended up doing was loading my images onto a thumb drive and took it to Staples. For $2.67 I was able to get all 52 images printed out. Now all I have to do is trim them, colour them and mount them on a card. I purchased the Fishes, Ewes, Owls and Birds images for a mere $16.00 CDN (approx) and, if it only costs $2.67 to print all the images, then I think that is a very economical way, indeed, of enjoying my craft. The only stamped image is the sentiment and that was $1.50 at Michaels!

The card base is Select White with some Sweet Blush on the card face. Then I added some of the Pink Patterns paper, some pink and white eyelets and a couple of Prima flowers to complete the card. The cardstock and patterned papers are from Papertrey Ink.

I used my Copic markers to colour the image and am happy to report that there was no bleeding of the image whatsoever. Can't wait for the next delivery of more Copics from the Gina K. Copic Marker Club. Should be any day now and that's only 'cause it takes longer to get to Canada. You can find out more information about this club by contacting Gina here.

Physiotherapists are great!

This is a very special card, for a very special young woman. Unless this is your first visit to my blog, you all know that I recently (8 weeks ago) had bi-lateral knee replacement surgery. I'm doing really well and, in fact, seem to be about 3 - 4 weeks ahead of the recuperative schedule outlined in most of the articles I've read. I attribute this first to God for looking after me, to the prayers of all my very special cyber friends, my family and, last, but definitely not least, to the physiotherapy I've been receiving over the last several weeks. I am fortunate enough to have two physiotherapists, Tarja, and a young woman, Kelly, a student at McMaster University in Hamilton. Kelly is doing her very first work placement at St. Joseph's Hospital and I'm her very first patient. Under the very capable supervision of Tarja, Kelly has made sure that I'm doing all of the right exercises. She's with me every step of the way making sure that I'm getting just the right amount of stretch or flexion, riding a recumbent bike, walking straight, and a myriad of other things that need to happen before I'm declared 100% following the surgery. Tomorrow is Kelly's last day of the 6-week work placement and I wanted her to remember her first patient (me), so I made this card for her.



This card is based on BSC23 over at Splitcoaststampers. Thanks, Jamie, for a terrific sketch.

Kelly actually looks a lot like Barbella. She's slim, trim, blonde and I'm sure she must be physically active if she's choosing a career in physiotherapy. Kelly knows the muscles in the body and how to get them to work after years of non-use (me, again). I wanted the card to reflect the benefits of working-out and thought Barbella was the perfect choice. The cardstock and patterned papers are by SU in one of their scrapbooking packages. I love the colours, but don't know the names of them. The ribbon is by PTI, in the Auqua Mist colour which matches perfectly with the SU colours here. I added the brass brads and photo hangar for pizzazz. The image was stamped on Selecte White and sponged with Aqua Mist.

Okay, that's it for know. I just wanted to say 'thanks' to Kelly for working with me and helping me to get back on my feet. Good Luck in your studies, Kelly.

I love Gina K's "Tickle Your Funny Bone" stamps

I have both sets, "Way To Go" and "You Know You're Old When....". Yesterday I completed some cards for a swap at The Stamp Shack. Here is my creation. Well, it's not really my creation as I totally CASED it from here. I was perusing the gallery at SCS and fell in love with the card by Mothermark. I truly hope she is flattered that I used her design.



I used some of my newest cardstock from Papertrey Ink in Berry Sorbet and Sweet Blush, then added some SU Chocolate Chip, as well. There was a lot of cutting involved in this card, but well worth the time it took, I think. I did have a difficult time getting the colour of the gums just right. It took two different colours of Copic Markers: V000 - Pale Health and R11 - Pale Cherry Pink. For the teeth, I used E50 - Eggshell. Only movie stars and talk show hosts have really white teeth! Oh, and did you notice that I used Gold Stickles on one of the teeth for some added pizzazz (my new favourite word).

The cards are now on their way to the hostess of the swap and I can't wait to receive my cards back to see what other fabulous cards my fellow-swappers have created.

I want to go play some more now, so see you soon.

My Mojo Monday card

I'm back in the game of challenges. There is no better way to 'kick-start' oneself than to work on some challenges. Julee's Mojo Monday's at Poetic Artisty is probably my favourite. Here's my entry for Week #31.

All of the supplies used in the making of this card are from Papertrey Ink. I began with White Select cardstock for the base. Then I added a 2" strip of Spring Moss on the left, and a 3-1/2" piece of Aqua Mist on the right. Layered on that is a piece of patterned paper from the Everyday Blessings pack. The vertical piece is 2" wide by 4-1/4" long. Then I added a 3" square bit of the same paper, only adhered so the stripes are horizontal. For the next step, I used my Nestabilities for the scalloped and plain circles. Both the Spring Moss plain circle and the Aqua Mist scalloped have also been embossed.

The image and the sentiment are from the Women in Life stamp set. The sentiment was stamped with Aqua Mist ink onto a piece of Aqua Mist c/s, but it doesn't show up as clearly as I would have liked, however, we learn by doing! In case you can't see the sentiment, it says, "Happy Mother's Day, Daughter".

I completed the card with some paper piercing in three of the corners. Overall, I think it's a very gentle-looking card.

Surprise, Surprise ~~ It's me!

Well, it's been a long time since I've had any interest in creating cards or posting, but I think I'm back. While my recovery has been nothing short of a miracle, my head just wasn't into thinking about making cards or posting. Ladies, I didn't even shop, much, online for goodies or read any of my favourite sites. That had me more worried than anything else. But, finally, last night I was reading some posts and found out that a very dear friend is having a birthday. She has been so thoughtful, kind and caring that I wanted to make a card for her. I went downstairs (yes, I know, I can do stairs now), into my new craft space (pictures to come soon) and made a card. I'm not naming any names because it's going in the mail tomorrow, but I wanted to let you all know that I'm BACK! Here's the card.




The base is that delicious new colour, Berry Sorbet, from Papertrey Ink, as is the lovel Swiss Dot ribbon, also in Berry Sorbet. The stamps are Studio G clear stamps which were inside a Get Well card I received from Ellie. I used the Swiss Dot CB embossing folder on PTI Select White and a Prima flower with a silver brad to complete the look. I hope my friend likes the card.

And, may I say once more, thank you to everyone for all the good wishes and all the prayers. I'm positive that the prayers have cut down the recovery time considerably. I'm still going to physio, but was told on Thursday that a discharge date is being considered within a couple of weeks. This journey has been an absolutely amazing one, and I'm so greatful to everyone who prayed for me. Thank you all, so very much.

A very special get well card.

Please allow a doting grandmother to brag just a wee bit. This card was made by Owen, my 21-month old grandson who lives in England. Of course, he had a little help from the daycare staff, but the work is mostly his. These are pictures of the front, inside and back and they're delightful!

I want to draw your attention to the amazing detail in the colouring of the flowers. I'm sure Owen chose the colours and what a great job he did, too! I do believe the staff cut out the flowers and added the glitter to the letters for him, but the flowers are all his.









On the inside of the card, Owen put the glue on the paper and then added all the little bits and pieces of coloured tissue paper on the top portion. I think it shows wonderful attention to detail and the placement of the bits and pieces is just perfect for such a young person. Don't you agree? And let's not forget the bunny. Once again, the colouring is exquisite and he managed to stay inside all the lines. I'm so impressed with his artistic talents. I can't wait to have him come over and start stamping with him. I think he's going to love it. Tim Holtz, look out! You've got some competition.


Of course, the back page, or signature page, are his cute little hands. If you measure a childs' hands like you do the paws of a pup, I'd say Owen is going to be a big 'un, for sure! His little hands are adorable.

I would also like to apologize for not posting more often this past week. My DH did such a wonderful job keeping you all up to date on my progress and now that I'm home, I feel like I may be letting my readers down a little. While I'm feeling really good, I'm finding it very difficult to get my head into crafting mode. Not only that, but my schedule for exercising is brutal and my DD, Tiffany, and DH are making sure that I do the exercises. I'm really glad that they push me because I would tend to be lazy in that area and then this surgery would have been for nothing. I will not waste all the prayers and good wishes that have seen me come through this with flying colours. However, it leaves little time for anything else, believe me. I must lie down and put my leg in what is known as a Constant Passive Motion machine. I'm to do this for 1-1/2 hours on each leg, three times per day. Of course, while I'm strapped into this contraption, I can't do anything else. Then I have physio appointments 3 times per week on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Plus, the exercises I do in between being on the CPM machine. Very little time for crafting, but lots of time for thinking about what I want to do when I can get back to it. Just yesterday I received my package from PTI of the new cardstock colours and ribbons, so I need to play with those soon.

Anyhoo, that's been my week and I hope you all will forgive me. I want to be back on track soon, so stay tuned, please. Hugs to you all.

My first efforts since surgery!

Sweet Riley and the Domestice Goddess set by Hanna Stamps were waiting for me to come home from the hospital. This morning I actually wanted to play, so I sat down and created these two little gems.













I made the St. Patty's Day card first, and really like how it turned out. Then, as I was gazing at the image of Riley sitting in the chair, feet up, coffee in one hand and cupcake in the other, it made me think of how my daughter, Tiffany and my DH, John, are looking after me. It really is all about ME at the moment and I'm rather enjoying it, I must say.

Sitting at my craft table is even good exercise because I'm always moving my chair back and forth to reach here and there. It is on wheels, but also on carpet and it takes some muscle to move it around. Sometimes, if I'm feeling lazy and don't want to push, I just bend my knee a little more to go around an iris cart or whatever, so I'm actually exercising and not really thinking about it. YAY for stamping! Another useful purpose. Anyway, it's getting late, I'm starting to tire and have done my exercises twice today. John is a super coach. He sits right beside me and does my counting for me. The exercises are extensions, flexions, straight leg raises and such. I'm required to do 20 on each leg and, towards 14 or so it starts to get tough. But, John's there with the encouragement to get me through. He's amazing and I love him for being there all the way with me. Too soppy, I'm signing off now so I'll be back tomorrow most likely. I say most likely because sitting in this chair is challenging right now, but so worth it because you have all been there for me since day one and, once again, I want to express my appreciation for your prayers and thoughts. God Bless.

I'm home at last!

And ROTFLMAO at the posts my husband has done in my absence. I'm afraid now that you'll want him back instead of me.

And feeling great. I do want to thank you all for your prayers and positive thoughts. The surgery and recovery, to date, has been nothing short of spectacular. I give credit for this amazing recovery because of the the prayers offered on my behalf. I knew before that prayer was powerful, but to actually experience it first hand, well, there are no words to describe what a difference it has made in this journey.

The surgery was a huge success as I imagine you all know if you've been reading my blog while I was away. The doctor thinks what I'm able to do, even at this early stage, is phenomenal and that's his word!

The physiotherapy has been great. Not once did I 'scream like a baby'. In fact, I have less pain now than before the surgery. I think of pain as that sharp, biting, quick as lightening strike. What I have experienced since the surgery is minor discomfort and muscle stiffness, all of which will disappear over the next few weeks. During the physio sessions, when it got a little bit tough, I would chant, "I'm not wasting those prayers, I'm not wasting those prayers" and would call upon God to get me through. Never once did it get to be more than I could handle. Again, all this is due to those prayers and well wishes. If I could give each and every one of you a personal hug, I would gladly do so. However, this message is the best I can do for now.

So, here I am, at home, and need to know what important things have transpired during my absence, especially if it involves new stamps and stuff. Please, fill me in!

Barb's knees #16

My last post as substitute GrammaStamper; where do I begin?

I suppose I should tell you a bit about GrammaStamper and me. She, of course, spends much of her day making cards, provided ‘Coronation Street’ isn’t on. I have left the craft room pretty much as she had it prior to her surgery. She likes it that way and I’m really not allowed in there anyway. Of course I cleaned it while she was away; that goes without saying. As usual, every week I wash the floor, dust the chandelier, and keep the pillows properly ‘fluffed’. Her craft room is shown, left.

I have my desk in area in the back of the house. It’s a wee bit smaller than hers but I don’t mind. I get enough light as there is a window right beside me. (Actually the word ‘window’ may be incorrect as there is no glass there, just a hole in the wall which I board up when it rains.) At night, sometimes she gives me a candle so I can continue working even after the sun goes down. I usually wear my ‘hoodie’ as it can get chilly in there. We have considered heating it but I’m told it would interfere with her purchasing stamping supplies. Besides, you can’t really tell by the picture, but Hank is sleeping in my coat and he helps me to keep warm.

You may note by the picture that I do not have my own computer, just the quill you see. Doing these posts is fabulous as I have been using her computer to post all these messages, and her room is heated. (And I know Hank’s been in here as there are toasted mouse-parts on the floor. I assume he had a party or something. Of course, I’ll clean it up before Barb returns.) Eventually we might get another computer but I’m told, again, it would restrict stamping purchases so I don’t mention it anymore. The same goes for socks and shoes, which is why I like the full height of my desk.

I am so looking forward to tomorrow when Barb returns. I’m not positive if she’ll post an entry in this blog right away but I’m sure she’ll make herself known. She hasn’t had the use of her computer for over two weeks and I’m sure she’s suffering ‘withdrawal’. And besides, I might be allowed to have one of those Golden Chips I got for her, assuming some fall on the floor.

Well, that’s it for me. The next entry here will be GrammaStamper’s. I really loved the opportunity to do this and love the way you all have supported her.

You deserve a round of applause.

My warmest regards to you all.

- GrampaStamper

Barb's knees #15

As my penultimate (That’s not a word I get to use often so I’ll take when I can!) posting as substitute GrammaStamper, let me say first that everything is going great. Barb has had her stitches removed this morning and has accomplished some independent walking, simply pushing the walker ahead of her and walking towards it. Again, she sends her thanks for all your support.

I said everything was going great and that’s true … almost everything.

Heather Grow saw it coming. Heather Grow understands the signs of the universe. Heather Grow is a modern Oracle, a sage to be heeded. Upon reading my post about getting chips for Friday, she commented “You might want to have some chocolate on hand too”.

Now, you know I’m a man, knowledgeable in all things technical, the sciences describing the stars and the planets and in the art of numbers. This, however, does not include understanding those amongst you without the “Y” chromosome.

Yesterday, I was given a singular mission: “Seek Ye the Golden Chips; neither stray to discomforting brands nor to distractions of taste or touch.”

This was my quest.

Some of you may know I am disabled and so this quest was dangerous and fraught with peril. I planned my every move, assembled a crack team of my most trusted allies and prepared for my journey. Being a man of action, I commenced immediately following my post and so had not yet read the sage advice of Heather Grow.

I was focused. I conquered the intersections, the hills and the parking lot. I met the challenges and captured the Golden Chips.

So it was said; so it was done.

At the lair of the Golden Chips, ever the thinking man, able to anticipate the unexpected, I also captured the fabled Cheetos and would hold them as a trophy for my troubles, perhaps gaining extra favour with my master for my foresight.

However, during my quest, no one said “perhaps you should get chocolate too”. Perhaps the sentry perceived that I was a man on a mission and not to be trifled with. Perhaps my crew did not recognize the dark omen lurking in the dim light behind the packages of mixed nuts. Perhaps the reason will never be revealed.

Upon returning home, I secured my treasure and, tired after the journey, rested for a time. My crew disbanded and I was again, alone, but contented.

Later, during an audience with the GrammaStamper, I proudly announced my successful acquisition of the Golden Chips, whereupon, her response came as a query: “Did you get chocolate too?”

I felt the heavens open and beheld a vision. The slain heroes of our ancestors were looking down at me, shrugging their shoulders. “Huh?” said one. “Go figure” another said. “Poor guy” said a third. Alas, there were no answers to be found there.

For a fleeting moment, the world was perfect and it was mine. But it is written, “Pride cometh before a fall” and so it is right and just that I make penance for my faux pas. We will have no chocolate when we are reunited. It is as a cart without a wheel; a horse without a saddle; a woman without chocolate.

Woe be my name.

But all is not lost. I will persevere with my studies and meditations on the meaning of the double-X chromosome, striving for the illusive answer to the ultimate question.

And perhaps some day I may find the path to XX-enlightenment … perhaps some day ...

- GrampaStamper

Barb's knees #14

Torsten, a German student I met in PEI, told me a story about family that I cannot forget. He was referring to his in-laws coming to visit and he said “Family is like fish. Very tasty for the first few days but after a week, it stinks”.

I’ve always liked that because it seems to ring true more often than not. For some, the time frame may be shorter or longer, depending on the company. But, I think it really reflects how we deal with personal disruption. I can go a week, no sweat, on my own, but after that, it stinks.

I am looking forward to seeing Barb here, to seeing Tiffany who I haven’t seen in too long a time and to sitting in the same chair I am now sitting in, doing the same things I am now doing, but knowing there is someone else nearby, able to chat whenever there is something to chat about.

Barb is now planning to come home on Friday. It should make for considerably less running around and my only instruction is to get plain Lay’s potato chips, not rippled, not flavoured and not any other brand. I think I can handle that much until Friday …

- GrampaStamper

Barb's knees #13

I banished myself to the laundry room today. No point waiting until she makes me do it anyway.

Almost everything is working just fine. Apparently we’re too far from the grocery stores to get delivery. That means the Little HM will likely stay in the hospital until Saturday. That’s when her daughter, Tiffany, arrives.

She’s doing fine and talks of ‘discomfort’ when doing her exercises. That’s better than ‘pain’. She would have truly been Wonder Woman if she just breezed through this.

… counting the days now …

Barb's knees #12

Darn! I guess you all have finally figured out this grand charade. The meek and mild GrammaStamper is actually WonderStamper!

I knew it would get out sooner or later.

I guess it’s okay to show you the real Barb …

... I think she's gonna kill me ...

Barb's knees #11

Judging by the comments on yesterday’s intermission, perhaps I should have tried harder to get Tom Petty …

And as for my card, many thanks for your kind words. It is evident that you all can do things which I can’t. I am really impressed with the cards you’ve sent to Little HM. I may be able to work around the keyboard, but there’s nothing like the feel of the real thing. When Little HM returns, maybe I’ll team with her to get that done the way my mind had it. If not, know that it is sincere, even if not quite ‘hand-made’.

Big HM was gone most of the afternoon today. He says Little HM is doing fantastic. She walked all the way to a room with a computer but the internet wasn’t working; otherwise, she would have said hello to all you shackies herself. The surgeon came by today and was duly impressed as well. He said he hadn’t expected to see as much flexibility improvement ever, let alone so soon. She gets in/out of bed fine and, while some accommodations are still necessary, she is now classified as “ambulatory”.

She is considering coming home early if a few things are put in place. Big HM took measurements of the heights of chairs and beds so she’ll show that to her occupational therapist on Monday and we’ll see from there.

As a bonus, the weather here is terrific, at least considering the cold-snap that has lasted most of the month. It’s still a long way to Spring but perhaps Winter’s worst is behind us.

Barb's knees #10

Well, baseball has the seventh inning stretch and football has the half-time show so I decided it’s time to have a little something different. I’m putting the “fun” back in “substitute”. (Actually, in English that doesn’t work so well but in Cat, it goes something like ‘putting the “me” back in “meowwowyowl”, which is, of course, very clever and all the cats out there will be smiling approvals.)

Obviously, the big light-show and loud music of the Superbowl cannot be reproduced here; somewhat smaller budget you know. So, in lieu of budgetary restraints, I’ll tell some of my favourite jokes.

These jokes were passed down over generations and legend has it, were first told by the temple cats of ancient Egypt. Nonetheless, they stand the test of time …

A doggie is walking down by the river when he sees another doggie on the opposite shore. “Hey” he barks, “How do I get to the other side?” The other doggie looks around, puzzled, and then barks back “You ARE on the other side!”

Ahahhahahahhahahahaha …. I love doggie jokes!

Q: What do you call a doggie with an IQ of 23?
A: “Einstein”

Ahahahahahahhahhahahhahahhahha ….. get it?! Einstein! Ahahhahahhahahhaa

There was a doggie, a cat and a budgie taking a plane ride when the engines flamed out. The plane lost control and everyone realized this could not end well. The doggie, sensing a crash was imminent, and preferring to take his chances, jumped out the door, but without a parachute, plummeted to his death. The budgie also jumped out the door, but since he had not been clipped since his last moulting, flew gently down to a tree whereupon he knelt and gave thanks for his miraculous escape. The cat, looked around, assessed the situation, repaired the engines, flew the airplane to a nearby field, and landed safely … then ate the budgie.

Ahahhahhahahhahahahhahahhah … he ATE the budgie! Ahahahahhahahhaha

Well, that was good. There’s nothing wrong or anything weird going on with Little HM … this was just the intermission.

Back to substitute blogger tomorrow. – Hank aka “Shecky”

Barb's knees #9

I made a card … sort of. I tried (really I did) to make a card by hand but I just couldn’t find any of the things I needed in Little HM’s (Gramma Stamper) craft things. Okay, so here’s the idea of what I was going to do. Maybe someone out there could do it right and send me a picture of the way it is supposed to be.

Here’s the computer generated version:


Here’s what it is supposed to be like:

Type out all the names in PhotoShop using a 45° angled rectangle text bounding box, just like the actual picture above. Then, reverse the horizontal (mirror) and print it out on vellum. Mount it backwards to make it correct again (because it is now be on the back of the vellum). It will appear somewhat diffused, much like in the picture. Mount the reversed picture on some nice textured paper, preferably dark blue. Mount a plaque with the “Thank-You” sentiment on it in the centre. An actual plaque with “Thank-You” would be ideal but “Thanks” would be fine too. Likewise, a blank plaque with the “Thank-You” stamped on it would be fine as well. Now, take a ribbon and mount it in a nice place (maybe the plaque you use is mounted with ribbon). Multi-coloured ribbon would be best but I did manage to find pre-cut bows but without the plaque, this just wasn’t enough. Depending on the size of the bow/ribbon another embellishment or two is called for. I found some lovely heart brads which would have worked fine as the bow was rather small and the card needed some balance.

Now for the challenge: Make this card and take a picture of it for me! Send the picture to Gramma Stamper’s email (in her profile on this page) and I’ll post it in the next day’s entry.

Remember, this card is for you so whoever makes one can display it proudly and say it came from the best looking cat in Thunder Bay. You can even put it in a self-addressed envelope and collect it with your mail … I’ll never tell … just don’t put a stamp on it.

And if you really go nuts, the inside should say “Thanks for the many thoughts, wishes and prayers and for making Gramma Stamper’s stay in the hospital much easier”. Sign it with my paw-print and under it you can put “Hank – for Gramma Stamper”. But all that is optional.

As for news on Little HM, there isn’t much. She’s having a bit of a down-day with some discomfort and some just plain wishing it was over. She has had comments on the wonderful flower arrangement Cathy sent her and wants to give a special acknowledgement to her.

Hi Yo Cathy!

Well, get to that card and be thankful for opposable thumbs. - Hank

Barb's knees #8

Last night, Big HM gave me some ice-cream. I LOVE ice-cream. I LOVE my Big HM.

Then I was sick.

I’m always sick after eating ice-cream. Big HM knows this and gives me ice-cream anyway. He’s trying to harm me. I’ll get when he’s sleeping ...

We cats can be complex …

Well, we’re almost at the half-way point. Nothing much to report today. Little HM had physiotherapy this morning and the physiotherapist (try saying that three times fast) said that Little HM was better than yesterday and that every day should be better than the last. Last night Little HM got all mooshy talking about you all and the cards and emails she received. As you can see by this blog, things are going much better than everyone expected and she gives great thanks. Maybe I’ll make a thank-you card for you all and post it here tomorrow.

Then again, maybe I’ll just snooze …