Handmade paper addiction

I really have to admit that I am enjoying making my paper these days using my Arnold Grummer Paper Making Kit. I think I am enjoying the fact that I am recycling all my paper scraps, magazines, gift wrapping paper....well, just tons of stuff! It's highly addicting!

Here are 3 cards that I created using some of my handmade paper:

And this last card ( which has no handmade paper on it at all....gasp!! ) I am entering in Word Art Wednesday.

Challenge #163 - Two-Week Anything Goes Challenge

I think I am good on Get Well cards now, I need to go check my Valentine stash and get them put out by next month. I see that Valentine Day candy is already out on the store shelves so I better get a move on!

successful artist means a busy artist

Wow, one of my ladies came into the shop the other day and purchased 11 of my cards, at $5.00 a pop, that is considered to be a successful card day for me! Not only did I thank her but I gave her a freebie too, good customers are worth rewarding. But now it means I need to restock my inventory so be expecting some cards over the next week.

Starting out with a oldie but goodie....Stella from Bugaboo Digital Stamps! I just love her sense of humor and being that she is a digital stamp and doesn't cost a lot means I get more bang for my buck! Stella always makes my customers smile and giggle and in return makes me happy!

And anybody that knows ME, knows I have to alter my image a little bit, so I printed her out twice so I could cut out her arm and hospital tray and give it a little dimension using my Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots ( if Santa didn't bring you any for Christmas then you can order it HERE. )

Entering this in

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

To the moon....

Simon Says - To the Moon

And although this has absolutely nothing to do with my card, it does show you how my mind works...lol

I couldn't help but think of this while making my card:

I see the moon

the moon sees me

God bless the moon

and God bless me.

This was favorite nursery rhyme as a child, out of curiosity I googled the saying to find out who wrote it and found so much more. I also could not find out who wrote it, there are so many different versions....

Common Version of Rhyme

I see the moon, / And the moon sees me. / God bless the moon, / And God bless me.

Catholic Alternate

I see the moon, / And the moon sees me. / God bless the priest, / Who christened me.

A Fisherman’s Alternate

I see the moon, / And the moon sees me. / God bless sailors, / On the sea.

An Extended Alternate

I see the moon / And the moon sees me / The moon sees the somebody I'd like to see. / God bless the moon / and God bless me / God bless the somebody I'd like to see!

I See the Moon is a popular nursery rhyme that is often found as the last rhyme in books of nursery rhymes for children. Its position at the end of books of nursery rhymes make it seem like a goodnight prayer for the end of the day. In fact, the many variations of the rhyme increase the sense that the verse is that of blessing. Of course, the illustrations of cherubic children gazing wistfully out the window at a benevolent moon also enhance the peaceful concept that people have of the verse.

Sinister Intent in the Nursery Rhyme

However, the authors of The Annotated Mother Goose suggest that while the rhyme is charming the original reasons for reciting the rhyme may have been more sinister than the rhyme might lead on to believe.

In ancient times, people believed that to sleep in the moonlight was to risk becoming a lunatic. In addition, there were the many evil beings that were free to roam when the moon was full. The nursery rhyme may have been taught to children to protect them from the dangers exposure to the moon and the subsequent risk of lunacy or to use as a ward against the evil creatures that only walked by the light of the moon.

Other Literary References to the Moon and Lunacy

Shakespeare was aware of the many attributes and legends surrounding the heavenly bodies. Othello blames the moon for the madness that is around him “It is the very error of the moon; / She comes more nearer earth than she was wont, / And makes men mad. King Lear, however, laments the fact that “we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and stars: as if we were villains on necessity; fools by heavenly compulsion.”

However, fear is as powerful a compulsion as truth and may indeed be the driving force behind this nursery rhyme that teaches an awareness of the moon and the prayer for blessings from God.

ceorl: noun

a freeman of the lowest rank in Anglo-Saxon England

pronunciation
( OK  so the word of the day isn't one that will find it's way into any conversation soon, which is good, because I couldn't pronounce it either...not without a couple glasses of wine anyway! )

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Cute Card Thursday - #266 Can't stop the Rain

Scrap it with a Song - "Foolish Games" by Jewel

I used the first line to her song for my inspiration:

You took your coat off and stood in the rain,
You're always crazy like that.

I don't know about you, but I love the rain. Love listening to it. Love sleeping while it's raining. On warm days, I even love to walk in it. When I was a youngster my favorite thing was taking my dad's huge golf umbrella and making a "tent" out in the rain ( sometimes more than one umbrella was involved! )...accompanied by my troll dolls. Now as an adult, I'll settle for the covered balcony ;) Although I do have a healthy collection of umbreallas ♥

When staging this photo I have to admit I had a giggle because it's shot right in front of my Fushia plant....and I kill Fushia plants. I love them but have the hardest time keeping them alive...so in a way...this card is for my plant! lol 

Fiskar - Rain embossing plate

Big Shot

Our Daily Bread - stamp ( sentiment )

Ranger - stickles, Glossy accents

Faber Castell - PITT pen

Hero Arts - stamp ( bird )

Reminisce - white pen