I just wanted to say "Gee, thanks!" to all of you that joined in the fun and excitement (and bouncin', deep chuckling!) of the jaw-droppin' email from Monday that I shared.
{{{{{{{MONDO GROUP HUG}}}}}}
As some of you suggested, I do indeed intend to print out the exchange, and frame it for my studio, in a shadowbox along with the photo I got with Carol last summer at CHA in Chicago. (dreamy sigh) I suppose I'm a *silly* sap, but, I just think Carol is the coolest crafty chick EVER, in the history of the world! I don't even watch HGTV any more, except to watch repeats of her episodes; the other newer shows just don't hold a candle to hers--at least not for me . . . She is indeed a most special lady.
Here's a fun card I thought I'd share today, that features A Muse's Mondo Monogram Polkadot "G"! I know it's not in my (what seems to be) typical clean style, but, I received the Basic Grey Blush Collection papers as a gift, and I'm trying to *retrain* my hoarding instincts to USE these beautiful things I love so much but never allow myself to, 'cuz I'm afraid I'll have none, and then what will I do???? (ducking, as I can see the Wet Noodle Brigade prolly wants to give me 20 lashes for this ridiculous hoarding tendency of mine . . . )

Monogram "g", "thanks" by A Muse Art Stamps; Cool Carribean Card Stock by SU!; Patterned Papers from the Blush Collection by Basic Grey; Versamark Ink by Tsukineko; Creamy Caramel Classic Ink by SU!; Palette Hybrid Ink in Burnt Umber by Stewart Superior; Clear Embossing Powder; Mulberry flowers by Prima; Mini Brad from Oriental Trading Co.; Brown Gingham by American Crafts
The "g" was clear embossed over Blush solid, but distressed, pink card stock. I then sponged over the top to darken the polka dots; the embossed portions of the image will, naturally, repel waterbased ink and tint only where the paper is actually exposed. Trimmed it out, and layered on top of the polka dotted paper. I think everything else is pretty much self-explanatory. BTW, that "thanks" image is actually done in Linda Carnell's handwriting! Cool, huh?!
Anyhoo, I loved the effect of the paper showing through the clear letter like that, which I never would have thought to try, if it weren't for a discussion on monograms over on Splitcoast a while back.
It's always such a challenge for me to showcase pretty paper--they are, in and of themselves, such beautiful art works--seems a shame to put lots of stuff over 'em and hide 'em, UKWIM? The only way I can bring myself to actually use them, is to compromise, by using them sparingly . . . of course, that's not such a bad thing, is it??? . . . I mean, it does make 'em last that much longer . . . right?! (chortle!)








