In gratitude and guilt

In Australia, we've had a compelling lesson in the fragility of existence. The bushfires in Victoria have claimed many lives, 173 people confirmed dead so far, and many homes. I am sure that those who survive the ordeal will eventually recover because, even though our time here is arbitrary, our ability to endure is immense.

As witnesses to scenes of grief and ruin, we have asked each other how we could help and have acted in concert with the response. It is heartening to know that we will still look out for each other in tough economic times.

As someone who is well removed from the flames and those affected by them, I'm stuck strangely between gratitude and guilt. Feeling gratitude for all that I have and guilty that I haven't lost it all. It seems to be the only homage that I can make to those who have lost everything.

I've got no projects that would be appropriate to post but this page features my nephew Shi Wei - I am so grateful that he is still around. Stay safe.

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Basic Black
Pretty in Pink
Wild Wasabi

Stamps:
Jumbo Outline Alpha

Paper:
Afternoon Tea DSP
Ginger Blossom DSP
Pumpkin Pie Prints DSP
Vellum CS
Whisper White CS
Wild Wasabi Textured CS

Accessories:
Anchored Rub-Ons
Flower Fusion
On Board Blossoms & Basics
Paper Snips
Photo Corners Punch
Rhinestone Circle Brads in Ice
Round Tab Punch
Sanding Block
Scallop Edge Punch
Silver Brads
Simply Scrappin' Kit Winter Bright
Stampin' Write Journaller
Styled Silver Hodgepodge
White Gel Pen

Embellishmenthoarderism

My name is Lin Mei and I am an embellishmenthoarderholic.

I'd join Embellishmenthoarderholics Anonymous but they are so anonymous that I can't locate them. Nope - not listed in the Yellow Pages, not hiding in the local Rotary Club, not even a single match returned by Google. I tried looking for them in craft forums but, to be honest, it's like looking for an AA meeting in a bar. After hearing about everyone's rave reviews of the happy hour jumbo eyelets and the amazing buzz you get from your fourth shot of Flower Fusion, it's enough to drive anyone to drink and submit that hundredth online order!

And then the waiting begins...all the items in my stash suddenly lose their lustre because something newer and shinier and eminently more desirable is heading my way. But I try to persevere with the next project to take the edge off. But that is when the real problem emerges. What can I use? Do I dare to use two out of the three 4 cm felt flowers that I have in Old Olive - what if I need two for a scrapbook page without which rhythm would be completely impossible? Should I dip into my collection of Rich Regal brads? I only have the 200 (and that is approximately!) in their unopened container - what if they are retired soon? Could I even imagine life without Rose Red round bits of metal? Aaaarrgghh!

Anyway, I came up with an idea to use some of my embellishments - I've altered my 2009 diary so that these embellishments can accompany me wherever I go. Also, most of the embellishments have been attached through brads ... which means that in a craft emergency, I always have the option of looting this diary! Ingenious, no?! Reusing the rub-on could prove tricky, however.

I was really happy that I got to use the boing¹ in the elasticized ribbon from my precious pack of Theatre Ribbon Originals. It holds my diary closed and can be used as a bookmark in a pinch.
Stampin' Supplies
Paper:
Bali Breeze DSP

Accessories:
Circle Rhinestone Brads in Fire, Ice
Eastern Elegance Rub-Ons
Flower Fusion
Scallop Edge Punch
Styled Silver Hodgepodge
Theatre Ribbon Originals
White Gel Pen

The second photo was supposed to be an arty shot of the cover but as you can see the focus was not quite at the front of the picture. I'd take another shot but I am waiting for the parcel guy and that requires my full attention...*runs off to check the front door in case the order has arrived*

---

1. boing: elasticity. Derived from the imagined sound of pulling something rubbery

First double layout ever

... but without a triple flip. Yes...I have to admit that I'm not much of an ice skater although this sultry heat in Sydney makes me imagine how great it would to be on ice...(with or without skates - I'm not fussy!).

I started this project as a single 6" X 6" page - being the page on the left. Even though the page looked complete to me, there was no space in which to write the few words that I had wanted to about Shi Wei and my sister. Also, I had more photos of little Shi Wei in the garden which were irresistible 'cos he is so darn cute! So I decided to add the page on the right - with the smaller photo, it was possible to add a strip of journalling and an extra word for a more expressive title. Who would have thought that it wasn't all planned from the beginning? *whistles nonchalantly while looking around* *wanders discreetly away*

Wei & Mei Tending

Stampin' Supplies

Ink: Ballet Blue VersaMark Stamp sets: Lovely Letters alphabet Short Order alphabet Cardstock: Ballet Blue Textured Wild Wasabi Textured

Accessories: Anchored Rub-Ons Bold Brights Buttons Clear Buttons Heat Tool Natural Twine Stampin' Write Journaller Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware White Embossing Powder White Gel Pen Wild Wasabi Striped Grosgrain Ribbon Winter Bright Simply Scrappin' Kit

PS: No, my sister is NOT wearing her pyjamas - at least I think she's not...But I have to agree with you that those shorts look mightily like PJs.

2009

May it be divine or, at the very least, benign.

Happy New Year + a week, everyone! I hope that you have really enjoyed the recent festivities - it was a little welcome escape from the rather sombre economic climate that we are bracing ourselves for. I know this sounds like a romantic notion but I reckon that the threat of downsizing is actually a wake-up call to rediscover what is truly of value to us.

I think back to all those countless shopping trips that Hubby (even before he was Hubby - pre-Hubby if you will) faithfully accompanied me on where I was completely focused on the latest perfume collectible/shoes/clothes/bags/SALE whilst poor pre-Hubby would have 15 minutes of pleasurable distraction at Electronics Boutique followed by three hours of ... well... following. Can you imagine what sort of debt I accrued in doing so?

Once I take into account interest, it is a lifetime of going bicycling when Hubby wants to, playing side-kick to Hubby's leading characters in shoot 'em up computer games and watching every recorded episode of Air Crash Investigations. Funnily enough, though, paying him back means spending quality time with him and that's what really matters.

As for all those baubles that I used to collect, I still enjoy window shopping (and visiting our storage unit) once in a while. But, with the time I now have, I'd much rather make something.

Wishing you a creative and connected 2009!

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
StazOn Black

Stamps:
For Father set

Paper:
Brilliant Blue Prints DSP
Brilliant Blue Textured CS
Old Olive CS
Old Olive Prints DSP
Watercolor paper

Accessories:
Anchored Rub-Ons
Aquapainter
Eastern Elegance Rub-Ons
Watercolor Wonder Crayons in Earth Elements

Too cryptic...

...for a three-year-old, perhaps? I'm thinking of sending this to my nephew for his 3rd birthday but it's a bit cruel to torture the wee one with a puzzle for a card. I suspect it is even more cruel to require my sleep-deprived sister to explain it to him, along with the origins of the phrase. Ah well! If she ever visits my blog, she'll have a reference handy.

This card is rather appropriate for me, though, as I've made it using some Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper (from the Spring Mini that is due to end). While the weather hasn't been great for picnicking, we've had an influx of ants roaming in our study. Every so often I feel a tickle on my leg, slap it and come away with the harsh chemical smell of squashed ant. Even more often, I feel the brush of something, check my limbs, find no insects and wonder whether I'm going insane. I suppose actually mailing this card to my little nephew and expecting him to get it would be proof of that!

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
Barely Banana

Stamp:
Tart & Tangy set

Paper:
Bashful Blue CS
Old Olive CS
Summer Picnic DSP
Whisper White CS

Accessories:
A Perfect Day Rub-Ons
Anchored Rub-Ons
Paper Snips
Stampin' Dimensionals
Stampin' Write Markers in Basic Black, Old Olive, Rose Red
Whisper White Grosgrain


Oh! The individual Stampin' Write Marker promotion was extended today - it will be ending on December 14. November 30 will still see the end of Spring Mini and the 20% off Rub-Ons promotion so remember to get your orders in by this Sunday.

That hair is really long! Gee!

During our trip to Longji, China, we encountered a group of Yao women who were rather keen on seeing us fulfill our responsibilities as tourists. These duties included photographing them doing their customary hair unveiling and combing as well as allowing them to adorn our heads with their hand-made kerchiefs. Normally, I would not wear hanky on my head as it makes me want to impersonate Luigi of the now defunct WA Salvage - we’re not fancy but we’re cheap, eh! Sandgropers'll know what I'm talking about...but the women were so insistent in such a nice way.

And yes indeedy! Their hair was very long once unfurled - reputed to be the longest hair per head so to speak. I found it fascinating that their hair has the added bulk and weight of an extra length of hair - from when they cut their hair for the first (and IIRC the last) time when they reach 18 years of age. With all that weight on their heads, it's no wonder they were all shorter than me.

I put together this scrap page as part of this month's INKlings Cybercrop hosted by the wonderful Alana. Her second challenge was a scrapbook sketch based on a card layout.

Stampin' Supplies
Ink:
VersaMark

Stamp:
It's Beautiful wheel

Cardstock:
Naturals Ivory
Pink Passion Texured
Tempting Turquoise

Accessories:
1 1/4" Circle Punch
Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker
Circle Rhinestone Brads
Corner Rounder Punch
Eastern Elegance Rub-Ons
Heat Tool
Scallop Punch
White Embossing Powder

I thought the combination of the It's Beautiful wheel and Eastern Elegance rub-ons would be a good way to say farewell to the Spring Mini in scrapbook form. I must confess that the only way that I could bring myself to use the Eastern Elegance rub-ons was by buying an extra package while it's on sale this month! *puts hanky on head* We're fancy but we're cheap, eh! *takes off hanky*

20 days in November

There are two neat promotions this month which start today and finish on the same day as the Spring Mini, November 30 [ETA: Marker promotion extended to December 14].


Make your mark on your Stampin' Write Marker collection by choosing the right colours for you! For a limited time only, Stampin' Up! are offering Stampin' Write Markers individually for only $4.95 each. This beats the normal price of $5.75 for the Basic Black marker and you get to choose from all 48 colours in the four Stampin' Up! colour families (ooh! and Sahara Sand too!).

Stampin' Write Markers in alphabetical order

Description	Item number	Description	Item number
Almost Amethyst	100043	Mellow Moss	100038
Always Artichoke	105113	More Mustard	100076
Apricot Appeal	105107	Night Of Navy	100069
Ballet Blue	100066	Not Quite Navy	100059
Barely Banana	100039	Old Olive	100079
Bashful Blue	105111	Only Orange	100051
Basic Black	100082	Orchid Opulence	100055
Blush Blossom	100037	Pale Plum	100036
Bordering Blue	100070	Perfect Plum	100035
Bravo Burgundy	105109	Pink Passion	100053
Brilliant Blue	100057	Pixie Pink	105112
Brocade Blue	100064	Pretty In Pink	100045
Cameo Coral	100074	Pumpkin Pie	105115
Certainly Celery	105106	Real Red	100052
Chocolate Chip	100071	Really Rust	100073
Close To Cocoa	100072	Regal Rose	105108
Creamy Caramel	100078	Rose Red	100063
Elegant Eggplant	105110	Ruby Red	100075
Gable Green	100049	Sage Shadow	100040
Garden Green	100080	Sahara Sand	105105
Glorious Green	100047	So Saffron	105114
Green Galore	100048	Summer Sun	100077
Handsome Hunter	105116	Taken with Teal	100068
Lavender Lace	100041	Tempting Turquoise	100058
Lovely Lilac	100056	Yoyo Yellow	100050

My November newsletter has a product focus on Stampin' Write Markers so sign up if you wish - it's free! Please check the Free Subscriptions panel on the right for details on how to do so.


Get fabulous Rub-Ons for 20% off! Spend $20 on Stampin' Up! products and you can buy any number of Stampin' Up!'s Rub-Ons for $15.96. That a saving of $3.99 per package. If that doesn't get you rubbing your hands with glee, well...ok then. *grin*

Rub-Ons	Page	Item Number
A Perfect Day	11*	111277
Anchored	141	110282
Cherished Memories	141	110281
Eastern Elegance	6*	110284
Urban West	141	110285

Page numbers from Idea Book & Catalogue 2008-2009 unless indicated by an asterisk (*) in which case Spring Mini page numbers have been used.

All prices do not include Stampin' Up!'s standard shipping and handling of 5% or $5.95, whichever is greater.

Combine all these offers with whatever you have left on your Spring Mini wishlist - November is the last time to Spring Mini to it!