Friday, March 28, 2014

The Outlawz Alcohol Markers Anything Goes/Christmas Twist Challenge

Yay, I got another Christmas card done! But before I go into the card details I need to mention that our sponsor this month is Elisabeth Bell, with her fab digis!


Our randomly-selected participant will win these darling images:


And I have really big news! Life-changing news. For me. And for Gary. And this is good news. He got laid-off on Tuesday. (Yes, I did say that this is good news. Because it is!) His last day will be next Monday, the 31st. And then he will be officially retired! Yay! About time, huh? He is getting a great severance package, with extra money for medical insurance to bridge me to July, when I can get Medicare. That's actually the only reason he was planning to work until July 1st. To keep me on his medical insurance at work--because he can get Medicare now. But I am just a spring chicken and cannot get it until July when I turn the big 6-5. Remember, I am much younger than he is...

I am really relieved for Gary. He has been stressed in his job for years. And was counting the days until retirement. I was worried he would start counting the hours, and then the minutes. (He would have driven me crazy with that. Now he can drive me crazy being at home instead.) And when we go on our vacation to Kauai, he can really relax knowing he doesn't have to go back to work when the vacation is over. Now he just needs to find a hobby. Or two. Something to keep him occupied so I can still make my cards. KWIM?

So my life will look very different starting next Tuesday. Gary will be here full-time, and I will no longer be free-wheeling with his money! Good thing I stocked up on dies, stamps, and paper, huh? I have enough materials to keep me busy for the rest of my life probably. He says I could open up a store with all the craft things I have. Too true.

But before Tuesday we have a lot to do. I am having lunch with my sister, Merrilyn, today. Then tomorrow Gary and I are going to Binkley's with Bob and Connie for Gary's birthday dinner celebration--our last hurrah at a mega-expensive restaurant I would imagine! And Sunday we go to Gertrude's at the Botanical Gardens for brunch with our dinner-club group. (Yeah, for one week it is a breakfast club group.) And then Monday night, after Gary is all finished with his career, we are headed to the opening game of the Arizona Diamondbacks. That's enough to make my head spin. Somehow we have to find the time to sign me up for medical insurance before Tuesday, too. Interesting....

OK, on to my card for the week. I chose another Jellypark image, Snowball Girl, for my Christmas card this month. I think she is too stinkin' cute! I printed her on X-Press It CS and colored her with my Copics:
Skin: E000, E00, E21, E11, E04, R20
Hair: E18
Coat: YG93, YG95, YG99
Hat/Mittens/Boots: BG11, BG13, BG15
Scarf: BG11, BG15, YG93, YG99

My die cuts were made with the Cheery Lynn "Corner", "Merry", and "Christmas" dies. I added a Stampin' Up jewel and some Frantage. And that's it. Another Christmas card done! I am slowly working up a batch for this next Christmas. I hope I don't run out of cards again this year!

Be sure to check out the fabulous inspirations by Carla, Dawn, Linda, and Kathi--and then join us this week. It's an easy challenge, right? Just be sure to color your image with alcohol markers--any brand is fine. 

Have a great weekend!!


15 comments:

  1. I am pleased to hear your good news Penny.
    Your card is gorgeous, such a sweet image coloured so beautifully and I love how you have used the Cheery Lynn dies.
    hugs Sue xx

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  2. What an adorable image and card you have created! Love the falling snow. Tell Gary, "CONGRATS"! It is terrible to have to play the insurance game!
    Big Hugs,
    Roxann

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  3. Wow! Amazing news, Penny! Sounds like that was the perfect outcome! So happy for you both! Your card is darling! Great CAS design! Enjoy your weekend!

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  4. Greta card, I love the holly leaf corners

    Thank you so much for leaving a lovely comment on my blog

    Happy Friday!

    Hugs

    Bridie@BGPayne Crafts

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  5. Penny, you will definitely want Gary to find a hobby. You will never again have any alone time. lol!! I miss that very much but it is great that he is going to get to stop the stress. That is why I retired. Your card is wonderful, love the image and your beautiful coloring. Great job on a beautiful card.

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  6. Simply Stunning sweetie, the image is so so cute and I love the white back it really makes it pop, hugs Pops x x x

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  7. Darling card- love your coloring and the dies! Oh...yikes- you will have to get up n the middle of the night and break things to keep hubby busy when he retires : ) Be careful what you wish for too- he needs an inexpensive hobby- you don't want him hogging your craft supplies $$$ Hehehehe

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  8. Gorgeous CAS card yet again and fab colouring of that very cute image - really pops on that white background. So pleased to hear your good news!! That's part of the reason we're heading back across the pond - hubby's job is way too stressful and we'd rather downsize and be happy :)

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  9. Fabulous Christmas card, Penny. Congratulations to your hubby on his retirement. It sounds like you will really enjoy having him home. Blessing hugs, Teresa

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  10. Oh Penny I am so happy for you and Gary!! LOL you can make your Honey Dew lists for him to occupy his time!:) Wow when are you going to Kauai? What a fun trip with no worries about him returning to work and hope you have a blast. Love your card sweetie - the image is way to cute and your coloring is awesome - love the Cherry Lynn die cuts with the white background:) Hugz

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  11. Oh, oh, oh......this is just the cutest and I love the colors you used. Has Gary got a hobby yet? If so is it one I can use for Jim? Probably not! Sigh.

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  12. How wonderful for the both of you to be able to enjoy retired life together. Lets hope he find a less expensive hobby than card making!!!
    Your card is adorable. I love the cute image and the dies look fabulous.
    Enjoy the rest of your week.
    Hugs Sharon. x

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  13. Oh wow that's awesome news Penny. I am so pleased for you and Gary. It will be awesome for you two to spend the rest of your lives in quality time with each other. Now you just have to get him crafting! Loving your Christmas creation.
    Hugs
    Desíre
    {Doing Life – my personal blog}

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  14. You know, reading your blog backwards in time is a really great thing. I found out that Gary was retired, adapting beautifully, and not underfoot! If I had read this last week, I would have been all worried for you. Now I'm not. Yay. An upside for being the world's worst blurfer ever.

    Um the card. Yep. It's terrific I love the CAS design and love how you colored the super-cute image. I also love your design, the judiciously placed die cuts, and those little white spotty snowy dots.

    BTW, if you run low on crafting supplies, I can always send you a little gift (truckload).

    BTW 2, Gary can take up gourmet cooking as his hobby, then you won't miss the fancy dining experiences.

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  15. This is adorable, Penny! Love the colors with the sweet JP image and fun design.

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Thank you for visiting my blog! I appreciate the kind comments more than I can say! :^)
Hugs, Penny