Monday, June 3, 2013

The Outlawz Greetings Card Weddings and Anniversaries Challenge/Ed & Ellie's Card

This week we are challenging you to create a card for an anniversary or a wedding. We'd like you to show off your silver or gold cards for couples. As luck would have it, our friends, Ed and Ellie, are celebrating their anniversary this month. So I was able to make a card for them that fit the challenge.

And, Ellie, if you are reading this, stop! Do not pass Go, do not collect $200. Well, OK, you can collect $200 if you can find it. But don't read or look below if you don't want to spoil the surprise. OK? OK.

And, before I get to my card, I just want to catch you up on a few things. Gary and I went to Atlantis, Paradise Island, The Bahamas, on May 19th. We returned on the 30th. We had a wonderful first week. However, the extra days we spent there were so wet and rainy that I could hardly wait to get back to sunny, dry Arizona. OMG! I just don't "do" rain anymore. Especially if I am not at home where I can at least make a card or two. But sitting in a time-share suite, nice as it was, is not my idea of a good time for hours-on-end.

On the bright side, I did get a lot of reading done. I finished six books on our trip, and started the seventh on our plane ride home. And I haven't done that much reading in a very long time! That was delicious!

Speaking of plane rides, I think we had two that were sent from you-know-where. (And I am not talking about Heaven.) 'K, so the first one was delayed. We were supposed to take off at 5:25 a.m. Which meant that we had to be at the airport in the wee hours of the morning to get through security, etc. Fine. But when we checked our baggage we found out that there was a delay. Apparently, our pilot called in sick the night before. Due to regulations, they could not call in a new pilot until 4:00 a.m. And then he had two hours to get to the airport. Which meant he didn't need to be there until 6:00 a.m. Well, he didn't get there until 6:15, so we took off almost an hour late. And we only had an hour between connecting flights. Oh, help. I was fretting that one all the way to Charlotte.

But it gets better. There were the obligatory children on our flight. I have to say, the older I get, the less I want whiny, crying children in my vicinity. Just doesn't work for me anymore. Especially on planes, because you can't get away from them. The kids, I mean, not the planes. Well, I suppose you could get away from either of them. But it would take one mighty long step, and the landing would really, really hurt. Anyway, one couple got on with two pint-sized ones. Wouldn't you just know they sat across the aisle from us. The older one, a girl, was fairly well-behaved, for the most part. But the little boy, who must have been around two or younger, was a little monster. Crying, fussing, yelling for most of the trip. The parents kept passing him back and forth. I thought there was a nice spot out on the wing for him, but I didn't mention that, shy flower that I am. Oh, and they gave him a car to play with--you know, one of those fairly heavy metal ones--bigger than a Matchbox. And he threw it, barely missing the guy sitting in front of us. At least the parents had the decency to reprimand the kid and take the car away. Good grief. And thank heavens I have those wonderful noise-reduction headphones that I can play music on--they really help to drown out the kiddie noise.

BTW, we had a really rough, bumpy flight to Charlotte. Seems we were traveling through a lot of storms that were hitting the South--the day before Oklahoma was hit so hard.

Anyway, I was sure we were going to miss our connecting flight in Charlotte. Ah, not so much. Seems they had a problem with a door on that plane, which was being repaired when we got to the gate. I was not sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing at first. I mean, I really wasn't ready for the door to fly off during the flight, causing depressurization of the cabin and me being sucked out of the plane. That was never on my bucket list. But, due to the repair delay, we were able to make the connecting flight; and it got us to Nassau, sans screaming children and bumpiness. Which made me a very happy camper.

And our flight back from the Bahamas to Charlotte was a good one, too! I expected a rough flight since it was raining on the way up; but it actually wasn't too bad. And then our flight to Phoenix got re-routed, due to some storms, I think. Which made for a fairly smooth, although longer, trip for us.

However...as we were waiting to board our plane to Phoenix, (with lots of kiddies on it, btw), there was a small child, about two years old, that was screaming at the top of her lungs. Everybody turned to look to see if that kid was on our flight. And guess what. She was. She and her older brother were traveling with their mommy--who had no help in case of trouble. Oh, yeah, and there was plenty of trouble. The little boy was really pretty good and slept quite a bit of the way. But that little she-devil screamed for at least two solid hours as loudly as she could. And kicked the seat in front of her. I know this because, again, they were sitting right across the aisle from us. (Yes, it could have been worse. They could have been right behind us. Thank heavens for small favors. Right?)

Gary says it's my fault. Because I dread having naughty kids around us, I draw them to us like a magnet. And, he is probably right. I was so grateful when that little munchkin finally fell asleep. But then a little one two rows behind us awoke about a half hour before we landed. And screamed for the entire half hour. Sigh. I am sure that the air pressure on their little ears has a lot to do with the crying. I just wish their parents would pick another method of travel for them. At least on the days that I fly. Is that too much to ask? Really?

Alrighty, then, enough about the plane rides. I will tell you more about the trip on future posts. Consider yourselves warned. (Snort!)

Oh, and if you decide to take a trip to Atlantis, be prepared for the taxi ride out there from the airport. They drive on the wrong side of the street, with their steering wheels on the wrong side of the vehicles. (At least for us Americans.) And they drive fast. And they barely squeeze by the traffic. And they stop on a dime. So, it's kind of like taking a ride at the amusement park. And it'll cost you $35 before tip. But much cheaper than renting a car, which we really didn't need, as we used shuttle buses on the island. Just fyi.

Okey dokey. For my card this week, I decided to use a sketch from CLP, #59:


I chose a Sassy Studios image, Immortal Love, for my card, which I printed on MICBC. My DP is from the MME Lost & Found Sunshine collection, and my CS is from Core'dinations. I colored my image, (four times, believe it or not--still not pleased with the results, but I finally said enough is enough), with Copics and Twin Touch Brush markers:
Skin: E000, E00, E11, E21, R20
Her hair & pants, his shirt: YR20, YR21, YR23, YR24
His hair & pants, her sweater: E29, E33, E34, E35, E37, E39
Eyes: E34, TTB67
Shadowing: TTB182

I distressed my paper with my Zutter Distrezz-It-All and Stampin' Up ink. My die cuts were made with the following dies: Spellbinders Labels 4, Memory Box Victorian Frame, and Cheery Lynn Bow & Bell. I also added a bit of Stampin' Up Vanilla Flower Trim. I created the sentiment on my computer. And that's it. Pretty short & sweet after all that grousing about our travel, huh? Good thing. 

Do check out the creations by my talented teamies. And then, please join us with a card of your own! Really looking forward to seeing what you create! Have a great week.  


18 comments:

  1. You have the funniest stories, Penny! Maybe it wasn't funny to you, but the telling was funny to me, for sure! Glad you had at least one nice week of vacation, despite the weather and travel woes! Love your card! Fab coloring of the couple and great design!

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  2. Such a beautiful card Penny. I love the romantic image, your colouring is fabulous and the papers and details are gorgeous too.
    hugs Sue xx

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  3. Beautiful card Penny. I am sure your friends will love this beauty. Great coloring and love all the dies you used. Great sketch, going to check them out. It is all so cool, love the papers.

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  4. This is gorgeous Penny. I love the image and the colour scheme is beautiful. I am sorry you trip was a wash out but what a fabulous substitute for crafting with the reading.
    Hugs Sharon x

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  5. gorgeous Penny, love the combo and your coloring
    hugs
    céline

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  6. gorgeous card Penny!!
    And I had to re-read your story, because I had to laugh so much :-)
    I almost could see your face, and hear the kids crying and screeming!
    Missed your stories the last weeks :-)
    Yay, your back!!
    Hugs,Sandra

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  7. Penny, your card is gorgeous. Great coloring, and love all your dies. Missed your stories while you were on vacation!

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  8. Penny, your monologue has me LOL...I thought I was the only one who ever had the "kids on an airplane for Hell" stories. I guess misery loves company!

    Your card is simply gorgeous to say the least, and your papers and design is over the top fantastic. You have inspired me to join in your challenge this week, it's been a very long time since I stopped by the OutlawZ. Thanks girlie :)S

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  9. Gorgeous card Penny. Love the autumn colouring.
    I had a good old chuckle at your plane trips. Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs Desíre {Doing Life}

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  10. OMGoodness Penny your are just way to funny believe me I do feel for you, I could not handle kids on a plane and crying, NO WAY!!! Sorry it rained for you when you got to the Bahamas, that would not be fun, glad you are back home and things are fine.
    Your card is gorgeous! Your couple is darling and coloring is spectacular and the DP is just awesome.
    Hugs Patricia

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  11. Good morning sweetie...

    I love today's creation...

    Gorgeous colour way too...

    Huggles Pops x x x

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  12. You had me laughing ....I have been there and it amazes me how parents either act like its nothing or they are just as irritating as their kids....bummer on the rain. Totally agree...fancy suite schmancy suite ....boring when stuck there! Looking forward to pics though (-:
    Your card is wonderful!
    I've been thinking about a Zutter distress all...just not sure i would use it enough. Does it really save time?
    Hugs
    Linda

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  13. STUNNING card, Penny! Your coloring brings such life to the image...amazing skills, Sistah!!! I am STILL laughing at the "place on the wing" for the screaming child. Goodness, I almost choked on a pretzel ;) Lol! Then, I read, 'shy flower'...you are such a ray of sunshine in my life...just wanted you to know that :) Sending love and hugs to you, my DT Sistah!

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  14. Very pretty card- always love your colors and layouts! Hope your vacation was sweet despite the screaming kids on the plane : (

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  15. Lovely card Penny! Great image - very dashing and windswept and I love all the different patterned papers together, they look fantastic. Love to hear about all your adventures - I think your idea about a special place on the wing for those "adorable" kids is a great idea :) I'll be sure to pass that on to Richard Branson next time I pop across to the UK!!

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  16. Eek. I hate when there are badly behaved children on my flights. We flew six hours to CA with a toddler kicking the back of my seat and screaming. A half hour before we landed, the mother finally gave the kid a pacifier, which worked. So I do feel for you.

    I also don't understand screaming kids, especially when the parents just let them scream.

    Sorry about the rain, but at least you had some good weather. You don't have a travelling crafting kit? You should!

    Anyways, I love your card. You colored the image beautifully. I love the tone on tone die cut thing. Very elegant. I'm sure your friends loved it!

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  17. Hi Penny! This card is so much prettier in real life!! I can't believe that you gave it to us!! As all the comments tell you~ your coloring is divine! Thank you for remembering our anniversary and listening to our travel adventures at dinner...ah the joy of traveling! And, just to let you know...I did not find or collect the 200 bucks, nor did I pass go! HA! love you! e

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  18. Such a sweet card and a beautiful take on the CLP Sketch, thanks for joining us.

    Much Love.

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