YERGH

That's kind of a technical term for not feeling well for a few days plus a lot of disorganization. That's kind of a yerghy combo, MHO.

Anyway, in between drugs and sleep - yes, there's a relationship! - I did do a few projects that are way overdue. While I'm writing this I see three cards that really needed to be mailed today and were not. Oh well. That extends the whole birthday experience, right?

Let me start with the most dramatic card that I'll be sending for publication to a few places! I am in love with this card. And reallly I'm in love with MY SIZZIX When I saw this bird die (and I don't mean this is a dead bird - that's gross. I mean a cutting die. Why do they call a craft product DIE?? They don't call golf stuff SUCK do they? That makes no sense.), since I love all things ornithological, I had to have it.

In addition to the bird, the die I chose has these wonderful curvy flourishy things and some very sassy flowers I'll show you later. VERY SASSY. But since my Pirouette Pink was on top, I ran that through and got something so lovely I had to just stick it on black, add some ribbon, a rhinestone and be done with it. I hope you feel the drama I feel when I look at it.

I finished it with the Top Note die on the inside - endless possibilities with this sucker, let me tell you.

Next, onto two Doodle Factory Creations - I've been neglecting my creatures in a shameful way. I always thought that Mimo looked like a creature with a self image problem. I always have an irrational urge to hug her and tell her she's beautiful!! I mean her arms are stripey! I wish my arms were stripey!

So when I saw the sentiment from Starving Artistamps, I KNEW what card I had to make!!! See if you don't feel a little heart tug on those two matched up!

I colored her with Copics, and used my Stampin Up! heart punch for her wings, which I added dots to. I mounted her on some Basic Grey DSP, cut with the Top Note Sizzix Die. I cut a second Top Note, and cut around the perforations with my craft knife to get the Pirouette Pink border. Then I put that on more Basic Grey DSP, again, dotted, and corner rounded before being mounted on a card base of Pirouette Pink.

I punched two butterflies out of Pirouette Pink, added rhinestones and stuck them down with glue dots. Then I stamped Tracey's amazing little saying onto the DSP. I like moths better anyway, Mimo.

Next, I had to make a card for a teenage boy. So knowing that I would stray into glitter or ribbon if I even CONSIDERED color, I stuck with Black & White. The creature is Pogue from the Great Outdoors - another Doodle Factory image. I punched the stars from Whisper White with my Stampin' Up! star punch and punched some 1/4" black circles for accents. I used my gel pen for the dots and the greeting is from the Starving Artistamps Animal and Farm set. Think it's "boy" enough?