Wednesday, July 5, 2017

A Hyperbolic Life


I have always been a linguaphile, from my earliest days on this planet.

(I am not implying I was ever on another planet, by the way.)

I love words and sentences, and rhymes, and puzzles and games.

I think the gift of language to humans is unlike any other. Think of how complicated our languages are, and how we are always making up new words. Each word we speak and how we speak it - yes, even, maybe especially, cuss words - has a thousand meanings and makes us unique among the beasts.

(Unless one of those beasts is Splotchy, who speaks many languages, passionately, usually at 4 AM. Little bugger must be Italian or something. )

But in all things linguistic, I love hyperbole the most. (I'll wait for you to get over your surprise at this revelation.)

Why say "it's hot" when you can say "OH MY GOD, IT'S EIGHT THOUSAND DEGREES OUTSIDE AND I'M MELTING LIKE I JUST OPENED THE ARK OF THE COVENANT!!!"? We all know which one wins.

I've always thought of hyperbole as a particularly Irish talent - maybe because of Yeats. I also remember loving this the first time I read it.

"“For last year's words belong to last year's language 

And next year's words await another voice.” 

― T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets

Edward Lear's so-called nonsense always appealed to me, as did the Jabberwocky and the strange words in the Hobbit. Maybe that's why I ended up in linguistics in graduate school. None of it sounded like nonsense to me.

Hyperbole is often defined as exaggeration - but they really are different. I use hyperbole as expressiveness - not stretching the truth - just making it more interesting, as in the above example. Once you have the visual of the guy melting when he opened the Ark of the Covenant, you immediately know exactly how hot I feel. We are on the same page.

So imagine my delight a few weeks ago when I get a text from my friends Greg & Angie at Concord & 9th asking me if they can use something I texted them in a stamp set. I said, and I quote: "OMGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!! SQUEE!!! Yesssss!" More boring people might have said: "Why yes, you may."

So they sent me the stamp set as a thanks, and I could not love it more. I can't wait for you to see the whole thing.

The text message was the sentiment that's on my card - and honestly - it's true. They are awesome people, and I could not be more grateful for their friendship. I was cleaning out my phone's digital landfill yesterday, and I came across the pictures of us at CHA and got all verklempt. They are just good people, whose awesomeness rivals that of a unicorn - no exaggeration.



The set is called Unicorn Awesomeness and it will be in their July 9th release, this Sunday at 9 AM.

To make this card, I cut the clouds from the dies that match the set on my favorite watercolor paper (linked above). I painted those with Daniel Smith watercolor, and glued them together. That's 140 pound watercolor paper, so this is a pretty sturdy card! Then I stamped the sentiment (squee!) on the front cloud and stamped and die cut the unicorn. I colored her with three grey Copics. I'm sure people will make her look amazing with a rainbow mane and tail, but I had enough rainbow working in the background, that a stately silver is what I wanted. You know - because unicorns are stately.

What a fun thing to have happen. Thanks for that, my friends! :)

Because of their unicorn awesomeness - they are giving me TWO bundles to give to you guys - that's two stamp & die sets of Unicorn Awesomeness. All you have to do is leave me a comment between now and July 9th at noon central telling me about someone whose awesomeness rivals that of a unicorn in YOUR life. I will draw two winners on that day! Hop over to their blog today to see sneak peeks and see if I've exaggerated :)

Speaking of winners - here is my winner of the This Might Be Vodka stamp set from this post! Kris - email me your address and I'll get that in the mail!

PS - I love sun tea too!

Loveyameanitnotexaggeratingbye.

51 comments:

  1. This is all kinds of fabulous!

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  2. Well, first off, congratulations! Exciting stuff. Plus, I sincerely love the phrase.
    Secondly, per your request, my sweet Baboo, aka, Ed, is better than one million rainbow sparkly unicorns!!!
    I am beyond thrilled for you. However, do not go get a big head now...! XO

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  3. That is so awesome to have a your quote forever at the ready on a stamp set. Just when you need to let someone know how awesome they are. My hubbies awesomeness most definitely rivals that of a unicorn : )

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  4. This card makes me all kinds of happy!!! I LURVE IT!!!! And how apropos a sentiment for you, too, Lydia....because you are quite simply AMAZING.
    Thanks for the inspiration! 💙💙💙

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  5. I absolutely love it! Congratulations!

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  6. For me that would be my paper crafting twin across the miles ... my fellow jingle belles ... Lauren ... on my worst days, she's always a ray of sunshine, even if I only get to see her smiling face in person once a year.

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  7. Lydia you are amazing! Congratulations I love your unicorn stamp set! I think all of the bloggers who love to share and teach us like you have awesomeness that rivals a herd of unicorns! Thank you to all of you out there!

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  8. First of all Lydia a HUGE Congratulations to you, that must have been quite exciting for you!
    Secondly, your card IS awesome, I totally love the rainbow of clouds AND your sentiment!
    Thirdly, my 95 y/o MIL is more awesome than anything/anyone I have ever known! She calls when I am sick just to check on me (as she always has done). She is not 'just' my mother-in-law, she has always been my friend!
    Lastly, Congratulations Kris! I am so happy for you!

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  9. This is so fabulous. Congratulations! My niece amazes me constantly with her awesomeness. She's 15 and becoming such an incredible young woman. Smart, kind, and beautiful.

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  10. Your love for hyperbole is...well, hyperbolic! You're one of the most gifted, engaging writers I've encountered (and being a high school English teacher, I know awesome stuff when I see it!). This set is perfect x fabulous x marvelous x sensational for you...and I'm thrilled we have opportunity to bring it into our collections as well. My husband rivals the awesomeness of a unicorn and all its friend, because he puts up with me! I'm his 'honey badger' *grin*
    ~carol

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  11. OMG!! What a compliment to have your words forever in rubber! I would have to say my daughter Pam is the best person in my world. She is honest, true, loyal, a hard worker and ready to accept new ideas and even use Yellow card stock (on occasion) .. she is like you Lydia, multi-talented and an Inspiration to me.
    I do love Unicorns and that sentiment is so wonderful, I see this set in my future.

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  12. Congrats on your awesomeness being brought to life in stamps! I love unicorns and this one is awesome! It looks like it will be great to color. As for someone in my life who's awesomeness rivals a unicorn, that would be my friend Wendy, truly we're there for each other!

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  13. Lydia, I love this! I love this sentiment more and more every time I read it. Okay, not to steal your people, but I gotta say that Greg, Angie, Amy, and Robyn most definitely have awesomeness that rivals (actually I would say surpasses) that of a unicorn. I happened to be with them when you received your stamp set, so they showed it to me then, and the moment will forever be cemented in my mind. I just have to have this set now as I will always associate this sentiment with them!

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  14. Omg, my hyperbolic (?) sistah! I told someone it was 10 million degrees outside and my car was like visiting the surface of the sun. I, like you, want people to know exactly where I'm coming from! Now, about this wondrous new stamp set...Sqeeeee! I love unicorns and believe I was a princess in another life. This stamp set will make my world complete. I love that sentiment but there's only one person to which I can send it, my sister in law. She is the real life Wonder Woman (minus those gaudy bracelets). She has many health problems yet looks after her mom and her daughter's two little girls, (I use that term loosely as the little one is a tiny hellion that Satan himself spawned) and gives rides to everyone needing one like her own Uber company. Of course, unlike Uber, she won't accept payment. She is a saint and I truly wish I could be as unselfish as she is. Congratulations on the fabulous stamp and consider designing an all sentiment one with some of your linguistic creations!

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  15. CONGRATULATIONS! That is quite amazing. Your words captured forever in a stamp. Words do have power!
    My hubs awesomeness rivals that of a unicorn. I know God was with me & I had amazing medical care during my best cancer journey, but if not for his constant & consistent, often INSISTENT, care, I truly believe I would not be here now.

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  16. Awesome stamp set! Love Concord and 9th! I'd gave to say that my husband is pretty awesome. He's hard-working, kind, supportive...the list goes on!

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  17. I love reading your blog posts-your linguistic training shines thru! My daughter is the awesome person in my life. She is a military wife and has 4 very smart and energetic kids. she home schools them all, taxi's them everywhere and handles it all with a smile. I know she lives with constant worry for her husband, but tries very hard not to pass that on to the kids. Not only is her husband a hero, she is as well.
    Congrats on this honor!

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  18. A wise woman once said, "OMGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!! SQUEE!!! Yesssss!" That's how I feel about this card, this image, this sentiment and the folks at 9th & Concord. I love this Lydia. You are a unicorn - and they tapped in to your magic.

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  19. OH MY GOD. That is the best sentiment since "Get Well"!!!! Love you!!

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  20. What a super fun Stamp and die set! My fellow guitar students I recently met who are ready to jam at the drop of hat are super super awesome! The fun we have definitely rivals that of a unicorn!

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  21. OMG Congratulations. I have enjoyed reading your blog and watching your videos, however, today's message is Absolutely Awesome news.

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  22. Super fun Stamp set! My fellow guitar students are willing to jam at the drop of a hat. The fun we have rivals a unicorn!

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  23. My Unicorn Awesomeness Award goes to my friend Dennis, who listens patiently while I describe the construction of just about every card I make.

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  24. Wow! What an honor to have them make that part of the stamp set!! Congrats to you! I tip my hat to you in celebration of your awesomeness! I'd say that my husband is beyond awesome! He always put his family first and can somehow push on and even go to work sick because he knows that we all depend on him! I truly, madly, deeply, love that man to the moon and back!

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  25. You are an artist with paper, ink, watercolors, and words, Lydia!! Your new stamp just makes me smile. My parents are the most awesome people ever!! Both Mom and Dad inspire me every day. ♥♥ In their 80s now, they continue to teach me about love, strength, courage, and joy by their actions... every single day! My parents are my greatest blessings! ♡Dawn@Petals.Paper.SimpleThymes

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  26. Love the sentiment!! And thank you for giving my gift of exaggeration a Fancy shmancy name!!

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  27. Congrats, Lydia! Love the sentiment. My son is super awesome; he is such a hard worker and provides for his family, including me, with no complaints. Right now he is remodeling their master bathroom on the weekends and evenings. He rocks!

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  28. Congratulations on the fab sentiment stamp!! My sister is so awesome as she's a great mom, grandmother, wife, sister, and friend and always is cheerful despite living with terrible back pain. She's a trooper!

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  29. What an awesome stamp set! I absolutely adore it! It is better than chocolate (& calorie free)!
    I share your love for a good hyperbole! I guess we are both crazier than a rabid dog but in a good way!
    Congratulations on the honor of having a stamp set made in your honor! TFS!

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  30. I forgot to say whose awesomeness rivals that of a unicorn in my first comment! That would be my wonderful neighbor, Kathy and her husband Pete. In 2003 they lost their oldest son, 7 year old Joseph, to Wilms Tumor, (kidney cancer), after an almost two year battle. They came away from this tragic event stronger and even more awesome than before! They were more concerned with how it was affecting everyone else. He left us a week before his brother's 5th Birthday and they gave him a party that has yet to be beat! They tucked away their sorrow and put on a happy face to show Jacob that he was important too!
    I love them more than chocolate and sex! I know that they are even more awesome than a unicorn because I watch them go on with their lives to honor Joseph every single day!

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  31. What a fantastic post! I learned a new word today too - hyperbolic. And here I was with my brain putting Hyperbaric in it's place and I was wondering where this was going. LOL I'm not good with words, obviously! Congrats on the stamp set in your honor, it's perfect!
    For me, my mom it is my mom whose awesomeness rivals that of a unicorn. She has such a heart of gold and doesn't have an ounce of selfishness in her body. Anyone who would let my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, her hubby & 3 kids stay at her house because mine is too small to accommodate everyone - well to me that is beyond the awesomeness of a unicorn.

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  32. Well isn't that just about as exciting as when I see Iliana in person? Have you seen me see Iliana in person? I'm sure you have. She videos it. Every. Time. I'm sure you've seen footage. Congratulations on being such an inspiration as to melt you into photopolymer. Quite cool. I have to have this set. Have to. Give them to me. Well, one of them. Give the other to someone else. Or me.

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  33. My Unicorn of Awesomeness would be my BFF Jennie. You know you have a friend when they spent the their day off taking you to urgent care when you have a bad reaction to medication.

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  34. Gotta say, my husband is my candidate for AWESOME! Currently I would say he's qualifying for Saint-hood as I'm enjoying the thrills and nowhere-close-to-chills effects of menopausalness. As a long time lover of all things Unicorn - Congratulations! What a great set! Love the Unicorn's size and grace!

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  35. Oh Lydia, congratulations on this fun and fabulous testament to your awesomeness! I have 3 sons and my second oldest (who does not suffer from middle child syndrome) has awesomeness that rivals a unicorn. He patiently and lovingly parents his own 2 little babes (2 y.o. and 3 months) after his 10 hour work day while mom works at her job. His recent self proclaimed challenge was to take them out for dinner to see if he could manage the task.

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  36. Excuse me but this is MORE ADORABLE THAN A BABY UNICORN SNUGGLING A RAINBOW KITTEN ON A FLUFFY CLOUD THROWING GLITTER SHOWERS. My unicorn person today is my MIL who brought me chocolate. I really needed it this day. Really much.

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  37. My youngest grand daughter Maddie is My Unicorn of Awesomeness (no disrespect to my other grands) as she sings wonderfully, plays the clarinet, acts, creates art in many different mediums, writes beautifully, and makes straight A's. She received recently The Presidential Academic Achievement Award at her 8th grade awards ceremony. This all AND she dyed her hair purple...she's awesome!
    P.S. Congrats Lydia on your words going on a stamp. Wow!

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  38. Lydia, you are made of many surprises and a whole lot of words!! I love this set and your text is the perfect sentiment!!

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  39. I loved reading this story! How cool to have a stamp set in your honour! My stamping bff Chera, rivals a unicorn's awesomeness. Although we are a few provinces apart she is always just a text or skype call away. We bounce ideas off each other and have become great friends outside of the craft life too

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  40. I have always loved reading your blog, because I am not a linguaphile, but I do definitely appreciate them - and you are so gifted! Love your sentiment - so cool that it is now a stamp. My unicorn of awesomeness recipient would first be my aunt. She remembers (and sends cards for) every birthday, anniversary and 'just because' to all her family - and she is beyond giving and supportive - she is the epitome of awesomeness. I am so grateful to have her in my life.
    Excited for you and the new release. Happy days! :)

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  41. Fabulous saying and
    love the Unicorn! But
    of course everyone
    loves Unicorns. My
    husband is awesomesauce
    as he is funny and so
    loving to me!
    Carla from Utah

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  42. My Awesome Unicorn is my son's fiancee, who came from a very rough beginning and childhood, and faced challenges that would have worn most people down. Instead, she managed to go to college and graduate, raise 2 wonderful children on her own, and always has an upbeat, can-do attitude with whatever she takes on. She impresses me every day and if that isn't a unicorn, then what is?!

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  43. Oh wow! Congrats, Lydia! This is a fantastic thing!!! This set is amazing!!! And your quote too!!! <3
    My partner's awesomeness most definitely rivals that of a unicorn!
    Thanks for this chance to win this beautiful prize!!!

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  44. Other than my husband (whose awesomeness you can attest to yourself!), YOU are the person in my life whose awesomeness rivals that of a unicorn...and I'm not just saying that to win a prize because I think you choose those randomly, but the stuff I've learned from you has made my life 1000% better - and that's not hyperbole - that's the truth!

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  45. Winning a concord and 9th stamp and die set would be better than winning a unicorn! I love their products and how much thought and creativity they put into the designs

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  46. My BFF Emily is awesome beyond unicorns and puppies. She makes me laugh and think. We've been friends for 40 years and without her, my life would be darker and much less awesome!

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  47. Wowza, wowza, wowza,Lydia! Having your words sketched in photopolymer is like laying on a beach on the hot white sand with a cool drink and a good book somewhere in the caribbean islands...how's that??!
    SO, the person in my life whose "awesomeness rivals that of a unicorn" I have to say is my mom! She has osteoporosis and has many fractures in her spine.This causes terrible pain and she has shrunk 8 inches. Until recently she has had my dad to be her helpmeet and do the housework and the more difficult tasks. But my dad,who is 87, had openheart surgery a year ago and after his surgery he was doing great! Even able to drive and all.Then about 4 months after his surgery things went downhill fast.A total turnaround , much to our sorrow. He gets around the house with a walker but is very week and has fallen several times which makes him afraid he is going to fall again.Plus he can't remember what he had for breakfast even if he just finished eating it. He is depressed and won't do anything...not even a puzzle or watch tv.I'm sorry this is long but I wanted you to get the picture of what her life is like now having all her pain and health issues and having to care for my daddy, too. She is my hero because I have chronic pain from fibromyalgia , arthritis and a bad back...I've had 2 back surgeries.BUT I don't have half the energy and stamina that this 80 year old women, my momma,has!!
    Again, sorry this is long! Thank you for giving us the chance to share!!

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  48. I'm just getting to this email of your blog now.... better late than never. I think the people at Concord and 9th are pretty cool too, though I've never met them. We've emailed a couple of times. I'm so glad they picked up on your "writings." :)

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  49. I just found this post - because I was cleaning up my digital landfill (you make me laugh). Love your card. Awesome idea with the clouds. Congratulations on having your phrase used on a stamp. I'm not surprised - you are an amazing wordsmith!

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  50. Also -- I buy the things you buy because I want to be just like you. But why did I buy that absorber thing? what do you use it for? Right now it is sitting on my counter dried up, looking like a weird piece of modern art. Do you use it to clean your stamps?

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    1. Yes!! Just use it damp on your stamps - nothing but water - and let it air dry!

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