Anyway, it's lovely out there in the morning - just the sound of the birds waking up, the rooster next door, and horses and cows making horse and cow sounds.
You can get your best thinking done on a porch.
So as I was sitting out there, after we had unloaded all the boxes the night before and put out all the prizes etc, I noticed that I had some unexplained bruises.
I had run into tables and dropped things on myself and generally been abused through no one else's fault, and I thought of a great idea for crafty people who are also clumsy.
A Bruise Journal. It would be like a planner, but on each day of the year there would be basically a chalk outline of a body on each page. When you accidentally drop your Kitchen Aid mixer on your foot, you put an X on your foot that day. Three days later, when you have a hematoma the size of Arkansas on your foot, you flip back a few days and exclaim "well I'll BE - I remember that!" Forgetting, of course, that the only reason you "remember" it is that you put it in your bruise journal with a note.
You're welcome for yet another million dollar idea.
ANYHOO, whilst on the porch I had another great idea for the new string of lights set. I thought - what if it was swinging in front of me between the porch and the sun? Well then I thought it would be cooler if it was between me and the moon, because all the magic of Christmas happens at night, so I switched it up with the help of the new circle bundles that are a stencil and a mask. There are a ton of fun things you can do with this. Details on one below the card. I used the sentiment from this set. The background is these inks and this gel pen and these brushes.
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I have a video for this card, so I won't bore you with the details, but there are a few things you need to know. First - we have millibar issues and tropical storm rains (for weeks now) and so the mold is high and are homes are full of bugs. This means my throat is toast, so I sound horrid in my next two videos - please forgive me.
Second, you need to see the rest of this amazing release. They just wow me.
But you don't think I'd leave you without a giveaway right?? I'm not a monster.
Nicole was kind enough to let me give away a set of the three sizes of circle mask/stencil bundles to one lucky winner.
Here's what you need to do. Leave me a comment telling me what little daily ritual you love as much as I love that porch, and I'll pick a random winner. I'll announce it on 9/21, so leave your comment by 9/20 at midnight Central.
Loveyameanitbye.
Love your blending! I will FOREVER be in your debt for that ink potion #9! I just made some AMAZING backgrunds using distress inks direct to paper and the potion! I didn’t even get an arm cramp! LOL
ReplyDeleteOMG! This is so me. Bruises everywhere! J always tells me I need dance lessons because I walk into things, trip over (usually moving) things, drop things (on me). I may need my first ever journal. (Not surprised that it's your fault). Your card is the bomb-diggity, too!
ReplyDeleteOur 6 year old granddaughter lives with us and falls asleep in my bed every night. We watch a baking show during cuddle time and Jenna refuses to go to sleep unless she is holding my hand. That is a daily ritual that I hope never ends! She shares her day with me while we are cuddling and has to kiss the back of my hand after each part of her day is shared.
ReplyDeleteI love that she has chosen me to hold onto all of her “very important” secrets, dreams, trials and tribulations. I am blessed that her beautiful smile is the last thing I see at night and the first I see in the morning! It is a heartwarming way to start and end the day!
I love your card and the new release ROCKS! I would love to be one of the three lucky winners of the masking bundles! Thank you for the chance to win such a cool giveaway! TFS!
I love going out into my backyard late on a Texas night and watching the moon as fleeting clouds pass by. It is magical, mystical, mesmerizing.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of a bruise journal cracked me up. It's genius! I'm always wondering where that bruise came from. I think about it, laugh, and think about it again. Just might try it. You are a treasure.
ReplyDeleteYour porch reminds me of my lanai! I'm up on the 3rd floor, and every day, early in the morning,I love to walk out on the lanai and look over the neighborhood, watching as folk get ready to start the day, walking the dogs, leaving for work kids dragging their backpacks to the car. It's cool and quiet, and I tell myself that it's going to be a great day.
ReplyDeleteWhat a magical Christmas night! I love this string of lights and so fun to have them swinging with the moon in the background! OH, my daughter totally needs your bruise journal. That girl finds the craziest ways to injur herself!
ReplyDeleteLove the designs of those Picket Fence stamps. I’ve recently adopted the ritual of meditation each morning. It’s been a game changer for my pissy attitude. ☺️
ReplyDeleteI get up and start feeding all my critters. It's nice early in the morning with everyone else asleep. It's kind of my alone time.
ReplyDeleteLove, love the bruise journal. I'm always trying to figure out why I have a spot that looks like I should have been in a car accident, but can't remember a thing. Anyway, my favorite morning ritual is to sit in my PJs, drink my two cups of coffee and catch up on the blogs I follow. Yours is usually in the pile. :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing card! What a gorgeous background and fabulous design. We just got a new kitten a week ago so my favorite ritual is racing home after work for cuddles and hilarious kitty shenanigans.
ReplyDeleteLove this card! I thought it was Santa driving by in his sleigh, with a garland hanging over the edge, but I like the porch-scene idea too!
ReplyDeleteMy ritual is doing the NYT crossword, sometimes it takes me all day but I'll still call it a "morning" ritual :) This company is new to me, their sentiments are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI think I should create a bruise journal for my son; he's always blaming 'gravity surges' for his tripping, and can never remember how he got 'that' bruise on his leg/arm/hip...as his mother, I used to worry I would be blamed! My morning ritual, now that I work from home, is to indulge in 2 morning coffees, while I read my email and favourite blogs - yours, obviously, being one of them!
ReplyDeleteLove your card Lydia. My favorite daily ritual is after I wake up and have my drink & breakfast bar is to go and check on my 2 dogs, Kyra & Ryssa. It's always such a happy part of my morning for me and them.
ReplyDeleteThe bruise journal cracks me up and YES, I need one! My favorite moment is taking my first cup of coffee out onto my porch and watching the deer come down to the river for their morning drink. It's so quiet and peaceful, before the craziness of the day starts. Love the card and that night sky
ReplyDeleteLOVE your card with the circle stencil and the fabulous String of Lights image! Awesome colors!
ReplyDeleteMy fairly new daily ritual is sitting out on my front deck and letting my kitty out with me. She's really an indoor cat, but I have recently started to allow her on out on the deck with me for about an hour a day! She loves it and has been pretty well behaved! If she goes off the deck, her outing gets cut short....
I can see them swinging in the evening breeze! A ritual... hmmm, how about my morning time reading my Bible with my coffee?! I'm grumpy when I don't get both together!
ReplyDeleteMy screened porch faces east so in the mornings I watch the sunrise and in the evenings I watch the moonrise almost everyday (unless of course it's raining which it frequently does in South Florida). I will admit, I get a little grumpy if anyone/anything (rain excluded because I like watching that from the porch too lol) messes up my sun/moon time, it keeps me sane the rest of the day and night. :)
ReplyDeleteI need that stamp and you need to design it! I’m serious! Like a chalk outline where you can point to bruises and have snarky forensic comments. You are perfect for this! You can get inspiration from your podcasts. My favorite ritual, if it is one, is snuggling with my 🐱 s. Your giraff made me giggle!
ReplyDeleteAdorable card idea! And your bruise journal!! I’m dying. My daughter needs to do journal her bruises lol.
ReplyDeleteOne of my daily rituals is making a blended coffee drink... it’s so yummy and great when it’s hot outside. And I love to sit on my patio ( or in the hot tub!) and listen to the birds in the morning. Unfortunately I can usually only do that on the weekend. Hope you have a relaxing day😘
That Picket Fence is awesome !! Just as your card with the extraordinary background !! About your question, my favourite daily ritual is on morning, very early (at dawn actually) when I take my dog outside and we’re having a walk around the house and the background. I love everything is quiet and still. I love my dog’s energy and joy. And I love how it smells , especially in summer. Thanks for your generosity Lydia ! Love, Marjorie
ReplyDelete[margessw(at)icloud(dot)com]
Love these stamps!! And your card Lydia...wow, just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWow!Your galaxy background is really breathless!!!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite daily ritual is on the morning, I love starting my day making coffee and open all the windows in my house. I use to sit on the porch, sipping my coffee and read last news and new emails.
Oh that Galaxy....gorgeous! My neighbor and I walk two miles every morning before breakfast..cheaper than therapy....and she's a stamper....we talk cards, neighborhood news and family life. The only weather that stops us is freezing rain....and sometimes we have to wait for the plow or sander to go through but it's a great way to get energized for the day!
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