
I had an idea to combine Copic markers with Ranger Distress ink and posted it when I was the Flourishes' Limelight Designer over here.
Beate Johns (supah star) from Splitcoast saw it and asked me to do a tutorial for SCS. So the pressure was on. I try to avoid pressure situations when it comes to stamping, but this offer was too good to pass up. So after lots of trial and lots of error, I made this card to feature this technique. LOVE this Waltzingmouse Roses in Bloom set (please join my campaign to get Claire to sell more flowers!)
This is the perfect technique when you want bright colors with some easy shading, but don't like to color large open spaces. If you want to read how I made it, please check out my tutorial on SCS today.
Thanks to Beate and SCS for the opportunity to share yet another way to combine paper and ink!
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If you are interested in a life update, read on. Otherwise, I hope you are happy today.
My Mom has been in the nursing home for 4 months. Since then, she
1. magically can eat all the food (unable to use her false teeth in our house)
2. no longer needs oxygen
3. complains almost non stop about being there
4. has normal blood levels for the first time in 5 years
5. bonded with her roommate, who cannot talk or move much at all
Since then, I
1. can sleep late on the weekends for the first time in 5 years
2. can travel with Mike
3. can stay late at work (and why that is a good thing?)
4. don't have the sound of oxygen pumping through the house
5. no longer have a household employee to pay
And no I don't feel guilty for feeling free. I am sad that my Mom is often unhappy but thrilled that she is in a safe place that treats her well and that that safe place isn't here.
Mike and I took good care of her. Too good. She turned into a diva while she was here and I got sucked into meeting her every whim. Still taking care of her as I did when I was a child. I could see the neurotic dance of our relationship playing out every day but felt powerless to stop it. My father's alcoholism and abuse taught me to be uber responsible for her, for the world, for everyone except me.
But now I am one step removed from caretaker and sometimes simply do not know how to breathe. But I do. I'm not afraid to tempt the fates by writing that this is one of the happiest times of my life. It is. No, it isn't perfect. There is stuff in everyone's life that isn't perfect and I have a list on that side of the ledger too. But it is good.
She'll be 90 next month. I'll still be daughter.