Life is a Party

This party hat inchie will hopefully put you in the mood to celebrate a new week. I couldn't resist using a jester's hat because, well......you know me, I love to laugh and have a good time. The words on the inchie were hand-written. I have been practicing a doodle technique, and this is a portion of what I have been learning. It is a fun style, and always enjoy doing something by hand, it gives more of a personal art feel. Enjoy this new week, and try to be the life of the party for someone along the way.

Walk A Mile

Here is another inchie fulfilling the theme of "shoes." The laces were stitched by hand, with navy thread, doing a double stitch on each lace, so that it would be nice and thick. It was my desire to try and keep it simple and clean.

While working on lacing up 12 shoes for 12 inchies, it gave me plenty of time to think about walking a mile. Don 't worry, not talking about any physical exercise here, just the idea of trying to be more understanding of others, through the idea of taking a few steps where they live. Making an extra effort to cut folks some slack, because the shoes they are wearing come with a history, a past. Even if the shoes are non-marking soles, they always, with each step of the journey, mark your soul forever.

~~~All About Style~~~

I am calling a time-out from the inchie reveals because I just couldn't wait to show you this ATC.

This ATC is all about my kind of style---"relaxed." Can you relate? There is just something comfy about pulling up your hair and slipping into that warm housecoat. If you don't know what a housecoat is, it is also currently known as a robe, and for the older generation it's called a "moo-moo." Regardless of what you call it, there is no better way to relax in style then with a fluffy housecoat in the color of your choice. :)

This ATC was created with a Stamping Bella image. The housecoat is colored with prisma colored pencils and gamsol. The trim of the house coat was painted with puffy velvet markers. That little bit of added fluff created such a sense of style for this relaxed card. The word "style" along the side was cut out from the cricut, I disposed of the letters and used the paper from which the letters were cut. A little black ink goes a long way, in making the word really stand out. The stamped title, is stuck on with 3D foam squares. A dictionary definition of relax is lining the side of the card. So there you have it Kelli, my take on "style." Can't wait to get my hands on that style ATC from YOU!!!

Thanks for stopping by the Paper Pedaler--and I enjoy reading all of your comments. If you like the little image, check out www.stampingbella.com and let the shopping begin. ;)

Wanna Eat?

Since I am big into all-things retro, how can a hamburger not come to mind? All of those retro drive-ins, where you holler out your order and before you know it a waitress in roller skates delivers your perfect meal. MMMmmmm....a big juicy burger with a chocolate shake anda side of onion rings. Do you want to join me for supper?

Sorry, a little off track. :)

Here is an inchie that celebrates the joys of days gone by, ---Enjoy!---

1 X 1

Have you ever heard of an "inchie?" It is a one inch X one inch square! Simple enough, right? Well, that inch is a canvas for expression. Creating inchies was something I said I would NEVER get into. They are TOO small, and there is no possible way, to create something so small with so much meaning. As the old saying goes, "Never say Never!" I have not only started to create inchies, but have also added them to my swapping resume.

I am excited to share with you over the next few days some of my first attempts with inchies. These little squares were created according to a theme, and are already shipped off to the swap hostess, but thought you would enjoy seeing them, and maybe, just maybe, you will find yourself thinking on a smaller scale.

The first inchie reveal is actually a "whatever you want to create" theme. Basically anything goes.............

I created this inchie in honor of my Grandma. I am very blessed to still have my Grandma around and we even share the same birthday, isn't that cool? She is exactly 50 years older than me, and a person I admire and love greatly. She told me last summer, that she loves to look at birds on a wire, while riding in the car. Isn't that cute? And ever since she mentioned it, they are quite fascinating. :} So every time I see a wire loaded down with birds or even a solitary bird enjoying the wire all to himself, it reminds me of a sweet someone, who finds pleasure in absorbing the details, "even on just a ride to town."

The birds are stamped with a "stick" stamp from Stamps by Judith, and the wire is a piece of black thread. They are colored and shaded as if sitting in the sun, and the background is a coating of metallic rub-ons.

A Southern Love Note

A little southern love note from my swapping friend, Sybil. This was such a surprise to receive a little Valentine. It reminded me of the days when decorating a shoe box for the purpose of collecting classroom Valentine mail was the highlight of February. This ATC was great fun to receive, and has been a joy to look at these last few weeks. Valentine's Day is like a breath of fresh air in the middle of winter. You might have to live somewhere cold and snowy for that to make any sense, but the bright red and pink are a welcomed change of pace. Regardless, thanks Sybil for creating this ATC with such love!

Where Has The Time Gone???

If there was ever any resource that we so frequently run out of, it has got to be time. Days run together, schedules conflict, weeks fly by, Monday always comes too soon, seasons change, months of the calendar are torn off, and before you know it, we find ourselves wondering where has the time gone?

Well, in this case, it has gone Cuckoo!! (Were you worried that I was going to get carried away?) :) We all know time flies and in this ATC it REALLY does. The theme was cuckoo clock, so a rubber stamp in my collection was quickly pulled out to incorporate into this ATC. The little bird in the middle of the image is popping out on a piece of wire. This gives the impression that little crazy bird is actually swinging out to chirp that one hour is gone, but a new hour is just ahead.

Wouldn't it be fun to own a cuckoo clock? It would be a....... hhhmmmm...... noisy reminder, that a new hour belongs to you. A fresh 60 minutes! Sixty precious minutes to do, what you wish you did the hour before. This little bird who is blamed for being crazy is really singing out to all of us----to savor the time. The cuckoo bird sits behind closed doors, just waiting to burst through, to proclaim that a new beginning is ahead. Maybe not such a crazy, bird, huh?

A Quilt Fit For A Queen!!

The theme for this ATC is "quilts." This was one theme that I spent several weeks thinking about the plan of attack. With the pressure of constantly trying to think outside the box, have to admit, this theme was tough for that to happen. It required great effort! Regardless, this is the final layout, that passed all inspections.

The image is several mini Queen Playing Cards placed side-by-side to give the impression of a quilt. Then with the use of the sewing machine I stitched around each Queen Card with dark green thread. The top of the ATC is trimmed with ribbon looking like a measuring tape, and topped off with a "I Love to Quilt" charm hanging from a safety pin. Of course, since this quilt is covered with queens--it could only be a quilt fit for a queen. Can you spot this title on the card somewhere? It's in there!

{Where There Is Love}

People crave "peace." Peace in the world, peace in the home, peace in the community, peace at the workplace, peace in the family, peace of mind, peace.....peace.....peace! But if we focus on "love" wouldn't the end result be peace?

Here is an ATC to celebrate this very thought, where there is love there is peace. This ATC is for you, Jan. The theme she chose was purple, green, and cream. (Hope you didn't have something more elegant in mind. ;) The paper is right down yummy, with all of those velvety dots. Can I use the word velvety? The little purple "love" is stamped and placed throughout the background. The main image is colored with prisma colored pencils and gamsol. The peace sign is coated with metallic rub-ons and the word peace is painted with shimmery watercolors. Did you notice the purple shades? He is one cool hyppie, yeah? The shades are also painted with the shimmery watercolors. It was a tremendously fun card to create, so Jan, hope you are thrilled with the results. Can't wait for you to see it IRL.

{Peace}

A Little Glitz!

This is a beaded heart pendant I made for a friend of mine. She is a good person with a big heart, so it seems only appropriate that she wear a little heart with a whole lot of sparkle added to it. February is the typical time to think hearts, and this year, I wanted to incorporate doing something special for someone who makes a difference in my world. More than I would like to admit, I find myself not taking the few minutes necessary to let people know what they mean to me. It's amazing how little it takes to encourage someone else, just a little "something" to bring sunshine into their day........... and yet how often in a day, week, or even month, is time set aside for such a task? Have you ever heard the phrase Little Is Much? Hopefully, this little "something" will return the sunshine that is often shown to our world, community, and me. May this project inspire you to spread a little sunshine. Ironically enough, today while making this for my friend, with my mind set on the excitement of surprise, and the motives of my heart to spread some sunshine in the life of someone else. I received a letter in the mail, from someone who did exactly that for me. It was a letter full of surprise and encouragement, from completely out of the blue. It just goes to show when you make spreading sunshine a priority........is usually comes full circle.
That my friend, is not coincidence!

A Thousand Words

Have you ever heard that phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words?" I believe this statement to be true, so how does anyone, professional writer or not, decide on an appropriate caption for a picture? A caption is usually only a few words, and since the picture is valued at a thousand words, which words do you choose to portray the message of the photo, and yet still allow the imagination of the viewer to be included. Whew! Tough assignment, huh?


Below is a picture that totally cracked me up, and so many thoughts came to mind as I studied the photo. Since tricycles are used to describe my little place here -the 3 wheeled blog- how could I not bring this up? However, this photo deserves a caption, so let's work together and brainstorm some ideas.


I would love to use this photo as an award to pass on to fellow bloggers, but not sure how exactly that works. If you can help me out with this information, that would be great. Until then, I can't wait to read your suggestions for a caption. So leave a comment with your suggestion--can't wait to read what few words out of a thousand made the cut. Let's get started!!!

Work Hound

This is where my creativity took me for a theme of "Archeology." This theme has been spinning around in my head for a few weeks, and it took a turn toward man's best friend. Man's best friend shows incredible determination when it comes to digging holes, right? Regardless of the work it requires, there is no denying that they love to dig holes for the sole purpose of hiding a bone, that they will again try to find hours later, and dig it up again. Sounds like a pretty crazy routine to me, but they find a tremendous amount of joy in finding treasures that they worked so hard to hide, days prior. So enjoy this little "work hound" as he digs and digs. That shovel makes him look like a real professional archeologist!

Must Confess......

Here it is.....a confession. Not a great way to end a Monday, but none the less, has to be done. Are you sitting down? Here it goes..... I lack "balance." I could only wish it was my inability to stand on one foot, or my lack of coordination to ride a unicycle, or even my unwillingness to try and inch my way across a high wire. Lack of "balance" shows up in my daily life right around noon every day. The uneven-ness cannot even be disturbed by countless resolutions, rigorous journaling, or short-term goals, despite my honest efforts. So I suppose it is just time to confess.


I feel a great deal better having included you in on my unbalanced lunch hour. So now for the details of creating this ATC. The image of the man was too cute to resist---his teeth are coated with clear epoxy. The tie is pieced with green ribbon and completed with a brad for a tie-tac. The question marks are stamped with cranberry ink and cut out. The pop can is 3D and is out of this world adorable, the bag of chips was found in the button section, only had to cut off the loopie thing at the back. :) Yes, "loopie thing" is a technical term. Have a great week, I will be posting more ATC's later in the week. Oh, Kelli--- thanks for inspiring me to create a card in honor of my horrible unbalanced lunchtime habits. Although, after so many years of enjoying such a diet, I am beginning to believe it is balanced!