BEACHES - Not the Movie

When I was growing up in New Jersey my family would regularly head to Asbury Park for weekend jaunts to the beach. I love that even now, some 50 plus years later, I can close my eyes and recall dancing in the waves with my sisters. The air thick with the smell of salt as sticky as the famous taffy and the musical beat of running on the boardwalk awakens memories in me that remind me of the freedom I felt as a child.   And then my older sister Elaine ruined not only my love of the beach, but my entire life, with just a few sentences!!!!!    We were sitting on the sand, under the hot summer sun, when she turned to me and in a very serious voice warned me that at any moment I could die. Fear gripped me tightly and I stopped breathing as she pointed to the water line and continued, “See the horizon? During a Title Wave the water recedes as far as one can see and then one WAVE, as tall as the Empire State Building, will come crashing down on you!" She paused here for a moment and then added rather nonchalantly, "and you'll drown and your body will never be found!" I barely remember what happened next, but it involved lots of tears and to this day a phobic fear of Title Waves and Tsunamis.   Making this mini was a safe way to enjoy the beach. Graphic 45 On the Boardwalk, Mike's $1.50 mini and K&Co. chipboard I obviously have a bad case of Mini Album Madness (MAM), why else would I have the need to make a mini of a fish? I'm embarrassed to say there are only 15 tags but in my defense, I made this before I developed a full blown case of Tiny Tag Syndrome (TTS). That's me in my 1940's bathing suit.

Let's talk fish, phobias and sisters. Have any stories to share? Click HERE to see Beaches the movie, directed by the husband and starring EllenBee.

If you are a Follower here and a Subscriber to my channel on YouTube and you like Bo Bunny Enchanted Collection and you would like me to send you a RAK from the collection (stamps, trinkets, dimensional stickers and the mini edgy album) and you add a comment here and/or on my video and you don't mind long sentences...YOU might win this gorgeous collection.

Leaked - Actual transcript from a strategic meeting held on February 22, 1984 at XXXXX Company Headquarters.

Location – Conference Room

Attendees: John S. CEO/President, Ken T. Consumer Product Manager, Henry H. Agency New Business Development Specialist, Tom B. Marketing Director, Tony S. Creative Director, Bill M. Chief Marketing Officer

John: It is estimated that in the next 20 years the scrapbook industry will top over 2.5 billion dollars annually. Our company is looking to become a leader in this emerging industry. I have brought you gentlemen here today to brainstorm ideas for cashing in on this Paper Phenomena. I know none of you are directly involved with scrapbooking, but you are all experts at creating a need when none exists. These women are smart, so our task is to bombard them with advertising, coupons and free shipping. Henry -

Henry: Our demographics - The average scrapbooker is a college graduate who spends up to 10 hours a week scrapbooking. She spends roughly $50 on scrapbook products each month and we expect that number to increase exponentially.

John: Thank you Henry. The floor is now open. Ideas gentlemen?

(Silence for 1 minute. The sound of coughs, clearing of voices, pencil tapping and the clink of coffee cups.)

Henry: Come on guys, I know you aren’t involved with crafts, but you understand consumer buying trends.

(Silence)

Tom: I was at Home Depot over the weekend…

Ken: Good place to start. What is there at Home Depot that we can copy/adapt and then charge outrageous prices for?

Bill: We could copy some of the small things, like washers, drawer pulls and Hinges?

Tom: We could paint them pink?

Bill: What if this scrapbooking gal is doing a project in red? Or blue? Will they be able to use something pink?

Tom: I thought pink was a universal color for girls.

(Laughter and sound of writing on blackboard)

Henry: Washers, drawer pulls, hinges…

Ken: Keys? Chain? Wire?

John: Tony? You're rather quiet. What’s wrong?

Tony: I don’t think it’s a good idea.

Henry: The store is a smorgasbord for us.

Tony: Really guys, do you actually believe these intelligent ladies will want to add hardware to their favorite photos of …let’s say their deceased grandparent?

Bill: My grandfather had a huge garage filled with all kinds of hardware. I think he would have loved it…to be memorialized with hardware.

(Laughter)

Paul: My grandmother was always crocheting blankets. We could do something that is crocheted?

Ken: My aunt had those crocheted things on her furniture. Dollies…Doilies?

Tom: What about crocheted flowers?

Henry: Yes to flowers, but no to crochet. Too old-fashioned.

John: Yeah, I agree. The basics are that they will NEVER go for junk store stuff. We’re not about to break into this industry with cracked paint and vintage paper products. They are preserving photos so they don’t age. Think modern.

(Sighing)

Tom: I need to place an order at Office Depot…just a thought.

Henry: Office Supplies, good. Forget about hardware. I’m erasing this list. Let’s talk paper clips, staples and file folders

There is much more to the transcript. The meeting lasted several hours and this was just the first 15 minutes. If you‘d like to read more, become a Follower so you don’t miss the next installment. 

 No photo of my grandfather but I have 3 "washers" on this card.

And Tom B., there's no pink!

Mike's stamp from the "old-fashioned" dollar bin.

Have you made anything lately using hardware? If so, please share. 

Card Making for Dummies by Mrs. Hall Marks

I was given an advance copy of the new book CARD MAKING FOR DUMMIES  and couldn't wait to share a chapter with all of you. Using Mrs. Hall Marks easy-to-follow directions, I just made this very fun card. I'm giving away a signed copy of her book to one lucky Follower, so please leave a comment. This book is sure to become a best seller and I know you're going to want to add this to your craft library!

 My take on Mrs. Hall Marks' card!

That's a jelly fish wearing a pointed hat. Very fashionable, don't you think?

I used Kraft Paper, Graphic 45 and two crazy WONDERderful stamps!

Materials needed: white cardstock, trimmer, bone folder*, adhesive, patterned paper, 2 rubber stamps, stamp pad and a nice bottle of wine  

1. Using your paper trimmer cut:
           a. One piece of white cardstock at 5 ½” x 8 ½”
           b. Two pieces of blank colored paper at 5 ¼” x 4”
           c. One piece of patterned paper at 3 ½” x 4 ¾”
           d. One piece of blank colored paper at 2”x 2”
           e. One piece of white cardstock at 1 ½” x 1 ½”

2. Starting with the 5 ½” x 8 ½” white cardstock, fold in half. Using your bone folder, flatten along the center.

3. Once the card is folded, if you find that it is uneven, trim the edges.

4. After completing step 3, if you find it impossible to make even, don’t worry, just repeat steps #1.a., 2 and 3.

5. If, after wasting more than 4 pieces of paper you are beginning to feel overwhelmed, pour yourself a glass of wine. If that doesn't help, head over to Michael's and purchase a package of blank white greeting cards.

6. Time to take a few sips of wine, because you’re going to need some sustenance before we start the next step. 

7. Take out your stamp pad, the sentiment stamp you are going to use for the inside of the card, the tiny stamp for the front of the card, one piece of the 5 ¼” x 4” colored paper and the 1 ½” x 1 ½” white cardstock.

8.   Let’s start with the tiny stamp and white cardstock.

9. Be sure to work on a smooth, flat surface. Liberally ink the stamp.

10. Center the stamp and gently push down. 

11. If the stamped image is blurry or uneven, go back to step #1.e, cut additional white cardstock and then repeat steps #9 and #10 until you get one perfect stamp image.**

12. Congratulations! It's time for another sip of wine.

12. Working with one of the 5 ¼” x 4” blank colored papers and the sentiment stamp, repeat steps #9 and #10. 

13. If the stamped image is blurry or uneven, go back to step #1.b, cut additional colored paper and repeat steps #9 and #10 until you get a perfect stamp.**

14. Congratulations! It’s time for more wine.

15. Glue everything down. Admire your card. Oops – forgot to tell you to wash your hands. If you got ink on your perfectly finished card you have several options. After pouring yourself another glass of wine, you can either start over or go to Hallmark and buy a card!***

* This should not be confused with a leftover turkey bone. 
** Do not get frustrated. Stamping looks easy but what no one will tell you is that it isn’t for sissies! If however you begin to curse and there are young children around, take a breather. Perhaps a few more sips of wine is/are in order. 
*** Make sure you have a designated driver take you. You've had a bit too much wine!