Biking on a Beautiful Day

Kelly, Barb, and I have been embracing the Three Musketeers challenges since November 2014 and don't anticipate stopping any time soon. As Three Musketeers we create and share one card each month - on the 9th of the month - using the same image. It's fun. It's creative. It's an adventure. I am always in awe of my two comrades - Kelly and Barb. They inspire me with their talent and I treasure their friendship.

The three of us take turns choosing the image we'll use. This month it was Kelly's turn. She chose a darling image and coordinating sentiment from the Newton's Nook Loads of Blooms stamp set.

I attempted to create a cloudy sky, using the MFT Clouds stencil... total fail. UGH! Someday I am going to figure out how to use that thing. Today is obviously not the day though.

Be sure to head over to Kelly's blog and Barb's blog to see their cards, too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Sentiment (provided by Kelly): Newton's Nook Loads of Blooms which I colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White, Recollections Black, and SU Old Olive CS

Inks: Ranger Distress (Broken China and Peeled Paint)

Dies/Punch: MFT Open Road Die, MFT Stitched Mod Rectangle Die, and SU Wide Oval Punch

Embellishments: Enamel Dots from an unknown vendor

2020 Travel the World - Week 27

I started a Travel the World Series last year. (It should be noted that I did a similar thing in 2018, only it was the 50 states.) For 50 weeks in 2019, I visited a different country (virtually) and shared facts about that country. I then selected one tidbit of information about that week's country as inspiration for a card. Fifty weeks; fifty countries... BUT there are 195 countries in the world so that was just a little over 25% of them. Of course I couldn't stop, so this year I'm continuing with fifty more countries, one per week.

This week's country is...

Philippines

The entire landmass of the Philippines is made up islands, making it the second-largest archipelago in the world. In fact, the Philippines has approximately 7,500 islands with only 2,000 of them inhabited and nearly 5,000 still unnamed on global maps.

The Philippines is the second largest archipelago in the world and is made up of 7,107 islands located in the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and the Luzon Strait.

Typhoons wreak havoc in the Philippines nearly every year.

There are about 175 languages in the Philippines.

The Philippines is the only country in the world whose flag is hoisted upside down when the country is at war.

The Conus Gloriamus, the rarest and most expensive seashell in the world, is one of the 12,000 species of seashells found in the Philippines. Some of these shells sold at auction for about US $5,000.

Of the eight known species of giant clams in the world, seven are found in the Philippines.

Jellyfish Lake in the Philippines contains more than 13 million jellyfish.

Filipinos are very social, spending as much time as possible with family and friends. But they also stay in touch these days by exchanging a whole lot of text messages. In fact, it’s estimated that Filipinos send about 400 million text messages every day, adding up to about 142 billion texts per year, earning them the designation “the texting capital of the world.” That’s more than the total number of daily text messages sent in the U.S. and Europe combined.

Some Filipinos are wary of the number 13 and will avoid having 13 people at a table. Also, steps to the main entrance of a house should not fall on a number divisible by three.

The Philippines produces and exports more coconuts than any country in the world, shipping off about 19.5 million tons of the fruit (called buko) every year.

They are also the world’s largest exporter of other tropical fruits, such as papaya and mangosteen.

Filipinos are crazy about basketball! You’ll see makeshift hoops erected on every street corner, young men commonly wearing NBA jerseys, and local teams playing in every community hall. Their professional league, The Philippines Basketball Association (PBS) is the second oldest in the world after only the NBA.

They also love boxing with a passion.

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, ranks as the city with the highest population density in the world (and some of the worst traffic congestion!). 

Jeepneys are a unique form of transportation that many people in Manila and other places in the Philippines use every day. In fact, Jeepneys were born from the thousands of army jeeps that the U.S. military left after World War II. Resourceful Filipinos extended the cabs to accommodate about 18 passengers for hot, bumpy and dusty rides through the streets. As time went on, drivers adorned the Jeepneys in colorful and creative designs to help them stand out, with flashing neon lights, paintings of favorite superheroes, basketball stars, cartoon characters, religious sayings, and just about every other gaudy decoration you can imagine. They don't have set routes, so passengers just jump on a Jeepney going in their direction, pass a coin forward to the driver, and ring a bell when they want to get off.

The Philippines is home to three of the ten largest shopping malls in the world. Filipinos LOVE their shopping malls! In fact, they serve as community hubs since they’re clean, safe, and, most importantly, air-conditioned. Aside from the usual stores they also have countless food venues, gyms, grocery stores, banks, health clinics, nightclubs, parks, concert amphitheaters, and even churches inside their malls.

The national symbol of the Philippines is the Philippine, or monkey-eating, eagle. It is the largest of all eagles and was declared the national bird of the Philippines in 1995. It stands up to 3.3 feet in height and has a wingspan of almost 7 feet. It is critically endangered; there may only be around 180–500 eagles remaining. Killing one is punishable by Philippine law by 12 years in jail and a heavy fine.

The Philippines is home to the world’s smallest hoofed animal, the Philippine mouse-deer. Locally known as the Pilandok, this creature stands about 15.8 inches tall at the shoulder level.

Filipinos are warm, happy, and have a great sense of humor! In fact, the Philippines is one of the happiest countries in the world.

Filipinos observe the world's longest Christmas season with begins with the playing of carols in September and officially ends in January with the Feast of the Three Kings. As part of the festivities, they celebrate Simbang Gabi, or Night Mass, where Catholics attend nine services in a row leading up to Christmas Eve. If a person attends all nine masses, it is said their wish will be granted. Filipinos’ Christmas feasts are called Noche Buena and compare to America’s Thanksgiving.

The yo-yo had its beginnings as an ancient Filipino studded hunting weapon attached to a 20-foot rope. The modern yo-yo was invented by a Filipino American, and its name yóyo comes from the Filipino language Ilocano and means “come back".

A Filipino named Roberto del Rosario patented the first working karaoke machine in 1975, calling it the “Sing Along System.” The Japanese later translated its name to “karaoke,” which means “singing without accompaniment.”

The world’s biggest pair of shoes was made in Marikina City, Philippines, in 2002. The wingtips measured about 17.4 feet in length, 7.9 feet in width, and almost 6.6 feet in height. Their cost was 2 million Philippine pesos.

The Philippines is the only majority Christian nation in Asia. Eighty percent of its population identifies as Roman Catholic.

Politeness is an art form in the Philippines. Most foreigners will be referred to as “sir” and “mam” no matter their age.

Filipinos respect and cherish their elders, and that shows in many ways in everyday life. For instance, the younger person often takes the elder person's hand and touches it to their own forehead in a charming display of reverence.

Elderly, disabled, and pregnant women even have their own line at banks, restaurants and taxi queues, allowing them to bypass the crowd.

You’ll rarely hear a Filipino come out with a direct “no” answer when you ask them a question, a trait that can create many challenging and hilarious situations for the foreigner.

According to Filipino custom, it is considered rude to open gifts immediately after they are given.

The only place in the world where skunks are found other than America is Indonesia and the Philippines, where they are called stink badgers.

I decided to let this Philippines fact be the inspiration for this week's card... About 11% of the population of the Philippines – more than 11 million people – work overseas. In fact, the Philippines is the top supplier of nurses in the world, with about 25% of all overseas nurses coming from the country. 

Here's the inside:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Penny Black Wishing You Well and Technique Tuesday Lots of Sentiments stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Just Jade CS

Die: MFT Wonky Stitch Rectangle

Embellishment: Enamel Dot from an unknown vendor

Waving the Flag for Freedom

Tuesdays are usually Travel the World posts here on my blog but today is the 7th so it's time for this month's Crafters of Faith reveal. If you want to see this week's Travel the World card, please check back tomorrow as that is when it will be posted. 

The Crafters of Faith have a monthly challenge (we take turns choosing the Scripture/Theme) and we share our creations on the 7th of each month. Today is the 7th so it's time to share this month's card.

This month it was Kelly's turn to choose the theme. Here are her instructions...

Scripture: Psalm 33:12 (KJV) Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Challenge: July is often remembered for the 4th of July, backyard BBQ's, picnics and school being out for the summer! Let's take a moment to reflect that it also means a great freedom for all of us and celebrate spiritually as well. Create a card/project with a flag somewhere on it - either a stamp, die cuts, the colors red/white/and blue!

I was actually surprised to see how few "flags" I had in my vast collection of stamps, but not to worry. I love this little Whipper Snapper Patriotic Bear - I've owned him for many years and it had been a while since he'd been inked up so this was the perfect stamp to use this month.

I hope Kelly and the other ladies like my card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp: Whipper Snapper Patriotic Bear stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White, Recollections Navy, and SU Real Red CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Recollections Star-Shaped Rhinestones

Pile It On with Cuteness

Sometime it's fun to try to pile on scraps and more scraps of designer papers. That's what I did with this card - and somehow it seems to work okay. Of course, the fact that it has that cute little dog on it helps a lot. 

Surely this card will bring joy to the recipient.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Sizzix Dog Talk ad Dare 2B Artzy Puppy Talk stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White, Recollections Black and SU Island Indigo CS and DP from my scrap file

Punch: SU Oval

Embellishments: Eyelet Outlet Enamel Dots

Stay @ Home Update #13

Each Sunday (at 5:00 AM) I'm sharing how the week's 10-minute stay@home organizational challenge went. If you don't have an idea what that means and you're curious, you can learn more in my original Stay @ Home Update blog post - found HERE.

Now here's the disclaimer: Some of these daily stay@home challenges are taking more than 10 minutes, but who's counting, right? 

Here's what I've accomplished this week...

Day 1 - SUN, June 28
I still had a bin of smaller buttons that I needed to sort through. I will admit I got a bit ruthless in this - because it was taking entirely too much time. I probably got rid of some buttons that I would have kept if I'd been more patient, but sorting through these tiny buttons and sorting out the ones that were too thick/bulky was just too tedious. I am not finished... and it is a good feeling.

Day 2 - MON, June 29
I organized this pile of random embellishments and stored them according to theme in my containers with dividers in them.

Day 3 - TUES, June 30
I have a lot of Eyelet Outlet brads - from my term as a design team member. I store them separately from my other brads, since I want to keep track of them and give credit to Eyelet Outlet when I use them. I've always struggled with how to store them. Then ---- oh my goodness! I was so excited when I found this piece on our local FB Marketplace. 

After purchasing it I had to wait a while to set it up, since I needed to move some furniture around in my Play Room to have a place for it. 

Today I finally got the brads organized in it. They fit perfectly! I created labels (on my computer) so I can quickly/easily find the brads I am looking for.

Day 4 - WED, July 1
I rarely practically never stamp/create away from home anymore; I haven't for a very long time, in fact. I used to do that some and kept this nice little bag full of essential supplies ready to pick up and go. That bag hasn't been anywhere other than on the shelf taking up space for well over a year. I decided it's time to unpack and put those items away so that's what I did today.

Day 5 - THUR, July 2
I  have a Library Cart in my Play Room. I have these little magnetic containers (purchased at Michael's) on the end. They've basically become a catch-all for all sorts of odds and ends. Today I sorted through them and put them away in the appropriate containers.

Day 6 - FRI, July 3
Today I sorted through the items in these four little containers (they are also magnetic and hang on the end of my Library Cart). The items have now been organized for easier availability.

FYI - I have been doing these organization challenges daily for thirteen weeks now. I had no idea when I started that we'd still be staying at home, but we are. In fact, I'll likely being home until at least the end of August, as our son's workplace will not reopen until September 1st at the earliest.

That being said, I'm taking a 3-day weekend off from my organizing. I'll be back at it again on Tuesday. There's still much to do. 

Have a great 4th of July! Stay safe... and healthy!

Okay, that's it for this week. Stay tuned to see what I accomplish in the coming week.

Happy 4th of July

I have a quick easy card to share today - sometimes that's just the kind we need, right? This one features a great stamp from the Raisin Boat Red White & Blue stamp set. It is a great patriotic stamp set.

As we celebrate Independence Day, enjoy your activities... and stay safe and healthy.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: Raisin Boat Red White & Blue stamped with Memento Lady Bug Ink

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Night of Navy CS and DP from my scrap file

Die: Our Daily Bread Quilted Background

Embellishments: Star Brads from an unknown vendor

One Plus Twelve 2020 - Miss July

It's the 3rd.... the day that Kelly, Barb, and I share our One Plus Twelve cards. One Plus Twelve is an idea that Kelly came up with last year - use one stamp (only one!) to make a card every month. Sentiments are optional. We had so much fun doing this last year that we decided to do it again this year. This year I chose Aleah Girl from Unity for my one stamp. 

This month I went with the uncolored look. I masked the image and then blended ink around it.

I paper-pieced the boots to draw attention to them. I wanted them to be a focal element because of the sentiment I chose to use.

Some days 

ya gotta 

put on your 

BOOTS 

and just DANCE

Now let's head over to Kelly's blog and Barb's blog to see their March One Plus Twelve cards.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamps: Unity Aleah Girl plus the sentiment from a Unity Grab Bag stamped with Lawn Fawn Jet Black Ink

Ink (for blending): Ranger Antique Linen and Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink

Papers: Recollections Tan and SU Bumble Bee CS and DP from my scrap file

Die: MFT Wonky Stitch Rectangle

Embellishments: Eyelet Outlet Matte Finished Enamel Dots