I’m Otherwise Occupied

Thanks for your extreme patience during my recent busy spell.  I was "occupied" with some deadlines I was trying to meet and the functional word here is "trying".  At any rate I wanted to share a card that I created earlier this year and actually the stamping and coloring of this card took place about 8 years ago.  I found this image in a stack of many that I colored and I wanted to bring it to life.  I have to tell you that I cracked up the whole time I was working on this card.  I thought my hubby was going to take me to the funny farm, I kept laughing and the private little joke I had going on in my mind about this card was worrying him.  It just goes to show you that you can make your cards as fun as you want them to be. 

I orginally colored the card with Prismacolors and Gamsol and when I pulled it out this year, I created a mask and airbrushed in the blue sky background with my Copic Airbrush System.  The flowers are made from real toilet paper and for the centers of the flowers, I simply touched my Copic Marker to the toilet paper and the color spread.   The cardboard with the numbers on it the cardboard from a roll of toilet paper that I flattened out and cut for a background element.   For the words, I simply stamped individual letters on my brown twill with black brilliance ink.  Everything is smudged with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

Not far away from any of the bathrooms in my house, I found a crossword puzzle that I used for the inside of the card.  Don’t tell my hubby, I think he’s still looking for it . . .
 

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Impression-Obsession, Stamperdous
Paper:  Prima Design Paper, Bazzill, Toilet Paper Roll Cardboard, Toilet Paper, Newspaper Crossword Puzzle, 140lb Strathmore Watercolor paper.
Ink:  Ranger Distress Ink – Vintage Photo, Black Brilliance
Accessories:  Sizzix 38-0208 Daisies, Sizzix 38-0989 Flower Power, Copic Marker B21, R29, Copic Airbrush System, Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol, Martha Stewart Leaf Punch, EK Success Circle Punch, Martha Stewart Tan Twill

Now, on to some Blog Candy business . . . 48 hours is up and I didn’t hear from the first person I picked, so I’m here to pick another person.  I went back to random.org and here’s the new number!

The number belongs to . . .

Lisa, drop me a note in email to claim your prize and I’ll get them out in the mail to you right away!!  I’m sure the second time will be the charm!!

 

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  • Robin KirkpatrickMay 16, 2009 - 5:10 am

    What a hoot. LOVE it! So many clever details and if I were that clever, I’d be laughing to myself the whole time, too!ReplyCancel

  • AnnMarie PszybylskiMay 16, 2009 - 5:28 am

    this is super! I’ve always been a camper and this certainly brings back memories of latrine duty as a Girl Scout. Love your colors and layers.
    Stay well,
    AnnMarieReplyCancel

  • Diane LPMMay 16, 2009 - 6:07 am

    This was so different for you theme wise but as always, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Very tongue in check, CHEEKY I guess if I can make a play on words. Very fun and funny. I am actually glad you were busy and chose to share the ideas in this particular card. You are my favorite artist and inspiration. DianeReplyCancel

  • Melissa BMay 16, 2009 - 6:17 am

    I love it! Hope I wasn’t the first person called. – computer troubles – Ick. Gotta love technology! Stamping is so much more relaxing! and dependable.ReplyCancel

  • Peggy MaierMay 16, 2009 - 6:40 am

    How cute! I can see that you’d be laughing as you made this card!!!ReplyCancel

  • Ree DonnellyMay 16, 2009 - 6:48 am

    Oh my gosh, Becca! I just love this card! All the details are wonderfully funny! Even the TP as a prop in the photo!! Love it!ReplyCancel

  • Amy JohnsonMay 16, 2009 - 6:49 am

    This is so cute! The newspaper background and the cross word puzzle inside are the perfect added touch!ReplyCancel

  • SharonMay 16, 2009 - 6:51 am

    This card is so clever and soooo cute! Perfect!ReplyCancel

  • TishMay 16, 2009 - 6:55 am

    Too funny! Yet so clever and creative! It doesn’t matter what the subject matter is, your creative talents shine and amaze!ReplyCancel

  • KarenMay 16, 2009 - 7:01 am

    This card is so imaginative, I laughed as I read how appropriate the materials were you used for the various elements. This is one of those cards that I am going to smile about when it flashes thought my mind as I go about my day.

    KarenReplyCancel

  • Sylvia HarveyMay 16, 2009 - 7:13 am

    You never fail to AMAZE me!ReplyCancel

  • Jenny S. (UK)May 16, 2009 - 7:24 am

    How brilliantly witty and clever is that. You certainly made me smile today.
    Bless you.ReplyCancel

  • Sheila DMay 16, 2009 - 7:37 am

    Too funny! I love it! And it’s so artistically creative. Colors, composition and embellishments are perfect. Boy, do I know a lot of men I can send this to.ReplyCancel

  • Penny WessenauerMay 16, 2009 - 7:38 am

    What a hoot this card is!!! I actually HAVE that stamp but have never used it.. thanks for sharing such a fantastic, funny card!!
    xxooxx PennyReplyCancel

  • MélyaneMay 16, 2009 - 7:56 am

    This card is absolutely beautiful!!ReplyCancel

  • KathyMay 16, 2009 - 8:11 am

    OMG! That is SO CUTE!ReplyCancel

  • Bridgett OwensMay 16, 2009 - 8:29 am

    I love it! Hilarious! The toilet paper, the newspaper…the outhouses! I love it all! Great card!ReplyCancel

  • cheryl yelvertonMay 16, 2009 - 9:23 am

    This is such a cute card and the little touches you added are so whimsicle. Thanks, ms.cherylReplyCancel

  • lacyquilterMay 16, 2009 - 9:23 am

    Haha! Love the toilet paper flowers and the ‘reading’ material!ReplyCancel

  • DianeMay 16, 2009 - 9:27 am

    Becca,
    How unbelievably clever/funny you are. Soooo creative.
    I just love how you used all the “elements”. LOL

    Hope your weekend isn’t to “Occupied” (busy).

    ~~Diane~~ReplyCancel

  • Chris R. from IowaMay 16, 2009 - 10:09 am

    Boy, you were on a “roll” with all the creating! I love it! My father-in-law would love this card! He has a calendar of outhouses each year and all kinds of weird stuff like that. My mom had a set of outhouses for ear rings – I have no earthly idea why. Anyway, when she died I was going through her jewelry box and saw them. I made one into a tie tack for him and he laughed so hard and was so touched to have it and actually wears it! My question, what are you going to do with it now – do you have a special someone who would laugh as much as we are? How fun!!!! Thanks so much for sharing!ReplyCancel

  • ChrisMay 16, 2009 - 10:16 am

    This is absolutely hilarious! I just love the sentiment you chose! Your work with the Prismacolors is fantastic. It’s another card to drool over! TFS!ReplyCancel

  • NaomiMay 16, 2009 - 10:27 am

    This card is hysterical- especially the cardboard inside the roll being used. I LOL reading about it. Wonderful card!ReplyCancel

  • lisa808May 16, 2009 - 10:42 am

    Your story is so funny. What a great card.

    How could someone not claim that awesome prize?!?!?ReplyCancel

  • MargMay 16, 2009 - 10:48 am

    I love this card. We had ‘outhouses’ at our cottage when I was small. Thanks for the memories!ReplyCancel

  • DebbyMay 16, 2009 - 10:48 am

    You are too funny! Who would have thought to recycle the tp roll on a card with tp flowers. The card is beautiful but your story behind it just makes it even more creative. You made me smile today!ReplyCancel

  • Sue HaywardMay 16, 2009 - 11:15 am

    Great card and some creative, I have pictures of outhouses, never thought they could be used on a card, love it! Thanks for giving it is so appreciated.ReplyCancel

  • Angella CrockettMay 16, 2009 - 11:32 am

    Tooooo stinkin’ cute! You are an absolute genius for using tp for embellishments…..you are so my hero!!!!ReplyCancel

  • FayeMay 16, 2009 - 11:34 am

    Very Cute
    God Bless You and your talent!!ReplyCancel

  • Jean FitchMay 16, 2009 - 2:02 pm

    Love the card and the topic of the image. So many memories….The summer I house sat in a little cabin on Forestry land with no running water, power or indoor plumbing. Lots of fun! Granted I was 18 at the time so enjoyed learning to live as a pioneer. 30 years later it all came in handy when I was a docent for a pioneer home and was the only one who knew how to use a water pump, a wood stove and a kerosene frig!

    Also used to edit a newsletter for people with colostomy’s, ileostomy’s and other “side exits”. We used an outhouse for our icon and the name of the newsletter was side – exit.

    That and my dad’s collection of books on outhouses (he was born in 1915 so lots of experience that sparked many a side trip on vacation to see old picturesque and mostly abandoned outhouses.

    Notice I’m supressing the whole summer camp experience that used moth balls to combat the stench of the open holes!!

    Thanks for the memories and the inspiration. – JeanReplyCancel

  • MeganMay 16, 2009 - 2:31 pm

    Just love it so cute and how you used products outside the normal. it is just great. I think this will go to the top of my list of cards that you have made.
    meganReplyCancel

  • linda pattiMay 16, 2009 - 2:51 pm

    LOL- I have this image, i have had it for ages…love your take on it, gorgeous! I will have to pull mine out and play with it again!!!ReplyCancel

  • Debbie OlsonMay 16, 2009 - 4:01 pm

    Beautifully colored and great layout, Becca! I love the crossword puzzle inside. ;-DReplyCancel

  • ChristyneMay 16, 2009 - 5:19 pm

    This is an adorable card! Great job on using the crossword – it’s just the perfect touch.ReplyCancel

  • MissGMay 16, 2009 - 6:18 pm

    Hi Becca

    The card reminds me of my great grandmother house in the country

    her outdoor facilities looked alot like the one with the half mood not stairs and not so pretty. Great work and keep the inspiration coming.

    Congrads to you Lisa and I too LOVE the color purple. Royalty!!!

    Miss G
    In TexasReplyCancel

  • Lisa D. Atha (inspired by purple)May 16, 2009 - 8:07 pm

    Becca,

    Oh my gosh, this is too cute! Love it! Thanks so much for the blog candy, I sent you an email. I am so excited, I saw there was some Just Rite stamps in there, and I have been dying to try their stamps, these will be my first! I can’t wait! I feel like a kid in a candy shop!

    Hugs,

    Lisa A.ReplyCancel

  • Beth NormanMay 17, 2009 - 4:04 am

    This card is hillarious!! You were so creative with every aspect. Your story line was so funny too. TFS.ReplyCancel

  • PatMay 17, 2009 - 5:49 am

    I love this card it did give me a laugh or 2 I have a box where I keep special things I’ve played with time to get it out abd play again thanks for the insperationReplyCancel

  • ConniecrafterMay 17, 2009 - 5:55 am

    Neat image and so love the idea of actually using toliet paper and the roll to go with it, never would have thought to do that! Cool inside too :)ReplyCancel

  • Cindy H.May 17, 2009 - 8:53 am

    Wonderfully fun card!!! Your coloring is perfect and your sense of humor is delightful! I know just the person(s) this card would be perfect for :)ReplyCancel

  • ToshMay 17, 2009 - 1:52 pm

    So clever and fantastically rustic Becca! I collect outhouses…even have my guest bath decorated with them and have some IO images to boot. But I never thought of using actual toilet paper and its roll to embellish the card. As well as a crossword page!! You are so creative!! LOVE this!!ReplyCancel

  • CeeCeeMay 17, 2009 - 8:11 pm

    Oh my gosh, this is soooooo funny! I love your sense of humour, but I also love all the “authentic” supplies you’ve used here. Yet, you’ve managed to make a gorgeous card!
    You’re simply amazing, Grace! (haha)
    CCReplyCancel

  • JanineMay 18, 2009 - 6:41 am

    Hi there girlfriend!! What a great card… Truly creative!!!ReplyCancel

  • Denise (peanutbee)May 18, 2009 - 7:03 am

    Oh my gosh, Becca, this is TOTALLY CUTE!! …..and LOL at not telling your husband where the crossword puzzle went. Heee!ReplyCancel

  • Carole RBMay 18, 2009 - 7:40 am

    Hi Becca

    I love your card. You surely have a lot of great ideas!

    Congrats to Lisa! Lucky you!ReplyCancel

  • Linda EMay 18, 2009 - 9:40 am

    What a fabulous card and talk about recycling!! You are so clever, Becca.ReplyCancel

  • SwedieMay 18, 2009 - 1:05 pm

    Otherwise occupied is too funny! Great idea for a card!ReplyCancel

  • Linda BandowMay 19, 2009 - 12:43 pm

    This is funnier than you know….or maybe you do….we have a combination book and magazine rack in the “library”….think I will not put any crosswords in there……we only have one bathroom. Congratulations to the lucky Lisa!ReplyCancel

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