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Viva Les Fleurs

Happy Today! It's Friday, and that means it's time for another Viva la Verve! twisted sketch courtesy of Amber. Be sure to check out the sketch and the challenge details for your chance to win some Verve goodies.

The other day I was bopping around the Internet on a break from hours and hours of mind-numbing QuickBooks data entry and I decided to treat myself to a few little things. Now, around the beginning of January I made this solemn vow with myself not to buy any more designer paper for a while. I have enough to last a lifetime. SERIOUSLY! It's an addiction. Some days I think I might be a stamper just so I have a reason to collect things! There's nothing as satisfying to me as looking at rows and rows of my Copic markers and determining which colors I get to buy next. I don't know what I'll do when I finally complete the collection. Will I ever use all 322 markers? Probably not, but the point is not in the practicality, it's in the fact that it makes me happy.

The problem comes when the collecting no longer makes me happy. As in... my designer paper stash. Having a few options is stimulating - having 50,000 options is overwhelming! That's exactly how I feel about my stash. I actually end up avoiding it more often than not because I can't make a decision which pattern to use. And then there's the guilt I feel for having all this paper stashed away when there are so many crafters out there who would LOVE to have even a tenth of it at their disposal. Isn't that silly? Thousands of little pieces of paper sitting in my studio making me feel GUILTY every time I enter the room. That's nuts! LOL So, I made this pact with myself... no more designer paper unless the design REALLY inspires me and I know I'll use it right away. And then I saw it... seducing me from across the computer screen, just glowing in ethereal beauty, calling my name...

The Prudence Collection by Crate Paper

Aquas and browns and linens, oh my! I was hooked, and even though I did NOT need another pack of papers, I CRAVED this one! So, to justify my purchase and quiet those 50,000 screaming guilt monsters, I opened the package, cut up this beautiful paper and used it on today's card. See, if you hang in there long enough, I'll eventually segue us back to today's card!

So here's what's in it...
Stamps:
Beautiful You (flower), Fluttering By (sentiment) - Verve Stamps
Paper: Baja Breeze (SU!), Prudence Collection (Crate Paper)
Ink: Chocolate Chip Craft, Close to Cocoa Reinker (SU!), Walnut Stain and Antique Linen (Ranger Distress)
Cutting Tools: Classic & Scallop Rectangles (Nestabilities), Oval punches (SU!), Round-it-all
Accessories: Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Primas, Pixie Dust Shimmerz, D'Vine Swirls Cuttlebug folder, Clear Embossing Powder


Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!

18 comments

Anonymous said...

You make some of the pretty's cards I've ever seen!

~ZETA~

Michelle said...

>gasp< LOVE what you did with the flower stamps! I've been cutting them out and using them a lot lately - but this is a new idea - love it; that's my favorite part of this card is the flowers in the center.
Must be a new year's thing - lots of people saying they are not buying any more DP - and then they do - heh.
Great card, Julee - and great read!

Stef H said...

EVERYTHING you make is gorgeous. You have the Midas touch for this and it thrills us to visit to see your creations!

As for the Copics...... honey, I hear ya! I just recently discovered Copics and now own about 48 of them. My goal IS to own ALL - well MOST - of them someday (soon???). Am I nuts??????

This card is beautiful. I LOVE those colors!

Melissa Sauls said...

Beautiful card Julee (as usual!) And I really enjoyed reading your free-flowing justification thought process...I swear, some things just scream "buy me!" and it's just too hard not to succumb. :)

Megan said...

Who can blame you for NEEDING this paper!! It's fantastic :)

Jennifer Meyer said...

OMG Julee you took the words right out of my mouth. I have so much paper too!! I never really know what paper to use either. It seems as thought I have scraps all over and I feel VERY guilty everytime I stamp and never reach for those scraps. But you know that is not even the worse part... it's the fact that I still want more and more and more! LOL:)

Believe me, it does not stop. The best medicine is just fill the additction, really!!

Your card is so pretty, I LOVE the gorgeous dp and layout.

Have a fun weekend! Jennifer :)

Karrie Baker said...

Very pretty!

Stephanie Hargis said...

Haha! I love your paper saga! That paper is definitely gorgeous though so I can understand why you would want it. I actually have the same struggle as you. I was at Hobby Lobby today with my 40% off coupon in one hand and a pack of BasicGrey paper in the other. The truth is...I just bought TWO new packs of BasicGrey this past weekend so I knew it was a little ridiculous to buy more when I had hardly used the other! Oh my...the delima! Well, I didn't end up getting it. I used the coupon for something more practical...jars to organize with! Now I haven't bought even one Copic yet and that is because my hubby is currently stressing "No Copics!". I will break him soon enough! Hehe! Alright...that was like a blog post in itself! I'm done now! Have a fantastic day girl!

((hugs))

Lisa Hjulberg said...

Julee, you are not alone. I don't know which I like more, using my stash of goodies, or buying it. "Collecting" is a good word for it. I liked what you said about how it just makes you happy to have all the markers, etc. That's exactly it! Sometimes all I want to do is sit in my craft room and look at all my stuff, wallow in it. Crazy, I know, but thank goodness there are lots of us out there who feel the same way, which is what makes the blogging community so much fun!

Kerri said...

LOL! I love your choice of words "seducing me across the computer screen" HA! I hear ya sistah! I'm definitely a collector. You sure do make some gorgeous cards with your stash so it's well worth it, right?

Julie.G said...

I know what you mean but boy this is sure great paper and a beautiful card....

Betty J Schaub said...

Julee, I love it too! I've used this pp a couple of times and it's just so pretty. Your card is gorgoues too! Sometimes we just have to feed the addiction! LOL

K said...

50,000 sorts of designer paper?
Oh
my
gosh!
Send some to me, I maybe have 10. Maybe.
:) :)
You just keep making those beautiful cards, never mind the stock ...
Bye, Kitty

Smita said...

Love the colors on your card!!
And did I read it right? Thousands of Designer Papers?!!? Wow! :-)))


Love,
Smita

Teresa Kline said...

Julee, boy do you sound like me....I hate to admit it, but I think us stampers may have a form of...sshhhh..Obession..lol....just a little...I luv your card fabulous use of the new dp! *~*

Basement Stamper said...

Very pretty card, I love those colors as well. I know what you mean about the patterned papers. I don't have quite as much as you, but I do feel overwhelmed when trying to pick some times.

Myrt said...

....an absolutely stunning card, Julee - I agree with Zeta, you make some of the prettiest cards I have ever seen.

Kelly Schelske said...

Gorgeous Julee!!