Yesterday was a no-craft day. I had to sanction a couple of evictions and a triple murder. It was awful!!!! It's a really long story, but the gist goes like this.... My dear neighbor just to the west of us had a towering maple tree that sat right next to our house. For years it dropped leaves and 'helicopters' into our gutters, which fell to me to clean out several times a year. Then, in a moment of sheer brilliance, we had gutter guards installed! No more cleaning out stinky, mucky gutters!!! One less crappy job to tackle. DH was no help with that either. He's a (now retired) college professor...enough said, right?! Lol! (Stay with me here....) So. About three years ago, we had a freak wind shear swoop through our neighborhood, with gusts over 70 miles per hour. It took out that towering maple like it was a twig. Fortunately, it fell away from both our house and his house. But it's roots pulled up our air conditioning unit, and tore out our gas line. Both got fixed, and all is just fine. Now. Here comes the eviction part... Last summer, a pair of grackles tried to build a nest in our gutter right over my kitchen windows. I just used the hose to discourage them, and that's all it took! No harm no fowl (ohhhhhhh, that was bad, wasn't it?!!!). This spring, however, nothing, and I mean nothing could be done to discourage the pair of sparrows. It would be a manual job, and finding a method of blocking them from returning. I asked my dear neighbor to 'spot' me on the ladder, but he said he'd rather go up and clean them out rather than risk having me fall. Once he got up there, there was a three foot long nest. And man did that stink!!! Muck and yuck!!! Mr. & Mrs. Sparrow perched nearby watching us proceed with their eviction. I felt bad. I felt even worse when three dead babies washed down the downspout...We thought that maybe they'd have eggs, but not chicks. Wanted to cry. Then it was time to move the ladder exactly opposite, and clean the grackle's nest out of the gutter over the dining room windows. No babies there! Thank goodness! And I'd engineered some screening to block re-entry to those spots, so no more nests. Mr. & Mrs. S. have come back to see if they can get back in, but the way is blocked, and I'm sure they'll find new quarters soon. And maybe lay a new clutch of eggs; it's still early enough in the Spring. After cleaning up the rotten, stinky mess in the driveway, I went to put stuff back in the garage. But I couldn't. The floor was covered with road salt that had dripped from my car this past winter, plus a few leaves and some boxes that need to be broken down for recycling. I swear I could hear my mother telling me to do things the right way, so I cleaned out half the garage. Couldn't get to the other half, as there's a boat sitting on that side. Then it was time for a two mile walk with Mary. After dinner, I watched a bit of the Cubs/Yankees game...in between naps...lol! So. No craft time yesterday. Will make up for it today!
If you've made it this far, then I applaud your patience! Now. I have two cards for three challenges. Let's deal with the double-duty card, shall we?! I'm playing over at the
CAS(E) this Sketch, and at the
Card Concept Challenge. Great sketch from CTS, and a coffee theme over at CCC. Mine's pretty much Clean and Layered...I think....
Here's my card:
Started with a Gina K. kraft base, and a Neenah white panel. PS coffee cup, a circle burst & chevron pattern from AE, and an MFT sentiment. Ancient green ink from Marvy Matchables, and a few enamel dots. I cut the burst with my (favorite!) WPlus9 circle dies. EZPZ! The cup is popped up a bit.
Next up I'm playing along with
AAA Cards, a CAS and nearly CAS challenge. Brand newish too. This is their third challenge (how did I miss 1 & 2???) Good friend and fellow blogger
Hannelie was just made part of the DT there too!!! Big congrats to Hannelie, you so rock!!! I know you know her, so head on over and play!!!! Here is their inspiration photo:
This is my nearly CAS take:
Absolutely all the papers are scraps, even the yellow base. LOVE that!!!! Sorry, can't tell you where they're from... Even the bit of ribbon is a scrap. I guess it does pay to save some of this stuff.... I used an ancient heart punch, and my Top Note die from SU. TT sentiment stamps and SU black ink. EZPZ. I'll stop now, I've held you up long enough! Happy dances everyone.
30 comments:
Bev, you described the whole scenario so darn vivid, I can absolutely see the whole episode in my mind's eye!
I really have the BEST blog friends ever, so glad you found time to play with us at AAA cards. Your sentiment says exactly what I want to say... you made my day!
Fabulous card(s)!
Bev, I rarely read long wordy posts but something about yours dragged me in and keep me there till the end. You have a calling and writing is it. Oh yeah, so is card making! I love your beautiful and vibrant scraps and card inspired by Linda's! Thank you so much for joining us at AAA Cards too!
Your title is what they call the hook. We all know that you are a person who does not stand for injustice, so we're all dying to read what happened! Love your cards - they're so different and yet each perfect for their challenge. You're so versatile - gutters one day, gorgeous cards the next! Glad you joined us at The Card Concept!
What a great story! Loved both cards. The CAS on the AAA Card Challenge is great. Using scraps was a great idea - the card is adorable. Thanks so much for joining us at AAA Cards.
What an awful ordeal with the sparrow squatters. I hope you have resolved the problem for all time.
Both your cards are perfection, Bevie! The coffee card is spot on for the sketch and so is your bright and happy thank you card spot on for the inspiration photo. I mean SPOT ON!! These are winners in my eyes!! I just learned about AAA, too, from one of the other DT ladies and it's on my list to play if I have time.
Take it easy today! Hugs, Darnell
I feel bad about the birds but you can't have them building nests just any old where. You overcame the ordeal brilliantly with a couple of wonderful cards.
Oh, I'm so with you on your feathered events, Bev ... yup, been there ... shared the yuk! Chuckled so much at that coffee sentiment I was asked why! Love it, it's so perfect! Your 'scraps' colour blocking is so fabulous ... vibrant and bright and sooooo happy! Wishing you a more chilling sort of day, dear friend! Anita :)
Chuckling at your story as my Dad was a professor and I totally get it. His tool box was empty except some of the ikea wrench dealio ...yes, I take after him.
I love your cards...both are awesome, I especially love the coffee one, that sentiment made me LOL.
Thanks for joining us at the card concept!
Great take on the CASE card, Bev! Love your pink and orange combo and the polka dots. :-D
Sorry some feathers were ruffled Bev, a nice nap sometimes is a cureall, I try to nap alot as I am a late night crafter..LOVE your take on BOTH challenges, I think after seeing this, I need me some cuppa joe too...after my nap. I will nap after my boy get into Karate Class!!!
Bev, I adore you. The visual of the nest, the ladder, eviction has me smiling. We have two birds that peck at our family room window every day. Love your cards as always!
I'm with Ardyth and Angela - your title hooked me and your brilliant writing kept me engrossed in your story! We've been spared from bird evictions because the birds keep evicting each other! Apparently one of our eves is a very coveted spot!
Loving both your cards. The coffee one is fabulous and the bright colours of the second one make me happy! Thanks for playing along with CAS(E) This Sketch this week!
Boy, that was quite a story!
Both of your cards are fabulous! Really love the colors of the second one - they cheered me right up!
Bev...sweet pair of cards! I love your coffee card and that is just the way I feel every morning...gotta have my coffee! And those fabulous colors on your second card is just so fun and such a sweet way to say thank you!
So sorry to hear about your birdie ordeal, no fun. But how nice of your neighbor to help you out, just so kind.
I keep meaning to tell you I love your new photo...just too cute!
I made it all the way through to the end of your story...such a great post and I am glad that this year you will not have such a sad ending! Beautiful cards..., especially that great coffee card with the VERY good sentiment! I absolutely loved that one!
Great story, great cards! So satisfying to put scraps to good use. Thanks for playing at AAA Cards.
Oops!! I can feel the sadness in the eviction and murders, ur description of the scenario is totally brilliant, I could see it all. Love ur cards from subtle to bold quite a variation yet super stunning !
Oh my, Bev, your title had me on the edge of my seat, where I stayed through the duration of your story! So engaging! I felt like I was perched on your shoulder, watching the scenes unfold, although I'd be running like a crazy woman, arms flailing, down your driveway at the sight and smell of the nests. Ewww...and sad...but seriously ewww... Your day was nothing short of adventuresome and exhausting! WOW! Your cards are fabulous! Your coffee card is darling, and how true that sentiment is! The second is a delight of colour and images! The black&white polkadots against the pink and orange...swoon! Quite the post, my friend, quite the post!! Hugs~c
What a story! Thanks for sharing it!
Your cards are great, too! Wonderful take on the CAS(E) THIS SKETCH sketch!
That story made me smile, laugh and cry all at the same time! And you've made a couple of great cards to boot!
Wow! you've got a lot of comments! You really had a trying day, so sorry about the accidental deaths (I have unfortunately done worse), Thank you so much for dropping by AAA Cards CAS Challenge and leaving us such an incredible card! And that you used scraps is so cool. I did my own DT card from scraps as well. Wishing you a great week, Victoria Lavender
Your story is hilarious, we have a similar deal at out house! On you card, Love that black dot piece against the bright colors.
Yes, poor birds but you had no idea there were babies...and you really needed to get the gutters clean. I do feel badly for you though, because it obviously bothered you!
You sure know how to capture the crowd's attention with a post title like that! Then you followed it up with the FABULOUS coffee card crafted in the perfect coffee colors! Sweet sentiment)
Card #2 - Fun, fun, fun...the colors, the layout, the polka dots, the heart AND the funkiest bow ever!
I can only imagine the muck and yuck. I had someone stop by this morning, and was quite embarrassed at the mess left by our feathery friends who are renting out the tiny blue apartment hanging off our porch ceiling.
Wonderful cards showcased despite it all, Bev! The yellow/orange/pink number is such a happiness-inducing greeting for whoever receives it!
Bev I love your card. Beautiful and cheerful.
Smiles Sher
Hi Bev, I'm new to the Card Concept challenge, but one of the things I really am enjoying is that you have to comment on the card before and after your own on the linky widget. What a great idea and way to discover new blogs and meet new people! I like your simple coffe card and that quote is just great! Happy stamping!
Great cards, both of them! I love the sentiment on the coffee card - too funny :) The 2nd card won me over with those bright colors and graphic design! We had gutter guards installed last year too, and now those pesky birds are nesting in all of my shrubs!! There's a thick forest just across the street from our home, but the birds always seem to want to nest close to my house......sigh
Oh my! I'm so glad despite all the drama, you managed to create such fab cards! I love your coffee card and how you managed to use the sketch! I forgot that I came here to comment on that! LOL! Thanks for joining us at CAS(E) this Sketch!
Bev, since you used your FAVORITE Wplus9 dies, you can enter this is Paper Crafting Challenges for a chance to win your choice of a free online class!!!! Hope to see you link up, and girl, I MUST have this sentiment, as it is so TRUE!
Totally fabulous clean and simple card - thanks for joining us at The Card Concept!
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