Double Masked Daisy Lane

I have said many times that crafting is my therapy. Lately, I’ve needed therapy more than ever, and I’ll tell you why. But first – here’s my card for today. (The reason for therapy is at the end. Keep reading to find out about the card. If you care about my mental health, read to the end.)

This card was very fun to create. First, I used a technique from my friend Deborah Smart, a crafter in Canada. Deborah is so creative, and I love seeing what’s she’s created. For this card, I used her “double masking” technique.

I used the new Basic Pattern Decorative Masks from the 2019 Stampin’ Up!® Holiday Catalog. Unless you’re a Stampin’ Up!® Demonstrator, you can’t order the holiday products until September 4, but demonstrators can preorder products now.

The masks are awesome! There are winter trees, polka dots, and two “floral-ish” masks. (Some people also call these masks “stencils.” I am one of those, but for the blog, I’m using Stampin’ Up!® approved terms.) You can do so much with masks/stencils – spritz, sponge, ink, ink and emboss…and the list goes on and on.

For this card, I used the polka dots and one of the “floral-ish” masks/stencils. If you have the 2019 Stampin’ Up!® Holiday Catalog, it’s on page 35 at the bottom left corner. The second mask I used is the one of the lower right. It’s kind of a flourish.

First, I sponged Mint Macaron Ink over the Polka Dot pattern on a Whisper White Cardstock panel. (Disclaimer: I meant to use Coastal Cabana, but I’m still getting used to my new system with the Storage by Stampin’ Up, so I grabbed Mint Macaron by Mistake. But it was a very happy accident, because I love the way it turned out.)

Next, I left the polka dot mask in place and layered the floral-ish flourish over it and sponged Bermuda Bay over that one. This added some depth and extra color to the polka dots. (This was the idea I got from Deborah. Thanks, Deb Smart!!)

I punched a 2″ circle in the center of the card stock, then punched another 2″ circle from Bermuda Bay Cardstock. I used the Layering Circles Dies to cut the center from the Bermuda Bay circle, making a frame, then added it back to the card.

On a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Coastal Cabana Cardstock, I stamped “Smile” in Bermuda Bay ink, then layered it to a Bermuda Bay Cardstock base.

I stamped the smaller daisy from the Daisy Lane Stamp Set three times in Bermuda Bay Classic Ink, then punched with the Medium Daisy Punch. I used a Dark Bermuda Bay Stampin’ Blend to add some color at each petal (close to the center of the flower), then blended it out with a Light Bermuda Bay Stampin’ Blend. After layering the three daisies together, I added the flower to the card with a Mini Stampin’ Dimensional.

The leaves are from the Floral Essence Stamp Set. I stamped them in Mint Macaron Classic Ink, then punched with the Leaf Punch and added them to the card. The final touch was a 2019-2021 In Color Faceted Dot in Terracotta Tile. I love how it adds a pop of color to a basically monochromatic card.

You only have a couple more weeks to enjoy the Extra, Extra Promotion. Join my team of awesome Stampin’ Up!® demonstrators and select $155 in product for your starter kit for only $99 plus tax (shipping is free!). You’ll also receive a coupon in September for $10 off your first order next month. How fun! AND you can preorder from all the new catalogs a month before they “go live,” attend exclusive Stampin’ Up!® events, gain access to lots of Stampin’ Up!® demonstrator only facebook groups and other online forums, and so much more – including a minimum 20% discount on all orders. After 17 years, I can honestly say I have never regretted my decision to become a demonstrator, and I’ve made so many amazing friends!

And here’s why I need therapy. If you’ve been reading my blog for a month or so, you may know that my wonderful mother-in-law passed away last month. Mike & I have been closing accounts and paying off her final bills. I called her health insurance company to cancel her account.

“Welcome to the XXXXXXXX account center. Let’s begin. Please tell me the zip code you’re calling from. Wait for the tone after each question before you answer.” *tone* (I stated the zip code) “I heard XXXXX. Is that correct?” Yes. “Please wait until you hear the tone before responding.” **TONE** Me: Yes. “Ok. Let’s continue. Please tell me your account number, claim number, or (another number I can’t remember).” There was no tone. “Please tell me….” I said, “There was no tone!” But then I stated the second number they asked for, as it was the only number I had. “We cannot confirm that number. Please tell me your account number, claim number, or (the other number I can’t remember).” I said, “claim number XXXXXX”. Before I even got finished, automated operator said, “I cannot confirm that number. Please tell me …..(blah blah blah numbers) or say ‘Repeat’ to start over.” Me: AAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGH. Automated Operator:  “I did not understand. Please tell me the (numbers I already asked for) or say ‘repeat’ to start over.” There was no tone. Then: “I didn’t understand you.” Me: You didn’t give me a tone. You were supposed to give a tone before my answer. I want to talk to an operator. Automated Operator: “Please tell me the (numbers I already asked for) or say ‘repeat’ to start over.” Me: “Oh, for Pete’s sake.” Automated operator: “Welcome to the XXXXXX call center….” SERIOUSLY? I didn’t say, “repeat….” (Apparently, “For Pete’s Sake!” and “repeat” are the same respone.) So I pressed 0000000, because I had been told this would send you to an operator who was actually human. This didn’t happen. The automated operator hung up on me. REALLY? I just got dissed by a robot? So, yeah, I need craft therapy.

A few days later, I tried to cancel her magazine subscriptions. I went through the whole automated operator stuff, then I heard, “I have all the information an operator would have. Do you want to try to fix this with me?” Me: Oh, for the love of God, nooooooooo! “I didn’t understand you. Do you want to continue? Or say, ‘Operator,’ to speak with an operator.” Seriously, it went downhill from there. Her subscription price (for several subscriptions) was almost $200. The operator offered me a $40 refund. I said, “What? You just charged her $175 after I had asked you to cancel her subscriptions a month ago. And you’re giving me $40 back? Did I mention she is dead? She can’t read your magazines, because she’s dead.” Reply: “I have to ask my supervisor about this. Please wait for at least 90 seconds.” Less than two seconds later: “I will send you a total refund….” So, yeah, I need craft therapy. The sad thing about this is I didn’t have to embellish. It happened just like this.

Oh, yes, my friends. I need craft therapy, and I have created so many projects in the past few days! Hope you enjoy them!

Thanks for stopping by Stamping with Buffy! Have a lovely day.

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