Under the Sea(scape)

Happy Wednesday, my friends! I have had such a productive week! When Mike & I first moved to this house many, many years ago, we custom made a desk for downstairs. Mike designed a countertop to fit over several file cabinets. It was the length of a whole wall, and it was perfect for the two of us. Each of us had room for our desktop computer (it was a long time ago), and plenty of workspace.

One of the first homeschool projects the boys did with Mike was to build their own computers. Mike purchased all the parts and helped the boys put them together. They did such a wonderful job – and promptly took over the downstairs mega desk. By that time, Mike & I had laptops, so we could work anywhere. Over the years, I ended up on the corner of the dining room table. It worked, but I hated having all my papers and “stuff” on the table all the time. Besides the mess, it was not an ideal angle; the table is taller than a regular computer table so after a few hours, my shoulders were feeling it.

The boys have been gone for quite a few years now, so I decided to move back downstairs this week. It’s a perfect space with lots of room, but I didn’t factor in the dog. He doesn’t like downstairs – even though it’s cozy and carpeted. I even took his little dog bed downstairs. Max, however, has taken over the living room sofa, and there’s no sofa downstairs. It’s basically my work area and a gym. Plus he can’t look out the window and check for dangerous people – like the mailman or any of my stampers who come by. But although he doesn’t want to be downstairs, he wants to be close to me. He’s very opinionated.

We have compromised. Until Max takes his daily naps, I stay upstairs in my craft room or spend time doing other upstairs jobs. Anything that needs to be done downstairs waits till the afternoon when he’s asleep. Honestly, raising children was much easier than adopting an opinionated older dog.

Here’s one of my latest projects from the craft room. I had so much fun creating this. Our team challenge this month is all about the sea. It can be beach, fish, sailing, whatever we want. (Even the river would be ok; our rules are fairly lax.)

To create the water, I used Blending Brushes to add color to Stampin’ Up!® Pearlescent Paper. This paper takes the ink so well, and it is very smooth. I used Bermuda Bay at the bottom, then Coastal Cabana, Pool Party, and Balmy Breeze for the sky. To highlight the horizon, I added a little Pool Party using a Stampin’ Blend. This may have been a mistake, but I’m going with it anyway. We can pretend it’s a big wave coming in.

I stamped the birds from the Sailing Home Stamp Set in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and some seaweed from the Seascape Stamp Set in Just Jade Classic Ink directly onto the Pearlescent Paper. Note: The ink takes a little longer to dry on the Pearlescent Paper, so don’t be in a rush! You can also turn the paper upside down onto a Grid Sheet and rub the back. This transfers any wet ink to the grid sheet so it won’t smear on the paper.

The sailboat is also from the Sailing Home Stamp Set. I stamped it using Early Espresso Ink and Very Vanilla Cardstock, then die-cut with the coordinating Smooth Sailing Dies. I colored it with Stampin’ Blends.

The Calypso Coral coral, Silver Foil bubbles, and Cinnamon Cider fish are die-cuts using the Sea Life Dies. I stamped the larger fish on Bumblebee Cardstock using Bumblebee Classic Ink, then fussy cut it.

After everything was put away, I realized at least one of the baby fish should have some bubbles too. I used a few of the Subtle Shimmer Sequins so I wouldn’t have to pull out the paper and dies again.

When I showed this to Mike, he said, “I can’t wait for vacation!”  We didn’t get to go last year, partly because we were super busy and partly because of COVID. So we’re both looking forward to some sand and sun in a couple of months.

I hope you’re also having a wonderful week! Thanks for stopping by Stamping with Buffy.

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