Deadbeat Designs

Busy, Busy, Busy

Hope everyone has survived the holidays, although I guess they are technically not over until after New Year's. While most of you have been having your big fat holiday celebrations, I've been busy making sure that I'll have some stamp-related news to blog about in 2012 (not that I can't and won't go on and on about a multitude of NON Stamp-related pearls of wisdom for your entertainment or disdain). Although I haven't been blogging, I haven't exactly been hibernating. After the first, I'll be sending out some catalogs and hand-stamped samples to a few lucky stores, hoping to entice them into carrying Deadbeat Designs. I know it's hard to believe but there are rubber stamp stores out there who have probably never heard of me! I know! Crazy! But I haven't bothered pursuing too many new stores since, you know, I don't want to be TOO busy! Keeping my business small also lets me give stores more attention, more samples, etc. But, it's 2012 and daddy needs a new pair of shoes! Not literally, but I do have a list.

So here's one of the sample cards I'll be sending. I think I'll make more tall cards this year.

And the inside...

... and the back. I figure it's best to let these stores know that I'm a little goofy.

So what's on my list that I need so badly? Well, I'm so glad you asked.

1. A heated toilet seat. I hate winter!

2. A heater for my closet - on a timer so I don't have to put on cold clothes in the morning.

3. Heated socks so I don't lose feeling in my toes on the tennis court.

These are just the things I'm thinking of at the moment and actually, I can probably afford all three. But then I couldn't complain about being cold. And as they say, comfort is the enemy of achievement so maybe it's better that I'm not too comfortable.....

Societal Obligations

Well, I guess you all know by now that I wasn't one of Barbara Walters' most fascinating people of 2011. Time Magazine also ignored me. However, I am happy to announce that I have been awarded Person of the Year by Waste of Time Magazine. I couldn't be more pleased.

Totally ripped that off from Letterman.

There's really no point in posting anything until after New Years since it's unlikely that anyone is going to tackle any new holiday projects. Apparently you people have family and/or societal obligations this time of year.

        so-ci-e-tal - adj.

        noting or pertaining to large social groups,

        or to their activities,customs, etc.

In other words, you're probably wasting your time with things you think you're supposed to do.

Nevertheless, here's a post - feel free to ignore it because you're probably not going to make these.

I don't have a tree or wrapped packages or other societal expectations of the season so I'm using one of my skeletons to display them.

I love the Ornate Corner especially when it's not used in the corner.

Nobody puts Baby in the corner.

That really has nothing to do with anything, does it?

Finally, here's a card I made for my friend, Dee. Dee is quite a pistol. She and I had a conversation about how we prefer Halloween over Christmas so this is the card I'm sending her. I was going to replace 'DAY' with 'DEE' but that would have read 'DEE OF THE DEAD' and Dee is anything but dead - although she IS like 90 or something.

Just kidding, Dee.

Anyway, I cut out the 'DAY' line and replaced it with a computer-generated 'CHRISTMAS'. Stipple brushes, colored pencils and Stickles... you know the drill... and I cut out a Santa hat and stuck it on the skull. Inside I used the Happy Whatever stamp. I'm pretty sure she won't get another card like this one! 

Today I'm off to my own societal obligation: my brother's wedding. Good grief! Yeah, yeah - I know most of you probably just loooooove weddings but for me, they're pretty much my idea of hell. All those people, shaking hands and smiling and talking - but not about anything interesting. Ugh. Plus, it's almost 2012 - haven't we evolved beyond marriage yet? I mean, what's the point? Scratch the whole thing and spend the money on a house! 

Anyway, the good news is I'll never have to go to another one!

And I've sworn off funerals as well.

Santa's Breakfast

Here are some more cards using the extra scraps of the computer-generated 2012's I used last time. I had a hard time throwing the remnants away... Honestly, these cards aren't all that compelling but, you know... they can't all be winners. If we've learned anything from this year's 12 Tags of Christmas, that's it, right? I mean come on Tim - just because you have all that stuff at your disposal doesn't mean you have to use it all at the same time! Good grief!

Tangent - sorry...

I know, I'm supposed to be nice and friendly like every other happy blog out there. Can't seem to keep my damn mouth shut... or control my fingers.

OK, I can control my fingers. And my mouth. But where's the fun in that?

But seriously, looked like Santa barfed up his breakfast. I mean if Santa ate Ranger Industries for breakfast.

Anyway...

Naturally, I had to use the pick up truck. Since the Happy New Year stamp won't fit into the tailgate space, you'll have to use it on the inside of the card. But that's ok - you probably don't have anything to write inside anyway.

I love this background. The Leafy Stem was stamped over and over in various colors of Memento inks - just darker around the edges. It makes such a cool effect! 

This one isn't computer generated - I drew the 2012 with a Sharpie. Then came the cool Deadbeat Designs background images, again in various Memento colors. Black Stickles over the 2012 and purple Stickles around the edges. Now I wish I had done this "2012" in rubber.

And don't worry too much about the mayor of Tag Town. He's laughing all the way to the bank!

Looking Askance

The other day I was reading an article dramatically titled The War On Christmas.

What?

Seriously?

Where do these fools live? I can't even look out my window without being visually assaulted by my neighbors' tacky Christmas decorations much less drive down any street or go to any store or public place! Christmas music, Christmas decorations, Christmas sweaters... Christmas Christmas Christmas! But then I took another sip of tequila and realized that the article was just another piece of propaganda meant to stir up the stupid people. So if you want to have a Christmas tree, good for you. If you'd rather have a holiday tree, fine. If you want to have a cocktail and think about something else, even better!

So today I'm focusing on New Year's cards. Since there's no money in making a specific year stamp, I printed "twenty-twelve' and "2012" on my computer and stamped the balloon on both. I cut out the sections I wanted and colored with Copic Markers. Copics don't make the ink jet ink run. At least not the ink from my cheap-o ink jet printer. The Happy New Year stamp is one of the new ones for this year.

Youc could also use this idea to personalzie the balloon with someone's name. Of course, you'll have to learn to use your computer!

I printed another "Twenty-Twelve" in a larger font for this one. The Solid Peace is stamped in Bahama Blue on Memory Box paper. The outline version of this stamp is more popular but this solid one has it's place. I like how you can see the dots through the ink. Simple and clean. The "Happy New Year" stamp would be great on the inside.

Even better would be

Have a peaceful 2012

free of Kardashians, Trumps

and "real" Housewives of anywhere!

Unfortunately, it's an election year so I doubt that anyone will find much peace in 2012!

And if anyone wants to start a real war on Christmas, let me know. But if basic training involves any sort of exercise or cutting my hair or wearing a uniform, forget it. My attack will have to be in the form of looking askance at your hideous Christmas sweaters and complaining about your inflatable front yard Santas.

What To Do?

I know.

Long time no post.

Well, what can I say. I've been busy. Not with any rubber stamp-related busy-ness thanks to a screwed up wood order and a broken down vulcanizer which have delayed production and shipments. So I have no rubber to make.... hmmmm. What to do? What to do?

Sleep late - Check!

Take care of a few (non post-worthy) projects around the house - Check!

Shop for Christmas gifts - Bwaaaa ha ha ha! Not a chance!

However, I have received the first gift of the season. My friend, Candy has a knack for the absurdly appropriate. See if you can s-pot it.

I know you're jealous. But not everyone can pull off a "pot" holder as cool as this one.
   

Not that I partake any more - one usually has to deal with degenerates to find the good stuff - but I do think it should be as legal and as available as alcohol. But that's a topic I don't have the time or energy to get into right now.

Right now I have to zip on over to the mayor of Tag Town's blog to read a few blogasms (aka comments) on his 12 Tags of Christmas. I need a good laugh to start my day!