Inka Dinka Doo....

 Inka Dinka Doo ... whatever that means ... haha ... 

I pictured myself, in a coconut house, hidden in the jungle.  Yep, that would be a mighty fine time...eating bananas and sipping on those fun bevvies that include tropical fruits served in a coconut shell.  I remember a time that my husband and I enjoyed the warm sun bouncing off the ocean in Mazatlan...sitting on a brick fenced ledge that is nestled up against the resort area grass where the sand meets, holding one of those drinks, little umbrella included.  We were all of 30 years old, not sure how our bodies would be on that ledge now!  hahaha  I'm sure the sandy beach is still as beautiful as ever.

Happy times.  I really hope my cards give the feeling of Happy today... we all need a little Happy.

I made my coconut house using a square die.  I cut 2 squares out, cutting one into 3/4" strips.  My coconut fringe was created using a  Multi Blade Herb Scissors on each strip, and then applying to the remaining square die cut, overlapping as shown.  I purchased the scissors 20+ years ago, probably for my home made salsa, but borrowed them from the kitchen for a craft project.  I later bought a second pair for my cilantro needs, and kept my original pair in my craft studio.  Priorities here.  Being totally honest, I haven't used either much, but when I needed fringe, or finely chopped herbs, I was glad I had both close by.  One  worked great for the pinata card I made years ago, and a paper hula skirt too, plus we eat a ton of home made salsa.  (I get impatient and use a sharp knife more often)  
 

Another fun supply, that I have been asked about is my paper crimper.  This is a great little tool, especially on "x amount of folds" Craft Roulette parameter nights.  Using it adds interest to a matte background, and it's fun to run the paper through the little gadget.  It's kind of liberating.  I have to admit, I'm on my second crimper.  I bought my first one, probably yet still in the 90s (Fiskars brand).... It finally had it's last crimp, I may have crimped too fierce using a very thick piece of card stock,...so I immediately bought another.  That tells you something, how much I value my crimping, to purchase a replacement.  I can guarantee, I have a handful of tools, that IF they ever gave out, I'd never replace.  Three words:  Fastenator (&) Sew Easy (the first is the equivalent of an evil stapler and the other...well, it made it's way to the garbage...) 

 

Here's another example of crimping! 

 

My last card is a bit nostalgic and will resonate with video game enthusiasts...  I left it to where you add whatever name you want to on the inside of the card...  It could be after a famous gorilla, or it can be whoever you want!  I let the designer paper do a lot of the work here too.  The 80s vibe and popular video games....I never could master that game to the end, but oh how I tried.

 

 In summary...my take on the new  Barrels of Fun stamp set and the 80s patterned paper.  Both are available tomorrow along with a few other fun finds with the Kindred Stamps April Release.

 

So, I hope this post is a feel happy post, as it's meant to be.  I think anyone who receives a card with any of these characters, even the Cranky one, could find a smile, and hopefully trigger a feel good memory...

 

In the words of  Mayou Angelou:

 

"I've learned that people will forget what you said,

people will forget what you did,

but people will never forget how you made them feel." 

I hope this is a feel good moment!

Bye for now!  :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 INKA DINKA DOO!!!

 

 

 The rest is off topic sort of...if interested...read on...

 

A little added bonus today because it somewhat relates to one of the supplies I used (scissors)(topic)...

 

My specialty food business of 40 years now,  introduced and launched a line of spices to compliment our wine vinegars.  The seasonings were my personal creation, and at 23 years old...I invested in about $3000 worth of spices and supplies (I must have really felt they would be a success, that's a lot of money for a kid) ... yikes... the investment was worth it, as we went on to manufacture and distribute a line of spice blends that proved to be worth the financial risk.  Over the years, our business focus has adapted to the changes in the economy, personal tragedy and personal celebrations too, plus business growth, etc.,  we repositioned our product line and mainly do high volume corporate chocolate orders.  (I'd share the names of a few of these well known companies, but I have signed many an NDA and know better than to!)   That being said, it's possible, we might bring a few things back, including this insanely popular product, but most likely on a smaller, retail scale, rather than widespread distribution.  Anyhow, (keeping this craft related)  my multi blade scissors aren't needed when using this fun blend.  All the fine chopping is already finished...so, on the go...just one tablespoon of spices with 2 small diced tomatoes, maybe a little diced onion too...is all you need for a quick batch of salsa....

Just a lil tidbit of info about our company, which has stood the test of time since the 1960s!  

 

Stay tuned ....  If, we do bring a few of the blends back, this one for sure made the cut!  :)