Well, today calls for a Mothermark story. Shirley (wannabecre8tive) and I hatched a plan to acquire the Wild Wild West Set for Cindy via EBay over a year ago. I was so close, so many times, but always lost. And I am glad I did! Because this last August, I did win a set, and it was brand spankin' new!
If you are not aware of Mothermarks' quest for this set, please take a peek here:
There were 38 people who shared the joy of our acquisition, and they were all very good for keeping such a huge secret for so long! Many, heartfelt thanks for all of you that jumped on this crazy plan with Shirley and I. It has been so much fun! I have been 'taunting' da Mudder ever since, by making cards with this set. And her usual comment is 'Gimme that set!' Lol. Oh- I can't tell you the joy that gave to me!
Cindy just called me from the restaurant where she is celebrating her birthday with TraciM! She was laughing between tears, and so excited she could hardly stand it! She was crying just at all the cards packed into this box, and did not even know the set was at the bottom- Traci had to show her! Is that great, or what!
Here is a list of the generous stampers that helped make this happen: ardodd, artystamper, beestamper, Brat Cards, card crazy, cmsuto, coffeestamper, Connie Jo9, ctorina, diane617, jaydekay, jdmommy, joan ervin, jojot, kokirose, LilLuvsStampin, marilynprestonn, Marleygo, Maureen Vollaro, merniebug, MrsBoz, mspfd, nwilliams6, One4Joy, peggysue, pidgesmom, Redbugdriver, resqbarbie, schirmcat, StampingQueenJAR, Stamp Muse, stamps4funinCA, Toy, Vicky Gould, 4815162342, wannabcre8tive, Crazykim, Cook22, TraciM, Flowergal36
Box Deets:This is a storage box, covered with a distressed grocery sack. After cutting the bag open to make it flat, I put enough water to make the paper very pliable and wrinkled it up. I laid it flat to dry and crinkled it again. Once it dried the second time, I ran an SU Creamy Caramel ink pad over the entire surface, and wrinkled it once more- with the ink on the inside. After drying for a day, I opened it once more and ironed it flat from the back side (no ink). After measuring the box, I cut the pieces to fit and used Super Tack (red) tape to adhere. I must note that the brass handles were a tough fit, but the Buckle Man used his trusty exacto knife and made it work! The inside is covered with dark brown faux velvet.
I used scraps cut from the covering top make the straps on top- stamping a belt from CTMH and stitching the edges. The 'buckle' is made with a Tim Holtz hardware frame. I stamped the WWW Man, watercolored him and glued the images to the inside edges. Using doubled pop dots to keep the image in place, I added a thick coat of Crystal Effects.
Registered: March 11, 2008 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 39766
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 @ 9:18 PM
Wowzers Pat, what an amazing job of covering that box. I would never in a million years thought to do to that grocery sack what you did. Awesome results. It is simply gorgeous. It looks so authentic! You really did a nice thing for our friend Cindy. There are so many wonderful people on this SCS site. Was nice to see a Cindy "this is not my comment" comment. lol Hopefully someday she will be back to her old self leading us all on the imaginary Teapot Tuesday Travels. But until then, MariLynn is doing one heck of a job filling in. Thank you again and Shirley and Tracy for making Cindy's day a Happy one! TFS :0)
------------------------------ Cathy B aka: Mutnik ....or is it Nutmeg?! I get so confused!
Smile.......people will wonder what you are up to! :0) Proud Fan Club Member 2010 DT forRubbernecker Stamps My Gallery
Registered: September 7, 2006 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 33121
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 @ 9:30 PM
Oh my Gosh!!! You did such an awesome job on this box! It looks authentic!! You were so sweet to take so much time to make just the right container for all of Cindy's B-day cards! I'm sure you are blessed by this!! I'm so happy to hear how Cindy enjoyed her gift too!! Ya done good, my friend!!!!!
------------------------------ Happy Stamping! CarrollAnn
Fan Club Member
Registered: November 1, 2005 Location: Posts: 77159
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 @ 9:59 PM
Now this has to be the most thoughtful and fun idea ever. I bet Cindy was tickled pink and I bet you wish you were there to see her open it. How cool is this... Now she can give me some images of this set now. hee hee Very fun!
You did a FABULOUS job with the distressing and the pendant. Awesome work girlie.
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni SCS Gallery Moderator Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: July 27, 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 131548
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 @ 11:37 PM
As the others have said - thanks for dealing me in on this .
And wow, that box!! It's something to keep and treasure - a real creation of love from the heart. I can imagine how luxurious it must look with that velvet inside. That's some amazing distressing - never knew a paper bag could look so good.
I can't believe, though, that MM didn't go straight to the bottom of the chest - everyone knows that's always where the REAL treasure is. Of course all the cards are treasures too .
Registered: April 15, 2008 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 25018
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 @ 11:49 PM
Well Shirt and Pat as we all know you two are so much fun and so sweet (sometimes). It is wonderful how you two, The Buckleman and TraciM pulled this off! Thanks for inviting the rest of us along.
Now Pat and Bubba can sleep at night and save major money on security knowing their WWW won't disappear to a desperate!
------------------------------ Twisted SistahCoping without Copics and Blogless in Seattle
Registered: April 15, 2008 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 25018
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 @ 11:50 PM
Okay Pat! That box is so fabulous and clever it is almost eeerieeeee! Kinda like the idea might have come from - you know.... Dee de de de - Doo do do do.....
------------------------------ Twisted SistahCoping without Copics and Blogless in Seattle
Registered: March 20, 2005 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 77633
Tue, Oct 20, 2009 @ 2:59 AM
This is absolutely the most perfect gift box I've ever seen! I wish I could have seen Cindy when she opened her present!!! She does so much for others - always spreading the word on who needs a card; always making special cards; always smiling and laughing. I can't think of a better gift for such a special person. Thanks for including me in this fantastic gift to a fantastic person!
------------------------------
If you open someone's card, you must have liked it...please leave a comment to encourage them!
Registered: October 15, 2007 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 38718
Tue, Oct 20, 2009 @ 3:50 AM
What an amazing treasure box, Pat and what an extraordinary thing you and Shirley organized for Cindy! Thanks for all the planning, hard work, creativity and love that went into this awesome gift! I am so glad she loved it! Happy Birthday, Cindy! Hugs to you!
Registered: March 5, 2007 Location: Coatesville, Pennsylvania Posts: 44920
Tue, Oct 20, 2009 @ 4:01 AM
WOW.....My Oh MY.......What a wonderful way to present our cards and stamp set to Cindy! This is magnificent, GF!! You and your Buckle Man did such a fantastic job with this box......very creative, my friend!!!!
I'm so happy to be a part of this surprise for our MudderMark!!! Happy Birthday, Cindy! Love you!!!!!!!
------------------------------ Lesley Proud Fan Club and RAK Member He is the GOD of the Impossible!!!! Kookzi the Rookzie Punchkateer It is by the grace of God that we take our next breath.
Registered: January 21, 2007 Location: New York Posts: 54876
Tue, Oct 20, 2009 @ 4:45 AM
Pat, Awesome job on that www treasure box and I am so happy that mm loved it all~ I was so happy to be apart of all this excitement and to wish mm a wonderful birthday~
------------------------------ PROUD FAN CLUB MEMBER DT Totally Stampalicious QFTD-05 FS-219 DT bugaboo
Registered: April 22, 2006 Location: SCS in NC Posts: 20914
Tue, Oct 20, 2009 @ 4:55 AM
Geeez you made me cry.. I wasn't even there.. I am so happy that she is happy with this gift.. THIS box is amazing Pat.. I love it. I am so happy that Traci got to deliver it and we all got to share in the joy of the day.. Hugs Mothermark we all love you...
Pat and Shirley did such a great job with this surprise...Thanks ladies..
------------------------------ Dawn B. Anything is possible when you open your heart.... My BLOG
Registered: May 18, 2005 Location: Connecticut USA Posts: 35783
Tue, Oct 20, 2009 @ 6:58 AM
oh my when I think of all that Cindy has done for others, all the threads she started for people who were hurting and all the joy she has spread through her love and HUGE heart, this is fabulous! Wild wild west for Cindy! Whoo Hoo! Enjoy dear cindy and thanks for all the sunshine you spread in this world!!