FISH TROPHY CARD

(Triple Platform Pop-up)

I did not grow up with any exposure to the outdoors. A trip to the beach or a hike up a hill near the city was the extent of my experience. Until college, when I was going to college in Pittsburgh. My best friend’s family lived in Michigan, near Kalamazoo. My first visit to their (considerable) cabin opened up my eyes. The cabin was on the lake, equipped with jet skis, pontoon boats, paddle boats, and a massive trampoline in the water. I couldn’t figure out how to start a fire, but I learned to enjoy hot melting s’mores. That was also where I first attempted to fish, although I’m convinced that the lake has no fish in it since I’ve never felt any movement.

Years later, when work took me to locations suitable for fishing, I fell back in love with the “idea” of fishing. It’s just a very zen-esque quality that appealed to me. It would help me be more patient, more peaceful, and more at one with myself…

In San Diego, we were right on a pier that docks fishing boats, and every time there was a free moment, I’d go fishing. I bought my fishing pole, borrowed some bait from those friendly guys living on the boats on the dock, and found a spot to settle in. And I enjoyed it! It was just as I had pictured: sea breeze blowing, salty smell of the water, me clearing my head, letting go of life’s desires, any work drama, me being just a speck in this universe. Then something hit my line….and again. I felt it bite and immediately pull as my pole started reacting. I screamed bloody murder for help, and It's a good thing there were fishermen all around. Someone came over and observed, “You got something.” (No sh*t) and instructed me on how to reel it back in. After an epic battle (in my mind), I pulled up a little scared, struggling fish. My fishing buddy laughed and said that’s too small, let it go.

This is where I realized I hated catching anything, and my brief fishing hobby went south. With the fish flapping around wildly, I always needed help from someone to unhook the fish and release it. I would never get close to the fish and that hook! So, by the time I was living in Key West, I finally had learned my lesson that I’d only fish if there were someone else fishing with me, just in case I caught only fish if a fish needed immediate assistance. I soon gave up on Zen and being a speck in the universe.

This card has nothing to do with the rambling you just read - sorry, I was recounting a related memory hahaha!! I just wanted to see if anyone’s reading my long ramblings lol, sorry. The inspiration for this card came from those creepy plastic fish toys that would sing “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” while moving around, battery-powered…while mounted on a plaque. I had wanted to make the fishing boat so it appeared here in silhouette on the cover. I liked using the new sea edges to create the water and placed fish underneath the water level. I was amazed the machine had no issues cutting the thin fishing pole and line dies. These are excellent-quality dies, as always!

Using the Stocking platform underneath the new triple platform dramatically made the fish pop out. I randomly guessed the placement, and it barely fit the fish by a hair, literally! The stamps fit perfectly, and this became a Father’s Day card. The stamps have so many valuable sentiments. I drew the large fish on procreate, though I think the color might be slightly off. I barely eat them, and after discovering they do nothing to help turn me into a speck, I barely pay any attention to them. They’re kinda weird looking I can’t believe we evolved from them…

Karen Burniston dies uses:

1300 - Triple Platform Pop-up

1298 - Ocean Edges

1297 - Fishing Boat Add-ons

1277 - Boat Pop-up

1248 - Stocking Pop-up

1266 - Lorna Label Pop-up

Clear Stamps