Friday, April 23, 2021

A Pronoun Analogy

 My Preferred Nickname is Barbie.

This nickname has extensive historical precedent as a nickname of Barbara (or in my case, Barbra). Yet common 20th Century cultural experiences have left many with uncomfortable or negative feelings and associations when encountering this usage.

Many people don't believe my preference at first. They would choose a different nickname. They try to call me Barb. I gently and firmly inform them that I do not identify as Barb, but rather as Barbra or Barbie. When they use the name Barb, I do not recognize myself.

Many of my aunts and uncles call me Barb. I choose to allow this for certain people who have shown in a myriad other ways that they acknowledge and accept who I am. This does not mean I accept the same nickname from others.

Some people are uncomfortable using the name Barbie. Many choose to avoid nicking my name altogether and always refer to me as Barbra. That is fine. Nicknames are shortcuts of speech. They are not required for effective communication, only for efficient communication. Sometimes efficiency is overrated.

Others uncomfortable with the name Barbie will try. I can hear their hesitancies and self-corrections. I can also hear when the hesitancies shorten, the self-corrections grow fewer, and their comfort increases. I appreciate and thank them for that.

When someone calls me Barbie-Wheres-Ken, that person temporarily ceases to exist for me. We all know it was intentional and disrespectful. He/she/they/zie/tey may attempt to pass it off as a joke. It takes only the merest instant of thought to realize it is obvious, unoriginal, and non-creative,  therefore not funny.

Sometimes friends find a new, creative spin on our societal associations with my nickname. In these cases, I choose to accept, and even appreciate, these friendly moments when they come from individuals whom I know recognize and acknowledge my humanity and dignity.

Despite all of this, not once -- to my knowledge not one single time -- has anyone outright denied my right to my Preferred Nickname. I hope that someday soon, this final statement of my Pronoun Analogy will fit as truthfully as the rest.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Adult, masculine, AND fun!

Inspired by the success of this layout (see last post), I decided to go after a packet of retired DSP in neutral colors. I think it's a nice balance of elegant and fun! My first foray into Versamark, heat stick powder, and glitter.  This image doesn't quite do the card justice.


Friday, April 15, 2016

Stickers!

It's been a CRAZY couple of months. But finally got things in hand and made it to the craft room last night!

Inspired by Retrosketches Challenge #210 and The Paper Players Challenge #290, here's what I created!

Mermaid! Mom got me a bunch of supplies for my birthday. This 3-D sticker set, for "more kid cards" was part of that.

No clue where these puffy stickers came from! I think they've been in the drawer for a while, but they worked great here!

I liked the inside of the second card a lot too. :)

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Pink and Gold

So I really have been spending more time in the craft room. Got down there today for some time spent without the 4yo so was able to do something a little more intricate. Some of this is old, retired paper, punches, and stamps. But nonetheless, they came together, not quite as perfectly as in my vision, but none too shabby either. Inspired by the ColourQ Challenge #328 and the Retrosketches Challenge #202


Kind of reminds me of a pearl necklace with a floral brooch on the lapel. Just noticed that.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Simple cards

Had a card party last weekend, plus the kiddo's been working on her class valentines, meaning lots of inspiration and lots of time sitting at the crafting table "supervising" (ie, keeping her hands off of my supplies since she has plenty of her own).

The first two were inspired by a card I pinned ages ago: Masked Mother's Day card

All SU!: Soft Suede and Very Vanilla colors, Hardwood and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamps

All SU!: Whisper White, Blackberry Bliss, Mossy Meadow colors; Crazy About You and Sweet Summer (ret.) stamps; Hello You thinlet

Random paper I got from a friend years ago; SU! silver glitter paper; Elizabeth Craft Designs' A Way With Words - Love

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Set of 6 anniversary cards

Finally made it to Whimzees to check out their selection of anniversary-related stamps and materials. Ended up with the Elizabeth Craft Designs' A Way With Words - Love die and the Technique Tuesday Together Forever stamp set. Put it together with some SU! cardstock in combination inspired by the ColourQ Challenge a few weeks back (except I used Bermuda Bay since that's what I had) and last week's Retrosketches challenge to create a set of 6 anniversary cards. They'll be on their way to my mom and then on to my other relatives soon.

A representative 4 out of the set of 6

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Homespun Leftovers


Had a bunch of the little punched-out and cut-out flowers and sayings from the Homespun challenge -- but not enough of the right kinds to make duplicates. So had to put some new designs together. Enjoy!

Homespun Vanilla

Homespun Quilted (Front)

Homespun Quilted (Inside)

Homespun Balloons