Just Keep Swimming

You'll never know how disappointed I am with this post... Well, not the post itself exactly, but the circumstances surrounding it... You see, I'd had this particular entry planned since February 1... The day I mailed out the Trout Duo challenge stamp set to the Cookies... I had chosen the set strategically:

• I knew they'd never done anything with a predetermined masculine bend, and
• I was planning to unveil their creations, this post, and the blog giveaway on April 1 -- the first day of fishing season here in Maine.  Such clever timing!

Imagine anticipating all that for so long, then getting the flu!  Yup, a true disappointment.  I think it might have been the biggest April's Fool joke ever!

Anyway, before I get to the Cookie projects and giveaway, I want to share a little bit about the Trout Duo set... My hubby is actually the artist, and the image came about after he and another teacher applied for, and received a grant to teach a conservation-type unit on brook trout in connection with a local stream called Finn Brook.

I can't give you all the details, but the real fish arrive in Mark's classroom as eggs from a hatchery, and his fourth graders monitor the hatching and growth for several months... Then they all take an expedition to Finn Brook, and release the surviving fishlings into the wild.  There's a lot which goes into it, and the children learn oodles in a very hands-on way...

Well, one of the things each student does at the onset of this trout unit is to create his/her own science folder.  Just one problem... left to their own devices, and being the fish they see are initially eggs, most of the 9-11 year old hand drawn renditions of a trout, look like something out of "Finding Nemo..."  Realism eludes them.

This both disturbed and frustrated hubby to the point of his uttering,
"If only there was a stamp..."
I started laughing like a hyena -- In our house there are hundreds, maybe even thousands of stamps!
"But you know what I mean -- the right stamp..."
More laughter -- every stamper's plight, finding the "right" stamp...
"Mark, honey, if you want to draw one, there can be a stamp... I own a stamp company!"
This time the laughter was shared.

A week or so later, hubby had the artwork ready, and the wheels were set in motion for the Brook brothers, "Finn" and "Finn Jr." to swim into rubber.

I must confess, not all the Cookies were thrilled with finding this image the mailbox, but each still did a wonderful job using it.  Their card projects can be seen HERE...

And as always, when there's a smART Cookie Challenge, I'm launching a little contest for someone to win her own set of the same stamps used in the challenge... For your chance at winning Trout Duo, here's what you've got to do:

Go take a look at all the Cookie creations then swim back here and comment on your favorite.  A winner, will be chosen by Mark, and announced here on Friday (April 11).

Comments

[Maxene Choi]

That is so cool about how the trout stamp came about!!! And so funny about what your hubby said! LOL! I LOOOVE the *rainbow trout* card by Donna. I love how she coordinated the colors and the watery looking background with the swirls that look like waves. I love the distressing and how she used the rust color with the aqua and browns. Very beautiful!

[Shelly H.]

I hope you're feeling better. Your dh did a great job on the fish.

My favorite card is Rainbow trout by Donna. Thanks for the chance to win.

[Karen C]

I love Donna's card. I like the blend of techniques, color, and design. I like that both trout were used without the card looking busy. Donna's card makes me want to take up the sport of fishing :)
Karen

[Ramona]

I like Moma Dina's Card #2...Thanks for the fABulouS chance to win!

[Melody]

Only ONE choice?! I love Dina's "Live with purpose"...something I endeavor to do. Each of the cards show the creator's talent with color and creativity.

[Kathy]

I love the trout stamp.

[Claudia F.]

I really like the one by Susan and your hubby did a wonderful job!
Claudia
scfranson@charter.net

[Pat In CA]

I just love these stamps. My favoite card
is Distressed Trout by Heidi.She won me over with the wonderful colors she used for her card. This was a hard choice.
Pat

[Juliana]

They are all great! But Trish's Birthday trout just tickled my funny bone!!

[annelies]

I like them all, but when I have to pick one favorite I choose Dina's card. I think it are the colors that I find very attractive. Thanks for a chance to win!
Greetings from Belgium, Annelies

[Shelly Schmidt]

I have relatives from Ireland named Finn.......hahahaha they are not fish though......anyway- love your story, and love the fish! Most of my fish stamps are headed in the exact same direction- I like that your dualing fish are in opposite directions. I linked from Dini's blog- I love her card- she is so talented!!! Thanks for the fun entry and happy fishing up in Maine!!!

[seamom]

Rainbow Trout by Donna is my choice, but it wasn't easy to pick just one! So many talented stampers......

[Manna]

Glad to hear you are better! I'll go with Dina's "Live With Purpose". I just love this sentiment.

[Patty Loup]

Ilove the one that says Live with a purpose. By Dina

[Kelley Holland]

I love Dina's fish..they are awesome. Great stamp for my Dad!!

[Kelly L]

Sorry to hear of your illness around trout season, but you are just in time for trout season here in Pennsylvania. The first day is on my birthday (Apr 12), although I am not an avid fisherman -- I do love the story behind the stamps, and I know they would come in handy with my dad and his side of the family for SURE! I think my favorite is Dina's trout card. Nice layers, great colors. It really stands out to me. Thanks for a chance to win a great looking Finn and Finn Jr. *wink*

[WendyP]

I loved all of them, but I loved the coloring in Dina's card.

[Michelle Adams]

I love this set! I can't ever seem to find the right masculine stamp when hubby's bday rolls around...or Father's Day...etc. I loved all of the cookies' projects, but my absolute favorite was Donna's. She used the smacked lumieres technique and really the whole thing appealed to me. Again, all of them were great, though. Thanks so much for the chance to win!

[Linda Marie]

I'm going w/Heidi's card. I enjoy fishing but there is an art in catching trout.

[Peggy Maier]

Love the trout stamp & the story behind it! I like all the entries, but the one that really jumps out & grabs me (bites me?) is Susan L.'s - could be because she used my favorite color?! Thanks for a chance to win. I can see a lot of masculine cards I could make with this, since almost every guy I know is also a fisherman!

[Grace Lange-Way]

I liked Heidi's the best because it showed a lot of depth. I also liked the background she put it on which made the fish really stand out.

[Sharon in NE]

Oh my...I loved Donna's coloring of the trout, just beautiful, as well as the appearance of waves in the background. Trish's card is my kinda humor. I would make that card! Heidi's use of both trout and the coloring of them were very nice and I really liked the background. (You can see I had a hard time choosing) Susan's card was so rich...I loved the background, the layout, it was a great masculine card. Dina's cards are so creative and eye appealing. Bottom line: I chose her "Live with Purpose". I loved the double meaning to that phrase, and the background to the trout particularly appealed to me.