Defining "Middle Age"

     Most of us think of "middle age" as somewhere between 45 and 65 or perhaps even as late as 50 to 65 but as I recently learned it spans a much broader period of time.  We all know that one is a 'baby' up to the later stages of walking and then kids suddenly become 'toddlers.'  Usually, that label stays until somewhere around 3 (maybe 4) but is definitely gone before they start school.  Most of those years, up to and sometimes including Kindergarten, those sweet children take afternoon naps, much to the pleasure of their mothers or other caregivers.

     But at some point, the naps disappear, usually within a few months of the child insisting that naps are simply no longer needed, even if they are yawning as they protest !  That truth about life - that naps aren't needed - remains with us until a short while after retirement, somewhere between the ages of 65 and 70.  At that point, we suddenly discover that those long-forgotten, childhood naps are a wonderful thing, and that now we have the leisure to take naps again whenever the inclination grabs us.  Family and friends learn not to call on the phone or send text messages between the hours of noon and 2:00 p.m., at least not if they expect to get an immediate reply.

     Coming to terms with that realization, and reinventing "nap time" in my own life has led me to the redefine "middle age."  You'll see what I mean if you read the sentiment on this birthday card I just finished.

I was looking at the sketch from Mojo Monday

and although I made it more CAS, you can still see

the basic design, including the twine.

 

     This adorable little pajama boy came from Limited Runs and is the freebie offered for their Progressive challenge on their Facebook page.

     I colored him with my ProMarkers, fussy cut him and mounted him on the striped paper using dimensional dots.  I wanted the stripes to look like wallpaper and I think it pretty well does.  The black and blue color combo is a favorite and I know my friend, Lynn, will love it!

     I added the sparkly twine and the sentiment and called it finished.  Afterall, it's intended to be a masculine birthday card so little by way of embellishment was needed.

     Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge
Art Impressions
Crafting from the Heart
Crafting with an Attitude
Jo's Scrap Shack
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Moving Along with the Times
Ribbon Girl

     That's it for today.  Happy Stamping and enjoy the rest of the week.  NanaConnie