{"id":1590,"date":"2024-12-11T22:08:27","date_gmt":"2024-12-11T22:08:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/?page_id=1590"},"modified":"2024-12-11T23:23:24","modified_gmt":"2024-12-11T23:23:24","slug":"2024-holiday","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/index.php\/about\/cards\/2024-holiday\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 Holiday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Holiday Story: Sisters Pay Homage to VMB (&#8220;the Gma&#8221;) with Red-Themed Holiday &amp; Retro-Looking Cats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Category Is: Hello Kitty*<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The theme for the holidays next year will be red.&#8221; I informed my family last January. I knew that the Gma&#8217;s time was ending soon, and I planned a holiday tribute to one of my besties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During Gma&#8217;s life, she regularly painted the town red. As a youth she acquired red hot pants, upsetting her dad to no end. She loved red lipstick and, naturally, when she started riding, her motorcycle was red. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6665.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1607\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6665.jpg 960w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6665-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6665-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6665-113x150.jpg 113w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo with all the red things cleverly staged and captured by my Mom. The Gma loved to pose for photos and could be prevailed upon at anytime, anyplace to participate in a photo op.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I made her red Christmas stockings (two because we misplaced one one year so I had to compensate) and red table cloths. I sent her a Christmas package every year with various items: hard sweets, soap\u2014Irish Springs only\u2014magnets, pens, and one year an amazing retro cat clock with a swinging tail. (It was also red of course.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Retro Cat Clock\" width=\"660\" height=\"371\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/b1aQhKzN1GQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The retro cat clock, hung where Gma could see it from her recliner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can, it was easy to style this homage to the Gma via the obvious two major influences: stylized cats and red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although I&#8217;m not sure Gma has ever been introduced to Hello Kitty, I&#8217;m pretty sure she&#8217;d love it. I started my holiday decorating theme early\u2014oh wait, back to the card story because that&#8217;s the topic here.^<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I saved a large box and spray painted one side red. (The box was from a miniature armchair we acquired for the cats. Yes they use it. Yes, sometimes we use it when they take our seats.) I cut a hole in the center and surrounded it with red holiday bows (acquired either through attrition or thrifting). <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/frame.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1596\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/frame.jpg 600w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/frame-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/frame-113x150.jpg 113w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The cardboard box frame spray-painted red with traditional Xmas bows. (Spray painting is the funnest thing ever and addicting. When I start, you never know when it will end.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The idea was to make a box frame through which we could entice the kitties to peer (adorably) and thus sneak photos of a holiday nature. We had seen similar things on the insta and it actually looked doable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Phe Nails the Photoshoot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In a first in over 10 years, Phe nailed the photoshoot. Usually she is hard to catch in a pose near any holiday related thing. I tried holiday sweaters one year. She managed to not only remove the sweater but lose it somewhere where I didn&#8217;t find until a year later when I moved my bed (I could feel the smugness rolling off her). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve tried bows and collars, both of which were hugely objectionable and rejected with great indignation nigh on paranoia of some hidden agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This cardboard box window, however, through which one could get a snack\u2014that worked. I made them practice a few evenings in a row, training them to get the snack through the hole. They had to be on the other side of the hole though to get it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Amp, while generally seeing no reason to remain on the other side of the hole still managed to look fairly photogenic in the shots we did get.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/snack.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1605\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/snack.jpg 600w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/snack-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/snack-113x150.jpg 113w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Amp eating a kitty treat so delectable that he had to step through the hole many times to quickly get it all before Phe got there. (We discovered he actually like these treats at a vet visit\u2014in an I&#8217;ll-be-damned moment.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Holiday Framed: The Humans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now came the difficult party: getting pictures of the humans through the holiday frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Admittedly I have been somewhat obsessed with a new-ish hobby, the crochet. I determined that I would crochet Hello Kitty masks and that we would thus become kitty impersonators through the holiday frame. After weeks of work off and on, I came up with a satisfiable product, or rather two:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"659\" src=\"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/masks.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/masks.jpg 600w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/masks-273x300.jpg 273w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/masks-137x150.jpg 137w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The initial base of the mask is crocheted and then backed with a flannel with light weight foam in between so they would not be floppy. I made the whiskers with a gold and black twine inserted with black wire. And, of course, each mask is slightly different with the bow vs. the flower. All took a great deal of experimentation and unraveling.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"552\" src=\"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/jen-mask.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1602\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/jen-mask.jpg 600w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/jen-mask-300x276.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/jen-mask-150x138.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Modeling the first mask version I completed with the little flower. Proportion was key to making them look like Hello Kitty.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>And after some experimentation, we had all the stills. I photoshopped the images, as per ush (as in usual), rebuilt portions of Amp&#8217;s frame (le sigh), and even created a slight color variation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Xmas-Card-25-6-pink.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1606\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Xmas-Card-25-6-pink.jpg 600w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Xmas-Card-25-6-pink-228x300.jpg 228w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Xmas-Card-25-6-pink-114x150.jpg 114w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photos colored shocking pink\u2014my kind of red.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#Crochic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here we are as kitty impersonators with our best felines. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"1627\" src=\"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Xmas-card-25-digital-red.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1601\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Xmas-card-25-digital-red.jpg 800w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Xmas-card-25-digital-red-148x300.jpg 148w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Xmas-card-25-digital-red-504x1024.jpg 504w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Xmas-card-25-digital-red-74x150.jpg 74w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Xmas-card-25-digital-red-768x1562.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Xmas-card-25-digital-red-755x1536.jpg 755w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Happy Pawlidays from all of us.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m really happy with how these turned out and I&#8217;m dedicating this years&#8217; card to the Gma. On holidays, we wear red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/index.php\/cards\/\">Go back to the main page.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/index.php\/2023-holiday\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1549\">See 2023.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>*I realize that Hello Kitty is not retro, but the stylization is something that I think the Gma would like\u2014would have liked for those of you that only live in the now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>^Our Christmas trees are also decorated with\u2014you guessed it, Hello Kitty figurines and red ornaments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Holiday Story: Sisters Pay Homage to VMB (&#8220;the Gma&#8221;) with Red-Themed Holiday &amp; Retro-Looking Cats Category Is: Hello Kitty* &#8220;The theme for the holidays next year will be red.&#8221; I informed my family last January. I knew that the Gma&#8217;s time was ending soon, and I planned a holiday tribute to one of my besties. &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/index.php\/about\/cards\/2024-holiday\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">2024 Holiday<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1595,"parent":858,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1590","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1590","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1590"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1590\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1632,"href":"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1590\/revisions\/1632"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/858"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1595"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jenbrassjenkins.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1590"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}