{A Masculine Valentine}

Here's a quick Valentine I'm going to give my dad---He wouldn't want much pink on his, so I went with basic grey Archaic patterned paper and used non-traditional colors for this valentine.

I have had this paper pad for "masculine" cards, but I've never used it---I just never feel like my cards are truly "masculine" looking---even if the colors are considered "masculine"---SOOOO, I thought I'd try it again. I used the border stamp from the Love Songs set to make a border of hugs and kisses (xoxoxo). Again, another simple card-- easy to mass produce--if I wanted to do that!! But, I really only need to give two "men" cards this Valentines Day---to my husband and my daddy....that's probably a good thing, don't you think?

So, how's your day been?


Daddy Card Ingredients:
Stamps: Heart Prints, Men of Life, Love Songs
Paper: Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado cardstock (PTI), Archaic patterned paper (basic grey)
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado, Vintage Cream (PTI)
Accessories/Tools: Dark Chocolate Satin Ribbon (PTI), Threading Water Punch (Fiskars), Dimensionals (SU!)

{Another Valentine and more "cultivating"}

OK, so I'm having Blogger Issues---sadly, I think they are all USER ERROR, BUT---they are issues nonetheless! SOOO, ignore the post below and read this one---somehow I posted my pictures in a post all by themselves....I guess they were "lonely"---think Brian Regan.

Here's another Valentine I made this past weekend. I seriously love this color combo: Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz and Aqua Mist---very pretty!

This will be a short post---the details are below. I've been thinking about my word of the year---remember that post? Cultivate---it's amazing how when you focus on something---even in a small way, it really does change your perspective. I figured as a follower of Jesus Christ--the most important thing I could "cultivate" was my relationship with Jesus---not that everything would be magically wonderful if I would just work on that relationship---but that He would help me DEAL with life in a more godly way---I've asked the Lord to help me keep my focus on Him and not on all the "stuff" that seems to get in the way of walking with him in these very busy years of my life. What a blessing~

One of the ways I'm doing that is making sure I have quality time with him everyday. The TV has been off more, I'm making this a priority for ME---not so I can check off the "things to do if you are a good Christian list", but because I WANT to cultivate a vibrant relationship with Jesus. I've had more time with Him since the first of the year and I will tell you it has made a difference in my perspective. I've been slapped with some real problems since the first of the year, but I have been able to trust more, to "let go of more", to WAIT. What a blessing~

One of the commitments I have made to Joshua is that I'll memorize the Bible verses that he has to learn for school with him. I just giggled this week when I saw the one for this week---it's like the Lord is just saying, "OK, you want to trust me---let's work on THIS!" Last week we memorized Galations 5:22-23, which I memorized years ago---

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control; against such things there is no law.

so, if that wasn't enough to chew on...here's this week's verse:

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with it's passions and desires.

I do love his WORD and how it speaks to my heart---like talking to a friend...sometimes it is so sweet---but sometimes it hurts---but I can TRUST that He has my best interest in mind. So, this week, I'll be focusing on what this means---to CRUCIFY THE SINFUL NATURE....wow~This is a blessing~

SO, how's that for a little "light blog reading!" Thanks for stopping by---the details of the card are below!
Stamps: Heart Prints (PTI)
Paper: Dark Chocolate, SS White, Aqua Mist, Raspberry Fizz patterned paper (PTI)
Ink: Aqua Mist, Fresh Snow (PTI)
Accessories/Tools: Threading Water Punch (Fiskars), Foof-a-la Buttons, DMC Thread, Raspberry Fizz Swiss Dot Ribbon, Crystal Stickers Hot Pink Pearls (Mark Richards), Dimensionals (SU!)

{Polka Dot Valentine}

ETA---OK, OK, I know, I don't post for a week and then I post twice in one day? Well this was supposed to go out tomorrow, but I MESSED up--so there it is---two in one day! It will never happen again, I'm sure!!!

I love polka dots---really, what's not to love? They can be classy, or cute---depending on the colors and layout! Polka dot basics is a great stamp set from PaperTrey Ink---I haven't used it as much as I have wanted, but this Valentine's season the polka dots are coming out~The new Raspberry Fizz patterned paper has some great polka dots, too, so I paired some of that paper with some "homemade" polka dot paper and put together this quick card.

I used Kraft cardstock as the base for this A2 card. I added a layer of Dark Chocolate paper that I ran through the Cuttlebug using the Swiss Dot embossing folder. Then I punched 6 squares out using my OLD Creative Memories square punch and I rounded all the corners. I made the scallop border on the bottom using the same corner rounder with the guard removed---I know, I think I'm the only stamper that doesn't already own the scallop border punch!!! I stamped two hearts from the Heart Prints stamp set and punched them out with the EK Success large heart punch---a GREAT tool for this stamp set! (I love how Nichole designs things with punches in mind!!) Then I popped the hearts up on dimensionals. Next, I added some Swiss Dot Raspberry Fizz ribbon. It does match better IRL! Finally I added the sentiment from Heart Prints...Be Mine! Such a classic Valentine sentiment~

Well, I'm going to run---I just wanted to post this really fast! Have a great day~Kathleen

Polka Dot Valentine:
Stamps: Heart Prints (PTI)
Paper: Kraft, Dark Chocolate, SS White, Raspberry Fizz Patterned Paper (PTI)
Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Accessories/Tools: Raspberry Fizz Swiss Dot Ribbon (PTI) Cuttlebug, Swiss Dot Embossing Folder (Provocraft), Dimensionals, Corner Rounder (SU!), Square punch (Creative Memories)

{Raspberry Fizz}

Ohhhh, doesn't that sound like a wonderfully refreshing drink? It's not---it's the newest color from PaperTrey Ink---and I LOVE it! I'm not normally a huge "hot pink" or "fuschia" fan (even though in the third grade I swore I would name my first child "Fuschia"---but that's another story!) but I really like this color! I'm sure it has to have something to do with the fact that I'm making a lot of Valentines right now and pink is one of my go to colors! Here's one of the cards I finished for someone for Valentine's Day---

This simple card started out with a dark chocolate card base. I added some Chocolate Remix patterned paper and made the scallop border using the Fiskars Threading Water punch. I stamped the letters "LOVE" from Love Songs in dark chocolate and raspberry fizz ink and matted it with more raspberry fizz cardstock. I tied some raspberry fizz saddle stitch ribbon and said "done". Simple and cute! That's how I have to do Valentine's Day cards because I make a lot of them. Thanks for looking today~
Kathleen

Choco-raspberry love:
Stamps: Love Songs (PTI)
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz cardstock (PTI), Chocolate Remix patterned paper (PTI)
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz (PTI)
Accessories: Saddle Stitch Raspberry Fizz Ribbon (PTI), Threading Water Punch (Fiskars)

{Copics No. 1}

OK---here's the card I made with my first Copic coloring adventure. I sort of cheated---very little blending going on here.

I chose this tree from PaperTrey Ink's Believe set because I could just color the leaves different colors! It worked and I don't hate it too much!

I start back to school tomorrow (actually I had a workday on Friday---but students come back tomorrow), so the insanity will begin again. Hopefully I'll have some time to work with these some more this week and show another card! This is short and sweet~have a great day!


Blessings Recipe:
Stamps: First Fruits, Believe (PTI)
Paper:Plum Pudding, Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss, Stamper's Select White (PTI)
Ink: Plum Pudding
Accessories/Tools: Copic markers, Cuttlebug, Cuttlebug Swiss Dot Embossing Folder (Provocraft) Double Ended Tags Trio, Oval and Scallop Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Plum Pudding Satin Ribbon (PTI)

{Snowflakes}

Noooooo, we don't have any here, sadly! But I have some on these mugs! I was at Target the other day when they had just marked all their Christmas items to 75% off. I found a set of these mugs with some cappucino mix for less than $4---so I had to have it---that's four gifts for one dollar each!!! So, I purchased them and made some quick tags last night. These tags took no time at all. I've said it before, (but it's true, so I'll say it again) it's all about having the right tools! These tags would have taken a lot more time if I didn't have all the punches! LOVE THOSE---anyway....I put these together for a few of my friends--we are all working together at Trinity, so we have to head back to school on Monday. I thought they may need a pick me up that day, so I was able to put some hot chocolate mix in the mug and put a quick tag on it. Voila! a fun gift!

The details are below~thanks for stopping by today!
Kathleen

Snowflake Tags:
Stamps: 2008 Holiday Tags (PaperTrey Ink)
Paper: Stamper's Select White, Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate (PTI), Brocade Blue, Real Rust (SU!)
Ink: Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate (PTI), Brocade Blue, Real Rust (SU!)
Accessories/Tools: Dimensionals, Ticket Corner Punch, Red Gingham Ribbon, Crop-a-dile (SU!), 1/4" Fresh Snow velvet ribbon, Dark Chocolate Satin ribbon (PTI), 1 3/4 " circle punch (EK Success), Scallop Circle punch (Marvy), Threading Water Punch (Fiskars)

{My Word for 2009}

Last year about this time, I kept reading about people's "word" for the year---I wasn't sure what it was, but I was intrigued by the thought of choosing a word to help you define your goals for the year. Since that time, I've come across Ali Edward's blog and found that she's likely the "start" of the "one little word" trend---at least among the blogs I read.  Here's her post about her word this year.

So, for the last month I've been thinking about a word to describe what I'd like to accomplish this year. The word has been chosen and changed numerous times, but I've finally decided on one. I think it will help me remember what I'm doing this year, help focus me on the goals I have made for myself.

My word is CULTIVATE.

It means more than "grow"---it's the act of helping something grow---

Webster defines this as:

1: to prepare or prepare and use for the raising of crops ; also : to loosen or break up the soil about (growing plants)2 a: to foster the growth of <cultivate vegetables> b: culture 2a c: to improve by labor, care, or study : refine <cultivate the mind>3: further , encourage <cultivate the arts>4: to seek the society of : make friends with

Dictionary.com says this:1.   to prepare and work on (land) in order to raise crops; till.

2.	to use a cultivator on.

3.	to promote or improve the growth of (a plant, crop, etc.) by labor and attention. 4.to produce by culture: to cultivate a strain of bacteria.

5.	to develop or improve by education or training; train; refine:to cultivate a singing voice.

6.	to promote the growth or development of (an art, science, etc.); foster.

7.	to devote oneself to (an art, science, etc.).

8.	to seek to promote or foster (friendship, love, etc.).

9.

to seek the acquaintance or friendship of (a person). I really like the definition of "fostering" the growth of something---or "improving" the growth of something. I think this is what I need to do in every area of my life.                          In my relationship with the Lord--I need to  "improve by labor or attention" my spiritual growth In my relationship with my family members--I need to improve by labor, care or attention---and loosen or break up the "soil"  In my personal life, professional life, crafty life---you get the picture. In every area of my life I need to pay attention to the 'growth' around me. I need to make it better---and use the tools I've been given (or acquire some new ones) to help the growth continue and flourish. Well, there's my word---I hope to keep it in mind this year to help me be all the Lord wants me to be---those of you who know me---keep me accountable.  Do you have a word for the year? Share it with me! Happy New Year~Kathleen