{Birthday Journal}

I started making a journal (with a $1 composition notebook from Target) for myself and ended up finishing it for a friend's birthday. I knew I wanted to make her something and this just seemed to fit---NOW the challenge will be getting it to her and ON TIME! I had a friend tell me once that she had "postal-phobia" and I could totally relate. It is such a chore for me to get to the post office---I live really close and everything---I don't know what that is---well, perhaps it's postal phobia---who knows!

OK---back to the card and journal---I embossed the branches from Rustic Branches on Ripe Avocado cardstock with clear powder. I added some Green Tea Leaves paper in Aqua Mist and then added a scallop border in the same paper. I tied some jute around it and added a Ripe Avocado button.

I cut the tea cup out of Rustic Cream paper(using the new teacup die from Papertrey Ink) and stamped the cup and then the little "tea bag". I distressed the edges of the card and papers, and then I stamped the sentiment from Tea for Two Additions.

The journal was actually made first. I stamped the Ripe Avocado cardstock with Versamark using three different stamps. I stamped some Kraft cardstock that I had scalloped and then wrapped it around the binding, attaching it with Scor-tape. I used the Eyelet lace border in brown felt as an accent down the side of the binding, and also cut out the Mat Stack 1 as my background layer for the teapot and cup. I tied three buttons with Rustic Jute twine for some texture and interest. I used only half of the sentiment---My Cup Runneth Over by just making the rest of it while I inked it up.

Here's to hoping I get this to my friend on time---I will probably be more likely to do that if I run it by her house!

I hope you enjoy your day today---it's MISERABLY HOT here in Raleigh---I hope it's cooler where you are!

Birthday Journal (all supplies PTI unless noted)
Stamps: Rustic Branches, Tea for Two, Tea for Two Additions
Paper: Kraft, Ripe Avocado, Rustic Cream cardstock, Green Tea Leaves patterned paper
Ink: Ripe Avocado, Vintage Cream, Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark (Tsukineko)
Tools: Tea for Two dies, cuttlebug, Eyelet Lace  border die, Mat Stack 1 die, Embossing Scallop Border punch (Fiskars)
Accessories: Dark Chocolate Felt, Rustic Jute Twine, Vintage buttons in Aqua Mist,
Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado

{with appreciation}

So, instead of finishing my bathroom that I'm re-doing, I stamped today---I just wasn't feeling the spackling and paint today. I DO love Summer! I needed to make a gift for a friend and I had this extra can sitting around, so here's the result.....

The can started out as this Hot Chocolate can from Target. (I love this Archer Farms hot chocolate---it's all natural---no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives--just FYI!)

 I washed the can out and left the paper on it---I covered it in some Cosmo Cricket paper from the Early Bird line. I used one of the pre-printed "elements" for the "for you" tag.

I tied some Aqua Mist ribbon around and added some buttons and Baker's Twine in Pure Poppy.

I put some gift certificates to a favorite Pizza place here in town in the can and then filled it up with some
Lindt truffles.

For the card, I kept it quick and simple--I used more of the Cosmo paper and some Aqua mist cardstock on a Rustic Cream Card base. I used the Tin Types impression plate by Papertrey Ink for the Aqua Mist portion--can you see how the pattern matches the patterned paper? LOVE THAT! I inked up the sides with some Antique Linen Distress Ink. I used some grosgrain riboon in Pure Poppy and tied a bow and then added more buttons and twill. The tag is stamped in black ink using Mixed Messages and cut out with a nestability tag die and trimmed to fit---ala Debbie Olson!

The image is from Round and Round---the Limited Edition (free) set your can receive from PTI if you order 12 stamp sets in a year....I'll not tell you how many I got this year......I added some rhinestones to the dots between the leaves--because it made me happy! What do you have lying around in your pantry that you could re-purpose to make a gift for someone special in your life?

 Thanks for stopping by today~I hope you have a great weekend!
Kathleen

{July 4th Thank You}

Well, I do know that July 4th is long past, but I wanted to share this quick gift I made for a sweet hostess. Our family went to a party to celebrate July 4th. I wanted to get a hostess gift for my dear friend who was throwing the party, but of course I waited until the last minute. I have a bunch of strawberry jam left from making it last summer, so I decided that could be packaged up pretty quickly.

I stamped a coffee bag with the flag and stars image from Vintage Picnic and Star Prints. I then made a quick tag using the same stamp and a sentiment from Signature Greetings and cut it using the Labels Four dies from Spellbinders. (speaking of Spellbinders---did you know they have a HUGE giveaway going on right now? Go to their blog and they'll tell you all about it.I've done this numerous times---it's my turn to win, I just feel it!) :) I used my Baker's Twine for the first time and I love the way it looked with the tag. 

Here's a close up of the tag-- and below is a picture of Joshua
on our way to the party---my camera died as soon as I got there, so this is the only picture of the day that I have. I made a great dessert that I saw on the Tasty Kitchen blog, but didn't get any pictures---oh well---if I make it again, I'll show you---

Well, we went to the beach last week and did some fun things---again, my camera wasn't working, but I took some pictures on Caitlin's camera, so I'll put some up when I get them from her. It was just a bad battery---I had just charged it---I don't understand, but it's working now, so no complaints.

Thanks so much for checking in today---I'm sorry I've been so sporadic lately....life is keeping me very busy! I'll explain in another post---sometime!

Hugs friends~

{The Post-wedding Nerf War}

Among Joshua's favorite things to do in ALL OF LIFE is have a family nerf war---we have had several. The earliest ones were wrought with drama because said child and/or his team didn't clearly "win"~he's gotten better now and is better able to just have fun. It does seem that anytime we have people over---no matter the age, a nerf war inevitably ensues---some large, some small, but all intense!

This was indeed the case at our "brunch" the day after the wedding. All of our family was still in town and I had them over for a VERY informal brunch on Sunday. We were all hanging out after the food and the next thing I knew the guns were coming out and the war began. Here are some shots of the players---not everyone who was playing is pictured---that's too bad! But we do have lots of pictures of two of the Nelson cousins and Joshua. I think in years to come, this will be a highlight of the memories of the wedding--at least for Joshua!
This is a shot of Jeff---age 30, and the oldest of the first cousins---so glad to know he'll still do battle---even in his Lilly Pulitzer shorts!

Joshua getting ready for battle---Brett (Jeff's brother) looking on! Remember, Joshua takes this all very seriously!

More Jeff.....

And Brett.....notice the onlookers in the background. We ended up with almost everyone in the den watching

The brothers facing off and comparing their weapons!

.....reloading the guns.....

It has begun---again!

Brett---with my Dad in the background---he was taking pictures all weekend---that's a nice blessing!

When the vests come out, you know it's serious!

Aren't those boys so cute? (OK, I know they are men now, but they'll always be boys to me!)

Declaring victory~

.......uh, declaring victory.....too.....

Stopping for a cold beverage---look how red Joshua's face is---I'm telling you, it's intense!

So, here's what I've learned---boys, at any age, think they have won any battle they participate in. At least they don't cry and scream about it anymore---whew, well, at least they don't cry......

{Color Couture}

 Papertrey Ink has a line of printed embellishments called Color Couture. I bought them to experiment with them and I finally got around to making a card with them. You know how I love quick and simple cards, well this qualifies! I stamped the polka dots and scalloped the bottom edge and everything else was just cut out and taped down. In my crazy world this year, this will be a blessing. Not alot of chatter today---just a simple card. There are six different color groups that have been released (one set of three per quarter). I spent some time the other night just cutting everything out, so I think I'll really enjoy using these now---if you want some tools to make simple, but still hand made cards, this may be just what you're looking for! 

Lots to share in the coming days---thanks for stopping by!

Kathleen~

Color Couture 1: (all supplies PTI)

Stamps: Polka Dot Basics 2

Paper: Ripe Avocado, Raspberry Fizz

Ink: Raspberry Fizz

Other: Terracotta Tile twill & vintage button, Rustic jute twine, Large Scalloped die, Cuttlebug (Provocraft) Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!)

{Happy Father's Day}

Good morning and Happy Father's Day! I'm here really quickly because I need to get out the door for church this morning.

I needed to whip up a quick card for David last night for Father's Day, so I went with the same sketch that I used for my Dad's card. (Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge--you can find it here.) Since the layout is something that I usually struggle with, it made it much easier for me.

I used the Men of Life stamp set and patterned paper from Papertrey Ink for this one---not a lot of creativity here---but it's another card done!

I used Kraft cardstock as my cardbase and then stamped the sails again on Kraft and cut them out. I popped them up on dimensionals---the card really needed something like that to create some interest---it was pretty boring flat. The details are below---

 Here's the latest "fatherly" picture of David. We don't have the official pictures of the wedding from our photographer, but this is off her blog post of the wedding---check out her stuff---she's fabulous!

Happy Father's Day Dave!

I hope you enjoy your Sunday! Thanks for stopping by today!

David's Father's Day card:
(all supplies PTI unless noted)
Stamps: Men of Life
Paper: Kraft, White, Men of Life patterned paper
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy
Accessories/Tools: Label One dies, Tag Trio (Spellbinders), Vintage button in Pure Poppy, Rustic jute twine, Dark Chocolate twill, Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!), Cuttlebug (Provocraft)

{Father's Day & WMSC3}

Hello all~

I haven't entered a challenge in months----but I was totally stuck on my daddy's Father's Day card, so I thought I'd try my hand at the Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge for this week.  I saw it on Jennifer Holmes' blog and loved it, so I went to the sketch challenge blog and checked it out myself. It was just what I needed to help me get the card done---I mean, Father's Day is TOMORROW, right? Here's what I came up with.

I used Trademarks and Father Knows Best  stamps from Papertrey Ink. I had wanted to use the Trademarks stamps on Kraft since I saw it on this card in the Trademarks gallery that Dawn McVey made.

My card base was Rustic Cream and I used Ripe Avocado for some color. I stamped the outlined leaves from Father Knows Best in Versamark onto the green strip. I used some jute instead of ribbon and added a Rustic Wood button. I also added a Tim Holtz mini paper clip to attach the sentiment.I can't decide if I like it---I kept taking it off and on, moving it around. My daddy will love it either way, so I just went with it.  My "tree image" from Father Knows Best was stamped off and then stamped onto the card so you could see it underneath the opening. I used the Tea Dye Duo from Papertrey Ink---have you ever used those? I don't like how the edges turned out on my Kraft cardstock---they are SOOOOOOO much darker. I don't know if it's because I had distressed them with some scissors already, or if it's just the ink? If you have used them, let me know---I'm sure it's user error!!

I also decided to make a tag for my dad's gift---we always get him a book. My husband is a voracious reader, so I always leave that gift up to him. My dad is always thrilled with the books that David finds. Anyway, I'll wrap the gift in some brown paper, tie it up with jute and add this tag. It just helps make it a little more put together to me.

Well, I need to run out and pick up David's father's day gift---a store is holding it for me---I had to go to three stores and finally someone at the third store actually called and had another store HOLD the item for me. MAN---if I didn't love the guy so much I'd be irritated! And, I haven't even started my card for him---surprise, surprise! Well, the details about the card are below---thanks so much for stopping by today! What a thrill for me!


I hope you enjoy your Father's Day weekend---we are staying inside because it is LIKE TEXAS here---HOT, HOT, HOT!

Father's Day Card: all supplies PTI unless noted~
Stamps: Father Knows Best, Trademarks
Paper: Rustic Cream, Kraft, Ripe Avocado
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado, Versamark (Tsukineko), Chai & Chamomile Vintage Touch Tea Dye Duo, Distress Ink (Ranger) in Antique Linen
Accessories/Tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft), Oval Nestabilities, Tag die trio (Spellbinders) Jute (Wal-Mart), Rustic Wood Button, Mini Paper Clip (Tim Holtz), 1 1/4" circle punch (ek success),