{Jen's "Sketch For You To Try"}

Again, I have stalked Jen DelMuro's blog for awhile now and finally decided to try my hand at one of her Saturday Sketches. I did it on Monday----that's OK, right?! I am posting tonight because I don't want to have a repeat of this morning's fiasco with my computer in the morning. As soon as I saw this sketch, I knew I wanted to use this paper. This entire paper pack was at the bottom of my stack and had NEVER BEEN OPENED......how does that happen? Does Basic Grey even carry "Scarlet's Letter" anymore? Anyway, as I was layering all this beautiful paper I realized........I really don't have a stamp that will go with this paper---somehow frogs and crabs and cutesy flowers just didn't fit the paper. I pulled out one of the first sets that I got and put it to work---Garden Collage. It was a Sell-A-Bration set in 2005---I can't believe it's been that long! Again....I'm not a great colorer....I think I have just decided that I MUST have some Copic markers, because it couldn't be that my skills are that bad---I just don't have the right tools, right? But, I used my blender pen again---still can't make that silly aquapainter work, but I'll keep working at it--I sponged the whole focal point with Creamy Caramel ink.....this also helps with the less than perfect coloring! I lined the envelope, but I'm not sure if you can really tell from the picture. It's over on the left. The picture is still a little dark, but I'm working on it!

Here's the card--Enjoy~

I hope your Tuesday is a blessed one~but really, isn't everyday a blessed day if we are still in it? Perhaps I should rethink that "signature"---I think I've been married to my "thinking" husband so long that he's rubbing off on me!
Hugs~
Kathleen



Recipe:
Stamps:Garden Collage
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Grey's Scarlet's Letter: Rapture, Among the Ruins, Night, Recognition
Ink: Stazon Timber Brown (my black is missing in action---I must find it, or purchase another one! I have SU! Basic Black, but I didn't think it would work well with the blender pens. Ruby Red, Real Red, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa, Going Grey, Sage Shadow, Creamy Caramel, River Rock
Accessories:Blender Pens, Vintage Brads-black, 5'8" red ribbon, paper piercer and Mat Pack to punch holes for brads

{Taylor's Cupcake Challenge}

Numerous times over the months that I have been blog stalking I have read that people have written entire blog entries (usually long ones) only to have some strange computer happening occur and they lose all their work---well, that was me today! I was so excited to share my card with you today and I really wanted to do it before I left for my teacher workday today. Here's why: (If you don't care about the blah, blah, blah, just skip down to the picture, I'm sure I'll get it to upload eventually!!!)
I LOVE Taylor VanBruggen's blog Taylored Expressions. She is so creative and has a great eye for color and layout. As I've said in the past I'm trying to do more sketch challenges and this week's Cupcake Challenge was just that. Every Friday, Taylor issues a "cupcake challenge" and I decided it was time for me to go for it. I was to use her sketch and post a link on her site or at SCS. Well, I finished last night, & took photos this morning. It was really rainy & dark this morning (I LOVE rain, but my camera doesn't) and the pictures weren't very good---enter Photoshop Elements. NOW, I'm perfectly willing to admit that I'm a total Elements novice, but I have, in the past, been able to successfully edit a photo to make it more presentable............that is, until today. I spent at least 45 minutes (or more) in the wee hours of the morning to get this post up by the appropriate time to be entered into a "random drawing" that Taylor was having---I must say, I didn't really care that much about the drawing, but I loved my card and I wanted someone else to love it, too!!! So, I edited the pictures---they looked great, but three times, THREE TIMES, when I went to save them, an error message came up and the program immediately shut down. When I brought it back up---no pictures! (Now, I know a few of you are thinking, "you did it THREE TIMES?, but I'm stubborn and technologically challenged.) SOOOOO, I finally had to leave for work (this was the moment that I had to laugh that I was going to let this addiction that I have keep me from performing my actual paying job well-----I wasn't willing to do that, just yet, so I left for work. I thought to myself, "Well, I'll get the card up late, but at least all I have to do when I get home is redo the photos and add them to the post and it will be up----better late than never"---But, uh, did I mention that we had rain today? STORMS, even? Yes, you guessed it---the computer went off in a quick blip of the electricity so I lost the post, too! Now, I know some of you are thinking---"MAN, I wish she hadn't because I'd already be through this blah, blah, blah and on to the card." It actually was a VERY short post because I was in a hurry to get to my real job!
SOOOOOOO, here's the card---still not edited well---I had to use the photos I took with a flash because the others are just too dark, and these are a little over exposed. I also wasn't willing to risk cropping and losing it again. I'll try that on a day when I have a little more patience and time! Imagine that someone edited them beautifully! Thanks for listening to the rambling! I'll try to be brief next time! (for those of you who know me, you know I may be stretching the truth a little !)
I know this is almost a total CASE of Taylor's card, but I wanted to use cupcakes and I HAD to use this paper because I thought it went so well with the D'Vine Swirl Cuttlebug Embossing Folder that I got for my birthday---thus the pink and green. AND, I still have a hard time knowing how "outside the box" I can be on a sketch challenge, so---the CASED card. I had fun with this one---I know the paper is older, but I do love it and I'm still trying to use what I have instead of buying a bunch of new stuff. *GASP*

I used Dazzling Diamonds on the cupcakes---here's a close up. Thanks again for listening---the recipe is below.

I hope you had a very BLESSED Monday~
Kathleen










Recipe:
Stamps: Studio G, PTI Borders & Corners Monogram Edition
Paper: Certainly Celery, Blush Blossom, Vellum cardstock (on cupcake liners) Basic Grey Romani-Migration DP
Ink: Stazon Timber Brown, Blush Blossom & Certainly Celery
Accessories: Blender Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, 2 way Glue, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/2" circle punch, 5/8" ribbon, D'Vine Swirl CB Folder

{Joshua scored a goal}

Whoo-hoo!!! We had a soccer game yesterday---remember I told you that 7 year old soccer is a blast---it is---and, oh, it can be frustrating, too.........when you are standing there watching someone on "your team" kick the ball way down the field, but the rest of "your team" is just standing back at the other end of the field watching the ball go down the field while all the "other team"-- follow the ball and turn it back "up field" to their goal----yep, it can be frustrating, too. BUT, when I watch the game and remember that the CASL motto is "remember, it's just a game" and we aren't competing for the World Cup---it's a ton of fun! Now, don't get me wrong, CASL has some very competitive teams and sends students to Colleges with major scholarships every year.....but that being said, we are just SEVEN!!!

Here's how the goal happened. Joshua was just past the mid-field line (PLEASE don't write me and tell me how improper my soccer language is---I KNOW---but I'm refusing to learn too much until I have to!) and he saw the ball coming toward him---he backed up and gave it a lovely kick (as far as I know, his technique was flawless!!) sent it rolling (I'd love to say it was flying through the air and straight into the back of the net---but, alas, it didn't happen like that!). It was the defenders turn to just hang around at the other end of the field and the ball just rolled right into the goal! It was so exciting! It's only his second goal this year. He really prefers to play defense, but the coaches make you play all positions at this point. After the goal, one of the players came running up to him to congratulate him and he acted like "Hey, I do this every day", ---Mr. Cool, but then you saw the HUGE smile on his face when he looked at the sidelines---Of course, the parents on our team are so encouraging and they were going crazy! It was a moment to remember---

OF COURSE, since I'm out of the running for Mother of the Year anyway, (see this post) I didn't have my camera with me, but here are a few pictures of him and some of his teammates from another game. When I go to games like this--even when he doesn't score (which is most of them), I'm just reminded that LIFE IS GOOD! I hope you are having a great Sunday, that a nap overtakes you and you are able to do something you love today!

This is my favorite pic so far...he'll hate me for it someday, but it's a classic---he's the one with the creeping shorts.....if you know what I mean!

Have a blessed day~
Kathleen

{My first Cuttlebug card}

Well--it took me a week, but I finally pulled out my Cuttlebug and put it to work. I was shocked at how easy it was---I used the Stylized Flowers Embossing Folder and put a piece of scrap paper in it---literally just one that was sitting on my desk and voila, I had a lovely piece of embossed paper that looked like I had spent the morning embossing.



I was so excited I had to take a picture of it---it's kraft paper (SU!) and it's really nothing exciting, but I was THRILLED!! (I'm easily amused!) I put together a card for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge with it---you know I HAD to use it---just to say it was my "first"!!

The sketch this week was simple and provided so many opportunities---I'm still trying to color with my watercolor paper and SU ink---my aquapainter just gets water EVERYWHERE---is it supposed to do that? I just don't know. I need to ask someone. It frustrates me, so I finally trashed the first one and just used my blender pen---the "heart" in the picture has WAY too much ink, but I just finally left it--again, I'm still learning....this does make me re-think the idea of buying Copic markers---what if I can't make them work either? Enough blah, blah, blah---

Here's the card--- It's just a 5.5 x 4.25 card--nothing special--the recipe is below. David is at a conference this weekend and then he is headed to see his Mom. She isn't well. Please pray that it will be a sweet visit....too long of a story to share here. I have nothing special planned, so I'm hoping to get a lot of stamping done....but that always seems to change once the kids are home! Enjoy your weekend. I hope to be back with some other Cuttlebug Cuties!

Have a blessed day~
Kathleen

Recipe:
Stamps: Merci (SU!)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Kraft, Ruby Red, Old Olive, Watercolor Paper--all SU!
Ink: Timber Brown Stazon, More Mustard, Ruby Red, Old Olive, Going Grey
Accessories: Stylized Flowers Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, Blender Pen, SU! Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, 5/8" Ribbon, 2 way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

{A quick card}

This is just a quick post---I mentioned yesterday that I had been to a bridal shower on Saturday morning. What a blessing it was to see ladies "showering" the bride with gifts to fill her new home with her husband. I truly love this part of our culture. I remember giving a baby shower for a girl from England several years ago and she commented that people over there don't do this----now they may do it now, but they didn't at the time. What a sweet tradition it is to help a couple start out in their new life together.

I only had a few minutes for a card and this is what I came up with---I had started to use Beate's Sketch, but I messed it up, so it's a similar sketch, but not quite right! I used more Target dollar spot paper---I really don't use that very often, but I have lately. I would have used Basic Grey paper if I had some, but I don't yet---the Going Grey just didn't seem right. I'm off to a soccer game in a few minutes---ETA: We won, by the way, so that was fun---we stood in the rain for over half the game, so that wasn't fun, but we made a memory!!

Have a blessed day~
Kathleen

Recipe:
Stamps: Studio G stamps from Michael's dollar bin
Paper: Blush Blossom, Whisper White, & Basic Black CS, Target dollar Spot designer paper--wedding
Ink: Black Stazon
Accessories: Yellow Marvy Uchida Scallop Square punch, Creative Memories Square punch, Marvy Uchida Blue Circle Punch, Grey Organdy Ribbon from Wal-Mart---only a scrap left, I don't know the brand--sorry!, SU! Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Blush Blossom marker

{One Sweet Baby}

Isn't he beautiful? Nope, he's not mine----he belongs to Hannah's Soccer coach and his wife---baby Ian. He's precious. My oldest daughter babysits him every Thursday and sometimes other days---He is such a pleasant child. Since Caitlin is in College and the dorm room isn't always the safest place for a baby, she keeps him at our house sometimes. Last week he was over and I snapped some pictures of him---I have SOOOO many, but I thought it might be a bit much to put 10 pictures up of someone else's baby!!!

Ian's daddy, Coach Woody---as everyone calls him---is a great man. Hannah actually decided to play soccer again this year just to be on HIS team---Last school year, he led both the Trinity Academy of Raleigh's boys and the girls soccer teams to win the State Championship---that's pretty amazing! More than being an excellent coach, Woody is a godly man who teaches his players to be good sports to the Glory of the Lord~THESE are lessons they will carry with them forever.

Here's Coach Woody with Hannah during a game last week. He loves what he does and is really excellent with the kids. The team is ranked #1 in the state again this year---which means everyone is trying to beat them! I don't know if they'll make it again, but we'll be there cheering them on as far as they go!






Hannah plays defense---I don't know much about soccer---sadly, so I can't tell you specifically what position she plays, but I know it's defense!!! I've begun to love the game (but don't tell anyone!)

Just had to share what keeps me busy this Spring---maybe some pictures of Joshua's soccer next week sometime---7 year olds playing soccer----now there's something to cheer about!

Have a blessed day~
Kathleen

{Allergies & WSC44}

So, I know you don't really care that I have been attacked by the dust bunny (more like the Rabbit in Monty Python & the Holy Grail---or the one in the Broadway show Spamalot).
I was cleaning out the filters to my air conditioning unit on Friday and within an hour I was totally stuffed up and feeling lousy---I figured it would pass---well, it hasn't.

Friday night we took our 16 year old to see Spamalot here in Raleigh. It was all she wanted for Christmas this year---tickets to see Spamalot---it's a hysterical show--especially if you are a Monty Python fan---which, I am not---but it is quite entertaining either way. David and I saw it on Broadway in 2005 and she has wanted to see it ever since, so when she heard it was coming, she knew what she wanted. I sat in the auditorium with a kleenex in my nose throughout the whole show---misery. (and, too much information, I know!) "I'll feel better tomorrow, I'm sure," she said to herself (I love writing in third person!) NOPE---not better on Saturday---worse, in fact--but I went to a bridal shower---so fun! (I do love bridal showers---I think it's a precious part of the whole getting married process) Then last night we had 11 friends of my oldest daughter--- college students--- over for some home cooked food---they loved that. "Tomorrow---I'm sure, I'll be better---how long can it last?" Apparently a LONG time----so, this morning I pulled myself out of bed---got ready to head to church and just couldn't bear the thought of sniffing my way through Sunday School and the Worship Service, so I decided to stay home....

SO, here I am posting my Weekend Sketch from Beate's Blog---I do love her sketches---they make even my cards look better! I did two of them. I'm trying to use up old paper---I had to look back through my old Stampin' Up! catalogs to find the name of the Designer paper---that's how old it is, but it's still good paper and I'm not trying to get published---just making cards for my enjoyment, so I used it! I used an old Stamp set, too---they are probably both retired, but, I like them---

Here's the picture of the first one I made--still working on photographing them well. I have an amazing camera, (Canon Rebel XT) so I can't blame it on that---it must be user error.........as is so often the case when it comes to anything technological & me!! This picture looks so much clearer on my Photoshop software.....Anyway, here's another bright card---I'm amazed at all the BRIGHT stuff lately, but I am trying to use paper I already have, so I suppose somewhere in my past I was in a "Bold Brights" place! As I look at the card now, I think it needs some glitter, so I'll probably go back and add that---even though I'm showing you already---those flowers on the umbrella need something!

I used a rub on for the sentiment---I think I really like those--they are fun! I'm not sure I'll buy a bunch, but I got two sets during Sale-a-bration, so I have quite a few to use.
Here's a close up of the focal point---yep, it definitely needs some bling! I paper pieced the flower on the envelope and that was fun---I really like that, too. The coloring isn't my best attribute---I will certainly buy some Copic markers someday, but I think it will be a long way off---not really in the budget for this "sometimes" crafter....if this was what I did for a living, it would be different, I think, but just for fun---that's a TON of money.


Here's the second card I did with this sketch---almost the exact card---just a few changes. I am short on cards to give right now, so I needed to make another one. This one, I was disappointed with, but I know someone will like it---it's just a little blah. I think I used too many colors when I was coloring. and it didn't blend well---again, oh well---keep learning! Sorry the post is so long---I've been away awhile and I guess I'm catching up! I hope you have a great week ahead---Thanks for looking! The "recipes" are below---

Have a blessed day~
Kathleen

Recipe #1
Stamps: Send a Celebration-SU!
Paper: Green Galore, Pumpkin Pie CS--Dots & Dashes DP---all SU!
Ink: Timber Brown Stazon
Accessories: Love & Happiness Rub Ons, Primas from Target, Vintage Brads, Hodgepodge Hardware-pewter, 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, SU! markers in Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore, Pumpkin Pie, Photo Corner punch, Ticket corner punch

Recipe #2
Stamps: Send a Celebration-SU!
Paper: Green Galore, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise CS--Dots & Dashes DP---all SU!
Ink: Timber Brown Stazon
Accessories: Love & Happiness Rub Ons, 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, SU! markers in Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore, Pumpkin Pie, Taken with Teal, & Brocade Blue, Scissors for distressing

{SC172}

Hey all~ (OK, hey one---the one or two people that I've told about this blog ;) )

Here's my version of today's Sketch Challenge on SCS---I wasn't crazy about it when I saw it, but I think it turned out OK! I have had this set since it first came out---years ago. When the accessories came out I HAD to have them, but I never used them. When I saw the challenge today I knew I needed a drawing to color, so I thought of this little truck. I do love this, but I so often use my most recently purchased stamps that I sometimes neglect the oldies.

I'm sorry the picture is not great---I'm still working on that. I cropped one of them and I thought it was this one, but apparently not!! I really enjoyed making this card---it took me too long, but I didn't work today, I had already cleaned the downstairs, so it was just fine if I took a long time to make this card~I had the day to myself! What an enjoyable day! I haven't gotten to my Cuttlebug yet, but I will soon! I can't wait to get some paper in there!

I used Berry Bliss paper for the background DP and also paper pieced the presents in the truck ---I love brown and pink together, so this paper is right up my alley. I still haven't broken down and gotten any Copics---I'm not much of a "colorer"---(I love how on a blog you can make up new words!) ANYWAY~I just can't see spending that much money for markers when I'm not any good. I know, I've heard that Copic markers make your coloring look good--even if it isn't, but for now, I'll have to make do without them!


I used the PTI Corners and Borders Monogram Edition set again---I use that set ALL THE TIME! I LOVE IT! The details are below---thanks so much for looking~

Have a blessed day~
Kathleen






Recipe:
Stamps: Loads of Love, Loads of Love Accessories (SU!), PTI B&C Monogram Edition
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Watercolor Paper (all SU!), Berry Bliss DP
Ink: Stazon Timber Brown, Chocolate Chip, Going Grey, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, More Mustard
Accessories: 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Photo Corner Punch, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Blender Pen, Linen thread

{Lookie, Lookie, Lookie...}

Well---look what the birthday fairy brought me---yes, it's a full day before my birthday, but I had a 50% coupon that was only good on Tuesday and I felt like it would be a waste of money if I waited---right??

I told my husband (who had no idea what to buy me for my birthday this year) that I'd really like to have a Cuttlebug and he just looked at me with sheer wonder---then when I brought it home, he commented that we'd have to come up with another area for me to stamp if I got much more stuff. Once again, in the theme of the "Frugal Stamper"---I don't have a stamping room, nor do I have much of a room at all---I have a card table in the corner of my bedroom and I use quite a bit of our very little closet space! Fortunately he's so easy going that he really doesn't mind that often when he comes home at the end of the day there are numerous stamp sets on our bed and I've totally overtaken his night stand with my stuff......ink pads, stamps, scissors, paper, etc.

So, this post will be short. I have some reading to do---I have a dear friend who is writing a book and she wants me to read some her first drafts. I want to try to play with my new toy, too--I did get some embossing folders and one die set---I will go get some more stuff later when I really know what I want (I did save 50% you know---so, I know I should spend that on ME since it was my birthday gift, right?) My sweet husband keeps asking me what else I want....I think I'll just send him to the Papertrey Ink website and tell him to go crazy!!! What could be sweeter than that? I hope to be back later with a card or two and maybe some soccer pictures from my daughter's game yesterday! I'm sure you are dying to see those! Hugs~

Have a blessed day~
Kathleen

{WSC 43}

I haven't had much stamping time this week~grrr! I did make time yesterday for Beate's Weekend Sketch though----I really love this one. My card is MUCH brighter than I usually make, but I guess I was just in a cheery mood!! I had all sorts of ideas after I did the first one, but no time. I don't know how much stamping time I'll get today either---we have a wedding and I still don't have the gift or a card made---do any of you do that? You get an invitation in the mail AT LEAST 2 months out and you wait until the day of the wedding to do anything??? What is that about me? Anyway, that's what I'll get to do this morning---it's an afternoon wedding, so I don't have a lot of time--
On to the card~
The card is 5.25 square~ I finally bought some envelopes large enough to handle these, so I'm on a bit of a square card kick lately! I used Paper from the Target $1 spot---it's not great quality, but very cute for $1. I also used a piece of transparency for the "sweet"---I chose the So Very set because I wanted some long words to put on that strip of paper up the side of the card---
Of course, after seeing this paper, I had to use the SU retired A Little Love set because of the flip-flops...speaking of flip-flops.....a few years ago when Rainbows got so popular I bought some for my oldest daughter. We were standing in the store and I asked if I could see "those Rainbow thongs"----my daughter NEARLY DIED---The headlines almost read, "15 year old dies of embarrassment in trendy store"---I realized, of course, after it came out of my mouth that the term "thong" had an entirely different meaning now.....and not one that my daughter wanted me to talk about with some 20 something store clerk! Have any of you called "flip-flops" THONGS? I'm dating myself here, I know, but I mean, that's what we called them when I was growing up.....ahhhhhhh, times change....and it's pretty important, at least in this case.....for one to change along with the times....OK, this is officially rambling now---back to the card.

When I walked through the $1 Spot in Target this sheet of paper is what caught my attention---since I had that "flip-flop" stamp, I had to have it---it has a raised up almost like crystal effects stuff on each flower on the shoes--it's pretty cool. I think I captured it in this picture. I wanted to emboss the "So Very" with white embossing powder, but I don't have a heat tool---I think that would have made this card perfect---well, perfect is likely an overstatement, but I think it would have looked great! Can you believe I don't have a heat tool? That is definitely a NEED---not a want, right? The details are below! Enjoy your Saturday!

Have blessed day~
Kathleen

Recipe:
Stamps: A Little Love, So Very
Paper: Green Galore, Pixie Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Vacation Scrapbooking Paper from Target
Ink: Pixie Pink, Yoyo Yellow, Green Galore, Pumpkin Pie, Timber Brown Stazon, White Craft
Accessories: Marvy Giga Oval and Scalloped Oval Punches, Rhinestone Brads in Pink (SU!), Transparency Sheet, Cropadile, Wavy decorative scissors

{CPS 59}

HYBRID???? are you kidding me??? I think I broke into hives before I ever started! Now, I'm new to this whole blogging thing and frankly, I'm new to sharing my cards, but I decided that I needed to do the CPS Weekly Sketch because layout is often a real problem for me.........I did it the first week (last week) and I survived---but I went there this week and I saw HYBRID!!!!

OK, I'll settle down now! Here's my very humble version of a hybrid card. My thought was that I would make this my Mother's Day card because of the "Mom" paper there---but, we'll just have to see!I had just been downloading several "digikits" from Shabby Princess, but I wasn't ready to USE them! I didn't have much time today, so I just took something that looked really pretty on my screen----but when I printed it out it was just sort of, hmmmmmmmmmmmm. I found the colors that I thought were the closest to the patterned papers and started---I keep telling myself, I just have to try things---if they don't work, that's fine---no one says I have to actually give the card to anyone--Let's take the scalloped piece on the bottom for instance, I haven't bought the SU! corner rounder because I already have two of Creative Memories' corner rounders and I think it is crazy to get another one (again with the Frugal Stamper theme!) But after trying to make that scalloped piece today---I'll call Susanne and get one ASAP!!! YIKES!


My daughter just came in and really liked the card, so that made me feel a little better. Of course, she really loves me, so I'm not sure if I can count that as a compliment!!! I don't really like the circles on the left----I struggled with that last week, too---maybe some jumbo eyelets would look better??? I don't know---what do you think? I chose the "thank you over and over again for everything"---because that is certainly how I feel about my mom---now that I'm a mom (for nearly 19 years) I appreciate her more with every passing year. (PULLLEEEEEASE forgive the sideways picture below---I kept rotating it, but when it would upload it was sideways---I decided that most of you could get over that in order to see what the stamp actually says!!! Sorry I'm still learning!) Let me know what you think---I'm pretty thick skinned, so please give me some advice if something jumps out at you~ The recipe is below---thanks for looking!



I'm off to see Enloe High School's "Little Women" tonight with my daughter. I love how "drama" kids support the arts and their friends all over this city. I, for one, am encouraged about the future when I hang around my daughters' friends!





Stamps: Circle of Friendship, So Very (SU!)
Paper: Shabby Mommy (free download April 2005--still available online) from Shabby Princess; Rose Red, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie CS
Ink: So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red
Accessories: 5/8" Burgundy Grosgrain, 1/4" Pumpkin Pie grosgrain, 1 1/4" Circle punch, slit punch for the scallops, Hodgepodge Hardware

{Crab & Company}

Well, it was back to reality today---Spring Break 2008 is over and I headed back to Trinity Academy of Raleigh today. I do love my job, so I can't complain, but ugh! 5:20 came awfully early today! I LOVE Wednesdays and Fridays even more, because those are the days that I don't work!!! But, moving on.........I made this card several weeks ago. I was sad that I didn't have a cupcake stamp (horrors!!!) and I realized that a piece of cake would work just fine (remember, the Frugal Stamper theme...)----I'm not crazy about the layout, but I LOVE the paper. It was screaming for me to use it, so I did. I'm going to use more sketches from people who have more experience than I because I feel like I really struggle with the layout---anyway, I always need more birthday cards and I could send this with my 7 year old, or my 16 year old and all would be well! Nothing too exciting here--just a fast simple card. The recipe is below! Now off to watch the NCAA Final Game---mainly, I just want to see "One Shining Moment" at the end----even though, I'd love to see Kansas win---sorry Memphis fans!

Have a blessed day~
Kathleen

Stamps: Crab & Company (SU!) PTI Borders and Corners Monogram Edition
Paper: (SU!) Wild Wasabi, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White CS, Basic Grey Romani Collection, Gypsy
Ink: Black Stazon
Accessories: Wild Wasabi Double Stitched ribbon, Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon, Target $1 spot ribbon, Target $1 spot brads, Word Window Punch (SU!), 1 1/4" circle punch, Marvy Scalloped Circle Punch (blue---the names confuse me!) Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise, YoYo Yellow Markers

{Happy Birthday}

Well---it's my sweet husband's birthday today! Sunday's are busy days at the Nelson house, so we didn't have our typical day and dinner out---we went to church and then we went to Winston's Grille. It's one of our favorite places to go here in Raleigh. My daughters were texting their father all week to see if he wanted to go to Winston's for lunch for his birthday---they were only thinking of him, of course!!! Anyway, we came home and did the gift time and then attempted to take the "Sunday afternoon nap"---a ritual at our house!!!

Anyway, here's the card I made for him---I did it in about 10 minutes & it's a little juvenile, but I got one made and it had no flowers on it! He likes everything I do when it comes to this, so he was great with it. I sort of used Beate's WSC 42 again----but my pieces are probably a little large!

I'll keep this short---I need to read with Joshua before bedtime. Speaking of reading---have you read the Mercy Watson books by Kate DiCamillo with your children? She is the Newbery winning author of The Tale of Despereaux (2004) and Because of Winn-Dixie (2001). No, I don't know her and I get no money for recommending them :) ----I just know that my son has really enjoyed them and I know your children will, too. Back to the Mercy series......they are such great books for your young reader. They are funny and entertaining chapter books and your young child will LOVE that he can read them himself. They were recently recommended to us by a librarian and I'm so glad we found them. Check them out at your nearest library or Barnes and Noble! Gotta run! The "recipe" to the card is below.

Have a blessed day~
Kathleen

Stamps: Unfrogettable (SU!)
Ink: Stazon Timber Brown, Wild Wasabi
Paper:Wild Wasabi, River Rock, East Coast Prep DP
Accessories: Wild Wasabi Double Stitched ribbon, River Rock Double Stitched ribbon, crystal effects (for the eyes), blender pen to color the Frog

{Howdy}

Well, I'm still learning all of this! I added my last card to Beate's comment section and the link didn't work----I thought I had copied it just right, but obviously not!

I LOVE this cowboy! I originally "needed" him *wink* for a birthday party invitation for my son---which ended up being a Star Wars party........we used the cowboy anyway..........Harrison Ford is sort of like a cowboy in Star Wars, right?

Anyway, I love this little guy. I paper pieced him and I can't remember the names of the papers---SORRY, but it was various Basic Grey. I used the Papertrey Ink Borders and Corners Monogram Edition circles for the background. I had seen Nichole Heady do this on one of her projects and I LOVED it. I love her stamps. I'd own every one if I could. I started to call my blog "The Frugal Stamper" because I just can't afford to buy stuff every single week like I see some bloggers do----Don't get me wrong, I have more than enough stuff, but it seems in this craft there is always something new to buy!!! (and everything is a set---nestabilities, Copic Markers, etc!!)

Here's the recipe:
Stamps: Cowboy Kid (SU!), PTI Borders and Corners Monogram Edition
Paper: Sahara Sand, Ruby Red, Whisper White, various Basic Grey
Ink: SU! White Craft, Timber Brown Stazon
Accessories: Chocolate Chip marker, Vintage Brads, Martha Stewart 9/16" Coffee Bean Twill tape
Techniques: Paper Piecing, Sponging

Thanks for looking!
Have a blessed day~
Kathleen

{WSC 42 and no 'Mother of the Year' award for me}

Here's a card I made for Beate's Weekend Sketch. It isn't quite the right thing, but I thought it was close enough to pass. I'm still learning how to take a good picture, so this one isn't great, but I thought you could still see it well enough.

I'm going to put it in my SCS gallery. It will be my first one---it may take me all day to do it! I really like this sketch. I'm going to use it to make my husband's birthday card....it's tomorrow....nothing like putting it off, huh? It's so crazy to me that I can have 365 days to do something, but I'll still put it off until the last minute!

Here's the recipe for the card. I hope you like it!
Stamps: Merci (SU!)
Paper:-Close to Cocoa & Chocolate Chip CS, Berry Bliss DP, Water Color Paper--all SU!
Ink: Timber Brown Stazon
Accessories: Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink SU! Markers, 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Marvy Circle Scallop Punch (blue one??), 1 1/2" circle punch, Paper Piercer

OK, now to the rest of my title. We went to the dentist on Thursday---it's Spring Break, so I took my two who are at home and myself for the semi-annual jaunt. Well, the hygienist (who is also a family friend) came out to tell me they needed to take two x-rays of Joshua---that doesn't seem unusual---no problem---then she proceeds to tell me that she thinks two of this teeth are abscessed and the dentist (another family friend) will tell me what he's going to do---WHAT? HOW DOES YOUR SEVEN YEAR OLD HAVE TWO ABSCESSED TEETH AND YOU DON'T KNOW IT? So, they take the x-rays and sure enough---two abscesses----so, they pull one of them and put him on an antibiotic and we have an appointment to pull the other one next week---No one (including me) could believe that he wasn't screaming in pain for these last few weeks, but he wasn't. We all decided that he must have a very high pain tolerance to have put up with that pain and not complain---so, here he is---having a Chick-fil-a Chocolate Milkshake (amazing shake, by the way) that he "needed" to help him feel better---at that point, I would have given him anything he wanted---well, almost!



Have a blessed day~
Kathleen

{be gentle}

OK, here's my first ever card upload---I've lurked, and lurked for years now---even on SCS, I have never had the courage to upload---silly, I know. I used CPS #58 (Card Positioning Systems) sketch. I think it helped me get inspired to "go public". I'm not really carried away with this card, but I decided I had to start with an upload somewhere! I'm not really a Prima fan, but after seeing the sketch, this was about the only thing I could think of to put at the bottom of the card---since I made it, I have thought of all sorts of other options, but that's just the way it goes sometimes.

ETA: As I was uploading this to SCS, I realized how many things I had left off of this recipe! I distressed the River Rock CS after messing it up while I was punching holes for my brads---so I decided to distress everything!! Ingenuity!!!

The "recipe" for the card is below. Well, I told my sweet husband that I'm doing this----and he didn't get too sick! Again, like I said in my first post----I'll try not to embarrass him too much!

Recipe:
Stamps: SU! Friendship Blooms
Ink: SU! Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Regal Rose
Paper: SU! Ginger Blossoms DP, River Rock, Ruby Red
Accessories: River Rock double stitched ribbon, Vintage Brads, Rub ons-Love and Happiness, Ticket Corner Punch, Slot punch for ribbon to slide through (all SU!) and finally Prima flowers from Target

While I was making one, I decided to do another similar card using the same sketch, so here's that one. The recipe is basically the same---


Have a blessed day~

The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell there in,
for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.
Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

PSALM 24: 1-6

{My kids}

OK--I haven't been here in almost a week---the whole blog thing is something I'm having to learn---(spoken by a girl who doesn't really understand how to use her digital camera yet!) It's Spring Break for our family this week (well, for 3 of us---my husband and oldest daughter already had their break). I told myself I'd get a lot done this week toward learning about this blog---well, it's only Tuesday, right?

These are my lovely children on Easter Sunday. It was way too cold to take their picture outside, so we settled for the couch----the seven year old was acting....well, uh......seven!

We are blessed with great kids---Hannah, 16, Joshua, 7 & Caitlin 18. I'm sure one or both of the girls will not like this picture, but again, I'm just glad I got one to upload! Yea for me!

Have a blessed day~
Kathleen