{I heart to stamp blog candy}

.....is an amazing offer at a chance to win over $450 in stamps and prizes---YES---that's right. All you have to do is make a birthday card and send it and an envelope to a friend of Jen's who will in turn, give these cards to international students at Dallas Baptist University. You can find all the information you need to enter to win on this post. You have until January 31 to mail your card(s).

Here's the card I made. I wanted to make this pretty generic so they could use it for a girl or a boy. I hope adding the bow and scallops didn't make it too girly? What do you think?

I started out with Kraft cardstock and used Ocean Tides and Pure Poppy with it---I LOVE this color combo. I first saw it together on this card---isn't it yummy? I didn't use the Dark Chocolate with it today, but I do love Oceans Tides and Pure Poppy together. Anyway, I cut a strip of each color and glued them together. I scalloped the bottom layer with my corner rounder and pierced the pure poppy on the top and bottom. For my sentiment I used the new Fresh Alphabet for "friend" and then used the Happy Birthday sentiment from Father Knows Best. I cut that out with the largest double ended tag and used black brads to tack it on. I tied some Ocean Tides grosgrain ribbon around the paper and added some foof-a-la buttons from my stash. Quick and simple card---that may be worth $450 in amazing stamping goodness!!! ;)

Well, that's it for today---whip up a card and send it off to Dallas----you never know what could happen!

Kathleen

Jen's Blog Candy Card
Stamps: Father Knows Best, Fresh Alphabet (PTI)
Paper: Kraft, Ocean Tides, Pure Poppy cardstock (PTI)
Ink: Pure Poppy, Palette Noir (PTI)
Accessories/Tools: Paper Piercer and mat set, dimensionals, linen thread (SU!), Double Ended Tag set (Spellbinders), Medium Black Brads (American Crafts), Buttons (Foof-a-la), Ocean Tides grosgrain ribbon (PTI)

{PTI Blog Hop}

It's here again! The 25th of the month and time for another Papertrey Ink Blog Hop! Our challenge this month was to create a birthday card. If you aren't familiar with the PTI Blog Hop, head over here and see what it's all about.

I made three cards for this---not because I just wanted to show three cards, but I just felt inspired and kept creating! Don't worry--I'll be brief!

Here's the first:
I used Men of Life for this set---I'm never very confident with my cards for men, but this one turned out OK for me. I started out with a piece of Pure Poppy cardstock and added the rope pattern with Fresh Snow ink---love that ink!


Next, I stamped the boat image in Dark Chocolate ink on Stamper's Select White cardstock. I embossed and cut it with one of my square nestabilities dies. I stamped the plain sails on some Men of Life Patterned paper and cut them out. I used some Stampin' Up! linen thread to "hold the sail up" and then placed the sails on with dimensionals. I placed all that onto a scalloped square and raised that up on dimensionals as well.
For the sentiment, I stamped Happy Birthday from Father Knows Best and the Brother from Men of Life, embossed and cut it out with one of the Double Ended Tags from Spellbinders. Finally, I stamped the anchor in dark chocolate, punched it out with a 3/4" circle punch, and tied it on to a brad with more linen thread. This really happened pretty quickly and could easily be made for a little boy or another occasion.

This next card was quick and simple:

I used SS White as my card base and rounded the edges with a corner rounder. I stamped the gift from It's a Celebration in Summer Sunrise and Ripe Avocado. I cut the pieces out and set them aside. I used some Polka dot Parade Patterned paper and my scallop nestabilities square and the square nestabilities to make a frame for the gift. I put some Lemon Tart paper behind the gift. I tied a piece of Summer Sunrise grosgrain ribbon to the top of the card.

I stamped "Celebrate" from the same set in Ripe Avocado ink and finally added three Foof-a-la buttons and some linen thread for some bling! I love that present in this set---it's so versatile and can be used for numerous things!

Finally, my favorite card for the night---probably because it only took me 10 minutes! SERIOUSLY---I had to leave to go to a party and I didn't have a card (well, I had plenty cards---just not the one I wanted!! KWIM?)

I used my first piece of True Black as the base of this card---love it! I added a piece of the Black and White Basics Patterned paper. I edged it and the white strip with the Fiskars threading water punch.

I stamped the Celebrate from It's a Celebration again in Pure Poppy and cut it out with a Ribbon Tag. I tied it on with Pure Poppy satin ribbon. I had some "sweets" in black and white from Making Memories and attached them with American Crafts brads in black, white and cherry. Simple and quick! Just the way I like it!

Thanks SOOOO much for stopping by! I can't wait to see what everyone on the blog hop did! Have a great night~
Kathleen


Brother Card~
Stamps: Men of Life, Father Knows Best (PTI)
Paper: Pure Poppy, SS White, Spring Rain, Men of Life Patterned Paper (PTI)
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, Fresh Snow (PTI)
Accessories/Tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft), Nestabilities, Double Ended Tag (Spellbinders), Linen Thread, 3/4" circle punch, Dimensionals (SU!), Cherry Medium Brads (American Crafts)

Celebrate Card~
Stamps: It's a Celebration (PTI)
Paper: SS White, Polka Dot Parade Patterned Paper, Lemon Tart (PTI)
Ink: Summer Sunrise, Ripe Avocado
Accessories/Tools: Cuttlebug (Provocraft), Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Foof-a-la Buttons, Linen Thread (SU!)

Black and White Card~
Stamps: It's a Celebration (PTI)
Paper: True Black, SS White, Black and White Basics Patterned Paper (PTI)
Ink: Pure Poppy (PTI)
Accessories/Tools: Threading Water Punch (Fiskars), Pure Poppy Satin Ribbon (PTI), Cuttlebug (Provocraft), Ribbon Tag Die (Spellbinders), "Sweets" in black and white (Making Memories), Medium brads in black, white and cherry (American Crafts)

{Guess How Much I Love You}

Here's another Valentine---one of my favorites so far. I had thought to use this sentiment from a 'non-Valentine' set--Out on a Limb Sentiments from PaperTrey Ink, for a sweet Valentine card. I love using black and red and kraft together. When I saw Debbie Olson's card here, I had to make this card. I honestly had already thought to use the black and red on this quote, but when I saw Debbie's card it sealed the deal. She's one of my stamping idols----if I had such a thing, of course! This was quick to put together. I started out with a Kraft card 4.25 x 5.5". I embossed my black piece of paper and cut out a scalloped oval in red. I stamped the sentiment on Stamper's Select White paper in two different colors and embossed and cut it using an oval nestabilities die. I tied the ribbon on, added the oval and glued the buttons on with mini glue dots.

I love this quote from Sam McBratney in his much loved children's book Guess How Much I Love You.

"I love you to the moon...and back again...."

This was the perfect sentiment for this Valentine---so, I had to give it early!!! You know, we just shouldn't wait until Valentine's Day to remind people that we love them, so I'm giving this to my love today.

You know, if you gave a Valentine this week---it would probably be OK with the recipient---then you could give another one later....I can't imagine anyone complaining that they received too many Valentines!

Have a great one~


To the moon and back:
Stamps: Out on a Limb Sentiments (PTI)
Paper: Kraft, Pure Poppy SS White (PTI), Basic Black (SU!)
Ink: Palette Noir, Pure Poppy (PTI)
Accessories/Tools: Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provocraft), Pure Poppy, White Sheer Polka Dot (PTI), Oval & Scalloped Oval Nestabilities Dies (Spellbinders) Buttons (Foof-a-la) Red DMC thread, Dimensionals, mini glue dots (SU!)

{Snowy Morning}

This is what we woke up to this morning! Isn't it just beautiful??? I know some of you live with snow for 3 to 5 months a year, but here in Raleigh, we don't get snow like this but every few years. It is still pouring snow! I don't know how long it will last, but since we don't know if we will have anymore this winter, we took full advantage of it---and all before 9:00AM!

We found out last night that school was cancelled, so we didn't even have to get up to check....YEA!!! Here are a few pictures of our fun this morning---we held Joshua off as long as we could---until 8:16!!! Finally David and I got ready and played in the snow with Joshua!!

Joshua making snowballs for the big fight!

Letting one go---toward Dad, thank goodness!

David preparing some snowballs for a return of the same!

Joshua, after rolling in the snow~

He's starting to get cold now!! It won't be long~

Snow for Snow Cream.....hmmmmm!
Snow Cream Recipe
1 mixing bowl of fresh (white!) snow (I used two of these 8 cup Gladware containers)
3/4 c. milk
3/4-1 c. sugar (or Splenda to taste)
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix well with a mixer---add Chocolate Syrup for Hannah!!
Serve immediately in front of the fire!

Oh yeah, the real deal---fresh snow cream--

Joshua, with hat head, having some snow cream---it was his "dairy" with his breakfast---hey, like I said, it doesn't snow here very often!!! :)

And, lastly, I cannot let this historic day pass without acknowledging it. I wish I had the eloquence of my husband. Politics and papercrafting/family blogs do not often go hand in hand, but please indulge me today. One of the reasons I was so excited that we didn't have school today is because I really did want to watch the Inauguration today. I didn't vote for President Obama and we likely wouldn't see eye to eye on most issues, but I can't NOT be proud of this peaceful transfer of power we get to see in our country. I am proud that our country has voted in an African American president--it's time. I will pray for and support our new president because I think that is part of my responsibility as a citizen and a Christian. So, I won't be commenting here about what's going on with this administration, but you can bet I'll be praying for strength and courage and safety for this new president and his family. I'm as proud today to be an American as I have been on January 20, 2001 or 2005. It's a good day in America----even if you aren't a democrat. Have a blessed day~

{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