{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),  

{The Dirty Dozen plus a few---and a splash!}

About ten years ago this month, David and I were calling our families to tell them we were expecting a baby---our Joshua (in the pink shirt above.) David's parents, aka Granny & Granddaddy were SOOOO excited. Joshua would make 12---Twelve grandkids on the Nelson side of the family. Granddaddy was especially excited and affectionately called his brood, "The Dirty Dozen". Since then, we have added two (now three) in-laws into the mix. The more the merrier. We have always tried to take a picture of any of the grandchildren whenever they are together. SO, of course, during the wedding festivities, we wanted to get some pictures of them together as well.

SOOOOOO, the rehearsal dinner seemed like the obvious place. We were having a lovely dinner---that I described in an earlier post here. We all had some of this beautiful cake:

 Isn't this cake beautiful? Caitlin and Carson truly have a heart for people around the world, so Dawn came up with this cake idea---she's so creative!

Here's the top up close---LOVE THIS! And it was a good cake, too---different flavors in the different layers!

So, we were savoring our dessert and coffee and really enjoying visiting with everyone. Things were winding down and I heard a commotion near the pool----Carson was being carried across the yard by the groomsmen---he was about to go splash!

 Carson didn't even fight it---it must be the thing that happens around Rocky Mount---at least with his friends!

Still moving~

Here he goes---I didn't get one of him going in---bummer, but......

Here he is, soaking wet---he's so sweet---look at that smile!

At least his friends took off the leather---and grabbed his keys!

I'm not sure what Joshua was doing with that stick---perhaps he was going to protect his new brother! 

Too late!!

Meanwhile back at the pavillion....the pictures were being taken---Gene was trying to round up all the Dirty Dozen for pictures---

It started out with Jeff, Emily, Sarah, and Keith

Then Heather and Andrew and Pam were added.

Then Brett, Caitlin, Hannah, Joshua, and Clayton got there---just waiting on those Hughes Springs Nelsons....

Where are those girls???

NOW---Logan and Peyton are there---and Tom Sawyer---who is that boy without his shirt? OHHHHH, it's the latest addition to the family, CARSON! This is just after the pool episode. SO, his first picture with the "Dirty Dozen" or whatever you call 15 is soaking wet and shirtless! 

And here is everyone---the Dirty Dozen and the three wonderful additions---Molly, Keith and Carson. Granny and Granddaddy would have loved this picture----I wish they had been here to enjoy this moment!

{Graduation cards....again}

 I needed two more graduation cards, so I made them yesterday. I have so much to do in my house, but I decided that yesterday was my first day off from work---officially, so NO WORK FOR ME....well, that was yesterday and today it's back to whipping this house into shape after a very busy school year. BUT, here are the two cards I made.

This first one was so fun. I was inspired by this card on Lisa Johnson's blog. If you'll scroll down a bit, you'll be able to see it. Anyway, I knew I wanted to use pink and green, so I used some paper that I had left over from the wedding as a start. The argyle is from A Little Argyle. I used new Leaf ink---it was a close as I could get to the Bazzill cardstock. I used the Picnic Plaid impression plate from PTI on the Raspberry Fizz cardstock. On the sentiment, I "stamped off" the smaller argyle pattern and ran it through my cuttlebug using a Ribbon tag die.

I added the glitter by adding two pieces of 1/4" score tape on the top and bottom of the image and then added Prisma glitter to it. I love it. I've seen it done numerous times, but I had never tried it myself---such a simple way to bring some dimension to your card. I actually added the hat because I had messed up when I was stamping and I needed to cover it up---I thought it fit just right!

This next card was super quick---I'm not crazy about it, but it is what it is! I started with Kraft cardstock and added some Dotty Biscotti paper. I used the large scalloped die for the bottom of my paper and then added buttons and twine. I cut the black mat out of Papertrey's felt---and I must say, it is soooo nice. I kept reading people who said that and I wondered what the big deal was, but it really is such quality felt---it doesn't fray or anything. It's thick and feels so soft--OK, endorsement over! I cut the mat with the Mat stack 1 and added the sentiment on top. That was it---I just read that Papertrey is discontinuing it's entire line of inks because of quality control issues---I'm not sure how I feel about it---I'm kind of irritated---but I did just find out and it often takes me awhile to process things! I'm sure in the long run it's better, but right now, I'm just looking at the dollar signs and I am frustrated---oh well. I'll deal with it! I hope to have another wedding post up tomorrow! Thanks for stopping by---

Argyle Graduation: (all supplies PTI unless notes)
Stamps: A Little Argyle, For the Graduate
Paper: Diamond green (Bazzill), Raspberry Fizz, White
Ink: New Leaf, Raspberry Fizz, Tuxedo black (Memento)

Dotty Graduation: (all supplies PTI unless noted)
Stamps: For the Graduate
Paper: Kraft, Hawaiian Shores, Dotty Biscotti PP
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento--Tsukineko)

{Perfect Pear}

Here's a quick post of a card I made for a wedding we attended on Saturday. I  love it when a plan comes together! This one was so quick.

I had bought a giftcard from Target, and needed to wrap it up quickly. One of my favorite gift card holders is this one from Kristina Werner. I like it because it's so simple---I have a template and I just trace the template on the cardstock and paper and cut it out. The card was also quick and simple. I would have loved to put some glitter on the pear, but it was after NOON and we had to leave at 1:00.

The card was a simple white piece of cardstock and I embossed the scallop circle in the middle of the card. I stamped the pear using Summer Sunrise, then Simply Chartreuse, and finally a little bit of Ripe Avocado ink on the side. I used the rock and roll technique---sort of to get the different colors on the pear. I stamped it on another piece of cardstock, added the leaves and stem and cut it out. I made another one for the gift card holder. I added the ribbon and the sentiment, "Perfect Pair". This is from Favor It Weddings; the pear from Fruitful---both from Papertrey Ink.

Here's the extra pear I added to the giftcard holder----I made it the same way, it's just the smaller pear. I used a Basic Grey magnetic closure for the holder---I've had them forever, but I just remembered them and used one for this---I love it---it kept it closed without having to tie it or tape it closed. The patterned paper is from the Holiday Vintage Prints line, but I thought it looked so good with the pear---I also cut the envelope liner out of the same paper. I tied a piece of Bitty Polka dot ribbon in Simply Chartreuse and added a chocolate chip button like the card.

Well, thanks for stopping by---let me know if you have any questions---I think all the information is in the post, so I'm not going to post the details here.

Enjoy your day! SUMMER IS HERE!!!

{Family---the extended kind}

Well, one of the BEST parts of the wedding was getting to see family that we rarely see. David's family has 12 nieces and nephews---including our three. Three of them are now married and we have TWO babies on the way! SOOOOOO exciting to think of adding babies back into the mix. All of David's immediate family was here except one brother in law. They started arriving on Thursday and the last of them left on Monday. My two sisters were also here, but Shannon's family didn't arrive until Friday night at the rehearsal dinner. On Thursday night my mom prepared a wonderful meal and all of us who were in town went over there to have dinner and hang out. Here are a few pictures of that night and the rehearsal dinner---featuring our wonderful extended family.

This is Andrew & Heather (who doesn't seem too happy to have her picture taken!). These are David's sister's kids. Heather is expecting a baby in August!

Rebecca--Gene's wife, her son, Clayton and her daughter in law Molly----not married to Clayton, but to Jeff---you'll see them together later!

Here's Andrew with Logan---Rick's oldest daugther.

This is Brett, Gene's younger son. He and Joshua actually look SOOOO much alike, so we tried to get good pictures of them together----Joshua doesn't always cooperate with that!

The rehearsal dinner was amazing! It was at the home of a friend of Carson's family. They have this beautiful pavillion   out in their backyard near their pool. There were over 90 people there. It was just lovely. Carson's mom, Dawn and her friends did a beautiful job of decorating. We had a "pig pickin'". It's a very North Carolina thing to do. And that was fun for our relatives from all over the country! 

Here are my parents and one of my sisters--Jennifer. I think Shannon, my other sister is there right next to Jennifer.

This is Keith & Sarah---Sarah is Rebecca and Gene's youngest daughter---and her husband. Sarah is expecting a baby in September. You can read about it here.

Jennifer, Jeff and Brett

Sarah & Emily---her sister!

David and Jeff & Molly

Andrew, Heather & Pam

 Clayton and Hannah

 Brett & Me----this is just before I started a small fire with a napkin---yep, I'm a treasure!

I was trying to upload a couple of other pictures, but blogger isn't cooperating--I'm sure this is enough!  I don't have a picture here of several people in the family, so I'll try to upload them later.  I also wanted to show you the cake that we had at the rehearsal dinner--it was so pretty!

I have just decided that if I don't get this all scrapbooked, at least I'll have it on the internet for my grandchildren to see someday! Of course, I do hope to scrapbook the whole thing---these are memories I don't want to forget! Thanks for indulging me~enjoy your day!