{A Christmas Thank You}

I love this sentiment----every year I send thank you notes to all of my students who give me gifts---when I saw this sentiment in the Signature Christmas set by Dawn McVey I was so excited---not that I don't have numerous "thank you" sentiments, but I just loved that this was specific to Christmas! I have been working hard on my Christmas gifts this year--but I just don't want show any of them yet---thus the lack of posts---I'm playing with my stamps as much as possible, so you'll see some of it soon, I hope!

When I came up with this idea, I knew I'd be able to share it---I ended up with 15 cards in just a little while! I'll still need to make some more, but I'll make another design--I just got on a roll with this one and made a bunch!

The tree is from the Tree Trimming Trio. There are three wonderful trees in this set---I just went with this simple tree for this card. There are "holes" in the tree where I stamped the star ornaments in various colors. Then I added the epoxy dome stickers to give them some dimension. I think these add so much! That's the only embellishment I put on this card---look Mom, no ribbon or buttons! I made the outline with a cheap roller ball pen and ruler---simple, simple. Here are a few of the color combos I used:

Ripe Avocado, Pure Poppy, Ocean Tides

Ripe Avocado, Raspberry Fizz, Summer Sunrise

New Leaf, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise

Spring Moss, Aqua Mist, Berry Sorbet

Spring Moss, Aqua Mist, Sweet Blush

Thanks for taking the time to stop by today--Hannah's Fall Theatre Production was last night, so I'll have some pictures to share soon---it was a fun night! The wedding date has been set and it's May 15th. I'm POSITIVE this won't be the last time you hear about that! There's so much to share---so much to do! Life is crazy~

Christmas Thank You: (all supplies PTI unless noted)
Stamps: Tree Trimming Trio, Signature Christmas
Paper: Pure Poppy, Raspberry Fizz, Aqua Mist, Berry Sorbet, Rustic Cream cardstock
Ink: Memento Black (Tsukineko), Pure Poppy, Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss, New Leaf, Ocean Tides, Aqua Mist, Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush, Summer Sunrise, Raspberry Fizz (I went crazy with the ink!)
Accessories: Page Pebbles (epoxy dome stickers)

{One last Halloween post}

I love giving food gifts---baking is something I can do, so I enjoy sharing it. The usual recipients of these gifts are my children's teachers. Thursday night I decided I needed to make them some of my (mom's) famous brownies (it's actually Texas Sheet Cake, but my kids call it "mama's brownies")---I think I've shown it here before. I did a search and I haven't put them up here, so I'll include them in another post sometime---they are truly yummy and only 35-45 minutes from start to finish! Anyway, I hadn't done any stamping and I had lots to do that night, so I whipped up the "brownies" and then used my 2009 Halloween Tags to make these super fast---I love glassine bags for quick presentation of food gifts---the bag can handle something greasy without making a mess. You just slip the brownie in and then close it and add a quick embellishment. These tags took me about 15 minutes and that included cutting out the ghosts---Punches are my friend---they make everything faster. :)

I stamped the tag with black ink on colored paper and punched them out using the 1 3/4" circle punch. Then I punched out a bunch of scalloped circle punches. I used the small and large oval punches for the sentiment. So quick~

Papertrey has several tag sets and they are all this quick and versatile---I highly recommend them~
Enjoy your evening! Caitlin and Carson are coming over tomorrow night and we are going to try to find a date for the wedding---yippee!!
Kathleen

Halloween Brownie Tags
Stamps: 2009 Halloween Tags (PTI)
Paper: Orange Zest, Plum Pudding, True Black, Stamper's Select White(PTI)
Ink: Memento Black
Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch (Marvy--blue),
1 3/4" circle punch (ek success), dimensionals (SU!)

{She's Engaged!}

Yes---my baby, my firstborn is engaged to be married! If I KNEW the date, I'd tell you! This will be the first thing we must tackle and hopefully it will happen soon. I know the whole thing will happen too fast for mom and dad!

Caitlin and Carson both entered NC State as Freshman in the Fall of 2007. They both attend Providence College Ministry and met there. They hung out together with a large group of friends. Carson makes a great first impression on parents with his kind, polite Southern way---always being willing to help, doing the "yes Ma'am thing", and he is still making great impressions. I have a friend who grew up in the north and she finds "Yes ma'am" a bit condescending, but I LOVE it and hope all three of mine employ a healthy dose of it when encountering their elders. I asked Caitlin in the Spring of 2008 of her interest in Carson and she let me know that she wasn't interested---they were just friends! (I have said that, too!) In the summer of 2008 they went to Central Asia to help some overseas workers there. The team was split up into two groups and they were put in a group of four and sent to a different area. They were there for 5 weeks seeing each other all the time, working long, hard days together. When they came home---still friends, but definitely spending lots of time together. Before we knew it they were dating and the rest is history---ha! They will both graduate at the end of this year---a year early--that's what love does for you.....forces you to get out of school so you can marry! We are thrilled with the whole thing and look forward to watching their life unfold. We can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for them as they follow his plan for them. OK---here's the engagement deets:

Carson had set it up with some of her friends to get her to the top of a trail here in NC---one of his favorite spots called Hanging Rock. It's actually a State Park here in North Carolina and you hike up to a rock that hangs OVER the edge---a "hanging rock"--thus the name---cool, huh? These are pictures that she took and that her friends then took after they got to the top---it's always more fun to tell a story if you have pictures! Here's a shot of the trail that Caitlin took long before she had any idea that something was up.

The plan was for her friends and her to get together and go on a hike (because one of the girls' needed to figure out if if would be a good "field trip" for her youth group to go on-yeah, right.)

But, Caitlin took the bait. The plan was for Carson to already be up there---which he was---and it was all supposed to happen around 6:00pm. But, the plan had a few variables and it took the girls a bit longer to get up the trail than they expected. He had put rose petals up the trail (how romantic!) and the girls wondered aloud if something "creepy" was going on! :) Those girls were great to help fool her!

Carson had it perfectly timed with the sun, but they were a bit late---they still got up there and all worked out! (Thank goodness for Photoshop---you wouldn't believe how dark these pics really are!) It's quite a story that I'll let HER tell you, but needless to say, Carson was waiting for her when she got to the top of the hike. She looked through the trees and thought she saw him and went to see if it was him.

When she got there and quit asking "what are you doing here"!?, he got down on his knee and asked her to marry him. Pretty sweet!

She said yes!!! :)

Enjoying the moment----what a precious day for her! October 30, 2009 will forever be a precious day!

You can sort of see the hanging rock from this angle---they are over on the left side of the photo~

OH, and the ring---it's a beauty!

Here's one more picture---here's the beginning of the best journey of their lives---as soon as I know when the ceremony is, I'll let everyone know---it will be fun---that's for sure!

After they got back into Raleigh, they met us and his parents at the Cheesecake Factory---one of their favorite places---and we were able to celebrate with them. That was so special to us---we are grateful that Caitlin will have such wonderful in-laws---I am so blessed to have great in-laws and I have prayed that for my children their entire lives. We look forward to sharing our lives and grandbabies (YIKES! ---someday!) with such a sweet family. Thanks for indulging me---what a great day for us!

Kathleen~

{BOO!}

Hello all---yes, here I am again after 3 weeks of abscence---I just can't believe it's been that long! Obviously at this time in my life, this is taking a back seat. I've had a lot going on---and much of it is blog worthy---but there has not a lot of time to actually sit down and blog, so, it has not happened. I made these little surprises for some of my co-workers---just the ones in my building because I just didn't have time to do them for the whole Lower School. I was inspired---and sort of CASED (copied and stole everything) this idea from Betsy Veldman's PTI group post in August "Tags Two Ways". I don't usually do a lot of Halloween stuff, but I just loved these tags and I really like to give little gifts throughout the year. I used this pillow box template that I found online here. It was the size I wanted to use and after looking at several sites that wanted me to pay for one--this one was free, so I used it!!! I didn't follow her directions, but I used the template. She has a template there for the small and large one--this is the large one.

I'll put the details of papers and ink down below. After I had cut out all the pillow boxes, I trimmed the patterned paper 3.5 x 8". I stamped them with Fancy Flourishes using Memento Tuxedo Black ink to look like the lacy felt (WRMK) that Betsy had used. Then I used the Apron Lace edger punch to make the edge. The tag was stamped on Rustic Cream cardstock and then I antiqued the edges with Antique Linen distress ink. I punched the tags with a 1 3/4" circle punch and then cut out a scallop circle using my Marvy scalloped circle punch and antiqued that as well. I tied a bow around each box then I sewed various Vintage buttons on with rustic twine and tied that around the bow. I filled them (before tying the bow) with different Bliss candies---it's a chocolate candy that I can resist---can you believe it? I decided it was best to do it with something I didn't like---but everyone else seems to!

I have some very exciting news to share with you tomorrow---I just don't have time to do the post now with my son beside himself to be a "SWAT guy" for Halloween tonight---I'll post pictures of that next week, I hope....that's my story, and I'm sticking to it! ;) I hope you'll come back to find out!!


BOO! Pillow Boxes:
Stamps: Fancy Flourishes, 2009 Halloween Tags (PTI)
Paper: Kraft, 2008 Bitty Box, Bitty Star and Bitty Dot Basics (some of all three), Rustic Cream cardstock (PTI)
Ink: Ripe Avocado, Plum Pudding, Summer Sunrise (PTI), Antique Linen distress ink (Ranger), Tuxedo Black memento (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Apron Lace punch (Fiskars), Scallop Circle Punch (Marvy-blue), ribbon & vintage buttons in Ripe Avocado, Plum Pudding, Summer Sunrise, Orange Zest

{Autumn Blessings}

I don't know about you, but we have had some AMAZING fall weather lately---one of the things I love most about living in North Carolina is the fall---I never really understood the fascination with all things fall (except that meant it was football time) before I moved here----I'm from Texas, remember? We didn't have fall like I know it now---don't get me wrong---I'm not bashing the Republic---that will NEVER happen!

ANYWHOOO----my post does need to be short today, so I'm going to get to it. I told you I had done a little craft demonstration awhile back---here is another journal I made to show and then give away that night as a door prize!

These are so easy to make---and they can be as simple or fancy as you have time/supplies for. I told you about making these in this post, so if you need "instructions"---look there. It is a long post, so just scroll down to the bottom.

I used Papertrey's Autumn Abundance set for this one---I don't color much, but this set was amazing---I love the colors of autumn---and after seeing Debbie's projects with this set, I HAD to have it---she's my hero! Her coloring is lovely~The patterned papers are from the Autumn Abundance paper. Again, I love the colors of autumn and I love to make place cards and such for our Thanksgiving table, so I bought this for those.

I made a pocket on the front cover, too---I always want to put stuff in a pocket! I just put my AC Moore Rewards card in there as an example---I wasn't making a statement about it being a blessing to me----although I could argue..........OK--'nuff said!

I put the details below if you want to see what the materials are. Did you see the new Papertrey blinkie on the right? If you click on it you will be delivered straight to Papertrey Ink and you can purchase all the stuff you want....well, if you have the money---there's this silly little thing they do---they make you pay. But, you can just fill your cart up and drool over it as if you had it and then clear it all out later--that's free!

Well, I need to get some things done--I hope you have a great Thursday~




Autumn Blessings Journal~
(all supplies PTI unless noted)
Stamps: Autumn Abundance, First Fruits
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Summer Sunrise, Rustic Cream, Autumn Abundance patterned paper
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Dark Chocolate
Tools/Accessories: Cuttlebug (Provocraft), circle and scallop circle nestabilities dies (Spellbinders), Rustic jute twine, Rustic wood buttons, Apron Lace punch (fiskars) twill (martha stewart), scalloped edger punch (ek success), Copic markers

{Hannah's Birthday Card}

Happy World Cardmaking Day! This post will be short, because I am heading out to make cards with some of my friends! We have a grand idea to finish our Christmas cards today, and we just may do it! We are meeting all day long with the hopes of finishing our Christmas cards so we can have one less thing to do on our crazy list! I hope you are making some cards today, too!!

Here's the card I made for Hannah's birthday---I didn't have much time, so I used Dawn McVey's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge. There's still time for you to do it, too---I think you have until Monday night! I love these colors together, but really struggled with the layout of this card. When I finally found something that worked, I put it together and then stamped the sentiment directly on the card in Dark Chocolate----I messed it up....what to do with a card that is finished, but not presentable? (Lesson ONE---don't glue it down until the stamping is done---I know this lesson, but I'm forgetful!) I would have just made the card over---but I really didn't have time, so I did the next best thing---covered up the mess by stamping the sentiment on the red paper and then adding some embellishment to it. I tried several different things, but this is what I finally came up with. I'm not crazy about it, but I didn't have time to trash it and start over. AND, Hannah liked it---so, does it really matter that it's not my favorite? NO---Lesson TWO---the card is for someone else who will just appreciate being remembered---don't stress over it being perfect! OK---done with that! I need to go get ready for the fun day! Enjoy your day--whatever you are doing!


Hannah's Birthday Card~ Stamps: Bird Watching, Bird Watching Additions Paper: Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream (PTI) Ink: Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream Accessories/Tools: Edger Punch (ek success), Aqua Mist twill, Vintage buttons in Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate, White, & Aqua Mist (PTI), Dimensionals (SU!)


Oh yeah, I stamped the envelope, too! :)

{An 18th Birthday!!!}

My Hannah is 18 today!!!! Isn't she LOVELY?

So much happens in eighteen years~ I wanted to scan in some pictures of her from preschool---she was so mischievous---you could see it all over her face!!! BUT, my scanner is not working---boooo~~~so, I'll have to wait to do that---there will be plenty of time to do this sort of thing in this Senior year. All sorts of moments to reminisce!

First applications are due October 15, so she is in the midst of all of that---you know how it is!

Hannah had an opportunity to go to England a year ago---she LOVED it---I think she'd like to live there......

but only if she could live in a place like this!

Here she is in Africa this past summer with some form of a Gecko-type creature on her head...gotta love that!

Another picture in Africa with a Massai girl~

And one more---

Hannah is an unusual girl---she is very confident in herself---but not in a snobby way---but a quiet, stoic belief. She has wanted to be an English teacher since Middle School and hasn't waivered from that. She sets high standards for herself and reaches for goals that seem unattainable to some---I think she can do it all---she can do whatever she wants to do. She's smart, but not too smart to laugh at herself---for instance, my sweet, kind, leader of a child has Silent Lunch detention today---yep---ON HER BIRTHDAY!!! She was tardy three times to her Greek class----now, I won't comment on the use of silent lunch for an 18 year old---BUT, I must say, her attitude about it was pretty amazing---I would have thrown a fit----but, she just laughed, said it was embarrassing and that she should leave earlier to get to her Greek class on time----that is a GREAT attitude!! She's a great girl---I wish you could know her!

I'll show her card tomorrow---it's for Dawn McVey's RSCC and I didn't think people would want to read through my birthday tribute to get to my card!!! Hmph~

Have a great weekend! Can you come mow my lawn?