Stamp Challenge #3: Story Time

Anyone remember this:

I have this weird nostalgic obsession with vintage school and children's things.  I am never quite sure what to do with them, but feel the need to buy them when I see them.  Sort of like the adorable stamp from Pink Persimmon:

It is seriously cute, right?  It reminds me of a simpler time that I, um, read about once.  LOL  Honestly, I love how graphic they are...and they are just sweet.

I bravely dug into my October Afternoon box because, let's be honest, they have super cute papers which is why I hoard love them so much!  I picked a mix of school and nursery papers that will work perfectly if I can talk myself into cutting them up.  UGH!

Of course OA has great alphabets and embellishments, too.  Oh, my!  I'm starting to scare myself a bit!

I think I need to go before I hyperventilate.  Have you made any kits based on a stamp set?  I would love to see it!  It will take my mind off of my dwindling OA box.  Sigh.

Stamp Challenge #2: Make it work

I will admit a guilty pleasure of having watched Project Runway quite a bit back in the day.  Now I don't have the time or inclination to binge watch anything, but I do have fond memories of Tim Gunn and his valuable input.  

My girl is such a fun mix of tomboy (climbs a mean tree) and girly girl (sparkly boots anyone?).  She frequently comes to check in with me in the morning to see how she is looking an if I have any accessory advice (let's face it...she wants to borrow my stuff).  I bought the Greeting Farm stamp set ages ago with her in mind.  It really reminds me of her (and her love of hats!).

I am dubbing this kit: Make It Work in honor of my fashionista.  I picked some trendy papers from Echo Park.  I love this bright mix of colors and kraft.

Neon is another new love that found its way in this kit.  We must keep it fashionable, right?  I had fun picking out some nice textural things like different ribbons, wood pieces and flowers.

I finished it off with some fun frames, labels and a LOT Of bling.

I think this kit is ready for a night out!  Two kits down and one to go!  See you soon!

Stamp Challenge #1: Into the Woods

I have been an avid reader and lover of all things (well written) literature since I was very little.   That is probably why this stamp set is one of my favorites:  

I was lucky enough to purchase this used on a buy/sell group...it included the dies, too!  It makes me happy every time I get it out!

I have pulled some fun things inspired by this set and am calling my kit: Into the Woods

And if you are sitting there thinking...hmmm...that sounds familiar...isn't there a new movie out by that name?  Why, yes there is!  And I fell in love with the stage play YEARS ago, so seeing the movie over Christmas was a treat.  And if you are sitting there thinking...hmmmm...I wonder if Bethany knows all of the music and can sing along with it.  Why, yes, yes, I can.  

For an added little treat...one of my favorite songs.  Yep.  I am a sarcastic girl at heart.

Take your time.  Savor it.  I'll wait.

Ready to see my kit?  I bet you are feeling as happy about it as I am!

I had some great fairy tale papers that I keep forgetting about using.  How perfect are some of these?  I add some woodgrain and solid colors to round out all of the patterns.

There are a few stickers and tags that got me thinking about some projects with this kit, so I threw them in...along with my coveted October Afternoon alphabets.

Lots of nature embellishments in my stash...they all came out to play here!

One stamp inspired kit down...two to go!  Check back in to see my next kit!

Showing my kids a little love...

For some strange reason I have been all over the map when it comes to traditions for Easter and Valentines Day.  We always make it special for the family, but don't really do anything consistently.

I guess at my house you can expect the unexpected.  LOL

This year I want to do some planned dates with the kids.  A couple of years ago I gave Billy a years worth of dates (one envelope for each month...date planned out...all we had to do was pick the day to do it) and he is STILL asking for me to do it again.  I think the kids will love a few planned out dates with Billy and I.  One on one time is hard to come by when both your parents work at a church...our time is impossible to schedule and not really our own.  Our kids are good sports, but our family time is constantly interrupted.

This will be fun!

Blog lovin offered up this really pretty "wrapping" idea for the date cards I am going to make...

Link to source

I love it when the package is even better than the gift.  LOL  Let's get started on some pretty packaging!

I found some fun little bags at the Silhouette store and purchased a few since I wan't sure what I wanted exactly.  They cut out easy and only took seconds to fold and glue together.  NICE!

I pulled together a pile of possibilities that I could decorate my cute envelopes with and tried to get a good mix of boy and girl things.

I started piling things on each envelope until I liked the way it looked and then glued everything down.  They came out super cute, don't you think?

I can't wait to make some "date cards" to put in them.  The kids will be so excited!

A bit of a distraction...and a challenge!

Anyone else have days when your brain is just all over the place?  I just can't seem to focus on anything today, which means that today is the perfect day to do a lot of little things.  LOL

First up is some sneaks at the CHA Mega Show!  Scrapbook Update Sneaks

I have found SEVERAL lines that I adore already!  What do you spy that you like?

Crate Paper has stolen my heart this season with their new lines!  The best part is that I have a shot of actually finding them in town when they come out! YEAH!

**YES!  Those are craft frames!  Really!!!

The colors in these collections are wonderful!  So many great details and textures.  I am completely taken by JOURNEY.  That is a must have for me!  Good thing I have a gift card to Amazon...might need to be saving that for awhile.

Another little happy distraction today has been THIS POST by Jennifer Grace.  Her layout is fabulous

and inspiring!  It makes me want to get busy making something!

Now onto some fun!  As I was pulling together some Valentines Day cards, I was struck by how much I still really like some of my older stamps.  Some of my sets I have had for years and they still make me happy.  Now how can I do something fun with them?

Challenge:  Take a favorite stamp set and create a scrapbook kit based on it!

Here are the 3 stamps sets I pulled for this challenge:

Yes, I know, they all have a girly feel to them.  I guess that is what I am digging today!  Now I am off to pull together some kits based on these stamps.  You are welcome to pull your OWN stamp to make a kit or use my stamps to inspire you.

I'll be back later with the results of my kit making and really hope to see some fun kits from you, too!

Knocking it out Valentines Day Style!

Yes, I am fully aware that it is still the beginning of January.  Impressed with me?  My aspiration this year is to actually DO the things that will make me happy.  I LOVE making and sending cards to some of our younger and older family members.  It is so much fun to get mail when you are a kid...and some of my sweet older family members love to feel a part of things and like they have not been forgotten.  I am hoping to send cards out every month, but thought I would start with Valentines Day.  Right now I am all happy to have my box of Valentines themed stuff out, but I know the closer it gets the more I will feel like moving onto the next thing on my list.  LOL 

I kept the design very simple, but had a great time digging through my stamps and getting some good old coloring time in.  My other goal was to use some of a brand new pack of adorable heart puffy stickers, so each of the cards has some of those on it.  I guess it is a magic pack of stickers because there are still SO many left!  LOL  Good thing they are pretty.

(Now if we could just get our Christmas Decorations put up so I can redecorate for February...hey...I was sick and the temperature is now negative numbers...don't judge me!  LOL)

Don't be surprised if you see some more Valentines Day projects very soon...since I am early and all.

Here are a few that I am loving from Pinterest and may need to recreate in my house:

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I have a nice big bay window that could use some dressing up...I've never messed with it before, but these are adorable!

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The wall of hearts might be too tempting for my kitties, but I love the texture and the monochromatic look!

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I am definitely feeling a pull towards adding some foxes to our Valentines Day Decorations!

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I bought some of the Stampin Up Sweet Treat Clear containers at a Garage Sale last year...Isabel and I have plans to use them on her Valentines to add a treat!

Some crafty fun for me!

I am TRYING, really TRYING to relax more and do more of the things I love.  My One Little Word for this year is...

JOY

I know I will not be perfect at it, but it is something to focus on and grow in for 2015.  It is my heart's desire to not only choose joy in all circumstances, but for me to be flowing over with it...to share joy with everyone I touch.

Since I get joy from being creative, I made some time to make a few things the last couple of days.  I am still getting caught up (home and work wise) from being sick all last month, but this is important, too.  

My first layout of 2015:  I wanted to keep it simple and just enjoy the process for once.  No preset plan or reason for making it.  Just letting it happen.  I decided to skip a photo, since that would be more work and pulled a Project Life card to serve that purpose.  My goal was to sum up last year and look forward to what this year will bring.  I love how cheery it is and the paper is one that I adore, but was always afraid to use.

I tackled a Project Life layout, too.  I thought it would be fun to make a page to share my goals, one little word and a family crest of what I want for us this year.   And what do you know...Counterfeit Kit Challenge had a challenge up to scrap with a list.  I did a challenge without even knowing it!  LOL

**I LOVE this crest idea..it was such a joy to put together what I want for us for this year...to travel more (mostly day trips), play more together as a family and freshen up our house and yard together.

I pulled together a quick card, too, while I was at it.

Alright, time to run...I hear some supplies calling!  What to do first?!

It is a beautiful day in 2015!

2014 was the year that would not end.  It was emotionally, physically and financially draining with several family deaths and emergencies and a lengthy illness for the month of December for me.  Who knew that finally feeling better would give me a whole new lease on life?  It is a brand new day!

Part of my trying to take it slowly so far has involved some crafty breaks.  Totally necessary, don't you think?  I love having fun things to show you!

Part of this year has been dedicated to getting back to a craft I love...cross stitching.  My grandmother taught me how to do needle point and cross stitch when I was young and I have done it off and on for years.  I am not a good sit still kind of person, especially when the family wants to watch a movie, so this has been perfect for me.

I started 3 projects this year...want to see what I have been up to?

This was a year long sampler that my daughter was eager to have me make for her.  It was easy to keep up with since they just send one square per month.  I just love it and have the perfect frame for it!

I also started another year long one and am finishing it up nicely.  This pattern came all at once since it was a previous pattern.  We have another snow day today, so this is what I will be working on.

My other project I started in December, but being sick kept me from finishing it...at least I am ahead for next year, right?

And HERE is what I am going to be starting next week!  I can't wait!  This one will be for me!  

(It is another year long pattern from The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery...I will get a part of the pattern each month until it is complete.  Lots of literature on this one.  Happy Sigh!)

Never fear, I have not abandoned scrapping, although I did take a bit of a break from the CKC blog.  I am so grateful for a great team there who saw that I was overwhelmed from personal stuff and stepped up to give me a break to reassess.  I love my team!

I decided to start off my year by making sure I was nice and organized.  My sweet little Raskog Cart has been so much fun to keep supplies in.  It makes it handy to wheel out and start to play right away.  I love it!

I had my Christmas supplies in it last month and made a few cards with the kids...now the top has some newly organized Project Life cards...ummm...yes, there are two more boxes of them in my supply closet.  I think I have enough for now.    I really want a second cart for my bedroom to hold my cross stitch projects in process.  Good idea, right?

Whew!  This is a seriously picture heavy post!  LOL  I will take a break and start a new one to show you some of the things I have been working on the last week.  I hope you stay safe and get some fun things done yourself!