Stamping with Kim

Kids' Valentine's cards

I had so much fun playing in my stamp room while the snow was piling up outside!  This is the first time in more than a month that I've sat down and really put a lot of effort into stamping because of everything else going on.  Let's hope it's the start of something new!!

This is Jami's Valentine card.  I was really pleased with all the textures, and like the colors, too.  I know she will like the m&m's!!  Jami is the only girl, so hers is a little more "froo froo" than the boys - but I've used the same basic layout for all 5 cards. 

Here is one for the boys.  You can see I've left off the ribbon & changed the background to add in some brown.

All of the cards have backgrounds using the Polka Dot embossing folder that's BRAND NEW in the Occasions Mini.  It's awesome!  The sweet treats cups are also in the mini.....

along with the brand new stamp set called "Sweetheart".

Here's another variation for the boys - with a little more pink - but I think it'll be OK since this one is going to Cory & he's only 4!

Here's a peek at the inside and how they will get the m&m's out of the cup & into their hands...

I simply layered a piece of cs on the inside front with Sticky Strip on both sides and the bottom.

Then I have a pull up tab - with the words "Pull up" so they know what to do!  The top half of the cup will then be exposed so the m&m's will tumble right now.  I know there are some really fancy ways to open up these treat cups, but for my little ones, this seemed to be the easiest way that I could think of.

And finally, here is one more sample, same card layout & same colors, just using different colors in different places.  I think using the same layout & colors helped me focus on this project & get all my kids cards done!!

One thing that I've learned during chemo - and maybe it's just me, but I don't think so - I have a harder time concentrating on a task.  I've gone into my stamp room a few times in the past 6 weeks INTENDING to stamp, but I've found that once I sit down and look around - I'm completely overwhelmed.  I read in one of the books I have picked up about breast cancer & treatments that one of the side effects of chemo can be a loss of concentration.  I hope it's temporary, because this is making me crazy!!!

Hopefully I will finish up some cards for the "big kids" today or tomorrow & get them posted for you, too.  Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Swim? Anyone???

Yes, this is our swimming pool after the 30+ inches of snow over the past couple of days!!  That's the diving board after about the first 24". 

There's also a snowdrift between the house & the pool that is at least 5 feet tall!!

And then here's the grill on the deck....

This is really a better picture because is shows how much snow we got in total.  We can't open the door to go out onto the deck, but we can look at the grill & wish!  LOL!!

Oh, and the bad news is... there's more snow on the way!!  Forecasters say we could get up to another foot of snow on Tuesday!!

Hey, GLOBAL WARMING....WE'RE OVER HERE!!!  *smile*

Happy Sunday!!

  

Brrrrr....baby!!

Just a quick post to let you know that we just got our power back on!!  It went out around 1:00 am this morning & is now back on.  The temp in the house is already back up to 61 degrees - a heat wave!!  LOL!!  My prayers go out to all of those thousands of homes that are still without heat.  This is a very serious situation & I praise all the workers that are out in this weather working so hard.  Bless you - and thank you!!!

Currently we have more than 30" of snow!  Not sure if that breaks a record for this area, but I know that we have already had more snow this winter than all (5) winters combined since we moved here.  Enough already!!

In the stamping dept., I did get Jami's card finished (and all the boys cards, too!) and will get a photo & post it tomorrow -- as long as we still have internet service!!  Right now, I'm going to get a hot shower & something warm to eat.

Thanks for checking in with me!!!

Snug as a bug in a rug!!

That's our agenda for this weekend!!  It's already snowing outside, and we've heard forecasts for everything from 12" to 30".  Either way, it's going to be a beautiful sight for the next few hours!!

We arrived home late yesterday afternoon, and my mailbox was overflowing!  If any of you are wondering if I can "feel the love" - the answer is absolutely, positively - YES!!  And I hope you can feel the love in return!!!

And guess what else....so can Mr. Steve!!!  This sweet card was waiting for him yesterday.  Sometimes I think I have the easy job, while he's the one worrying about me/wondering what he can do/waiting to see what's next.  I do think sometimes it's harder on the caregiver.  So I was very touched when HE got a card in the mail, too!!  (and so was he!!)  Thanks, Sarah, for remembering him!!

It's going to be a fun few days here!  I've already finished up 3 b'day cards that have been sitting on my desk for over a month now....and also finished a few other things.  I'm putting the finishing touches on a Valentine's card for our little granddaughter - and will show you that this weekend.  I'm very, very tickled with how it's turning out!!

So if you're in the line of this snow storm, too, my advice is to spend the weekend stamping!!  If you're in some sunny, warm place - well, I wish you were here!!   Either way, have a great weekend & I'll be back here soon with Jami's card!!

Holiday Blitz

Look out for Mr. Snowman!!  That's what our friends & neighbors back home in WV are telling us.  We  were going to spend a couple more days away, but now that there is another snowstorm on the way, we're heading home today.  We missed 4" of snow on Wednesday, and will hopefully be ahead of another 12" of snow due on Friday!!  The best part is that I'll be trapped inside with my stamps!  (smile)

This little card was made with a SU! set called "Holiday Blitz", and the sentiment borrowed from Punch Pals.  Both great sets!!  There are lots of layers on this one - starting with the big Snowflake cut with my Big Shot.  I used some yummy Shimmery White cs for the snowflake & love the effect!  More bling was added on the snowman by covering the image with VersaMark, then Heat & Stick powder - heat set, then cover with Irridescent Ice e.p. and heat set a 2nd time.  Love that effect!

Colors are Sahara Sand, Taken with Teal & a splash of Pumpkin Pie.  DSP is Holiday Lounge.  Punches used are Circle Scallop, 1 3/8 & 1 1/4 circle, along with Word Window Punch.

I hope you're staying warm wherever you are!!  I'm actually looking forward to spending time in my stamping room this weekend.  Hopefully I'll have some fun new things to show you next week!!

Have a great day!!

Love the mailman!

It's time for another card share! 

This lovely pink card was sent to me by Vicki.  Isn't it happy?!!  It came on a cold & snowy day, too, and really brightened things up!

Before I forget to mention it -- our ANNUAL LITTLE RED DRESS EVENT is coming up at the end of this month!!  Vicki has so graciously taken over the planning of the event for me.  I will, of course, be there!!  But with everything else going on, it was doubtful that I would have enough energy to pull off all the work involved in setting this up.

SO PLEASE GET YOUR REGISTRATIONS IN TO VICKI OR ME!!  She has asked for a cut-off date of this weekend.  If you need more info, just let me know.  Basically, the event is Saturday, Feb. 27th from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.  Lunch & snacks are included, along with a make 'n take packet that includes the BRAND NEW STAMP SET called "I (heart) Hearts", door prizes & other specials!!  Cost is $40.  Proceeds will go to the American Heart Assn.

And speaking of hearts, this next card is from Emma.  I just love this card!  Well, it's one of my favorite DSP's to start with, but I love the saying around the heart, too.  Thanks, Em!!

Now...for a non-hand-stamped card, but I couldn't resist sharing it with you.

This card is from one of my neighbors, a non-stamper, but an absolutely lovely lady!!

Joan sent me this adorable little card, with an envelope that matched the poodle skirt.  Isn't it cute?!!

She said it reminded her of one of her favorite Theatre Guild luncheons that I had planned (last year I think??).  It was a 50's luncheon & several of us dressed up in poodle skirts, etc.  It was a lot of fun & I'm glad that Joan enjoyed it!

I'm in TN for a few days (while feeling good!) visiting with my sons and recuperating from treatments.  We had some ice & snow here over the weekend - but nothing compared to what they got back home in WV!!!  My neighbors told me they had another 8" of the white stuff.  Glad I wasn't there!!  LOL!!

Have a great day, girls, and I'll keep you posted on things here in the South!  Thanks for visiting me today,

    

T'was the month after Christmas...

T'was the month after Christmas,

And all through the house,

Nothing would fit me,

Not even a blouse.

 

The cookies I’d nibbled,

The chocolate I’d taste

At the holiday parties

Had gone to my waist.

 

When I got on the scales

There arose such a number!

When I walked to the store

Less walk - more a lumber!

 

I’d remember the marvelous meals

I’d prepared;

The gravies and sauces and beef

Nicely rared.

 

The wine and the rum balls, the

Bread and the cheese

And the way I’d never said, “No

Thank you, please!”

 

As I dressed myself in my husband’s

Old shirt

And prepared once again

To do battle with dirt…

 

I said to myself,

as I only can,

“You can’t spend a winter,

disguised as a man!”

 

So, away with the last of the sour

Cream dip.

Get rid of the fruitcake, every

Cracker and chip.

 

Every last bit of food that I like

must be banished.

‘Till all the additional ounces have

vanished.

 

I won’t have a cookie,

not even a lick.

I’ll want only to chew

on a long celery stick.

 

I won’t have hot biscuits, or

corn bread, or pie.

I’ll munch on a carrot

and quietly cry.

 

I’m hungry, I’m lonesome, and life is

A bore…

But isn’t that what January

Is for?

 

Unable to giggle,

no longer a riot.

Happy New Year to All

And to all a Good Diet!!

 

P.S.....I'm choosing not to participate in this diet.  I just thought the poem was funny!! 

Have a good weekend!!

More Thoughts & Prayers

In the midst of all the wonderful Christmas holidays, I had several friends that lost loved ones.   There is no "good time" to lose someone you love, but the holidays seem to make it that much worse.

So I wanted to share one of the cards I sent.  This one was simple, and straight-forward, and I hope conveyed the message that I felt.

Colors are Certainly Celery & Close to Cocoa, cs & DSP.  I colored the tree with markers, and just randomly brushed both markers across the leaves.  I like the effect of that.  The sentiment is popped up with Dimensionals.

This set is one of my top faves in the catalog, and you've seen me use it a lot - it's called "Thoughts & Prayers".  It isn't just for a sympathy card - that tree is gorgeous!

Thanks for visiting with me today.  It's a beautiful day!!