Masculine Cards Swap @ SCS

these are the cards i made for the masculine cards swap @ SCS...i did one for each category: sympathy..get well..and birthday...

Masculine Birthday Card
Paper: early espresso..really rust.. naturals ivory..dsp
Ink: early espresso..really rust..marina mist
Stamps: and many mower

Masculine Sympathy
Paper: basic black..chocolate chip..crumb cake
Ink: chocolate chip
Stamps: nature silhouettes..inside: you're in my thoughts
Accessories: cuttlebug..embossing folder

Masculine Get Well
Paper: basic black..ridinghood red..whisper white..dsp
Ink: ridinghood red..black printer ink
Stamps: apples fruit borders

Masculine Get Well Inside

Stylish Blogger Award

i received this awesome award from Pam, who's blog Wacky Whippet Stamper is always a pleasure to browse and get inspiration from...Thanks Pam!

so the way this works is after receiving this award i thank and link back to the person wonderful enough to send it to me...then i list 8 facts/statements about myself...finally i pass it on to blogs i've discovered recently...so without further ado...

1- i collect pigs

2- i don't recall my natural hair color

3- my all time favorite stamp set is Stampin' Up's "lovely as a tree"

4- i grew up in a haunted house

5- i am vertically challenged...(and afraid of heights)

6- my dog and cat are both rescue animals

7- i read pretty much anything and everything

8- my first job was delivering newspapers at the age of 5...i'm deadly in a rubber-band war

now to pass it on...a couple of these are baby blogs...i love watching blogs develop...

Kay - Stamping for Sanity

DJ - Designs by DJ

Alexis - Scrappin' Sistah

Trish - Mouse Print Creations
Courtney - Brighten Your Day

Merry Christmas

as a christian i say Merry Christmas...let those who will be offended be so...their choice...i accept most beliefs  and try to "judge" people by their actions...i mean i do have to be flexible...with an atheist hubby and a wiccan daughter...LDS missionary parents...a s-i-l that sings for the "MoTabs"...friends that are almost every religion or non-religion under the sun...or moon as the case may be...we've been telling the grands that Santa brings presents to the "good" kids because he wants us to remember that Jesus was a gift from God to the world...and that their being "good" is what Jesus taught...to love...to forgive...to obey man and God's laws...

so i am wishing everyone a Merry Christmas...may you have a wonderful and joyous holiday...that you will have what you need (as well as what you want)...i know i will...all i need is my family & friends...safe, happy, and healthy...

so good vibes and big cyber-hugs to everyone...be safe & be well...Kari

Christmas Cards 2010 II

Paper: Garden Green, Whisper White
Ink: Garden Green
Stamps: Delightful Decorations
Accessories: ornament punch, oval punch, green/red ribbon, cuttlebug, snowflakes ef, dimensionals

 here are the rest of my Christmas cards for the year...finished them over the weekend...you can't tell from the photo...my skills...yadda yadda...but the jingle card has red glitter embossing powder...sparkly...and the bell really jingles!
entered the green card as suggested by Genny to the Snowflake Challenge @ Hand Stamped Sentiments!

Paper: Real Red, Garden Green, Whisper White
Ink: Versamark Watermark
Stamps: Alphabet Soup, Looks Like Spring
Accessories: red glitter embossing powder, gold cord, small green bell

Christmas Cards 2010 Part I

Paper: garden green, whisper white
Ink: garden green
Stamp Set: four the holidays
Accessories: CB, swirl EB, gold/green/red metallic cord, small green bell

Paper: cherry cobbler, whisper white
Ink: cherry cobbler
Stamp Set: four the holidays
Accessories: CB, swirl EF, flourish punch, dk red/black stitch ribbon

Paper: basic black, whisper white
Ink: always artichoke
Stamp Set: four the holidays
Accessories: CB, swirl EF, artichoke/black stitch ribbon, flourish punch

Paper: always artichoke, whisper white
Ink: always artichoke
Stamp Set: four the holidays
Accessories: CB, swirl EF, artichoke/black stitch ribbon, flourish punch

                      


as you can see i'll be using my cuttlebug and swirl embossing folder quite a bit...the cards are fairly CAS...though more than one layer...i'll post the other couple of styles in the next day or so...tfl

Christmas Mock-ups

so i got new batteries for my camera...unfortunately they don't improve my photography skills...hmm...photo lessons for Christmas?...

these are some mock-ups of christmas cards i am considering...i will do some CAS cards i have already decided on...mass produce..but i like to do a few "limited editions" for close friends and family

any suggestions from you all would be appreciated...

thanks...be safe & be well...

Giving Thanks

08May2010...Todd's 40th b-day surprise party...son-in-law Billy  (in the red shirt) died a week later...he was the GRILL MASTER...great memory

i want to give thanks today...before i get caught up in the preparations for the holiday season...first and foremost...i am thankful for the presence of God in my life...a constant that i appreciate daily and can not fully express gratitude for...for my family...my husband and children...our grandkids and parents...my siblings are not only my bane but my best friends...and speaking of best friends...i have one that i have shared my entire life with...shared nap times and tears...advice and hugs...nobody does it like her...my nieces/nephews/cousins/aunts/uncles are all blessings and angels in disguise...i know i can call any of them and receive love and support...

i am grateful for my home...filled with not just the material comforts but the love...squabbles...noise...CHAOS...and sharing...

i am thankful that though there have been great losses this year...there has also been a great outpouring of love and support from people near and far...those known personally and those never met in person...a smile or cyberhug can mean so much...

the life i have since meeting my soul mate is richer than any i could have imagined...he is the best man i have ever known (besides my dad *grin*)...and loves me for who i am and treats me as someone precious to him...i probably fall short on reciprocating...guess i have a goal...but he knows i love and respect him...and that i thank God and the universe for bringing him into my life...

i hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving...that you and your's are safe and well...that you appreciate this time with one another and the comforts you have...give generously of self and time...the rewards are immeasurable...much love to you all...Kari

CAS93 - Card for my hubby

this is the card i decided to do last night for CAS93 on SCS...made it for todd...inside i'll put a pic of Ditz and the sentiment: Cats leave pawprints on our hearts...tfl...be safe/be well

Paper: naturals ivory..basic black
Ink: basic gray
Stamp: C is for Cat
Accessories: 1.75" & 1.5 " circle punches..mini pearl...pawprint twill ribbon

Rainbow Bridge

Ditto

this is going to be a long and sad post...so grab some tissues...

8 years ago today my husband and i adopted our "love child" we named her Ditto...because whenever todd told me he loved me i'd say ditto...just like in the movie Ghost

11/16/2002 we were newlyweds...stationed @ Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota...todd worried i'd be homesick (i was)...and that i'd need company when he was deployed (which was often)

so we went to the humane society of the black hills...and there in the cat/kitten room in the very middle of the floor sat a small puff of fur...looking disdainfully at her surroundings...a little queen...i said "that's the one"...but todd had to look at every other animal in the place...we came back to the room and i didn't see her anywhere...she had hidden...so no one else could pick her...she was waiting for us...the last of her litter that had arrived that morning

a siamese mix...which as most cat appreciators know are very vocal...and i would joke that it would be nice if she'd come with a snooze alarm...she let you know when she was hungry!

this lady had opinions and could be ornery....whenever todd came home from a deployment it took him a day or two to get back in her good graces...but right down the line she's a "daddy's girl"...she groomed him as if he were filthy every chance she could..and me too if he wasn't handy

we added to our family with another cat and a dog...each has their own story

the 3 animigos

a few weeks ago Ditto stopped eating very much...some days she'd be fine others not...she lost weight quickly...we hand fed her and she seemed to improve...but then it seemed she was skin and bones overnight...

metabolic tests showed an extremely high ALT (liver function) and glucose...insulin helped but her poor liver was destroyed...the vet suspects a tumor...malignant of course...in her liver

so today at approximately 10:45 a.m....our baby...sweet "Ditz" crossed the rainbow bridge...to join God and our son-in-law Billy on the other side...she is with family and friends...she will be well loved until we see her again...sleep well my lovely fur baby...momma and daddy love you

Child/Cute Birthday Card Swap

  These are cards i made for a Child/Cute Birthday Card Swap over @ SCS...it is a 5 + 1...the +1 going to RMH Southern Alberta...i need to get these in the mail ASAP...but today is a real crazy Monday!!...couple of sick ones home...cat is very ill too...vet appt this afternoon...but both boys are napping and i have a couple of minutes to post...yay me...

Paper: Night of Navy, Wild Wasabi, plaid dp, Basic Black, Naturals White
Ink: Night of Navy, Navy Printer Ink (the font looks like a road with white lines)
Stamps: Let's Roll car
Accessories: 1.75", 1.50" & 0.5" circle punches, white brads

Car Close-Up

Font Close-Up

Paper: So Saffron, Perfect Plum, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Naturals White, flower dp
Ink: So Saffron, Perfect Plum, Certainly Celery
Stamps: It's Your Birthday
Accessories: pink, lavender & teal gems

for the flower card i made 2 cards of each color using Bashful Blue, So Saffron, & Perfect Plum as the card bases...with alternate colors around the sentiment...plum on the saffron cards, saffron on the plum & celery on the blue... 

Cookin' Buddies

i had to do a second post...my hubby is a wonderful & creative cook...our youngest grandson Tayven loves to help out...as he says "i wanna cook wif you grandpa...cuz you're a good cooker"....Tay stands on a step stool just far enough back that he can see but not get hurt or in the way...he hands things to Grandpa and comments on the best way to do things...as well as what to add next...

please scroll down to see my previous post re: jonni's 2nd card

Cards my daughter Jonni made - #2

this is the 2nd card Jonni made for the get well/encouragement swap...she used bright/cheerful colors...the sentiment is a favorite saying of mine...i have it or something similar posted or displayed on various websites and in areas of my home...

Life Moments

flower close-up

Cards my daughter Jonni made - #1

my daughter Jonni made a couple of cards for the swap i hosted over on SCS too...here is her 1st one...i need to take pics of the 2nd one for a later post...we are sure having fun stamping together...christmas cards will be an adventure!

Get Well/Encouragement Swap - Farm Fever

Cards my daughter Myke made

i have 3 daughters ...Jonni is the oldest...the mother of my 3 grandkids...Myke is my baby but...their step-sister Tasha is the youngest...Jonni & Myke live with me...again...and we enjoy making cards together...cooking...and hanging out...they are both in my get well/encouragement swap...these are the cards Myke made for it...her dog looks very much like the one in the stamp...

Card Front

Front Close-up

Inside Card

the next card i was her "guest designer"...she really wanted to use this sentiment stamp...but we don't have any rainbow stamps...and she didn't care for any of the digis...

Rainbow

again, i must apologize re: my photo skills...one of these days...

Cats Whiskers

Cats Whiskers has some candy...blog candy that is...ck it out

Get Well/Encouragement Swap - my 2nd card

this is the 2nd card i did for the swap i'm hosting over on SCS...i had to do another card as an "angel" since a swapper had to drop out...but that's ok...life happens and i wanted to use this sentiment anyway...

Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum, Whisper White
Ink: Elegant Eggplant stamp pad & reinker
Stamps: Sage Advice...i used the flower from this set on the inside
Accessories: Prima flowers...lg one dyed w/Elegant Eggplant to match CS, CB, EF, white brad

Get Well/Encouragement Swap - my 1st card

i'm hosting my first swap over @ SCS...Get Well/Encouragement Card Swap...and i tell ya there are some really talented swappers out there...like you all didn't know that already right?...so i thought i'd post the 1st card i made for this...the saying i used inside makes me laugh...

Card Front
Papers: daffodil delight, whisper white
Ink: daffodil delight, printer
Stamps: lemon slices, sunny lemons, cheers to you
Accessories: lemon slice brad, markers

Card Inside

EASY Winter Goodies Swap @ SCS

Paper: bashful blue-textured, blue country crackle dp
Ink: printer-chocolate chip
Accessories: small sahara sand eyelets

this is my card for a 6x6 recipe swap...Easy Winter Goodies over @ SCS...one of my favorite quick and easy treat recipes...sometimes i use teddy grahams instead of the graham sticks...

p.s. i'm hosting a 6x6 recipe swap...Southern Cooking @ SCS...please check it out

CAS Christmas card swap

These cards are for a CAS Christmas Card Swap on SCS

 i found these cute little bells @ michael's

Paper: Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Ink: Baja Breeze
Stamp: Four the Holidays
Accessories: CB, EF, small lt blue bell, sliver elastic cord

Paper: Whisper White
Ink: SU Markers: Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Bermuda Bay
Stamps: Patterned Pines, Four the Holidays
Accessories: Scoring Blade

 i think i may have stamped the "happy holidays" crooked on a card or two...time to make an eye exam appointment i guess...(i hate that exam)

Productive?...Me?...

i haven't posted anything in a few days because my "mojo" kicked in big-time this week...and i'm not looking a gift "mojo" in the mouth...finished a couple of swaps and helped my daughters with some designs for their swap cards...we all collaborate...i tell them they're my "guest designers"...they are both very artistic/creative...like my mother and brother...so i need to take pics and get them uploaded...probably trickle them out in various posts so i can continue to create while it lasts..have to run to HL today though...need some stuff...be safe and be well everyone...

HYCCTC05 - Twine Time

decided to do a masculine card for the twine time HYCCT challenge...had these scraps and so it just came together quickly..."borrowed" the fly from my dh's tackle box...dulled the hook and attached it to a swivel and the twine...now dh wants me to make a copy for my step-son's b-day...he loves to fish so he should like this card

Paper: cajun craze, naturals ivory, dp 
Ink: always artichoke 
Stamps: angler  
Accessories: hemp twine, fishing fly and swivel

HYCCT14 & HYCCT02C

i'm enjoying these challenges...coming up with something to fit each one has been fun...for bring in the brown i used a vintagesqe stamp with a coffee sentiment...


Paper: naturals ivory, early expresso, pretty in pink 
Ink: vintage photo 
Stamps: unknown  brand
Accessories: brown w/pink ribbon, stampin' dimensionals




for ribbon,ribbon,ribbon i used a stamp i bought a couple of years ago but hadn't inked yet...


Paper: kraft, chocolate chip, pretty in pink
Ink: chocolate chip
Stamps: piggy back

Accessories:  various ribbon


i've been working on a couple more and will post them soon...tfl

HYCCTC02A & 02B

so i went to michael's this morning...and spent too much time and too much money...they didn't have the item i wanted in stock...but hey i got adhesive...yay for me!

here are the first 2 cards i've done for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on SCS...the first one is the lingerie inspired challenge ...i used colored pencils and it turned out ok...just remember i am coloring "challenged"

Paper: pretty in pink, whisper white, basic gray, going gray 
Ink: jet black 
Stamps: uplifting occasions  
Accessories: lt gray ribbon, border punch, colored pencils




this second one is pink holidays...i really like dasher for this card...my hubby said the pink gem on the slit punch looks like a boobie holding him in place...so now i have that image stuck in my head...he is SUCH a guy!!

 

  Paper: melon mambo, pretty in pink

  Ink: melon mambo
  Stamp: dasher, small script
  Accessories: dk pink gem, slit punch