I'm A Dork...

It's official. I am a dork. I used a sketch for this card and now I can't remember where I got it from. I even looked on my blog list ( I know I got it from one of them..but, I can't find it anywhere.). It's like the sketch ( and maybe the blog itself disappeared). Scary stuff, that. So, I am going to post the picture anyway. With the knowledge that I am NOT trying to take credit for this idea. The sketch does belong to someone- and the credit belongs to them. It was an awesome sketch. I love how my card turned out.

It looks exactly like the sketch- with the exception of the added ribbon.

This is the inside of the card ( it was not part of the sketch). I took the cupcake theme and brought it inside. The stamps I used for this are from Stampendous ( it's an acrylic stamp set ). Cardstock is SU!, printed paper is from Simple Stories-Life Documented set of paper. Cupcake was made using my Sizzix. Ink is SU!


Now, all this card needs is a little cash inside it so I can send it on it's way. It's quite a bit late...But, she knows that I love her so it'll be okay. :)

A Sweet Sixteen Post. Better Late Than Never.

My daughter turned sixteen this past June.  WOW. Sixteen. REALLY? When did that happen? These are the thoughts that careen through my mind. Sixteen, a mile stone for her, heart breaking for me. Heart breaking, not because it means I'm getting older. Heart breaking because sixteen means that her father and I have only two more years with her before she goes off to school, or where ever her dreams may carry her. Two more years where we continue to instill in her our values, trying to make her into a productive member of society. Two years where we can hug, touch, play and guide her along the route through high school. TWO YEARS. It isn't enough time. It's hasn't been all fun and games. Nope. Especially the last few years. HELLO! She's a teenager. A female. Sometimes it's like an alien has taken over her body. Gone is the toddler who stole many a heart. In her place is this faux -adult full of crankiness and angst. Though, there are times when I see that toddler. In her smile. A smile that lights up a room. In her smile I can see the curious imp, the child that always wanted to know WHY? I love her smile. It's effervescent. She's effervescent. We are truly blessed to have had her in our lives for the past sixteen years, and we are looking forward to seeing her mature into the adult that she will be. Happy Sweet Sixteen Linsea!

Her are some pictures of her 16th birthday party. We had it at our local waterfront Park.

 These are Mason jars that I spray painted white and blue. The tops of the blue jars are wrapped in lavender tulle, the tops of the white are wrapped in blue tulle. These are the center pieces used at her party.

                                      These are the invitations we send out .

                                                                                                                                    

Here is the Birthday Banner. We we not able to hang it up because it was too windy- and trying to tape it onto cement was a painful endeavor.

We ended up using two picnic tables. I place table clothes on each table. One in Blue, one in lavender.  We bought food from Costco, sandwiches, soda, cake. I made the cupcakes.

I'm not sure how well you can see them- but, I stamped hibiscus flowers all around each tablecloth. The hibiscus flower is from Stampin' Up!, the ink is also from SU! Bordering blue craft ink.

These are the cupcakes. I used my Cricut Expression and the Going Places cartridge to cut out the Hawaiian shirts. The paper is Bazzil, but I can't remember the name of the colors.


I think everyone had a nice time. I know Linsea was pretty happy with how everything turned out. I for one am glad it's over. It takes a lot of time and effort to put on a birthday party. Thankfully, I'm done for a while!

Happy Fourth of July!

"You have to love a nation that celebrates it's independence every July 4TH, not with a parade of guns, tanks and soldiers, who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but, it is patriotism. " ~ Erma Bombeck

In honor of July 4Th- I made these Flag Luminaries. I bought the flags at Michael's ( got them for 50% off, so I spent a total of $2 for the four mini flags). I re purposed two glass jars ( they're the same size )- used spray adhesive on the flags to glue them to the jars. Then Mod Podged the flags ( making sure I didn't get any on the jar) to make sure the flags didn't come off the jar. I found the idea on the Mod Podge blog.

Here's a close up of the luminaries. I wrapped twine ( I bought a large spool from the hardware store a few years ago- for about $4 I've been able to use it on countless projects) around the lip of the jars several times. The smaller jar is one I frosted last year using a template I created with my Cricut. I needed something smaller to set off the luminaries (*things always seem to look better in sets of three*).

Here's a birds eye view of the luminaries- all lighted up. This project came together easily- with very little mess ( though, my fingers did get sticky when I used the spray adhesive! Not really sure how to avoid that..)- I'm excited to try it again using pieces of scrap material. Looks like a trip to Joann's is in my future. I need to check out their remnants section.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a safe, fun- filled Fourth.

New { To Me }

My Stampin' Up! order came in yesterday- it actually came EARLY. Love That. In the brown cardboard box of delights was my new digital scrap booking system. Now, I'm a little picky ( okay, a lot ) and I prefer scrapping the old fashioned way- you know, with PAPER, cutter, buttons, flowers and sewing. However, this system is surprisingly easy to use { though, I know I still have a lot to learn- HUGE learning curve for me!} and I can see how practical having one on your computer can be. There will be times that I want to do some scrapping and I don't have my "goodies" with me. It can be such a bother trying to pack up scrappy things and ULTIMATELY I end up forgetting one or MORE things that I need in order to complete my project(s). I really hate it when I realize I can't go any further on a project because I have forgotten my glue dots, or the right color of paper.

The brown polka dot layout above is the most recent one I've done. I made it for my sister Rae for my new niece's bedroom. A welcome to our family layout. I used the brown "paper" because she's wearing a brown outfit in several of the pictures ( and also because my sister hates pink).

This green one is actually my very first attempt at digital scarp booking. It was a little frustrating at first- mostly because it took a little time ( HUGE learning curve, remember) for me to figure out how to delete items that I didn't like. All in all, not bad for my first attempt.

These pictures were taken with my cell phone camera. They turned out better than I expected. Especially since the camera only has 3 mega pixels. We left the house early one morning before school to stop at Starbucks for a special before school treat. Since we don't do things like that very often I made sure to take pictures to commemorate our time together. Also, it's good to have them for when the kids say - "you never do anything with us"...I can whip out these pictures and show them!

This is my beautiful niece Kalea. This layout is a Mother's Day gift for her mom ( my sister ). It's going to be so much easier framing this. Those nice $6 Michael's frames will work perfectly. I have to use a shadow box if I want to add layers to my paper scrapping layouts. Which looks good but can be very spency.

I did this last layout to commemorate my brother's return from Afghanistan. He had been away from his family for 7 months- and I know it was hard on him as well as my sister and Kalea. Thank you for serving and protecting our way of life! I love this photo my sister took. Both of them look so happy being together. Kalea's smile tells me that all is finally right with her world! I'm very glad. Welcome home JR. You were missed.

Now that my cupcakes have finally cooled- I need to wrap them up and put them away ( to be frosted tomorrow). We are celebrating my daughter's 16TH birthday at the park tomorrow- I made all the decorations - so hopefully everything turns out the way I see it in my head! I'll share photos tomorrow. Have a great night and a fabulous weekend! -Katherine

For Sarah

My sister called yesterday with a crock pot question. From that we meandered to the comment I owed her a Dry Erase Menu Board. Apparently, I got her confused with my other sister, who said she wouldn't use it. Bad Me. Bad.

Her kitchen colors can only be described as Sante Fe. So, here's my attempt at making her menu board in Sante Fe type colors. Not too bad. Maybe even AWESOME since I didn't have to go out a buy paper especially for this project...and I don't typically have these colors on hand. GO ME. Sometimes, it does pay to NOT throw things out. Yeah. That's. It. :)

So, my dear, sweet, sister....here's your menu board. Use it in good health. Big Hugs.

Easter Buckets..An Alternative To Easter Baskets

I have to say- I love these little plastic buckets. I found them at Michael's for $3.99 each ( so they were considerably less expensive than a "real" Easter Basket. I think my favorite thing about them is that they were not the big gallon size... they were tall and skinny.
I took 3 different pieces of printed paper ( one for each kid ). I cut the 12" piece of paper in half and then took my punch and edged 2 of the 3 borders ( couldn't have a girly look for my son ).

I took a circle Nestability and cut a circle out of each piece of paper for the lids. I made brownies in Mason Jars for the kids as well ( this is what I decided to do- mostly because money has been a little tight recently...everything is getting more and more expensive- thank you inflation). They were really yummy- I put a Reese's Peanut Butter Egg inside each of them ( I love peanut butter and chocolate)! After they were devoured, the kids looked around for more.
I actually made "brownie cupcakes" with the leftover brownie mix. After I took them out of the oven- I stuck Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs in each. Yum yummy.

Magnetic Memo Boards: An Inexpensive and Practical Gift Idea

I love Magnetic Memo Boards. REALLY. You could say they're the gift you give that someone who already had everything. They also make excellent birthday gifts ( for girls anyway). I also love the fact that they are so inexpensive to make{yet they don't look cheesy}. For these projects- I had nearly all the supplies I needed to complete each memo board. In a couple of cases I did have to go out and get ribbon- but that was even pretty inexpensive, as I used my 40% off Michael's coupon.


I made this one for Emma's Piano Teacher, Marcia. I was really pleased with this "grown up version". I was amazed when I found this lined paper in my stash. I also used my Cricut Expression and the cart with all the music on it ( I'm not home right now and I can't remember what it's called). I used the flat glass marbles ( you can get them at Michael's or the dollar store), rub-ons for the initial. Prima flowers were also used with the marbles. They make excellent magnets ( magnets can be found at Michael's or Joann's).

Here's a close up of some of the magnets. I made 6- 3 for each side of the memo board.

This is my daughter Emma's- once we got started making these memo boards, she decided she needed one too. These are the colors she chose to use. Definitely not my color choice. She's pleased with it though, and that's all that really matters.

The paper she chose came from her American Girl Paper Pack. I used some SU! card stock as well.

Flowers are from Prima. Marbles are from Michael's. I used rub-ons for her intial.

This one was made for my daughter Linsea's friend Kristie. She recently moved and painted her room purple. Linsea's decided that this would make an excellent birthday present for her. Paper and cs is from SU! ( paper pack was from a few seasons ago).

Here's a close up of her name. I love having a Cricut. This project would have been so much more painful without it.

Close up of the magnets I did. The flower is from Prima. I actually made 6 magnets- 3 for each side. 2 flowers, 2 initials, and 2 small ones.

I have another one to share. But, that will have to wait for another day. I have the photos, but they haven't been edited. I'm lazy that way. In fact, I have been crafting- but not posting- mostly because I haven't been able to find the time or energy for editing, and I hate sharing nasty, unedited pictures. Anyhow, I've been asked for a tutorial. So, I'll probably work one up here pretty soon. Hope you are all having a wonderful, productive day. Thanks for Stopping by.

Katherine