Speaking with Kindness

 It was my turn this week to issue the challenge on Salt.  Please visit the Salt blog to see all the wonderful projects from the design team.  My post is copied below. 

I have been particularly burdened with verses about our speech lately. As often happens when you have children, I hear them making unkind comments, hear them yelling at each other or saying things that they shouldn't. I have been trying to impress upon them the need to speak to each other with kindness and love - or just not speak at all if that is not possible!

Personally I have always been convicted by Proverb 31:26 "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness." The note for that verse in the Geneva Study Bible says "Her tongue is a book by which one might learn many good things: for she delights to talk of the word of God." Ouch! Is my speech such that my children "learn many good things?" I desperately want that to be true!

In her book, The Virtuous Woman, Vicki Courtney has a whole chapter about speech. The last paragraph sums it up very nicely:

"A virtuous woman . . . speaks with wisdom because she wisely considers her words because she wisely considers her words before she opens her mouth. When in the presence of gossip or hearsay, the law of kindness remains on her tongue. With an awesome fear of the Lord, she is quick to remember ' that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken' (Matt. 12:36)."

If you'd like to participate in our challenge, please leave a link on the Salt blog.  Thanks for visiting!

Cardstock:  Simply Chartreuse (Papertrey Ink), Naturals Ivory (SU!), Patterned Paper:  Jillibean Soup, Stamps: All Booked Up (Papertrey Ink), Ink: Memento, Accessories:  Ribbon (SU!), rhinestones (Taylor's Tiny Twinkles), gold paint pen, Spica pen, Copic markers.

ATC Swap cards

Happy Tuesday!  I recently participated in an ATC swap over in The Cat's Pajamas forum on Splitcoaststampers.  I am anxiously awaiting the return of the swap - the other participants are all rockstar stampers and I know these will be fabulous - but I thought I'd share my ATC here today.  It just so happens that the colors I use also perfectly fit with last week's TCP Tuesday (127) challenge - love that! :)

I used A Whale of a Time for my ATC and a quick simple layout but lots of cutting!  I used one of my favorite Cut-Ups from TCP for the waves and the Button Flower and Button are also from The Cat's Pajamas, as is the Divine Twine and the felt . . . aaaah I just love TCP! :)

How about that purple whale?  He seemed kinda funky and fun to me - with his black rhinestone eye and polka dots which were added with a Copic colorless blender.  The hat was stamped on some twill ribbon that I first stiffened with Strano Ribbon Stiffener - cool stuff!

That's me for today, I'm soooooo hoping to have time for this week's challenge - check out all the details on Alma's blog!  Have a great day my friends!

Seeing Gray

Good Monday morning my friends!  Time for another Kitchen Sink Stamps Monday - yea!!  For my card today I used the adorable Multi-Step Lil' Elephant set from Kitchen Sink Stamps.  He's just such a cutie!  It makes such a cute little baby card and this is one you can use for either girls or boys.

The dark color may look black in the photo but it's actually a dark gray.  The elephant was stamped as follows:  Step 4 - Smokey Shadow (Papertrey Ink), step 3 - Going Gray (SU!), Step 2 - London Fog (Memento), Step 1 - London Fog (stamped off).  I added a bit of warm cozy felt and some pretty pearls.

Thanks for stopping in today!  Please visit the rest of the KSS Crew members today also and have a great week!!

Angela • Connie • Lisa • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

Cardstock:  Lemon Tart, Smokey Shadow, Soft Stone (Papertrey Ink), White (Gina K Designs), b: Multi-Step Lil' Elephant (Kitchen Sink Stamps), Ink:  Smokey Shadow (Papertrey Ink), Going Gray (SU!), London Fog (Memento), Accessories:  Yellow felt (The Cat's Pajamas), Ric Rac die (Papertrey Ink), Swiss Dot embossing folder (Provo Craft), Nestabilities (Spellbinders), yellow pearls

Puppy Update

Hello everyone!  Just wanted to pop in with a couple new pictures of the puppies.  They're doing well!  The one we've been feeding is growing so that's encouraging!  I hoping to sneak in some crafty time today - I miss it!  Thanks for your patience with me! :)  Happy weekend!

Updates

Just popping in to update you on the puppies. They are almost 4 weeks old now and for the most part are doing very well! They've started eating a bit of very mushy puppy food, are playing and fighting and generally making a mess of their box! We have one little girl who is not quite as big as the others so we took a trip to vet yesterday. She had some blood work done and basically we are now feeding her around the clock. We're hopeful that she'll catch up and be fine!

So this means my crafty time is basically gone! I appreciate you hanging in with me while we get through these next few weeks. I hope to be back to regular posting very soon but for now, sporadic is the best I can promise! :) Thanks so much!! XOXO

[More pics coming soon!!]

Finally . . . my KSS card!

Thank you all for being patient with me today!  I know that I am not the only mom out there with a busy schedule these days - you all can relate, right?!!  It's nice to know you have friends who sympathize - lol! :) 

I used one of the new sets from Kitchen Sink Stamps - Multi-Step Ivy for my CPS sketch card today.  As I mentioned in my post earlier, KSS is the sponsor of the CPS (Card Positioning Systems) sketch  #185 this week.  By making a card with the sketch and linking it up on the CPS site you have a chance to win a great KSS prize!  This set is just beautiful and I can think of so many uses for it - it would work so wonderfully with all of the KSS floral sets.  I thought it would make a nice sympathy card (which sadly, I've needed several of lately).
 

My ivy was stamped as follows:  Step 4 - Imperial Green (VersaFine), Step 3 - New Leaf (Papertrey Ink), Step 2 - Bamboo Leaves (Memento), Step 1 - Pear Tart (Memento)

Please check out all the new sets Kitchen Sink Stamps released last week and remember to use my coupon code JULIE10KSS for 10% off your order any time!   Also, here are the links for the KSS Crew again, their cards are gorgeous!!   Have a wonderful day!

Angela • Connie • Lisa • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

Special Kitchen Sink Stamps Monday

Hello my friends!! I can't believe it's Monday already and I haven't posted since Wednesday! We had a super busy week ending with a trip to my hometown of Albany, NY for a family party.  It was such fun to see my family and a few friends and show my girls where I grew up!!  However, I am now officially exhausted! :)

But I did want to let you know that it's a special KSS Monday today because Kitchen Sink Stamps is the sponsor of this week's CPS sketch#185!  Check out the sketch and a few of the CPS designers' cards on their website.  My card is coming . . . promise!!  I'm just running a bit behind.  While you're waiting please visit the other KSS Crew members to see what they've done with the sketch.

Angela • Connie • Lisa • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

Back in a flash!

Princess Kate

A week or so ago Korin, the beautiful owner/illustrator of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps asked some friends to help spread the word about a new digi stamp she created for a special little girl. You can read more about it HERE, but Kate Thornton was a beautiful little girl who was battling cancer.   Sadly, before I was even able to post something I received another email from Korin that Kate had passed away.  You can see more about here at Kisses4Kate.

Despite Kate's home-going Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps will still be collecting funds for her family through the sale of this digital stamp, Princess Kate.  Please consider purchasing it and using it so others might know of brave little Princess Kate.

I used a recent sketch from The Sweet Stop to make my Princess Kate card and some dp that I know any princess would love!  I purposely left on a sentiment so that I could choose something appropriate when needed.  Thanks for stopping by today and for taking the time to read.

Cardstock:  (Regal Rose) Stampin' Up!, (Pink Shimmer, White Shimmer) Papertrey Ink, (White) Neenah, Patterned Paper:  (Castle In the Clouds) Reminisce, Stamp- digi:  (Princess Kate) Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, Accessories:  (Nestabilities) Spellbinders, (clear rhinestones) Kaiser, (pink rhinestones) Taylor's Tiny Twinkles (Ribbon) May Arts, (Swirls embossing folder) Provo Craft, Copic markers, (Iridescent Ice embossing powder) Stampin' Up!

Friendship Warms the Soul

Happy Tuesday!  Remember today is the official release day for Kitchen Sink Stamps.  If you haven't already, please check out the 3 great new sets HERE! 

Last night was also a release for The Cat's Pajamas!  I got to pop in and out of their party in their SCS forum and there were lots of pretty cards and prizes.  I have a wish list a mile long after seeing all the great new sets released . . . alas I must wait for payday.  :)  I do however have a cute little TCP card to show you using last one of last month's new releases, Toni's Tea Set. 

I did some paper piecing on this one and some coloring and stitching.  I have to say that the colors just make me happy - love that sunny yellow gingham ribbon too (from My Favorite Things)!  I also love how I was able to gentle curve the sentiment (since it's a clear set) to match the curve of the oval.  The cute little yellow flower was made using TCP's Cut Ups Flower Buttons die.  So check out the new goodies if you get a chance and tell Alma hi for me!! :)

I'm off to have school with the children and then get my haircut - waaaaaaay overdue!! Have a great day friends!

Cardstock:  (Hawaiian Shores) Papertrey Ink, (Lemon Drop) Gina K Designs, (White) Neenah, Patterned Paper:  (Love Me Do collection) My Mind's Eye, Stamps:  (Toni's Tea Set) The Cat's Pajamas, Ink:  (Black) Memento, Accessories:  (Yellow Gingham Ribbon) My Favorite Things, (Vintage Button) Papertrey Ink, (Flower Button Cut-Ups) The Cat's Pajamas, (Nestabilities) Spellbinders, Copic markers, sewing machine

Herd the News?

Today is Release Day at Kitchen Sink Stamps!! YEA! There are 3 awesome news sets to love. The "official" release isn't until tomorrow but if you may remember Maria gives our loyal blog readers the chance to order a day early - today!  And for today (Monday) only, free shipping will apply to purchases of $45 (US only and before any discounts).  Remember you can always use coupon code JULIE10KSS to receive 10% off your purchases at Kitchen Sink Stamps.

The 3 sets releasing today are:

Multi-Step Ivy
Multi-Step Lil' Elephant
Multi-Step Ribbons with a Cause - this is the set I previewed on Saturday in this card (I used a white paint pen to draw in the stars and stripes on my ribbon).  We're very excited to let you know that with the purchase of every Multi Step Ribbons with a Cause stamp set, 15% of the proceeds will be donated to a different noteworthy charity every month. For more information about "Ribbons with a Cause Giving Back" program, please go HERE. And for a list of the monthly charities, go HERE. 

Today I used Multi-Step Lil' Elephant, what a cute, cute little baby elephant this is!  And I just love all the adorable sentiments that come with the set  - this one cracks me up!  You may also notice that all the sentiments use the same font and size as a few other sets, Multi-Step Kittens & Pup, Multi-Step Ducks & Pig and Multi-Step Little Lambs.  I used mine today to make a baby card - well, I suppose you could use it for other news too!

I stamped my elephant as follows:
Step 4 - Raspberry Fizz, Step 3 - Hibiscus Burst (Papertrey Ink), Step 2- Angel Pink (2 times), Step 1 - Angel Pink (Memento)

I used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge 90 for the layout and a fun brighter pink tone.  I made a blue one also so maybe I share him in the future - I can just imagine a long line of colored elephants "marching" across a card or framed artwork.  What a fun idea!

Please be sure to visit the rest of the KSS Crew today - they will all have wonderful samples made with the new sets!  They you can head over to the new storefront at Kitchen Sink Stamps and check them out!  Have a great Monday my friends!

Cardstock:  Kraft, Hibiscus Burst (Papertrey Ink), White (Gina K Designs), Patterned Paper:  Dotty Biscotti (Papertrey Ink), Stamps:  Multi-Step Lil' Elephant (Kitchen Sink Stamps), Ink:  Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst (Papertrey Ink), Angel Pink, Black (Memento), Accessories:  Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Ric Rac die, Vintage Button, Felt (Papertrey Ink), foam adhesive, sewing machine, Polka Dot embossing folder (Quickutz)

Remembering

Not much to say, just wanted to remember the day in some small way. The sketch is the Sketch For You To Try for this weekend from Jen del Muro at i{heart}2stamp. It's very cool that she posts the sketches on Friday night on the SFYTT Facebook page!  The stamps are Kitchen Sink Stamps (stay tuned).

Stinking. . ..

I have a busy week this week (but I know we all do, right?) and my stamping time is sporadic.  However, I have a fun little card that I think was a rejected publication submission.

The stamps are from The Cat's Pajamas  . . . and by the way, have you been watching the sneak peeks on Alma's blog this week?? Oh my! I cannot wait to see all 12 new sets and the new dies - love the dies!!  Anyway, this set is called Happy Camper but as you can see I used the sweet little skunk for a lovey card.  He's colored using Prismacolor pencils - haven't used those in forever!  I've been bending a lot of sentiments lately to make the fit where I want to use them.  That's one thing clear stamps have over rubber!

Thanks for visiting today - have a beautiful day!

Cardstock:  White (Gina K Designs), Black (Papertrey Ink), Patterned Paper:  WRMK, Stamps: Happy Camper (The Cat's Pajamas), Ink: Memento, Accessories:  Felt, Ric Rac die (Papertrey Ink), Nestabilities, sewing machine, Prismacolor pencils, corner rounder punch

Little One

Good morning my friends!  We had such a wonderful day yesterday it's going to be hard to get back into the old routine again - plus I'm just sad to see summer winding down!  The girls and I did a bit of yard saling with a friend yesterday and had so much fun!  Maybe a post a few pics of our treasures later in the week!

It's the 7th of the month so time for a brand new challenge from Tiffany Doodles!!  It's your chance to play along with our challenge and perhaps win some awesome digi stamps!!  You can see all the details and also see all of the dt cards by visiting Tiffany Doodles - you may even decide to pick up a cute digi or 2! ;)  The challenge this month is a color challenge and here is our palette.  If it's hard to tell the colors on your screen, they are pale pink, cream and pale green. 

I used this adorable Elephant digi for my card and used it for a super sweet baby card.  Why is it that we associate elephants and babies?? My hubby and I were wondering that last night - lol!  I don't know, but this little guy is certainly cute! I printed it twice, once on my cardstock and once on the patterned paper which I then cut out.  I did a bit of shading on "his" cheeks and around some lines using Copic markers.  When it was time to adhere the pieced elephant I decided to cut out his ear and pop that up a bit with foam adhesive - I used 2 different widths to get it higher on the top and a bit closer on the bottom.  It just is a bit of fun movement I think!

Oh and the sketch is Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch #84 - it took a bit of tweaking since the ellie is big but it still worked great and I love the simple sketch!  (I'll add this 2nd pic which shows the cut out ear popped up a bit better.)

It's time now for you to visit the rest of the design team.  Everyone's projects are so different and unique and of course, wonderful!  When you're done, why not give the challenge a try?  Thanks for visiting!

• Tiffany Doodles
• Tiffany Richards
• Cammy Wall
• Cindy Lee
• Deirdre Horgan
• Donna Mikasa
• Julie Masse
• Kathy Racoosin
• Kim Schofield
• Lindsay Amrhein
• Peet Roeven
• Ruby McGuire
• Shannon Neparko
• Vanessa Menhorn
• Virginia Lu

The Crew Challenge Returns!

Happy Monday and Happy Labor Day to all my US friends!  We've got a beautiful, fun day ahead so let's get right to it today!  It's Kitchen Sink Stamps Monday and we are celebrating the return of the KSS Crew Challenge!!  After a break for the summer it's fun to get back into some fun challenges WITH a chance for you to win a fabulous prize just for stamping along!  See all the rules and details on the KSS blog.

Today's challenge is from Connie:

Ushering in Fall...Make a card inspired by the fall...colors, leaves, back to school anything you can think of when you think of the "Fall"

I pulled out the beautiful Multi-Step Harvest set and got stamping my basket and apples.  Its just the beginning of apple season here and I just love it!!  I also used Multi-Step Pumpkins which is a must have at this time of year!!  I stamped the basket with colors that give it an appearance of age - not a brand new brown basket, but a weathered, grayish wooden basket!  Tak Here are my ink recipes:

Apples:  Step 4 - Scarlett Jewel (Papertrey Ink), Step 3 - Barn Door (Ranger), Step 2 Ladybug Red (Memento), Step 1 - Pear Tart (stamped off) (Memento)

Basket:  Step 3- Bordering Blue (SU!), Step 2 - London Fog (Memento), Step 1 - Sahara Sand (stamped off (SU!), Step 4 - Weathered Wood (2 times) (Ranger)


Pumpkin:  Step 3 - Tangelo, Step 2 - Tangelo (stamped off), Step 1 - Cantelope, Step 4 - Potter's Clay (stamped off - 2 x), Step 5 - Potter's Clay (all Memento)

I used the i{heart}2stamp Sketch For You To Try which I haven't done in forever - the sketch was perfect!!  Give it a try! :)

Now Maria has a fun little contest going on - a bit of a scavenger hunt really.  A few of us are helping her out today by giving clues - check out all the details on Maria's blog.  My clue is . . . Clue #3: It brings attention to a worthy cause.  Good luck! :)

Take a minute to visit the rest of the Crew also - there are some more clues out there! Have a great day my friends!

Angela • Connie • Lisa • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

Puppies Everywhere!

I've had several requests to post more pictures of our puppies and their mama so here you go!  We're excited to say that all are doing very well and they are a week old today!  We're looking forward to their eyes and ears opening soon and having them a bit more active.  Ruby has been a great mama, she's very attentive and so patient!

I'll try and post more as they grow and get bigger.  Thanks so much for visiting - I promise I'll try and get a bit of crafting done this weekend so it won't be so lonely around here! :)

Love Machine

Good morning! We're on day 5 with the puppies and so far everyone seems to be doing very well!  They are gaining weight and active and Ruby has been a great mama.  I'll add one pic here just so you can see them all pig-piled together (well it's not all of them, but most).

I also found this card that I never shared here.  It uses an adorable set from My Favorite Things, Love Machine.   What could be better with it than the Cogsmo dp from Cosmo Cricket?  Perfect!

The robot is so fun to color, imagine all the possibilities!  After adding the dp I drew a white line with a gel pen around the right side of the card for some added interest.  It's difficult to see (unless you click on the picture to make it bigger)  but the little brads in the bottom right corner are screw brads - so fun!

Thanks for visiting today - have a wonderful day!!