Time Out...

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Late last week I received a package in the mail from Stampin' Up.  I assumed it was some back ordered item that I had forgotten about.

Instead what I got was:

A one inch pin for my five years being a hobby demonstrator.  It actually was five years ago in November 2015 but apparently they are a little slow.

I chuckled when I got this as I had already made the decision to drop my demo status last month.  I simply do not need (okay no one ever needs) any more of the merchandise in the current catalogue.  I suppose I could order paper but the amount of paper I would have to order would deforest some community over night.  

As my close friends know last September I was hit with three very traumatic life events in a space of ten days.  Seriously.  I have carried on as best as I can but I have fallen behind on many things that I used to do and or should be doing including my crafting.  

So, I am taking a Time Out from Stampin' Up right now.  Not only do I not need any of their product, but I should either use or relocate what I am not currently using or going to use.  

I have seen the Summer 2016 catalogue and there are several items in there that I will probably sign up for later this summer when there is some amazing promotion.  But for now I am going to start using what I have.

Over the next few months expect to see all kinds of things getting used up as part of my self proposed Time Out. 

 This evening I made 4 cards from the Tin of Cards kit that I ordered last summer!  

TAH DAH!  

Now it's time to take a jet tub bubble bath and relax as I am going back to working evenings this weekend and for some reason I am still deemed intelligent enough to be in charge!!! 

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

It's My Friday!!!

Good Evening Internet Friends!!!

Okay, not to brag, but, today is my Friday!!!  I am finally finished work for this week.  I am very fortunate to have a job that I love, but sometimes I just need to be done!  That was today!

When I got home I found my April box of Paper Pumpkin.  I had cancelled out of this subscription back in February but there was great promise that the April box would be AMAZING.  Well, not sure about that.  I did however decided to do the 3 month prepay option as that is cheaper ☺

Here is what was in this month's box:

Yup...that's it...., not sure really sure what one is supposed to do with this item....going to be one of those things that sits and stares at me in my craft room I think (hopefully it does not start to talk to me like some of the other set aside kits do).  

I did like the stamp sets that came with it though...

Both of these will likely be used.

My friend and neighbor has been going through a bit of a rough time lately so I made her a card with this new stamp set:

TAH DAH!!!

I think that they turned out rather pretty!

I also put a metre cut of a really pretty fabric in a gift bag for her and left it in her mailbox this evening as a surprise:

Hope this makes her feel better ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Give A Dog a Bone...

Good Late Evening Internet Friends!

Yes, somehow I am still up.  Have been in my jammies pretty much since I got home from work but still have not made it to bed.  

My friend Sharon's doggie Finnegan recently had a Birthday and then a couple of days after his birthday he got bit at Doggie Day Care and had to have three staples put in.  : (

So, I made him some doggie biscuits to hopefully make him feel better.

Since of course this is me a plain old bag would not do for a birthday present, so I made:

It looks great I think!  Now of course this is a retired Stampin' Up stamp, but of course I have kept it because who doesn't need a dog stamp with paws???

Here is the first batch of biscuits out of the oven:

These are biscuits that my ancestors would be proud of me for.  The biscuits I originally planned on making had corn meal in the recipe and somehow I have no cornmeal in my house.  So I chose another recipe and made do with what I had in the house.  These dog biscuits contain:

1 big scoop of peanut butter

1 egg

2 bananas

1 (sort of ) tablespoon of honey

1 scoop of wheat germ 

1 handful of flax seed

Whole wheat flour mixed in and the biscuits kneaded with whole wheat flour until the dough stuck together to be shaped.

Bake at 350 degrees F for about 25 minutes!

All dogs seem to give them 2 paws up so far!!!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Marching Along

Good Evening Internet Friends.

 This week has only been saved thanks to a co -worker and her stash of Robax Heat Wraps.  After physio the other day I thought I was going to have to roll home.  Seriously, it hurt that BAD. 

 However, the heated lumbar support in the Focus on the way home seemed to help.  I mentioned this as I hunched in to work yesterday morning and she offered me one of these from her stash.  I managed to get through the day.  Yes, I walked a little less than usual, and people did help me out some, but I got through the day and on top of that got kiddo to piano, the library and got both the Focus and the GO GO GO Toyota filled up before the fuel price jump.  Hence why we are driving the Focus again! 

This evening I limped to the cinema with kiddo and we watched Zootopia.  I loved it! 

So, it's Friday already and time for Friday share with the Krafting Crew and I have nothing to show!  Except for the March calendar that I made from my December Paper Pumpkin kit:

TAH DAH!  This is seriously about as creative as I can get this evening.  The heating pad has about worn out and after the movie I spent time in the kitchen making marshmallows for my son's play date tomorrow afternoon as that is what he volunteered to bring!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

A Couple of Snow Angels

Good Evening Internet Friends.

I woke this morning to snow falling.  It fell until mid day when kiddo got from school.  

I feel privileged to live in a newer home in an old neighborhood because I have the best of both worlds.  A house that does not need a lot of maintenance (yet) and I have a huge yard, of course I also live on a corner lot which makes it bigger than the other yards.  When it snows I get to clean both the front and side sidewalks of my yard.  It is a lot of snow!!!  While kiddo has been small I have been very fortunate that one of my older neighbors realizes that I am home alone with kiddo frequently and he will take out his quadrunner with plow and clear the entire sidewalk for the neighborhood.  ☺

This evening my son and I decided that we could be the Snow Angels  for our block and as such we cleaned both sides of the street for our neighbors.  Unfortunately, several of them came out to thank us and make small talk which involved; hearing about their opinions about another neighbor [who coincidentally had opinion about them as well]; their latest trip to the ER; their new medication; and did I think that "this" should be assessed by a doctor?????  Apparently they all know my occupation.   Note to self, shovel the walk after senior's lights out (1930 hours???).   

My craft for today is a card that I made for my friend Sharon who quilted the cats on the quilt for my Grammy.  She did not want payment so instead I got her a Groupon to my Hairstylist and enclosed it in a card for her:

Hope she likes it.

Now to get ready for bed as tomorrow should be a Quilting Road Trip with Sharon through Central Alberta because we just "need" more fabric.  ROFL.......☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

It's Finally Friday......

Good Evening Internet Friends!!!

I know it has been a while since I blogged, but this week has been ridiculously long!!!  It has been several weeks since I actually worked FIVE days in a row!  Oy.

This evening I took a bit of time to myself in my craft room.  I have a bazillion Christmas projects on the go right now, but did not have the mental energy to commit to any one of these projects.

So, I decided to make a few more Christmas Cards.  I will need about a hundred for work (everyone there now expects a Christmas Card from me).  As of tonight I now have thirty....

Here are the six I made this evening:

TAH DAH!!!!

Okay, now off to bed for a few hours of sleep as tomorrow is run errands and get kiddo to activities day!  ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Buzzing Around All Week....

Good Evening Internet Friends!

By now most of you know that I am a Registered Nurse and that I hold a couple of specialty certifications that keep me in demand daily as well as for a little thing known as overtime.  Over the past few years I have worked way too many hours of this and yes it has taken a toll on my family, but we have rolled with it.  I have done it to make sure that I hold up not only my professional obligations, but I also do it to try and match hubby's income contributions.  I realize that I am very fortunate to have a husband who has allowed me to work part time to raise our son at the cost of him often working away from home.  

Why is this of importance to a crafting blog???  Well, it has come to my attention of late that both the provincial and federal government for whom I did not vote for are planning to tax further individual's in certain income brackets of which not only hubby will fall, but all of my overtime puts me there as well.  So, I have made the decision to work my current part time FTE which means I suddenly have a lot more ME time!!!

Today I finished the cards for my swap at the Stampin' Up Onstage Event that I will be attending tomorrow:

I had fun making these and enjoyed spending time in my craft room.

After I finished these I took the puppy for a walk and then met my son at the bus stop.

On the radio this morning I heard that Johnny Reid was doing an acoustic performance at West Edmonton Mall this evening.   My son loves singing along to Johnny Reid in the car and so off we went to see the performance (he's not the only one to sing along, I had to download the new song today and listened to it probably a hundred times today).  The performance was pretty cool and a really neat experience as the only instrument present was the piano.  As someone with a Grade 8 Royal Conservatory of Music certificate this was just beautiful ☺ ♫

Leaving the mall we stopped at Williams-Sonoma as there was a sale that included the Gold Touch Half Sheet Pan set which I just HAD to have (remember it was on sale). 

We also stopped at Rocky Mountain Soap and picked up Vanilla Candy Cane soap, shower gel, lip butter, body butter (for me) and a couple of the gift packs for Christmas presents.  Every year I am scrambling to get this product, so this year I am stocked up before Christmas.

Now, off to bed for the big day tomorrow!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Friday Crafting

Good Evening Internet Friends!

I had today off from work and what with finishing the Halloween costume after midnight last night I needed a day to myself.

Got my son off to school I went and ran a few errands.  After returning home, and having lunch I had a nap, did a bit of knitting and then went with the puppy to the bus stop to meet my son.

After dinner we watched some television, and I did a little more knitting, nothing momentous to feature here though for today.  Earlier in the week I made Oatmeal Cookies and since we were on our way out for a walk over to my friends house, I even made a gift bag to put them in:

For the gift bag I used some left over Stampin' Up paper, and gift tag kit that I had, and my brand new (because it has never been used) Gift Bag Punch Board ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Hello Friday....

Good Evening Internet Friends!

It is that time of the month again where I get to spend the weekend working night shifts.  YAY... :  \

This morning of course I had to get up and get my son off to school and then I spent the day running errands.  No time for a rest.  Now I am trying to stay up as late as possible so that I can sleep in tomorrow morning (a bit); my son is at doing a skating drill thing on Saturday mornings for the next few weeks.

I did some knitting this evening and also made Block 25 of the Churn Dash Challenge (it's really week 37 but I am a little behind.....):

I also realized that I forgot to post the cards I made last week, one of which has been sent to my dear friend Claudette for her Birthday:

I had so much fun making these cards!  Seriously.

Now I am off to see what other chaos I can get into.  Maybe I will bake in the middle of the night like my grandmother used to do after working night shifts ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

It's Finally Friday!!!

Good Evening Internet Friends!

I just realized as I am getting ready to post my Friday Share for Karina's Krafting Crew that somehow I have not blogged all week!!  

Not sure how exactly that happened, I have done some knitting and a bit of quilting and sewing, but come to think of it nothing significant!

Thankfully the forecast is for more rain this weekend so my plan is that tomorrow will be Pajama Day!

Since it is Friday and I do not feel especially creative tonight I decided that I would make a couple of quick Birthday Cards that I could take to work and leave in my desk for such occasions.

Here is what I made:

TAH DAH!!!!

Pretty quick and easy, but kinda pretty (okay, I just like the glitter paper).

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Official Start of Summer Vacation

Good Morning Internet Friends!

My son got up early today, even though it is the first official day of Summer Vacation and started the day out with a bit of Phineas and Ferb.  Now I'm going to have that song stuck in my head all day!  Well, most days I have it stuck in my head...

Since yesterday was the last day of school we gave his teacher her farewell gift.  Of course that included a Thank You card:

Of course this card was made with all retired Stampin' Up product, but it looks pretty I think.

Here is a pic of the gift ensemble that we gave her.  I think it looks awesome and is a perfect teacher gift! ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Cards in a Bag...

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Well, the veeeeerrrrrry long week is finally over.  Was still not feeling particularly creative this evening, but figured I should do something.

I decided that I would clean up some in my craft room.  Maybe two minutes into this project I found the Stampin' Up Simply Sent Good As Gold Card Kit.

Cleaning can wait til later ☺

So, this is what I made:

As I mentioned earlier, I was not creative tonight so I just mindlessly made these eight cards, took me almost an hour, but....TAH DAH!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Friday Feature Card

Good Evening Internet Friends!

It has somehow been a long week even though I had yesterday off to attend dental and medical appointments (maybe that's what made it long).

This evening after dinner I actually took some time to do some crafting.  It has somehow been a long time since I took the time to sit down and do some of my paper crafting.  I realized earlier today that I am completely out of birthday cards of any kind.

So, this evening I sat down and made 10 birthday cards.  In typical Kathy fashion there is nothing on these cards that is current product from Stampin' Up.  Seriously! ♫ ☺

Oh well, hopefully none of recipients of these cards will mind.  My friend Lynn's birthday was last week and since I will be seeing her this weekend she will be the first to get one of these ☺

Earlier in the week here in Edmonton we found out really and truly Hell Freezes Over.  I took this picture of my street this morning:

It did look pretty though.....

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Kathy's Excellent Advenure Day

Good Evening Internet Friends!

I had today off from work and I did only things I wanted to today!

After I dropped my son off at school I stopped for a cinnamon scone at Cobs. 

Then it was on to River City Yarns to pick up a skein of Wisteria CashSilk Lace yarn for a scarf I want to make.  Of course I picked up a few other things........

I attempted to register for the Great Canadian Knitting Tour West Coast Toque class, but apparently I was too late.  Oh well, later in the day I registered for the class through the Edmonton Weaver's Guild! ♫

After that I carried on to Chapter's to hopefully pick up the latest copy of Cross Stitch Collection (yes, we get these copies a month late).  I am really seriously thinking I have to get the subscription....

Lastly it was off to Lori's Country Cottage to pick up my latest issue of Block.  Of course while I was there I happened to stumble across some fabric I just could not leave behind.

Today I managed to acquire lots of crafty stuff, however right now I have no creativity.  I need to make a birthday card for a friend I will see tomorow.  Thankfully Bella over at the Krafting Crew group I belong to came up with cards that I could copy (I had to change the stamp set as I did not have the ones she did):

TAH DAH!!

Thanks Bella.

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Another Gift Bag

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Earlier in the week I made yet another gift bag in which to hold a small gift.  Once again I used my Paper Pumpkin kit.  Not sure what I will do when I fun out of these bags from that kit ☺

So quick and easy to make, but as always, loved by the receiver!  

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Friday Feature Card!

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Today was the last day of work for one of my NP colleagues who is moving on to a new and exciting job opportunity.  She will be missed by all of us, not just me.

We went out to celebrate her new job with her at Craft (no worries, I still don't drink).  The food was good and the company was great.

Of course in Kathy fashion, I had to make her something for a farewell present (yesterday's scarf) and of course a card:

I used some of my brand new Stampin' Up product and of some of my old:

Old Olive Card Stock

Blackberry Bliss Card Stock

Whisper White Card Stock

Itty Bitty Backgrounds stamp set (retired)

Lotus Blossom stamp set (Sale-a-bration 2015)

Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

She loved it and that was GREAT!

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

It's Friday!

Good Evening Internet Friends!

It is FINALLY Friday.  This seemed like a really long week somehow.

My Stampin' Up order arrived this week meaning that I finally had glue runner so I completed the card project that I started last week:

Somehow I realize that I even managed to use all Stampin' Up product in these two cards!  That is kind of amazing for me ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Mojo Monday Ready on Friday!

Good Afternoon Internet Friends.  No, I have not been in the "sauce" today.....I think....

My son has a birthday party to attend tomorrow and so I had to go out to get a gift this morning as I will be working this weekend.  I almost picked up a Birthday Card but decided I should probably make one since I have a plethora of stamps and paper in my craft room.  

There are far too many options in the craft room right now and with all my quilts in various states of "finish" I was about to give up when I spotted my Simon Says Stamp Card Kit of the Month May 2014.  I have used this kit once before (last May) for another of my son's friend's Birthday Party.

Along with a few die cuts here is what I assembled:

TAH DAH.

I used the Mojo Monday Sketch 387 for my inspiration.  Clearly, I cannot follow directions, but this will do for an 11 year old boy.

Today is also Friday and that means Friday share over at Karina's Krafting Crew.  I think it has been close to three months since I participated in anything over there!  ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

A Paper Pumpkin First!

Good Evening Internet Friends!

This is a Paper Pumpkin first for me.  When I arrived home last night the November issue of Paper Pumpkin was in the mail box.  

After dinner I opened it and made it!!!!

Eight Christmas cards.  There are some tags that coordinate with this as well, but that can be a next week project.  Feeling super accomplished right now that this month's box has not just been added to the other pile of boxes ☺

Hope this inspires your own creativity...

Kathy

Friday Feature Card

Good Evening Internet Friends!

Today was a great day of NOTHING!  I actually had today off from work ☺

After taking my son to school I ran some errands for a few groceries, stopped at Cobbs for a Cinnamon Scone and a loaf of Marble Rye for road trip sandwiches tomorrow!

Then I decided I would stop by a quilt store.  Spent close to two hours in there, but came away with a few awesome purchases.  Afterwards I decided I had better wash the car since I have not done that all summer while driving it.  Was supposed to get my Highlander back this weekend (my husband's friend does all the service work on our vehicles, unfortunately, we are on his schedule and that is a looooooooooong one), so it looks the Focus and I will be cruising around a while longer.  It has been great for the summer costing half of what it usually costs me to fill and being able to drive for eight days between fill ups rather than six, or seven at best.  

Stopped at a few of the "Big Box" stores (craft and home) on the way home.  Picked up a few things I decided I "needed".

Picked up my son from school, and stopped by Cookie Love for two bags of cookies.

This evening I have talked with both my husband and brother who are both out on different parts of Highway 43 giving reports of the snow and freezing rain out there.  So, I guess HE!! will be frozen over soon : (....

Since winter is apparently coming, I decided to dig out some of my winter stamp sets to make some more Christmas cards with this evening.  Here is what I made:

I stamped the snowflake on first with silver ink, then over top with the coordinating color from the card base.

My silver ribbon has not yet arrived, so I used some from my stash (shhhhhhh, it's not approved product), cause I thought it looked good!

I took a picture of the flower bed beside the doorstep this afternoon:

I have not had the heart to take them out yet, because they were not totally dead, and still had some color.  I thought today that they looked regal standing there considering it is the 7th of November in north central Alberta.  Chances are tomorrow they will go into a bag and be put to the curb....

Hope this inspires your own creativity...  

Kathy