Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Thanksgiving

I love this little "Remarkable Wreath" from CTMH.  I honestly don't think I will ever tire of this stamp set. It comes with a bare branch wreath and options to add flowers, berries or leaves with a choice of several sentiments. I think I have mentioned before how much I luuurve anything that is interchangeable (and all those options with this wreath are awe-some!)... it just adds to the fun if you can "make it your own." Know what I mean?  I added some chocolate sparkles to give it a little shimmer and popped the wreath up on foam tape.

Anywho, I had some really pretty fall paper from BoBunny. I couldn't let the season go by without using a little of it. I created a bunch of these cards-- for some very special people. One is for my twin sister, Elizabeth, one for my brother Bill, one for my in-laws and the rest for some sweet friends. All people whom I am thankful to have in my life.

This card is linked up to the latest Mojo Monday Challenge. I took some liberties with the vertical piece that goes down the middle, substituting ribbon instead.




Happy Thanksgiving to you!  Don't forget to tell the people in your life how thankful you are for them!

xoxo,
Kristine

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Fall Trees

Whew!  I made it to Thanksgiving Break (I wasn't sure there for a bit!!).  :)  I am so very grateful for this time to spend with family and friends-- and to be able to sleep a little later than my usual 5 am wake up! 

This card is for my mom. We have lots of names for her-- Mammy, Shmammy, Momala, Little Carol Ann, Mommy, Mammoo, Mom... she answers to them all. There really are no words that adequately express what she means to us all. She is the most giving, loving, generous and funny person that I know. I don't know where I'd be or what I'd do without her. I am truly thankful for her.

I chose to stamp the cute little trees from the CTMH Cityscapes stamp set on this card. I love, love, love the fall, and the beauty of the changing leaves is one of the top reasons. I love all of the yellows, oranges and reds. I wish they would stay on the trees just a little bit longer; as a matter of fact, I need to get outside with my camera before they all are gone. I am so thankful for the beauty of God's creation.



 
 
Materials:

Paper:  CTMH Kraft and Colonial White cardstock, Huntington patterned paper
Stamps:  CTMH Cityscapes
Ink:  CTMH Ruby, Sunset, Chocolate, Goldrush
Other:  All CTMH-- Sparkle Brads (retired), Green Collection Ribbon (retired), Cricut Artbooking

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Bounty of the Season

Hello friends!  Seems the weekend is my crafty time lately!  Busy, busy, busy during the week. I am so looking forward to the week after next-- a whole week off for Thanksgiving Break and I am looking forward to some leisurely crafting. :)  I have several Christmas projects on my "to do" list!

I made six of these 4x4 cards and they are for my kindergarten team-mates. We have been together for 10 years and they are definitely much, much more than co-workers. They are true friends. Since I have been teaching, we have been through 3 principals, a bazillion curriculum changes, hundreds of students and many, many ups and downs. We have laughed together, cried together and know each other like sisters. I can count on them when times are tough and I really am so thankful for them.


This stamp is one of my favorites! I love fall leaves and think this one is a beauty! The ink rolling technique is perfect for stamps like these. I first inked the stamp with Goldrush, then added a bit of Sunset and finally I rolled the edges in Ruby. I kept the card design fairly simple, because I wanted the beauty of the image to be the star (and because I wanted to finish the six cards before midnight!). :)



 
Well, I am off to bed in a moment!  Wishing you all a Marvelous Monday tomorrow!

xoxo,
Kristine

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Blessings

I am so thankful for the friend and mentor I have found in Brenda Rose!  This card is for her. I tried something new (for me!). It is a Joy Fold card, I really enjoyed putting this together. 

Brenda has been a friend, prayer partner, creative mentor and a remarkable example of kindness, generosity, and integrity.  I am blessed to know her!


 

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Still Thankful!

Continuing the theme of gratitude and thanks this month, this card is for my teaching assistant (in Georgia we call them paraprofessionals, or parapros).  I couldn't do my job without her! She is funny, frank, and oh, so helpful! She copies, colors, cuts and glues... she ties shoes, gives out bandaids, and helps with reading and math groups. She sings and dances with me (and the class) and she does (just about!) everything I ask. She helps with discipline, fills in for me when I "need a moment" and lets me know when my skirt is tucked in my undies (only happened once). :) For all this and more, I am thankful for her.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

I Love You

And the month of Thankfulness continues!  I am beyond thankful for my husband, Mike. This past Thursday we celebrated our 20th Anniversary, and truly, I can't believe that it has been that long. Time is flying by! Mike is silly, sweet, kind, and funny and I don't know what I would do without him. He cares for me like no other and makes me laugh every single day. He brings music and laughter to our lives and would do anything for me. He is my heart.

 
 
The layout for this card is based on this week's Mojo Monday sketch. As soon as I saw those hearts, I knew I wanted to pull out my stash of Roxie paper (retired- from CTMH). I love that zebra print paired with the plaid and pink tones. Here's the sketch (it's a cutie, isn't it?):
 

 
Materials:
Patterned paper: Roxie (CTMH)
Cardstock: CTMH Tulip, Smoothie and Kraft
Embellishments: CTMH
Stamps: seniment from Pemberly Workshop (CTMH) and heart from Grown with Love (CTMH)


Monday, November 4, 2013

Thank You from the Bottom of My Heart

Today I am thankful for this great hobby that allows me to attempt (!) some effort at creativity, for an activity which allows me to create, to appreciate beauty and to be able to share that with others. I am also thankful for pretty paper! Lots of pretty paper. :) This chocolate colored paper is textured and sparkly-- really beautiful in person, It is from DCWV's Sweet Stack.

 
This particular card is for my doctor (I'll send it with the card for his nurse). He has seen me through a lot...  Over 14 years, he has performed several of my surgeries, ending one of his vacations early to perform one of those surgeries. He has called me on many occasions at 7:00 or 8:00 at night-- after what I am sure has been an extremely full day-- just to check on me. He has attempted to heal, to encourage, to educate and to care for me. He has been there through sorrow and happiness. I am thankful for him. 

Materials:
Paper-- Patterned paper, DCWV Sweet Stack; Cardstock, CTMH
Stamp-- Avonlea Card Kit, CTMH
Ink-- CTMH Chocolate Exclusive Inks
Embellishments-- Sparkles, CTMH; Square Brad, BoBunny Press

Sunday, November 3, 2013

The Best and Most Beautiful Things

On Facebook this month, so many people are sharing every day the things that they are thankful for. It's a great idea, really. I know that it really helps me keep things in perspective when I focus on being grateful for all that I have. So, this month, I'll be sharing some of the things (and people!) for which (and whom) I am thankful.

I just happened to be at the doctor's office on Friday (still working out some complications from last year's surgery :/  and believe me, if I am supposed to be thankful for that, I am going to have to work a lot harder at it!) Anywho-- I put this card together for a very special person-- that I am very thankful for. She is a nurse and has been with my doctor longer than I have been his patient-- so at the least over fourteen years. She is kind, patient, and always willing to listen.  She has held my hand through many a visit and even though I don't love having to go to the doctor (though I do love him), I always feel better when she is there. She is all that a nurse should be and more.

 

 
Materials:
Patterned paper: MME Saffron
Stamps: heart (from Grown with Love, CTMH), sentiment- unknown
Sparkle Gems: CTMH




Friday, November 1, 2013

New RBG Challenge!

Hop on over to the RBG Challenge Blog and share your fall creations!  Here's a simple Thanksgiving card using the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge and some favorite fall papers from CTMH (Flirty and Elemental).  I love the Bronze Shimmer Trim and had to throw a little bit of that in there, too. :)


 

I can't wait to see what you create!
xoxo,
Kristine

(All Materials CTMH)