Happy Mail...last week!

As you remember, last week I was sick so didn't get a lot of blogging done. Monday, the 15 was my birthday and on Wednesday I went to the Post Office to pick up the mail and there was a package from my darling daughter! Inside was a card made by my daughter...

She used her new Summer Solstice stamp set! 

Also in the box was my birthday present...

My first pair of Toms! Don't they look great on...

I wore them all day yesterday and they were sooo comfy; like wearing slippers! I may just have to have another pair! Do you know the Tom's story? If not, check out 3 Things You Don't Know About TOMS. 

My love language is gifts so you know I was super excited to get this fun package! Don't know about the Love Languages? Check out The 5 Love Languages!

I hope you are having a fun summer and are able to stay somewhat cool! I have more canning to do next week and it's hard to stay cool when you're canning:( We will also be picking up some cucumbers so we can try our hand at pickles! Trust me, this wasn't MY idea! I will let hubby take the lead on this little venture.

Have a great day!

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday

This must be a good week because I am able to do the Sunday Night Chit-Chat AND Happy Homemaker Monday. I even have a few cards to show you later in the week:)  Our host for Happy Homemaker Monday each week is Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. 

I was hoping the Royal Baby would be born on my birthday but alas a week later and still no baby! I just read that Princess Kate is in labor so maybe today??? Now, why would I want the baby born on my birthday which was July 15? Because I don't know a single soul who shares my birthday! We meet people all the time who share a birthday with my hubby, my son and my daughter but not me. If you were born on July 15, please let me know that there is someone out there who shares my birthday!

Okay, let's get started!

The weather...We have been running in the upper 90s for a few weeks now. I heard that it might start cooling down into the 80s this week so we will see.

Right now I am...Trying to unplug the bathtub drain! Any brilliant ideas? So far Liquid Plumr is not doing it's job! In fact, I think it's more plugged than ever!

Thinking...About all I need to do today! 

On my reading pile...I am reading The Covenant by Beverly Lewis. I have several new Debbie Macomber books on my reading pile--happy reading for sure!

On my TV...I have been watching America's Got Talent. You know what? Some do and some really don't!!! Some of those acts are almost painful to watch!

What I found while surfing the net...Well, technically I didn't find this while surfing the web; I found it on a blog I frequent, My 1/2 Dozen Daily. It's called Connecting Threads. Super cute fabric and notions; good prices! The other thing I like about this website is that there are so many choices that I feel overwhelmed!

On the menu for this week...Still not in the menu planning mode! Maybe I will get back into it in the fall. In addition to being vegan, hubby and I have narrowed our food choices yet again by giving up wheat for a couple of months.  We have done some reading on the Wheat Belly theory and decided to try it for a bit. We are not going gluten free, at least for now, but will try to be mostly wheat free for the next two months. We are also watching the Glycemic Index of our meals.

On my to do list...

• Laundry--not much but always have some. I try to do a load every weekday.
• Get my VC Rocks virtual roomie box ready to mail this week. Wanted to get it done last week but that didn't happen.
• Decluttering with trip to thrift store.
• Make Thank You cards for hubby's clients.
• Make and post Design Team project for The Cupboard Trilogy Challenges.
• Dust each and every room in the house.
• Clean the bathroom

In the craft basket...I am still working on my granny square afghan. I need to figure out how I want to put it together. Currently the two choices in my mind are zigzag like a chevron or Around the World (like the quilt). What do you think? I tried to take a picture from my Pinterest Board to show you what I mean by the zigzag chevron but it wouldn't work so if you want to see what I mean go to my Pinterest Knit/Crochet Board.

Looking forward to this week...A weekend with two of hubby's brothers and their wives! It will be unforgettable, that's for sure! I will try to get some pictures:)

Looking around the house...Dusting needs done and bathroom needs to be cleaned. Jars of canned apricots need to be washed off and put away. Dog toys are EVERYWHERE!!! DS just came home yesterday with MORE dog toys! He had one for each dog but our English Bulldog, Rocky, ended up with all three!!!

From the camera...

Rocky was looking so cute lying on our bed sleeping but when I came in with the camera he got that "Oh no, not this again!" look on his face! He hates having his picture taken! Some mornings he will sleep on our bed for a couple of hours after we get up! Now, I know what you're thinking and NO he does not sleep with us. He does, however, come in after DS goes to work in the mornings for a bit and he actually feels like this little ritual is his right! He is pretty cute and sweet though!

On my prayer list...

• Friend with prostate cancer
• Carla and her family after loss of nephew
• New housing opportunity for church family needing a place to live
• Mom not feeling well today

Bible verse; Devotional...

"And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Ps 50:15

"...Prayer moves the arm of Omnipotence. Prayer has "subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire"..." Christ's Object Lessons by Ellen White

Well, I'm off to work on that drain a little more. It might need hubby's magic when he gets home.

Have a great day!

Kat

Sunday Night Chit-Chat

Favorite Summer-time meal--Pasta Salad

After a rough week--must have been the flu--I am back! Sorry for the inconsistent blogging last week:( This week should be considerably better!

It is time for the Sunday Night Chit-Chat! Carla at My 1/2 Dozen Daily hosts the Chit-Chat each week. Be sure to check our her blog to see what she's been up to this week.

I am...

• Reading...The Covenant by Beverly Lewis. This book has been my answer to this question a few times but I didn't actually get it started. Now I am about 30% into the book so I think it's a given I will be able to finish it this week.
• Listening to...The movie that's playing (not sure what it is).
• Watching...Not sure what's on the TV at the moment.
• Cooking/Baking...Not cooking or baking today.
• Happy I accomplished this week...I survived the flu! There were a couple of days when I wasn't sure I would...or wanted to:(
• Looking forward to next week...We are getting together with two of hubby's brothers and their wives for the weekend! Should be fun:)
• Thankful for today...I am feeling better and starting to get my strength back! 
• Bonus Question: What are you most looking forward to this summer? We are looking forward to a visit with Marie from Germany. She was a foreign exchange student of some friends a couple years ago and spent quite a bit of time with us. Hopefully we will be able to see her next week; she is visiting the United States for a few weeks! 

Well, it looks like that is me for this Sunday Night Chit-Chat! I hope you are having a great day and a wonderful summer. 

Kat

Happy Glasses

I am a huge fan of Pampered Chef! If I wasn't a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator I would probably be a Pampered Chef Consultant! One of the items from Pampered Chef that I had been lusting over was their Polka Dotted Glasses! I call them Happy Glasses. I was given a gift of a set of the small polka dotted glasses and love them. They are just so CUTE! 

Well, a couple weeks ago I got a e-newsletter from my Pampered Chef Consultant telling about their Sidewalk Sale! When I checked it out, I saw the polka dotted tumblers for $5.75 for a set of 4 instead of the regular price of $25! I ordered 3 sets and now they are nestled safe in my kitchen cupboard:)

Is there something you wanted for awhile and then were able to get it at a great sale price? 

Kat

My Birthday Present

Remember this picture? Well, I promised to show you a picture when it was finished! This is my birthday present from my wonderful hubby. 

For over 30 years I have wanted a porch swing! When we were trying to decide which one to purchase we had to decide between a swing and a glider. I decided on a glider because it was more portable than a swing. When we have company we can turn it around to be part of a conversation group! This is an Amish made cedar glider that we purchased from Amazon. I LOVE IT!!! It still has a few places that need to be sanded and touched up with sealer but it is totally usable just the way it is:)

If you want something long enough, you just might get it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Kat

A Little Overwhelmed

Some of my dear friends have been concerned because I haven't blogged lately. I am so sorry! I have been a bit overwhelmed since the beginning of the month. Could it be that I was anticipating turning 59?!!! Just kidding! However, I did just turn 59 years old on Monday! 

This month so far has been busy with more activity than I am used to. I function better with less busyness!  

So, for those who are concerned, bless you:) I am fine, just need to have a little down-time to re-group! 

I had to postpone my Happy Stampers Club; just wasn't up to it this week. By next week I will be ready to step back into my life again.

I have been working on a post about what it's like for me to live with Fibromyalgia. Hopefully it will help you understand your family and friends who have it and you will better understand my life. I will try to have it ready next week.

Again, thank you for your concern. I love blogging and I love those I have met through the blogosphere! You are the best!!!

Kat

Postage Due Double Time Stamping

Oh how I love this card! I totally CASEd this card from one I saw on Brian King's blog, Stamp with Brian! I made these cards to send to new stampers on my team and one team member who just promoted--Yay! Margarita!!!

For this card I used the following Stampin' Up! supplies:

• Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White and Basic Gray card stock
• Postage Due stamp set
• Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad
• Other: Dimensionals

This card was super easy, fun and GORGEOUS! Thanks, Brian for the great inspiration!

Kat

A Little This and A Little That

I got home a little after 6:00 on Sunday evening and was sooo tired! Sitting in a car can really wear a person out. Besides being worn out from my visit! I stay up too late and am pretty busy while I am at my daughter's so it takes a couple of days to recuperate once I get home. Now it's taken me this long to get back my wherewithal and catch up on "loads" of laundry!

I have 37 granny squares made for my afghan now. I have several of each of the above plus solids in all three colors. Now I just need to figure out how I want to arrange the blocks and I have lots more blocks to make! I made half of the blocks while riding back and forth to my daughter's!

On my trip there were sooo many sales! I couldn't resist a couple of them...

We stopped in at the Wilson Outlet in North Bend, WA. I was looking for a Lime Green Purse but there was only one and it was kinda ugly. After looking around, I found this beautiful Nine West bag for $23.99 (MSRP $100)! My daughter got me a Liz Claiborne bag several years ago that looked similar but I have worn it out. So, needless to say, I am very happy with my new bag and at a great price!

Then I couldn't resist going into Famous Brand Shoes...just to look around! Well, $25 later...

A pair of Born leather flip flops! Regular price was $39.99! I love shoes but flip flops are my favorite!

My birthday is on Monday and hubby bought me something I have been wanting for a looonnng time! However, it came unfinished so we had to put sealer on it. Can you guess what it is?

We put the last coat of sealer on it last night so maybe we can have it put together by my birthday!

Well, that is enough This & That for one day! I am hoping to have a card for you tomorrow!

Kat

The Cupboard Trilogy July Challenge

 The challenge for The Cupboard Trilogy Design Team and now for anyone who wants to join for this month was a sketch. I have never done a sketch other than to get a basic idea of what I want to do and then go from there. This time I was supposed to follow the sketch! Well, there's a first time for everything.

Here is the sketch...

And here is my interpretation...

I wanted to make a graduation card for a girl who loves her horses and was part of a horse club all through high school. She can also be a girly girl and I think I was able to incorporate both into this card. 

For this card I used the following Stampin' Up! supplies:

• Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black and Pink Pirouette card stock; dsp from unknown source
• Stamps: Horse Frontier and Love & Laughter (sentiment)
• Ink: Early Espresso and Concord Crush (retired)
• Punches: Photo Corner (retired), Itty Bitty Shapes, 1 1/4" Square, Scallop Border
• Other: Delicate Details Lace Tape; Basic Rhinestones; Pink Bling from unknown source; White Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen; Paper Piercing Tool & Mat; Dimensionals

Believe it or not, I made a card yesterday and forgot to take a picture of it before I sealed it in the envelope:( I will try to re-create the card next week to share with you. 

Well, today I am traveling home so don't know if I will get home in time to do the Sunday Night Chit-Chat or not. I hope you are enjoying the last day of your holiday weekend!

Kat

Where Oh Where Did She Go?

Oh my! The last few days have been crazy and have flown by. I had to make a choice...blog and lose my sanity altogether or just take a couple of days off and breathe! Tuesday and Wednesday I was busy getting the house in ship shape for hubby's holiday company--his brother and sister-in-law! They promised to keep him entertained while I made my quarterly trek to my daughter's:) 

Photo from sf.funcheap.com

Thursday morning I left for my 6 1/2 hour trip to visit my darling daughter and granddaughter! I got here in plenty of time for the neighborhood 4th of July Celebration with lots of delicious food and lots of fireworks! A fun time was had by all:) I have to admit, I pooped out before the fireworks really got underway but I don't tolerate noise well anyway! 

Friday (which sure felt like Saturday) we did a little shopping at Kohls but my main mission was to get my new Stampin' Up! catalog spiral bound at Kinko's! Last year I got one done at Staples and then another one done at Kinko's and really liked the way Kinko's did it. Besides, Kinko's was about $3.00 cheaper. I don't have a Kinko's in my area but since I was visiting, I thought I might as well get it done!

Check it out! Nice spiral binding and plastic front and back to protect my precious catalog! I put white card stock where I wanted dividers and will tab them when I get home using the now retired Tab Punch! My Stampin' Up! catalog gets a lot of wear and tear over the year so it is totally worth the $6!

See how nice and flat the catalog lays when opened. It totally adds to my shopping pleasure:)

Tonight we plan to go out for dinner then my granddaughter, son and I will pop some popcorn, make a few s'mores in the microwave and watch Despicable Me on DVD! I was informed today that Despicable Me 2 is in theaters NOW and I couldn't possibly think of watching it without seeing the first one first! My daughter and son-in-law are going to go out for a bit--alone; together! I think my granddaughter can keep us entertained for one evening:P

Tomorrow morning we travel back home after a few stops. First stop will be Trader Joe's because we don't have one anywhere close and I LOVE Trader Joe's! We hope to be home by 5:00 tomorrow evening! 

I hope you are having a great holiday weekend! I am totally enjoying mine!

Kat

Fancy Fold Swap Card #4

Another wonderful card from the VC Rocks Fancy Fold Swap! I love the way Ria used the Mosaic Punch to make the closure for this card! This card was made by Ria Blackwell using the new Mosaic products from Stampin' Up!

For this card Ria used the following Stampin' Up! supplies:

• Paper: So Saffron, Very Vanilla and Basic Gray card stock; Nouveau Chic Designer Series Paper
• Stamps: Mosaic Madness and Perfectly Penned
• So Saffron Classic Stampin' Pad

This last card was made by Linda Wyatt. I don't have an ingredient list from her so I will try to decipher her card for you. This card is a tri-fold card--one of my all time favorites!

For this card Linda used the following Stampin' Up! supplies (I think):

• Paper: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight and Strawberry Slush card stock
• Stamps: Feel Goods; Wildflower Meadow
• Ink: Strawberry Slush, Daffodil Delight and Pistachio Pudding
• Other: Basic Rhinestones; Gingham Garden Washi Tape

Well, that's it for the Fancy Fold Cards! I have enjoyed these so much and am looking forward to my next swap which is the Artist Trading Cards! Stay tuned, I will get the ATC swaps back around the end of July.

Do you have any special plans for the 4th of July holiday?

Kat

Fancy Fold Swap Cards #3

I didn't really think I needed the Dress-up Framelit until I saw this card! I love so much about this card! The picture doesn't really show it but the doily is tea stained and the look is perfect! The molded blossom got a little smooshed in the mail--not sure why. This card was made by Anita Watson. This swap was part of VC Rocks--a Virtual Convention for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators and Customers to give us a fun summer stamping experience.

The card opened up

For this card Anita used the following Stampin' Up! supplies:

• Paper: Neutral Core'dinations and Early Espresso card stock; Soho Subway Designer Series Paper
• Versa Mark Ink with Early Espresso Embossing Powder
• Really Good Greetings stamp set
• Blossoms Simply Pressed Mold; Clay colored with Island Indigo ink
• Other: Tea Dipped Paper Lace Doily; Dress-up Framelit; Early Espresso 1/8" ribbon

Fun card! Thanks Anita!

The second card today is Thinking of You...

This is a fold I hadn't seen before but will definitely want to try. It's called the Double Dutch Fold. This is a stamp I purchased from the Spring Catalog that expired the end of May but never used. I thought I might just give it away abut after seeing this card I have pretty much changed my mind:) Stamps do that to me!

Card opened

This card was made by Elizabeth Kratzer. How can you go wrong with a card done in Wisteria Wonder?!!! For this card Elizabeth used the following Stampin' Up! supplies:

• Paper: Whisper White and Wisteria Wonder cards stock; 2012-14 In Color Designer Series Paper
• Stamps: Just Thinking and Really Good Greetings
• Wisteria Wonder Classic Stampin' Pad
• Other: Whisper White 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon; Window Frames Collection Framelits

This card is simply elegant! Thank you Elizabeth! 

I hope you are enjoying this swap cards as much as I enjoyed getting them! Tomorrow I will have the last card for you!

Kat