It's Bloomin' Marvelous

Ha! Ha! Funny title but also the name of one of the Sale-a-bration stamp sets that is available for FREE with a $50 Stampin' Up! purchase thru March 22! 

I was perusing Pinterest and of course spending waayyy too much time there but found this delightful card by Sara Rayner! I hadn't even opened my Bloomin' Marvelous stamp set yet but knew I had to make this card!

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

• Card stock: Whisper White, Summer Starfruit and Raspberry Ripple
• Bloomin' Marvelous stamp set (only available thru March 22)
• Classic Stampin' Pads: Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, Lucky Limeade (what am I going to do when this color retires in June???), Summer Starfruit, Island Indigo (another favorite retiring in June)
• Other: Postage Stamp Punch, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dot (to adhere butterfly)

I hope you enjoyed this project today! I would love to have you check out my Pinterest boards at stamphappykat! I currently have 456 cards pinned that I would like to make--so many ideas, so little time!

Have a great day!

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday

Happy Homemaker "button" courtesy of Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

It's time for Happy Homemaker Monday! Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom is our host and starts us off each week. Let's get started!

The weather...It's 38 degrees and the wind is blowing! We've had some rain in the last couple of days which was needed but now the wind will dry everything up again.

Right now I am...Sitting in front of the wood stove, drinking Yerba Mate tea, enjoying the quiet:)

Thinking...about all the things I need to do today. 

On my reading pile...Finishing up Angels at the Table by Debbie Macomber (will probably finish that today). I have been knitting so watching more TV and not reading as much.

On my TV...

• Downton Abbey
• Cash Cab and The Chew while walking on the treadmill
• Hallmark movies on SpiritClips when I want to knit:)

Favorite blog post this week (mine or other)...

Chasing Simplicity by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. This one really touched my heart because we also choose to live a simple life and I am frequently asked, why??? The peace it brings to my soul would be the best answer:)

Something fun to share...The I Like Book. It is a book for the parent to write things they like about their child and for the child to add things they like about themselves. The book is meant to be written in over a one year period of time. What a great idea! Sometimes we don't remember to tell our kids what we appreciate about them and they need to hear even the little things.

On the menu for this week...Ugh! I don't feel like cooking! I normally love to cook but not right now:( However, we still have to eat!

Monday--Leftovers

Tuesday--Tacos with Quinoa Taco Burger (I could eat these every day)

Wednesday--Vegetable Stew with Dumplings

Thursday--Garbanzo Pot Pie with green salad

Friday--Potato Corn Chowder--works good as an end of the week wind-down meal for us

On my "to do" list:

• Thank you cards--make and send (it's starting to get embarrassing)
• Laundry
• The Cupboard Trilogy DT project
• Get February Card Swap organized and emails sent
• Walk on the treadmill 3 x this week
• Clean out the refrigerator
• Send one handwritten note via snail mail:) I am going to try to send one per week--missed last week so will try to send two this week. 
• Finish editing short story for friend and get it sent off to her.

What I am sewing, knitting, crocheting, crafting...

• Well, obviously I will be paper crafting the thank you cards and DT project
• Finished knitting the Center Row Lace Headband/Neck Warmer for a friend from a pattern I found on Ravelry by Rewind Knit & Crochet. 
• Need to pick up the socks I was working on and need to finish. I put them down at the point where I was turning the heel and am intimidated to pick them back up. However, I could tear out to the point where I started turning the heel and could easily do it from there. Hmmm...maybe socks and a movie this afternoon???
• Still working on the gift for a special friend:)

Homemaking tips...I haven't tried this one yet but read about it on...Pinterest, of course! I am planning to try it today because my heels are so dry and cracked--ouch! You dissolve 1 cup of Epsom Salt in a foot tub of very warm (but not too hot) water. Soak your feet for 30-45 minutes (good time to read or knit) then use a soft brush (they suggested a tooth brush) to rub the dry skin off. I will let you know how it works:)

Looking around the house...Fortunately not too bad:) Dog toys and dogs in the living room; bed needs to be made; flowers hubby bought me last week need to have water changed (vinegar and sugar solution in water working great); laundry needs to go in the dryer.

From the camera...

Our sweet Graycee napping on her cat post:)

On my prayer list...A very special friend who is going through the itching that I went through recently. He has had the tests done but is just waiting for the results. Also praying for family and friends who are struggling either financially or spiritually.

Bible verse; Devotional...

"Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all mean. The Lord be with you all." 2 Thessalonians 3:16

I hope you have a wonderful day filled with God's peace in your heart!

Kat

5 Things Friday

I got really confused yesterday morning when I looked at Carla's blog, My 1/2 Dozen Daily and she had posted 5 Things Friday. I thought I was confused about the days but then realized that she was a day ahead; I wasn't a day behind! But since I had already planned my Thankful Thursday, I decided to put 5 Things Friday where it belongs...on FRIDAY!!! LOL

So, here are my 5 random things I want to share with you...

1.   Hubby brought me a bouquet of beautiful flowers this week. He said with all of the fog and ice he thought I might need some pretty flowers to cheer me up!

2.  I purchased a package of Hexagon templates/instructions and an Add-a-Quarter ruler. I am looking forward to exploring the world of Hexagons. Please tell me they aren't as addicting as the Yo-Yos!

3.   Have you heard of the Sock Bun? Well, I was reading about it on Pinterest and realized we used to have these in...hmmm, was it the 60s? We had a brown thing you used and made a nice bun with it. Nothing is new under the sun, is it? Anyway, I have been waiting for someone around here to wear a hole in their sock so I could cut the toe off and make myself a Sock Bun. Not to fear, someone has already thought of this dilemma! Through Pinterest I found Crochet Dynamite and her instructions to make what she calls Better Than a Sock Bun! I will be crocheting one of these bun shapers soon:)

4.   I am reading Debbie Macomber's Angels at the Table. It was on my Christmas Wish List and DD got it for me:) The angels, Shirley, Goodness and Mercy will make you belly laugh with their antics!

5.   You know those little packets of preservative that come with bouquets of flowers? Well, there is usually only enough preservative to last for one or two water changes. It is usually recommended to change the water on fresh water every other day and Costco flowers last for about two weeks. Needless to say, there isn't enough preservative. In all my reading about vinegar I read that to preserve flowers, add 2 Tablespoons White Vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar to the fresh water in the vase. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Snip the ends of the flowers at an angle (this is important at EVERY water change) and put them in the vase. Tada! Works just like the little packet or better:) Now you know what to do the next time your sweetie brings you flowers!

That's it for my 5 Things Friday! I hope you have a great day and a wonderful weekend.

Kat

New Year Fun--2012 Edition

Picture courtesy of Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

I am joining Sandra from Diary of a Stay at Home Mom in a review of the last blogging year. 2012 was by far my best blogging year yet! I wrote 2 1/2 more blog posts this year over last year, more than doubled my Followers and tripled the number of blog visits! Thank you to all my faithful readers! I have some new and fun things in store for 2013 but will take them one step at a time so I don't overwhelm myself--so easy to do!

So, the idea of this post is to do a year in review and share the first sentence of the first blog post of each month. I hope you enjoy! I know it will be fun for me to look back...

January...

As I was looking over my Resolutions for last year and deciding what to do this year, I was surprised that I did as well as I did.

The fingerless mittens that never got finished:(

February...

Oops! Looks like I took a month off! Shame on me! Will try NOT to do that in 2013!

March...

I am sooo sorry I have been away so long! I didn't realize it had been over a month till I logged on to blog this morning! 

Our Stamping Club projects for February were sooo much fun! Even if the projects weren't fun it is great to get together with a group of ladies and visit!

My favorite Easter card! I might just make them again this year:)
Maybe change up the colors a bit!

April...

I got a set of the Everyday Elegance Simply Sent Cards & Envelopes for free during Sale-a-bration. So, what to do with them.

May...

Saturday I took my little camera out and was snapping more pictures of Spring:) The lilacs are starting to bloom out. They are sooo pretty.

June...

I had a town day with my hubby on Monday! Lots we needed to do but got to do some fun stuff too like eat lunch at Olive Garden:)

My favorite doily pattern and I actually finished it!

July...

This picture is of Buckwheat. My husband plants it as a cover crop in part of the garden to add nutrients to the soil.

August...

My Happy Stampers meet TONIGHT and I am sooo excited for them to see the projects I have for them!

Another favorite card:)

September...

Have you heard about Quinoa? 

I LOVE this card!!!

October...

I have been a little slow getting around the last two days--granddaughter wore me out:) but it was worth every second! Yesterday I caught up on the laundry and did some dusting; today will be vacuuming, mopping and some clutter busting! 

A score from Pinterest! It makes me laugh every time I see it!

November...

Welcome November! This year has just flown by! Where did it go?

Ahhh! Applesauce finished!

December...

Welcome to the Sunday Night Chit-Chat initiated each Sunday by Carla at My 1/2 Dozen Daily.

I hope you enjoyed the trip down Memory Lane as much as I did! I had forgotten about some of the posts I had done and the projects I made! 2013 is a blank slate filled with possibilities and I look forward to having you share that journey with me.

Have a great and safe New Year's Eve! Mentioning New Year's Eve reminds me of my 7 year old granddaughter. She is quite the planner and staying up late is a really big deal for her. Well, tonight she will be staying up till MIDNIGHT and yes, she can do it even if her Gramma can't! The last few days she has been all about making it a party--food, movies, games--you name it! It will only be her, mommy and daddy but she will have the party goin' on anyway! Gotta love it!

See ya in 2013! Sorry, Sandra, I didn't make the Happy Homemaker Monday today but enjoyed reflecting on 2012! Thanks for the nudge:)

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday...ah, Tuesday

Check out the adorable button Sandra has for us to use for the winter editions of Happy Homemaker Monday. Sandra starts us off each week...on Monday...from her great blog, Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. I am so sorry I didn't get my post done yesterday however, on top of my rash/hives, I now have the flu--sore throat, stuffy nose, weepy eyes...you get the idea! So this morning I decided to drag the computer into bed with me and blog anyway! So let's get started!

The weather...Cloudy, windy and 60 degrees! Hmmm...thought this was December!

Right now I am...Sitting in bed with my itch cream at my side and a cup of detox tea (found the recipe on Pinterest)--the lemon and cayenne are soothing to my throat.

Thinking...of all the things I wanted to get done today if I didn't feel so lousy:(

On my reading pile...Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart and my new Knit Simple magazine. Still doing our Louis L'Amour read aloud.

On my tv...Not sure I can handle the noise.

On the menu for this week...
Tuesday -- Mizidra (if I feel up to making it, otherwise canned soup)
Wednesday -- Tacos
Thursday -- Restaurant meal:)
Friday -- Baked Potatoes, Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts
Saturday -- Hubby's Christmas Party
Sunday -- no clue

On my to do list...
Wash a few more clothes with the new laundry soap.
Still need to get some sewing done (Christmas gifts)
Christmas Cards
Get ready for next week's stamping club

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating...Still working on my Infinity Scarf. I need to read less and watch more TV so I can get it finished:)

Homemaking Tip...Have you ever thought about making your own laundry detergent and how the price would compare to what you can purchase on sale? I have been thinking  A LOT about laundry detergent for the last week thinking it just might be what's causing my hives. How great would it be to KNOW what's in your laundry detergent. We did purchase a big bucket of Charlie's Soap on the recommendations of several people online but when it's gone, I think I might just try this recipe from Happy Money Saver. She said it comes out to about 4 cents per load! I don't remember if I shared this tip before but if you have a smell in your clothes that just won't come out, try 20 Mule Team Borax. It even takes out the smell of cat pee!!! Add a little to your rug shampooer the next time you shampoo the carpets! 

Looking around the house...Well, I have a limited view from my bed but I see a pile of clothes that need to be washed and dogs lying everywhere! They follow me from room to room throughout the day--wherever I am...there they are!

From the camera...Nothing today.

On my prayer list...Selfishly, that I will get over this flu quickly and find out what's causing my rash/hives.

Bible verse; Devotional...
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) 

Well, I'm off to take another nap! Have a great day!

Kat

Funny Pinterest Share

The other day when I was perusing Pinterest--got to stay away from there--I found the above and about laughed myself silly!!! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

On stamping club day I spend the whole day in town running errands and visiting friends so need to get packed up and ready to go. Have a great day and I will be back tomorrow with one of our fun Club projects--another Flash Card!!!

Happy Stamping!

Kat

Why I Don't Have a Real Post for Today

The above photo explains why I don't have a REAL post for today! I know better, really I do but I got on Pinterest and started looking and couldn't stop! There is sooo much to look at! I usually have more restraint but not yesterday. It's like having a bag of potato chips...you just have to eat them until they're gone! So, since I spent a few hours on Pinterest yesterday I had waaayyy more stuff to do today and didn't have time to do a post:( So sorry about that! However, I didn't want to leave you hanging so decided to post about WHY I couldn't post!

Today I made Lasagna and French Bread for tomorrow's potluck plus filled the food dryers with Italian Prunes. Oh my, the prunes are sooo yummy! I also had to clean up the kitchen from last night's supper--why do I put it off till the morning?!!! I know I'm going to hate myself when I see the messy kitchen. But supper was so worth it--Fried Rice and Egg Foo Yung! They turned out perfect! I will share the recipes with you next week if you're interested and of course you are! When you have a hankering for Chinese Food and the restaurant is 1 1/2 hours away, it's nice to be able to make your own!

Well, my dear and wonderful blog readers, I will be back again on Sunday Night for Carla's Sunday Night Chit-Chat so be sure to visit again soon!

Kat

Sunday Night Chit-Chat

I found this quote on Pinterest this week! I really have to limit (severely) my time on Pinterest because I could spend HOURS looking at all there is to see! I would never get anything done if I just let myself go on Pinterest! Just going to the site to get the link I almost got distracted...


Well, it's time again for the Sunday Night Chit-Chat and Carla at My 1/2 Dozen Daily got us started. To play along just go to Carla's blog and follow the directions.


I am...


Reading...Vegetarian Times Magazine--want to make the yummy looking Butternut Squash Pizza; Homemade Bread from the editors of Hobby Farm Home Magazine


Watching...Nothing at the moment. Hoping to read tonight:)


Listening to...The dogs chewing on their Nylabones; hubby doing business on the phone and the air conditioner humming in the background. Really needed the air conditioner today as temp was about 100 degrees (F).


Cooking/Baking...Planning to make the Banana Nut Bread and the Healthful Zucchini Bread recipes from Homemade Bread. For dinner today we had corn on the cob, fresh green beans from the garden and wraps made with Lavash and veggies from the garden. So yummy:)


Happy I accomplished this week...

• Thank you cards made and sent to last month's Stampin' Up! customers
• Swap card figured out and samples made
• Apricots dried and canned
• Some emails answered that were long overdue

Looking forward to this week...

• Stamping Club on Wednesday
• Some nice visits with friends before Stamping Club
• Eating more yummy veggies from the garden

Thankful for today...

My continually improving health. Today I realized that after nearly 3 years the eczema on my left elbow is nearly gone! That is usually a sign that my overall health is improving:)

*BONUS QUESTION*

What hobby have I always wanted to learn? Do I have plans on trying to learn? Why or why not?

The hobby I have always wanted to learn is quilting. I have a great deal of admiration for those who quilt and the skill/patience required. However, I have no plans to take up this hobby because of the money involved. IF I did quilt I would only want to use the best fabric and at $10+/yard it is an expensive hobby. Since I already have an expensive hobby--stamping--I figure one is enough. All of that being said, I may so some small quilted pieces like potholders, table runners and tote bags so will leave that open.

Thank you for stopping by to check on my Sunday Night Chit-Chat. Be sure to check out Carla's Sunday Night Chit-Chat as well to see what she's been up to! She is one busy lady!!!

I hope you check back tomorrow for another fun card!

Kat