Happy autumn

Finally it is FALL (or Autumn)... so glad for cooler weather and the time change is *just* around the corner. I actually made this card early last month but here I am just now posting it. It is a old/new technique I learned from reading the PTI newsletter: inking your cuttlebug embossing folder (Letterpress Technique) and then running the paper through the machine. I put orange ink on the folder and then Summer Sunrise cs through the machine for the look on the top. Cool, huh? PTI ribbon (terracotta), PTI stamps and ink, and then some autumn pp I bought with birthday money. The bottom card is just two papers together with a knot/ribbon. The rest is PTI.

Enjoy!

Kristin

Saying goodbye to my mom

Beverly West 1941-2010

"Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his saints." Ps 116:15

Late last night my sweet mother was swept up into the arms of her Savior and into the full glory of Christ. She had fought the good fight and run the race, and has now been made complete in Him.

Her unfailing love for her 3 children and the countless kindergarten and preschool children she taught through the years is a testament to the life she chose to live.

One remarkable thing she taught me I have found to be so important now that I am a mom... is how to communicate with your own child. How to understand *what* question they are actually asking and why. To carefully answer the question on an age-appropriate level. Most importantly, to be honest and unashamed of the answer. And to discuss those things if the answer isn't a *happy* one so that they can learn to make the right choice as they grow into their own person.

I love and will miss her dearly. Even now as she is gone I do feel the absence of her presence in my life. But never will I lose the absence of the impact she made on my life.

Along with my grandparents, she is an integral reason for why I asked Christ into my heart at a young age and follow Him now.

And that is THE MOST IMPORTANT thing she could have ever done for me! Thank you mom. Love and miss you!

Kristi

TT: Baby anyone??

I made up these cards about 2 months ago and am finally uploading them here! Saw the idea on one of the PTI DT blogs, using Tiny Treats: Valentine and loved it so much I had to CASE it with my own version! The largers panels are cut from the cricut and the sentiments are from SU!

enjoy!

Kristin

Peach project

A little mini-card...

Something cute and simple. Cricut image and card cut, SU paper and cs, except for the brown shadow of the peach which is PTI cs (can you believe it?? me either, lol). The green ribbon I've had forever!!

Enjoy!

Kristin

Celebrate the experiment

The lighting is bad again... hmmm. This was an experiment that worked- got to love it! Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate, and Pure Poppy colors (vintage cream as a base) work really well together. I used Lacy Labels cricut cart for the image panel and embossed the front of the card.

Enjoy!

Kristin

PTI blog hop

This morning I am participating in the PTI blog hop for the very first time! I made this card very late last night but am so happy with it. We were challenged (this is my interpretation) to show off something we learned or that was inspired by a fellow stamper. There are two fabulous inspirations here: Nichole Heady (the creative and most visible "leader" of PTI- there are 3 of them) and Lauren Meader (who inspires a lot of stampers!). I wouldn't be showing a card nearly this good if it weren't for reading Nichole's blog over the last *almost* 3 years. (I also wouldn't have supplies or stamps that had this kind of quality either!). She has a style that is probably most like my own- clean and simple but always striving for the classic and elegant. But the inspiration is the Ripe Avocado panel. I used 2 flourishes: 1 from Silent Night and 1 from Fall Elegance. I rarely make my own background papers (except using Polka Dot Basics II) but Nichole does it all the time and makes it look effortless! So, I was determined to do so. I broked out the versamark ink and "went to town" so to speak. (Even my dh, who is well practiced at oohhhing and aaahhing was impressed when I explained that I "made" that paper!). I stamped the first part of the "Silent Night..." sentiment at the upper top of the card and finished it on the inside. (the image panel is die cut from the cricut)
Lauren's inspiration is two-part. First, the sketch is hers. I found it about 6-8 weeks or so ago on her blog and have been making cards out of it ever since. (I also have my most favorite sketch that is from her too... so she is VERY inspiring in my own cardmaking world). Also, if it wasn't for her blog (and Mishie's), I'd NEVER have found Nichole's blog in the first place. And that, well... it would have been tragic! Ha!

Enjoy!

Kristin

Stamps: Silent Night, Fall Elegance
CS: Pure Poppy, Ripe Avocado, Vintage Cream
Ink: Pure Poppy, Ripe Avocado, Versamark

Sympathy in Subtle colors

I'm having to create a lot of sympathy cards lately. It's terribly sad. A friend of ours lost his mom to cancer. He's so young and I know she was too. Simple card but heartfelt. All PTI (except the ribbon): Soft Stone, Smokey Shadow cardstocks and inks (except for the trees- CTMH white daisy). PTI Stamp Set Through the Trees.

Enjoy!

Kristin