think fast

thanks

Just a quick post to share a sweet card. I had big ambitions yesterday, but we had two injuries in the house that set us back a bit. Nothing too serious - Eloise cracked her head (just a little bit of blood, but to Eloise it was drama city) and Sophie broke her pinky finger. I know, seriously? She spent Monday with a friend and learned first hand (ha, ha) how NOT to drive a quad. Yeesh. A trip to Urgent Care, xrays and an appointment with an orthopedist later. Sigh.

So, what can a person do but be thankful it was not a whole lot worse!

I used the adorable Simon Says Stamp Where the Heart Is set. I just love that is has the matching die set. Seems like more stamp companies are making matching dies = awesome!

Have a great day and remember, it could be worse! Ha.

Later. 

quadrennial party

Yes, we have an election party every four years. And yes, I had to look up the word "quadrennial". Hee, hee. We have a pretty political family, so passions run high when the presidential election comes around.

Here's a shot of the family room about an hour before 50+ friends and family showed up. Good times!

Hot dogs, Coke, and apple pie were highlights of the night. Traditional all American fare!

An early shot of the evening festivities (check out the "Keep Calm and Vote for Rom" print. Lol!) You can see in the background, we hook up the laptop and project the screen up on the wall. The kids get a charge out of it.

The electoral college map is also printed and hung - Grandma gets the honors of coloring the first dozen states red. Um, that didn't last too long.

Love this shot. Sophie (on the right) and cousin Haley on the left. I think Haley just saw a few more states go blue. Hee.

Of course, every family has it's outlier. Ha. This is my brother Russ with his homemade shirt. He actually did it as a joke, but I guess HE had the last laugh!

A great nail-biter of an evening. My SIL Lauri couldn't even eat her chocolate cake. And, let me tell you, THAT is saying something. She was huddled over the laptop while clutching her iPhone with one earbud plugged in = passion. I love my family.

So, maybe our guy didn't win, but we still appreciate the freedom we have to make our choices and enjoy all the blessings of this great country. Um, yeah - and watch out in four more years! Hee, hee.

Later.

 

'tis the season

Yikes! It just can't be getting this busy already.

Kind of a crazy week - I was prepping for our family photo shoot (which happened yesterday). Let's not discuss how many runs I made to Target. Eloise needed a gray skirt, Sophie a mustard cardigan, Ethan a striped scarf, I needed teal tights...no, gray tights...no, mustard tights. Eeeek. 

But, the photos were taken (by the awesome Lindsay Teague Moreno) and I can check one more thing off my list. Kids are off school today (remembering all our Veterans out there) and my list is still mighty long. Doesn't help that I woke up with a headache. Drat.

But, I do have something exciting to look forward to. How many of you own this special issue from Creating Keepsakes?

It came out a couple years ago and I simply devoured it. SO many creative ideas for scrap spaces, small or large. Exciting news: Volume 2 is on the horizon!

And, guess what? My little ole craft space is being included! Shriek! How fun is that? I think Meghan (the editor at CK) was kind of intrigued that I share my space with my washer and dryer. Ha! Nothing like multi-tasking, right? I had a ball spiffing the place up and adding a few new touches. Check out THIS link, and THIS one for more sneak peeks of the issue.

For sale on January 8th! I will share some "behind the scenes" of my photo shoot a little closer to the release date. Very honored and excited to be included.

Later.

family room essay

Okay, maybe a photo essay. Want to see a pretty amazing series of photos? It all started as a birthday present for lucky ole me.

Let's start with a definite "before". We actually had already moved the computer desk out of this room - the toy bench is sitting in that spot. And yeah, this is a pretty accurate shot when I'm in production card mode, sewing machine and all.

This is the "better before it gets worse" photo. I'm happy with the tile floor, but that cottage beadboard paneling has to go. It's been there 15 years and has worn out its welcome. (The paneling goes from the floor up to the wood ledge - kind of hard to see).

Now the paneling (and baseboard) is gone, yucky yellow walls and lots of scuff marks are revealed. I think Keith spent a whole day patching drywall, filling nail holes and adding new wall texture. Yikes.

Rolling the first coat of Benny Moore Designer White. Looks like Clara is in supervisor mode.

Amazing progress! The "fauxdenza" is started on the back wall, and only one wall left to paint. And, the Craigslist furniture is making its appearance.

Final wall and trim around the window. And look, a wood top on the fauxdenza! Testing out some artwork, too.

And...ta da! We are finished. Artwork is hung, furniture in place, a much more neutral toned and relaxed family room! I'm so excited. Have a few little finishing touches, but overall it feels so comfortable. I'll share some detail shots tomorrow and tell a bit more about the fauxdenza.

One more time, before:

And after:

Later.

family room sneak

Finished the family room last night! Yay!

Now, I have to snap some better photos (yah, it was dark before we were done), then I can share the whole room. How about a little sneak?

I am so happy with how it turned out.

Babysitting two extra Smith boys today, so photos might have to wait until tomorrow. Eek! So excited!

Later. 

big changes

Not to be too dramatic, but things are changing around here. Our Meghan is (temporarily) moving back in with us, so we've been CAh-Razy doing some switching around. And, my family room remodel is almost done...dying to share that.

And, I'm thinking about switching over to my own domain for this blog. Whadday think? It's you and me here, together. 

Yep, we're better together.

Here's what I'm thinking: my own site would give me more flexibility to share, I want to start "educating" a little more. You know, give back a little to this wonderful hobby we share. Also, share a more of my family life - I want to create different categories on my blog. I dunno, probably rambling here. But, I think a new home would give me fresh incentive, too.

Opinions, please?

Talk at you soon.
Later. 

big huge announcement

Oh yeah - it's a big day for my buddy Michele Gross! I'm sure most of you know of her super fun blog: CAS-ual Fridays. She hosts a weekly Clean And Simple (yep, CAS) Challenge and ALWAYS has super cute and super "cool" cards on the blog.

Well, things in the CAS world just got a little bit better! Michele has just launched CAS-Fridays little sister: CAS-ual Fridays Stamps! How cool is that? Michele has dared to dream and make her dream a reality. Five brand new sets will be released in the next five days, so be sure to follow the blog everyday. Of course, every party includes giveaways, so watch for those, too!

I will be playing along later next week, being a huge fan of clean and simple (and a little simple minded since I initially got my dates wrong - oops).

So, please check in with this brand new stamp company and see what fun they have to offer. They have a GREAT design team!

Good luck, Michele! I owe you one.

Later.

winners all around

Pretty fun to be posting TWO big winners from last week! First, the winner of this "pink" package:

Great card. I love everyday of the week.

Posted by: Mandi | October 11, 2012 at 05:15 PM

CONGRATS to Mandi! (I will send you a note, Mandi!)

And, the winner of my FIRST Sketch Challenge gets this beauty:

Love your sketches an love your blog Kim!! Here is my cardhttp://www.smilingcolors.com/2012/10/world-card-making-day-the-9pm-post/ HAppy WCMD!

(Hoping Smitha had a wonderful World Card Making Day - looks like she did from her blog posts!)

One more fun thing for the week - here's a peek at my cards up on the Pebbles blog this week. Click HERE for more fun (and check out Nicole's cards, too. Yummy!).

Have a great weekend! Spending the more "junking" tomorrow. Can't wait!

Later.

giving back

I just love October, one of my favorite months. It's SO super gorgeous here in Arizona, warm days and cool nights. Everyone is in a good mood.

It's also a month of "giving back". Many blogs and events take place that fundraise, give back, raise awareness and just plain do good. I'm happy to be a small part of that this month, too.

I'm sharing a card (along with the other Go-to Gals------->) to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. Yep, it's one more A Muse Studio card. You still have a chance to jump over there and get your free "Fight Like a Girl" stamp set. Check out this card with it's simple sentiment. Man, I could use this one ALL the time.

Really happy with this card. (I also used an adorable A Muse butterfly stamp).

Another thing we are doing (my family and I) this month is walking in the Step Up for Down Syndrome parade in Tempe. We are walking with and for my nephew Jamison - we had a lot of fun last year. Andy and Kelly have created a modest goal for fundraising, so if you care to help out with a little donation, we all would surely appreciate it. Click HERE to see Jamie's fundraising page.

Isn't he the cutest?

I will back in the AM with some long awaited "WINNER" lists, so check back for that!

Later.

wednesday prize madness

Excited for this week to draw to a close. The kids are on fall break (fall break? break from what?) and I'm ready to climb the walls. Lol!

But, it's Wednesday! Yes. Sharing another A Muse Studio card; this one is a more general encouragement card.

Love this sentiment; it's one I can see myself using a lot. Again, it's from the Fight Like a Girl free stamp set. Check it out HERE!

And, because the folks at A Muse are so sweet, I was sent a few duplicate products...and I want to share with you! I have two pigment ink pads: Burano and Shell, a whole pack of their lovely paper, a 10 yard ribbon spool, and some other "pink" things from my stash.

Leave me a comment about your favorite day of the week (it can be Wednesday, too) and I will throw your name in the hat. Let's make the deadline Sunday night, October 14th. School ramps up again on Monday, so it will be a GREAT day! Hee.

Oh, and don't forget: tonight is the deadline for my first Think Fast Sketches challenge. You still have a few hours to play. Go for it!

Later.