PTI Blog Hop

Happy Beautiful Saturday!!!! It is an absolutely gorgeous day here in Big Sky Country!!! I cannot tell you just how good the sunshine feels!!! I am sorry for those of you who are experiencing very hot temperatures, but I know that it won't be long before we are in the deep freeze, longing for these gorgeous days of Autumn!!!

Today is the day for the Papertrey Ink monthly Blog Hop!!!!

Here's the deets:

One of the most fun things about this hobby is the people you meet, whether in person or online, and the things you can learn from them. Now is your chance to show off any skills you might have learned from a fellow stamper, and perhaps even give them a little shout out to thank them for the inspiration they have provided. Create a project using one of your favorite learned skills and perhaps after a little blog hopping, we will ALL learn some new tips and tricks and continue to pass on the love of this hobby!

I just can't say enough how much I have learned from all of the Papertrey Ink Designers!!! I have been following them for quite some time!!! I appreciate each and every one of them and their willingness to share their talent and knowledge with all of us!!!! For the past several months I have been inspired by Debbie Olson's Copic Marker skills. I have even taken the Copic Marker Certification Class in hopes to share my love for Copic Markers with others ! I still have a lot to learn, but thank you Debbie for your inspiration!!!!

Here's my take on the challenge:

I started off stamping a tag with PTI Leaf Prints stamps in Versamark Ink and then embossed with Ranger Super Fine Detail Gold Embossing Powder. Then I applied Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Crushed Olive, Worn Lipstick and Wild Honey with an ink blending tool to the tag to color my background. Then I stamped all my leaves with the same colors I used for my background. Next I used the PTI Background Basics Hearts stamps with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink to add some depth to my background. I also inked all the edges with Brushed Corduroy ink. Then I cut out a tag with PTI Fillable Frames #8 die and stamped with Versamark and embossed with the gold embossing powder. Then I stamped the pumpkins from the Friendship Jar Fall Fillers and cut them out. I colored them with the following Copic Markers:

Then I added some lace and twine and a pearl embellishment.

I made one more tag and used it to embellish a card base made with PTI Kraft Cardstock.

I cut out a standard 4 1/2" x 11" card base and folded in half. I rounded the corners and used the PTI Diamonds impression plate to add variation. I inked the tops of the impressed image with PTI Dark Chocolate Ink and punched a border with a Martha Stewart Punch out of Dark Chocolate Cardstock. Then I added the finished tag and and some twine.

I also added some Kaiser Craft Pearls to dress up the pumpkins.

I just love Papertrey Ink and I am so exited to participate in the Blog Hop!!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!!!

I hope you have a super fantastic day,

Kristii

Happy First Day of Fall!!!

Hey there dear friends!!! Happy first day of fall!!!
I hope you are enjoying these wonderful September days!!!
It seems that they are just flying by!!! We had a wonderful weekend enjoying Bethany and Matt!! We attended a wedding, a birthday party, and went on a hike up to Arch falls along the Hyalite Creek Trail!! I am so thankful we have been able to see our kids quite often over the past several months! It will be Christmas the next time we see them, but I am certain that the holidays will be here before we know it!!

Today is the Scrapping the Music reveal!!! This month's song is "Hand in My Pocket" by Alanis Morisette. My layout took an interesting twist this week. I have a picture of the girls making peace signs, which was going to be the theme of the layout, but as usual the layout took on a life of it's own and I ended up with Peace, Love, & Happiness...my wish for you.

I used some Tim Holtz goodies for my background including the stamp and misted reinkers in Chipped Sapphire and Broken China. I used some Papertrey ink felt, as well as felt, tags, and coupons from my stash. I found an old Maya Road Sheer tag and several AC Thickers alphas. Quite the mix of goodies, but it was fun to put together. Of course, after I sent in my original, I had to add a few drops of ink to round it out.

Thanks for stopping by!!!!

I hope that you know how special you are!

Kristii

CPS Challenge #184

Hi my friends!!! I hope you are having a wonderful evening!!! I decided that I needed some crafty therape tonight and decided to take on the CPS challenge. Here is the challenge:

and here is my take on the challenge:

Supplies used:

Papertrey Ink Paper: Kraft, Rustic White, and Sweet Blush

Papertrey Ink Stamps: Embellishments, Blooming Button Bits, Background Basics- Tin Types, and Up, up and away for the Sentiment

Papertrey Ink: Sweet Blush

Memento Ink: Tuxedo Black

Papertrey Ink Felt

Papertrey Ink Buttons: Sweet Blush

Papertrey Ink Ribbon: Vintage Cream

Copic Marker: Lipstick Red

DMC Embroidery Floss

Martha Stewart Glitter

I think I am in a total pink world these days!!! Tomorrow I'm going to have to get out of my box!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Hope you have an absolutely wonderful Friday!!!

Kristii

Remembering....

Today is the second anniversary of my mom's passing. Just thinking about it makes my heart very heavy. I miss her. Things are just not the same without your mom!

What makes my heart even more sad, is that today is also the funeral of a dear coworker and friend, Margaret Gray. She succumbed to the very same disease that took my mom, Cancer. What a rotten and wicked disease cancer is. However, God is Good, and it is so comforting to know that they are Home where they belong. They are no longer suffering and there are no more tears. Hallelujah and Praise the Lord!!!May the Lord comfort loved ones today and may the love of friends and family carry us through!

I made a couple of cards last night and I can't tell you how theraputic it is to create when your heart is heavy!!! Thank you Lord for the outlet you have given me!!! It truly helps my heart in so many ways!!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Kristii

Scrapping the Music #152 and Little Red Scrapbook Reveal

Happy Wednesday evening my dear friends!!!! It's time to reveal both the Scrapping the Music song for this week and this month's layouts from Little Red Scrapbook!!! I used my Little Red Scrapbook kit for my Scrapping the Music layout this month!!! These papers were so pretty, I just had to keep on working with them!!!! This week's song is "Daydream" by Jason Castro!!! Such a wonderful rendition of this song!!! I love all the options for scrapbook themes this song holds too!!! I chose to use the lyric, "she's the one" and use a picture of my sweet daughter and her husband on the beach during one of our visits. Such a sweet picture!!!! I love my kids!!!

I added some October Afternoon, Webster's Pages, and My Mind's Eye papers to round out my scraps. I will give this to Beth when she arrives home tomorrow!!! YaY!!! I can't wait to see her!!!!

Also, I am sponsoring this week's prize package, so I hope you all take part in the Scrapping The Music Challenge this week!!!

Prize Package includes: 6 Sheets of Jillibean Soup-Alphabet Soup papers, 1 sheet of OA School Days Rubons, and 1 American Crafts 6 x 6 album. I can't wait to see what you will create!!! Stop by Scrapping the Music for more details!!!!

Little Red Scrapbook Reveal

This is my favorite layout of the bunch. I just love the flowers in the Dear Lizzy Enchanted papers, and I had a lot of fun fussy cutting and adding glitter to them!!! These pictures of my girls were taken out on the Beach at Point no Point in Washington.

This photo was taken when the whole family was together in August before Benny shipped out to Missouri. I just love this photo!!! Journaling states: Nothing makes me happier than having all my kids at home together!!!!

Of course, there will always be fun and laughter when we are together!!!! You can't be too serious all the time!!! I love my kids!!!!


This is a tri-fold card that I plan to post a tutorial using Martha Stewart's new Scoring Board. My computer is giving me fits, so I hope it will all come together!!

Until then,

Thanks for stopping by my blog!!!

Wishing you a day full of sunshine and smiles tomorrow!!!

Kristii

Little Red Scrapbook September Sneaks

Hello Fabulous Friends!!!!

It's that time of the month again!!!! I just love sharing my sneaks with you!!! Every month I know I say the same thing, "This month's kit was so much fun to work with", and this month is no exception!!!! You all know how much I love flowers and the color pink...well Dear Lizzy Enchanted is full of both!!! I tell you I'm in heaven!!!

Thank you so much for stopping by!!!! I hope you were able to pick up your own LRS September kit!!! You'll be glad you did!!!

I hope you remember how special you are my friends!!!

Have wonderful evening!!!

Kristii

CPS Challenge #183

Thought I would take on a challenge tonight and found a good one over at the Card Positioning Systems Blog. I looked through some of my old files and found a fun card I had made with this cute little witch. I thought it would be fun to revamp her using some Pink Paislee papers. I used the Paper Doll Dress Up Cricut Cartridge for her hat and a Maya Road clear acrylic people key chain for her body and dress. I used a Papertrey Ink Ric Rac die to create the trim on her hat and dress.
Supplies used:

Cardstock: Bazzill

Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee

Ribbon: Offray and Maya Road

Jewels: Kaiser Craft

Stars: Maya Road

Punch: Stampin Up

I am not one to make Halloween Goodies, but I have had this Pink Paislee paper for a year now and I wanted to use it up. I did stamp a Papertrey Ink Friendship jar and filled the jar with candy corn that I colored with my Copic Markers, but these papers didn't match...so I am going to have to give some thought as to what I am going to do with that little project! I just love my Copic Markers and will definitely be using them frequently in the days to come!!!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!

Sending you hugs and smiles and wishing you much joy,

Kristii

Happy Thursday!!!

Wishing you all a very happy day!!!!
I had some very happy news this week!!!! A card set of mine was chosen for publication in Cards February 2011 edition!!!! Whooo hooo!!! Some very good news to cheer me up!!! I am sooooo excited!!!

I heard from Benny this week!!! He is doing fine and is finally in his Company and is doing very well!!! You should see my face whenever he calls!!!! I know that I smile from ear to ear!!! I am so proud of our boy!!!!

I have been playing with my Papertrey Ink Stamps and having a blast!!! I have a dear friend who shared some homemade jam with me and I made her this card of thanks!! The jam was absolutely delicious!!!!

Supplies used:

Bazzill Cardstock

Jillibean Soup patterned paper scraps

Papertrey ink stamps: Friendship Jar

Papertrey Ink dies and felt

Papertrey and Memento Ink

Kaiser Craft jewel

Buttons and jute from my stash

I have been working on Tim's Tags over the past couple of weeks, however, I wanted to let you all know that due to technical difficulties, I will not be able to share them with you this week at Simply Fresh Arts. Please email me at klockart@msn.com if you are still interested in learning these techniques and we'll see if we can work something out.

Thanks for stopping by!!!
I appreciate you tremendously!!!

Kristii

Scrapping the Music #150

Hi there dear friends!!! I hope this post finds you well and ready for the upcoming three day weekend!!! I can't wait!!! These past few days have worn me out!!! I am ready to kick back, relax and spend some time with my sweetie!!

I don't know if your kids were ever into Napoleon Dynamite, mine certainly were. I think I almost had the movie memorized!!! Well, this week's song, "We Are Going To Be Friends" by the White Stripes, is from Napoleon Dynamite and it's a fantastic song to scrap!!! With so many different possibilities, you may have to scrap this song more than once for sure!

I chose to take the lyrics, "Tonight I'll Dream", changed it up to include both girls. I found this picture as I was looking for a "friend" picture and loved them in their jammies and those cute little slippers and thought, I just have to scrap this!!! I used my leftover scraps from my Little Red Scrapbook August kit and made a fun little dreamy night scene.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!!! I hope you have very sweet dreams!!!

Kristii

Determined and Happy!!!

Happy Monday evening dear friends!!! I trust you had a wonderful weekend!!! Ours went by so fast!!! My sweetie and I had an hour together on Saturday and the whole day on Sunday!!! What a blessing!!! We actually stayed home and cleaned house together on Sunday. I am so glad it's done!!! Sigh of relief here!!! Now we can take some time next Sunday and head to Yellowstone Park!!! I look forward to spending some good quality time with my best friend!!!

Today I found out that a dear cyber-friend was diagnosed with Cancer. Such a dreadful disease!!! My heart hurts deeply every time I hear of another dear friend diagnosed with this
cruel disease! This September will mark the second year since my mom's passing....so hard!!! If you think of it, please pray for Lisa!!! I know she is a fighter and she will have lots of prayer behind her, thank goodness!!! She is an amazing woman and I pray the Lord, who is the great physician, will heal her and keep her strong during this fight!

This news keeps me so very determined to keep my priorities in order. God, family, taking care of myself....all at the top of my list these days. Everything else pales in comparison in the light of eternity! I want to encourage you, my dear friend, to recheck your priorities today. Get rid of those things that aren't going to matter in the long run. Take good care of yourself physically and spiritually. Take good care of your family!! That's what matters when it all comes down to it!! You are special and dearly loved. I appreciate each and every one of you!!!

Well, I am so happy to say that my sweet Heidi is beginning her final undergraduate year at MSU today!!! Whooo hoo!!! Gooooo Heidi!! We are so proud of you!!! It has been tradition since I can remember, that I have made a card for my kids on the first day of school. Today is the last card I will make for her unless she attends graduate school, in which case, the tradition will continue! I have really been into this card design lately. Such an easy, but sweet design!!!

Supplies used:

Papertrey Ink Cardstock: Kraft, Rustic White and Sweet Blush

Papertrey Ink Felt Simply Chartreuse

Prima Flower and Lace

Velvet trim from my stash

Papertrey Ink Stamps

Versamark Ink

Sizzix Embossing Folder

Thank you for stopping by my blog!!!

I hope you have a spectacular Tuesday!!!

Kristii

Happy Mail and Scrapping the Music

Happy Thursday evening dear friends!!! I hope you have had a wonderful week!!! My week has been exhausting and I have been nursing a cold, but it has been absolutely wonderful!!! I just love the first days of school!!! The new freshmen and the newness of it all just get me all excited and ready to tackle the days!!! We've had many new visitors to the high school library and many familiar faces as well. I just love it!! I am so looking forward to this year and I plan to "bloom where I am planted"!!! Things may not have worked out the way I had planned, but I am determined to make the most of where I am at right now!!! I hope you experience a freshness in your coming days and decide to "bloom where you are planted as well"!!! A change of perspective is like a breath of fresh air! I hope you remember that you are amazing and you are "where you are" for a reason and a purpose my friend!!! If we encourage one another in this race of life, we will make it through each and ever turn we face!!! I am thankful for each and every one of you who visit my blog!!! You are so very special!!!


Happy Mail!!!!!


Whooo hoo!!!! I had a visit from my friendly Fed Ex delivery man and he delievered my prize package from my favorite company ever...Webster's Pages!!!!! I received the gorgeous Wonderfall Line and some very pretty Sparkler's to match!!! I am so excited!!! I haven't been able to buy any new paper for quite a while and this is such a treat!!! I just love Webster's Pages!!! Now, I have to decide what to make with these beautiful papers....decisions, decisions....

I also had another surprise blessing....I was a winner in the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop!!!! I am so excited....I just loved my project and it blesses my heart that so many others liked my work as well!!! You can see the announcement here on Nichole's Blog!!!! I was able to choose any stamp set for my prize and I decided to choose the Leaf Prints stamps and you can see them here. Whooo hooo!!!!! I have been blessed!!!

Scrapping the Music #149

This week's song at Scrapping the Music is Love Shack by the B-52's....Way fun song!!! Michelle has giving us some awesome inspiration week in and week out!!! Michelle you rock!!!! I decided to use the lyrics "Love Rules", since love totally rules in our family!!!!! My dad took this picture the weekend before Benny left and our family was all together...Thanks Dad!!! I treasure each and every photo!!!!

Here is a close-up:

Supplies used: Patterned Papers: Sassafras Lass, October Afternoon, My Mind's Eye; Stickers:Sassafras Lass; Florals: Prima; Alphas: Sassafras Lass and Cosmo Cricket; Mist: Tattered Angels and Tim Holtz Distress Ink; Punch: Martha Stewart.

I hope you have an absolutely wonderful Friday!!!
Thanks for stopping by,
Kristii

PTI August Blog Hop

Hi Friends!!! I am so excited to be participating in my first ever blog hop!!! I was so excited that this month's challenge was to use a brown paper bag!!! I knew I had just the idea!!!

I love to give my co-workers a fun little gift on the first day of school and I got the wild idea to make a school house out of the brown paper bag!!! My PTI Home Made Stamps and School Time Stamps worked perfectly!!!

Back to School Treat Set

Supplies:

PTI Rustic White and Kraft Cardstock

Bazzill Black and Red Cardstock

PTI Stamps: Home Made and School Time

PTI Pure Poppy Ink

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Claudine Hellmuth Modern Red Paint

Ribbon: Joann's

Prima Lace

Punches: Fiskar's and SU

Copic Markers

Close-up of the school house:

Side view:

Back side tied with bow:

Card:

Thanks for stopping by!!!!

Have a wonderful evening!

Kristii

We're home!!!

We took Benny to Butte and spent some time with him before he was shipped to Missouri for his AIT training. We were able to talk and laugh, and of course, mom cried. We ate at Fred's Mesquite Grill...yum!!... and Dad buzzed his hair... my poor bald boy!!! It was so hard to see him go, but he will get some good training at MP school!! We miss you and we are so proud of you bub!!!

Scrapping the Music

This week's song at Scrapping the Music is Craig Morgan's, That's What I love about Sundays. Sundays are special days full of Worship and family!!! Sundays are the only days that my hubby and I are off for the whole entire day...we don't see each other much during the week and spending time with each other is very precious!! We had a couple of Sundays this summer when our entire family was together!!! What a blessing!!!

My heart is full just looking at these pictures of us together with our family on Sunday...of course I had to include a picture from Matt's Great Adventure...that was a great Sunday!!

Little Red Scrapbook Reveal

I just loved working with this month's kit!!! Sassafras Lass is always a favorite and Indie Girl is no exception!!!!

I used my PTI stamps and felt on this card...way fun!!! I also used a Sizzix embossing folder...don't you just love the texture it creates!!!

The quote in this layout states: "When Mom and Dad don't understand, a sister always does. Isn't that the truth!!! I am so thankful that my kids are so close to each other!!! We are so blessed!

The photo in this layout was taken by my friend Susan Beth!!! The colors of this kit were perfect with this photo and I got the wild idea to title it 12 feet and counting....not because we are expecting new grandkids or marriages in the family at present...but we will be sometime in the near future and I can't wait, hint, hint, hint......

Today is the last Friday before school starts, and I have lots to take care of before my new schedule begins. I will be working afternoons instead of mornings and I think I am going to work into it just fine. I will still be able to run before work and that is a good thing. Slowly but surely I am seeing some results....I wish the changes would come quicker, but I will keep at it. Taking better care of myself is definitely a priority and I am going to continue to do it!!

I hope you are taking good care of yourselves my friends!!! If we don't do it, no one else will. It is amazing the demands that are put on mothers these days. We have the mentality in our society that we can do it all. We always take care of everything else first and take care of ourselves last. I hope you take time today to do those things for yourself that you need to do. We can't keep putting off for tomorrow what needs to be done today!! You are special dear friend!! Take care of you, physically and spiritually!!! You and your family will be glad you did!!

I hope you have a wonderful day!!!!

Kristii

Little Red Scrapbook Sneaks!!!

Whoo hooo!! It's that time of the month again!!!

I just loved this month's kit!!! Sassafrass Lass Indie Girl is so much fun to play with!!! Sara and Rachel have put together an awesome kit once again!!! You ladies rock!!! So, without further ado,

here are my August sneaks!!!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!!!

I can't wait to see what you all do with this kit!!!

Kristii

Scrapping the Music #147

Happy Wednesday evening dear friends!!! It's that time again~~the Scrapping the Music reveal!!!

This week's song is Remedy by Jason Mraz and once again it's an awesome song to scrap and I hope you join in the fun!!! This week I chose to focus on the lyrics..."I won't worry my life away"...but rather than do a page, I decided to do a piece of wall art to remind me not to worry!!

I saw a piece like this some time ago and I have kept it tucked away in my mind for future reference and decided this would be the perfect time to pull it out! I cannot remember who the artist was, but I thought some bright colors and the always perfect "Don't Worry, Be Happy" quote would remind me to keep giving those things that occupy my mind back to the Lord!
Here is a close-up of all the goodies in this project.

Supplies Used:

October Afternoon patterned papers

My Mind's Eye patterned papers

Girls Paperie patterned papers

Papertrey Ink Dies and Felt

Martha Stewart Punch-Butterfly

EK Success Punches-Scallop, Circle, Heart

Kaiser Kraft and Prima Jewels and Brad

Tim Holtz Distress Ink-Brushed Corduroy

Frame-Target

I now have this fun little wall hanging up on my wall to remind me not to worry. I don't know why I do any way! It doesn't add any more hours to my day, it doesn't change the circumstances, and it doesn't improve my outlook on life, that's for sure!!! I don't know if you have any worries that are keeping you busy, but I want you to know that you are special! Be courageous; step out and try something new!!! You will never know what you can accomplish if you put your worries aside and go for it!!!

Wishing you smiles and sunshine,

Kristii

Scrapping the Music #146

Hi Everyone!!! Happy Wednesday!!

It's reveal time at Scrapping the Music!!!!

This week we are featuring the song, Let Go by Frou Frou from the movie Garden State. I chose the lyrics "Let Go, Jump In, There's Beauty in the Breakdown".

Once again, I raided my stash and pulled out some Basic Grey, Jillibean Soup, and Sassafrass Lass scraps, some American Crafts Thickers, Cosmo Cricket alphas, and Splattered the whole affair with Claudine Hellmuth Modern Red Paint. The photo was taken by my friend Susan Beth!!! Thanks again Susan Beth! I treasure these photos!

I have to tell you that there is a lot of symbolism in this layout because this song hit me to the core of my being. My sweetie and I have gotten to the place were we just have to let go and trust. There's nothing more we can do at this point but trust....hence the breakdown...the realization that only through Faith will we get through this difficult time ...sigh ...that realization is beautiful! In the midst of changing schedules and re-prioritizing, my relationship with my hubby is deeper and sweeter than ever and that makes the difficulties easier to bear. We have been blessed beyond measure and we are so happy together!!

I hope you know how special you are dear friends!

Thank you for stopping by and I wish you a glorious day!!!

Kristii