The 12 Kits of Holidays--May 2013

Hey there, friends.  Quiet around here, no?  I've spent the past month trying to chase a nasty stomach virus out of my house, and I'm still recovering from a week-long bout with it myself.  Hopefully better days are ahead.

This month's 12 Kits post is a mix of themes, including get well, thinking of you, and thank you.  Marybeth supplied us with lots of pretty goodies to get us going:

I have only two cards to share today, but I will be back with more once I'm fully recovered.  I particularly like the soft pastel shades of the first one.

Patterned papers:  My Mind's Eye (Lost and Found Blush), Recollections

Stamps:  Serendipity (Butterfly Garden, Miss You small)

Ribbon:  Papertrey Ink

Other:  Copic markers, Diamond Stickles

For the second one I'm kind of wishing I'd used contrasting papers, but the monochromatic look would work for a masculine card, that is if the man in question likes polka dots and aqua.  *grin*

Patterned paper:  Bazzill (Worth Remembering), Recollections

Tool:  Paper Smooches (word die)

Twine:  Hobby Lobby

Don't forget to visit the rest of the 12 Kits ladies to see what they've made:

Joyce: Cards-by-the-Sea
Renee: ItsAPatchworkLife
Tracey: InMyCreativeOpinion
Sharron: OnPapillionWings
Marybeth: Marybeth's Time for Paper
Jeanne: AKeptLife
Amy: Stamp-n-Paradise
Kim: CupcakesCardsandKim
Kara: KandRDesigns
Kelly: GinghamGirl
Jessica: The Paper Parade

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have a great weekend!

Totally fabulous (oh yes you are!)

Today, a card for all of you, my friends.  Thank you so much for all of your kind words about my job, both on yesterday's post and over on Facebook.  I know that it won't be the end of the world, and I'm fortunate to have so many other things in my life to be thankful for, but I appreciate all of your words of support and encouragement.  Onward and upward, right?

I've been inspired by all of the tilted designs out there and had to try one for myself.  I thought the chevron border from Avery Elle's To the Point would work perfectly with the word bubble from Hello and the Flashy Letters from Mama Elephant.

The letters were so easy to line up--I just drew a line lightly with pencil before stamping, then erased it once the ink was dry.

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! (Calypso Coral), WPlus9 Design Studio (White)

Stamps:  Mama Elephant (Hello, Flashy Letters), Avery Elle (To the Point)

Ink:  Stampin' Up! (Not Quite Navy, Calypso Coral, Basic Gray)

Thanks for stopping by, fabulous friends!  I hope you have a stellar Thursday.

My true north

Hi there friends.  We're halfway through another week, and I will certainly be glad to put this one behind me.

Most of you probably know that I work as a lab technician at the same college where my husband is a professor.  I started there almost two years ago, and it has been the perfect job for me for many reasons.

Unfortunately, our college has had to make a number of staffing cuts in the past year, and I learned last Friday that my position will no longer exist as of July 1.  It didn't come as a total surprise, but I'm still struggling to come to terms with the finality of the decision.

I'm trying to stay positive and focus on all of the projects around the house that I've been anxious to tackle, and I'd like to think I'll be able to spend more time in my craft room.  But I definitely feel as if I'm at a crossroads, especially since my son will be starting Kindergarten in the fall, and I had not envisioned being home once my kids were in school full time.

What does all of this have to do with my card today?  Well, this one is for my hubby.  Needless to say the events of the past week have been hard on him, especially since he will continue to work with the people who ultimately made this decision.

I just love this saying from the Knotty stamp set by Avery Elle.  My guy is my true north, without a doubt, and I know he'll help me find my way again.

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! (Not Quite Navy), WPlus9 Design Studio (White)

Stamps:  Avery Elle (Knotty), Papertrey Ink (Faux Ribbon)

Ink:  Stampin' Up! (Not Quite Navy, Real Red)

Tools:  My Favorite Things (Insert It 3 x 4 Insert die), Spellbinders (circle die)

Thanks so much for letting me share my news with you today.  I promise to have a much more upbeat post with a fun and "fabulous" card very soon.  Stay tuned!

Paper Smooches Sparks--Anything Goes!

Hey there!  It's been a while since I made a card for a challenge, but I already had this idea floating around in my head when I saw that the latest Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge theme is Anything Goes.

Nothing fancy about this card, just some stamping and simple coloring on patterned paper.  Love the happy face on the hippo.  All stamps are from Paper Smooches.

Patterned paper:  Echo Park (A Boy's Life), Fancy Pants (Off to School)

Stamps:  Paper Smooches (Zoo Crew, Boob Tubes)

Ink:  Stampin' Up! (Chocolate Chip), Copic markers

Tool:  corner rounder

That's all from me!  Hope you have a wonderful Friday!