Happy International Women's Day!

 

Hi friends!

Happy Monday and Happy International Women's Day!

Although this day is celebrated today on this one date,

it's truly a celebration for all days that have led to this.

In 2021, they've asked 'what does this day continue to mean to you?'

It's a day to celebrate acheivements of ALL women.

For me specifically, it's a term that makes me proud to be 

 

 a wife, mom, grandmother, daughter, sister, friend :)

Having grown up in a military family, it's taught me:

love, family, respect, pride, resilience, fortitude, sustainability, faith.

Today's card is featuring 'a little warmth' from Unity Stamp Company.

I've recently uncovered a treasure trove 

of my USC stamps and you'll probably be seeing them more often :)

I chose this stamp because she looks like she's off to work

or a meeting or maybe enjoying a moment with friends grabbing coffee.

I'm a joyful stay-at-home mom who's raised 4 children 

to be wonderfully amazing adults

and I could not be prouder of who they are!

So raise your cuppa (or glass!) and CHEERS to all of us!

Thanks for stopping by!

RSG: It's unbe-LEAF-able!

Hi friends!

Today's the day for a new theme of Ready, Set, Go!

challenge group, 

a spin off of the 3M created by Jeanette!

We take ordinary challenges and turn them into extraordinary,

out of the box, stomach turning, nail biting challenges!

Well, maybe not that extreme :)

But close!

This month, I was the hostess and instead of throwing down the gauntlet

of a really hard challenge, I made mine a little more tangible.

I bought 3 wooden carved gorgeous leaves from a mom and pop shop

(say that 3 times fast!)

while we were vacationing in Tennessee a few years ago.

I saw them and thought we could use them somehow 

and packed them away ... 

until now ♥

My challenge was:

I've enclosed a leaf that I purchased years ago when we first started

the 3M thinking one day we would use it. 

 Now is the time!
I bought it during our winter mountain vacation in Tennessee 

where we had glorious blankets of snow. 

I also adore the changes of the leaves and all the gorgeous colors of autumn

so the leaf will be the focal point of your card!

 

Here is my card, using Gansai Tambi watercolors,

a white embossed leaf imprint from Unity Stamp Co 

Kit of the month: Moments between Moments.

I LOVE THIS KIT!

It's definitely up on my favorites list!

The sentiment is also from Unity Stamps Co and a newer stamp 

called A little warmth. 

You can see Barb's card here and Jeanette's card here

with their fall foliage cards!

Thanks for stopping by!

And just in case you needed a quick peek ...

only 34 more days until Christmas!!!

So close!

Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

Growing In Unity - Day 5: One Happy Life

Hello friends!

It Day 5’of the Growing In Unity showcase week!

 It is always bittersweet when it’s day 5 
 and it has been a wonderful week of showing you  
just a few of my favorite Unity Stamp Co stamps !

For today’s card I am using the beautiful Planner Girl - One Happy Life :)

I created this card by embossing an A2 Piece of card stock with an embossing folder and cutting out the circle with a spellbinders circle nesting die.
I stamped and colored planner girl and added that panel underneath and embellished with a few iridescent sequins.

Thanks for stopping by today 

and be sure to leave a comment for your chance at a wonderful prize!

Big hugs, bigger blessings!

Kelly

Growing in Unity - Day 2: cozy socks and warm cuppas!

Hi friends!

*Note: This is my 2nd post today- 
for my The Project Bin card, please see  this post!*

It's Day 2 of the very exciting Growing In Unity stamp showcase week!

While tomorrow's card is layers upon layers,

today I'm showing you a clean and simple style card.

I love it when the image is the focal point and the clean space
really lets you see so much detail!

 

For today's card, I'm using Specially Warm - the cozy and comfy

stamp that many of us can relate to, I'm sure :) 

Warm coffee or tea?
Sweaters and fuzzy socks?
A good book?
 
Yes, please!

Here's how I created this CAS card.
I stamped the image and the sentiment with my MISTI
and ran it through the Gemini Jr with a stitched die.
I colored the image with copic markers and 
attached it to brown cardstock to finish.

This card is quick and simple yet so sweet.
From moms to sisters to the very best friends,
this card is versatile and sweet enough for all! 

You can find this stamp here in the shop.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Remember to leave a comment so I can find you, too!

Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥
~Kelly

Growing in Unity - Day 1!

 Hello friends!

  It's here, IT'S HERE! 

Today's the day I've been waiting for for almost an entire year!

I was overjoyed to be chosen as one of the Growing in Unity gals

 by Unity Stamp Company last year.

I've patiently bubbled in the days on the calendar anticipating this day ♥

For the next 5 days, I'll be sharing cards I've made with

 the wonderful stamps of Unity.

Be sure to comment below each day for your chance to win

 some great Unity stamps!

 Today's card is using Unity Stamp Company's Kit of the month (KOTM)

called [when you smile] - released January 2017.

It's clean and simple 

meets bright and wonderful!

Oh, how I adore this girl!

I created the card for my daughter who is about to hop on a plane

to Rhode Island.

 And it's snowing!

(for us in Miami, Florida - that's a pretty big deal!)

I did some masking on this first card.

I wanted the string of lights behind her as if hanging in the background.

I stamped the girl first onto the cardstock, then added

a large sticky note and stamped it again.

Still in place, I stamped the string of lights and

then peeled back the note to reveal the image.

it's colored with Copic markers and set into a framed die.

I have a fun week lined up so check back often ~

and in order to be eligible for the prize, you must comment 

with your name and not 'unknown' as there won't be a way to find you :)

I'd be delighted if you'd be a follower
 - and I'll follow you as well ~
we'll be new frteinds! ♥

Thanks so much for your visit today ♥

Big hugs, bigger blesings!
~Kelly

CCEE: Cards of Encouragement

 Hello friends!

Because we've been preparing, shopping, stocking up,

I have a quick post for today.

 

Please keep South Florida in your thoughts ~

we've got a hurricane barreling towards us!

We've got all our supplies and will 'batten down the hatches'

and hope for the very, very best this weekend.

Storms are always so scary and with our baby granddaughter, Alice,

it just makes everything that much more nerve wracking :(

My post!

The CCEE Stampers theme this week:

create a card of encouragement and SEND IT!

 Today's card is for my daughter ♥

We have 3 young adult daughters and a teenage son,

and our middle daughter is a jet setter and amateur photographer.

She just returned from a week in Montreal, Canada and the Caribbean the month before that and her photographs are just stunning!
Lucky for me, she lives at home so I'll walk this card down the hall!

 

You might remember from this post that I fell absolutely IN LOVE 

with this stamp set from Unity Stamp Company

when I was a Unity gal last year.

One of the perks of being a Unity girl for a week

is at the end, you can pick a stamp - or stamp set - as a reward.

I chose Moments Between Moments last year because it spoke to my heart

and the girl with the camera is just sensational.

For this card, I tried something new - Canon watercolor paper.

I used my Zig clean markers to colors and they were super!

 

The encouragement is on the inside of the card:

This sentiment is one of the one in the same stamp set. 

You can see what the design team has created this week

 by heading to the CCEE Stampers blog.

There is also a link up where you can add your cards, too!

I'll try to hop on as long as the electricity stays on!

We have a generator and plenty of gas, just in case.

We have a full house - everyone heading here to weather the hurricane.

I'll have to go get my mom from her house and she'll stay with us, too. 

I jonkingly told my husband, while he is entertaining by candlelight

and cooking by sterno, I'll be making lots of cardmaking by lantern :)

Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

Love you this much! ♥

Hi friends and happy weekend!

I love Unity stamps!

Unity stamp company is one of the stamps I found

 when I first started stamping -

and they just make me smile ♥

For today, I made a quick card that I slipped into my daughter's luggage.

She's on her way from Miami to Montreal (Canada!) 

 Her job sends flies her all around the world

and she's very blessed to LOVE what she does ~

and she's only 22!

I keep telling her I'm SURE she needs a chaperone - hee hee! 

  

For today's card,

I've used the adorable Otter from Otter love this much

from Unity Stamp Company   

and colored it with promarkers.

I used my MFT stitched mod Dienamics and ran that through my Gemini Jr.

I stamped out my Altenew half-tone circles and stamped it in varied inks

from Ranger Ink Distress inks.

The sentiment is from the same Otter stamp set and how I feel about her!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly  

Ocean tribute for Joanne

Hi everyone ♥

Today I'm participating in a special 'In Memoriam' blog hop for a design team sister
that sadly passed away.
We are joining together to celebrate the life of a beautiful soul
and sharing cards inspired by the things she loved in life!

If you are hopping along, you would have come from Rebecca's blog.

As many of you may have already heard by now,
 our friend and fellow Design Team member passed away suddenly on the 25th May 2019.
Joanne had been battling a few health issues recently 
so she hadn't played along with the challenges for a few months,
 but she was looking forward to getting back into her stamp cave to play again.

Joanne was very much loved in the stamping community and was very active on Splitcoaststampers going by the name of Jojot. 
 Joanne had two blogs The Inky Ocean Gazer and The Inky Ocean Gazer 2.

 Today we have asked the members of the two challenge Design Teams 
she was in ~ the CCEE Stampers and Crazy 4 Challenges ~ 
and a few special stamping friend to join us
 in this special tribute blog hop to our stamping friend by either.

It's humbling to offer a card in her honor today and I went with a sunset at the ocean. I've used 2 Unity stamps to create my card today ~
Not be perfect and the sentiment from A Chance Every Day
as I thought they went lovely together.
I masked the image and created the sky/sand with distress oxide inks.

Here is the entire hop list if you'd like to stop by and see what was made for Joanne!

CCEE Stampers 

Frances Byrne

Lois Bak

Karen Ostergard

Liz Williams

Vicki Garrett

Rebecca Ednie

Kelly Santi

Karen Aicken

Vicky Gould

Maryann Einam

Anne Harmon

Nicky Foden

Lynn McAuley

Kathleen Adams

Crazy 4 Challenges 

If you'd like to create a card, on the CCEE Stampers blog

there is a linky spot where you can create a card in her honor.

 From here, you'll head to the talented Karen's blog.

Rest In Peace, Joanne ♥

Thanks for stopping by ...
Big hugs, bigger blessings♥

~Kelly

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day

to all the moms, gramma, aunties, fur mamas and beyond!

I hope your day is extra special

and all the wonderful moments that today holds are yours!

 Today I'm showing the card that I made for my daughter.

She's the one that gifted me our beautiful grand-daughter ~

one of the most beautiful blessings!

I absolutely fell in love with this Unity Stamp Company image

and it reminded me of my daughter and her love for Alice.

She's an AMAZING mama!

Extra love to all!

♥

Big hugs, bigger blessings!

~Kelly

COF: Live life to the fullest!

 

 Hello again!

 

Today is the day the Crafters of Faith group post our cards

based on a scripture and a challenge.

 

 

 

One of my bestie's, Barb, is the hostess for this month's challenge.

She writes:

Challenge: It is about Living Life to the Fullest:  Please make a creation that expresses how you live your life to the fullest or illustrates something you plan or wish for in the future.
Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Oh, this topic had me pondering of which stamp to use!

Living life to the fullest to me is incorporating my love of family, friends ...

then there's is the all-fulfilling church,

and we, as a family, love to travel and vacation together.

But that's sort of a given (for me) ..

things that are naturally meant for me.

So to really step outside my comfort zone,

to be bold,

to take healthy risks,

to take chances

to LIVE ....

now that was my a-hah moment! 

 In the theme of living life to the fullest,

I have a personal mantra.

It always includes 3 things ...

always,

always,

ALWAYS!

I would tell my kids every single morning, without fail ...

1.  I love you

2.  Make today count

3. Be kind.  To someone.  Anyone.  Including yourself!

 

And I start repeating those words through-out my day,

whispered from my lips to my own ears ♥

Back to my card!

I absolutely LOVE the September Kit of the Month from Unity Stamp Co!

It's the September KOM 9-16 called Moments Between Moments.

I remembered

 that. one. little. sentiment 

from this kit and paired it with the camera girl stamp.

In fact, I loved it so much - I made 3 cards!

This is the first in the series -

 I'll show you the other 2 next week :)

This one is very simple, a CAS card, inside and out

but I was focusing mainly on the sentiment as the focal point.

The card group, if you are on Splitcoaststampers,

is open for anyone to join!

We make a card once a month and just generally chat in between the posting :)

We'd love to have you!

Thanks for stopping by!
Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

The Library Card: Book 3!

Hello friends!

I hope your weekend is going well!

This is my 3rd post (but not 3rd card!) for The Library Card,

a blog series combining my love of books and Starbucks and card-making!

Oh, how I love my Unity Stamps ~

and am SO EXCITED to be a Growing in Unity girl this year!

It's a long way until November, but so worth the wait :)

For today's library read, I've decided to create a card 

on a book that was recently loaned to me.

I oogled it when it came out and hit the bookstores,

and was happy to sit and actually read it and peruse the beautiful pictures 

and note some recipes.

And Reese has a book club!
Say. No. More!

Today's library selection:

Whiskey in a Teacup

by Reese Witherspoon

Book Cover:

My card: 

I've been organizing my Unity Stamp Co collection by theme ~
and found I have a lot of coffee themed stamps!

(I have a lot of coffee themed stamps of every kind, really!)

I decided to use Kimmie Girl for this book cover ♥

For my card, I created a base using designer paper

and stamping Kimmie right onto the cardstock.

After die cutting the image and the matching sentiment,

I arranged the card to fit onto the card and added some buttons.
(And pssst!  Kimmie is on sale this week!)

 

 My favorite quote: 

 "I don't have a ton of free time, so when it comes to short cuts and good-enough-ing, I have been there and store-bought that."

 It's fun to have another book in The Library Card shelf! :)

I have a few more books checked out ~

I wonder what I'll read next?!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly