My Father's Day Card

A good friend of mine, Abi Bundy, created the cutest Father's Day card ever. My upline liked it so much, she recreated it for the open house I went to on Saturday. I love the pop up tool box on the inside of the card. This is why I love Stampin' Up! There are so many creative people who are willing to share their ideas. I don't know what I would do without them!

I did a Scrapbook page?

I know, you are all impressed aren't you :) My upline's daughter is in Jay's Kindergarten class. So, as a gift for the teacher for the end of the year, she put together a scrapbook of all the kids in the class. Since I'm her downline, I felt obligated to create my own page. It isn't the best thing I've ever done, but considering my aversion to scrapbooking, I think it is pretty good.

Wow....where did the weekend go?

Well, here at my house it went into laundry, sleep overs, a Stampin' Up! open house at my uplines, and cleaning out my stamp room. Unfortunately, there wasn't a whole lot of time for stamping! Oh well, I thought instead that I would show you a RAK I received from Barb Furlong. Isn't it gorgeous? What's a RAK you ask? It's a Random Act of Kindness that comes in the form of an unexpected card in the mail. My APO address sometimes intimidates people, so when I get a RAK its a wonderful wonderful surprise.

Funky Friday Another Sketch

This weeks challenge over at Cornwall Crafty Stamper is this sketch.
Since I was already in the Bordering Blue, Night of Navy and So Saffron mindset from yesterday's card, I figured I might as well go with it. I really like the way this one turned out. Think you can do better? Then why not put your money where your mouth is and come over and join us!

LNS Challenge 73

Ok, I admit it. I've been a slacker. I'm not sure if I've actually lost my Mojo, or just my will to climb the stairs to the top floor where my stamp room is. Well, after the day I had today I need a little bit of a break, so I figured why not stamp. Then I looked at all those flights of stairs and sat down at my computer instead. I was about to click on poker when I saw my MDS. Why can't I use that for some much needed relaxation. All the fun, none of the stairs! So, here is my card for the LNS Challenge this week. We were to use Bordering Blue, Old Navy and So Saffron. While I made this in MDS, I'm sure you can recreate it using your traditional paper and ink as well. Why not give it a try and play along with us!

Stampers are some of the most amazing people I know!

Ok, I know this is another non card post, but I promise I will post some really soon. I just have to tell you about some of the most wonderful people I have ever encountered. This may be a long story, so please bear with me.

This weekend my husband deployed. We tried to explain to my youngest, Jay (age 6) why daddy had to go. After a fruitless battle, very little sleep, and tons of conversation, we couldn't break through his stubborn streak. In a last ditch effort, I emailed some of my stamping friends and asked for their help. The email read something like this

Those of you who have been following the blog finds of the day or the weekend stamper know that there was a change in my life recently. My husband deployed to Afghanistan this past weekend. I've been a military wife for a long time, so this isn't anything new to me. Luckily we did have a wonderful reprieve as my husband has not been downrange for close to five years now. We knew we were due. The unfortunate part of that wonderful span of time, is that for all intents and purposes this is the first deployment my now six year old has ever known. Matt (my darling husband) was trying to explain to Jay why Daddy had to go. He told him about the "bad guys" and how there were so many people in Afghanistan who needed his help to protect them. Jay, being a bright six year old, wanted to know why "those people" couldn't protect themselves. Matt then tried to explain to him that the bad people weren't just trying to hurt people in Afghanistan but also in the US. My daughter (who is 11 and knows everything) told Jay about the bomb in Times Square. Matt said that he had to go get the "bad guys" in Afghanistan so they couldn't hurt anyone in the US either. At this point, Jay pointed out that we didn't live in the US (we are currently stationed in Germany and have been for 3 years). Daddy told him that many of our friends did live there though, and they were very happy that Daddy was going to help keep them safe. Jay said that none of those people in the states even knew Matt was deploying so how could they be happy about it. (told you he was smart!). Anyway, to make a long story longer, the conversation ended there and shortly therafter Matt got on a plane. Here is where I am asking for your help. I want to prove to Jay that people all over the United States do know what his Daddy is doing for them, and that while it is hard to not have Daddy around for a while, what his dad is doing makes him a hero, not just to us, but to many others. If you would be willing to send a note or a card to Jay (and Katie) I would greatly appreciate it. All it takes is a regular stamp, and it can hopefully show my son that there is a reason for his sacrifice.

Within minutes I had responses, and they still haven't stopped coming. I was amazed by the generous nature of these "friends" I only knew through our love for paper and ink. I wanted to show you how wonderful and generous and kind these women are. Below are a few of the responses I have gotten.

Oh my, your husband is on his way to Afghanistan.

The Dutch are there too and I can imagine that your son does not understand.

I sometimes don't understand why there can be people out there who want to hurt someone.

But a we are all in the NATO-pact we have to sent our troops there.

I would love to cheer your son and daughter up and you of course.

I would be honored to send things to your little ones. I too am an Army Spouse and know how hard it is for the little ones, you too, but it so difficult for them to understand. Heck, my oldest was hit the hardest after her Dad had to deploy again after only being home for 7 months. We, however, are very blessed that after 3 deployments in 4 years he is retiring this year.

I will make sure that we add your husbands name to our prayers, to protect him and your family.



Oh Kelly - this is precious!!!! Although often unspoken....myself, along with millions of Americans truly appreciate what your husband does and YES he is a hero! I have tears as I type this - for my overwhelming appreciation for him and all servicemen and women! And for the sadness of your little boy...missing his daddy!



Absolutely - the boys and I will send cards, and my daycare kids will make a special one too! With Memorial over the weekend - and every day of the year - I thank Matt for his service, and I thank you for sharing him with us. I've been on these stamping lists with military wives long enough to know, it's not just the men & woman enlisted that serve us. The entire family is in it too!



FOR SURE KELLY! We're the LAND OF THE FREE because of THE BRAVE; you're husband being one!

You bet Kelly. I'll get stamping and mailing immediately! I'm holding you all in prayer though I know that doesn't necessarily fix things for a kid or even you in the short term. This is a terrific idea you had. The real problem in some ways as my Army niece pointed out awhile back...kids are smart enough to know that War and fighting is stupid, dumb and doesn't fix anything. After all we start telling them so practically as soon as they are born. So how to explain to a smart kid that some grown ups are dumb.....sadly they'll figure it out in time. And in an unsafe world every kid wants their Dad's arms to protect them! Like I said smart....

In the meantime please know that lots of people are loving you all from afar. The sacrifices of military families alone should be enough to make the angels weep and Politicians of every stripe live in fear of eternal heat related injuries!

Hugs and blessings and profound thanks for keeping America a safer place to live.

OMG Kelly I'm sitting here bawling like a baby over your email. I will get a card out this afternoon! God bless all of you! And THANK YOU, not just to your husband, but to your entire family!


These were just a few of the responses I have gotten, there are so many more. I am absolutely floored and amazed and feel so privileged to have these wonderful people in my life. What started as tool to teach my children has taught me so much more instead. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart.

LAST CHANCE LIST IS HERE!!!!

Remember a few weeks ago, I told you all about the amazing color renovation that Stampin' Up! was offering this summer? Well, it's almost time! Unfortunately, in order to make room for all the amazing Stamps, colors, and accessories that are coming, we will have to say good-bye to some beloved products. Don't worry, they aren't gone yet. Click here to make sure you don't miss out on your favorite products before they are gone. Don't forget, while the stamps are available until the end of June, the accessories are on a first come first serve basis.......so get them now while you still can!!!! Having a hard time viewing the online store? Drop me a line and I'll be happy to email you a hard copy of the list.