Is it summer yet?



Let's start with me saying that you might want to read the title of this post twice, because I don't exactly enjoy the paint-peeling heat of summers in Austin.  However, I am actually growing weary of the cold these past few weeks.  I have completely given up on the mystical day or two that we call "spring" around these parts.  It seems to me that you will see tulips poke their little heads up on a Monday, and by Friday they are either frozen to death or have wilted under the scorching summer sun.  Spring in Austin is like an alien sighting, you probably have heard someone say that they have seen it, but they are few and far between, and you never really trust them about it.  

 

So, for me to say that I am ready for summer should give you an indication that we really do need some relief around here.  And rain.  We can always use more rain. 

 

To put myself in more of a summer mood I took the sketch this week from Stamping Challenges and made it bright and sunny.  Take a look:

 

 

 

Stamps:  Papillion Potpourri, Itty Bitty Banners

Card Stock:  Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Summer Smooches DSP

Ink:  Daffodil Delight

Accessories:  Bitty Banners Framelits (with Big Shot), Brights Designer Buttons, Linen Thread 

 

I love how the buttons look like LifeSavers candy across the card!  And the colors are so bright and happy that they make me feel like summer is just around the corner.  (Because, remember, this is Texas...so it is.)  I don't want any of you to be surprised is next week I am writing to you all saying how hot it is already, or hoping that my air conditioner can keep up.  And, I hope that you if live in Central Texas that we all get to enjoy a few days of spring before the scorching sun comes down on us.  So get outside, take some bluebonnet pictures, and then stamp something happy for a friend.  You won't regret it! 

Until next time, Happy Stamping!

Kim

A Nod to Paula Deen

Hi Everyone!  

I know you have heard it before, but inspiration can come from absolutely anywhere when you are playing with your paper.  This week, my inspiration came from my favorite southern lady, Paula Deen.  

Paula and I could be soul-mates.  She cooks the kind of food that I remember growing up with, made with love in a kitchen filled with aunts and cousins and love and laughter.  I have to tell you, my mom was one of nine kids, and when we would visit my little sweet grandma in Prentiss, Mississippi everyone would come over.  Never mind that grandma's house was probably 1000 square feet, not counting the screened in porches.  Never mind that there were enough cousins running around to fill a school bus.  

We didn't care, because we were family.  

Also, our moms kicked us all outside, locked the doors, and told us not to come back in until dinner time or if one of the cousins had bleeding that would not stop.  (OK, I may be exaggerating just a bit, but truly as long as the garden hose was working and the plum trees were bearing fruit there really was not any need for us to be inside the house.)

So, back to Miss Paula.  (In case my momma is reading, I know to show respect to my elders!)  I noticed this week that the graphics in between segments of Paula's show have changed, and the colors are a beautiful, cool blue with a deep purple.  I knew immediately that those were Pool Party and Rich Razzleberry, and those two colors are my favorites so I had to put them together.  

I took this week's sketch over at Stamping Challenges and made my card with the colors from Paula's show:

 Stuff I used:  Stamps:  Pretty Petites  Cardstock:  Pool Party, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer paper  Ink:  Pool Party, Rich Razzleberry  Accessories:  Petite Curly Label punch, 1 1/4" Scalloped Circle punch, Sycamore Street buttons and ribbon, Pool Party baker's twine

Who knows, I may just stamp an envelope and mail this down to Savannah, with my thanks to Paula for reminding me of the lesson that my mom, grandma, and aunts taught me:  a home-cooked meal is more than just nourishment for your family, but a reminder to them of how much you love them.  

Go cook something yummy for you family, then make a card for someone, and until next time, Happy Stamping! 

Kim