Packing....and some blog candy to win??

Well, it's time....to start packing....the lists have been in my head for weeks, parts of lists on little pieces of paper all over the house and car. I have the clothes packing in one place, the stamping stuff pack list in another place...the toiletries list in another place...the documents/$ list in another...and now they all have to come together in a beautiful symphony of two check-ins and a carry-on. Oh no, not all the stuff has come together! All the pieces of paper. Whew...tired just thinking of it :) Now the hard part of actually gathering it all.....but while I'm doing that....

Nichole of Papertreyink, one of my fav companies and a sponsor of this cruise, suggested that we bring a trip scrapbook to put together while we are on the trip. I have decided to do that, to see if I can, really. Here is my "starter kit" that I am bringing.

Since I will be away and not blogging, I decided that "away-blog candy" was in order. So--can you guess how many pieces are in this kit?? Yes, counting each thing (marker, prisma, etc. separately? but not the ziplock bag or bowl holding the embellishments, silly) Make your best guess and comment here, then tell people on your blog about a chance to win something fun that I bring back from my wonderful wonderful stamping cruise! I will award the prize to the answer closest to the right one, or pick randomly from all the right choices. You have until October 28th to guess, then I will choose a lucky duck!

I will miss you! Have a great time this week and know that I am thinking of all of you and wishing wishing wishing wishing you could come with!! I won't be online tomorrow and I leave Saturday, so BON VOYAGE!

Blessings to all!

You make me JUMP for JOY!

You all are the spring in my step!!

Thanks for being there, supporting me and being so so kind! Your comments always bless my days!! This is a bookmark I made for those who blessed me by prayerfully and financially supporting my mission to Mozambique. I added (not shown) an African designed and colored ribbon to the top and one of Gina's K's zoo brads to the bottom corner of Mel's adorable Zack zebra image from the Jumping for Joy set, including one of them with my report letter. The DP is actually flocked! I fell in love with this paper and finally found a perfect use for it...I bought it over a year ago from Oriental Trading Company (OTC). Their scrap booking supplies run the gamut from fair to GREAT, so it's a guess which you'll get when you order...the prices are pretty good though!

Have a joyful Monday! Happy Columbus Day holiday to my US friends!

Happy Anniversary!

Do you remember that my DH gave me the cruise I am taking next week for my 25th Wedding anniversary? It's coming up on November 5th, but I plan to celebrate every day I'm cruising!

This is a card I made for my friends, Jack and Sandy, who are also celebrating their 25th anniversary this fall as well. I received this House Mouse stamp from WishRAK. No, not the image! A sweet stamper sent me the ENTIRE STAMP when I only asked for images (this is now the only HM stamp I have.) Isn't is sweet?? Stamping friends are the BEST, aren't they?!

Have a very Blessed Sunday!

Happy Birthday, Lizzie!

It's my best friend from high school, Lizzie's, birthday today! Happy Birthday to her!!

I actually call her on her b'day to sing and chat for--oh an hour or so-- so I'm not posting a card for her, but I will post a gift and some cards I made for my friend Mary Angela's birthday last week. I love the new rub ons so much, I could almost trade a few stamp sets for more rub ons...I am trying not to add a new obsession!! But it's way too much work, isn't it??

These are stampin up's fresh cut cards and the Fresh Cut stamp set. They are so easy and versatile! I looked at SCS for ideas and kind of went from there. I love the colors! I used Ranger Ink's Distress inks and the SU 5-petal punch. Thanks Deby for loaning me the punch...I really should buy one. I made these into a 6 card set.


Here is a frame and a "pencil mug" that I made using SU's rub ons. You can't really drink from the mug and then wash it without rubbing off the rub ons, so I told my friend to use the mug to hold the pencils on her desk. I'd love to see a picture of her with her 3 boys in the frame!

I think they turned out okay, don't you?

Enjoy Lizzie's birthday, everyone!

Oh and visit my SBS9 sister Natty's blog for some BLOGVERSARY CANDY!!

What the heck?!

Hi friends!

I had a boy once in my class that always said that title phrase when he was surprised by something. I just loved how he said it...with the emphasis on 'heck'. So....SURPRISE! I'm actually sitting in one spot and posting...I know, right. What the heck?!

Believe me, it's been so painful not to be sitting down and checking in. I have been creating a few projects here and there as needed and I promise to post them this week without hesitation....I haven't posted in soooo long!

Here's a start.....

We had my daughter's soccer team over for a "Night before the game" spaghetti dinner. The typical fare with a twist from my DH who made the girls delicious Chicken Parm and Linguini with a tossed Spring mix and spinach salad and garlic bread.

But I made the dessert! Brownies with mini M&M's for sprinkles....with a purple and gold tag for each girl personalized with their name and jersey number! I used Melanie M's set Just So Sporty set from Gina K Designs. Aren't they so cute?! The girls loved them and one girl even put the tag in her locker at school! That is a nice compliment from a 17 year old!
















You can kind of see that a few are not hoodies with numbers, but words...using Mel's set, I also made some brownies with special tags for coaches and for soccer fans, too...for the coaches wives and kids. How fun, huh??

I am getting ready for my cruise this upcoming weekend...and I haven't had even ONE MINUTE to pack...I have to pack clothing and stamping supplies for both me and my friend who is joining me....pray I have the time I need!

My daughter's soccer team is doing VERY VERY WELL! After 3 of 4 of this week's games, we are now at 11 wins, 1 loss and 2 tie games....this is so exciting as they have their hearts set on another state title. (they won two years ago). We have been so crazy keeping up with them, I can barely believe I will be on a cruise this time next week. Wow.

To my blogging sisters, I want to catch up soon on all the blogs, but it is so overwhelming I shall have to take it one bite at a time. You are all amazing women...thank you for your patience! To my blog readers who aren't in my SBS9 group: Thanks also for your faithful visits...you are ALL blessings to me! More to share tomorrow!!!
Love ya!
Kim Marie