MFT Kits!!

(I can't believe that I missed giving you all this information! I was out of town, in NJ, this weekend. That's my excuse. Please forgive me!!)

MFT Kits – Just Add Color!

We are pleased and proud to introduce something fresh, fun and completely distinctive – MFT Kits!

Each month, a new Kit will be revealed, complete with an exclusive, unreleased stamp set, and the items you’ll need to complete a very special project (s).

The set included with your MFT Kit is a brand new, unreleased set, and will not be available for a period of at least 3 months after the MFT Kit containing the set is released.

This week’s (last week's) release and promo info:

07/08/09

Release: By The Seashore Kit $25 Kit contents:

*On The Pier (mini stamp set)
*6 die-cut tall gable boxes in ocean blue
*15 yards of hemp in natural
*6 Perfect Paper Panels
*5 yards, 3/8” twill in natural
*100 aged copper brads
*Memento Dew Drop in Rich Cocoa
*Project sheet download

You can't beat that deal with a stick!! Be back soon...

xox,

Kirsten

Update...

Greetings from Kentucky! Dave decided to drive up to our old stomping ground in Ohio to see about some job opportunities, and I told him that Wyatt and I were going to hitch a ride up to KY to see my sister, Jan. So here we are!

So much is going on in my head right now, as I type this. It looks like relocation up north (OH) is imminent, and I'm pretty much freaking out. We have such a great thing in Florida - with the exception of no job for my DH. But we have to go where the work is, and it sounds like there's a great opportunity for him up here, well, both of us actually.

I don't want to be too specific, because nothing's for certain, and there's still SO many details that need working out, but I'm REELING from it all, and I just felt the need to come and air it out here! LOL

No, I don't have anything to show you, as things have been so crazy, but as soon as I do, y'all will be the first ones to know! :) That also means that I don't have a card for this week's SSC. :( Sorry - I hate to miss this one, but I'll make it up as soon as I'm able.

Well, I guess that's about it. I hope that everyone's having a good Friday the 13th! :) Till later...

xox,
Kirsten

In Case You've Been Wondering...

I've gotten several emails from my "cyber friends", asking if there's anything wrong and letting me know that I'm missed, and I've got to tell you that I'm quite grateful for those emails and comments. Thank you so much for your sweet words!

The deal is that Dave has, in effect, lost his job...again. Well, it's not so much as lost as, on a hold. You may know that my husband is in construction, and the job that he's had for the past year and change has stalled. With no one spending any money on building houses, or anything else, he hasn't been paid since mid-December. He's been looking for other opportunities, but in his field, and especially in Florida, it's hard to stay positive in this economy.

Therefore, I've been working a lot more and spending my limited free time with my little guy, Wyatt. It's been hard to focus on anything else. Due to that, I asked my MFT boss-lady, Kim, if I could take a few weeks off, which is why you haven't seen me in the Hops or posting samples with the cool new releases lately.

That being said, I'm REALLY hoping to get my mojo up and flowing very soon. First step is to clean up my craft studio, so that I can be creative in there. Heaven knows that I've got oodles of fun stamps to play with. But I know that if I go in there, I might not come back out! Which then would turn up the guilt factor of not spending that time with my son... Alas, it's a vicious cycle! LOL

However, I will get it worked out. My goal is to get some stuff done this weekend, but I'm not going to promise, because for SURE it won't happen then! LOL I hope you understand.

Till later...

xox,
K

I KNEW That Cleaning Was Hazardous to My Health!

Wow, I can't believe that it's been like a million years since my last post! Well, probably more like 2 weeks, but STILL! It's just one of those times of the year when it's all that I can do to get all of my Christmas stamping, baking, wrapping, and buying done in time for all of the festivities. Then comes the Christmas "hangover"! We STILL have toys all over the house and cookies all over the kitchen, how about you?

In addition to all of that, my wonderful husband remodeled my stamp room, and reorganized all of my stuff. So, I'm sure that you can imagine that it then required a lot of REreorganization from me, but I was happy to do it, because it was a much needed chore. Now, I have an uber cool room that I will share pix of later. I really love stamping in it, HOWEVER...

On Sunday evening, I thought it would be a good idea to clean up the master bathroom while Wyatt was in the tub. Well, I was trying to hurry and talk to him at the same time, and saw something on the floor that needed picking up. I ended up kicking the corner of the wall (obviously really hard) and broke my toe. I won't describe it to you, because it's pretty gross, but suffice it to say that it was VERY clear to us that it was broken.

Now, I'm utterly BORED because I have to sit or lie down with my foot up all day, and CAN'T PLAY IN MY NEW ROOM! GRRR! Thank goodness that Dave is off this week, because he's a huge help. You know, it's a little difficult to move my computer from place to place while hopping around on crutches and a surgical shoe. LOL

Anyways, I have some things to share, and I will soon, but I wanted to drop in first and tell you what's going on! Our Christmas was wonderful - Wyatt was thrilled, and everything was perfect. How about you all? I hope that it was magical for everyone!

xox,
Kirsten

Saturday Sketch To Be Delayed :(

I can't tell you how crazed I've been this week gearing up for my party tomorrow night. So, because of that, I haven't had time to stamp anything that wasn't party related. I have some pix that I will share very soon, but my sketch sample will have to be made and posted after this weekend. It's just that time of year, kwim!?

So, have a great weekend, and hopefully I'll have some fun stuff to show you on Sunday!

xox,
k

I'm Still Here!

Sorry for my lack of posts! I have things to show you, but my hubby has had the camera for the past few days, so I don't have pix yet.

I've been super busy, as I'm sure, most of you have. I've been making oodles of Christmas gifts, mostly in the canned fruit jam and butter variety. Today, I've also been making my Cookie Exchange Party invites, so they're keeping me super busy! I'll show them here soon.

In other news, my little Wyatt is now officially a bike rider - without training wheels, that is! He's SO stinking cute on his little bike, I have to say! So, in a matter of a couple of months, he's learned to swim and ride a 2-wheeler! I can't believe how big he's getting!

Well, I hate that I've nothing to show you today, but never fear, I'll be back with something soon! Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend! Last night I watched Elf with Wyatt. I love that movie! "I love to smile. Smiling's my favorite!" LOL Too funny!

xox,
k

To Be Continued...

Will be back with a card later today...

xox,
k

Today's the Day - I Just Know It!

I'm immediately going into my room to produce a card for Lauren's SSC, right now after clicking publish on this post. It will be posted here directly. Just so you know... ;)

xox,
k

Not My Usual Bla, Bla, Bla

So, as I was browsing blogs today, I noticed on JulieHRR's that she posted an adorable calendar made with an A Muse download-able template. Now, I KNOW that in the past few weeks, I've drooled over numerous projects made with this very same template (and the A2 version), but I never noticed, until today that all of the proceeds for the sale of the template were going to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

I immediately clicked on the LINK, purchased the template, and made my donation.

You see, this strikes a very sad and special chord with me, because my beautiful mother passed away from one of these very cruel diseases, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, 7 years ago. She was way too young and my very best friend. Her death left me with a significant hole in my heart that took a very long time to heal over. She never had a chance to meet my little Wyatt, and I think that hurts me the most. I miss her terribly every day, and I always will.

Her name was Barbara, and she was supposed to die of old age before the disease got to her. The chemo treatments worked for a while, but then she'd have to move on to another one, each progressing treatment having more side effects. After five years of her fighting, she lost her battle.

This isn't a very rare story, as far as cancer stories go, but the point is this... There IS a cure for this awful disease out there somewhere, and I believe that given enough time, research, and FUNDING, it can be found.

This is a very small thing to do, but if we ALL donate - even if it's just the $4 minimum to buy ONE of the calendar templates, then it's a BIG difference! I mean, after all, who wouldn't want to receive a gift like THIS?

Now, you folks know, if you've been reading my blog, that I never do this. I just really felt like I NEEDED to say something to spread the word on this today. And with that, I'll step off of my soap box.

xox,
Kirsten

And an Enabling Alert - for a Good Cause!

There's a stamp sale going on over at the MFT site to benefit Alzheimer's research! Read this post for all of the deets...

Keep scrolling for today's card! :)

xox,
k

Some Enabling News...

1. There's some new happenings with the MFT forum. Here's the deets...

Wanna get cozy with the MFT crew? Want excuses to buy more stamps and play with the ones you have? We are changing up our forum to make it tons of fun for the MFT lover in you! On Sept. 13th, we unveil our MFThemed Forum Days!

Play along with Who’s That Girl? Monday
Find out more about MFT crew and fans on Thread Starter Tuesday
Chat it up MFT style Wednesday nights at 9pm(est)
Get a little sketchy on Thursday
Hum a little Oldie PLUS Goodie on Friday

What’s in for you? We thought you’d ask! So we decided to offer a $5 store gift certificate to one lucky winner each day! And on top of all that goodness, the daily winners will be thrown into a monthly drawing for a $25 gift certificate!

Now that’s a reason to celebrate, don’t you think?Keep your eyes peeled and be ready to party on Sept 13th. Wanna know a little secret to get you started? You’ll need Rain or Shine for the very first challenge, so from now through Sept 13th, it’s 20% off, just to get you in the mood!

2. And also from Paper Pretties, Christie has EXTENDED THE SALE in the boutique for another week!!! Here's the deets from my post last week...

So who's ready for a sale? Now, wait a minute - I don't mean little sale here - there ain't going to be no 10% or 20% or even 30% sale tags at this sale - NOPE NOPE NOPE! Tonight we're beginning our week-long Labor Day 45% off EVERYTHING in the store sale!!! Yep, you read it right - 45% off EVERYTHING for 1 week starting NOW!!! All you have to do when you check out is enter the coupon code Labor Day (case sensitive). Just a hint: Many of the things in the sale category are already marked down so you'll be getting 50, 60, all the way up to 80% off of some of those items.So what are you waiting for - get going and shop while the shoppings good!!!

I'll have something new to show you tomorrow!

xox,
k

Y'all Up for a Prettie Sale?!

So who's ready for a sale? Now, wait a minute - I don't mean little sale here - there ain't going to be no 10% or 20% or even 30% sale tags at this sale - NOPE NOPE NOPE! Tonight we're beginning our week-long Labor Day 45% off EVERYTHING in the store sale!!! Yep, you read it right - 45% off EVERYTHING for 1 week starting NOW!!! All you have to do when you check out is enter the coupon code Labor Day (case sensitive). Just a hint: Many of the things in the sale category are already marked down so you'll be getting 50, 60, all the way up to 80% off of some of those items.So what are you waiting for - get going and shop while the shoppings good!!!

Here's the LINK!

Don't forget to scroll down for today's post! I've got an MFTeaser for you! :)

xox,
k

One More Thing...

I forgot to tell you in my last post that Kim is having a big CONTEST over on the MFT forum. You'll definitely want to check it out. Here's some deets...

The contest consists of 10 questions, the answers for which will be emailed to contest@mftstamps.com, so a random winner from all the correct entries will be drawn. I thought since so often people stop doing the footwork, and just copy and paste, that it would be fairer to do it this way. The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to the store!

The link to the forum is here...
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=11088792#post11088792

Sound like fun!? Check it out!

Some People to Thank...

I recently was tagged with a couple very nice awards from a couple very nice people, and I'm just getting around to posting them! The last one is one that I posted already, but told you I'd get back to you with the weird facts. Well, since it's 5:45 in the am here right now, maybe my mind will be a bit more "random" than usual, and give you something different. (Not been sleeping really well lately...) This tag came from Shannon Erskine, or e3stamper. She was so super sweet to mention me on her list! I love her work, as well, and you will too. Make sure that you HOP on over to her blog, and check it out!
This tag came from Katie, from Paper Makeup. She is a professional make-up artist as well as a stamper, hence the blog title! She also has great cards over on her site, so check them out, and leave her some love!
This was the tag that I got from Chelle, a while back, who was dying to get some more dirt on me... ;) Well, I'll do my best to not repeat...

1. My toes spread freakishly wide. I can easily "hold hands" with them.

2. I'm a major fan of Crocs. I own several pair, and can't wait till I can justify getting more.

3. I think that dessert that doesn't involve chocolate is a waste of calories.

4. I might have mentioned this before, but I like my volume on my TV to be either an even number, or a multiple of 5. I'm not terribly OCD, but that is one thing that would qualify. Don't we ALL have just a LITTLE OCD!?

5. When I was last at Disney World (this past weekend), I SO bribed my husband with a back scratch to let me make one of those GIANT pixie sticks. It was really yummy, but on the first "hit", I underestimated the amount going in, and choked so much that it went up my nose. Man, that burned like you wouldn't believe - well, unless you're a cocaine user, in which case I suppose you WOULD believe it. I was REALLY careful after that.

6. My favorite color is blue, but Pumpkin and Olive are my favorite stamping colors. (Geesh, I'm getting desperate now, aren't I!)

7. I'm getting a cold, and have a sore throat, despite all of my efforts to avoid them with daily vitamins and Danactive dosing, and I'm really quite irritated about it.

Well, there you have it folks. More ammunition for you! LOL
Also, last, but not least, is Michelle, from My Stampin' Habit, who awarded me with the Arte y Pico. She's also a great one to check out! She's a teacher/stamper who makes the cutest cards! Thanks, Michelle!

Now my laptop battery is about to die, and I'm far to lazy at this awful hour to get up and plug it in, so I'm going to wrap this up, but I'll be back later with a card, or something...

Thanks again, Ladies!!!

xox,
k

CHA Recap, Part 3

So, I still have nothing stampy to show you, but I DO still have plenty of CHA pix! :)

This is Ali Edwards, THE name in scrapbooking. It was very cool to meet her and hope that just a little bit of her talent rubbed off on me! :)


This is one of Joanne and I with THE Miss Debbie Olson. She is the nicest and most down to earth person ever. She was also so patient with all of our Copic questions when she was demo-ing in the Copic booth.

This is Heidi Swapp. She makes the most awesome paper crafting products. It was so cool to meet her and learn that she currently lives in China! It was great to chat her up!

This is Lisa Strahl, and boy was it nice to meet her, as well! She is so uber talented and just seemed like a really cool chick!

And lastly, this is the wonderful Ellen Hutson. She was so totally nice, as well. Just what you would expect from her blog!





Well, that's about it for this installment. I'm hoping that I'll get something done today during naptime. Keep your fingers crossed for me! :)

Now I'm off for a MOMS Club brunch. TTYS!

xox,
k

Psst (again)...

I just noticed that Kim has all of her paper goodies on sale for 20% off on the My Favorite Things web site! She needs to make room for all of the new CHA goodness, and TRUST ME, that's a good thing! ;)

Just enter the code CHASummer08 to receive the discount!!! Easy peasy!

Pssst...

Did you see that Alma's put the WHOLE STORE on sale??? Check out The Cat's Pajamas web site. EVERYTHING is 25% off for the next three days!!!

Thought you'd want to know...

CHA Recap, Part 1

Okay, so I know you've all been on the edge of your seats, waiting for my take on CHA. Well, to tell you the truth, I'm overwhelmed with it! I have SO many pix, and met SO many people that I don't know where to start. It has the potential of turning into a mini series, like the Thornberries, or something! LOL

So, I figure that I'll start off with the highlights, and then throw in a pic or two in subsequent posts. I spent all morning editing my photos with the people I met, but I still have to go through all of my product photos! LOL

Here is one of my favorite pix (THANKS, Carole! ;)), because it shows all of my favorite girls that I was primarily hanging out with. There ARE a couple missing (Christy Beckwith, Amber Hillman (bambi64), and Kim's awesome friend, Jamie), but I'm sure that I've got them on my memory card somewhere! I was a bit comprehensive with the pictures - I'm sure you could find SOMEONE to verify that!? LOL

I love all of these chicks! We literally never stopped laughing! We all immediately hit it off, and I can't wait till the next time we get together! I think I was happiest to meet them.Top row from left: Cammie, Alma (TCP), Laura (Lov'n Life n Vegas), Deb (beadn & stampn), Michelle (flaxychick), Kim (the fabulous MFT bosslady); Bottom row: Joanne (basilefamily), Carole (TruCarMa), and Me.

This is me and one of my stamping idols, Nichole Heady (PTI), at a very bad angle. She so sweet, I'm so glad that I got the chance to meet and talk with her, even if I DO have several chins in this picture!

This is Cath Edvalson and Kim Kesti at the Paper Crafts booth. Both are so super nice!

This is none other than Tim Holtz. I'm not very big on distressing myself (as evidenced by my previous post), but darned if I was going to come home from CHA without a Tim Holtz picture! LOL

It was pretty funny how I got it. My first pic was one of him amongst his throng of admiring women, doing a cool project with his Ranger products. Next, I thought, "Hmm, maybe I could have someone take a pic of me standing behind him, so that we were both in the picture!?" So I did. Very funny picture. Then, Laura decided to do the same thing, but she got closer and even put her hand on his shoulder for the splitest second! Well, not to be outdone, I started to tip toe back to up to him, when he figured that he'd better address this situation or we were liable to never leave him alone to finish his demo! He nicely took my camera from me and took THIS pic. (There's more to this picture, but for now, I'll leave it at that. Joanne, you SOOO owe me... ;)) Finally, we ALL got in a pic! He was very gracious to humor us with all of our giggling starstruck-ness.

This is Laura, Michelle, and I with Eric from Cosmo Cricket. We were harassing about eliminating the 8x8 paper packs from his latest 3 lines, and attempting to talk him into changing his mind. We also found out that his first and last name is an anagram for Cosmo Cricket. He was so nice, and even had pity on us to give out some new paper packs for coming back on Sunday! Wohoo! So, you'll be seeing the new Mr. Campy and Jack's World from me very soon! :)

This is the very sweet duo of Gina K and Melanie Muenchinger. We ended up having a meal or two with them, and they couldn't be nicer!

This is another complete sweetie, Jenn Balcer, who gives the bestest hugs ever! I was SO happy to meet her at the SCS Cupcake Reception.

And lastly for today, this is Emily, from Stamping Bella. We had the opportunity to spend a good bit of time with her and Nicky, and it was so much fun!

We all really did have so much fun! We even had the chance to do a little shopping at a local stamping store in Chicago, Stampology. Those guys were awesome and even treated us to some authentic Chicago deep dish pizza and drinks! Oh, and we did a little shopping there, too! ;)

Wow, I think that this is all of the pix and links that this post can handle! I'll be back tomorrow with more superstars and maybe some products, too! LOL

Check back soon for more deets! I've got to do some cleaning around the house. :( Back to reality! LOL

xox, Kirsten

Meet One of My Little Fur Babies!

I mentioned a while back that we had recently adopted a pair of female hamsters. I said that I might post a pic of one or both of them. Well, I didn't exactly get my inbox filled with requests to share, but I am anyways! :) We got them for Wyatt, but I've fallen in love with them! LOL

This is Ariel - named for the Little Mermaid. (The other one is Jasmine. :)) They're named for the Disney princesses that Wyatt has a crush on! LOL They are both very sweet and super soft Black Bear hamsters.

What do you think? Ain't she cute!? :)

I also wanted to thank Alex for nominating me for this Kreativ Blogger award. Thanks so much for thinking of me Alex!

I'll be back tomorrow with a stampy post. See you then!

xox, Kirsten

We're Back, But...

I've still nothing to show you. Computer is still not working, and I've not time to stamp! I'm hoping to get some stuff done ASAP, though, as I've lots of impending deadlines! Thanks for hanging in with me though this ultra sloooooooooooow time! LOL

We had a great time at Disney! We went to Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and a little Epcot. We did two character dinners - one with the Disney princesses and one with Pooh and friends. We also fit in some Downtown Disney and the coolio dragon pool! What a jam-packed, but super fun trip with some good friends!

Hope you're having a wonderful Memorial Day! Now to get back to the unwinding! :)

xox,
Kirsten