Grama Kate~

Hello to you dear friends!
Much thanks for stopping in to visit : )

We are experiencing true Spring weather here in Colorado Springs and I must say it is warming more than the air!  it is warming my heart as well.  <3

I don't have a lot to share today, but I like to post and just "keep in touch" with you, so here is a
quick post about Grama Kate.
My late husbands grandmother on his mom's side; Grandma Kate was a kindergarten teacher until she retired - 26 years I believe~
She grew up with a military  father (Navy) & mother (in the Cleveland, OH area) and both her parents were descendants of Czechoslovakian immigrants.

 I realize the actual photo of Grama is a poor copy, and so sorry 'bout that! I believe this was her Collage Graduation picture, though I am not sure.
She was born in The Philadelphia area but they moved to Cleveland when she was very young.
She was married to Poppy, the grandpa I have blogged about a few times~


I want to take a minute to share a blog link - ->  http://appleapricot.blogspot.com/ where Wendy
hosts a by-weekly "Simply Neutrals Tuesday Party!
I will be sharing Grama's photo there; and if you have the time, I hope you will stop in and see
the array of Neutral things to see!  Something for every one - so please join us!

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Here is the link to an earlier blog post which included this photo of Poppy and Grama Kate below- ->  Generations Wedding Album 9-14-15

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If she looks just a bit 'tough' in the graduation photo, - - she was! : ) LOL  She had a great sense of humor and Grama Kate loved to laugh! but - she had a tough exterior.  Sometimes it's just necessary . . .
Please know she had a very kind and compassionate heart as well, and worked for many years within her church and community; providing blessings to others.

This lay out is about 8"X5" and quite simple.  I used black textured Bazzill cardstock for the base. 
I had bought some 'French' look pencils from the $ bin @ Michaels and the paper package is what I used on the left side of the l/o.
  For the postal stamp (a gift from my dear friend Marylou) and the stamp below that (clocks, text and Bflies:) I used while embossing powder.  I did this on a separate piece of black cardstock, then fussy cut it out, and added it to the lay out.

I also added some pieces/strips  of Washi tape (butterflies, French words and clocks) here & there.

No other embellishments; so there is no real  "dimension" to the page.  Simple was my goal, but I realize this is Great for mailing! but  'not so much'  for displaying! : ' ) - so perhaps I will find some flowers or a nice resin piece to add.

I'm sad to say we lost Grama early; just 80 years old I believe, maybe 82? (in 2002)  But she was truly the 'matriarch' and full of character and fun, love, and lots of 'salt' too : )  ILU Grama Kate.

I'm hoping my friends that you had a blessed week-end?  I really did.  It was a busy Friday cleaning out the shed and getting things ready for the Summer ahead.  And Saturday was so pretty I took a drive in the Rocky Mountains! 
I hope to post my photo's soon.
Wishing you God's very best for this week ahead~
Karen

Matchbook Style Needle Cards~

Hello and welcome!  I thank you  for stopping in today : )

I was visiting at ---> Shabby Art Boutique, where Kerryanne  was sharing a style of  'needle keeper'  I had not seen before -  Matchbook style!
I felt inspired and had to try!!
(yea for inspiration;  It doesn't always flow for me; I was so happy to receive it! Thank you God! : )  And Thank you Kerryanne for encouraging us to try.  She is an amazing blogger and creator.
This needle book WAS soo easy and fun!
Here's the small pile I made : )   (5)

 

These are simple and fast to make!

No sewing required ; )

I 'tweaked'  Kerryanne's instructions just a bit - you can visit her blog to see what she did,

 but I'll tell you my steps:

*Cut the paper (matchbook) sleeve 3" wide  X  8.25" tall.

(perhaps practice on some plain paper)

*The bottom fold is about 5/8",  crease & fold up.  (I did decorative punch on some edges.)

*Take the top flap and fit it into the bottom fold, and crease - like a matchbook.

(you can do 2 creases there- about 1/16th" apart so it will lay better-

again, practice on plain paper first)

*I tucked a piece of felt (cut with pinking shears - slightly smaller than the inside) into the bottom flap and stapled. DON'T staple too high up! or the top flap won't 'fit' in~

[Kerryanne suggested covering the staple with something decorative]

*I added needles, buttons,  pins and a paper spool covered in thread.

Whaalaa~

They are simple, with only a bit of embellishment at best - but if you use beautiful paper . . . : )

I had just the right color of seam binding to accent the pretty butterfly paper (by Kaisercraft; their Rustic Harmony collection)

I also used some Prima paper; their Butterfly Garden collection~

 

 

 

Prima paper on this one below!   "Sew Sweet!"

 

 

 I thought I'd also share a photo of one of the wonderful French treasures I purchased through Liz's http://lululizinlalaland.blogspot.com/2015/12/auction-no-30-vintage-french-enamel.html

Auction last year~

A gorgeous French Lunch Pail!!  (lid not showing)

 

This pail use to grace Liz's craft room; and now it graces mine : )  Thanks ever-so-much Liz!  I treasure it.

 

Well I better say Good-Bye for today.  I need to get back to work~  I am hoping to visit you very soon : )

Wishing each of you  God's very best!  Love and hugs to YOU~

Karen

 

GREETING  Cards~
I'm so happy to have you visit today!
The weather in Colorado is slowly warming up; and we seem (I say seem : ) to be heading into Spring!
 
I just have a few cards to share.  I needed some of everything (birthday, Mothers Day, Anniversary...) and was blessed with some inspiration (from YOU! : ) and a bit of my own) to get these done in time.
                  Though I do enjoy many paper-crafting styles, my cardmaking
has almost always followed the 'grungier' vintage style.  I am not sure what it is, but as I work I am forever trying to make it look like it came out of an old deteriorated box in the attic!
Water-stained and edges crumbling as I unwrap it from Grandma's 1934 newspaper.  *sigh*

The papers were a gift~ from a dear and talented scrapbook friend named Marylou. We are sisters in the Lord~  You can see her gorgeous gallery @ Scrapbook.com --> Meggies Nana
This will be a MOTHER'S DAY card for my sweet mom.
 I added a branch die-cut, (from Memory Box)  resin bird (Prima brand) and the postal stamp was also a gift from my friend.  I made the nest : ) from excelsor (?sp) and the eggs I made with a bit of 'Homemade'  texture paste - the recipe is found here @ Gabrielle's beautiful blog: >  Such A Pretty Mess   She is found on several Design Teams (scrapbooking) and posts Youtube video's for "How-To's" and more.  I love her blog because  she often shows her processes - and I find that so helpful!
I like to "see" what you did!  Hers is one of the very first blogs I ever discovered, and she is magnificently talented! : )
Along the right side of her blog is a long list of tutorials she offers~
  The eggs did need a few hours to dry.  Then I lightly dotted them with colored felt markers~

I used a honeycomb stencil, and some blue Prills , bit of paint, ink and glitters.

Here's a second card created from the collection of papers sent from my scrapbook friend~

This is for a precious sister-in-law and her hubby.

I was inspired by a card I saw at a blog I follow sometimes;--> The Key To A Dream

 I liked the shapes and so adapted a card from Hama's inspiration.
 I have wanted to use the pressed flowers I made quite a while back  for a Springtime card!  So here it is.
Alan made a flower press for me many years ago and would help me press (these) Jonny-Jump-Up's, and Pansies.  I like the look of a real flower; don't you?  Color's still vibrant after 2 years.

My layers are: cardstock, tan tissue, bits of laces & cloth, scrapbook papers, chipboard, pressed flowers and some stamping, embellishments and distressed & inked edges.

 The beautiful butterfly is from an Etsy shop: -->  Renea's Bouquet

And here is just a close up of my grungy corner.

 Next (below) is a birthday card I made for another beloved sister-in-law.
(They are the kindest and best of people! to quote an old movie : )

This card was created with Prima brand papers.  I believe it is their "Almanac" & "Printery" collections; unfortunately both are discontinued : /
That postal stamp from Marylou had been so much fun to use!  I like to add 'postage' to my stuff~  There are bits of white & tan burlap and corrugated board - along with some cut-outs from the collection.  The black scalloped edging is a punch.

My thanks to you!! for taking time to stop in and visit.  I hope for you  a beautiful day and week ahead~

BLESSINGS!  Karen

Sweet little things~

I was reading somewhere lately that it's  'the little things'  in life that mean the most.  And I do tend to agree.  There are many  'sweet little things'  in my life that have great significance and importance~
And when you think about the little things, like, someone who genuinely smiles at you, or, sends a note or gift 'just because' (thks Shirley, thks Marylou:) or a simple hug or prayer sent just for you - well, that really does mean a lot!
But as I was sitting in my kitchen/dinette area   I was thinking about how those 'little things' usually link to something much much bigger.
The little things in my life usually link to - Relationships.  And those are BIG things to me : )
And of course I'm sure you feel the same~
I recently made a 'stick hanger'  to hold this sweet old toddler slip, and finally got it hung up where I could see it (not just sitting in a basket of linens:)  This slip was in amongst a small box of linens that came from my dear mother-in-law  (who passed away in 2013.  I blogged a bit about her  in Oct, but I can't get the link to go there ~ *sigh)

I do not know if the slip was hers as a child, or something she acquired from elsewhere - but if I could guess, I would say it came from HER mother (who I knew for many years also; "Grandma Kate" : ) and may very well have been moms.  There is no way now to know for sure~
I just know I love it and cherish it!  And it was 'moms.'  She had it in amongst some beautiful hankies and other linens; and my sweet and generous sisters-in-law were kind enough to think of me. 
Here's a few more shots,  for those who like a closer look! : ) LOL

The hem is so sweet.  I like the scalloped edge~

I had to repair a rip in the bodice; left side near the arm hole.

I'm probably not the one to be entrusted with a job like that!  I can sew, but  

I worry when something is truly vintage and special.  I did my best~ 

 

 

 

 

 

Would you like to see a few other treasures I acquired in that box?! <3

Baby doll sox!

Oh.  My.  Word.  These stockings were hand made.  I turned one inside-out to check: )
So sweet.  So simple.  And you can see they were well played with~

There were several handkerchiefs in the box as well; and I've lately been cleaning, ironing and placing them on an old baby crib rail I found in a "freebie" pile.  I hope to show you the crib sides in another post.

My photography leaves a lot to be desired! : J  (I need lessons.)

 

  

Beautiful details on this one~

 

So, there you have it.  And there are several more special pieces that I hope to display.

Isn't this last one so pretty?! : )

And each one makes me think of 'mom' (my MIL) and grandma (GMIL).  And it's interesting, even without knowing for sure if these were 'family heirlooms,'  or just acquired 'little things' along their life's pathway,  my heart only knows them as "moms."  And that relationship means the world to me~

As you ponder the little things in your life, I hope (and am quite sure) you will find the "link" to what makes them matter most.  And often times it is our relationships~
Let's make the most of them. : )

I am late and not sure if there is a deadline - - but if I can, I will be linking up to > AppleApricot Blog!  Where our dear friend Wendy is hosting the by-weekly "Simply Neutrals Tuesday"  party!
I hope you will take the time to visit if possible.  She hosts a beautiful array of neutrals photo's, fabric, paper projects... I think you'll find some wonderful ideas there.





May the Lord richly bless you dear friends!  I am honored you took the time to stop in; and especially if you made it to the end of this long post!! :) Thank you~  Karen   PS:  It was snowing on my way to work this morning~

A Sewing Kit - with a bit of family history~

Hello dear friends! 
So glad you could stop in today.  I have wanted to share this for some time now.
Made (exactly) 2 years ago~
This is my Grandma; my fathers mother~
I have been blessed with several dozen good family photo's; so I try to include them when creating.
This is actually a sewing kit! - that started out as a card.

I was making a card for one of my sisters and she didn't have this particular photo; so I thought I would use it.  This was grandma at 15 years old.  She was a bride's maid in a wedding in 1926  I believe.
Well I was at my sisters house and we needed to sew something; but she had no essentials!!
So when I got home, instead of finishing this as a card, I decided to make it the front cover of a mini sewing kit! It is maybe 7"X5"

 

 

He name was Alberta; but her family called her "Bert" or Bertha from what I gathered.  : )

She was born on a farm in Gagetown, Michigan - 1911.

Both her parents were from Eastern Canada; and both were French. 

I don't know the story of how they made their way to Michigan at the turn of the century,

but I think perhaps my father does.  He has done quite a bit of study~

Alberta's grandparents & greats came over from France to Canada in the mid-1800's

from what we can tell from my fathers genealogy studies.

There were 14 children in her family; but 2 died  young. : (

 

Grandma lost her own mother when she was only 9 years old~

But she did have several older sisters who were able to take care of

the younger ones.

 

Even in her old age, and for as long as I can remember back, Grandma would cry if ever she talked ablut her mother.  She never did get over loosing her so young.  She told us there was sickness in the house (maybe scarlet fever or something quite severe.)  Her mother nursed the children back to health and then died herself from it. 

My My.

I didn't realize what a sad and troubling thing this would be to post~ I just started telling her story! and it lead to this.   But life can be so hard at times. 

Yet, she really was a jolly sort of person to be around : ) She loved the little things in life, and one of her favorite things was to rock us little kids to sleep.  Even 4 & 5 years old - if it was nap time, you could crawl up into grandma's lap and she'd sing and rock till - -z z z z z z z  ; ) !!

And she loved a porch swing!  And she loved the breeze in her face.  Yep~

 

Well, let me tell you a bit more about this mini sewing folder/kit~

The base is a medium canvas; covered on the outside with white burlap.

The inside pockets are made from a vintage brown hanky. 

Since my dear sweet wonderful  : ) sister did not even have a needle or thread!

I simply set her up with the basic essentials. The right pocket is full of small spools.

There are needles, pins (tucked in the rosette)  and scissors tucked in a piece of wide 'twill tape' ; sewn @ points to the back.  On the left side is a box of buttons and misc. stuff.    I included a  measuring tape and a roll of fusible web for quick hemming~

 

All of the sewing I did on this kit was of course done before adding the photo or embellishments to the front.  I added (sewed in to the sides)  2 long strips of twill tape to tie it all together. 

 

I added bits of my favorite lace (which is almost gone! - that's OK; I'll find a new favorite; )

and also some seed and micro beads.

The papers are from  (click >) MAJA DESIGN, a scrapbook paper company from Sweden.

 

 

 

THANK YOU!!!!  For stopping by and meeting Grandma Alberta : )   

and peeking in to see my sisters sewing kit~

We are still in the throws of snow here in central Colorado *sigh*

But it is not surprising : J  And I'm learning to enjoy whatsoever season I'm in.

(well, trying to learn - - more than just 'patience'; but true contentment where I am)

 

Spring comes to us when she is good and ready! 

I mostly say, we don't really have a Spring.  It's the end of Winter with some warm days mixed in; then . . . SUMMER is upon us!

And Summer is my favorite~

Blessings to you all and may God direct each and every day.

Karen

 

 

 

You are not here by chance~

Welcome friends!  So happy you could stop for a moment today~
I was visiting @   Sue's blog   "Miss Phoebe's Perch"  last week and she mentioned
finding a quote on the piece of cardboard that was packaged in a new calendar she had gotten.
It reminded me "Hey, that happened to me a couple years ago!"  so I thought I'd share that little experience with you today.

I opened our new (then) 2014 Barn calendar and found a 12X12 piece of cardboard slid in the back; helping to keep the calendars' shape of course.  But as Sue said, it wasn't just a blank piece of cardboard,  it had this wonderful quote printed on it! What a nice surprise~   I thought perhaps it would come in handy &  I knew I wanted to make something for my sweet Alan with it.
Fathers Day was not far around the corner, so I put together this framed (I called it a plaque, but it's really just a framed)  quote : )  The frame itself was a gift from Al's mother (who passed away the year before Alan did  : (   so it was special to him.
 Who knew, just a few months later, his purpose would be fulfilled and he would be gone.
Missing him with my whole heart . . .

I'm grateful for the reminder Sue : ) and I will be entering this in Wen's bi-weekly linky party!
at: >  http://appleapricot.blogspot.com/ 

Please stop over to visit Wen's Simply Neutrals Tuesday link up.  You'll find a host of neutral treasures there!


For this project I used:
*some vintage style paper behind the quote
*some white corrugated board under the quote
*a leather zipper pull
*and 3 truly vintage nails
*The heart is made from natural batting; stitched to look a bit primitive and pitiful! LOL  A button from  grandmas' jar was added, and a stick pin and seam binding bow.
 The frame is glassed, ( you can see the glare.)

How are you this week?  I just came down from a busy week-end of cleaning, clearing and sorting.
It's time for some household changes : )  And less junk and clutter is already helping me feel - - better~
 There is truth to the saying that less is often better.   There is a peace and joy I feel from my surroundings when I 'rid' it of superfluous stuff!  It just sneaks up on me.  I don't realize how I add to the landscape until months or even years later; and I start looking around going Oh My Word!  : P

I hope your days are filled with blessings! And let me encourage you to undertake some de-cluttering this Spring season.  Oh, I bet many of you are already in that mode? : )
Hugs to you,  Karen

MY  GIRLS   
 (my 40th post, wow! : )

Welcome dear friends!!  I have been away for a bit; and trying to find my own 'pace' in this wonderful world of blogging!
 (tks Tam: )
I recently had the pleasure of visiting my 2 daughters and their families for Easter.
Oh my did I need that! And although the visits are always "too short" : )  I enjoyed it so very much~

Here is a 12X12 lay out I did of the girls about 2 years ago.  (the photo was taken when they were 7 & 4 years old.)
The papers and embellishment are from My Mind's Eye Company, the "Find Your Wings And Fly" collection. http://www.mymindseye.com/
 I added a few bright buttons, gray & white cotton twine & and some checked washi tape~

FIND YOUR WINGS AND FLY~  They surely did.

I absolutely adored those girls! (Melissa, and Amanda the younger)  and I still do today.  Though far away, they are my sweetest and best friends.  They take great care of me and are so diligent to make sure I am getting along well.  Melissa checks in with me every day~  Their hearts are filled with the love of God, and they are wonderful women; with love and honor for me, their mother.  They're simply the best!

 

Just a bit older here~

We were sitting in the car and they were watching for their daddy to return.  Amanda had recently gotten one of those "wedge" haircuts!! Oh dear!! What can I say, it was the 1980's! : )

 

 

 

Here is my elder daughter Melissa, with her nephew (my grand son!) Tom.

My eyes well with tears just thinking of her kind nature -  she is so wonderful!

 

Below is Amanda my sweetie! Full of fun and good sense too~  Those are her girls, my granddaughters Emilie (left) and Olivia.  The little boy is a cousin of theirs~

(Tom pictured above belongs to Amanda)

 

Children really are a blessing aren't they!? 

My hope is to some day live near them; and soon! (Please God: ) 

 

I think that will be the end today : )  I need to get back to work! LOL

 

Please know your visits and friendships mean the world to me!  and I thank you for taking time out of your busy day to pay a visit~

Love & hugs,  Karen