Okay, here it is!

Now, keep in mind I don't have any photos. But I do have my Simply Scrappin kits available to play with and that is what I did.

There is NO stamping at all on these pages. They are simple

8.5x11 pages. I really enjoy scrapbooking this size. My goal this year is to really focus more on easy scrapbooking and tell our family story. I love how Ali Edwards scrapbooks. Have you ever visited her blog? You can see a quick link on the right side of my blog. Her layouts are always real and I love her photography. I also love her philosphy on scrapbooking. She calls herself a Life Artist. Isn't this the truth? As scrapbookers, that is exactly what we are. Scrapbooking our life as it truly is. I am absolutely positive that I will scrapbook this crazy move. I am sure it will be my

favorite book when I am done. Although I don't look at the current time as fun, later I will look back on this and laugh hysterically. If you have purchased SU!'s Simply Scrap kits before, I encourage you to get them out and put together a few pages. If I can do it in a hotel, I just know yours will be even more fabulous in your little scrap/stamp room. If you haven't purchased them yet... what are you waiting for? These kits puts the EASY in Scrapbooking.

Here is another page I completed. I have done a total of 3, but the last one is not quite done. I had a moment of scrappers block. Don't ya just love when that happens???

Sorry about the lighting and not so fabulous pictures. Hotel snapshooting is just not the best. :)

Have a beautiful day and thank you so much for checking back in!!!

Products Copyright Stampin' Up! Designs by Kimberly Van Diepen

Shadow Box Cards

Happy Wednesday!!! Jeesh it is cold cold here. I believe the only thing to do with weather like this is to stamp or scrap. I know! I know! I need to put some scrapbook pages on here and I do promise they are coming. I have such a hard time scrappin' without pictures, so this may have to wait until the queens room is unpacked and put together. Won't be long! Promise.

Okay, now onto the THIS!!! Shadow Box cards! I do not claim this creation at all. I was on Splitcoast yesterday browsing away. Very talented stampers across the board there. I came across one of the challenges there and decided to participate in one. You can find the entire tutorial on how to do this HERE.

Excellent directions and another fantastic Blog with great tutorials and fun things to do with paper. If you want to challenge yourself, check out the actual challenge at Splitcoast .

Card details:

Stamps: Butterfly of Happiness, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Fancy Flexible Phrases

Cardstock: Night of Navy, Whisper White

Ink: Night of Navy, So Saffron, Whisper White

Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, Brads, Linen Thread, Coluzzle,

This will probably be my last day to create as tomorrow I will actually have access to my house! Whoopie Dog I am so excited!!! Movers come Friday. The weather looks terrible for them. Freezing cold and snow. I wouldn't have it any other way, really!!! But don't fret... the stamp room will be up and running VERY soon. I will keep you updated on the unpacking process. Lets hope all our stuff makes it without a problem.

Have a FANTABULOUS day!!

Images Copyright Stampin' Up! Designs by Kimberly Van Diepen

A colorful EWE!

As promised, I wanted to do another card with the same image, but use a medium to color the image. For this particular card I used my Watercolor Crayons to color. I absolutely love my crayons. If you haven't used these, I highly recommend them. When watercoloring I also recommend using a high quality watercolor paper. Stampin' Up! sells a fabulous watercoloring paper. Watercolor paper allows you to move your color much easier and you can add or decrease the amount of color without your paper bubbling up on you. I also call that bubbling... paper boogers. Eeek! When using the watercolor crayons you will want to apply the color with either a good watercolor brush or an aqua painter. I've tried many aqua painters from different companies, and the best one in my opinion has been SU!'s. Now, when I pulled mine out last night to watercolor I still had water in it from before the move. When I opened it, water went everywhere due to the pressure change here in Colorado. Believe it or not, I have had a few of my pens explode as well. ack! Back to this card... you notice the scallop edge at the bottom? That was made using my handy dandy slit punch. Don't have one of these yet? Oh, add to your list. So many uses.

Card Details:

Stamps: Farm Fever, Little Pieces

Cardstock: Basic Black, Sahara Sand, Regal Rose, Cool Caribbean , Watercolor Paper

Ink: Stazon Black, Sahara Sand

Accessories: watercolor Crayons, Flirty ribbon, Slit punch

I want to add another card I did using the watercolor crayons. I love these colors together.

Card Details:

Stamps: Delight in Life, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, French Script Background

Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Cool Caribbean, Choc. Chip, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Stazon Black, Choc. Chip

Accessories: Horizontal Punch, Choc. chip ribbon, Twill Tape, 2"Circle punch, Watercolor Crayons, Choc. Chip Stampin' Write Marker, White gel pen

Well, on a personal note... we are still in our little hut. Today, the temp is *Kimberly doesn't go outside* cold. I see a few snow flurries, but no clouds! I don't get it. I believe the temp is 22. Wholly smokes, that is just too cold. Really, how will I survive? Any tips besides a Parka?

Since it is so cold, I believe the kids and I will have an art filled day. I bought them some watercolors and more crayons so they could play along with me. Should be fun.

Have a totally fun Tuesday!

All images Copyright Stampin' Up! Designs by Kimberly Van Diepen

Are EWE doing okay?

So, just how are EWE doing? I love this little image from the stamp set Farm Fever. Lots of great images come in this stamp set and I always like to use it when I need a {get better} card. Of course being an outline stamp, there are many ways I could color it. For this particular card, I chose not to color and left the image alone. Just what mediums could I have used? Watercolor crayons... LOVE them, color pencils, Chalk, ink refills... the list could go on. Tonight I will do a similar card only using different mediums to color the image. Lets see just how we can pop that image off this card.

Now, what else did I do to it? I started with Real Red Cardstock. After stamping my image from Farm Fever I matted it with Basic Black. I took the flower from the Ladybuds set and stamped randomly on the Real Red cardstock with Basic black ink. I then took my handy white gel pen (everyone should have this) and highlighted the center to add a little umph! I think it did. I then took my twill tape and wrapped around the card and secured on the right side with a red brad. Lastly, I took my paper piercer and added a little texture to the corner using my stitch guide. This is another product every stamper needs to have. It adds so much zing to a card. Viola! A simple card complete. This one only took about 10 minutes to make. Easy enough!

So, just what will EWE do today?

All images copyright Stampin' Up!

So Very Sweet!

Good Sunday morning. I challenged myself last night to use my Winter Mini Love notes. I started with just the love note first and didn't plan on using it on an actual card. However, once I got done with it I thought why not put it on a card and let there be a secret message inside it. I used the SoVery Set. I just love this set. So many great uses for it. I also used the Designer paper in the winter mini. At the bottom of the love note I used the word window punch so I could add a brad with a little flair. Not bad I guess for hotel stamping.

I thought I would leave you with a beautiful picture of Pikes Peak. The mountains are really breathtaking.

We are off to Denver today. Going to visit my Aunt and Uncle. Gets us out and about!

Kimberly's new style!

Living in a hotel is not what I would call very fun, however it is a way to really bond with your family. The kids decided I needed a new hairstyle. Alexis pulled out all her hair bows and proceeded to give me a new style. What do you think??? Can a girl really have too many bows? C'mon!


I just know this will start a new trend.





As some of you know, I did bring a few stamps along. Well, maybe a few to many. I don't have them all out yet since we are in this nasty hotel with not enough room to really play. I did manage to squeek out this card. Whatcha think??

Don't you just love that Flirty ribbon in the Winter mini Catty? Scrumptious!! I also used the Accents Tin with the diecuts in it. Very fun. Anways, a simple card that made me smile.

Happy Friday my friends. I plan to shop today after getting into our new quarters. I feel the need for retail therarpy!

Lookie what I did!

Now, before you get to excited... keep in mind my creative juices just aren't flowin' like they usually do. I do believe this will all come back once the insanity leaves me. Crap, that could be awhile. This card was made at my moms. As for the recipe to make this card... ummm... (blushing) you will have to bare with me. The card is not right in front of me and I am just excited to share something made from paper with you. Honestly, this card and a few others are making their way to a few special peeps in my life. I guess all of you are getting a card. ***shucks***

Anyhoo, please enjoy. I am sure there are more to come with the directions. I can't wait to nose dive into my stamps! Yippie!

How about a peek...

I have promised pics for awhile now. Finally, I have some. Sorry it has taken so long to get these up. Anyways, here is a sneek peek of our trip and what I have been up to. Also, as for the pooch... she is doing much better. She has a few war wounds from her day at the vet, but she isn't running in circles anymore. We should be moving into temporary housing tomorrow on Peterson AFB. At least pray we do. I am afraid this motel is the site of extra curricular activities I don't approve of. Eeek!

This first pic is the kids in their ski masks. They thought they were sooooo cool. We couldn't keep Brandon inside because of all the snow in Kansas. He just wanted to play, play, play!

Can you believe all this snow on the side of the road? It was amazing! They had bulldozers out moving the snow from place to place because there was so much of it. This was taken right outside of Colorado Springs. Believe it or not, there isn't much snow here. The kids are really bummed. In fact today we had a heat wave. I think it was 45 degrees. Hold onto to your panties, but you actually don't need a jacket with that temp. I know, so silly crazy. However if you stand in the sun it is really warm. Almost Florida warm. Well maybe just wishful thinking!

Lastly, this is a picture of Pikes Peak as we were driving into Colorado Springs. This view is just stunning. Of course I don't see many mountains so I have been in awe of the beauty. I wanted to get closer shots today but forgot. That will be on tomorrows agenda. Can't wait to scrap all these pics.

Oh what a life!

I am happy to report we are now in Colorado Springs, Co. We arrived here yesterday around 3pm and unfortunately the day just progressed into a downward spiral after we arrived. Once we got into town we drove to the Airforce base to get our room. After unpacking the car and getting somewhat settled we noticed a small sign that says, NO PETS! What????? Russ and I were unsure of what to do, but knew it would be impossible to hide a dog. Cats are no problem. After calling the front desk we asked if there was a fee we could pay to stay in the room. Of course that was a BIG NO! I do realize the rules they have in place, but honestly I must say that I was quite upset that they do not accommodate military families a little better. What were we supposed to do with the pets? Once again, just another sacrifice we make in the wonderful world of the military! After further discussing with the front desk or dilemma, they said they have two pet rooms, however they are not ready until Friday. We got the room booked, but now we need somewhere to stay the next two nights. Hello Motel 8! We packed up the car once again, and off to the new hotel. We get in our room, unload for the 100Th time and we are sitting on the bed just chilling. Just then we notice that our dog bailey was acting very strange. She was pacing the floor and going in circles. Not normal for our pooch. After monitoring her for about 15 minutes she then proceeded to get sick in the room. My thought: Just shoot me! Now we were scrambling to find an emergency Vet place since it is afterhours. We load the kids, the dog and we are now off to the vet. You can tell the dog is really sick. Once there they did lab work and started her care. She ended up staying over night and received IV's. We got back to the hotel a little after midnight. All I could do was shake my head! I picked up Bailey this morning. The only thing we can think happened is she ate something. Anyhoo, the bill was $460! Not something I planned for.
So that is my scoop for today. Lets hope our excitement tones down a bit.
By the way, Colorado Springs is gorgeous. The mountains are amazing and I found a Starbucks!
If I wasn't so computer challenged, I could upload some pics. If the evening is uneventful, maybe my better half can help me.
Happy Thursday!

Toto...we are STILL in Kansas!

Yes, we are still on the road, and still in Kansas. We stopped for a brief visit with one of Russ' relatives. We decided to go ahead and start our travels again today and break up the trip to Colorado Springs. We are only about 4 hours outside of Colorado Springs. Our travels have made for lots of laughs. Driving with two kids, two cats, and a dog only can bring a few laughs along the way. I guess I am glad we didn't have the birds. Everyone is alive and well. We let the cats out of the carriers when we are driving since Silver gets a little nervous when in there and decides to stink up the car. I am having the opposite problem with Alexis. She says she is NOT pooping until she gets to Colorado. WHAT????? Sorry child, that can't happen! I am happy to report success with her. Kansas was OKAY to poop! Phew!
My dad is finally home. He is doing very well and is actually getting rest. Home health will be coming by for their daily visits. I am so glad.
As for me, I am holding up well. If you know me well, you know that I don't handle change very well. I am happy to be with Russ and the kids and have our little family together. I am sure the next couple of weeks will be full of new challenges as we get into the new house and get our belongings. A few things I am not doing well with:

*NO FRIENDS ( I really miss you guys!)
*NO STARBUCKS (My tounge only has tastebuds for the good stuff)
*FREEZING COLD WEATHER (The hairs in my nose are forever frozen and my hair has static! I think I will take the humid days back!!!!!!)
*NO STAMPING (this truly is awful!)

I have some pictures I will post in a bit for those of you who would love to see our snow!!!! We are off to get a bite to eat and then I must watch my American Idol! How could the President chose an American Idol night. DUH!

Smooches to each of you. Those of you who have left such kind comments about my dad.... just know I love you to pieces!!!! You are the best!! Even to the ones I dont' know. Your kind thoughts are just what this girl needs!!!!!

Colorado Bound

Sitting in a Missouri hotel, checking email. Gotta love it. We are now headed for the big adventure. All I can say so far is I am COLD!
My dad is doing so much better. He had the cardioversion on Friday and it was successful. God is so good. He really had his hand in this. My dad called it a Barbeque. I said my goodbyes to family yesterday and visited my dad one last time before getting on the road. I hate to say goodbye. However, I know he has turned a huge corner and is now on the road to recovering. My brother is there helping my mom and that truly keeps my mind at ease.
I am looking forward to spending very close quarters with husband and stamping is soon to come back into my world. ;)

Now, to find a good cup of coffee. Starbucks doesn't look close! Have a fabulous Sunday!

To Shock or not...

That is the question my dad is contemplating currently. Or should I say "FRY" as he is putting it. My Dads heartrate is still high and irratic, and the medicine they have him on is not really bringing it down. Tomorrow if it still has not changed they are thinking about doing a cardioversion. What is this you might ask? Basically a zap to the hearts electrical system to make it beat like you and I! You can imagine the anxiety he must be having over the word zap/shock/fry! They are giving him some medicine for anxiety now which I hope will help him relax a bit. I think I need it too.
My brother flew in yesterday. It was so great to see him. I wish under better circumstances. He looks great and he stayed with my dad last night. I came home and for the first night in 8 days, I relaxed. I actually sat down and stamped last night. Nothing I am proud of, but it was a diversion from sitting at that hospital. I am trying to make thank you cards for the hospital staff for my mom to give.
Today I will go pick up Russ from the airport. I don't believe we will leave tomorrow. I want to make sure my dad is okay before hitting the road. Otherwise my anxiety will be too high to leave.
That is all for now.

Good morning!

Sorry to have been MIA this past week. My dads surgery has really been a roller coaster ride. I believe I can say today that he is doing much better. He has had quite a few complications since the surgery that have moved him back to the Intensive Care Unit three times. Needless to say I have been a little stressed this week. I am currently home this morning getting things organized for Russ to fly in tomorrow and leave for Colorado on Friday if my dad is doing well. Not sure I am ready for this big adventure or long drive. I know it will be less stressful just knowing my dad is on the way to a full recovery.
As for stamping? What is that? :) I am looking forward to a day I can just sit in a room and stamp ALL day with no interruptions. I believe I am going to ask Russ for a day like that. I think I would even choose it over a day at the spa.
I hope each of you are doing well. Thank you again for your continued prayers!!!

Good things!

Good things are friends that care about you! Thank you for the amazing amount of prayers that were felt my way yesterday. My dad made it through surgery! He looked great before I left the hospital late last night. They removed the breathing tube about an hour after I left and he is doing really well. Besides having a lot of pain he was trucking along good. My mom stayed in the ICU waiting area last night and I am sure did not get much rest. Today I will go back to the hospital and try to get her home to rest awhile. Your continued prayers is what is getting me along. The next couple of days of recovery for my dad will be very trying, but God is good and will help him along!

You are the best!

Have you ever just sat down and thought about all the people you know or the lives you touch every day? Well, when you are driving by yourself for 6 hours you tend to reflect on these types of things. :) A huge thank you to so
many of you for helping me last week during the big move. From friends driving by to ask what they could do for me, bringing me coffee (a big smooch to you), or just coming by to chat and think about great times. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Probably one of the most stressful times I have had in a while. Not because of the move directly, but knowing a good bye was coming soon. I hate to say good bye. I like to say, " see ya down the road!"
Tomorrow will bring another stress to our family. My dad will be undergoing open heart surgery in the morning. I am thankful to be here in Pensacola to help my mother. I cancelled my plans yesterday to go to Houston for my Leadership Confrence. Stampin' Up! is an amazing company and refunded my money this late in the game. This only proved once more what a FANTASTIC company they are to work for. My roomie was understanding as I knew she would be. My heart aches that I am not going, but I know I am in the right place by being here. If only Russ was here too. I ask that you keep my dad in your prayers tomorrow and the rest of the week as he recovers.
I am going to try and pull out some stamps today and work on the 100's of thank you cards that need to be made.
Again, I thank you over and over for your continued support, friendship and reading my babble. Each of you make this experience a little less stressful as I hear from you!
xoxo

Time...

Where does the time go? Today the movers will put all my precious goods on the truck and take it on it's long journey to Colorado. Hmm... I'm not really ready. I have to say my good byes in a couple of days. Not ready for that either. My time in Jacksonville has been the ultimate BEST! I just didn't want it to end. There are great things to come for our little family I am sure. Like lots of snow. I believe Colorado is seeing some record snow already. Not sure that is on my favorites list but on my kids.

Today as I watch them load it all up, I can only reflect on the best times that I had here. I am going to miss my morning coffee runs after taking Brandon to school. What is it about sitting at Starbucks in the morning that brings me pure joy? I dunno! But I liked it. :)

Enjoy your day and until next time... I must go and get my bed ship shaped for them to pack it and drink more coffee to get me through this day.

Rain, Rain Go Away!

My packers are busy, busy and doing such a great job. Couldn't have asked for a better crew. I am so thankful. As I sit here I was checking out a program and looking at some of my cards I have made online. I thought I would post one of my favorites since I have not created anything in a while. Maybe the motivation will set in tonight. Send your creative juices my way, would you? Just blow them on over!

This card was made with the Both Way Blossoms stamp set. This is a hostess exclusive set. Isn't it pretty? I used Not Quite Navy, Always Artichoke and a little So Saffron for the cardstock. (So Yummy!) I also used Stampin' Up!'s watercolor paper. It is GREAT quality. For coloring the flower I used watercolor crayons. Love my crayons. They are so easy to work with and always make watercoloring BEAUTIFUL! Then for a little bling a bling bling I added some clear stickles over the flowers.

Hope you enjoy and stay dry. I need the rain to go away so they can load my stuff DRY!

Smooches!

Packing away!

The packers arrived yesterday. The house is slowly looking like a big ugly shell. A maze of boxes. I spent most of yesterday in my own little world going through stamps I can't live without and supplies I just *know* I will need. I thought I would be able to create something last night, but my creative juices were NOT there. Instead I just smelled the pretty rubbah and called it a day.
Today will bring more packing and possibly even loading it on the truck. Looks like they may just get this done a little earlier than planned.
My goal today... keep smiling! This will all be over soon!

Hugs to each!

Reflections of 2006...

Let me humor you once again! I was hoping to humble you with a fabulous new creation that I was able to make tonight, however today I was quite caught up in getting ready for the packers. Maybe tomorrow. ;) Back to the humor. I traveled back to Jacksonville yesterday. I was supposed to leave on the 30Th, but I was having so much fun with Russ and the kids that I decided to stay there. Finally got on the road around 11am after saying more good byes to my family. I have to hug and kiss them each 100 times before leaving. I hit a ton of rain on my way home and didn't see the sun until after I hit the Starbucks in Tallahassee. I had my ipod blaring and singing very loud to myself when I noted that I was making REALLY good time getting home. I noticed a lady fluffin' her hair and not paying attention to the road in the fast lane. As I became disgusted and sped passed her my van decided to make a little noise I had not heard before. Kinda like a sputter. I sputtered to the side of the Interstate and noted that my gas gauge was at the sputtering stage. I RAN OUT OF GAS! I called Russ of course to find out what I should do. I noted what mile marker I had passed, but the blond in me forgot. While listening to him laugh on the phone I decided to get out and see exactly what mile marker I was at. Just then, I could see a police man coming to my rescue. I was so embarrassed to tell him I had ran out of gas. He was so kind and told me he would take me to the gas station to get a gallon of gas. As I was heading back to his police cruiser I could only think of what my Mother would say. Mr. Policeman needed my drivers license to make sure I wasn't a fugitive and then told me I had to get in the back seat of the car. Now I really felt like a putz and could only think about the germs that were laid to rest from other putzes' like myself. Onward we go to get some gas. Once back to my van the nice Policeman put the gas in for me and off to my car to start it. Didn't work. Since my van was sitting on an angle, the gas wasn't' getting to the fuel pump. Since we didn't have a big gas can and the gas station wasn't really close it was time to call the tow man for a service call. After waiting 45min. and 5 gallons of gas for $55, I was once again on the road to Jacksonville. Mr. Policeman was so polite and sad I had to pay that much for the service call, but I gently told him I kinda deserved it for running out of gas! Lesson well learned. So, how did YOU spend your New Years Eve??? I hope to escape the insanity tomorrow and create something. I think tomorrow may be my only day to actually put a stamp and stamp pad to good use. I hope each of you are enjoying the beauty of this craft. I am going crazy without it!!

Smooches!