Kaufman's Cottage

Sweet Treat Cups Take One.....

2012-01-24T15:37:00.000-08:00

I spent a little time yesterday working on some Valentine's cards with my mom and here's what we came up with.....

I got the layout idea from a video on Youtube and now I can't find the video....I hate it when that happens! Anyway, we inserted a little trap door in the back so the candy can come out without the card being destroyed.

Sigh.....I love Valentine's Day!

Have a good evening!

The Ribbon Wreath.....

2012-01-20T08:20:00.001-08:00

It's FINALLY done!

I've been wanting to create a ribbon wreath for a long, long time and after following Erin's tutorial and a whole lot of procrastination, it's finally complete and hung up.....

I realize that you are not getting a full on shot of it but I'm still in my pajamas and didn't want to take away from the wreath by making you look at me in my jammies...so please forgive me!

Even with all of the finger burns it was well worth the effort! :)

Have a good weekend!

2012 Word of the Year....

2012-01-06T15:35:00.001-08:00

image from bhg.com

Good afternoon friends...

I hope 2012 is treating you well so far! I finally took my Christmas tree down yesterday and feel a little let down to be honest. I miss the soft lights and the peaceful music playing on the radio. Am I the only one who feels this way? How do you combat it?

I've been thinking for a little over a week now for my word for 2012. It seems to be fairly popular in the blog world to have one word to describe what you are striving for in the new year....kind of like a resolution so to speak. I kicked around all kinds of things before settling on.....

REAL

That's what 2012 is going to be about for me. Being real. In relationships, on the blog, at church, with my Savior and any other place I might find myself!

So here's to a new year friends....I hope to "see" all of you soon!

Mary Did You Know?

2011-12-26T11:50:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone!

The Christmas Singing....

2011-12-13T16:56:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a big reader.....and have been for many years. I like all kinds of books, mystery, historical romance, autobiographies, Amish fiction....and this new book from New York Times Best Selling Author Cindy Woodsmall looks really really good! Here is a link to an excerpt of the the first chapter.....

http://www.scribd.com/doc/69473983/The-Christmas-Singing-Chapter-1-Excerpt

As an added bonus, my readers are able to get The Christmas Singing (and any other title) for 30% off and free shipping if you use the promo code CHRISTMAS11 at checkout on WaterBrookMultnomah.com. The code expires on December 20, 2011.

Hurry and get your copy today!

Ooops....I did it again!

2011-12-10T10:02:00.000-08:00

Alright....I'll admit defeat! I promise that the next time I announce any kind of a series I will have done all of the projects ahead of time because I simply can't keep up with it any other way!

Yesterday I realized at the last minute that I didn't buy any wrapping paper for my niece's birthday gift....and anyone who knows me knows I ALWAYS have a gift that matches either a theme or at the very least a color scheme. I didn't think about it until the afternoon of the party as well so there wasn't time to jump into the car and run and get some! Here's the small tag I created at the last minute and was pleased that it turned out so sweet.

Not too shabby for a ten minute project huh?

Have a good weekend!

Days 7 and 8.....

2011-12-08T15:26:00.001-08:00

Doggone it! I did it again! Please forgive me as you take a look at some of my past projects.....

Have a good evening!

Days 5 and 6......

2011-12-06T15:56:00.000-08:00

Yesterday kind of got away from me so here's day 5 and 6 together....have a good evening!

Day 4 of the Twelve Days of Christmas.....

2011-12-04T16:14:00.001-08:00

A sweet little Christmas card using the Stitched Stockings stamp set....

Have a good evening!

Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas.....

2011-12-03T17:31:00.000-08:00

I hope you've all had a good Saturday.....I've had a pretty relaxed one and before I turn off the computer for the night, I wanted to share day three's project.

It's a simple one really because the mini paint can with white snowflakes on it was super cute on it's own. But what stamper can leave something like that alone? Not this one! I took photos of it from multiple angles so you could get the idea of how it looks from all sides....

I added the small tag and the striped ribbon and love how it turned out. I hope the recipient will too!

Day 2 of the Twelve Days of Christmas.....

2011-12-02T23:21:00.000-08:00

Boy it's been a long day but as promised, here is day number 2. Please join me tomorrow for day 3!

12 Days of Christmas....

2011-12-01T15:22:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon!

It's officially Christmas time and I for one am excited! I love this time of year and decided to celebrate it by featuring a new project every day for the first 12 days of the month. Are you with me? Have you made anything fun lately?

Thanks for dropping by!

Supplies used: All supplies are from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise indicated. Paper: Very Vanilla Cardstock, Basic Black Cardstock. Designer Paper: Mocha Morning. Ink: Stazon Black. Stamps: Delightful Decorations. Accessories: Ornament Punch, Black Satin Ribbon, Vintage Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals.

Stitched Stockings....

2011-11-17T14:54:00.000-08:00

Oh how neglected my poor blog is! I appreciate those of you who still stop by here when I post something....goodness know my posts are few and far between these days. There's something about a best friend being diagnosed with cancer that makes you see your life in a different light and then suddenly it's 8 months later and you know you'll never be the same. That's how things are for me now...

On a positive note, I stamped! I had a downline meeting with a sweet friend a few weeks ago and we swapped cards. Here's the one I made for her:

I used the Stitched Stockings from the mini catalog from Stampin' Up!. It's super cute and very versatile!

Thanks again for stopping by and have a good afternoon!

November Stamp a Stack....

2011-11-10T11:07:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted....it's a good indication that I've been really, really busy lately!

I'm hosting a Christmas Stamp a Stack next Saturday and wanted to post the cards on here real quick this morning.....

Have a good day!

Linking to: Share Your Creations Thursday at Kristen's Creations

Pretty In Pink....

2011-10-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

In honor of Tammy and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought I'd feature some of my favorite pink things....enjoy!

Marlena from Make Up Geek gives step by step instructions on a pink inspired look. She's beautiful and talented and even if you don't wear pink cosmetics, her techniques can be done in other colors as well.

Pink Diamond Nail Polish from Essie. It's the perfect shade of pink and looks beautiful on all skin tones. Every time I wear it someone compliments me so check it out!

I just happened to come across these FREE printables from Frog Prince Paperie while cruising around blog land. How perfect are they for this month? While I don't plan on using them for a party, I do intend to use them somehow in the scrapbook that I'm working on for Tammy.

Of course, I could let October go by without mentioning the Strength and Hope stamp set from Stampin' Up!. I'm happy to report that we raised over $60,000 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation during the campaign! How awesome is that?!

And last but not least, the Shop for a Cause selection from Philosophy. While I've not personally smelled any of these items yet, I love the products that I do have. And the thought that they even offer something like this makes me like them all that much more!

Have you been out and seen any special Breast Cancer Awareness merchandise or purchased anything that the proceeds went towards Breast Cancer Research? I'd love to hear about it!

Giveaway....My (Not So) Storybook Life....

2011-09-29T19:30:00.000-07:00

I couldn't get this onto my blog fast enough! I have been a long time reader of Mabel's House and have found Liz to be delightful both in good times and bad. If you aren't a current reader of her blog, you are missing out so head on over and check her out!

I'm hoping to win an advance copy of her book entitled My (Not So) Storybook Life by posting an excerpt of it here. As many of you know, my best friend is currently fighting breast cancer so the portion of the book that most intrigues me is how Liz deals with the diagnosis and eventual loss of her friend to cancer.

No matter what your current stage of life, I suspect you will thoroughly enjoy this book!

***

Once one has breathed in the deep pungent aroma of sewage, you never again forget the nose-hair singeing, eye clawing, throat gagging experience. It comes over you slowly. You begin to feel like a character in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest as your muscles involuntarily jerk and you run screaming and blowing raspberries. Anything to get away from the mind-numbing stench.

But let me explain.

It was 6:30 a.m. I was standing in my retro pink tiled bathroom trying to open my bleary eyes and ready myself for work. As I stood there, peering into the mirror and wondering what demented nighttime fairy had planted four new wrinkles on my face, I paused and sniffed.

“Matt… what’s that smell?”

Matt staggered from the bedroom in his underwear, eyes half shut. “I don’t smell anything.”

I pointed my nose into the air like a hunting dog. “Seriously? You can’t smell that? Did you go to the bathroom in here earlier? I told you to use the room spray when you do things like that.”

Matt puffed out his bare chest and gathered his pride as best a man can with sleep in his eyes and a small hole in the side of his underwear. “I just woke up!”

I frowned, catching a glimpse of my makeup-less hot-rollers-in-hair state and tried not to think about the fact that I looked fifty instead of twenty-nine. “Well, help me figure this out. Because something smells ripe.”

We sniffed the sink drain and ruled it out as a suspect.

“Is it coming from the toilet?” Matt asked, examining it from top to bottom.

“No, that’s not it,” I snapped. I’m not known for my milk of human kindness in a disaster. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a survivor. I plan on eating my radish like Scarlet and clawing my way out of the nuclear dust while dragging my loved ones with me. But I won’t be doing it with positive phrases and a smile.

“Hon, I just don’t know. We’ll call a plumber after work, maybe it’s coming from under the house.” Matt staggered a little, trying to get past me and out of our tiny bathroom.

“Well, that’s just great,” I moved aside and pulled the shower curtain back so I could perch on the side of the tub and give Matt room to move out the door.

That’s when the full brunt of nastiness filled the air around us, a swirling mix of excrement and acrid stench that would have brought the sewer dwelling Ninja Turtles to their knees. Where the normally slightly-clean-with-a-hint-of-soap-scum bottom of the tub should have been, there sloshed gallons and gallons of brown sewage.

I clutched the front of my sweatshirt and held my breath. Matt began to dry heave.

“Get out and shut the door!” I screamed as we bumbled into the hallway.

“I’ll deal with this,” Matt grabbed my shoulders, trying to talk and hold his breath at the same time.

I could feel my eyes glaze over, the horrors of typhoid and hepatitis in our bathtub filling my mind. But more importantly, I could envision our evaporated savings account. In my mind’s eye I could see the long, gray hallway at the bank. A worker shrouded in a black suit pulled a set of keys from his pocket and unlatched a small locker labeled “Owen Bank Account.” Inside were two small stacks of quarters and a few crumpled dollar bills. It was bleak, not only because the banker with an unimaginative wardrobe gazed at me with an expression that could only be interpreted as “You’re a Big Fat Loser,” but also there was a very definite possibility we wouldn’t be able to pay for a plumber.

I wasn’t necessarily a spend thrift. In fact, I was downright frugal when it came to decorating with thrift store furniture and rewired vintage lamps. But the fact was, we were poor. We were starting out at starter jobs with starter salaries. We were starter adults with a starter bank account.

“Okay,” I nodded numbly, thankful that Matt was taking the lead on such a disastrous biohazard. “But make sure the plumber is super cheap. We don’t have much money!”

I left for work like a wino stumbling through a fog, not really remembering my commute, not really doing any work as I sipped my coffee and stared blankly at the computer screen. A disaster of such gargantuan proportions had previously been unthinkable in my life, and now I found myself attempting to push the image of a vast sea of bathtub poop from my mind. But I was sure of one thing: Anne Shirley never had to get ready for work while breathing raw sewage.

Spice Cake Gift Box.....

2011-09-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday morning!

Last night I decorated a small gift box for a special friend using the new Spice Cake Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up!. One of the best parts of being a demonstrator is getting to see all of the ideas that other demonstrators share with us....and this box is no exception! I used Natalie Decker's boxes as my inspiration and went from there. I decided to go ahead and cover the whole box in lieu of just a band as Natalie did to make it just a little more special....

I'm hoping to get some time to do something creative this weekend....I don't know if it's the weather, a lack of motivation on my part or a simple case of missing mojo but I'm really having a hard time coming up with new cards, scrapbook pages and/or gift items. Am I the only one having this problem lately?

Have a good weekend!

Catching Up.....

2011-09-13T17:42:00.000-07:00

Hi there! I didn't mean to take a two week break from blogging but it's been a busy time around here!

I'm happy to report that Tammy came through her surgery quite well and is healing nicely. Thank you to all of you who committed to praying for her....I know without a doubt that God heard your prayers!

In between doctor appointments and everyday life, we've celebrated a few things over the last couple of weeks. My father in law turned 83 on September 5th and this is the card I made him:

I used the sample on page 16 of the Holiday Mini Catalog as my starting point. In fact, I CASED the entire thing because I liked it so much! I used a retired sentiment stamp but everything else is current.

On September 9th my mom had a birthday and while I will not reveal her age, I will share the card with ya! This is the first time I've used the Sweets for Sweet stamp set and I overall I like the way the card turned out.

Last but not least, I attended a graduation ceremony for Safe Family Ministries and made cards for all the graduates. Each one was done with a different designer paper but used the same layout. They turned out lovely as well.....

Thank you for stopping by....have a good evening!

Today is the Day.....

2011-08-30T03:00:00.000-07:00

After months of anticipation, today is the day my best friend Tammy will be having a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. If you are the praying sort, I'd like to ask for prayers on her behalf as this is a scary time for her and her family. I'm confident that the Lord will be glorified no matter how this turns out and I'd like to leave you with her theme song....

And the Winner is.....

2011-08-26T15:12:00.000-07:00

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2011-08-26 22:13:16 UTC

Erin!

I'll send your goodies to you next week. I have a little surprise for both Theresa and Susie too though so if you ladies will email me with your mailing address, I'll send your goodies at the same time.

Thank you for entering!

Misc. Cards......

2011-08-26T06:54:00.000-07:00

When going through boxes of cards to donate to Safe Family Ministries, I came across a few that I haven't shown on my blog before.....enjoy!

PS - Don't forget the giveaway! I'll be back later today to announce the winner!

Sweet Fall.....

2011-08-24T16:37:00.000-07:00

Am I the only one who is longing for fall?

So Much Better!

2011-08-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

Good Tuesday morning everyone!

I recently stumbled across a fabulous new blog called A Bowl Full of Lemons and spent an obscene number of hours looking through all of her posts! It reminds me a lot of Ashli's blog Maillardville Manor so that's probably why I like it! :o)

One of the features that really intrigued me was Toni's 21 Day Challenge. You can get more detailed information here.

I decided to join in even though the actual challenge has been done for quite some time. I don't know about you, but I've been bitten by the cleaning and organizing bug and would really like to get it done before we head in to fall. I may not follow the exact order of her challenges because of time restraints but it's my intention to complete all 21 days. Here's the first thing I tackled.....

Before #1

Before #2

After

Sigh.....it was a lot of hard work but SO worth it!

Would you like to join me? I'd love to see a project you've completed today!

PS - Don't forget my giveaway here!

Giveaway!

2011-08-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

It's giveaway time!

If you've been following my blog this year, you know that I periodically review books through Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. You can find links to some of the reviews here.

I've recently received a duplicate copy of my latest book Where Will You Go from Here? by Valorie Burton and was given permission to use it as a giveaway on my blog! I'd been planning a giveaway myself for the end of summer but the book gave me the push I needed. :o) And I'm including a bottle of Vanilla Bliss Moisturizing Hand Soap from Bath and Body Works just because I love it so much!

So how do you win? Simply sign up as a follower of my blog and leave me a comment letting me you have! If you are already a follower, just let me know in the comment that you leave and you'll automatically be entered to win.....

I'll draw the name of the winner on Friday August 26th, 2011 at 12:00 pm PST.

I have several things in the works this week so stay tuned for more projects. Here's a sneak peek at one of them....

Good luck!

I Look to You....

2011-08-16T18:05:00.000-07:00

Why do we forget this? God is good all the time....

August Stamp a Stack....

2011-08-05T20:03:00.000-07:00

It's been a long, long week and I am glad it's Friday! I just wanted to pop on here real quick and post the samples from my upcoming Stamp a Stack class to be held later this month....

Have a great weekend!

Pink Birdhouse....

2011-07-26T07:50:00.001-07:00

One of the many benefits of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is the never ending amount of inspiration that comes from everywhere. In our demonstrator only publication, Stampin' Up! shared some sweet little birdhouses to introduce our new In Colors for 2011-2012 and I had to make one!

Isn't she adorable? This is going across the country to a special friend but I had to post it here first! I would put some sort of shredded paper or faux moss inside of it to cover up the print lines, but other than that, I think it will fit right in in a cottage-y like decor. What do you think?

As an added bonus, I have the pattern available in .pdf form but I'm not sure how to add it here. If you are interested in receiving it, please email me at princess1211(at)hotmail.com and I'll happily send it your way...

A Money/Gift Card Holder Purse....

2011-07-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

I was in a pinch last week to come up with a money holder for a teenager.....I'm not sure why I find making things for them so difficult to do but it's starting to rival my masculine projects in difficulty! Anyway, the talented Dawn Griffith came to the rescue.....

Following this video, I whipped this little purse out in no time flat and think I'll make a few up to have on hand for future gift needs. Give it a try.....it's super easy and pretty darn cute!

Have a fantastic week....

The Chocolate Diaries.....

2011-07-20T07:55:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone!

It's been a couple of months since I've done a book review and since my last one was so intense, I intentionally chose a lighter one this time around!

Karen Linamen's light-hearted style of writing had me chuckling out loud in some cases and really thinking in others. She lays out simple suggestions on how to find joy in your life even while in the midst of a tough time. Here are a few ideas directly from the book:

1. Replace the word have with the word get. Instead of saying I have to make the deposit today, say I get to make the deposit today. Suddenly things like this become more like opportunities and less like obligations.

2. Finish something you've started. Simple, yet brilliant! The sense of accomplishment you get when you finally finish something you've been needing to for some time makes you wonder what took you so long?!

3. Get acquainted with random acts of kindness. Pay for a strangers cup of coffee in the drive thru, allow someone waiting to get out of a parking lot to pull out in front of you or offer to let another get in line in front of you at the grocery store when they only have a few items in their basket.

Taking the focus off of you and putting it on something or someone else allows you time to think things through before responding to your situation based on how you are feeling. Goodness knows that living your life based on your emotions will bring nothing but chaos and grief!

Thank you Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for giving me this free copy of The Chocolate Diaries to read as part of your reviewing program.

Now, is anyone interested in a Chocolate on Chocolate Trifle recipe? It sounds divine!

TGIF!

2011-07-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

Boy, it's been a whirlwind week around here! Monday, I turned 36 and I've been on fast forward ever since! LOL!!

I've done some creating this week and still have a long list of things to accomplish before next week. For now, I thought I'd share what I've gotten done so far....

Last week I whipped up 6 more thank you cards for Tammy. Please excuse the poor quality of this photo....it was taken with my cell phone right before I left for her oncology appointment. I again used the Strength and Hope set from the Summer Mini Catalog. I simply love it!

Next is another set of 6 cards but these ones are a little more detailed and special. They will be given to the incredible staff at the oncology office that she's been receiving her chemotherapy at. I really struggled to come up with something that was beautiful yet could be easily duplicated. I finally decided a simplified version of Teneale's card was a perfect solution.

And lastly, I will be taking these two scrapbook pages with me today to get some photos of the staff and have them write a note of encouragement for Tammy. She's given me all of the emails and cards that she's received over the last several months and I'm documenting her courageous journey in a scrapbook.

Thank you for dropping by and I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T09:55:00.001-07:00

Melissa Circa 1980

In God We Still Trust - Diamond Rio....

2011-07-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

Rings of Freedom....

2011-06-22T15:59:00.000-07:00

While in the grocery store the other day, I spotted these red, white and blue Rings of Freedom and knew they would make a really cute gift for the 4th of July. I whipped up the box following this tutorial from Angie and was pleasantly surprised at the size of it. I'll definitely be making more of them!

Have a good evening!

Warming Up....

2011-06-21T14:31:00.001-07:00

My stamping to do list is a long one this week, but it seems to be starting out on a good note....I love these summery colors together and wish that I would have picked up Poppy Parade a lot sooner and played around with it!

Hope you are having a great week! Thanks for stopping by!

A Couple of Cards.....

2011-06-19T18:45:00.000-07:00

Despite my best intentions of getting in some significant stamping and/or scrapbooking time last week, I was only able to set aside time for a couple of cards. This week however, I think I might actually get to spend some time creating! Woo-hoo!

This is a belated Mother's Day card for my mother in law who was out of town on Mother's Day. I wasn't sure I was going to like the Poppy Parade In Color when it came out in the Stampin' Up! catalog last year but I've got to say that it's awfully cheery! I think you'll be seeing it a little more this summer as I use it while it's still available.

And this is the card I made for my dad and father in law. I had been pondering this sketch ever since I first saw it and finally decided to use it for Father's Day. While masculine cards have been difficult for me in the past, The Open Sea stamp set and the Nautical Expedition DSP sure made this years card a snap! I'd highly recommend both of these items!

That's all for now....be sure to stop back by later this week and see what I get accomplished with a little me time! :o)

Birthday and Anniversary Cards.....

2011-06-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

When I make cards for specific occasions, I try and think of the recipients style and preferences before delving into a project only to get to the end of it and decide it doesn't look like them. Here's a great example of what happens when I don't follow my own advice....

I loved this card from Lisa Young. And I knew I wanted to CASE it but I wasn't sure for what occasion. I went ahead and made it with the intention of using it for an anniversary card for Chris this year and I was extremely happy with the way it turned out. I made a few minor adjustments to Lisa's original design, but loved it none the less. However, it just didn't feel like Chris, so instead of just using it I decided to put that one in my card box to use at a later time and start another one. This is what I came up with.....

It's simple no fuss lines are so much more Chris' style and using the classic 1 Corinthians "love" scripture finished it off perfectly.

I used the same kind of graphic and no fuss lines on his birthday card as well and I'm happy to report that he loved them both! I used this sketch from Mojo Monday to jump start my creativity and just went from there.....

Have you created anything lately? I'd love to see it!

A birthday, anniversary and the beach.....

2011-06-07T16:37:00.000-07:00

Hi all!

We've celebrated some special occasions around the Kaufman household over the last few days and I wanted to share them with you.....

Friday was Chris' 40th birthday! I have a hard time believing that I'm old enough to be married to someone who is 40, but that's my issue and not his as he still tells everyone he's only 28! :o) I'm not quite sure how old he is in this picture, but I love it.....

And here he is celebrating his special day.....

Saturday was our 17th wedding anniversary and we celebrated with a quick over night stay in Lincoln City, Oregon. I don't think I've shared this particular shot before.....

Honestly, I don't know how people can live anywhere other than the Pacific Northwest.....we are SO close to everything....the big city (Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington), the mountains (Mt. Hood) and the entire Washington and Oregon Coast. Seriously, how can you resist a view like this?

I can't!

I'll be back tomorrow with the cards I made for the occasions and a bonus card because it turned out so pretty.....

Have a good evening!

Masculine Card Class....

2011-05-28T15:03:00.000-07:00

We are still elbow deep in kitchen stuff but I wanted to pop on here real quick to let you know I'm still around! :o)

We have a lot of things coming up so my presence here will be spotty, but I promise to make it to your blogs as soon as I can. For now, I'll leave you with my latest class project scheduled for early June....

Have a good Memorial Day weekend!

A little of this and a little of that....

2011-05-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone...

It's been a busy month around here and it's taking a toll on Kaufman's Cottage in blogland! Here's a sneak peek on what we've been working on.....

So far we are coming in right on budget and I'm loving the warmth it's adding to my kitchen. I'm editing out a few things in hopes of making the kitchen appear a little larger than what it actually is and will be sure to share the end result as soon as it's finished.

In the mean time, I'm also working on a few card ideas that I'll pass along some time this week. I hope you can come back then!

Will this be the Year?......

2011-05-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

Source

Will this be the year that I don't think through nursery plans and birthday party themes?

Will this be the year that I wake up on Sunday morning and not dread the "Happy Mother's Day!" greetings from well meaning church members at the door?

Images via Google

Will this be the year that I don't gaze upon the beautiful face of a child and feel the ache of empty arms?

Will this be the year that I don't think through the 1 Samuel words about Hannah...."and the Lord remembered her"?

Will this be the year that I'm able to focus on how blessed I am to have a mother who accepts me unconditionally instead of wishing the day would just be over?

It's not my intention to bring about words of sympathy because of this post but to shed some light on how difficult tomorrow is for tens of thousands of men and women. Loss of any kind is a difficult road to travel and one that can be lonely even when you are surrounded by others. I pray for those who will never experience the love at first sight of seeing your newborn. I pray for those who have endured the devastating loss of a child. I pray for those who have children and neglect them. I pray for those with adult children who have left the home in a less than ideal way. And I pray that tomorrow you will kiss your babies just a little more often, hold your momma's in an embrace just a little bit longer and show just a little more kindness to those who are in a battle of heart wrenching proportions.

Will this be the year?

2nd Batch of Strength and Hope....

2011-05-04T13:20:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon everyone!

I'm back today with a second batch of six cards for my best friend Tammy. And I'm pleased to report that she's almost out of the first batch I made! Not because of the cards themselves, but because of the outpouring of love she's received since her diagnosis and how having a thank you card on hand has made one small step of this journey just a little easier. That my friends, is the reason I make cards!

The box I made to hold this set can be used over and over again as I replenish her supply. It's my intention to use the same stamp set for all of the cards I make for her and you can own it too! If you are interested in purchasing the Strength and Hope stamp set, please visit my Stampin' Up! website today! Stampin' Up! is donating $2 from every purchase of this stamp to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. How can I not support something like that?

Thank you for stopping by!

Catching Up.....

2011-05-02T16:03:00.000-07:00

Is it just me, or has it been a really long Monday? I'm glad I decided to do something simple for dinner tonight because this girl is dragging this afternoon....

Melissa and Tammy

I wanted to say thank you to all of you who committed to praying for my best friend Tammy. It means more to me than I could ever describe and I know they are working! She's even started a blog of her own so if you are interested in keeping her encouraged, I'm sure she'd love it if you would follow her. The blog name is Team Angier Chronicles.

And just because I can't resist this sweet little face, here are a few photos of my mom's new puppy Moose. Seriously, have you ever seen anything so cute in all your life?!

Have a good night!

Figuring Life Out - One Thousand Gifts....

2011-04-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

Dang me! Have you read this book?

He's Alive!

2011-04-25T11:03:00.000-07:00

I heard this early yesterday morning but didn't know the artist or the name of the song so I had to wait for my local radio station to reply to my email. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Have a fantastic week!

Jesus Paid It All....

2011-04-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

As you go about your busy day, I hope that you will take some time to remember what happened so long ago....

Have a blessed weekend!

Master Bedroom Before and After....

2011-04-15T09:16:00.000-07:00

It's been quite some time since I've shared any before and afters of our home. If you've been a reader for any length of time you already know that we bought the house in very poor condition in 2008. You can see more photos of it's progress by clicking on the Before and Afters tab located at the top of the blog. Ready?

As with all of the other posts, I've tried to capture the same angle of the before and after shots in order for you to see things from a similar perspective. And while it's the smaller of the two rooms in the house, we have never regretted choosing this one for our room.

Thanks for stopping by....have a great weekend!

Clean and Simple Easter......

2011-04-14T15:59:00.000-07:00

My special friend Sue challenged her readers to make a clean and simple card using very basic supplies and I decided to take my free afternoon and make not just one, but four! I realize that the original challenge suggested using just one stamp set, but the bunny didn't come with a sentiment so I had to grab one from another set. Please don't hold it against me my friend!

If you'd like to play along, please visit Sue's blog at: Sharing What I Love....

Strength and Hope.....

2011-04-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

Good Saturday morning everyone!

May 1st Stampin' Up! is releasing a new stamp set in the Summer Mini Catalog called Strength and Hope. When I purchased it at the beginning of March I had no idea that Breast Cancer would hit so close to home so it makes it all that much more meaningful to me! I'm happy to report that Stampin' Up! will donate $2 for each set sold to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. How can I not support that?

This is the first set of cards I made for Tammy to have on hand to give out. I had hoped to make a box to put them in but this week was filled with biopsy's, chemotherapy and transfusions so I decided just getting the initial six cards done was more important.

Thank you to all of you who have supported my special friend with your prayers! We are just beginning this long road to recovery but are hopeful that she will be victorious in the battle.

Have a good weekend....

Radical....What is Jesus Worth To You?

2011-04-01T02:21:00.000-07:00

What is Jesus worth to you?

If that line doesn't catch your attention, I don't know what will! It's taken me 2 1/2 months to get through David Platt's Radical because it's so full of truth that I had a hard time processing it all!

This book has the potential to change the lives of every believer in Jesus Christ around the world. From the beginning to the end of the book David has you asking yourself questions that you may not want to answer!

What did Jesus' ministry actually look like?
How does that compare to the modern day church?
What is our purpose in this life?
What are you willing to give up in order for those who desperately need the gospel to hear it?

The American experience as a believer is completely different than our brother's and sister's in Christ outside of the United States. When was the last time I suffered for what I believe? Our account of persecution is nothing compared to others! And while I found my emotions going from confusion to frustration at times throughout the book, I finished it with a clearer understanding of what God is asking His children to do.

I think every Christian should read this book!

Thank you Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for giving me this free copy of Radical to read as part of your reviewing program.

Blessings.....

2011-03-29T10:30:00.000-07:00

I know this has been going around in blogland over the last few weeks but I couldn't help but share. I hope it touches your heart like it did mine.

Jer. 29:11....

2011-03-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah 29:11 has long been a favorite scripture of mine so when I saw Verve had it available as part of their Plain Jane Collection, I had to get it. I've had it for quite some time now and finally pulled it out to create this card.

This is the first time I've used Stampin' Up!'s Daffodil Delight and have to say that it's the perfect spring shade so I suspect you'll see it quite a bit over the next few months.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by today....have a good day!

PS - Thank you to all of you who commented on yesterday's post. Your time is valuable and I'm honored you used a little of it here!

Our God is Greater....

2011-03-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

I've been struggling to figure out how to put into words what's happening in our lives as I write this. Just a week ago I was consumed with thoughts of a floundering Stampin' Up! business, a broken relationship with a relative and the tragic images coming out of Japan. Then, all of the sudden things were put into perspective as we got word that my best friend has stage 3 Breast Cancer. Cancer? Really? I spent the rest of the week kind of walking around in a daze. Did I dream this? Is there a chance that the diagnosis was wrong? How do I face the possibility that I might lose her?

While I don't claim to know all of the answers, I do know this for sure. Tammy is a believer and will spend eternity at the feet of Jesus no matter when that time comes. If you are of the praying persuasion, I would be grateful for any prayers that you might offer up on her behalf. And if it seems as if I'm hit or miss around here, it's because I've committed myself to being there for her every step of the way.

Go and hug your loved ones.....tell them how much they mean to you and rest in the arms of a loving God that knows everything.

I'll leave you with this.....

Top O' The Morning.....

2011-03-11T10:29:00.000-08:00

I've had a really hard time finding cute things for St. Patrick's Day this year so I decided to make something!

It was a little time consuming but so worth it because I love how it turned out! All of the supplies are from Stampin' Up! and can be adapted for any occasion. Perhaps something for Easter is in order? :o)

Have a fantastic weekend!

PS - Linking to WhipperBerry......join in on the fun!

When in doubt......CASE!

2011-03-04T10:08:00.000-08:00

Good morning!

As I continue to search for motivation/mojo I'm working my way through some of my favorite samples from some incredibly talented people. Today's card is a CASE of the famous Teneale Williams. I can't remember her blog name but I'm sure a short Google search would turn her up. She is awesome!

I love the way pink and black look together and chose it for my card. The stamp set is available for free through the end of the month when you place a $50 order with Stampin' Up!. Pink, black and free? Please! I SO there!

Thank you for stopping by....have a fantastic weekend!

Scrapbooking and an Award.....

2011-03-02T07:42:00.001-08:00

Are you sitting down? Can you believe I actually created something?! While my mojo still seems to be avoiding me, I had a project that I had promised to complete so I just jumped right on in and hoped for the best!

Shana, my downline with Stampin' Up! had her first scrapbooking class last night and I made a sample using different papers and stamps in the same layout she used for their project. Here is her layout....

And here are my pages using the same design but in different colors....

It just goes to show that you can get a completely different look while using the same basic design. And it was really good for me to actually complete something! :o)

I'm going to do a little more CASE (Copy and Share Everything) work this week to see if I can jump-start myself and will post anything I get done. Wish me luck!

Thank you for the visit!

PS - Look what I was awarded by my sweet stamping sister at Seeing Ink Spots! Thank you!

Birthday.....

2011-02-16T09:47:00.000-08:00

Um, has anyone seen my stamping mojo? I seem to have misplaced it! I desperately needed to get a birthday card done and spent most of the day yesterday trying to come up with something I was willing to put into the mail. I know this kind of thing happens to creative people from time to time.....

What do you do to get out of a creative funk?

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T06:58:00.000-08:00

Image from bhg.com

Tell someone you love them today!

Valentine Animal Cracker Box....

2011-02-10T11:04:00.001-08:00

Today's project is one I've done before and love! Every one I make is a little different and that's part of their beauty! It's a good sized box and the instructions can be found here. Please let me know if you try one because I'd love to see it!

Have a good day....

iLove.....

2011-02-09T14:58:00.000-08:00

This year's Valentine for my sweetie is a little different than years past. I originally came across the idea in the Family Fun magazine that my neighbor brings to me every month but have since seen it pop up out in blog-land. If you are interested in making one for yourself, the template can be downloaded here. The hardest part is choosing the songs you want to "play" on your iLove. Please don't hold it against me that Jessie's Girl is on there....it's a long standing joke between Chris and I. :o)

And since we are chocolate lovers in this house, I went ahead and used a Kit Kat instead of the Sweetheart candy!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a fabulous afternoon!

Pull Up Treat Pouch and a Little Valentine Tea....

2011-02-02T14:49:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon!

I'm still hard at work at making things for Valentine's Day.....

Today's projects are a Pull Up Treat Holder and a folded pocket holding some Valentine tea. Instructions for both of the projects can be found on SCS in the resources section of the website.

Let me know if you decide to give either one a try!

Paper Rose Tutorial....

2011-01-31T15:23:00.001-08:00

Ooops! It took me a whole lot longer to get the paper rose tutorial done than I originally anticipated! Here are the steps by step instructions....

The base of the roses begin with a circle. In this case, I used a 2 in circle but you can adjust the size of the rose based on the size of the circle you use.

Using scissors cut around the circle in a swirl pattern.

Fold the outside edge from the beginning to the end.

Turn the circle over.

Begin twisting the edge of the paper inward making sure to keep the folded edge folded.

Adhere the bottom with a strong adhesive. I used Stampin' Up! sticky strip to secure mine.

I hope this helps! I suspect you could use these instructions with other kinds of paper and get the same results....crepe streamers, tissue paper and maybe even some fabrics.....

Have a good afternoon!

Cutie Box.....

2011-01-25T16:07:00.000-08:00

I'm back this afternoon with another Valentine project....and as I said last week, I have so many ideas that I can't narrow it down to just a few so I'm going to show them all here between now and Valentine's Day!

Isn't the little girl a cutie?! I love the innocence about her! And the small handmade paper roses just make it all that sweeter!

Right now the box is empty but I'm thinking about making some little 3x3 cards to match unless I can come up with something else that would work in it. What do you think?

Edited to add: I will work on a photo tutorial for the little paper roses!

Valentine Class....

2011-01-21T06:08:00.000-08:00

In true Melissa form, I'm behind on my prep work for tonight's Cupcake Card Class so this will be a super fast post!

I'm offering another class in the next couple of weeks for Valentine's Day and here are the projects...

I want to give a big shout out to my fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators for giving me the inspiration for all of the above projects. While the ideas are not new, they sure are cute! And the best part about the card is that you could easily turn it into a birthday card in no time!

I hope everyone has a terrific weekend and I'll be back on Monday with more Valentine projects!

Valentine Pillow Box....

2011-01-19T14:06:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon friends!

I'm back with a quick box for today's post. I can't take credit for this idea because I didn't come up with it on my own. After seeing Chris' red box, I knew I had to try one in my favorite color!

Have a good evening!

Top Note Box.....

2011-01-18T16:50:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon! It's taken me a little longer to decide on what to make for Valentine's Day because I have SO many ideas! I finally just decided to make them all and will be featuring them from now until Valentine's Day....

Today's project is a sweet little box big enough to hold chocolates, lip sticks, erasers, etc....little trinket size things and was a lot of fun to make. Here is the outside of the box:

And here is the inside:

Have a good afternoon!

Too Early?

2011-01-11T09:33:00.000-08:00

Valentine Card 2008

Valentine Card 2009

Valentine Card 2010

Treat Box 2010

February 2010

Is it too early to move into Valentine's Day crafting and decorating?

Under the Overpass....Eye Opening!

2011-01-10T10:27:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I signed up for a book review program through Blogging for Books. This is my first review so thank you for joining me!

Choosing my first book to review was a difficult task but I'm so glad it was this one!

Mike and Sam's five month journey had me questioning my beliefs and behavior from the beginning of their story. It challenged me to look at America's homeless men and women as human beings and not as people who begged for money because they were too lazy to work. I was ashamed to realize that in some cases, that was indeed my attitude! It was then I had to ask myself how I could win people over to Christ when I wasn't being Christ-like myself.

If you are looking for an honest and eye opening read, Under the Overpass is for you!

Thank you Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for giving me this free copy of Under the Overpass to read as part of your reviewing program.

I'm It.....

2011-01-06T10:01:00.000-08:00

Trouble

I was tagged by Amy!

Here are the paraphrased rules:

1. Write the answers to the following questions out on your blog and replace any questions you do not like. *Since I liked all of them, I'll be answering all 20!*

2. Tag four people and they cannot refuse....um, I don't think that's necessary so while I will participate, I will not be tagging anyone else!

Here we go:

1. Do you have pets and if you do, do you see them merely as animals or are they members of your family?

We have one 15 1/2 year old cat who is spoiled to the point that she doesn't understand the word no. I figure she's earned the right to be pampered because of her age and I fully intend to let her live the rest of her life however she wants to. Within reason of course! ;)

2. If you could have one dream come true, what would it be?

I would have all of my loved ones accept Christ and live in eternity with Jesus and I.

3. What is the one thing most hated by you?

People who do not keep their word. Say what you mean and mean what you say or don't say anything at all!

4. What would you do with a billion dollars?

I would give 10 percent to my church, pay off the house, set up a trust account for my niece Emma and then have to prayerfully consider what to do with the rest because that's a whole lot of money!

5. What helps pull you out of a bad mood?

I have to agree with Amy on this one. I'm a loner....my alone time is essential to my well being and when I don't get enough of it I get irritable.

6. Which is more blessed? Loving someone or being loved by someone?

I would say loving someone.

7. What is your bedtime routine?

Putting on my pajamas, making Chris' lunch, washing my face, brushing my teeth, reading or watching Criminal Minds on ION until I fall asleep.

8. If you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your partner?

Chris and I were matched up to walk down the isle together at a mutual friend's wedding. We walked down the isle that day and haven't parted since.

9. If you could watch a creative person in the act of the creative process who would it be?

The list is long! It's a toss up between Ree Drummond, Sandra Lee, Rachael Ray, Shelli Gardner, Teresa Collins and Bonnie at House of Grace.

10. What kind of books do you read?

This list is long too! Biographies, Christian Historical Romance, the Bible, Cozy Mysteries and any Jodi Picoult book except Songs of the Humpback Whale. I just couldn't get into that one!

11. How do you see yourself in 10 years?

Yikes! The thought of it kind of freaks me out! I would like to think I'd be healthier and more at peace but who knows? There are no guarantees!

12. What's your biggest fear?

Um, drowning!

13. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to visit outer space?

Um, no!

14. Would you rather be single and rich or married and poor?

Married and poor as long as it's Chris.

15. What is the first thing that you do when you wake up?

Turn off my ambient noise machine. I use it every night in hopes of drowning out Chris' snoring!

16. If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be?

I would give him a passion for traveling. I could see so much more that way!

17. If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?

I wouldn't change it....I like Melissa.

18. Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that someone special has done?

Oooh....this is a biggie! I work on forgiveness everyday....some days I'm better at it than others but I believe that the trick is to keep trying.

19. If you could eat only one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?

If it didn't impact my health, I would choose Smokehouse Burgers from Ruby Tuesday!

20. What is the one thing you enjoy most about blogging?

The constant inspirations!

I'm not going to tag anyone, but please drop by the sites of the lovely ladies in my side bar!

Cupcake Class....

2011-01-05T15:55:00.000-08:00

I've been hard at work designing for some upcoming classes and thought you might like to see the first one. I love cupcakes! And lucky for me, they are incredibly popular these days.

This is the first of many to come so be sure to check back often! And as an added bonus, I now have three cards done for goal number 3 for 2011!

2011 To-Do List....

2011-01-01T11:20:00.000-08:00

What is it about a new year that fires you up to get some things done that you've been putting off? I have a growing list of things I'd like to try and/or complete in 2011 and thought the added accountability of listing it here would do me some good! Here is my list in no particular order....

1. Clean off the top of the refrigerator
2. Scrapbook 2010 events
3. Fill my card box with cards to have on hand for various occasions
4. Add wall art above the bed in the master bedroom
5. Thin out books on the living room book shelf and add a few decorative accents
6. Buy a king size coverlet for the bed so that Chris and I will stop wrestling each other for covers
7. Plant some flowers for the spring and summer
8. Deep clean and organize the studio
9. Completely empty my closet, donate clothing that's unflattering or no longer fits and only put back things that I will wear.
10. Find a storage solution for gift wrap

There you have it.....even just making the list makes me feel better! Now who's up for keeping me on track? :o)

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T10:50:00.000-08:00

Good morning!

I can hardly believe that it's New Year's Eve...and judging from the chatter out in blog land I'm not alone! Are you ready to say goodbye to 2010 and jump into 2011? I am!

I have some changes in mind for this little blog of mine and a renewed motivation to share whatever project I'm immersed in. I thank you for joining me post after post and hope that you will stick around for even more projects.

Before I sign off for the weekend, I wanted to share my word of the year for 2011. I've read a lot of them this week....simplify, cultivate, bliss, love, etc. and it didn't take me long to settle on my word. I have chosen APPRECIATE.

Have you chosen a theme word for 2011?

Kathy Mattea - Mary Did You Know?

2010-12-24T10:07:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-20T09:09:00.000-08:00

Good Monday morning everyone!

We are down to the wire now with only 5 days until Christmas. Are you ready? My to-do list consists of:

1) Christmas Dinner grocery shopping
2) Baking
3) Finishing up a few Christmas cards

That's not too bad right? Wish me luck because if there is one thing I'm good at, it's procrastination! :o)

I snapped some photos around the house this weekend and as promised, am sharing them with you this morning. I tend to keep things simple....I'd much rather have a few things that I love than a bunch of things I don't. It helps me to focus on what's most important to me during this busy time of the year.

Nativity Set

Day Tree

Night Tree

I pray for a blessed Christmas for all of you!

Handmade Christmas....

2010-12-15T10:07:00.000-08:00

Good morning everyone!

I wanted to pop on here and say that I didn't fall off the face of the earth....and that I appreciate the emails making sure that I'm okay and checking in on me. You guys are too sweet!

It's been a busy season with Thanksgiving, then a birthday and now Christmas so my blogging time has been cut way down. And while our shopping list is pretty small this year, it's just not the same without something handmade!

Jolly Holiday

Merry and Bright

Both of these sets start with a stationary gift box with misc. cards/envelopes, tags, stamps, a pen and a notebook for writing things down. It's a perfect gift for the someone who has everything! Then add in a little chocolate card and a anti-bacterial hand gel holder and you are all set to go! :o)

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season and that you are taking the time to experience it to the fullest. Be sure to come back Wednesday for a tour of my own Christmas home!

Linking to:

Additional Favorite Christmas Projects....

2010-12-03T07:36:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday everyone!

As promised, here are a few more of my favorite past Christmas projects.....

Have a good weekend!

Past Christmas Projects....

2010-12-02T09:53:00.000-08:00

Good morning guys!

Like I said on Monday, this is a crazy busy week but I wanted to post something to jump start the holiday spirit here on Kaufman's Cottage! Today and tomorrow I'll be featuring some of my favorite past Christmas projects and will show you some new things next week.

Enjoy!

A paper bow with a matching gift tag and card...

A challenge card made with some sweet, sweet friends...

A 6x6 scrapbook page

And finally some Christmas cards done in non-traditional colors....

I hope you were inspired to create something handmade this holiday season and be sure to return tomorrow for more fun ideas!

Kristen's Gingerbread Giveaway!

2010-11-29T09:18:00.000-08:00

Good morning friends!

I have a busy week planned but wanted to jump on here and tell you about an awesome giveaway over at Kristen's Creations! How cute are these?! Head on over and check out Kristen's site and enter for a chance to win!

A Reminder.....

2010-11-26T13:14:00.000-08:00

Happy Black Friday! Did you get up early and go shopping? Not this girl! While I love shopping as much as the next girl, I love my bed a little bit more at 4:00 am! :o) Can I get an amen out there?

Thanksgiving has come and gone and I wanted to share one last post on this year's festivities. It's more for myself but just in case you've wanted a glimpse into my private life, I thought I'd post it here.

Yesterday, Emma (my niece) and I were alone in the kitchen. I was moving around cooking and things were pretty quiet as everyone else was out in the garage. I'm not sure how the conversation actually started, but I made some random comment about my kitchen. I want to say it was something along the lines of wishing it was more modern but that Uncle Chris and I didn't have the money to make any changes to it right now. Emma looked me right in the eye and said, "A lot of people I know don't have all of this fancy stuff." Suddenly I could see things just a little clearer.....my grandmother's china was on the table, a pot of freshly ground coffee was just finishing and the people that I love were gathered together out in the garage. I was so busy trying to get our dinner done in my 1957 kitchen that I lost sight of all that I am blessed with and it took a 10 year old's observations to bring my focus back into perspective. I immediately stopped what I was doing and looked at her and said, "You are absolutely right. And I'm thankful for what I've been given." And I truly am.

So thank you Emma for helping Aunt Melissa see things as they really are. You bring a joy to my life like no one else and it is my deepest hope that you never lose the ability to see things like you did yesterday!

Have a good weekend!

Just One More....

2010-11-23T10:59:00.000-08:00

I promise this is the last fall/Thanksgiving card I'm going to post this season! Is it just me that can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is almost here? I certainly hope not!

I'm not sure if I'll post anything for the rest of the week as I'd like to concentrate more on my home and family during this time. I'd like to encourage you to do the same thing....and with the risk of sounding like a broken record....

Have you found something to be thankful for today?

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Gratitude....

2010-11-22T12:18:00.001-08:00

Image from bhg.com

Good afternoon!

I hope your day is shaping up to be a good one. It's one of my favorite kind of days at home....the only thing on my agenda is puttering around doing some light housework and watching the rain turn into snow.

Plans for Thursday are all finalized and everything is purchased so that leaves me with a peace of mind. Usually I wait until the last minute to do things because I seem to always be running behind! I'm thankful that this year is different....

I wanted to leave you with a quote that sums up how I'm feeling these days. I hope you find many things to feel gratitude for today!

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life....it can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home and a stranger into a friend." Melody Beattie, Author

Have a good week!

2010 Favorite Things at 320 Sycamore.....

2010-11-19T10:25:00.000-08:00

Good Friday morning!

I've been following Melissa's Favorite Things Party all week long and wanted to share my list today! Here are a few of my favorite things in no particular order....

1. Coffee! We like it bold and strong....no sissy stuff for this girl! Right now we are enjoying the Costa Rican Blend from Costco and it is gooooooood! I couldn't find a photo on their site so you'll have to trust me on this one!

2. Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation! If I could only have one makeup item for the rest of my life, this would be it. I love the even coverage and it lasts all day long. Why mess around with something that's just going to wear off?

3. My Scor-Pal! I bugged my mother for six months prior to my birthday about getting me one of these and I can't even begin to describe how much it helps me in my card/box/gift making. I love it!

4. Scotch's ATG Gun! This adhesive has saved hours and hours of taping, gluing and re-assembling my projects! While it looks huge and bulky, it's actually quite comfortable.

5. My Kitchenaid Mixer! Need I say more? Mine's Cinnamon!

6. My Coach Penelope Handbag! I saved the best for last.....I love it. It's roomy, stylish and durable. I won't give it up until it falls it literally falls off my arm!

There you have it! Why not come over and join us at the party? Have a good weekend!

Thanksgiving Menu....

2010-11-18T18:06:00.000-08:00

It's a little late in the day, but can you believe that I've actually posted something four days in a row? I don't quite know what's come over me!! :o)

While I won't be doing printed menu's like the faux one above, I wanted to share our Thanksgiving menu while it's on my mind....

Turkey
Dressing
Mashed Potatoes (for those who don't eat Dressing)
Green Beans
Cranberry Sauce
Pumpkin Rolls
Pumpkin Pie

Appetizers:
Meat, Cheese and Crackers
Deviled Eggs

What are your must-haves for Thanksgiving?

Hostess Gift....

2010-11-17T18:15:00.000-08:00

Hostess gifts are almost a thing of the past aren't they? I say, let's bring them back! A little kindness goes a long, long way. Even a store bought beverage seems more thoughtful when you add a little handmade tag to it!

Have a good evening!

Free Thanksgivng Printables....

2010-11-16T09:09:00.000-08:00

Looking for some Thanksgiving decor that won't break the bank? How about this?

Or this?

Or even this?

All of these printables are available for free from Jessica at Craftily Ever After so head on over today and choose one for your home....

Thanks Jessica!

Have a good day!

Past Thanksgiving Projects...

2010-11-15T08:35:00.000-08:00

Good morning!

It's hard for me to believe that the holidays are here already! And because I don't want to skip right over Thanksgiving and go straight into Christmas, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite past projects for this time of year. Enjoy!

Sweet Treat Turkey

Napkin Ring

Turkey Bag

Turkey Bucket

Pumpkin Card

Simple Box

Have you given any thought to what you are thankful for?

Cake Pops by Bakerella

2010-11-10T12:34:00.000-08:00

How fun is this?!

It is done.....

2010-11-09T09:23:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad to report that the Christmas Bazaar is done! I simply don't know how vendors do multiple venues in one year....it's a lot of work and completely changes my perspective of what it takes to run a successful one!

Unfortunately I forgot to take photos of most of the items that were on our table but I did take this one last week when I completed it at home....

Tag Inside

Tag Outside

I followed the directions from Splitcoaststampers and found it to be fun to make...it's perfect for those occasions where you need a little extra something for someone but are on a tight budget!

Have a good day!

And the winner is.....

2010-11-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

Ooops! I forgot to draw for the winner of my fall giveaway....thanks for the reminder mom! And the winner is.....

Number 9! Linda Kish! Please send me an email with your mailing information so that I can get your stuff out to you!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the fall giveaway. I have many plans for the holidays too so be sure to check back often for more gift ideas and giveaways!

A Sneak Peek....

2010-10-28T12:38:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share a sneak peek of what I've been working on this week for the bazaar I'm participating in next weekend....

I'm off to work on more! Have a good afternoon!

PS - You still have a chance to win the giveaway.....click here for details!

Week Four - Adding Tender Moments.....

2010-10-26T09:41:00.000-07:00

Have you ever gotten up on a Tuesday morning and wondered what happened to Saturday, Sunday and Monday? That's exactly what I did this morning! It was a total blur and I completely forgot to check Women Living Well for this week's challenge!

With my candle lit and soft music playing, I sat down this morning and thought about how different my experience may be from most of the participants of this challenge. Here are my thoughts.....

I have been married for almost 16 1/2 years and we are childless. While I would rather not be defined in those exact terms, it is the truth. But does this mean that there isn't an opportunity for me to create special moments in our home? Absolutely not! In fact, I believe that Chris and I share an intimacy that most couples don't get to experience until after their children are gone. I do many things daily to show my husband how important he is to me because the only guarantee we have in this life is that we will not be around forever. I choose to embrace that and do what I can right now....it's one of very few things that I don't procrastinate about!

On any given day you may find me making his lunch, hanging up every piece of clothing he owns because he prefers that over having things folded in a drawer, running our family errands like banking and grocery shopping so that he doesn't have to worry about it, watching him play his favorite video game, listening to him play his guitar(s) and/or simply putting down what ever project I may be working on to spend time with him. It's in these little things that he knows without question that I love him.

What have you done lately to show your love?

PS - My giveaway is still open to all who would like a chance to win!

Fall Giveaway!

2010-10-22T09:54:00.001-07:00

Good morning!

It's finally giveaway time here at Kaufman's Cottage! This is just a little something to say thank you to all of you who come back to visit again and again.....your time is precious and I appreciate you spending a little bit of it with me!

All you have to do to be entered is leave a comment on this blog post.....I will draw the name next Friday October 29, 2010. If you have a blog and would like to be entered twice, just mention my giveaway on your site and come back and comment again. That's it!

Have a fantastic weekend!

A Couple of Friends....

2010-10-20T09:22:00.001-07:00

Good morning blog friends!

I'm still trying to get over this little bug I've caught and thought I'd share a couple of my favorite places today....

Erin from Where Beauty Meets Function was my first guest blogger and will always hold a special place because of it! Our decorating styles are so similar I could move right into her house and would feel instantly at home. She's funny, creative and real. I love real people! And as an added bonus, she knocked my socks off when she revealed her super cute Halloween Living Room a few weeks ago....

Head over to Where Beauty Meets Function today...I promise you won't be disappointed!

My second favorite place is Keep'n The Sunny Side. Amy is kind and will instantly make you feel like you've known her forever. We both have a love for all things Amish and share a passion for homemaking. She's also a real person who is wildly talented and is generous enough to show you how she makes all kinds of super cute stuff! I mean c'mon! How can you resist something that looks like this?

Please! I can't! As with Erin, run on over to Amy's and check it out. You are bound to come away with more inspiration than you'll know what to do with!

PS - I've decided I can't wait any longer to do my giveaway so be sure to come back Friday to see what you have the chance to win!

I'm Back.....

2010-10-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

Good Monday morning everyone!

I'm back from my week off from blogging and must report that I wish I had taken this week off instead! I seem to have caught some sort of bug so I'm not feeling very well....I apologize ahead of time if I say something silly through my brain fog!

My time off was productive....I made some more of these:

Was given an awesome award from Erin at Where Beauty Meets Function:

Thanks my friend! I promise to do a separate post on it some time this week!

I participated in Courtney's second week challenge of playing soft music in my home everyday while having my candle burning.

And even whipped up a recipe card for a very special friend.....

Now I'm just praying for a little healing so that I can jump feet first into this week's challenge over at Women Living Well. Want to join me?

Have a good week!

A Little Break.....

2010-10-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

Source unknown

Hi everyone!

I'm just popping on here real quick to say that I'm taking the week off from blogging. I have so many things on my plate right now and need to step away from the computer to get it all done! Tune in next week for my Halloween decor, current stamping projects and maybe even a little fall baking!

Caramel Apples and Pumpkins....

2010-10-08T10:06:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone!

October Stamp Club was last night and in the spirit of the changing season, we made Caramel Apple cards! This super cute idea was sent to me by a very special friend from Arkansas and I loved it the moment I laid my eyes on it!

All packaged up

Card outside the bag

It's the perfect gift for someone who doesn't need/want a lot of candy at one time or would be really cute as a place card at an Autumn dinner. All you'd have to do is tie a little tag with someone's name on it and you would be good to go! *Please ignore the spice bottle holding it up!*

And as an added bonus, I whipped up this sweet little pumpkin box as a giveaway at the class. I've found similar boxes around on the internet but this was my first time making it. I must say, I love it too! And since I gave away the last one, I'm going to make a second one for myself to keep and one to give away here! Once I reach that 50 follower mark of course.....

Thank you to all of my new readers who have taken the time to stop by and sign up as a follower. Your time is important and I appreciate you sharing a little bit of it with me!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Halloween Anti-Bacterial Gel Holders....

2010-10-06T13:27:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

I've just finished some new items for the shop and wanted to post the group picture here. I will be posting some individual photos under the For Sale page as soon as I can.

If you are interested in purchasing a Halloween Gel Holder, please email me at princess1211(at)hotmail.com for more information.

Have a good afternoon!

Making Your Home a Haven Challenge One....

2010-10-04T14:04:00.000-07:00

It's time for the new Making Your Home a Haven Fall Challenge! I am thrilled to be following Courtney and several other women who want to make their homes a priority and I hope that you will consider joining us too.

Challenge Number One: Light a candle and begin praying over your home every time the glimmer of the candle catches your eye.

This is an easy one for me because I almost always have a candle going in our home. It brings a peace in my heart and calms my spirit. And isn't that what we are going for overall? As women we wear many different hats and it's easy to get caught up in the chaos of everyday life. I'd like to encourage you to slow down today, turn on some soft music and light a candle!

Autumn Fluffles Gift Set....

2010-10-03T14:25:00.000-07:00

Good Sunday afternoon!

I just wanted to pop on here real quick and mention that I added some items to my For Sale Page and plan to add more this week. Be sure to check back regularly to see what's new!

Halloween Bath and Body Works....

2010-09-29T09:10:00.000-07:00

When I saw fellow stamper Erica Cerwin's Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel's from Bath and Body Works, I fell in love and knew I had to try it out for myself! How darn cute are these?

I simply followed her instructions and whipped one up last night in less than an hour. I still have a few more to make so stay tuned because you are bound to see those too!

Have a fabulous day!

PS - I'm linking to Scraps and Scribbles Halloween Spectacular....check it out today!

Making Your Home a Haven Fall 2010.....

2010-09-27T09:56:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited! If you've been around this summer, you know that I participated in Courtney's Summer Marriage Challenge at Women Living Well. I'm happy to report that she's doing another one! This time it's called Making Your Home a Haven. How can you not join?!

Have a good Monday!

PS - Are you a regular reader who hasn't become a follower of Kaufman's Cottage yet? I have a special giveaway planned for when I reach 50 and I'd love it if you'd sign up today!