Gratitude....

I sit here this morning thinking about many things.  It's been a while since I've updated Kaufman's Cottage mostly because I'm not sure of what to post.  From the very beginning I've felt strongly about being an encourager of homemakers.  We have a VERY important job to do!  I pray that if you are feeling discouraged about your role in the home that God will lead you to my post.  Don't think for a minute that it's just a coincidence...that's how He works sometimes!

I wanted to do a year end review for 2013.  Better late than never right?  I wholeheartedly believe this:

Are you struggling with discontentment?  Don't feel alone!  From time to time we all do.  I've found the best way to combat that is to simply look for things to be thankful for.  A home?  Someone to love?  Food to eat?  Clothes to wear?  A book to read?  A God to worship?  If you look hard enough, I guarantee you can find something to be thankful for and that my friends is victory over discontentment! 

2013 was a tough year with deaths in the family, broken relationships, unfair expectations and a whole lot more but I've got SO much to be thankful for!  If you are reading this, then you are a part of that as well.  So thank you!  Here are some random highlight's from 2013...

Front Porch Modification...

Garden August 2013...

Random Cards from 2013...



Trunk or Treat October 2013...

A Quick Fall Wreath...

Christmas 2013...

Our Best Friends....

Chris and I December 2013...

What are you most thankful for today?

Many Blessings,

Melissa

Catching Up....

It's been a busy time around here and I've severely neglected this blog!  I appreciate those of you who are still stopping by more than I can say and hope that you will continue to do so occasionally!

Here's what I've been up to lately.....

 

A few cards.....

 

A little scrapbooking.....

 

 (Cased from Jen Gallacher as seen here)

A little Copic practicing...

 

A whole lot of reading.....

 

 

I decorated for Valentine's Day but didn't take any pictures.  I also have a few things up for St. Patrick's Day but it isn't much different from year to year so I probably won't post any photos here.  And with Easter being at the end of March this year, I'll swiftly move right into that mode after March 17th.  I'm looking forward to that because Easter is such a blessed time in our home.  I hope you feel the joy of the season as well!

Be on the lookout for several book reviews of things I've recently read and also a special post about participating in sending cards for some WWII Veterans making an Honor Flight in April.

Have a great week!

Wishing you Happiness....

A bright and cheerful wish for happiness....

Quick Little Birthday Card....

 

A sweet little birthday card I made for a friend's daughter's birthday...

Stamping and Scrapping....

I've been doing a lot of stamping and scrapbooking around here lately....

 

 Ray 2012

 

 Chris Baby 1971

  

 Melissa First Day of School 1980...based on a layout I saw on the internet but for the life of me I can't find the original source!

 

Bill Father's Day based on this card!

Have you created anything lately?

Masculine Birthday....

Well, it's been so long since I've posted, I've almost forgotten how to do it!

It's obviously a busy time around here, but I wanted to pop on and post a card I made for a friend for his birthday tomorrow night.  It's similar to the one I made here.....when in doubt, CASE yourself!

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Easter Blessings.....

Good morning!

I hope your holy week is shaping up to be a good one!

I've been busy with projects around the house for Easter and sat down last night and whipped up a couple of cards to share. I broke out a retired stamp set from Stampin' Up! that was still in its packaging....why do I do that?!

I chose to forgo the traditional yellow daffodil look and went with the more modern color palette of the peach. It was also the first time I used the pleated ribbon from Stampin' Up! and LOVE it. I'm definitely getting some more in the other colors they offer! While the overall card and layout is simple, adding some shimmer spray (that did not show up on the camera) and outlining the white flowers with a gray marker really made the image pop.

Have you made anything for Easter this year? I'd love to see it so leave a link in the comment section below so that I can check it out! And be sure to come back tomorrow to see my banner and eggs that I made for this year's decor....

You Rock....

Good morning!

It's a busy day around here, but I wanted to quickly post the card I made for Chris for Valentine's Day this year. I'm sure I've said it before but just in case you missed it, I LOVE VALENTINE'S DAY!

Have a good day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Good morning everyone!

A few weeks ago I went to a class given by a special friend and we made a bunch of love themed projects....a scrapbook page, a treat box, two cards and a sweet little "mailbox"!

It took me some time to figure out which picture to put on my page and I finally decided on the one you see below....

Chris and Melissa July 1993

Chris and I met when we were paired up to walk down the isle together in a wedding. It seemed fitting to use that particular picture on the scrapbook page and to post it on Valentine's Day! :)

Thanks again to Shana for hosting such an awesome class....I'm looking forward to many, many more!

Sweet Treat Cups Take Two.....

Oops! I was away a little bit longer than I expected....I think that's a sure sign that I have a little too much going on around here don't you?

Today's card is one I made with my niece and mom a few weeks ago. It uses the Sweet Treat Cups from Stampin' Up! and has a little trap door to release the candy just like the first set we made. Honestly, the possibilities are endless when it comes to the treat cups!

Have you made anything for Valentine's Day? Leave me a comment and let me know so that I can come by and check it out!

Sweet Treat Cups Take One.....

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!

Days 5 and 6......

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.....

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

Have a good evening!

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

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....

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....

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!