Colors Designs Textures

It's the weekend, and I'm playing with fabrics and papers.

Lately, it's been difficult for Mia and I to get together to create, but today we are planning on an entire creative day! We got a big, fun package in the mail the other day: all of the new stamps and ink and papers and cardstocks and punches we ordered! Put that together with the fabrics and buttons we've been collecting, and well...a new PaperPumpkin adventure begins again! yay! I'm so excited!

Hope you are, too! See you later! xo Kathy

Nothin' Honey

What do you do when you don't feel like doing anything?

I should be exercising or vacuuming. I suppose I could still do those things this evening...but... etsy window shopping and Blog reading sound so much more relaxing and fun and completely irresponsible right now...and that's what I need. ♥

1. Winter Fairy Print by FlorLarios
2. Seedling Gold Necklace by Miabeads
3. Serving Bowl by DarriellesClayArt
4. Royal Dodger Blue cup by CircaCeramics

Last Moments of Mid-Winter Break

Time goes by so quickly. Today is the last day of my vacation.

I relaxed, played with the puppy, didn't do enough cleaning (!), napped, played with the puppy, created, played with PaperPumpkin, read my book, played with the puppy....drank coffee in my jammies and enjoyed my week off from running out the door in the dark. Aaah.

Wishing you all a peaceful Sunday and a wonderful start to a brand new week. Thank you for visiting with me.

~Kathy

A Trip to the City...

Michael and I had originally intended to go to the Botanical Gardens in Buffalo yesterday evening, but when the Lake Effect Snow got bad, and the driving worsened enough at heavy-traffic time, we decided to be more spontaneous a bit closer to where we were!

We stopped in at an awesome diner, Lake Effect Diner ( how cool is that?), which is actually quite famous now, and a place we'd never been to before. We had a delicious cup of coffee and shared potato pancakes (because I craved them all of a sudden-weird, I know, but they were scrumptious, too).

Then we braved the blowing snow once more for a walk across the street to an irresistible Buffalo Bookstore, Talking Leaves Books. I LOVE books, so this was a huge thrill for me. I kept smiling. I stood in one place and just gazed all around, with my hands still in my pockets, trying to decide where I should begin opening pages first. Ahhhh.

I actually purchased a book that I would never have predicted I would have been so incredibly attracted to since I'm not usually such a history buff. It's The Hemingses of Monticello, by Pulitzer prize winning author/historian Annette Gordon-Reed. How fascinating to be reading the details of lives 250-300 years ago about a time that was so devastatingly sad but should never be forgotten. Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. I was hooked and wanted to devour this book instantly.

Next, we drove a very short distance to Shango, a restaurant that is so wonderful, not just for the amazing food, but for the warmth of the atmosphere. A glass of riesling, an appetizer of avocado rolls and salad with fresh greens, walnuts, and yummy natural dressing, and then chicken and cheesy pasta for my entree. Oooh, I over-ate. But the candle was so nice and the music was so addictive and the heat was on, making me feel all toasty...We had such a good time.

Back to pick little Ellie up from Grama Z's. She was a puppy who was happy to see us again!

(I promise I'll clean and organize better today...!) ~Kathy

Time to Get Organized...Again

With all of the tearing down and building up of walls, etc, my home is in a complete state of disarray. It really is time to try to go through, little by little, focus, and organize this mess. Yuck. I really dislike mess, but I really dislike taking the time to organize it. What a quandry I am in...and on my vacation week, too! Wish me luck...please. Ugh...the piles...

Some organizing goodies to help motivate:

1. Fabric Organizer Bin-Basket by JPatPurses

2. Thistle Push Pin Set by PaperPumpkin

3. Bee Buzz Magnet & Tin Set by PaperPumpkin

Reading the Signs of Love

Do you ever get a "sign"?
Maybe from someone you loved and lost?
I believe, and I get them.

Yesterday I was sitting in front of my new windows
to the world, seeing the white snow covering everything
like a perfect white blanket.
'All this needs to be perfect,' I said,
'Is a red cardinal amidst all of this white.'


"Dad?", I asked my father, who has been gone for many
years, but is missed every day,
"Hi, Dad. Could you send me a bright red cardinal
to say hi to me?"

A short time later, still while I sat in the white windows,
I looked up and saw it.

There was a beautiful red cardinal.
He made sure I saw him,
Then looked my way, and flew.

But he'll always be nearby.

Thanks, Dad.
Happy Valentine's Day to you, too.♥

~Kath xo


This perfect photo is by ara133photography.etsy. I love this. My picture though, is held in my ♥

Cupcakes Are...

... Good for you. Wishing you the sweetest day!♥

Left: ummyum hot cocoa flavor of the month cupcake!

Center: by JennysBakeShop

Right: fabric magnets by PaperPumpkin!

Shutterbug!

The contractors surprised us both when they showed up this morning. I wanted you to be the first to see: the shutters are up! The shutters are up!

They're charcoal gray.

Now, I guess you all won't be up for throwing a shutter party today, but if you do, please let me know. I AM excited.

Happy weekend!

PS. If you want, you can scroll down to the Jan 25th post to see it BEFORE the shutters!♥

Lavender Love

Can't help myself.

Top Left: two purple hearts by baumcat

Top Right: Jar of Love No. 33 by GollyBard

Bottom Left:I Love The Way You Love Me Belt by BareTree

Bottom Right: Heart Felt Ornament by KISMET1990