Journaling Joy

Sometimes it's the craziness in life that makes it interesting.

I have always thought of the ebb and flow of life as a roller coaster ride. The tough times pass, the good times blow through and wind around...and come back again.

I'm always grateful for the simple smiles.



(This was a bit of stamping, a bit of sketching with fine point sharpies, and some paint dabbling with punchinella, stencils and fat brushes. Very relaxing.)

Joy to you!

~Kath

Some PaperPumpkin Play

Our shop underwent a bit of an update!

I'm really thrilled about PaperPumpkin's new shop banner. Michelle made it, come see here!

I did a little bit of this

and a little bit of that

and came up with a few new fabric goodies to brighten the shop up.

It was really fun!

I was so happy to be able to take photos with real sunshine

though our temperature outside is only slightly above zero degrees F.

Tonight it will go below zero,

but I'll be cuddled up by then...

* Ellie pup woke up this morning with a swollen face! Have any of you had a similar experience with your dog? After 2 doses of benadryl, she is much better, but we think it was a spider bite on her right cheek. (What are the spiders doing awake in this sub-zero weather, anyway?)

♥

Enjoy the new week!

Playing WIth New Inks

I got a few new inks in favorite colors and played around with them the other day. Today I just had to write...

Looking forward to this weekend and to playing with lots of goodies in my PaperPumpkin room!

Wishing you a fun and inspiring, artful weekend, friends! ~Kath

Here's to 50!

Surprise! Wow, was I ever surprised!

My family: me, brother Mike, Nephew Jimmy, Mom in front, Sister-in-law Suzy, Brother Jim!

Friends♥

A surprise art board with my very favorite friends and artists: EriKa, Lori, and Danita! Wow! They made me special cards and greetings! I was so touched, that after I got over the shock, I cried. (And, you all knew about all of this before me!!)

♥

The whole beginning of the party was a slide show of my whole life in photos, even from when I was a baby and a little girl, all the way through! Wow. I realized (as we all were tearing up) that my life of 50 years, so far, has been rich and full. No sad now about turning 50, and no regrets!

My kids! Drew, me, Mia/Michelle and her fiance, Kevin!

The Girls!

Childhood friends!

Longtime friends, neighbors, and yoga partners: Ashley and Kathy with me.♥

Michelle and my mother-in-law made such amazing cupcakes!! 50! ♥ I LOVE this!

My friend and neighbor, Kath, with me!

My family of 4, blowing out the candles with Aunt Sue.

My garage!

Wow! Thank you for showing me again what love I have in my life.

My Drawer...

...of tapes.

It has become the new obsession after paper and fabric. It's just too much fun. Tape Bliss.

It is so very cold and snowy here, that I just want to cocoon and....tape.

Snowflake Kids!

I love the hallways in school, thanks to our incredible art teacher and students!  I just had to show you:

Now this is the way to enjoy winter!  Happy Friday everybody!  ~Kath xo

Journaling...Happy Unhappy Self

I have some conflicting feelings I guess.
I'm happy with my life, but unhappy with myself.
I like being busy, but I am too busy right now.
I want to sit and relax, but I can't sit still.
I am a morning person, but I am tired when my alarm goes off.
I am shy, but I am spilling my guts...
What's up with me?

Oh, I know.

I love birthdays, but my big one is coming.
I bet that's it!

Rats. That's not good. No, that can't be good.

Oh well, can't change it.  Better be glad about it.

Okay, how's this:
I don't want to get old, but I am grateful that I am able to grow older.
Hmmmm,  that seems to fit.
Okay, I'll be better now.

I think.