A Bad Storm...stirs up memories!

When a bad storm blows into Kansas City, I get nervous. This one arrived several weeks ago. It takes me back many years ago to when we lost 60% of our homes to a tornado. I watched it blow over these very homes. The end of the street, 3 houses from us, there was no longer a house. I remember when the tornado, by an act of God, went over our home. It lifted for just a moment before hitting the street to the West of us. All the sound in our home was gone. We were in the eye of the tornado. It was the scariest silence I have ever heard. The house shook like we were in a washing machine. My ears popped from the pressure. We couldn't hear all the upstairs bedroom doors flying shut or the pictures crashing to the floor. We braced ourselves and wished we had blankets or bike helmets for the kids...we did even have shoes on. The clean up was a long process in our neighborhood and most of our neighbors rebuilt and stayed. It was the first Sunday in May when this happened...and even though it was many years ago, it seems like yesterday. It is funny how you look at things differently after living through such a crazy event. Spring time always makes me cautious of bad weather and storms stir up memories that I like to tuck in the back of my closet. I am thankful, these pictures were of just a storm...nothing more, nothing less.

Here is a welcome to our home...card. It is an interactive card. Step-by-step directions for it are on Spotted Canary. I took step-out-photos of the how-to-process. I haven't checked the Spotted Canary site to see if they are on it. But if they aren't, I will add them on my blog. It is funny how important a home is and the things we put in it. But, what is most important is the people that live in it. Be Safe this storm season and take your shoes to the basement when the sirens blare.

Kara

Mother's Day 2009

It has taken me awhile to post Mother's Day 2009. I am behind with the times! This is the card I created for the Inkadinkado website.


http://www.inkadinkado.com/shop/pc/viewContent.asp?idpage=1


I made it with my favorite stamp and my favorite watercolor set. I love Winsor & Newton Watercolors! They just have the nicest color palette. I stamped the bird on watercolor paper by Canson. I like the texture of the paper. For the supply list and how to details visit the Inkadinkado website.

I spent Mother's Day celebrating Sutton's 8th birthday. He was born on Mother's Day and the next time we will share the day, is when he will turn 16. Heartbreaking! We went out for Mother's Day the night before the actual day. We went to The Plaza for dinner at the yummy Cheesecake Factory. My dear husband let me get a ring for Mother's Day at my favorite blue box store. We walked The Plaza and window shopped. I love the the credit card dress in the store window. My daughter made a quick looky look at Betsy Johnson. It was a perfect evening and a lovely Mother's Day!

My kids got a kick out of the Ward Parkway sign...because it said "Ward"....they determined it was their street!

Kara

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing weekend with family and friends. We had a quickly planned BBQ and watched the fireworks from the Liberty Memorial. It was a lovely time! I created this party invitation for a soldier coming home. It seemed appropriate for Memorial Day. You mail out the invitation along with pre-made corsages. Each attendee wears a corsage to the party to show how proud they are of the hero in their life! Happy Memorial Day!

Idea and directions on Spotted Canary......

A Favorite Project....

Created for Spotted Canary, a few worn book pages, butterfly stamps, and a white frame with chipboard in it. It is an easy project with a lovely vintage flair. The priceless photo of the little girl is my friend Nay-Nay's daughter. I always think it is Alexis but I am always wrong. It is Brianna her twin sister. For directions and supplies log onto :

http://www.spottedcanary.com/

This project is under my username....Studio Pink. I know you are surprised by that. Don't forget to invite me to be your friend, once you have registered.

Birthday Boy!

Deck out head-to-toe in Cardinal attire, from his Uncle Ronnie...this boy is now 8! He celebrated it with a few neighbor friends and LEGOS.

The invitations where delivered. I made them with scraps of cardstock and a circle punch. Directions for the invitations are on Spotted Canary.http://www.spottedcanary.com/ I am loading them today.

I know I am a paper crafter and not a cake artist. But this was my best effort at a Lego cake. LOL. The red frosting , no matter how much food coloring you use, is always pink! I frosted over OREO cookies to make the knobs on the Legos! Poor cake it is kind of pathetic but Sutton thought is was perfect so I guess that is all that matters.

Yes, he was very excited!!!!!

His dad was kind enough to take the boys miniature golfing. I didn't have to go! I felt like I won the lottery. He was worn out afterwards!

I had other party games planned...guess how many Lego's, Lego scavenger hunt with flash lights, and a scoop of Lego's and timer for building. All of that went out the window, when Sutton opened his presents. Each boy had brought him a new Lego kit to build. That is all they wanted to do! Finally about 9 o'clock they decided to play hide-n-seek and used the flashlights. They hid in pairs because I am sure they were scared of the dark in our basement, but wouldn't let anyone know it!


The youngest party guess...Mr. M. He lights up a room when he comes in it!!!!

The boys that play together as soon as school is out each day! Mr. J had a football injury and no, his eye normally doesn't look like that! Poor baby!!!! He said he didn't care, he just really wanted to come to the party!

More party news coming.....Miss Hayden turned 12 on the 20Th-heartbreaking!

Kara

The Book Book...on Spotted Canary

My dear friend, Tammy, works at a local library. She gave me several Old Reader's Digest Books that were not going to be cataloged and put in the libraries circulation. Bonus for me...I gutted this one and added canvas pages. The handles made it easy to carry around and it looked more like a purse. The papers on the cover of the book are from the Life's Journey Line....delicious! I even added a journaling pocket to the back cover...you could add old letters, memorabilia, or a CD of photos. It is a family keepsake, housing photos from the past to the present. To get a supply list and directions you can find it on Spotted Canary.

http://www.spottedcanary.com/ look under Studio Pink (my username)

I am happy to announce I am on their Creative Team!

Post your work on the site too....I enjoy seeing what you are working on. Make sure to add me on your Friend List or email me your username. But, most of all....have fun creating something new and sharing you work with a supportive group of crafters. We flock together on Spotted Canary because we share a love of creating!

Kara