Kristens Krazies

...Sunny Days Everythings..A-OK.......

Riley, Mom and I went for a ride today (can you tell I hate staying home??) We drove through CT (big surprise) and actually went to Button Wood Farm in Griswold. Every year for the past 3 years they have been planting over 300,000 sunflowers and they have a big fund raising event and all the proceeds go to the CT Make a Wish foundation. This year they raised over $68 k. How cool is that? I love sunflowers, they have to be one of my favorite flowers, they seem so happy and cheerful. I mean when you see sunflowers, you think of summer, sunshine, and cupcakes (just kidding about the cupcakes)

So you can imagine the happiness while we were outside on this gorgeous day. I only wish that we had been able to make it down before the torrential rains of the past few days, and see the majority of them standing upright, because of all the rain they were a little droopy, but as you can see, a little droop still doesn't take away from the beauty....if only I could say that about myself...lol

...God Bless America....

No witty sarcasm today, no tongue in cheek comments, time for a little seriousness. Since the beginning of the war there have been 3,653 soldiers killed. We were out driving today and in Oxford at a church on their front lawn there was a flag for each one of these soldiers. We got out of the car and Riley and I walked around looking at each flag, and the meaning of each one was a little overwhelming to me. You see and hear about it on the news, but to see this symbol and know that each flag represents a life is a little humbling.

As Riley was walking she was asking questions and she said "each one of these flags is a boy or girl who fought for us, to keep us safe and then they died right?" Right "That's a lot of people Mom" ,yes it is Riley, she then stopped for a minute, looked up and said, "I think thats too many people" Yes it is Riley........

...Doodlebug Designs....

              

OK, so I am usually not one for cutesy paper, really girlie girl or anything like it. BUT, How can you not love this new paper from Doodlebug Designs. I am sort of obligated to love it because it has one of my all time favorite color combinations, and to those colors I must be true. Secondly, it has cupcakes on it, and well I don't think I really need to explain again just how I feel about that....They also have a blue/teal/green combination for the boys, but seeing as how I am all about girls these days I didn't buy any of it. Although Wendy did buy the boy themed paper,,perhaps she is stocking up for sometime in the future. (But no pressure there at all Wendy,, none at all ) I am sure I am coming late to the party when it comes to Doodlebug, Wendy has been a huge fan for a long time and now I can finally see why. So thank you Wendy for opening my doodlebug eyes..

Are you ready? Another confession is about to commence.. I am a hoarder, a craft supply hoarder, I see things in the stores, I love them, then I don't want to use them.. I hoard, I buy 3 sheets of every paper I see, just in case on the way home one of them meets with a tragic end , perhaps an Iced Coffee accident or, fly out the window that I have so carelessly left open,, no this has never happened , but it could, I mean you have never seen a pig fly, but I am sure in this day and age it is possible. I try not to hoard,  that is why I buy double, some times triple, So that I can use some, save some and covet that last piece. I know that its just not right, I try not to , but when I make a card,, are you ready for this because its a doozy ?? In my mind I have to deem you worthy of that particular piece of paper,, Arghh,, how sick is that ?? Its paper,, 12 x 12 paper, nothing world changing, but to me there is a certain comfort in knowing that I have stacks and stacks of 12 x 12 surrounding me..sometimes, only sometimes,, that knowledge is a wee bit better than a cupcake.....

...Happy Fall Y'all......

So what else is there to do on a sweltering day, when the temperature reached over 95 degrees,, turn my thoughts to the cool crisp days of Fall. My mother would kill me if she knew I used purple and green in a Halloween card, because those are NOT Halloween colors!! Although I have many many Halloween stamps, this set has got to be my absolute favorite! Alas A Howling Good Time has long since retired, I just can not bring myself to put it away and stop using it. I should have perhaps used a ruler on the faux stitching around the edges, or even perhaps that handy dandy brandy new sewing machine that seems to collect more dust every time I look at it. But you know when the inspiration strikes you just roll with it. Can I say I just love my corner punch as well as the photo corner punch, I expect you will see alot more rounded edges in my cards as well as an overload of photo corners. I always tend to go overboard with my new toys and I am sure this will be no exception. So officially there are many days to go until the beginning of Fall, but I swear I can smell the leaves and apple pie baking..or maybe perhaps it is just my Yankee Candle Apple Crisp tart burner... had to get in the mood you know........

Like you didn't already know this but......According to Kathy

<------ Thats me!! I rock.

She has awarded me with the highly prestigious Rockin Girl Blogger Award..

First off I would like to thank Kathy for this honor (make sure you check out her blog, she is one crafty lady) and the academy and my producers and the excellent cast of charachters that inspire me on a daily basis. I must admit, when I started this blog, I had no idea that millions and millions (ok maybe that is an exaggeration,, more like 10 of you ) would be reading this and commenting on it. When I got my first comment from a person that was not related to me, I was so happy I called all my family and told them that somebody was actually reading my blog...... So now here I am with this amazing award, an extremely inflated head,, and I must call my agent,, now that I am an award winner, I must be worth something a little more..... And now to pay it forward.. I award this Rocking Girl Blogger Award to the following 5 lovely ladies:

Doreen - Probably one of the most inspiring women I know these days....

Emily - Super talented and I never leave her blog with out wanting to CASE something

Cathy  - Makes me laugh out loud on a daily basis

Emily - Another craft lady who just might love cupcakes more than I do  (if thats possible)

Cambria - Never fails every time I go to her blog, I end up running out to buy something

So here is to us., the Rockin Girl Bloggers... next round is on me........

...I'm Here.... Well Almost... Well no not really....

First off there are 113 days until Little Miss Patience's arrival, but as you can see I am completely impatient and totally in the baby zone...my poor sister is not going to know what hit her come November, I am a women obsessed...

Secondly, can I just say how much I love this Stampin Up set "I'm Here". I love the hand print it is so realistic. I used SU Pink Passion and Positively Pink inks and papers. A little bit of sheer pink ribbon and a flower charm. The tag is from CVS and they are just the yard sale price tags (super cheap and super cute find!!)

Now I am a lover of all things pink so you can imagine how ecstatic I am that Jamie is having a girl..besides the fact that I have 7 years of clothing to get rid of!! LOL

....Give peace a chance......

I was just forwarded this picture by "She who shall not be named" and I thought I would share it with you. Can you see her ??? LOL ,, I am guessing that she is one of those people...This was taken at the Portland Peace Festival on July 14. Pretty cool huh ??

Heres another picture from way up high in the sky..... What a gorgeous view,, almost makes me want to move back,, almost but not quite........I remember the winters!!

...Kristen Needs.....

I have seen this on a lot of blogs lately, what you do is you go to google and search your name with needs after it  "Kristen Needs" and see what it comes up with.. Here's my list.. now go off and do yours,,, you will laugh, I guarantee it!!!!

"Kristen Needs..."

...To Rethink the top.......

..Someone with her at all times to make sure she keeps breathing......

....Our Vote.......

..to practice big fun in the sun solo.........

...a shower........

...to be Jessica's shadow.... (This one is super funny b/c of she who will not be named)

And my all time favorite:

...To lay her egg.......

Told you they were funny!!!

....You are cordially Invited......

To help me celebrate the fact that I am done with these invitations!! Yeah!!! Although I must admit, I have lost some of my fondness for the Scallop Punches and Purple cardstock and don't even get me started on my feelings about Rhinestones. I made these for my cousin Wendy's bridal shower. I can't say that I don't love this card,, I do,, I just didn't love making it so many times. You ever wonder what people think when they open the envelope, I know every time I get a card in the mail (hint hint everyone!! something big this ways comes..in 19 days hmmm I wonder ??) I look it over and over, most times trying to figure out how they made it, or what colors they used, I have even taken really cool store made cards and pulled them all apart to duplicate the pattern ( I know it's really a sickness), but anyway back to other people, I tend to think of anything I make as an extension of myself, so when people open the envelope I want them to oohh and ahhh, wonder how I made it, is that a little egotistical? Probably but hey, I never claimed to be perfect..................just really really damn close!!

....Hanging up the spoon.....

Hello again,, I actually haven't written in a bit and I actually was scolded because of it. Truth be told, nothing exciting has been happening. We have just been hanging around the house, laying low...But today we actually ventured off the front porch and went somewhere. Into the big city...Worcester, which in itself is an adventure. The Childrens Fund was having a small ice cream festival and Riley was in all her glory...10 different Ice Cream places,, all you can eat,, kids free....can it get any better??? Riley started off with a bang,, first cup,, no problem,,, second cup got carried around until it melted..and the third and final cup was Birthday Cake,, the Holy Grail of Ice Cream for anyone under 12..its cake, its ice cream, its sprinkles,, its "the best thing ever",, Riley got about two bites in when she looked up at Andy and told us she was "Hanging up the Spoon" she was done...all done....as we were walking to the car she told us she was all done with ice cream for atleast 12 week...as we were crossing the street it went down to 4 weeks,, as we were driving home she asked us if we would stop at the Ice Cream Barn for some orange sherbert...when I reminded her that she told us she had hung up the spoon, she told me, "Well just cause I hung it up,,doesn't mean I can't take it back down and use it again".......