StampinUp

So Sweet

/ Jodi / 26 Comments

pp251

I have always loved mailing cards to family and friends.  It is such a simple way to bring such great joy.

Who doesn’t love receiving a special card or note in the mail amidst all the bills and “junk?”

Electronic communication is quicker and easier and more immediate (and I am all about that!), but knowing that someone took the time to choose, or even better yet make a special card, hand write a note, address the envelope, adhere postage, and take to the mailbox or post office, is quite flattering – right?

My BFF Jill makes the most amazing handmade cards, and I am always so thrilled when I find an envelope in the mail with her handwriting on the envelope.

I hope people feel that way when they receive a card from me.

I hope they feel the love.

I hope they appreciate the time and effort.

I hope it makes them feel special.

That is why it is such a thrill for me to be a Guest Designer for the Design Team at The Paper Players and make a card each week to inspire others to create and share this joy.

pp251 sketch challenge

This week’s challenge is a sketch challenge based on the photo above.  We get to make whatever we want that closely resembles this sketch inspiration.

pp251 inside

I used this as an opportunity to create a “thank you” card.

There are so many people I could send this card to….

I truly believe one of the best ways to feel gratitude is to think of all the special sweet things people do that “make your day.”

It doesn’t have to be something big…

It could be a stranger’s smile…

a word of encouragement…

a compliment…

a gesture of kindness…

The happiest people are those that see and appreciate these cherished moments.

It is so good for the soul to take time to realize these sweet gestures, and even grander when you have the opportunity to reciprocate or give thanks and appreciate.

pp251 flat

So I will look forward to sending this card to a special sweet someone who made my day.

And I hope I’ve inspired you in a small way to show gratitude, appreciate kindness, and cherish the moments.

I used the following materials to create this card:

  • StampinUp Hello Life Stamp Set, Best Day Ever Stamp Set, Bloom with Hope Stamp Set
  • StampinUp Whisper White, Black and Gray Card Stock and Timeless Elegance Designer Series Paper
  • Sakura Koi Water color paint for flower
  • Pearl Embellishments

Wishing you a Sweet Day!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Happy Retirement to a Dear Friend

/ Jodi / 11 Comments

Too Kind Congratulations Retirement Card Bev

Today I will be celebrating the retirement of a sweet friend I work with, and I wanted to make her a special card.

Too Kind Congratulations Retirement Card Bev 2

I used some new DSP (Designer Series Paper) from StampinUp (SU) that has fun polka dots on one side and sweet handwritten happy words on the other side.  I was feeling purpley for my friend and used the SU “Too Kind” Stamp Set to stamp the flowers and my favorite “Sentiment Sampler” from Lil’ Inkers for the Congratulations sentiment.  A couple pearls for embellishment and a few off-balance layers of framing in black finished up my card.

Too Kind Congratulations Retirement Card Bev 3

I sure will miss this workplace “girlfriend”  (as she is famous for calling everyone – expect for the men who she typically fondly referred to as “boyfriends”).

And that she was…

and hopefully will remain…

Everyone’s bestest “girlfriend.”

Happy Retirement Beverly!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Happy Birthday Dad!

/ Jodi / 25 Comments

PP249 Birthday Color Challenge

It’s time for another Paper Players Challenge Guest Designer Post.  This week’s challenge (PP249) is a color theme using Real Red and Blue Shades of Pool Party and Indigo Blue.

pp249

My Dad’s birthday is coming up in a few days, and we are going to visit him today to celebrate, so I thought I would use the opportunity to create a birthday card for him.

PP249 Birthday Color Challenge 3

Instead of using those colors in ink, I used them in creating shapes and cut-outs of some beautiful StampinUp designer series paper (DSP) with the StampinUp Star Framelits Dies.

PP249 Birthday Color Challenge 2

I wanted to give it a bit of a “vintagy” look too, so I sponged each piece with Tim Holtz Tea-Dye Distress Ink.  I popped the stars and sentiment (from Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler) on with some dimensionals.

Looking forward to celebrating Dad’s birthday and Father’s Day with him today.

Love you Dad!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

 

My First Design Team Card for The Paper Players

/ Jodi / 37 Comments

PP248 Masculine Birthday Card By the Tide

This week begins my three-month journey as a Guest Design Team Member for The Paper Players.  I have admired this group of talented individuals for some time now since discovering the hobby of stamping and card making and paper crafting.  I have participated in their challenges over the past year or so when I had a chance, and I always appreciated the kind and fun feedback and encouragement.  I’ve even been recognized and won a few times!  When I got an email asking if I would be interested in being a Guest Designer to inspire others, I was extremely flattered.  Also a little nervous!  I decided to commit for three months, and see how it goes.  If all goes well, I will extend to the six-month commitment requested.  So you will notice I will be posting a card each Sunday morning now that will be an inspiration for others to participate in the weekly challenge.

pp248

This week, for my debut card as a Paper Players Designer, our PP248 Theme is Masculine Card.  I decided to pull out my StampinUp “By the Tide” stamp set as I haven’t used the lobster stamp yet.

PP248 Masculine Birthday Card By the Tide knot

I had some navy blue designer series paper with nautical knots printed on it that I thought would go well, and embellished it with a jute knot to somewhat simulate the design of the paper.  (Anyone know how to do that specific knot or what it really is?)

PP248 Masculine Birthday Card By the Tide flat

I used SU Cherry Cobbler red ink for the lobster and SU Crumb Cake for the sea grass, print and to sponge the edges of all the paper for a more “rugged” look.  I finished it off with silver brads and a tan candy dots on all four corners.

So I’m off and running with ink and paper cutter and stamps as an official “Designer.”  I hope some of my fellow stampers and paper crafters will play along in the challenges.

Happy Sunday!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

Thanks a Latte! (and a Free Card Giveaway)

/ Jodi / 50 Comments

PP246 Thanks a Latte Love Perfect Blend

Any coffee lovers out there??  Do you ever sigh after that first sip of joe in the morning like I do?  Does anything taste better?  (with the exception of red wine after dinner?)  I love my coffee pretty bold (like my wine) with a nice splash of Italian Sweet Cream in it.

I created this card for The Paper Players PP246 Sketch Design Challenge.

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The design was inspired by an awesome card I saw done by Paula Sievers at Stamping with Paula. I don’t often use Designer Series Paper, but I loved how Paula framed and layered it and then cut out the coffee cup and embellished the cup holder with chevron.

I have been wanting to use the StampinUp Perfect Blend Stamp Set and thought it would be so fun to put a lipstick mark on the cup like us ladies get so often.  Can you relate?

PP246 Thanks a Latte Love Perfect Blend

I had another stamp set from Fiskers with this sentiment on and the coffee beans that I thought complemented it and went well with the sketch challenge theme.  Some Gorgeous Grunge “coffee splatters” added just the right finishing touch.

I’d love to give this card away to one of you lovely “lifeinbetweeners” out there.  Leave a comment with your favorite coffee brand, flavor, shop, or how you like your morning java to be entered into a random drawing to win this card.  I’ve left the inside blank so you can write your own special thank you message to the person you choose to send it to.  (Winner will be drawn Sunday, 5/31/15.)

PP246 Thanks a Latte Love Perfect Blend 3

Cheers & Happy Friday Hugs,

Jodi

New York – New York! And the Blogiversary Winner is….

/ Jodi / 38 Comments
albert and jodi

Albert of “Albert’s New York” Blog – Best Tour Guide Ever!

I just returned from a jam-packed three-day trip to New York City.  Two days were spent at a business meeting, but I was also fortunate enough to have some free time to explore the city on my first visit with one of the best tour guides ever… ALBERT!!!!  My buddy from Albert’s New York Blog.  Here we are on the roof top of his apartment building where we had the chance to view the sunset and a beautiful view of the city.

And this little cutie is as charming in real life as he is on his blog.  I hope you will check it out.  I’m guessing you will fall in love with him as I have.   And what a wonderful gift after our loss this week to get to hug and meet this beautiful new friend.

When I found out I was heading to New York, I immediately wrote to Albert and asked if he wanted to meet up and wondered if he had time to show me around.  He and his Lady and Guy were so amazingly gracious to spend the afternoon and evening with me.

I’ll have more to tell and photos to show soon, but for now I promised to announce the winner of my One-Year Blogiversary card today.

PP245 Pleasant Poppies Lots of Thanks

I was so overwhelmed and truly humbled with the response and the amazing comments.  Thank you all so much for all the love!

I asked hubby to pick a number from one to………….  and before I could even give an end number, he firmly stated, “7.”

So the W I N N E R of my One-Year Blogiversary Card is the 7th person to comment – BILLIE MOAN!

Congratulations Billie!  (Please email me your address at mckinneyjodi@gmail.com – and it will be on its way!)

I am back in Mars – and though I adored New York – there really, truly is no place like home.  (even when it’s Mars!)

Happy Friday everyone!

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

 

 

Thank You @ My One Year Blogiversary

/ Jodi / 91 Comments

PP245 Pleasant Poppies Lots of Thanks

On May 18, 2014, I wrote my very first blog post at LifeinBetween.me.  I imagine many of you weren’t with me then…

I just re-read it – and found a TYPO!  Ugh!  I thought about correcting it, but then…. it is what it is…  (Can you find it?)

PP245 Pleasant Poppies Lots of Thanks 3

I’ve posted every day for the past year, and I can’t believe how much I have enjoyed it.  I can’t believe the wonderful friends who have followed me through this and the wonderful friends I have made along the way.

PP245 Pleasant Poppies Lots of Thanks 2

THANK YOU, my 1,150+ friends at LifeInBetween.me for sharing this journey with me!

To thank YOU, I’d like to give away this card I made in honor of the occasion.

It’s not much, but it is from my HeART.

Here’s the plan….

Add a comment to this post letting me know what you enjoy most about LifeInBetween.Me.

Is it the recipes?  the cards?  the “art”work/crafting?   photography?  poetry/writing?  personal stories…?

PP245 Pleasant Poppies Lots of Thanks 4

To all those that comment, I will randomly draw one name to send this blank card to so that you can use it to send to someone to thank them for a thoughtful gesture.

I will allow a few days for comments and draw a winner on Friday.

I had so much fun making this card on a rainy Sunday morning.  I didn’t know where I was going with it or how it was going to turn out, but it evolved into a card I love.

Not only was I inspired by my desire to thank all of you, but The Paper Players Challenge is for a “girly” thank you card, and the Can You Case It Challenge was for May flowers, so I am entering this card into both of these “challenges.”

pp245   CYCI70-300x217

 

 

 

 

For this card, I used the StampinUp Pleasant Poppies Stamp stamped on Typeset Designer Series Paper with Black Stazon Ink, which I “watercolored” with an aqua paint brush using Tangelo Twist, Real Red, and Old Olive Inks.  The sentiment is from StampinUp’s Lots of Thanks stamp set.  I embellished with some linen thread, an antique button, some olive candy dots and a lace doily.  I also used my favorite Lil’ Inkers Stitched Rectangles Die Cut to create the “stiched” rectangles.

I am a StampinUp Hobby Demonstrator, so if you are interested in learning more about StampinUp or ordering products, feel free to let me know.

PP245 Pleasant Poppies Lots of Thanks

Thank you all for a wonderful year of blogging at lifeinbetween.me.  I look forward to sharing more in the coming year, and I hope you will share your thoughts with me.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

A Navy Commissioning Day

/ Jodi / 16 Comments

PP244 World Map Traveler Sea Street and Paper Smooches Sentiment

Today we are celebrating “our” youngest “McHendy” son.

For those of you that know me or have been following along at LifeInBetween.me for a while know that our family has an extended BFF family – our “chosen” family – the Hendersons.  Together we had six kids – two McKinneys and four Hendersons.  We now have eight as two have married, so we have one more McKinney (our amazing daughter-in-law) and one more Henderson (which is actually Kallis now) in our McHendy son-in-law who we also love.

The oldest is Jake McKinney and the youngest is Jake Henderson, so we fondly refer to them as Big Jake and Baby Jake.  (And just for a fun point to know – if Baby Jake was a girl, his name was going to be Jodi – so we have a very special bond.)

Baby Jake just graduated from Penn State this week, and today he is being commissioned into the Navy.  We are so proud of him and are so happy to be celebrating this special day with him.

So today’s card is for our Baby Jake.

The ship (from the StampinUp – SU – Traveler stamp set) represents his Navy branch.  The world map stamped background (SU World Map stamp) represents all the places he may go and see and how the whole world is at his fingertips and ahead of him for his future.  The anchor (from SU Sea Street stamp set) not only represents the Navy, but the anchor of support he has from us – his extended McKinney family, so that he knows we are and always will be here for him.

The colors I chose were for the Color Challenge at The Paper Players Challenge this week:  PP#244.

pp244So here’s to you Jake!

Jill and Jake

“Baby” Jake & His Beautiful Mom, My BFF, Jill

With much pride and hugs and love,

Momma M

Happy Draw a Bird Day!

/ Jodi / 39 Comments

First Bird Drawing and Watercolor Downy Woodpecker

Today is the “official” “unofficial” monthly Draw a Bird Day, and with the support and encouragement of my buddy, Laura at Create Art Every Day and inspiration from Jill at Jill’s Art Journal, I was brave enough to draw and watercolor my very first bird.

I used the photo I took the other day of the downy woodpecker hopping on the back deck as my inspiration.  (Don’t laugh  – – – too much!  It is my FIRST!)

I had a bit of a block about doing this, so first I stamped a bird from the StampinUp Love Life Stamp Set and watercolored it.

love life bird watercolor card

Then, still worried about trying to actually draw something that resembles a bird, I decided to do a silly owl drawing and paint it.  And to be even more fun, I added some nut brown Flower Soft to make fuzzy feathers, a couple of googly eyes, and a linen thread bow.

silly owl watercolor

After doing these is when I allowed myself to try drawing a bird.  I have a long way to go, but I made the first step and drew my first bird.

And it was FUN!

Happy Bird Day Friday!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

May Flowers

/ Jodi / 41 Comments

CYCI 68 Flower Punch Mothers Day Card

There is ONE single joke I can remember to retell, and it is my favorite….

If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?

(ready?!)….

Pilgrims of course!

We have lots to celebrate in May, so I’ll be busy making special cards for a lot of very special people this month, including this  May”flowery” card for a special Mom in my life I fondly refer to as “Mom II.”

Sunday is Mother’s Day – a very special day for those of us who have been blessed with the privilege and honor to be called a “Mom” or “Mum” or “Mother” or “Momma” or “Mommy” or “Mummy” or “Mom II”…

Carole (aka Mom II) is my Dad’s wife.  When I reunited with my (birthfather) Dad five years ago in July, the first thing she said to me after I said “Hello” was, “Your Dad always promised me a daughter.  Now I have one.”  That was followed by a big tight hug from a beautiful, petite woman.  A pretty warm welcome – eh?!

I will never forget that moment.

So this fussy, frilly Mother’s Day card is for Mom II.

The design was inspired by the CanYouCaseIt #68 Sketch Challenge.

CYCI68

And I’m also sharing this card on the Paper Plunge #32 Mother’s Day Theme challenge.

For the card, I used a variety of Stampin Up flower paper punches, Best Day Ever Designer Series Paper, and lots of buttons, pearls, and linen thread.  It was fun to create and flower up!

So Happy Mother’s Day this coming Sunday Mom II!  I hope your day is as special as you!

Cheers & Hugs and Motherly Love,
Jodi