About Stamp with Jini

My name is Jini Merck and I'm a Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator. I love being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, not only do I get to be creative every day, I also get to be a creative coach, offering fresh project ideas and encouragement to my customers and friends. For me, helping someone create that perfect project for a special occasion is the best feeling in the entire world. After all, creating cards, scrapbook pages, and gift items is about more than just stamps and ink—it’s about sharing a part of yourself with the people in your life. I live in Clarkesville which is in the North Georgia Mountains with my husband and two children. Although my family keeps me busy I enjoy the creativity of stamping and crafts and the fellowship stamping brings into my life. Spending time creativing cards and gifts for friends and family has been one of my favorite hobbies over the years.

NEW Classes

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Want to learn a fun new technique? Why not check out my April Technique Class?

Bubble Technique Tuesday Class:

You’ll always get to make both a card and a handy reference guide during my technique classes.

Tuesday, April 22nd at 6:30 p.m.

Class Fee $10 ($5 Refundable towards a minimum $25 order at class)

Contact me to hold your spot

Check out my Calendar of Events or Click HERE to see my flyer with details.

Soho Card Set Stamp Camp

I know that this class is in May, but with the retirement list just around the corner (on April 21st) you’ll want to check out the Class Bundle Option now and save your spot today.

Class includes 4 cards and a holder to keep them in and makes a lovely gift set. Instructions will be included and all supplies are included except Snail Adhesive.

Monday, May 19th at 6:30 p.m.

Cost $30 ($20 refundable towards a minimum $25 order at class)

Class Bundle Option: Four Frames Stamp Set & Decorative Label Punch Bundle

Wood $52 or Clear $46

(Bundle includes class fee, stamp set and punch)

Click HERE for my Calendar of Events or Click HERE for my flyer with details

LAST DAY FOR WEEKLY DEALS

There are just a few more hours before this week’s Weekly Deals end. Don’t miss out on your chance to order your favorites.

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code JZT4F3FZ

Birthday Card Contest – Click HERE for details

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Serene Silhouettes

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

I love the soft look of a watercolor wash behind an stamped image and the Serene Silhouettes stamp set is perfect for this technique.

Silhouette images are great for all kinds of techniques and the Serene Silhouettes has a wonderful selection of nature based images so it is great for all kinds of occasions and year round use. I happened to use the Afternoon Picnic Designer Series Paper as my color inspiration for this card, but can you image it done with a bolder pallet for sunset instead of sunrise?

And if you need a very versatile ribbon try our Whisper White 5/8″ Organza Ribbon. I know that it is Whisper White, but because of the nature of the ribbon it lends itself to all kinds of colors. The sheer portion of the ribbon allows it to adapt even when using Very Vanilla as the neutral. So why not try it out – I think you’ll be surprised with the results.

Notice the pop of color in the lower right hand corner of the card? Did you say, Candy Dots? If so you are right, these happen to be the color Wisteria Wonder from the Subtles Collection of Candy Dots. Just perfect when you want a little something!

Stepping back in time with Undefined

Yesterday I shared with you the card and cake I made for my son’s birthday this week and I told you I’d dig out my project from high school. Well, I found it under my stack on my desk! I’ve been meaning to share it with you since January. (Thus the fact it was under a stack on my desk. LOL!)

I made this in my art class during my freshman year of high school. It was during our printing unit – we did all kinds of cool mediums and then printed them in different ways. You can see I’m no artist, but I’ve always loved art class and wanted to be an art teacher when I was little, so I took every class I could in school. Oh, wait I guess I am sorta… after all I teach stamping!

Here is the linoleum carving – As you can see I was into mermaids in the late seventies. Hmmmm… maybe that had something to do with the Disney movie at the time – oops… I’m dating myself!

And here is the print that I made using the linoleum. For this print we brayered (is that a word?) on the acrylic ink and then layer the paper on top running a clean brayer over the top.

It’s a bit ragged, but it’s held up pretty well for it’s age I guess. Looks like I’ve got another project on my list of to dos – going through my old childhood boxes.

And here we did prints with a background of tissue paper.

As you can see, this makes me think of how much that stamping really has in common with my old art class days. We use a lot of the same concepts and procedures in our stamping. And Stampin’ Up! has made it sooo easy for all of us to be a successful stamping artist with the products found in our catalogs. It’s not just stamping folks – It allows us all to tap into that creative nature we all have inside us and maybe even forgot about!

If you’d like to tap into your forgotten inner artist, learn stamping techniques with me, and live locally why not check out my technique classes on my Calendar of Events? You too can join in the fun and become a stamping artist too.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Serene Silhouettes (132073/127324)

Inks: Basic Gray (121044), Wisteria Wonder (126985), Blushing Bride (131172), and Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin’ Pad (131298)

Paper: Afternoon Picnic Designer Series Paper (131390), Shimmery White (101910), Crisp Cantaloupe (131298), and Wisteria Wonder Card Stock (122922),

Accessories: Subtles Candy Dots (130933), Whisper White 5/8″ Organza Ribbon (114319), Aqua Painters (1039654), and Stampin’ Spritzer (126185),

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code JZT4F3FZ

Click Here to learn more about using the Hostess Code

Birthday Card Contest – Click HERE for details

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, April 7th, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Undefined Birthday

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Earlier this week I mentioned that it was my son’s birthday on April 1st. Over the years, I’ve often wondered if the joke was on me since our son has given me an education through the years as his interests have changed that I didn’t expect. I’ve made up bed time stories about building a gazebo with Norm, learned all the names of the tools in my local Sears, and the difference between a backhoe and a front loader. Not exactly things that I’d ever thought I’d need to know – but motherhood is full of surprises.

What does this have to do with an Undefined Birthday? Well, when Stampin’ Up! introduced the Undefined Stamp Carving Kit I knew it would be something that I could use. In this house we don’t always have the image I need for that someone special.

So this year I knew I had it knocked and could create what I needed with the Undefined Stamp Carving Kit (item133402).

Here is what I came up with for our son, Johnathan’s birthday. I started with the cake since I knew that that would take some time to dry. (I used royal icing to create the design. It didn’t dry completely so you’ll notice it cracked a bit.) And the special cake is really his favorite part of the day.

I simply went online and found an image that I thought would be fairly easy to recreate for both the cake and the stamp carving.

It took a little bit of time and there is nothing like waiting until the last minute, but I had just what I needed and knew my son would love it! Really I was surprised how quickly it went once I started carving. (I just kept reminding myself as I went along that what I left would show up as the black and what was gone wouldn’t show up.)

And here is the inside of the card, notice the bullets at the bottom that I carved also? Larry wasn’t sure he thought they looked like bullets, but Johnathan said he knew what they were from the context of the card. LOL

And I’m sure those of you who watched movies in the 70s recognize where I took the sentiment from. LOL

Johnathan’s gift consisted of a new shirt, (since I know he won’t buy his own) and a DVD set of guess who.

He didn’t say it, he just did his usually grunt, but I know he was tickled when he saw the cake since he immediately took a photo and texted it. With that quick move I knew I’d made the kid’s day!

Do you need that special image you can’t find? Why not give our Undefined Stamp Carving Kit a try? Bring out the inner artist in yourself. It is easy to do – just draw or google an image, trace, and carve. Remember our old art class days from school? I know I did one of these for printing back in the old days. Hmmm…. I’ll have to dig that out of my school day stash and share with you one day.

And better yet you can get refills for the kit. Yippie! I believe I need one for my daughter’s birthday at the end of the month. Try and find a flute!

Since birthdays are a big deal here in our house during the spring I’m holding a Birthday Card Contest. Joining in the fun is easy. Just send me a handmade birthday card and be entered to win a cute birthday stamp set from my stash!

I’ll be sharing these cards here on my blog and on my face book page Stamp with Jini – so why not stop by and like my page?

Here are the details:

1. Contest ends April 29th, 2014 (My daughter’s birthday, yikes!)

2. Make a birthday card using Stampin’ Up! or My Digital Studio (Or even a combination of both!)

3. Place a sticky note on the inside with your name, address, email, and phone number so I know how to contact you when you win.

4. All cards will be donated to my Caring with Cards program which includes Hospice, Ronald McDonald House and Operation Write Home.

5. Mail the card to me

Jini Merck

2320 Dooley Rd.

Clarkesville GA 30523

On May 1st I’ll be announcing the winner of my Birthday Card Contest here on my blog!

Supplies:

Inks: Jet Black StazOn Ink Pad (101406) and Pumpkin Pie (126945)

Paper: Basic Black (121045), Pumpkin Pie (105117), and Whisper White Card Stock (100730)

Accessories: Undefined Stamp Carving Kit (133402), Circle Collection Framelits (130911), Blender Pens (102845)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code JZT4F3FZ

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, April 7th, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

New Digital Downloads

Pop ‘n Cuts Easter Treat

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

I love to use the Card Base Pop ‘n Cuts Die to create all kinds of projects. So when I was playing with the Eggstra Spectacular stamp set the other day working on my Mini File Folder Gum Holder (click HERE to see more about that project) I couldn’t resist pulling it out to play with – and voila!

The holder holds a square of Ghirardelli chocolate. (I found these special ones for Easter at my local Ingles that are just too cute with the little images on them.)

Don’t you just love the soft colors from the Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper? Mmm… subtles, I love the soft spring color pallet, it’s my personal happy place and after this winter I think we’re all looking forward to spring!

I’ve used my Blender Pen and Smoky Slate Classic Stampin’ Pad to color the little lamb along with an assortment of Stampin’ Write Markers for the basket of eggs. And the Island Indigo Chevron Ribbon belly band just slides off and allows you to open your treat –

I really like the way that this turned out and so I thought I would share with you how to make them in this week’s video. I hope you’ll enjoy it.

I won’t keep you waiting any longer – here is my Pop ‘n Cuts Easter Treat

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Eggstra Spectacular (133068/133071)

Inks: StazOn Jet Black Ink Pad (101406) and Smoky Slate Classic Stampin’ Pad (131179)

Paper: Watercolor Wonder Series Paper Stack (132994), Gumball Green (126840), Island Indigo (122923), Smoky Slate (131202), and Whisper White Card stock (100730)

Accessories: Card Base Pop ‘n Cuts Die (130099), Circles Collection (130911) and Ovals Collection Framelits (129381), Island Indigo ¾” Chevron Ribbon (131151), Whisper White Baker’s Twine (124262), 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch (118874), 1 ¾” Circle Punch (119850), Paper-Piercing Tool (126189), and Stampin’ Pierce Mat (126199), Assorted Stampin’ Write Markers, Blender Pens (102845), Simply Scored Scoring Tool (122334), Craft Scissors (108360), Sticky Strip (104294), and Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

Non-Stampin’ Up!: Ghirardelli ® Spring Impression chocolates

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code JZT4F3FZ

Birthday Card Contest – Click HERE for details

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, April 7th, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

More Swaps, Weekly Deals, and Digital Downloads

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Happy April Fools Day! can you believe how quickly the year is going by? And it’s no joke!

Twenty-Two years ago today I was in the hospital, getting every April Fools joke you can think of about labor – while in labor with our first child. The time has flown by and he is now 22! Yikes. So on my agenda today is creating something special for his birthday that I’ll be sharing with you later this week.

Meanwhile, I told you yesterday that I would share more of the cards that I received from my friends during this month’s meeting. So here are two more from my friends Anna and Janie.

This first card is clean and simple and uses the stamp set Lots of Thanks (129687/129690) along with our monochromatic Designer Series Paper, Modern Medley (126926).

If you are looking for a great place to start your stamping a monochromatic Designer Series Paper is a great place to start. This card uses just three items, Very Vanilla and Basic Black Card stock and Ink. Along with your favorite stamp set and you can create a ton of clean and classic cards.

This second card is for the Big Shot lover in us all and uses the Oh,Hello stamp set (131931/130733).

This card is fun and filly and for the girl in all of us. Janie uses the Dress Up Framelits (130101) for the focal point along with the Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack (132996). Too cute right? I love the little pearl necklace and the Coastal Cabana 3/8″ Ruffle Stretch Trim.

NEW WEEKLY DEALS

Check out this week’s great deals! Click HERE to see them all.

NEW Digital Downloads for April 1st

We have two new Digital Downloads just released today – Why not check them both out?

This first one is just in time for your Easter projects – if you love this great little stamp set from the Occasions Catalog, you’re really going to love this Digital Downloads

Eggstra Spectacular (137912)

Stop by tomorrow when I’ll be sharing my latest video tutorial using this stamp set.

Have a quirky sense of humor? Or know someone who does? How fitting for today – April Fools Day! The Fine Print Greeting Card Templates (137911) will make that special someone take a second look! Check them all out and get a chuckle.

Click HERE to see all the latest My Digital Downloads.

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code JZT4F3FZ

Click Here to learn more about using the Hostess Code

Birthday Card Contest – Click HERE for details

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, April 7th, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

New Digital Downloads

Making a Point

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

What is your favorite part of stamping? Is it being creative? Making cards for family and friends? Creating gifts to give someone? One of my favorite parts of being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator is getting together with others who share my love of stamping and learning from each other.

Once a month we have a meeting where we demos come together. These ladies have become wonderful friends, who’s friendships I cherish. After all where else can you walk into a room, not know anyone, and speak the same language? A stamping event of course! Stamping is the bond that ties us even though we come from all walks of life. How cool is that, right?

The fun of these meetings include swapping ideas – want to see some of the cards I received? Well here are two –

This first one is from Marni and is done in Melon Mambo. She used the fun Making a Point Hostess Set (133056/133059) from the Occasions Catalog as the focal point of this card. If you knew Marni you’d know she just loves shoes, so this is so her! Do you recognize the Washi Tape? Well, it is part of the Gingham Garden Designer Washi Tape (129134).

This second card is from Bonnie and it uses one of my favorite stamp sets from the 2013 Catalog, Wetlands (126695/126697). I especially love the font used for the sentiments in this set. A great guy card, right? And don’t you love the bright cheerful colors she used?

Stop back tomorrow when I’ll be sharing another card I received from the team swap.

If getting together with others who love to stamp sounds like something you may enjoy – why not think about joining my Team, The Blue Mountain Stampers. Not only will you be able to meet new friends, but you’ll be part of my team meetings and get to share and learn new things with us. Want to learn more about joining my team. Click HERE and then contact me to talk. I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Whether to support your hobby or earn a little extra cash – it’s a win, win. Especially today, when you can get to choose an additional $25 in product for your kit! There is a special deal during Sale-a-bration – but you’ll have to hurry since Sale-a-bration ends today!

Remember today is the last day for not just Sale-a-bration, but also the Best of Stamps Celebrating 25 Years of Stampin’ Up!, our Weekly Deals, and joining Paper Pumpkin and receiving a FREE set of 2012-2014 In Color Markers. You can find all the links below.

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code JZT4F3F2

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, March 31st, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Paper Pumpkin Special (Free 2012-2014 In Color Markers when you join now through March 31st, 2014)

Best Of Stamp Sets (Only available through March 31^st, 2014)

Retro Fresh Designer Washi Tape

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Need a clean and simple card? Need a pop of color for your project? Think about our Washi Tape – You’ll get 3 designs in each package for just $4.95, so it’s a great deal , which means you can get them all!

Here is a clean and simple card that I made recently using our Retro Fresh This and That Designer Washi Tape and the Just Sayin’ bundle (134819/134820). Just Sayin’ is one of those great all occasion sets for year round use. And did you know you can use one of the framelits to create clouds? Cool huh?

This card was easy to make since the Washi Tape pretty much does all the work for you. Think of Washi Tape the same way you think of your Designer Series Paper – it works together or stands alone. And you don’t need any adhesive to attach it – so it is fast!

JUST 5 DAYS LEFT

Remember, there are just 5 days left till the end of Sale-a-bration. If you have some favorites that you missed, now is the time to get them before it is too late.

Along with Sale-a-bration there are a couple of other promotions that will be ending on March 31st.

So check them out so you don’t miss out:

Best of Stamp Sets: Remember when you order 6 of these you get one free. So if you were planning on getting the FREE one you’ll want to make sure you have all the sets you needed before the deadline of March 31st. (You’ll have until April 30th to redeem your FREE set.)

Paper Pumpkin: The FREE marker promotion ends on March 31st. So if you’ve been wanting to give these kits a try you’ll want to make sure you sign up before the end of the month. And remember to list me as your Demonstrator – then forward me your confirmation email and you’ll get a free gift from me too!

Click HERE to sign up today

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Just Sayin’ (133200/133203)

Paper: Pool Party (122924), Tangerine Tango (111349), and Whisper White Card stock (100730)

Accessories: Retro Fresh This and That Designer Washi Tape (133001), Word Bubble Framelit Dies (132968), and Baked Brown Sugar and Tangerine Tango Stampin’ Write Markers

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code 6JDYYVZ4

Birthday Card Contest – Click HERE for details

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, March 31st, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Paper Pumpkin Special (Free 2012-2014 In Color Markers when you join now through March 31st, 2014)

Best Of Stamp Sets (Only available through March 31^st, 2014)

Easter Mini File Folder Gum Holder Tutorial

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

As you know I love to make 3d items and this week’s project is a little gift I’m making for my daughter’s friends at college. When I saw the new Sour Patch gum from Stride on a recent trip to town I just knew I had to come up with something.

Screams Daffodil Delight, right? And I immediately saw that it would coordinate with our Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper from the Occasions Catalog and of course, I’ve been itching to do more stamping with the cute little Eggstra Spectacular stamp set too!

So here is what I came up with –

Wonder where I got the Scallop Oval? I’ll show you how I made this in my video – you won’t believe how simple it is!

And I’ve got two Video Tutorials to share with you today!

Not one, but two you may ask? Why?

Well, I ended up doing a fun technique with the image and thought you’d like to see how it was done too. And since my internet is a little funky out here in the sticks, shorter videos are a bit easier to upload for me when it’s windy. (Don’t ask – crazy I know!) I figure streaming is easier for you too – right? Less buffering, etc. LOL

Do you like shorter videos or would you prefer to see just one longer video? Leave me a comment and let me know what you prefer. I always love to hear feedback from you – it also helps me know if someone is out there in cyber land listening – lol!

Watch the Easter Mini File Folder Gum Holder Video Tutorial firsts to see how you make and assemble the treat holder itself.

Then watch my Two Tone Embossing Technique Video to see how the focal point is created with our fun colors of Stampin’ Emboss Powder!

Here is the supply list for the project –

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Eggstra Spectacular (133068/133071)

Inks: VersaMark Pad (102283)

Paper: Watercolor Wonder Series Paper Stack (132994), Daffodil Delight Card Stock (119683), Calypso Coral (122925), and Whisper White Card stock (100730)

Accessories: Melon Mambo Stampin’ Emboss Powder (123223), Tangerine Tango Stampin’ Emboss Powder (123106), Heat Tool (129053), 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch (118874), Extra-Large Oval Punch (19859), Gumball Green 3/8″ Satin Stitched Ribbon (126848), Envelope Punch Board (133774), Simply Scored Scoring Tool (122334), Stampin’ Trimmer (126889), and Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

Non-Stampin’ Up!: Sour Patch Kids Stride gum

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code 6JDYYVZ4

NEW WEEKLY DEALS FOR THIS WEEK

Check out some of the great paper deals!

Tuesday Means NEW Digital Downloads!

Do you love home décor? Check out this great new My Digital Studio option – it’s a class that includes tutorials featuring advanced home décor projects! Whoo hoo – think of all the cool things you can make.

Want to see all the NEW Digital Downloads? Click HERE to see all 6 of this week’s new options.

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code 6JDYYVZ4

Birthday Card Contest – Click HERE for details

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, March 31st, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Paper Pumpkin Special (Free 2012-2014 In Color Markers when you join now through March 31st, 2014)

Best Of Stamp Sets (Only available through March 31^st, 2014)

New Digital Downloads

Four Frames Birthday

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Recently the robins have been all over the yard and it made me want to choose a stamp set with birds in it – so I reached for two of my favorites, Four Frames 128589/123422)and Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Why are these two of my favorite stamp sets? They are just very versatile and between the two you can make a card to pretty much suit any occasion, guys and gals both. So here is what I came up with.

I used the Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper to decide my color choices for this project. I just love the new color Smoky Slate – I am so a gray person, so this Designer Series Paper suits me since it has so many of the colors I love.

Love the elegant bow I used for this card? Why not check out my Simply Elegant Bow Video Tutorial? Click HERE to see my earlier project and tutorial.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Four Frames (128589/123422) and Teeny Tiny Wishes (128748/127802)

Paper: Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper (130131), Smoky Slate (131202, Coastal Cabana (131297), and Whisper White Card stock (100730)

Accessories: Smoky Slate 3/4″ Chevron Ribbon (131152), Coastal Cabana, Summer Starfruit and Basic Gray Stampin’ Write Markers, Decorative Label Punch (120907), and Pearl Basic Jewels (119247)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code 6JDYYVZ4

Birthday Card Contest – Click HERE for details

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

LAST DAY FOR THIS WEEKS DEALS

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, March 17th, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

The big 50!

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Yesterday was my birthday and it was the BIG 50! Doesn’t bother me a whole lot since I’m the youngest in the family – my husband and his brothers are still older than me which I’m always happy to point out to them! So it is hard for them to give me too hard a time since they’ve been there and done that already. LOL.

So today I thought I would share with you the card that my husband made for me. Yes, he stamps, and I figured he was up to something when he snuck down to my classroom the other night. Of course, the fact he didn’t clean up after himself was a clue too so I was curious to see the card he made based on what scraps were left on the table.

Want to see what he came up with? He had a hard time finding things like a stamp set with numbers, although I’m not sure why since Memorable Moments was sitting on the shelf clearly marked. (But then you know how guys are – they can’t find their socks either. LOL)

Ok. Now that you’ve seen the card – let me tell you how he explained it to me, he had a plan in mind. You’re going to love this – Larry is a hoot!

1. He chose black to go with the over the hill theme of 50.

2. He chose the Love You to the Moon image, because after all he still loves me even though I’m now over the hill.

3. He chose the cup cake punch, for the birthday cake of course. (No calories included.)

4. He chose the circle punch and made a moon to go with the Love You to the Moon image.

5. And finally he chose the White Stampin’ Chalk Marker to write with since he couldn’t find the stamp set he wanted.

Here is the best part – get ready for it…. Why? “It’s not a full moon” he tells me and then goes on to explain that “The full moon would be for when you were young, you’ve only got a little life left – that is why the sliver is there.”

I howled with laughter and Kaitlin who has been listening to this explanation with me says to him, “I guess that means your sliver is even smaller dad since you are older than mom, huh.”

After the explanation we went out to a nice dinner at our local Mexican restaurant, El Patron, (so I wouldn’t have to cook). Of course, they sang and brought the dessert, which I dodged and only ended up with a bit of whip cream on my nose. Kaitlin I think was rather disappointed since she was really looking forward to that part of the birthday dinner.

It was a fun week and since today ends our daughter Kaitlin’s Spring Break from College with us, I thought I would share some photos with you from our week together.

We hiked on one of our local trails, Panther Creek, and enjoyed the first taste of spring along with the warmer temperatures last Saturday. This first picture is the three of us taking a break and enjoying the scenery at the half way point of our hike.

Here is the view we were enjoying. It’s a beautiful trail if you are looking for a enjoyable day in the mountains.

And this last photo is one I took in our yard. The grass is covered with these lovely little wild violets. I always enjoy the spots of color in the yard – until Johnathan decides he’s just got to cut the grass and then they are gone!