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My name, Karin, was pretty common when I was growing up...just not the spelling. Unless you are of German heritage like I am. So, I have spent my entire life answering the question, "What is your name"?... With, "Karin...with an "i"! Who knew it would come in handy all these years later when I went to name my blog.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Catching up and Some Cards

*If you are here to look at some cards, please scroll to the end of the post.*

Hi Everyone,

Ok, so I'm blogging today, mostly just because I've been busy and distracted for most of February, and I haven't been very chatty.  So, for those of you that want to be in touch, here's the scoop :)

I've been reading a lot. 

Unbroken was the book we discussed at the Feb. meeting of my book club. It's pretty long and filled with lots of detail, but this man survived unbelievable hardships. He is amazing.
Sarah's Key is our book club pick for March.  It's another story about WWII that's told woven around a woman's modern day story.  I was worried. We just read a WWII story, but this was quick and sucked me in right away. I would recommend it, even if the ending is not  a surprise.  You see it coming a mile away.
If you watch The Office, you know who Mindy is.  It's not a typical autobiography, it's funny and joke-y.  Kinda like Tina Fey's book, Bossy Pants.  Light and entertaining.  I read this while I read Unbroken.  You know, when I couldn't take anymore of the beatings and starvation.
The Fault in our Stars is technically a teen novel, or young adult literature. I really don't know why, other than the main characters are teenagers.  I love the way John Green writes.  It's very literary, and while this is flawed, it's GENIUS when you put it up against the popular stuff like Twilight or The Hunger Games.  I love fiction that makes you feel like the characters are real people, living in the real world, dealing with real stuff.  In fact, I LOVE his book Looking for Alaska. One of my all time favorites.  (And while I kinda hate myself for liking The Hunger Games, I'm excited to see the movie at the end of March!)


This book was given to me.  I haven't started it yet, but the reviews on Amazon are good. It's what I'm going to read next.

We're making plans for our vacation. We have our flight and hotels booked, and we have some museum tickets purchased already too.  I don't like to say when I will be away from home here on my blog, but I will tell you that I'll have some spectacular photos to show off here sometime in the future, so stay tuned.

Last year we tried to do one cultural thing each month of the year.  We're not doing so well with this resolution for 2012. 


According to Rod, since we're slacking, we're counting going to see Albert Nobbs and The Artist as our cultural events for January and February.   I don't think movies should count, even if they are independent ones up for Oscars.  Although I have to tell you that The Artist is charming and has the cutest dog EVER!

See?

However, we are going to go to the Rembrant in America exhibit at CMA.in March. I know I'm biased, but The Cleveland Art Museum it really is a great place.  


And while I'm not as old as Rembrant, I am officially old.  My new glasses are bifocals. Sigh.



I got my second card for the year published in April's issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts.  I was thrilled that it was Hambo card that I made for the "Anything but Square" call that they had. It's on page 16, but here it is:

I used the Flower Monster digi. He's just adorable.

And here is a card that got rejected.  I know, right?  Who would reject these cute little Hambo Bees?

Whatever, I love them.

And before I end this post, the challenge this week at the Hambo Hoedown is Anything Goes, so I'm gonna link up this card I made using the Flower digi.  I made it simply to build up my sad, depleted birthday card stash. 


That's it for me.  I hope you have a lovely weekend full of good stuff :)

PS-I'm too lazy to write up details for each of these cards, but if you have any questions about the products I used that I haven't provided links for, feel free to email me :)

Challenges for The Flower Monster Card:
Inky Impressions-Punches/Diecuts
Paper Pretties-Punches/Diecuts
Penny's Paper Crafty-Anything Goes
Digital Tuesday-Make it Sparkle
Lollipop Crafts-Anything Goes
Nettie G's-Anything Goes
Truly Madly Crafty-Ribbon and Bling

Challenges for The Bee Happy Card:
Paper Shelter-Add a Sentiment
Penny's Paper Crafty-Anything Goes
Truly Scrumptious-All Creatures Great & Small
Whimsy Inspriation-Monochromatic
Celebrate the Occassion-Thinking of You
Lollipop Crafts-Anything Goes
Nettie G's-Anything Goes
Stamps R Us-Anything Goes

Challenges for the Flower Trio Card:
Penny's Paper Crafty- Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp-3 Different Papers
Bunny Zoe-Celebrations
Incy Wincy-Birthday
Karen's Doodles-Celebrate
Lollipop Crafts-Anything Goes
Nettie G's-Anything Goes

27 comments:

Judy Rozema said...

Congratulations!!! I love coming and reading your posts and seeing your adorable creations!

Diane Davies said...

Those are all great cards! My favorite is the flower trio, love it! Thanks for joining us at The Sisterhood of Crafters. : )

Lisa Minckler said...

Wonderful variety of cards here and I really love the triple flowers and the color combinations with all that great texture!


Thank you SO much for playing along with us at Karen’s Doodles for our challenge.
Best of luck to you and we hope to see you again next time!
Hugs,
Lisa xx

1CardCreator said...

Great cards Karin, I love the Be happy, thet used to be my daughters favorite song, don't worry be happy. Sounds like you have some excitement planned for this year, enjoy yourselves!

Monica said...

So many lovely things in that post, Karin, thanks for sharing those books, will try and lay my hands on some of them.

Congrats for your card.You deserve it all, your cards are always so neat. I love the bee card as well. And the three flowers one is sooo cute.

Monica xxx

Melanie said...

You've made some really amazing cards! Love them all!!! :-)
Thank you soo much for taking part in our "Anything Goes" challenge over at Penny's.

Melanie
(DT Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges)

Brenda said...

Cute cards and congrats on being in Scrap & Stamp Arts again!!!

Cheryl said...

Such a big post! I have so many comments.

I loved Unbroken. It was well written and riveting, although I have to say some parts where horrifying.

I have Sarah's Key on my list to read in the future. I think Amazon recommended it to me too. Same thing with the Mindy Kaling book

Never heard of the John Green book but I will have to check it out.

I can't wait to Hunger Games either. None of my local friends have read it even though I keep recommending it. I'm going to have to find some one to go to the move with.

Love The Art of Racing in the Rain. I read this over the summer. I have to admit I cried towards the end but I loved it.

I love the new specs. Very stylish. They look great.

Congrats on another publication. You rock girl! Both cards are so cute.

Have a great week end! After typing all this I am off to get another cup of java.

Angela said...

Lovely cards... especially the trio flower card... love it!!!
Thanks for joining us at Karen's Doodles this time and good luck.
Angela

Dawn said...

Karin, such lovely cards! Thank you for joining in at CFAS shaped card challenge! …who can resist a hambo image. :)

Emily Leiphart said...

Wow, long post! First of all, we have the same taste in awesome books. I got those first two for Christmas but haven't read them yet. Need to find time! Second, you are not old. Those glasses look awesome. Very stylish! And congrats on the publication! I love that hilarious card of the creature eating a flower? LOL Love both your other cards, too. Great post, Karin!

Lindsey said...

Two cards published already this year? Good for you, Karin, and congrats! Great cards this post, too. I can second the recommendation (although it is a searing read) for Unbroken.

runzalot81 said...

Cute cards! Thanks for joining us at Whimsy Stamps!

Jo said...

Fabulous cards! *claps*
who'd have thought bees could be cute eh? ;)
Thank you for joining in our final challenge at Stamps R Us
Jo xx

Darlene said...

AWESOME creations Karin! Thanks so much for joining us at The Sisterhood ‘USING DIGIS’ challenge and please come back again soon!
Darlene
one of the 'Sistahs'
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS

Shelby said...

The flower card is just wonderful! I love your layout and the tab sentiment! Thanks for joining us at Karen's Doodles and Penny's

Shelby

Shona Erlenborn said...

Congrats. on the publication - I saw it in SSA! You're bee one will probably show up in a future Just Cards!! Love the Birthday card layout. Great color combo!

April said...

You did a great job on these cards! Love them.

Gerlinde said...

I love reading your posts! So entertaining! Your cards are gorgeous, as always and congrats on being published! Wish I had time to read like that - maybe after the grandkids are in school (when I put Charlie down for his nap, I usually doze off after one page)

Hey Hey Paula said...

Love your cards Karin. Congrats on being published & thanks for the book recommendations.

Mina said...

fabulous selection of cards Karin...thanks for joining in with our Bunny Zoe's Crafts monthly challenge
Mina xxx

Amanda R said...

Wow you have been busy reading! I love to read but rarely do it as nothing else gets done when I am into a good book but I do download them and listen to them on my ipod driving back and forth to work. Congrats on the publication and I love the flower card, great layers on it. Have fun on vacation!

Unknown said...

Great card Karin. Just love that fabulous sentiment. Thanks for sharing with us at CFAS this time.
hugs
Dawn xx

Crystal said...

Love the cards...but love the glasses more!!!! I have a pair of bifocals that look very similar...LOL

Cards By MI said...

A lovely bunch of cards all of them. Great work! Thanks for playing with us over at the Paper Shelter this week.
Love n hugs
Marie

Ellis said...

Wonderful cards! Jus don't forget to add what skills you are showcasing for NettieG's challenge! =)
Hugs, Elenor DT

Joy said...

Great collection of cards, just beautifully all designed.. thanks for joining us at Simon Says Challenge blog

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