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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Thanks for Cheering Me Up :)

Now if you saw a sweet little house like this one wouldn't you smile?
And that little house was on a wall hanging with lots of my favorite things....like trees, flowers and thread work.....you know I'm smiling again!  
And....if that sweet little house on that beautiful wall hanging was near a plant that had two little birds nests and lots of greenery.....wouldn't you smile?

And.... these things included lots of phone calls, cards and letters......I'm guessing by now you know the point....THANK YOU to all my very dear friends for keeping me sane in this very challenging time.

Full Smiles,
Kelly

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Tombow Time and My Family

Hi Everyone!
I'm back with "some" energy :)  I so appreciate all the loving and kind e-mails, comments, cards, gifts and letters you have sent to my mother and myself since February.
When I say I don't know what we would have done without all of you, it is from my heart.  As you know, my mother passed over on May 11th and I have been doing my very best to cope.  Part of coping, for me, is reviewing all the photos I've taken.  I have some amazing memories and I've chosen the photos from  April 8, 2013, our "Tombow Time" to share today. 

TOMBOW TIME with the IHAN Clan!
I agreed back in March to participate in the "100 Days of Tombow" so that the Council for Art Education would be provided up to $10,000 worth of Tombow Art Products.
We received these beautiful Dual Brush Pens, a set of Irojiten colorpencils and a Tombow Stamp Runner free for participating.  The evening of April 8th, we printed several coloring sheets and spent the evening coloring as a family.  I know it sounds a bit corny but it was very relaxing.

The one end of the pen is soft like a paintbrush and is great for blending and the other is sharp for outlining or writing.
Our Irojiten pencils are the Pale Tone II set and I must say these are "high end" for us....we have been spoiled big time!  The color is soft and smooth.. 
I"m not much of an artist so I was coloring a design I created with my Kelidoscope Kreator Software.  you can see how soft and smooth the pencils are.....and you can also see I'm not that great with staying within the lines...oops :)

Zachary was absolutely thrilled to be able to "keep" the markers and pencils if he were willing to demonstrate how fun they are to use.  Now I know my kids are artistic, but you should really check out this post on the Tombow Blog....this guy is FANTASTIC :)

Aaron wasted no time with his artistic endeavors.....this took him only minutes to complete.
Another contribution by Zach

Even Grandma colored with us that night.  I hope the boys never forget the night Grandma spent coloring with them....I know I won't.

Zach had to be repeatedly reminded to share the pens...lol.  He was generous and offered Grandma a few colors to use.
The Tombow Stamp Runner came in very handy when attempting to keep this guys beard on!  The adhesive is acid free and it can be applied in small portions by pressing down/stamping it or in long strips by pulling along the roller edge.

We do a lot of adhering around here.....
Aaron's paper sculpture.
The adhesive is temporarily re-positionable (and acid free....so you could use it for placement of your applique!).


I am so grateful SewCalGal brought this opportunity to my attention and to Tombow for allowing me to participate.  We have really enjoyed our new art supplies :)

Below you can read more about the "100 Days of Tombow"....copied from their e-mail to me.

Smiling At Times,
Kelly

Tombow Celebrates “100 Days of Tombow” 
Centennial Year Program Highlights Work of Mommy Bloggers Making a Difference in their Homes, Schools and Communities
 
Saturday, March 9, at the National Art Education Association Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, Tombow will kick off its “100 Days of Tombow” program by committing to provide up to $10,000 of Tombow art products to the Council for Art Education, a national nonprofit dedicated to promoting and supporting art education and quality art programs nationwide.
 
Tombow seeks to leverage its centennial year by spearheading new avenues of creative growth for the next 100 years. To that end, it’s working with crafters and mommy bloggers to reach younger demographics and introduce Tombow to a fresh, new audience.  “We’re parlaying our 100-year platform to educate crafting bloggers in the young singles, newlywed and new mom audiences on ways to use our eco-friendly products to enrich their world with color, texture and design,” said Jeff Hinn – president, American Tombow. 
 
For its “100 Days of Tombow” program, the company is working with 100 different bloggers across America to spotlight their creative musings using Tombow’s products, and showcasing how “Tombow Time” is enjoyed across the nation.
 
Bloggers who are interested in participating in the “100 Days of Tombow” movement should contact Barbara Pritchett, public relations coordinator, who will facilitate the provision of 100 Days of Tombow Starter Kit, containing Dual Brush Pens, Irojiten Color Pencils and the Stamp Runner Adhesive (photos attached). In addition, every submission for the “100 Days of Tombow” blogging program will result in a $100.00 product donation to the Council for Art Education. “We hope to donate $10,000 worth of product to this dynamic, vibrant cause that shapes the future crafters and artists of America through its educational programs,” said Hinn in closing.  “After all, we want to be the product of choice for future generations, and what better way to celebrate the past than to promote the future.”
 
About Tombow
Tombow is today’s market leader for arts, crafts and office products.  Serving consumers and businesses around the globe, Tombow was established in Japan in 1913 as the wood-case pencil provider for Japanese students.  Since these beginnings and undergirded by a history of unparalleled customer service, Tombow has grown the company’s portfolio to a worldwide provider of adhesive tape, ballpoint pens, correction tape, drawing pencils, dual brush pens, glue sticks and liquid glues manufactured in facilities located in Japan, Southeast Asia and Thailand.  Worldwide operating divisions distribute Tombow branded products in their respective geographies. For more information, visit www.tombowusa.com.


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Olivia is now an Angel in Heaven

SewCalGal here today on a rather sad topic, but one which those who love Kelly will want to know about.

First, I want to share that losing a love one is probably the most painful thing that happens to us in life.  In that process, we have to convey to others the sad news while we are grieving.  This can add more pain, trying to find the words to say a loved one is no longer here.  So, today, I'm breaking the news on Kelly's blog that her mother has passed away.

Click to play this Smilebox announcement



I wish I had magic dust that I could sprinkle and make this pain go away for the  Howlett, Stocker and Jackson families.  But, the next best thing to magic dust is knowing other family members and friends care and will be their to help, whenever needed.  And Olivia is now an Angel in Heaven always watching over them and wanting them to carry on and enjoy life!