Simply Kincke (kĭnk'y)

I have always wanted to make my own paper so I could have that homemade feel and look.  I loved those journals and books that have ragged edges and flower pieces in them.  Since the city has not brought paper recycling back, it gave me the perfect motivation to start making 8.5×11 sheets from used paper, junk mail, and whatever other sources.  The result is a unique, sturdy sheet of paper great for making cards and scrapbook layouts (some sheets I make acid free).

I will post photographs in my Gallery of the thank you card and stationery sets that I create using this wonderful paper which do include cards and envelopes in a lovely box.  Some sheets I’ve added embellishments right in the paper like dried flowers, embossed shapes, glitter, and even seeds so you can plant the paper when you’re done with it like with cards and invitations.  My next step is to create printer friendly paper, a variety of sizes including up to 12×12, and possibly even wood-pulp free papers.

Feel free to contact me with any questions and to order.

As a spin off of another lady’s blog, I’ve decided to post my 5 Simple Sensational Pleasures.

1. Getting Your Hair Blow Dried And Brushed – After I get out of the shower, my husband will offer to blow dry and style my hair.  It takes more time than if I did it myself, but it’s so romantic and he takes such care of me.  I also love that he offers.  I get caught up in the sensations and the goose bumps that run across my head and down my neck.
2. The Smell Of Fresh Cut Grass – My husband grew up around lawn care, so he can’t stand this smell because after awhile, it can smell rotten.  For me, it’s such a refreshing, memory triggering sense.  It really gets going when the air is right: cool and just moist enough to hold it.  Here in New Orleans, it’s not cool and too humid, but the slightest smell still initializes the sense-memory of when my mother cut the grass, so she could spend time in her garden.  She was always happiest in her garden with her hands covered in dirt, the sun beating down her back, and her knees bruised despite the use of her kneepad.
3. The Rise And Fall As Nimbus Breathes – I could watch her all day as she tries to get comfy, starts to fall asleep, and then stays awake so she doesn’t miss the action.  She’ll dig at her bedding trying to make it perfect, then curls up with a slight tail flutter as her eyes begin to close.  She fights the temptation to relax and let them fall shut immediately, but blink after blink, her eyelids take over and they close so tight it’s as if they’re keeping the sound out.  Her breathing is so deep, she rises, then falls.  Then when we make a sudden noise or movement, her eyes open, she readjusts, and plays the game all over again.  It hurts.
4. The Sound Of Rain Crashing On The Windows – I’ve always loved a good thunderstorm, especially when the power goes out because it makes you appreciate everything else.  You laugh and communicate through candlelight without modern distractions.  (As much as I love TV and computers, it’s nice to get back to the basics.)  It’s like camping.  In fact, the sound of rain period should be the title, but specifically when it crashes against the windows, you know without even looking there’s a storm brewing.  The sound on a tin roof is so romantic and soothing, but the windows give me that scared yet safe sensation.
5. Cereal – If you don’t know, then you are missing out.  Cereal is the end all, be all meal.  In college, cereal was served and eaten any hour, any day and we called it the non-food because you don’t feel full, but yet so very satisfied after a bowl.  When I get hungry and I have no idea what I want or when I want something slightly sweet, I opt for a bowl of cereal.  The cold milk is relaxing, while the crunch is active.  Such an easy, childlike food can be so complex when taken apart sense by sense.

I encourage you to think about your 5 sensational pleasures and maybe even use them as inspiration in your scrapbook layouts.  I plan to create a page for my Book Of Me with these.