Whew...is anyone else hot?

Wow you guys! Summer is here is central Washington! It is currently 89 degrees. Sooooo happy to have air conditioning. The house we rented when we first arrived here (6 years ago) didn't and I remember that one day it was 88 degrees in the house. Yikes! That is the day I made Todd go purchase a window air conditioner unit for the living area of the house. We just moved the futon mattress down there and slept there when it was so stinkin' hot.

I just got home from the vet with our newest dog, Mitzy. Last week she had a seizure and I had taken her in to see if there was anything we should do. The vet said not yet so I've been watching her. She did have another seizure this afternoon and when I think of it she's been having them since we got her. Not an excessive amount but still. The vet just wants to wait as long as possible before we have to put her on meds so I'll continue to watch her. Well, this morning she was limping and having a hard time putting weight on one of her paws so I made another trip to the vet with her this afternoon. Seems she has an infection and now has to have an antibiotic. Apparently the stuff tastes horrible but she is a trooper and just took it without any problems. Can you all say awwww...for me? Wanna see a cute picture of her? Okay, you twisted my arm...I'll show ya. This is what she does when she is sitting on the couch and someone comes to the door. Okay, so this picture isn't perfect...she is usually all the way up on the pillow but you get the idea. Isn't she just the cutest?

Alright, onto the Bellas. I only have 3 more to show you. I'll show you two today and then one tomorrow and then I guess I'll have to do some of my own artwork so I can show ya, huh? This first card says that Leeanna made it. All I can say is that the photo does not do it justice! The Bella is Barbella. This is fantastic designer paper, stitching, glitter, ribbon, and brads. This is just a fantastic card! The size is 5 1/2" X 6".

The second card is made with Beachabella. What a cute, fun, bright card. I love the flowers and the orange ribbon. The Hawaiian shirt charm is just the cutest but, unfortunately, the charm broke. :0( the artist on this one is Sue Jensen. She used a Cuttlebug for the background and some very yummy, sherberty looking designer paper.

I truly wish I had half the talent of these ladies. All the cards are just fantastic.

I have received one set of card for the Live-Love-Laugh-Create Prize Swap and they are cute! I think I may have spied another card on my friend's blog and they are cute, too! I think all the participants will be soooo pleased! I finished up my cards today to and I'm happy with how they came out. Isn't it nice when you are happy with your card? Oh, and one participant had a great idea for our next swap. Everyone sends in just one card and the winner receives all the cards sent in. What do you guys think of that for next time? Just a thought!

Anyway, I hope you've had a great day so far! I'll see you tomorrow!

The Day Just Flew By!

Wow! It is amazing how fast the day goes sometimes! I can't believe it is almost 6:00 p.m. and I'm just now posting this. I had a good day though. I exercised this morning, went to work until 3:00 p.m. and then to the doctor at 3:30. Ended up coming out of that one at 4:30 and with an ear infection so I was off for antibiotics and then just picked up dinner on the way home. Now, I need to do some reading for school on Worship Old & New. Some of it is interesting but the author says the same thing several times. Just get to the point I want! :0) TeeHee!

I'm guessing you don't really care about my comings and goings today though. You want more artwork, huh? Okay, here you go!

Alright so the first cutie is Flowahbella. Aren't the little flowers just the cutest. Put that along with the great colors and the cute bow...it is a very well put together card! Sorry, no name on this one so I can't give credit.

The second bella is by Nicole at Stampin' Library Girl make that . I love Nicole's blog and her beautiful artwork! Nichole's bella is Cakeabella. She used SU! designer paper and the slit punch toneato scalloped edge. Also, her apron is paper pieced with some more SU! designer paper. Wow! Such detail. And, who wouldn't like the bling?! Love those rhinestones!

I hope you enjoyed today's installment of Bella's. See you tomorrow with a couple of more!

More Bella Cards

Alright ladies. Here are two more cards from the Bella swap I participated in. Just so you know...I'm not posting the cards in any order other than the order that they were in my bag when I received them.

So, you can see there is a Curly Surpriseabella. Isn't she just the cutest thing with that hair? The background is Cuttlebugged and has some fantastic designer paper. The dots on the black paper are with a gel pen. What a great card...very well put together! I'd love to tell you who the artist on this one was but I can't read her name...darn it!!!

The other card is Tenibella. This girl is so stylin' in her outfit...it is paper pieced. The designer paper on my card says 'love means "nothing" in tennis'...kinda cute, huh? The racket and ball are both blinged out with glitter, too. On the inside is a little punched tennis ball. What great detail! Don't have a name for this one either, though.

I finally have the prototype of my swap card so I'll be working on putting those together this week. I'm using that card for two swaps that I'm involved in. Anyway, I'll be showing that to you guys when I'm sure that the swap recipients have their copies.

I hope everyone is having a fantastic day! See you soon!

Grab Your Tissues

I was sent an e-mail with a link to this YouTube video. Please take 5 minutes to watch this and take what it says to heart. Remember Me

Also, please know that I'll be making new posts to the blog either in the afternoon or evening from now on. So, I'll be back later to share!

In Remembrance

A Soldier Died Today

by R.F. Dees and his grandson, Justin Pierce in honor of Memorial Day
and veterans who have fought in wars and conflicts.
(Posted: Marietta Monitor, Marietta, OK May 28, 1999)

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast;
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies, they were heroes everyone.
And tho' sometimes to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old John has passed away;
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
He'll not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
And thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Newspapers tell their life stories, from the time that they were young.
But, the passing of a simple Soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land,
A person who breaks promises and cons his fellow man,
Or the ordinary fellow, who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers his life?
It"s so easy to forget them, for it was so long ago,
That the "old Johns" of our country went to battle, but we know,
It was not the politicians, with their promises and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.
He was just a "common soldier" and his ranks are growing thin.
But, his presence should remind us, we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the Soldier's part,
Is to clean up the troubles, that others often start.
If we cannot give him honor, while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least, let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps a simple notice, in the paper that would say,
"Our country is in mourning, cause a Soldier passed away today."

Prize Swap Winnings

Because I'm dying to tell you and because at least a couple of you wanted to know...here is what you'll get if you win the Prize Swap!
You will receive Grumpabella, a thinking of you stamp, some Cuttlebugged backgrounds, and a Heidi Swap Edge Distresser. Yay! I'm so excited for you all! Can't wait to see the swaps start arriving in my mailbox! :0)

Big Honkin' Bee

Todd and I were sitting outside yesterday afternoon and all of a sudden we heard the sound of a bee. Not just any bee though...a BIG HONKIN' bee! We didn't see it at first but when we did...holy cow! If this bee is this big right now...I'm afraid to think of what it will look like later in the summer! This is a picture of it on one of my peonie flowers. the picture really doesn't show how big it is. It is the width of the monster bee that is just amazing! But still...Yikes, huh?!

Today I'll share two more cards from my Bella card swap. Sometimes I really like to do swaps because I'm amazed at what people buy and can do with what they have bought. The first card was made by Kandi Kwirant. All I want to know Kandi is where did you get that super cute designer paper? It is soooo appropriate for this Bella! And the shoe embellishment...how super cute! The shoe even has a cute little jewel on it! Lots of work on that card when you realized the boots have flocking (I think...they are fuzzy) and the presents are all wrapped with unique wrapping paper! Absolutely fantastic!

The other card I chose for you to see today is my favorite Bella...Ms. Cosmobella. I love the simplicitic but festive atmosphere of this card! This one was stamped by Anouk. I have swapped with her before and she always does fantastic work! Love the highlights and lowlights in Ms. Bella's hair too! Now don't ya wish you would have joined this swap, too?!

I will be posting tomorrow but probably just a little Memorial Day something. It is interesting to me that no one who has joined my prize swap has asked what the prize is if they win. Hmmm...does anyone care to know? If so...just comment to this post and I'll let you know tomorrow!

Have a fantastic Sunday everyone!

It's a Bella Saturday!

I participated in what turned out to be a fantastic Bella swap. I'm sure you guys remember my frustration with coming up with something would be be wonderful. Well, I received the cards a couple of days ago and they are great! I thought I'd share one or two each day for the next couple of days. Sound good? Well, what do you think of these two cuties? I LOVE the Beachabella. My friend got that Bella and I'm gonna have to ask her if I can stamp some images! This is just such a fun, summery, card! The colors and designer paper really pull it all together. There is no signature so, unfortunately, I cannot tell you who made it. And how about that Cosmo Bella? Where did Kristine Reynolds find that super cute martini olive? And the designer paper...to die for! The doodling around the image is fantastic, too! I am absolutely thrilled I went ahead and participated in this swap!

Come back tomorrow to see more of the great swaps that I received! :0)

Another Prize Swap Question

Hi Ladies! I still haven't heard from everyone yet so please e-mail me about your status. I've gotten an e-mail from a friend who would like to participate in the swap. That would make us 11. Please let me know, ASAP, what you think. Thanks all!

***Okay, ladies...we are going with 11. Thanks!***

The season for travel

We are heading into the season for vacations. I can't wait for the weather to be warm all the time! We are getting some really nice weather right now and I hope it continues! Anyway, my friend, Angela, and her family are going on a fun trip this summer and I decided that her kiddos needed personalized luggage/backpack tags. I had such fun making these! I tried to figure out what each child would like the most but honestly...it was hard so I kinda went with the age. The kids are in Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 6th grade. I actually had the hardest time with the 3rd grader as he really likes some things that I just don't have stamps for (if you can believe I don't have one stamp of everything! tee hee!). So, he got a new Fella from Stamping Bella. I sure hope they like them and that Angela doesn't look at my blog today before I can give them to the kids this afternoon! :0)

I got the tag holders at the dollar store so these can be a really economical tag to make. The only thing with this size is that it is really small. Only 3 1/2" X 2 1/8". It definitely makes it more difficult to place their names. When I do it again, I will most likely find larger tags. As a matter of fact...I'll be making a tag for Kyler for this summer's trip to see Grandma and knowing what I'll need to make his special for him I'll definitely need a bigger holder! He is a Pokemon boy all the way so I'll need to print some images off for his.

Did you stamp anything yesterday? I love to hear about what others are doing so drop me a line sometime! :0)

How I made the tags:

Stamps: Wild About You, Girlfriends, Surfafella, Silly Sea Life, Tall Tales Alpha, Whimsical Alpha, Rough Edges Alpha
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Real Red, Lovely Lilac, Buckaroo Blue, Pumpkin Pie, and Magnolia
Ink: Stazon Black, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Buckaroo Blue, Lovely Lilac, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Cool Caribbean, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Going Grey, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Stickles, Flower Eyelets, Grosgrain Ribbon, and markers

PRIZE CARD SWAP

If you have signed up to participate in my Prize Card Swap please e-mail me. I need to know that you are still participating and how it is going. Thanks! :0)

I have to show you!!!

Okay, I wasn't going to show you this 'cuz I might use it as my swap card for my swap but I LOVE it so much! The layout is from SCS and is SC125. Don't ya just love the bling on the lady bugs? I just love how it all came together. The PAPERTREYink set is sooo great! I love all the different ways that you can use all the pieces to make different lady bugs. And the flowers and sayings...cute, cute, cute! You MUST go see this website. These are my first acrylic stamps and I must say I like them. It is easy to place them 'cuz you can easily see where they are going.

I have two swaps that I need to do cards for this week and next. My own on this blog and a Bella swap that I signed up for ages ago. I'll be busy working on those and my guest designer cards for the Paper Pretties site. FUN!

I hope the swappers are all getting a good start on their cards. I know one person is already done! Yay! This will be a great swap!

Alright, go, stamp...have a great day!

How I made the card:

Stamps: Little Lady
Cardstock: Real Read, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, White Craft
Accessories: Swarovski Crystals, Stickles, Cuttlebug, D'vine Embossing Folder, Gel Pen

Angel Tag!

Today is the final of the RAK's that I received. This cutie is from Darla who is a member of the SU Angels group that I belong to. It is so much fun to receive cool stuff in the mail! I couldn't get a good picture of it for some reason so this does not do it justice! The flowers on the left are embossed and it uses accessories well! Thank you so much Darla!

Well, today is the last day to sign up for the first Live-Love-Laugh-Create Prize Swap. We need two more people to make it 10 total BUT if everyone who has signed up wants to we'll do it with just the 8 people. Please let me know! Please go HERE for all the information.

One picture of Todd's graduation this morning. After Todd received his certificate and I pinned his badge on him he proceeded up to the stage area to wait for the rest of his class. It was really neat to see the entire class on the stage. I couldn't get a good picture that though because the lighting stunk! Anyway, here he is with some of his classmates. Todd is the 4th from the left.

Okay, can I show you one more picture? This one is of Todd and I just outside one of the buildings that is at the Academy. Awwww...aren't we cute?! Just kidding. I just wish I took as good of a picture as Todd does. He always looks good and I always look all puffy and stuff. Oh, well...he loves me anyway! :0)

I hope you all have a fantastic day! Please remember to e-mail me if you are going to participate in the Prize Swap!

What a fun mail day yesterday!

It was a great mail day yesterday! That is 'til my neighbor brought over a bill they got of mine in her mailbox. I was thinking...no bills, yay! Then over walks Austin with one. Oh, well! The blog candy that I received yesterday was totally over the top! I'm so excited! I got ribbon, a huge clip to alter, chipboard, round tab punches, a notepad, cuttlebug sheets, a stamp, a couple of super cute cards, and some die cuts from the Just Delightful SS Kit! WOW!!!! Thank you so much Staci! Her blog is called For The Love Of Stamping and I visit it every day and you should too!

I received my Paper Pretties kit while I was gone this last weekend, too. What fun is that! LOTS! I want to show you the card but I must wait until Christie posts it on the Paper Pretties site first. Am I a tease or what?

And one more Blogger RAK today. This one is from Allison over at Stamping When I Can. I LOVE her blog! She is great because she tells us who is giving away blog candy, who is having challenges, and where the new blogs are. This is another place that I visit daily! Also, she is a super nice lady. Oh, and she can stamp, too! Isn't that just the prettiest card? I love the solid rectangle. I totally wish I had that stamp! Thank you so much Allison!

Oh, and one last thing. I got new stamps yesterday. These are from Paper Trey Ink. I got the super cute Little Lady set on the front page and the Faux Ribbon set. You must go check out this store! They have Stampers Select White Card Stock. It is 110 lb (SU!'s is 80 or so) smooth, and beautiful! I cannot wait to use it. I think it will be great to use as the base for my cards! I'll let you know more about this stuff when I actually get to stamp with them!

I hope you all have a great stamping day! Oh, and if you want to sign up for the card swap please do so. One person had to decline being able to participate so we are short two. This will be a great swap so please join us!

Prize Swap Information

This will stay at the top until the swap is closed. Please check below for today's post!!!

***IT IS A FULL SWAP...WOOHOO!!!***

Now, you can sign up for the very first Live-Love-Laugh-Create Prize Swap. Here are the details:

Vendor Products: Any
Size: Any size but a full card not just card front so these can be used once received. Although if you do a card a size that doesn't fit into a regular envelope please include the envelope as well.
Quantity: Well, this will depend on how many people sign up total. I will let you know but there will not be more than 10 in any one group.
Layers & Embellishments: 2 layers plus at least one embellishment
Sign Up By: May 23rd.
Due To Me By: June 6th. I will swap them out and have them back in the mail to you by June 8th. Your swap must arrive on time as the week after this I will be heading off to school and will not be at home for two weeks.
Recipe is required but please do not attach it in any way to the card itself. Please print it on a separate piece of paper and insert inside the card. Please be sure to number and sign your card.
Mailing instructions: Place swaps in a large baggie for waterproof purposes. Write your name on the baggie for identification purposes. To make it easier for the hostess to sort the cards I always put my swap cards in clear envelopes. If you have some of those I would appreciate your doing that.
Swap Return: First Class: Place baggie inside a self-address stamped envelope for return mail purposes. the amount of the postage on your SASE should be the same amount that it takes to mail to me. To insure that there is enough postage to return the envelope please add in 2 additional stamps that will be returned to you if not used. I will not accept metered strips. Priority mail: Just send the postage and I'll provide the envelope.

I will e-mail you privately my address after all have signed up for the swap.

Alright! Please e-mail me or comment if you'd like to sign up for what is sure to be a great swap!

Live-Love-Laugh-Create Prize Swap
1. Lorie Ames
2. Debby Tillman
3. Mindy Gray
4. Amber P
5. Janel Malella
6. Kristine Reynolds
7. Heather Clements
8. Michelle Ide
9. Jodene
10. Jackie Randolph

We are back!

Good Monday morning to everyone! Todd and I are back from graduation and our trip to the coast. I like going and doing things but I definitely like being home, too! Graduation was a long day but a good one. I'll post some pictures later that will give you an idea of what they do here for graduation from BLEA.

Our trip to the coast was good except that it rained each day, our hotel was not nice for the price we were paying, and the people, yikes! For a tourist town you'd think they would be nicer. We went to several places in the area and I'd love to show you some fantastic pictures but....I'm an airhead and took my NEW camera but not the NEW battery that came with it! I had to buy a disposable camera and use the old fashioned kind of telephoto which is....just walk closer! I was so frustrated the entire weekend! When I get the photos back that I took with the disposable I'll show you a couple (if they turned out). The little town we stayed in was about 10 minutes north or south from other towns so we went to each of those, too. Also, we ended up going to Tillamook, OR the home place of Tillamook cheese. We saw Ft. Clatsop, Lewis and Clark's winter home, Ft. Stevens, the only place that ever fired a round on US soil against the enemy during WWII (they fired on a submarine), the air museum in Tillamook which housed blimps during WWII that helped our ships get safely out into the water by watching for submarines from above, we also stopped in at the Tillamook cheese factory...wow! What a huge factory! Lastly we visited the Astoria Column. It is a 125 ft high, 167 step column that rewards you with great views when you get to the top. So, you can tell we did lots and had a great time!

I have gotten a couple of RAK's recently which I'll be showing you today and tomorrow. This first one is from Jennifer Hensley. Her blog is called Stampinthemidwest. It is a great blog be sure to go check it out! Isn't this a great card?! I love the colors and the glitter on the inside of the flower! Thank you Jennifer!

I hope you all have a fantastic Monday and I'll see ya tomorrow!

Mmmm...fresh strawberries!

Who doesn't like strawberries? I know I do and I know some people don't like them. For today's purpose lets pretend we all like strawberries, okay? Anyway, I made this card last night when I saw a card that Beate had made. I knew it was the perfect layout for this strawberry image. The card is a 4 1/2" X 4 1/2" size and I almost wish I had made this just a bit smaller but I think it looks just fine. The images are from Lockhart Stamp Co and I got them at Ellen Hutson's Store. She has some super cute stuff there! I still have been struggling a lot with my stamping and it sure gets frustrating. Hopefully, this cutie card will raise my confidence level just a bit and I'll be back at it regularly.

Today, we take off for Todd graduation even though it isn't until tomorrow. The boys and I are going to stay at a hotel and do the whole swimming and fun thing. They are so excited they get to be out of school for a day and a half!

So I won't be posting probably for the next 5 days or so. I'll miss you all but remember you can sign up for my Prize Swap until the 23rd so please do that while I'm gone. I'd be so happy to come home and see all the spots are taken!

Have a great rest of your week and a wonderful weekend!

How I made this card:

Stamps: Strawberries and saying by Lockhart Stamp Co
Card Stock: Rose Red, DP from either Magnolia or Wild Asparagus
Ink: Stazon Black, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Garden Green, White Craft
Accessories: Ribbon, Brads, Dimensionals, Aqua Painter, and Gel Pen

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged! Stacy of Stacy's Stamp-n-Scrap Loft tagged me. Now I get to post "Seven Things You [Probably] Don't Know About Me".

1. I have a permanent anklet! I have a tattoo my left ankle. It is a rose kind of thing and it goes all the way around. I still love it after 7 years and would love to get another.

2. Before I moved to Washington I had lived in the same 10 mile radius for 22 years.

3. I'm a very habit driven person. I like to do things in the same order each time.

4. I do not enjoy "eating in" at fast food restaurants.

5. I became a mother when I was in high school just one month after I turned 18. It was tough but God is good and my life has been very blessed.

6. Lily of the Valley is my absolute favorite flower! I planted some last year hoping they would bloom. It looked like they had died last year BUT, they have come back this year and are actually flowering. HUGE childhood memories with that flower.

7. I love wine! I really like white wine but I'm learning to appreciate some reds. I even got the Bella Winobella just for me! :0)

I am now supposed to tag 7 other bloggers but everyone I visit each day (it seems like) has already been tagged. If you haven't and you'd like to play just go ahead and consider yourself tagged!

I did make a card yesterday. Sometime ago I showed you a card with some designer paper that I had picked up from Craft Warehouse. Well, I pulled another piece of it out (as I had already cut it into pieces I'd like to use) and made this card. It is certainly nothing fancy but I think someone I know may like it! Designer paper sure can makes things easy! I need to find a little heart stamp. Anyone know where I could find one?

Anyway, don't forget about the Prize Swap I'm hosting. There are still 5 spots open in the first group. See the post below for more information!

Does anyone know if you can sticky a post up at the top with Blogspot? I would love to be able to do that but haven't figured out how yet.

How I made this card:

Stamps: A Muse Stamps, Kissing Couple
Card Stock: Real Red, Designer Paper, Whisper White
Ink: Stazon Black, Real Red, Ballet Blue, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Grosgrain Ribbon, Giga Scalloped Punch, Dimensional

It is Monday!

Today is Monday of what promises to be a very busy week. Please know that if I don't post it isn't 'cuz I don't love you guys it is 'cuz I'm having a hard time fitting everything in. On Wednesday the kids are getting out of school early and we'll be leaving for Todd's graduation on Thursday. We decided that it would be fun to get a hotel and go swimming, eat out, you know, the whole overnight thing. Then on Friday Todd and I will be leaving for a little R&R just the two of us. But before we can leave I must...work today, do laundry tomorrow, pick up the house, and get packed. I know it doesn't seem like much but I really am planning and getting ready for two trips not just one. Oh, and I have made his graduation card but don't want to show you yet as he does, sometimes, read this blog.

I know I said the swap poll would be until today at 8:00 p.m. but I decided that since it seems to be that people would like to participate I would go ahead and announce that you can sign up for the very first Live-Love-Laugh-Create Prize Swap. Here are the details:

Vendor Products: Any
Size: Any size but a full card not just card front so these can be used once received. Although if you do a card a size that doesn't fit into a regular envelope please include the envelope as well.
Quantity: Well, this will depend on how many people sign up total. I will let you know but there will not be more than 10 in any one group.
Layers & Embellishments: 2 layers plus at least one embellishment
Sign Up By: May 23rd.
Due To Me By: June 6th. I will swap them out and have them back in the mail to you by June 8th. Your swap must arrive on time as the week after this I will be heading off to school and will not be at home for two weeks.
Recipe is required but please do not attach it in any way to the card itself. Please print it on a separate piece of paper and insert inside the card. Please be sure to number and sign your card.
Mailing instructions: Place swaps in a large baggie for waterproof purposes. Write your name on the baggie for identification purposes. To make it easier for the hostess to sort the cards I always put my swap cards in clear envelopes. If you have some of those I would appreciate your doing that.
Swap Return: First Class: Place baggie inside a self-address stamped envelope for return mail purposes. the amount of the postage on your SASE should be the same amount that it takes to mail to me. To insure that there is enough postage to return the envelope please add in 2 additional stamps that will be returned to you if not used. I will not accept metered strips. Priority mail: Just send the postage and I'll provide the envelope.

I will e-mail you privately my address after all have signed up for the swap.

Alright! Please e-mail me or comment if you'd like to sign up for what is sure to be a great swap!

Live-Love-Laugh-Create Prize Swap
1. Lorie Ames
2. Debby Tillman
3. Mindy Gray
4. Heidi Sorg
5. Amber P
6. Janel Malella
7. Kristine Reynolds
8. Heather Clements
9.
10.

Happy Mother's Day to all my friends out there in blogger land! If I have time later today I will stamp and post again. Have a great day!

Shoppin'

How cute is this card? VERY! My friend, Angela, came over to stamp yesterday afternoon and this is what she came up with. She is going to send it to her mom. Angela is a newer stamper but like everyone else has fallen in love with Bellas!

In other news. SU! has announced that the manufacturer of their Stampin' Round wheels has been able to promise them enough stock of the retiring wheels to last until June 30th. So, what that means is if you were wanting any of the wheels that were retiring but couldn't get them because they were gone...you can now get them!! Yahoo! Please let me know if I can help you with that in anyway or just call your Demo.

Wanna see a neat way to make a mini album with the Long Notes/Palette Prints? Go to Cambria's blog where she gives great directions! I may have to try this today!

I was thinking about holding a swap here at Live-Love-Laugh-Create. Not anything huge just something that my blogger friends (that would be everyone that visits here!) could participate in. It would be a prize swap where my family would choose their favorite card and that person would win a prize yet to be determined. If I get enough people that comment that they would like to participate I'll figure out the guidelines and we'll go from there. So...what do you think? Yes or No? You know what? I'm going to put up a little poll, either on the side of my blog or at the bottom. Please go there to vote. Please vote by Monday at 8:00 p.m. I know that isn't very long but I'm leaving on Wednesday afternoon for Todd's graduation and I'd like to post the details and such prior to leaving.

I hope you all have a fantastic Saturday!

How Angela made her card:

Stamps: Shopabella, Warm Words, and Fresh Fillers
Card Stock: Apricot Appeal, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Palette of Prints DP (which you can get for $9.95 with a $35 SU! purchase in the month of May), and Basic Black.
Ink: Stazon Black and Apricot Appeal
Accessories: Stickles, Stitched Grosgrain, Stickles, Crystals , and Markers

Jennifer...DO NOT LOOK!

My friend, Jennifer's mom had surgery last week (I think it was last week) and I told her I'd send her mom a card of encouragement. Well, I just knew I had to use my new Feelabella! Sorry for the really bad picture. I just cannot figure out the whole flash thing on my new camera. You'd think for the amount I spent on it that it would take pictures on its own. You really can't tell how nice this card is from the picture. Arrgghh...I'm so frustrated!

Anyway, this will go out to her today and I hope she enjoys it. Here is how I made the card:

Stamps: Feelabella and saying.
Card Stock: Whisper White, Vintage Violet, Tempting Turquoise, DP from my big huge cube that I got at Costco.
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise, Vintage Violet, Ruby Red
Accessories: Cuttlebug w/Bloom Dots embossing folder, Paper Piercing Tools, Stickles, Crystal Effects (on the hot water bottle), Dimensionals, Brown Velvet Ribbon, and Liquid Applique (on the tissue).

And, what day is it? FRIDAY! So, Todd comes home today and guess what? It is the last time you have to hear that as he graduates next Thursday! Woohoo! Maybe I'll try some blog candy again after our little vacation next weekend. Stay tuned!

Have a great Friday all!

Blog Candy Winner????

So, is this blog candy not as cool or something? Angel, from GA didn't respond to me so I'm picking one more person and then I'm done.

Alright....the last and final person I'm trying is...

Kendra Wenzel from Sturgis, MI

Kendra, you have until noon tomorrow (Friday, May 11th) to contact me.

Card Contest

I sat down to stamp last night for a card contest that Joan over at Paperlicious is having. All you have to do is make and send a card with the Gina K Designs set called Love You To Pieces (you know the set that is raising money for Autism research) that I showed you about a month ago and you are entered in. Easy, huh? Best part is...it is a random drawing from the envelopes! Know what you get if you win? $50 worth of stuff from Gina's store! Woohoo! Anyway, this is not at all what I had in mind when I sat down to make it and I'm not even sure I like it all that much but...I'm going with it. What do you guys think? Oh, and sorry about the shadowing on the card...I took the picture at the wrong time of day!

I'm off to Yakima today for Bible study and some lunch at Red Robin...yummy! It is such a fun time to mix Bible study, food, and shopping. And, to think, I get to do it every week. Okay, not every week. This is my last week at Bible study as Todd graduates next Thursday and then the follow Thursday Angela won't be going (so I won't) and it is the last one for the year sooooo...this is it for me. Wow! To many 'ands' in that sentence or what? Hopefully, I'll be able to pick it up in the fall.

I just have to tell you guys about the book I'm reading for one of my classes this summer. It is Christianity Through The Centuries. I chose to start with that one because I thought it might be interesting. And it would be if only it weren't quite so text bookish. I forgot what text books are like. Very factual just laying out the information. I'll get used to it. I'm not going to go onto another book because if I do I might never go back! Anyway, first experience as an adult student...very interesting, I'm telling ya!

You all have a fantastic day!

Yay!

I'm very happy because I finally feel like stamping again. Now, I just have to finish up the swap cards so that I can move onto other fun stuff! I'm about 3/4 of the way done with them but here is the kicker...they have to be in the mail today. So, this will be short so that I can get them done and to the post office.

I thought today would be a good day to show you another wallet card. My friend, Jennifer, sent this when I had my contest a little while back. I just love the butterfly on the front and all the scallops. She used some fantastic looking Bazzill card stock and some oh, so cute designer paper. What a breath of spring, huh?

One more thing this morning. The winner of my blog candy never responded to me so I found a new name from my guestbook. The random number generator gave me the number 86 and that is Angel from GA. Angel, you have 24 hours to contact me.

I'm off to finish my swap cards so I hope you ladies all have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Jammybella

Whew! I finally made something! I don't think I've ever had such a problem before. Anyway, I think this is the girl I'm going to go with for the Bella swap that I'm in. I'm going to add glitter to the flowers and add some Crystal Effects to the collar to make it look like a satin collar. I don't have enough brads to use on 17 cards so I used my gel pen to make them look like brads. What do you all think?

One other thing is that the winner of my blog candy has not responded to me yet. So...if she doesn't respond by midnight tonight I'll find another number, choose a new winner, and let you guys know tomorrow.

How I made this card:

Stamps: Jammybella and Warm Words
Card Stock: Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, Cool Caribbean, Paper Salon in Petite White Floral
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Cool Caribbean, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Gel Pen, Small and Large Oval Punches, Corner Rounder, Dimensionals, White Organdy Ribbon.

Ready to smile?

Have to show you a wonderful card that I received from my blogging friend Gwen. She had a little give away for the first 25 people that signed her blog. I, of course, got my fingers busy and in the mail came this incredibly cute card! I have to be honest and tell you guys that I don't know which SU! set this is. It's either that or it is way to early! All I know is that I love the fun and cheery colors and the saying 'happy hello'. I hyperlinked Gwen's name to her blog so go check it out. She is very talented!

This is going to be short today because as usual I have a very busy Monday planned, the kiddos are up, and I need to get moving!

I hope you all have a fantastic Monday!

New Stamps!

Today I thought I'd show you some new word stamps that will be coming out in the new SU! catalog. As you know by now All Year Cheer I, II, and III are retiring so I would think they would need tons of new word stamps. I don't know the names of these sets but I sure do like them! The set on the right looks like a fun occasions set with the ability to make invitations, too. The set on the left is a holiday set. Love the variety of fonts they used and the smaller size.

Have any of you ever used A Muse stamps? I have a couple and find them to be very cute. I mention this because at the A Muse website they are holding their second annual A Muse A Palooza. Their blog has different challenges. Make sure you register because they will be having drawing for free stamps each week and a grand prize drawing that is new A Muse products for an entire year! Wow! Go check it out!

Wanna see a neat way to put ribbon on your card? Andria Warner does a tutorial on her unique way of tying her ribbon. It is pretty neat looking and so simple once you see it. Go check it out!

I hope you have a great Sunday!

FUN picture day today!

Morning All! I have a ton of things to share with you today! First, I know you guys want to know who won the blog candy and what that candy will be. Well, I received about 152 signatures in my guest book (but a couple were duplicate) and the random number generator choose 135. So, from my calculations Christi B. from Woodbridge, VA won! What did she win, you may ask? Well, she wins a NUM Delight In Life PLUS 10 Giga Scalloped Punch Circles (in her choice of colors) PLUS 6 Cuttlebug backgrounds (in her choice of colors and backgrounds). So...Christi, e-mail me and we'll talk!

Now, for some other fun news. I got a Blogger RAK yesterday from Amber! It is the cutest Beachabella! She used the Polka Dots and Paisleys Designer Paper from the Spring Mini, and lots 'o glitter! LOVE the glitter, Amber! The best part? She sent me a couple of Beachabella images for me to make my own fun card...YAY!!! Go check out her blog you guys...Amber is a fantastic stamper and such a nice person!

And, lastly, I want to share some pictures of the newest member of our family, Mitzy. If you read the post yesterday you know that I went to Yakima to see her and talk with the rescue person (Hi Elly!) about adopting her. Well, it all went really well and Mitzy is now at out house. Mitzy and Tara (our first dog) seem to be doing well. It'll take a few days but we know all will be fine. Mitzy is so cute. She is very loving and LOVES to sit on your lap and sleep. Yesterday she was so busy exploring things that when I put her on my lap to watch t.v. at night she fell right to sleep. Oh, and she snores...loudly!!! It is very cute! So, you'll see in the pictures that we are all getting along with her quite well. The picture of Scott also shows you our other dog Tara. If you haven't read Mitzy's story HERE is a link. Also, if you live in Washington take a look at the other dogs at the rescue shelter and see if one would fit your family. Oh, and tell me something...how do you not love a face like Mitzy's? I LOVE it when her tongue is hanging out the side!

That is it for today everyone. Go...have a Super Saturday!

Only 3 Away!

My goodness, girls! I wake up this morning and find that I'm only 3 views away from 15,000. I need to be thinking about some blog candy, huh? I'm so not sure what I'm going to be giving away but you know me...it will be great! Here is how you are going to get the blog candy this time...by signing my guestbook by midnight tonight...Friday 5/4. If you already have...you are in the running for the candy. If not...go to the bottom of my blog and sign the guestbook. If you can't for some reason please let me know and I'll do it for you! I'll post the winner and the loot sometime tomorrow.

Onto something I was so excited about yesterday. Ready for the background story? Okay, I had been ready on a couple of my Yahoo groups and on some blogs about some fantastic designer paper (at a fantastic price $13.59) that Costco had for sale. So, since I happened to be in Yakima yesterday and needed to stop at Costco I checked to see if they had it and indeed they did! Woohoo! it is 3 sheets of 120 unique designs from Magnolia and Wild Asparagus. Can you imagine? 360 sheets of designer paper for $13.59!!!! Wanna see it? Isn't it just fantastic?

Today I'm running to Yakima again as we are adding a new member to our family. Todd and I have been looking for a small(er) dog to join our family for a couple of weeks now and it just hasn't been working out so just Wednesday night we decided to just let it go for now. Well, last night I got an e-mail from a place that I had put an application in at to adopt a specific dog but someone had already contacted them. The lady told me if it didn't work out for some reason she would let me know and that is what the e-mail was for. The other family didn't work out and they think we are a great fit for Mitzy. So, I'm off to meet Mitzy and, hopefully, bring her home! She has a horrible story and I'm just so excited that we can make a safe and loving home for her! I will post pictures tomorrow of her homecoming. I hope!

I'm also thrilled that today is Friday because....Todd comes home today!!!! Yay! Only two weeks from today I won't have to say that anymore as he will be home with us again, graduated from the academy. Okay, he won't be home because Todd and I will be going on a mini vacation for a few days but you know what I mean! ;0)

Have a fantastic Friday everyone!

More New Stuff!

Morning everyone! I found some more new stuff from Stampin' Up! to show you! It looks like there will be a new Punch Box available this year and it has tons of stamps in it! I just love the 3 flower punch! Also...new chipboard! If you've been online for very long you know that chipboard is quite the rage. You can do anything from color it with ink to cover it with paper and get great, really fun, results! And now with more "stuff" to alter you'll look even more like a pro!

Okay, so I can't get the pictures to line up all nicely...sorry about that! I'm still dealing with my creative block. I've never had so many problems making a Bella card before. I think it is because I want it to be so WOW! that I'm probably placing a little bit to much pressure on myself. Also, because it is such a large swap...I have to be careful what I use for the sample card. I have to make sure I have enough of whatever I use to make 17 more just like it! :0)

I hope you enjoyed the 2nd sneak peak into the new SU! Catalog! Are you thinking of some fun things you can do with that stuff? Me too!

Have a fantastic Thursday!

Baby Blanket

Morning ladies! I have to be honest and tell you guys that I've hit a bit of a creative block! Very frustrating! I need to get going on my Bella cards but I just can't pull something out of the hat. I'm still working on it but I hope that it gets MUCH better soon...like today!

Although I don't have a card to show you today I do have something else to show you. One of my neighbors is having (actually I think she may have had) a baby boy. She was due on the 25th and there has been lots of activity at her house the last few days. Anyway, my other neighbor, Angela, and I decided to make her something for the baby. We went to Craft Warehouse to maybe make a quilt (I have limited experience with quilts but figured I could do it.). Well, what we found was a very cute blanket that didn't require quilting just sewing together. I figured I could do that...and I did. Angela tied the little ties on the front, which I did not want to do and I cut and sewed the material together. It should have been a very easy project to sew but the really soft, silky fabric we chose for the back...yeah...it move around like crazy. So, we have a blanket for them but it is a bit puckery. I figure the baby won't care and maybe his parents will over look it. It is very soft and I would have loved receiving something like this from a neighbor so I hope that they like it!

So, I'll be trying to be creative today with Bella and hopefully I'll have something to show you tomorrow. Tonight is the mother-daughter banquet at church. I was invited by a friend of mine to go but it seems that she will be out of town helping out her daughter who just had a baby girl. I've invited Scott's girlfriend to go with me so it will be just Trista and I and about 100 other ladies with their daughters. Oh, and the men of the church help out so I'm having Jon and Kyler go and help as well. They aren't too thrilled about it but they will survive won't they? :0)

***Also, Alex, I received your e-mail but I get an error when I try to respond. Please try me again!***

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Stampin' Up! Retirement List

Well, ladies...it is that time of year when SU! puts out their retirement list. I didn't stay up and wait for it but did check it out first thing this morning. I went through my book and marked retired and highlighted the retired sets I have on my list. Wanna know how many of my sets are retiring? 80 sets and 7 wheels! That does not include sets from Mini Catalogs...yikes! This year they have the sets separated into two lists for us. One is Alphabetical and one is Numerical, by page number. The cool part about this is that I waited to order an incentive set that I earned until this set came out so I would know what was retiring. Now...do I order a set that I really like that won't be around much longer or do I buy one that I know will be around? Decisions, decisions!

I must run for now but hopefully I'll be back to show you some artwork later. If not...see you tomorrow!