Ooops! Sorry!

Wow you guys! The day really got away from me yesterday and I forgot to post...I'm so sorry! Today I've got the last two Bella swap cards. The first card is Teddybella. Teddybella is made by Sara Henton and is in a really cute folded card. The patterned paper is Deja Views and she used Liquid Applique on the slippers. You can see what the card looks like all folded up by the little photo on the inside of the card. Very cute, very inventive!

The second card is by the swap host, Kristi Ferro. Her coloring and use of accents is absolutely fantastic! I love Surfafella...such fun! How cute is that 'hot stuff' saying?

I just want to let you know that if I don't post it is because I'm getting ready for school and getting the last bit of reading in. I leave for school on the 10th and will be gone until the 22nd. I will not be posting at all during that time but I may show Todd how to post and maybe he can keep you entertained with a post every now and then. :0)

Please remember if you are in the Prize Swap that your swap is due to me by June 6th. If I don't receive it by then it will be returned to you. As I said I have to have the swaps on time so I can separate them, have the family choose a favorite, get them back to you, and post the winner on my blog by June 8th. If you know you aren't going to make it by the 6th please e-mail me and let me know. I'm excited to see what you have all done!

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!