ATTENTION:"A Set a Day Giveaway"
Featuring the NEW sets from "MY CUTE STAMPS"
Starts August 3rd and ends August 7th.
Go and comment daily on the ABC Design Blog post and you could win the stamp set featured that day. Just go to ABC Design Blog for all the details.
Also, the store owner, Julie, has a $25 Shopping Spree to the STORE to give away this week. So check out the Store Blog and see how to win.

calendar pages day two

Good morning! Here we are at day two of the calendar pages. I must say that one looks like a two year old did it and the other is much better (except the photo...sorry about that!).

Anyway, I finally got the pages out in the mail today. I really hope they get there quickly (sent priority but this time of year...who knows!) so the entire calendar can be finished.

Once again I just used some patterned paper that I have in the house for both of these. The October page has paper from SU! and the other is well...I don't recall...sorry. Again, the sentiments are from Sweet N Sassy Stamps and the letters/numbers for the dates are from PTI.

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that I now have all my crafting done for the Sweet N Sassy Stamp Blog Hop and Release Party (see sidebar for details)! I received my final set today along with the paper I was wanting to use with it and bam...I'm done! Todd likes them all so that is saying something...lol!

I made a card with a Tilda image last night too that I like but don't love so I'm not sure I'll show it to you but the image itself is cute. Have you used them yet? I'd love to see some examples if you have. If not, you should go see my friend, Kristine's, blog...she does an absolutely AMAZING job with them! I think she is the Magnolia whisperer...LOL!

I have received over the last few months several awards from my wonderful blogger friends. I don't often post them as I don't want anyone to think that I am boasting (as I really have nothing to boast about) about receiving an award. Anyway, Ceal nominated me for an award that is new and I haven't seen plus you get to learn something new about me from it so here it is. Here is how this one works...ready?

1. Link to the blog of the person who gave you this award. You will find Ceal's blog HERE.

2. Name 5 things you are addicted to...
a. My desire to know Jesus more deeply.
b. My husband and boys.
c. Crafting.
d. Blogs and blogging.
e. Computers.
f. Ghiradelli Chocolate
g. Oh, wait...it was five, huh? I'm a little OCD sometimes! LOL!

3. Pass it on to 5 other bloggers that inspire you. Here is where it gets sticky for me. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings and honestly, so many people inspire me so I'm just randomly listing 5 blogs...k?
a. Kristine
b. Sarah
c. Korin
d. Melissa
e. Kerry

So, there you have it. I hope you are all having a wonderful day! See you tomorrow everyone!

love blog candy?

My goodness girls! You must go see and participate in THIS blog candy. I'd say good luck but I really want to win..LOL!

it's a blogaversary

Morning everyone! Whose blogaversary is it? It is MY blogaversary. Two years ago (on the 12th I actually started my blog but on the 14th I started posting cards) today I started my blog! I can hardly believe two years have gone by!

First and foremost...thank you to all my wonderful friends that have supported me over the last couple of years. You guys make it all so much fun for me. I was just looking and did you know that Dawn Griffith was my very first commenter. How very cool is that...I love Dawn and she is uber talented so you should go visit her blog HERE!

Now...what you guys are all wondering...what am I going to do for my blogaversary? Well, as thank you (besides my undying thanks) I'm going to give away the package shown to the right. Yep, you will get a SU! Create a Calendar kit, TWO COPIC (R11 and R22) markers, and the three projects we made at stamp club Wednesday night.

What do you need to do to win? Leave a comment...tell me what you like about my blog and if there is something you'd wish I do or wish I'd do differently let me know that too! There is no obligation to tell anyone else but if you want your friends to get a try at the loot too then go ahead and put it on your blog or call 'em up! You have until Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) to leave your comment! I'll let you know the winner on Monday morning!

Again, thank you everyone! Please be sure to leave me some way to contact you if you win!

Be sure to scroll down for the current day's blog post!

awards...

I've been given a couple of fun awards recently and just want to share them with you real quick. A couple of my bogging friends have given me this first award. I am supposed to tell you like six other blogs that inspire me but I just can't do only six. There are SO many excellent bloggers and stampers that I know and love that I won't do it. So...if you come here...consider yourself tagged!

This second award is from Diane. This award is to send love and acknowledgment to the women who brighten your day, teach you new things, and live their lives fully with generosity and joy. Again it would be totally impossible for me to list all the people that do the above. Each person that visits my blog, leaves a comment, or e-mails me affects my life and brightens my day. Again, if you come here and think good thoughts when you do...you have been tagged!

Now...I'll be posting with my artwork in another post so I'll be right back!

tagged

I was just tagged by Sarah at Scrampin' Mom along with one or two other people. The "rules" of the game: Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

Here it goes:

Ten years ago: I was living in Janesville, WI, had 10 y/o, 6 y/o, and newborn boys. I was not working outside the home at that time so my life was immersed in my boys!

Five things in today’s 'to do list':
1. Try not to sneeze on anything.
2. Try to breath out of both nostrils (gross...I know)
3. Work on Pullout Scrapbook. (done!)
4. Rest (working on it).
5. Yeah...not much as I'm sick.

Snacks I enjoy:
1. Dark Chocolate
2. Tortilla chips with con queso cheese sauce.
3. Sausage with cheese and crackers.
4. Veggies w/dip.

Things I would do if I was a millionaire:
1. Tithe to our church.
2. Pay off the mortgage.
3. Add onto the house.
4. Hire someone to help me organize my life.
5. Invest, invest, invest.

Places I have lived:
1. Burlington, IA
2. Janesville, WI
3. Ellensburg, WA

I'm supposed to tag 5 more people.

But, I don't like to make someone feel like they have to play soooo...if you want to play then consider yourself tagged!

bella 12 step program...

The Bella 12 Step Program

• Step 1 - We admitted we were powerless over our addiction - that our lives had become meaningless without Stamping Bella
• Step 2 - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves (Em) could restore us to sanity
• Step 3 - Made a decision to turn our extra cash and our stamping time over to the care of Em
  
• Step 4 - Made a well researched and careful inventory of our Bella stamps
  
• Step 5 - Admitted to Em, to ourselves, and to others the exact nature of our stamp addiction
  
• Step 6 - Were entirely ready to defend to the death our commitment to buy more Bellas
  
• Step 7 - Humbly asked Em to continue to give us new Bellas daily
  
• Step 8 - Made a list of all Bellas we own and became willing to make sacrifices to collect them all
• Step 9 - Made RAKs to people wherever possible, especially when to do so would cause them or others to get more Bellas
  
• Step 10 - Continued to search the Stamping Bella inventory and when we need more promptly admitted it
• Step 11 - Sought through PayPal and Master Card to improve our contact with Stamping Bella as we understand the Bella World and its power over us
  
• Step 12 - Having had a stamp awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts, and to practice these principles in all our daily lives

Hi, my name is Lorie and I'm a Bellaholic!

*This was written by Dawn and you can see her blog HERE!*

Oops...forgot!

I was working on a card yesterday but I didn't get it done so I think I forgot to show you the card I made for Todd for Valentine's Day. It wasn't very fancy and not as "man-ish" as I would have liked but sometimes that just happens. I used Valentini from Stamping Bella, some paper from the $1 spot at Target and a cute brad I got from my LSS. I think I would have liked it better had it been colored with markers but I used watercolors. Guess I know better now, huh?

My friend, Diane, sent me this You Cheer Up Me Up award the other day and it was such perfect timing! First of all...I love I Love Lucy. This particular episode is so stinkin' funny! Next...with Kyler's stuff going on I've been feeling a bit down so this just made me laugh! Now...I'm supposed to pick 15 people for this award but...I'm not gonna do it. You know why? Because you ALL cheer me up. Hearing from you when you comment or when you participate in something that is going on here just makes me happy! So you ALL truly deserve the You Cheer Me Up award. Please come back and let me know when you've put this on your blog so that I can see too!

Do you like history? If so go check this out. When we tour Israel we are going to a place called Megiddo. Megiddo has much Biblical significance and even up to WWI has been used as a place of battle it is SO interesting to me and I can't wait to see it! (yeah...so the battles probably weren't light saber but it was the best I could find...lol!)

I hope you all make today a great Thursday and, woohoo, tomorrow is Friday!

Eclectic Day

This post is going to be a bit eclectic as I have some odds and ends to share with you. First, I got a new tool for my stamping desk. It is a Fiskars Rotary Cutter. I have been looking for the perfect trimmer for some time when I was looking around at Costco and bam! There it was! I decided for $28 I could take it home, try it, and then return it if I didn't like it. Well, yeah...I'm not returning it...you can't make me! The blade is nice and sharp, both the paper and the blade don't move when cutting so as long as the paper is where it is supposed to be...no crooked cuts! Woohoo! Although this takes up a bit of room it is so worth it and I'm so happy with the cutter and its price as I searched for it online when I got home and the average price for one of these was about $50. What a bargain hunter I am, huh? If you are looking for a new cutter you should definitely consider one of these!

Next...HERE is the link to the directions on how to make the envelope albums that I shared yesterday. I had posted a comment on the blog to make sure it would be okay to post a link but I haven't heard from her. I can't see how it will be a problem so just make sure you give her proper credit when you make and post your own.

And finally...I was given an award yesterday! My friend Bev over at Country Frog Creations has give me the Arte Y Pico award. The award is given to bloggers who share their art creations through blogging. Here are the rules...

1. You have to pick five blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and the link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself

4. Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of Arte y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

Now, I don't like lists like this all that much because I don't want to hurt any one's feelings so please...if I don't list you know that I love your blog and artwork too, k?!

1. Courtney at Created by Courtney.

2. Diane at ddnjoys2stamp.

3. Dawn at Dawn's Stamping Thoughts.

4. Kristine at Cafe Ink.

5. Andi at Crafts on a Whim.

So, there you go...my eclectic post! Today I take Kyler back to the dentist to see how those teeth are doing. Hopefully it will be clear sailing and no more problems...doubtful but I can be full of hope, right? Got lots to do for work today too so I'll be busy as is usual for a Monday.

Hope you all make today a fantastic day!

Wow!

I'm so excited to tell you that I am the featured crafter today on Crafts On A Whim. She makes me look really good so I hope you guys will go over there and visit!

I made this purse/pocket yesterday with directions from Lauren's blog. Actually...you'll find that it looks a lot like hers as when I make something like this for the first time I typically will make the exact same one (or very close) and then go back and add my own flair to it the next time. I have taken this purse and put some tissue paper inside and then filled it with Ghiradelli chocolate. It is for the dentist office too. Although Kyler did say...maybe we shouldn't give the dentist chocolate. To which I replied...ah...they will just go brush their teeth right away. I'm sure they will love the Ghiradelli! I mean who wouldn't love those caramel, mint, and cocoa little squares? And, if they don't like them they better just give them right back! Are you getting the idea that I love Ghiradelli?

I'm just wondering...today is March 28th right? Well, guess what? We have a snow advisory in effect from 11 a.m. this morning until 10 p.m. tonight. WHAT? That is absolutely crazy. Thankfully it will probably melt within the next couple of days but sheesh! Who wants snow this far into March?

And, a little update on Kyler. Yesterday was the first time since Monday that when I asked him if he wanted Tylenol after school he said no. That is great! He has his appointment on Monday but Jon has a cleaning today so I'm hoping that maybe the dentist will take a peek at it today just to make sure all looks good for the weekend.

Oops...there is my signal. The clock is going off and that means it is 7 and I turn into a pumpkin. No, actually, that means it is time for Kyler to get up and our day to get started. So...I'm off!

Have a super fantastic Friday!

Okay, okay...I'll do it!

4 Jobs I've Had: Cashier, Clothing store manager, Receptionist, Director of Children's Ministry

4 Movies I've Seen: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Willy Wonka, ALL the 007 movies, Veggie Tales The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

4 Places I've been: California, Iowa, Washington, Canada

4 Places I've lived: Wisconsin (4 different places) and Washington State

4 TV Programs I watch: American Idol, Desperate Housewives, Grey's, General Hospital

4 Radio Shows I listen to: No radio shows only KLOVE.

4 Favorite Foods: Steak, Pasta, M&M's, and Chicken Parmesan (when made well)

4 Places I'd Rather be: Nowhere right now.

Well, there you have it. I'm lame...I know! Now if you haven't been tagged and would like to play...consider yourself tagged!

Two New Awards

I have been very blessed to receive two new blogging awards. First, from my friend Courtney...the Spread The Love Award. Thank you so much Courtney! :o)









The other is the Excellent award. This one I was awarded by Charmaine. I feel so special that she would choose me! For this one I am supposed to choose 10 people to pass it on to. Hard to do but here I go...

Courtney
Diane
Kathea
Heidi
Amber
Katie
Dawn
Joan
Cristina
Karen
Shannon

Go visit all these ladies and you will get a treat! :o)

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by Courtney...here goes!

Five things I was doing 10 years ago
1. Dealing with my mom's cancer and death.
2. Changing jobs.
3. Being pregnant and all that comes with it.
4. Living in a little duplex with 2 bedrooms for 4 people (plus the little one to come).
5. If you can believe it that time of my life was actually very good!

Five things on my to do list today
1. Stamp at least two cards. Working on it!
2. Send off some stuff for work. Done!
3. Compliment my boys on their new haircuts. Soon!
4. Go to a church meeting tonight.
5. Play Sorry with my boys.

Five things I will do when I’m a millionaire
1. Pay off all debt.
2. Travel
3. Invest for the future
4. Invest in my boys future.
5. Give a substantial portion to my church.

Five things I’ll never wear again
1. A bikini.
2. Glasses
3. A ring on each finger (no offense to anyone here)
4. A short skirt.
5. Tons of eye makeup. Remember that in the 80's?

Five of my favorite toys
1. My computer
2. My stamp area
3. My cell phone
4. My Pampered Chef cookware.
5.

Five banes of my existence
1. The I'm just kidding about everything experience in the teen years.
2. Waiting for my stamping "paycheck"
3. When my boys argue about stupid things.
4. Some past things that keep coming up in my life today.
5. Honestly...my thighs!

I'm supposed to tag some other people but I'll have to get back to you guys on that. In the meantime if you like to do these things...feel free! Just make sure you link here so I can read your responses!

Final Days Winner(s)

Alright, the final day of give aways is over. Thank you so much for playing along with me and I hope you continue to check out what my blog has to offer! I decided that since I don't have to spend the postage on yesterday's winner (yay! Debby lives in town with me and will be at my house tomorrow!) I would pick TWO winners for today...are ya excited? Okay...the winners are...

Sara said...

Nov. 12, 2006! Congratulations!
Sara

AND

Melissas said...

Sunday, November 12, 2006 was your first post. thanks for sharing with us for so long!

Sara will receive the now retired but new and unmounted Noteworthy stamp set and Melissas will receive the new retired but new and unmounted Burst Into Bloom stamp set! I just need Sara and Melissa to e-mail me with their snail mail addresses so I can get these out to them!

The final day

First, a card. I've been playing with my Happy Heart Day bundle all week and I saw this layout on another blog only as a bag topper. I liked it enough to turn it into a smaller note card. I love the nice clean layout of this card and the smaller size makes it perfect for your child to write a note in to his/her teacher for Valentine's day.


Now for the last candy of the week. I would like for you to tell me the month, day, and year that I started my blog after all that is what my excitement is about! I'm not completely sure what the prize will be today but you know you'll like it! Now, don't just guess what everyone else is guessing. Take some time to look for it on my blog and maybe you'll just find something new about my blog that you didn't know! Today's fun ends at 8:00 p.m.

Have a super wonderful Friday and I'll see you all back here at 8 tonight!

Day 4

Whew! Yesterday was a weird day for me! I woke up just feeling awful! I had a horrible headache and a tummy that did not like food sitting in it. I felt much better around 8:00 p.m. which was nice because I was NOT looking forward to going to bed and I was TIRED! I'm feeling much better now though! Still tired and will take it easy today but much better.

I just thought I'd show you a Valentine's Card. Isn't it cute? I wish I could take credit for it but it was a card that a fellow SU! demo sent to SU! and they put it on their Demo website. So it is (almost) a total CASE. I used my Spica glitter pen on the butterfly and elephants heart to jazz it up a little and the butterfly's wings are cut out and popped up a little. Anyway, super cute, super easy!

Hmmm...did you come back to see about Day 4's give away? Okay, okay...here is your question and this one is easy! When is my birthday? I would like you to give me the month, day, and since I am not ashamed of my age...the year. . From all of the correct answers ('cuz I know you guys know this answer) I'll have Jon pick a number and if you are the winner you'll receive 3 sentiment wood mounted stamps. These are VERY cute, ladies! I may even throw in some embellies so...go to it...when is my birthday?

I hope you all have a super Thursday...check back after 8:00 p.m. for today's winner!

Day 3 Winner

Wow you guys are good...almost! Seems that most everyone thinks that Jon is 16 when in fact he is 15 with his learner's permit and will be 16 at the end of February! The correct ages are:

Scott - 20
Jon - 15
Kyler - 9
Todd - 41

Today's winner is....

Kathy H said...

Hi! It's so neat that you son is into stamping. My little 5 year old son loves it to. Thanks for the chance for your awesome candy. Kathy... jellychick@yahoo.com

Here is my guess:
Kyler 9
Jon 15
Scott 20
Husband Todd 41

Congrats Kathy! You even got Todd's age correct! You have 48 hours to get back to me with your address!

Thanks for playing everyone and come back tomorrow for day 4!

Day 3

Before we get into the blog candy for the day I thought I'd show you my son Jon doing some stamping and his finished card. He is going on a mission trip over spring break this year and we both felt it is important to send thank you notes to those that contribute monetarily to the trip. Of course, that meant he thought I was going to stamp some but it really meant that he was going to stamp some! Together we chose this simple card and I showed him how to stamp them (which is easy schmesy 'cuz these are wonderful clear stamps from Papertrey Ink called Out on a Limb...nice, huh?). He chose the Real Red for the flowers and I talked him into the wide grosgrain by telling him it finishes the card and I would tie them...LOL! Anyway, don't you think he's done a great job?!

Speaking of my boys...wanna win some candy today? Alright! Just comment and tell me how old each of my boys is. Easy! It is up to you whether or not you add Todd into the mix of my boys! Tee Hee! All answers that have all three ages correct will go into the hat for a new, unmounted Around The Block stamp set. You can click on the set name to go to the SCS gallery for that set. The cut off for today's candy will be 8:00 p.m. again. Good luck!

If anyone has any general tips about Photo Shop Elements 6 would you please e-mail me. Just tips that you find really helpful would be nice! The photos here are cropped and re sized in my new program but I know it can do more than that...just don't know what! Thanks! Have a super fantastic Wednesday everyone!

Day 2

Good morning! Today is day two of my celebration. Today you will win one of my Stampin' Round wheels. I have several sitting here (hence my not listing as several is a lot!) that I don't use a lot. The winner for todays little contest will receive the wheel of their choice from my pile! There are both Jumbo and Standard sized wheels and your selection will be good I assure you!

So...how do you win today? All you have to do is be the person that guesses closest to my anniversary date. I would like Month, Day, and Year Todd and I were married. If two (or more) people guess correctly I'll assign numbers to ya and then pull one from a hat. Fair? Good! Now...what is your guess? Oh, and this round will end this evening at 8:00 p.m. Pacific time.

I won't have a picture for you today BUT I am going to purchase Photoshop Elements today from Costco soooo I should be back to regularly posting pictures starting tomorrow! Yay! Don't forget to go to my post below to check out Quilt Nut Creations blog give away!

Do you like to quilt?

Do you like to quilt? Would you like to try quilting? If you do or would like to try hop on over to Quilt Nut Creations to win this great Quilted Table Runner Pattern and CUTE fabric! I asked if I could get a personal lesson included in the win! LOL! Now, go! Enter!