Love Monkey

Morning all! Welcome to the middle of your week. Isn't it wonderful to know you're halfway to Friday...woohoo! I'm excited as I have a Dove Chocolate Discoveries party tonight and one on Friday. Fun stuff!

Anyway, some time ago, when I was a member of a particular Yahoo group, a woman named Kim Score posted samples of her punch art and that she was selling the directions for the punch art at her blog (Paper Punch Addiction). I immediately ran over to her blog and purchase some of her punch art as my brain...yeah, not getting punch art out of it any time soon! Her directions are easy to read and follow as well as so reasonably priced. I've been following her blog since then.

Well, she had some blog candy up for grabs awhile back so I entered (and gave you the chance to see her blog by adding her link in my sidebar) and I won! I got my blog candy a week or so ago but just got to putting together one of the items yesterday and it is SO cute! Of course I want to share with you all but Kim asked that I not show the entire page to protect all of the hard work that goes into her classes and creations...so I'm sharing a peak of the Love Monkey 12x12 page that she sent me. It is SO cute and is very hard to not show you the entire thing!

So...what are you waiting for? Go check out Kim's blog...HERE. Oh, for those who are interested Kim uses Stampin' Up! punches only so these characters (and more) are great for classes, workshops, and stamp clubs. Just ask my stamp club they have gotten to make a snowman of Kim's design!

Heart Boxes

Morning all! Thought I'd show you the boxes that I've made for the boys to put their candy in on Valentine's Day. While the patterned paper is not SU! I did get the template for these boxes from Andrea Walford's Valentine Class. These are super easy and quick to make...just my thing and the best part is if one of the boys see's the photos they won't know which one if for them...teehee!

I have a Dove Chocolate Discoveries party tonight so I'm baking cookies an getting all set to go today! Fun stuff!

Anyway, I hope these hearts make you smile and that your plans for Valentine's Day are coming together!

miscellaneous info...

Morning everyone! Just a couple of things for you this morning.

First, like those Prima flowers you see in the picture? Well...go HERE to see how you can win them!

Second, my friend, Janel, has decided she is going to run a marathon this fall. I'm super proud of her and I know she will do a great job! She would like to make herself a journal for her training but needs an image of a runner. I don't have anything for her...do you? If you do please leave a comment here with a way for me (or Janel) to get a hold of you that would be great. My blog readers are the best so I am thanking you in advance for helping out!

And finally...changes are on their way! In what way you'll have to continue to check back and see. I think you'll be excited along with me though!

Now...I'm off to spend the day with my husband in one of our favorite places here in Washington so I hope you all have as good of a day as we do!

i'm in!

Morning everyone! Sorry, no card for you today but I thought I'd share a couple of things with you.

I got a really fun Stampin' Up! order yesterday which, as you can see, consists of some stamp sets from the Occasions mini catalog. Even though you can't see it in my picture, I also got the new Three Tier Cake Pop-up Bigz XL die. Guess what we'll be using at our next stamp club? I'm so excited! You can also see the And Many Mower set that we'll be using at my Father's Day Stamp Camp. Fun stuff!

The other thing I wanted to tell you about is....I'm getting Copic Certified! Yep, I got into the Portland class in May! I become giddy just thinking about it! Todd is driving down there with me so we'll have a little together time then which is always nice. If you or someone you know will be attending please let me know. I'd love to be sure to get to meet you in person! Oh, and check out the place where the class will be held and where we have our overnight reservation. It looks really nice!

I have, finally, been able to break the plain of the final set of about 5-7 pounds that I'd like to loose before summer (or certainly before the Copic certification). I'm THRILLED as that has been SO hard! Hopefully it will change my mind set a little and the last few pounds will be much easier.

Anyway, I hope that you all have a wonderful . I'm off to face the 28 mph winds we are going to have today. Joy, joy!

Oh, and holy moly...check out THIS blog candy!

belli challenge

Good morning friends! I just wanted to type you a quick note to let you know a couple of things.

First, I didn't get my Belli Challenge done BUT I am going to try and get something done this afternoon and post it early this evening so please check back and also be sure to check out the other Belli Girls cards by clicking on their blogs in my sidebar. Edited...I did a cracked glass card...hope you like it! The cardinal is from CHF, paper from Wassail Basic Grey (again!), and the ink for the cardinal is Cranberry Adirondack.

Next, Did you know it is only 22 days until Christmas? Ack! I'm so far behind! Please know that if I don't post here and there it isn't 'cuz I don't love y'all it is because I'm busy making super fantastic gifts...or just catching up!

Finally, I have become a Tastefully Simple consultant in addition to everything else I do. I have sold TS before and I completely love their products. I will probably be adding announcements on sales and new products to my postings as well as having a link to my Tastefully Simple website in my sidebar. That website will allow you to order any of the yummy TS products at anytime and have it shipped directly to you. We can also hold an online party for you and your friends if you live far away and you can become a consultant through the website as well. Let me know if you have any questions about Tastefully Simple!

If you are like me and feeling the rush of Christmas you may like the animation I have for you today. Remember to hold the real meaning of Christmas in your heart and you will be just fine.

Have a super day everyone!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

From our family to yours...may you enjoy your day of blessings with your friends and family!

you guys are great

I just want to all for your wonderful support! I appreciate you all understanding about my being gone the next few days. I hope to have a fun challenge for you guys tomorrow and what do you get out of it? Oh, yeah...Glory from Lorie!

Okay, and I have a video for you. This is a tough video (especially for some) to watch and listen to but I think the message is an excellent one!



See you tomorrow!

shopping!

Well...several of you have asked what I got when I went shopping so I thought I'd show you real quick today. Oh, and a funny little story...Kyler had money to spend at Toys R Us so if you are a parent you know to go there first and we did. He did a great job. It was possibly the fastest trip to TRU we've ever made...in and out in probably 15 minutes (I'll post on my other blog what he got later today). After TRU we went to Bella Scrapbooking, a nice store in Yakima. We probably spent a half hour in that store and Kyler was just exasperated with me and told me that...he found his stuff quickly! He is a very patient boy so you know he was just dying to sit with his new toys and check them out!

I got some beautiful and some just plain fun paper. See that star paper on the top of the pile on the bottom? Yeah, that has green, blue, and coral colored stars on it and then throughout the page there are cut outs of stars too so my base card stock will show through. I got some owl paper, some striped paper, and a couple of new COPICS. A couple of the really neato things are...a Quick Stik from QuicKutz. It has one end to help lift up small pieces of adhesive'd paper and the other end is a little sticky to pick up small embellishments and keep them where you want them. I think it will be a very useful tool. Do you see the little bird chipboard figures? Yep, there are several on a key chain that should be fun to alter. Then there is a key chain full of bracket shaped plastic that, again, will be fun to alter. I also found that fun brown felt pocket that I'm not sure what I'm going to do with yet but had to have it! So, that is it. I had a great time looking and getting to purchase a couple of things. Thanks for asking so that I could talk about it!

Don't forget about my little thoughtful Thursday challenge in the post below. You have until Sunday to do something nice, anonymously, for someone else. Please comment to Thursday's post when you do!

Have a really fun Friday!

awww...you guys are too sweet!

As I received the image swap packages I found that some of you ladies sent me a little thank you. I got some super cute cards, a couple of Studio G stamp sets, some card charms, a couple of card kits, and a couple of post-it notes. I just want you to know that I love them all! Thank you so much for being so sweet! I can't wait to get to work stamping! Speaking of the image swap...all but one will be sent today. Woohoo! Vickilyn...please e-mail me as I have a question for you.


So, yeah...that is it for today you guys. Sorry I'm so boring! I actually have lots to do today so I should probably get going!

Have a thankful Thursday!

miscellaneous

I don't have any artwork to show you today but I thought I'd show you some cute embellishments I've gotten recently. Ready for the enabling?

Aren't these great? Ever wish you had time to make those layered, stitched flower elements for your cards? Well, Sassafras has them all made for you! The store had about five different colors but I went with hot pink (go figure) and a great green. I can see those with some Bella cards! Then there are the neat words on the stick pins. I think they are for scrapbooking but I'm pretty sure I can make them work for card making too. The heritage pin I may have to save for grandpa's scrapbook. Those pins came from JoAnn Fabrics online. I had a free shipping code so ya have to order you know! I also got my grandpa's Navy scrapbook. It is white with a metal Navy emblem on the front. I think he will like it. And the last thing is some self sticky embellies that include butterfly, star, and heart shapes all in different sizes and shades of pink. Very cute and very fun!

And this...this is the Zoophabet clear set by Penny Black. Remember the card that I got HERE? Well, this is the set that it was made with. I'm not sure how often I'll actually use the set but I'm so thrilled that I have it because I think I can make some really cute cards with it! So, see? I get sucked into the enabling thing too!

Please be praying for my grandpa again. He was admitted to the hospital again on Sunday via the emergency room. From what I gather his incision is infected and has to be opened up and cleaned out. Honestly, though...I don't really know what is going on but please just pray! Also, if you don't already know Diane (ddnjoys2stamp) is in the hospital. Her niece is updating her blog HERE. She needs our prayers too!

So that is the extend of my enabling for you guys today! Please let me know when you find good deals that you can share! Have a Terrific Tuesday everyone!

yum!

Well, here it is! This is the recipe page that I'm using for my swap with Courtney. I know, I know, it is pretty plain and doesn't have a lick of stamping but you know what? I still like it! All of the swaps pages have a black background and the "yum" is the same but I didn't have enough of the So Saffron papers so most of them are made with slightly different papers and I had to switch to Apricot Appeal for four of the pages as I totally ran out of So Saffron. Guess that is what I get for procrastinating so long!

Funny story about the black brads (unless you are Courtney and got the frustrated text...you'll see). Yesterday afternoon I decided that I needed to add the black brads to this project (and I'm glad I did) but didn't have nearly enough. So, I thought to myself...self, surely even in this small town (Pop. 15,000) the LSS will have a package of black brads. NO! No, they did not! Can you believe that? So, I head over to Fred Meyer (like Target) to their incredibly small craft section thinking surely they would have them and NO! No, they did not either! (Here is where I texted Courtney that it stinks living in a small town!) Ugghhh! So, Todd calls one of his co-workers who lives in a neighboring town (45 minutes away is neighboring) and asks him to purchase me some black brads at Craft Warehouse before coming to work and you know what? HE DID!!!! Yay! So, I get my black brads at 8:15 p.m. last night which worked great as I got them all done before Gray's Anatomy came on...woohoo! Ahhh...small town living! LOL!

Oh, and guess what? My grandpa's wife called yesterday to update me on how things are going and they are going okay. Grandpa is very tired and having some problems sleeping (although that isn't new for him) but he is home and that is GOOD. The other thing the phone call was for was because she wanted to ask if I would scrapbook all of grandpa's pictures from his recent trip to DC to see the WWII Monument of the places in the picture. . I am so excited to help in this way! So honored they would ask me! So nervous that I will be able to do it quickly yet make it look nice. So excited because after I get the pages done I get to sit with grandpa and journal his thoughts and remembrances. Ummm...how cool is that? So, I'm wondering...if you have any USA/patriotic scrapbook stuff (12x12) that you'd like to donate to my little project that would be great. Honestly, if you just have some layouts that you love and are easy to put together I would love that too. My grandpa was in the Navy so Navy stuff would be neat to. If you are off shopping online and come across something e-mail me the link so I can check it out, k? Thanks you guys! ***Edit...I just found a Navy 12x12 scrapbook at Joanns online for $20 and got free shipping! Woohoo!*** ***I just found this VIDEO...you must go see it!***

Okay, I've written a book again but I just HAD to tell you about my new project coming up! Today is Friday though and that is a wonderful thing! I hope you all make today a wonderful day and that you do something nice for someone else!

nestabilities

Yesterday, I told you that I'd show you how I store my Nestabilities. Well, it is really pretty basic but does require some shelf space for storage.

So...this is the clam shell that the Nestabilities come to you from the manufacturer in. When I bought my first couple of them they came in individual packages but now they come in one big package. Very large, very cumbersome and totally not storage friendly.

After I receive the package that is in the first picture I turn it into what you see above. I just went and bought some CD cases and magnetic strip with adhesive on the back. The rest you can pretty much figure out. I do have a problem with one or two of the dies moving around but the case is closed for storage so really it doesn't matter. These fit on my book shelf next to my PTI sets and I just love this storage system and my Nesties. Want some for yourself but not sure where to get them? Go to Cut@Home, sign up for their VIP newsletter and when you receive the newsletter each month you will receive a 40% off one item coupon. That means the $77 set of four squares you see cost me $46 plus shipping. Not sure anyone else can beat that. Two things though. The Cut@Home website is very slow...it takes forever for pages to load but the coupon is worth it. Most places are out of Nesties right now...Cut@Home included. They will take your order though and put you on the waiting list. That is what I did and as soon as they came in they were mine. Woohoo!

In other news...are you currently trying to loose weight or on Weight Watchers? Then, I have the book for you! It is called Hungry Girl. It is a fantastic book full of recipes that look amazing but are easy on the waist line. Amazon has it for less than $10 right now when the price on the book is $17.99. So it is easy on the checkbook too! Not sure if you want the book? If you go HERE you can sign up for their newsletter and get daily recipes and great ideas for eating healthier.

Okay, I'll stop writing now. You all have a super Thursday!

HAPPY MAY DAY!!!

just have to show you

Remember two days ago when I showed you what my backyard garden looked like? Well, after 3 trips to the rock quarry, a trip to the nursery, and some hard work...here is what it looks like now. Don't ya just love it? I think it looks great and it is so nice to have something back there other than dead grass...lol! Now if the wind would die down and the temperature would come up the roses would be loving it!

When I went to the church last night I checked my box and what did I find? This WONDERFUL bookmark. Oh, my goodness I love it! Whoever made it for me (and there was no identification) knows me well because that flower on the front is my favorite flower...Lily of the Valley. On the bottom it has the flower and says thinking of you, my name is on the right side (I love it when I get things with my name on them! Weird, right?) and on the back it says "Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things." That is just so sweet and makes me feel so loved! I have a clue of who might have made it for me so I must check with her today but I had to show you guys right away!

Tomorrow, I'm going to show you guys what I do with my Nestabilities after I receive them. I don't like the clam shell that they come in so I've copied someone on a blog (can't remember who at this point) and put them into a more friendly for Lorie container.

Today I must work on my recipe swap for Courtney. I got all the recipes printed out last night. Now I must figure out a layout and get them done as they are due in her hands on the 5th....YIKES!!! I'm such a slacker this time!

And, two last little updates. Kyler goes next week to finish up his root canals. His teeth have done a great job of accepting the stuff they put in them to get them to seal up so...final stage is next week on Wednesday. He is excited to be done with it but apprehensive about the shots. I know he'll do just fine! Also, an update on my grandpa. He went home I think on Monday. I haven't talked to him since then because I'm sure he was inundated with visitors and such yesterday so I'll be calling today to see how he is doing. Thanks so much for your support and prayers with both of these matters!

***Edited to tell you that SU! has extended the Occasions mini catalog to be effective until June 30th! So, if there is anything you were wanting...you still have time! Also, coming May 1st spend $35 with SU! and get any On Board chipboard item on pages 178/179 for 25% off. Pretty cool, huh?***

So, there it is...a book, when I didn't even think I had enough to show/tell you for a small post. Just goes to prove I CAN talk a lot, huh? LOL! I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday and I'll see ya tomorrow!

How fun!

Isn't this such a cutie patootie card? My friend Katie sent it to me for helping her with something. This penguin is from imaginisce and I actually have the same stamp but certainly haven't used it as cutely as Katie has! The skirt is cut out attached to a penny and then placed in a little punched out area and it sways back and forth when you move the card side to side. Adorable! Thanks Katie!

Oh, and I must also tell you guys about Katie's new business venture. It is called 3 Little DReaMs. The name incorporates her kids names first letter. Anyway, Katie has started a monthly stamping kit club. When you order one of her boxes you will get either a Bella (now) or a Sweet & Sassy (coming soon) stamp along with sentiment, paper, embellishments, and ink. How cool is that? Pre-picked, perfectly matched kits to make cards with. And the best part is that the Bella shipping won't take as long as coming from Canada! Woohoo! For May Katie is featuring Beachabella and the Life's a Beach sentiment. Because she is just starting her company Katie is only taking pre-orders for her kits at this time. You can order the May kit up to April 15th to ensure you will receive a kit. If you order after the 15th you are not guaranteed a spot for May's kit. All FAQ's for this new venture are HERE. You can let me know if you have any questions at all but it would be even better if you e-mail Katie through her 3 Little Dreams site. She may not reply right away as her MIL passed away suddenly and today is the funeral but rest assured she will answer your questions. What are you waiting for? Go check it out!

And, today is Kyler's root canals. 9:00 a.m. our time (pacific) so if you could be praying for us that would be great! It is now 7 so I need to get everyone up and moving. Have a great day all!

Craft Critique: Quick Photo Fixes in Photoshop

There is a great tutorial on how to fix your photos on Craft Critique today. Go check it out! Craft Critique: Quick Photo Fixes in Photoshop

Spring

I don't know about you but we've had some signs of spring here recently. My Crocus's are blooming in the front and the dogs are sniffing like crazy in the yard. I wonder which bug is the smelliest? I got this spring stamp from Elzybells at the same time I got the cute Moon Girl stamp. Anyway, I was inspired to make a fun light colored card the other day by the weather and this is what I came up with. The layout is from Beate's weekend sketch challenge from a couple of weeks ago and the colors are some extra papers that I had in my card stock container. HERE is the link to SCS for the list of what I used. I got three new colors of Spica Glitter Pens some time back and I used all three on this card. Pink, Melon, and Lemon. I LOVE the extra little oomph that they give a card!

Just a reminder that if you would like to be part of an online Bible study with myself and some of your blogging friend please e-mail me. You can find my e-mail HERE.

I hope that you make today a great Monday! See you tomorrow!

Birthday Wishes

Some of you may know that my grandpa is very special to me. As a child my parents were very good about making sure that my brother and I got to see my grandparents on a regular basis. Sometimes we made the four hour drive twice a month. Oh, geeze...I don't want to bore you with the memories of that time but just typing this little but has brought that time right back...I love it! My grandma died about 11 1/2 years ago now (wow!) and my grandpa remarried a wonderful lady who loves him and takes care of him. Anyway, this coming Wednesday is his birthday and I send him a card every year. Grandpa and Fern have a little room in their house that they have their two chairs and a t.v in. Knowing I had this MFT's set called This One's for the Boy I knew I had to make his card with it. I struggled and struggled and I'm still not "in love" with it but I think it suits him well. Speaking of that side of the family if you would all please pray for my aunt Cindy. Something is going on that has her in ICU. Not sure what it is but I know it is tearing my grandpa up inside (he's already lost one wife and a daughter). So please prayers for her.

I also wanted to show you how I'll be signing the back of my cards this year. Grandpa's card was the first one to receive this signature (because I just mounted the stamp...lazy Lorie!). I really think it suits me well.

Anyway, I hope you all have a fantastic Saturday! I'm going to try and photograph my heart tins so you guys can see them tomorrow!

A Cupcake Day

When Eclectic Paperie sent out their e-mail saying they had an exclusive Stampendous set just for them I knew I had to have it! It is called Hey There Cupcake. There are six different tops and bottoms to the cupcakes along with sentiments you can put together, candles, and other fun toppers. I just had to ink it up and play with the set a little. I made this for a friend who was feeling under the weather. Just wanted her to know that I was thinking of her. I used Bazzil brown paper, designer paper I got the other day, So Saffron, and PaperTrey Ink White card stock. Throw some satin ribbon on the top and you've got a cute thinking of you card!

Today is the super bowl and while my choice of teams in not playing today...although they sooo should be...we will be going to a super bowl get together. We have a split decision on who the winner of the game will be. Jon and I are being realists and are saying that the Patriots will win. I just don't think that Giants defense can stop the Pats offense. Todd and Kyler say the Giants will win. While I think it would be better if the Packers could say we lost the playoff game to the super bowl winners...I don't think that is going to happen. I hope you all has a super fun time if you are going to some parties! Eat some food for me!

*Just a little note...blogger's spell check isn't working so if you see some errors please forgive me!*

I Chose A Name

Wow! You guys are so smart and creative! I loved all the suggestions that you guys had for me but in the end I went with one that I thought of. My Bella name is...Myfellasbella. What do you all think? But...because I still want to give away a little Glory from Lorie I had Todd pick a number and he picked lucky number 13! #13 is...

Cristina said...

MamaBella ~ because you're such a great mom and like to share your family with us. :)

Yay, Cristina! Just e-mail me your address and I'll get a little something out to you this week!

My card for you guys today is an easy one but I just love it. I love the saying and the way the card looks in real life. I used my chalk ink for the fish and the sentiment so even though the colors are bright it is very soft looking. I honestly didn't think this card needed anything other than the fish and the saying but I love ribbon so I added a little. I made this card for a fellow blogger and it will be going out in the mail today. Don't want to give it up who it is right now just in case she will still be surprised. The stamps are from Biblical Impressions. All card stock and ribbon is Stampin' Up!

I have a ton of things to do today so I must get off my butt and get moving! Have a great Saturday!

If you give a girl a stamp...

While I don't have a picture for you today I thought all my blogging friends would enjoy and identify with this story. It is written by Tracy Harp. Just click on her name to go to her blog...you'll love it!

If You Give a Girl a Stamp
By Tracy Harp

If you give a girl a stamp she‘ll want to make a card…she’ll need an ink pad to go with it. She will spend hours pouring over colors trying to decide just the right one to buy. In the end she’ll decide she just can’t choose so she’ll buy them all.
Then she’ll remember she’ll need card stock to match the ink so she’ll quickly add four packs of assorted paper to her list, oh and white, vanilla, black and kraft!
Thinking about certainly celery, purely pomegranate, pale plum and pumpkin pie will make her hungry so she’ll go to the kitchen for a snack. While munching on cookies she’ll realize she needs ideas of what to do with the stamp. She’ll go to her computer and Google rubber stamping.
She’ll find a site called Splitcoaststampers. Wow!! So many techniques and ideas and a gallery that never ends. She’ll spend hours gazing at beautiful cards and projects. Her eyes will become dry from staring at the computer screen. She’ll go to the bathroom for some eye drops.
On the way, she’ll pass her family sitting at the kitchen table waiting for dinner. She’ll quickly heat up some leftovers and try to pretend she hadn’t forgotten. While talking about the days events, her son will bring out the school pictures he had gotten that day.
That will remind her she wanted a digital camera to take pictures of her cards so she can start her own SCS gallery. She’ll convince hubby of all the reasons the “family” needs a new camera. He will finally agree and she’ll head to the store to buy one.
On her way home she’ll pass by Joanns and remember she needs an Ott-Lite to go with the camera she just bought. While shopping for a light she’ll see aisles of paper, punches, embellishments and ribbon. She’ll pick out a cart full of items but realize they don’t carry THE punch she saw used on a card she saved to her favorites. She’ll return home and go back to Splitcoaststampers to find out where to get THE punch.
Her search will lead her to someone’s blog where she’ll see a Starbucks bottle made into a cute candy container. That will remind her she has some bottles in the recycling bin so she’ll go to the garage to rescue them from the trash.
While in the garage she’ll see her son’s bike which will remind her she needs to buy a new helmet for his birthday. Thinking about birthdays will remind her she wanted to bake some cupcakes for him to take to school.
As she walks to the kitchen she’ll pass by the table and see the stamp. The stamp will remind her that she wanted to make a card and she’ll probably want some…