just in case

Good morning everyone! By this point we are home from vacation but I thought I would pre-post one last time so as not to be pressured and have to show you something I don't love. Soooo...one more birthday card, k?

This one is totally me! The same color hair and sitting at the computer...yep, totally me! Well...I'm not quite that skinny but you get the idea. This card came to me from my friend and co-worker Stephanie. She knows I love pink too!

Thank you Stephanie! You are too kind!

So...I'll see you tomorrow!

cards and a link

Good Monday morning everyone! I hope you all had a super weekend and are refreshed for your new week!

I have a couple of more fun cards for you all to see today. The card to the right is from Kristine and is a cute Bella card. Do you see all the paper piecing she did? All the outfits are paper pieced...incredible! Love the color theme too! Thanks so much Kristine!

The card below was made by my friend Jen. The truck is from the SU! set Loads of Love. So, so cute! She knows that I love pink and though it is against her nature she made my card with lots 'o pink...I love it! Thank you Jen!

Tomorrow is Created by Courtney Challenge day again so stop back to see what is up!

a new month

Good morning everyone! Can you believe it is November already? Thanksgiving will be here before we know it!

A couple of more birthday cards to show you today. As you can see they are both Bella cards....and are the bomb!

My friend and co-worker Debby sent me the card on the right. I love the colors, layout and bling she used! She also gave me a gift card to one of the local coffee shops here in town...yum! Thanks Debby!

The other super cute Bella card is from my girl Dani! It features another fun layout with great birthday colors. I love that pink stitched ribbon...very cute! Dani sent me a very fun gift certificate from Sweet N Sassy stamps. Oh, yeah...can't wait to use it...along with the one that Courtney sent...woohoo for me!

That is it for today but make sure you stop back tomorrow for my Page Plans card this week! Catch ya later!

happy halloween!

Happy Halloween my friends! I hope that you spend today having a good time (not scary time) with family and friends! I know Kyler has been excited for today!

Just a couple of more birthday cards that I received back at the beginning of the month. The card on the right is from Courtney. It is SO me don't ya think? The image is from the retired SU! set She's all That. Then Courtney added in a Cuttlebug background along with super cute patterned paper and some baubles...way cute girl! She also sent me a great gift certificate from Sweet N Sassy Stamps...thank you!

The 2nd card is from my friend Carol. Carol leads Kid In Christ at our church and I just love her to death! She is so special to me. She is on the Israel trip that Todd and I were going to be on. I can't wait to see all her pictures! Some of the kids from KIC also signed the card so that makes it even more special! Thank you Carol!

So, I hope you all have a super Friday and get everything done that you need too!

halloween banner

Happy Monday! Okay, I know I'm weird but I am excited that it is finally Monday! I don't know why that would be...LOL!

Anyway, Todd called me today and asked me to meet him real quick while he was at work so...I did. He had an RAK for me but wouldn't tell me where it came from so I took it home, pulled it out of it's envelope and look what it is! Holy cow everyone...look at this gorgeous Halloween Banner! I've taken four different pictures, as you can see. I wanted to make sure that you can see all the details this banner has. All the letters and pumpkins are embossed...all the papers are glittery and embossed, and the ribbon is a super grosgrain black with white polka dots. This is quite the work of art and must have taken forever to make!

So...now for the guessing part of where this came from. I'm going to guess that none of Todd's co-workers can make something like this so I'll say it isn't anyone there. I can think of only one or two other place that Todd goes that might be where he got it from but I'm not going to say. Whoever it is... I completely and totally love it!

As you know tomorrow is Created by Courtney Challenge Tuesday. I will give you a little hint and let you know that it is a sketch challenge and one I think you'll like! So...with that...I hope you have just a super Monday! See ya tomorrow!

they arrived and a winner

Good Saturday morning! First I have to say...only 4 more days until Hawaii! Woohoo! And, believe it or not I only have things to accomplish in two categories....stamping and church. Two of the biggest categories but its all good right?

Anywho...the appliances arrived yesterday...yay! I have a picture of the fridge and stove for you but the dishwasher has not been put in yet...that is a project for tomorrow night (just imagine more white...lol). So the fridge is a Kenmore and I'm unhappy with it at this point. It has water only on the outside so we hook up the line...put water through it and then it drips and drips and drips. That is not cool. It didn't stop dripping until we turned the water supply off and ran all the water out. Guess I'll be calling Sears today, huh? I do love how big it is though. The shelves slide out and there is a ton of room inside. The range is a Maytag and is a double oven fridge. I'm so thrilled to have gotten this! We have tried for about a year to find one we really liked that was in our price range...so yay! We made our pizza in it last night and I realize we need to run it some more today to burn off some of the new appliance smell. I just feel so blessed to be able to have these appliances!

Okay, and I couldn't leave you without a card so I thought I'd show you this lovely card that my friend Stephanie made for me on the anniversary of Kyler's biological dad's death. I don't recall the name of the set that the girl is in but the grass is from Inspired by Nature which is new in the fall/winter SU! catalog. She cut the oval and placed the blue card stock as well as the image 'behind' the oval. It is SO lovely and I so appreciated receiving it that day. Thanks you Stephanie for remembering me on that day!

And, finally...the winner of the Halloween card giveaway as picked by Random.Jon is Dani! Yay, Dani! Thanks for playing along and I'll get that card out to you on Monday!

Thanks for reading through this long post! I have finished my Page Plans card for tomorrow and I think you guys will like it so please stop back tomorrow! Oh, and there is some great blog candy over at Lori's blog...go check it out!

Have a super Saturday!

an rak

Yay! It is Saturday! I don't know about you but I don't have a whole bunch planned and I like it that way...okay, I like it when it is all easy stuff! Ha!

Guess what I got at the beginning of the week? Yep, I got a pretty RAK from Gerriane. Isn't it just lovely? You can actually see the pretty sparkle on this card and hmmm...don't you love the sentiment on the card?! I sure do!

Anyway, I'm off to do laundry, get some stamping done, and go to a house warming party. I hope you all have a great day too!

sugar nellie

Good Saturday morning everyone! I hope your weekend is going well.I have some fun stuff for you today that I'm excited to share about. Do you like my sweet Sugar Nellie Card? I got a super sweet RAK from my blogging friend Kristine and inside she sent me SIX Sugar Nellie images. I've seen these around and thought they were absolutely adorable but thought they would be really difficult to color. Well, guess what? It isn't too bad! Yay! I used this weeks CPS sketch (my first time using their sketches). I went back and forth trying to decide if I was going to add a sentiment on the bottom and ultimately decided not to due to staying true to the sketch. I could, at the time of sending, add a hanging sentiment from the ribbon. I know it is kind of a strange combination of (in SU! terms) rich regal and soft subtle colors but in real life...it is very pretty.

And, here is the super cute card that Kristine sent with the Sugar Nellie images. This is seriously a horrible picture of it as it is such a cute card with the brown and soft sky colors...really lovely! Don't you just love the bow on the top? That is a great way to make sure that you get a perfect bow every time! Thank you so much Kristine! I can't wait to use the rest of the images!

Oh, and I have to tell you that it is official. I'm a Created by Courtney Challenge Chick. What is that you ask? Well, check it out HERE (why retype the explanation when Courtney does such a great job of explaining it?). I do love challenges so... woohoo!

Thanks to those of you who have asked how yesterday went. The funeral was an amazing community celebration of Officer Ng's life. I did really well with the not crying thing except for when his friend was giving his eulogy and would start to cry. It is hard for me to see guys cry...you know they are in true pain at that point. Also, Amazing Grace on the bagpipes and then the final call out was my undoing. If you don't know...police officers (and fire fighters?) are called on the radio hourly for their status. Typically the officer just responds with his badge number and then in another hour the process happens again. They call out every 5 minutes when they are on a call. This is a way to keep track of an officer's safety. Anyway, in this case a dispatcher called his number (twice) and then had a response of 113 is out of service. The dispatcher responded 113 out of service 08/15/08 at 1400. My goodness, as a wife of a police officer that is an emotional thing to hear and I cry as I type this. I do have to say that his wife did great, as I expected she would. I'm looking forward to getting to talk with her and give her a hug. Please continue to pray for this family.

Alright this is really long so if you've made it this far...thank you! I hope you have a super Saturday and I'll see you tomorrow!

another rak

I had forgotten that I had this super cute card to show you. I got this card some time back from Melissa Ferr for the Bella Sistahs Unite RAK day. It was a day where everyone was supposed to send a Bella card to another Sistah. Fun idea! Anyway, Melissa sent me this one. You can see her blog HERE.

Well, girls...I'm way behind in the voting for the SheetLoad of Cards contest. If you haven't voted yet and would like to vote for me to be a guest designer on SheetLoad please go HERE and vote for me!

On another note. Korin, the owner of Sweet N Sassy Stamps has the cutest niece who is quite sick right now. Korin has decided to have a fundraiser for the family. From Korin's blog...

"From today through July 31st I will be donating 50% from each stamp set sold to the Joseph family (not including Sarah Kay and Rachelle Anne Miller). So if you've been thinking about getting some stamps sets, now is the time to do it! If you have any questions, please let me know."

Here blog is HERE if you'd like to go see the entire post. Even though I just ordered some stamps I may go and order just a couple of more just to help out a little...I hope you can too!

Another busy day ahead of me today and because I slept in I am behind already so I must go. Have a super day today!

torture and an rak

Yep, I'm going to torture you in the form of making you look at a picture of the boys that went to camp on Sunday BEFORE you get to see the cute RAK I got! HA! Now...aren't they the cutest?! The Theme at camp this year is "Pirates Cove" and the idea is knowing where your real treasure it at. What boy won't like the Pirate theme?

Okay, okay...I know that is enough torture! Now on to the cute RAK I received. Kimmie from Crafting for Sanity sent me this super cute card (which she admits she didn't make but thought I'd like it...which I do!), a Studio G stamp set, and some neat fabric embellishments! I love it all Kimmie thank you so much!

Today, should be a busy day. I'll be exercising, going to work, having lunch with a friend, getting my hair cut (with a pedicure! woohoo!), and then I'll be taping off my kitchen island thing so I can paint it. I'll actually do that on Wednesday though and if I'm successful with that small thing then I'll be painting the laundry room too! Yay! Oh, and somewhere in there I should probably make some cards and such, huh? LOL!

With that long list of things to do I should probably get moving but I want you to know about a fun place to be able to win some High Hopes stamps. Yep, I do love those stamps and you can win some at Artfully Ila! Go check it out!

Have a terrific Tuesday and I'll see you all tomorrow!

random act of kindness

I find life to be very interesting sometimes. You know how I challenge you guys to go out and do something nice for someone? Well, yesterday my friend Janel stopped at my house out of the blue and dropped off a stamp that she had borrowed from me. In addition to the stamp was the wonderful RAK that you see in the pictures below. I was so surprised and pleased that she thought of me...she made me smile and be happy all day! Now the interesting part is that the Janel that RAK'd me is the Janel that won the May 3 Little DReaMs kit! It was funny because what I did was type up everyone's name on a word document, printed it out, had Jon pick a number and then counted from the top down to determine the winner. When I landed on Janel's name...I counted again and it was her again. So, one more time and indeed Janel was the winner. How is that for "when you do good for others it comes back to you"? So anyway, I want to share her RAK with you because it is just so neat!

Janel's RAK came with a bucket that had tissue paper in it and a couple of envelopes taped to the handle. Pretty cool presentation I think! There is some yummy candy hiding in that tissue paper but the best part is...I've been looking for something to put all the loose Prima flowers in that I have and this will be perfect! I will use some rub-ons on it and it will be all set to go! Yay!

Crud! I just realized I didn't get a good picture of the really cute card she made for me. I will take it though when I make my card with the neato card kit that she also had for me! I love this idea! I already have a little thought in my head for what I'd like to make. Anyway, there is cardstock, designer paper, and embellishments to make my own card or two with! So exciting! I can tell you that Janel used the SU! set called If The Halo Fits. This is such a cute, cute, set! It may now be on my list of wants!

Pretty neato RAK huh? I'm so blessed with the friends that I have! Thanks so much Janel! I also wanted you to know that my grandpa had his surgery yesterday and as far as I know he is doing well today. I haven't heard anything yet today but as Courtney said, no news is good news! Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers! ***edit...Just heard from my grandpa's wife and he is doing so well that they are moving him out of intensive care today! If it continues he'll be headed home Monday or Tuesday. Can you imagine? 3-4 days after open heart surgery and he could go home. Praise God! ***

Kyler is spending the weekend with his grandparents that are in town visiting so it will be a quiet weekend for me but I still have things to do so I'm off! I hope you have a great weekend everyone!

Last Two Swaps and an RAK

So here they are...the last two cards I got in the swap and an RAK from Melissa Ferr. Enjoy!

This is the RAK from Melissa Ferr. I just love the St. Patrick's Day theme with the party Bella. How cute!

This Tinkerbella is from Lisa Visone. Don't ya love all the bling? It is so much fun!

This last card is from Maria Vega. The pink and brown get me every time so you know I love this one! You probably can't see it but Bella's pants are all sparkly on this card. FUN!

So there you have it ladies. It was a wonderful swap that I was in and I'm so pleased with all the cards! Tomorrow I'll be showing you my first card made with a stamp set called Light of the World from a brand new stamp company called Our Daily Bread Designs. I think you are going to love it!

It is Monday so that means a very busy day for me as usual. I'm going to make today the best day possible and I hope you do too!

More fun!

So it has been more fun mail over the last couple of days! I got these two packages on the same day. The first one is an amazing card and package of goodies from Sari as a thank you for hosting the secret sister swap. It has card stock, ribbon, buttons, and TWO pink markers....so cool! Thank you much much Sari!

The second picture is a package from Bev. I signed up on her blog for a chance to participate in a tag pay if forward kind of thing. The idea is that I receive the tags that Bev made, make four cards with them, make four tags of my own and then send my tags in the cards I made with Bev's tags and send them onto someone else. (Did that make any sense at all?) I am actually NO GOOD, at all with tags but I signed up to try and win so I could break out of that little barrier. As soon as I get my cards done and tags made I will be posting again so that I can share the fun with someone else. I know one person who is getting a set for sure so I will have three sets up for grabs next week sometime.

Remember a couple of days ago when I said I couldn't remember what I wanted to tell you? Well, I remember this morning! If you are holding out hope for spring...I just want you to know there is hope! I have both purple and yellow Crocus's in my little front garden! Woohoo!

I hope you all will make today a great Wednesday and I'll see ya tomorrow!

Yay!

Yesterday was another fun mail day for me. Do you see that card over there ------> That is an RAK that I received yesterday from Cristina. Cristina blogs about her life as a mom, wife, and stamper over at We3ski. I have to tell you that I'm woefully neglectful in know which SU! sets are which so I don't know what she used but I love her tone on tone and the blue and brown...love it! What is in the little bag you may ask? Cute little embellishments for me to be creative with. Now...lets just hope I can be creative with them! Cristina is always so upbeat and sweet. You really should go check out her blog! Thank you so much for the fun RAK Cristina!

I started working on a little Easter gift for Kyler's teacher yesterday. I like how it has come along so far. When it is all finished, which should be soon, I make sure to show it to you guys. Oh, and I'm also making a card for my hairdresser who is having surgery on Tuesday. I received a couple of the Underthehoody Bella images in the image swap I was a part of so I thought that would be cute and it is so far!

Oh, and this is going to sound silly but...I got the license plates for my car in the mail yesterday too. Now...I officially own my car well...until the bank sends me a new registration with their name on it and then I'll just be driving it around (and lookin' good doing it!) for them!

I keep forgetting to tell you guys something and this morning I still can't remember...hate that! I would tell the kids that it must have been a lie then...no! I was not going to lie to you! LOL! If I think of it again I'll come back and tell you in a separate post.

Don't forget about my little challenge for you guys and while you are at it...have a stupendous Sunday!

Yesterday...

It was a fun mail day for Kyler and I. I got a super cute card from Amber Porter. She made the cutest card with her Sweet Celebrations Hanna set. The little dog is from a MFT set. The paper piecing and the bling is SO much fun! I'm so honored she sent me this card! Thank you Amber!

And then Kyler got an RAK yesterday too! I signed us up to be part of an international kiddo swap on Sari's blog. I was paired up with a mom from Finland. We sent her 4 year old daughter a my little pony, ribbon bracelets, and some cute heart tissues. You can see our swap partner HERE. Anyway, Kyler received his package yesterday and it was so cool! They sent him, first off, a super cute card! I think that is a Magnolia image (correct me if I'm wrong) in green because Kyler's favorite color is green. They also sent some candy and a comic book. Kyler has enjoyed reading the comic book by the pictures. I thought the cutest thing was the picture that Julia (4 years old) drew of Kyler. I don't think you can see it in the picture but it is adorable that she did that for him! Thank you so much to Julia and her mom!

Sari is holding another one of these swaps so if you'd like to try it out go to her blog and sign up. I know your kids will enjoy it!

Don't forget my little challenge to you guys yesterday! Read THIS post to find out what the challenge is! :o)

Have a super Saturday!

Another RAK

I have been on the SCS RAK list for a long time but haven't been active for awhile. Guess what I got yesterday? Yep, a card from the Vera Schoeters of the SCS RAK list. Isn't this card neat? The bicycle is from the a new set coming out on March 1st in the SU! Occasions Mini called Time For You. What a neat technique she used by embossing parts of the bike and then I believe she used a gel pen or the like to highlight the white areas. All around it is a great card! If you'd like a preview of the brochure just e-mail me and I can help you out with that!

This is a short one today as I slept 'til 7:45 this morning (holy cow!) and I feel like half my day is gone already!

Make today a super fantastic Saturday!

As Promised

Here are the RAK's I received the other day. The first one is from Rhonda at Quilt Nut Creations. If you didn't see what I have to say about her fun blog yesterday please check out the post below this one to be in the know. I have made her blog name active so that you can go visit her either for the first time or for the second, third or...well, you get it! I just love that little plate of hearts...so cute and fun! I even remember that I commented on it. Thank you so much Rhonda! I love it!

Speaking of love...I said I got two RAK's but what I really got was Rhonda's fun RAK and Courtney's holiday card. Over Christmas Courtney and her family were really busy with lots of stuff so she decided that rather than stressing herself out with making holiday cards and sending them out at that time she would do it for Valentine's Day from this year on. True to her word the cute card you see is her 1st Annual Valentine's Day card from her family! I love the style of the card so sweet and soft. Thanks for including me on your mailing list! Oh, and Courtney, if you are reading this...you'd better be resting!

I had a question on my Z-Fold post. Okay, I think a couple of people asked me the same question. They wanted to know where to score for this type of card. Well...the fabulous Beate has done a tutorial on her blog for visual learners...HERE it is! Have fun with it and feel free to link your card to my blog so I can see, too!

So, I'm wondering...when you clicked into my blog today did you notice anything new 'cuz I have something new on my blog! How about some Glory From Lorie if you notice what is new? I'll pick a name out of all who leave a comment with the correct new addition. If you haven't noticed go ahead and leave my blog and come back. Do it as many times as you need be in order to see the new accent to my blog! You have until I post again tomorrow to find it!

I hope that you all make today a fantastic Thursday! I'm going to a Women of Vision "meeting" tonight and I'm very excited about it! HERE is their blog...you can click on Calendar to see what the speaker will be talking about tonight.