Dance School back in session!

Hi Everyone,

I hope all of you are well. I decided to share a card, that of course the picture doesn't do it justice at all, because soon it'll be time to take Hollyanne back to dance class. She loves it! But she's also discovering another sport that she loves equally well. TaeKwon Do. (hmmm, maybe Em needs to make Martialartsabella) So begins the running!!

Anyway, about the card... I used my Cuttlebug Thanks embossing folder the for "How Thoughtful" sentiment. Her beautiful dress is actually pink with Hologram Highlights over top to give her sparkle. I also used my Coluzzle envelope template to create the wavy edge.

She's sweet, isn't she! She was my first Bella... now 14 or so later... I still think she's my fav!!

A word about my pictures. I discovered I need to work on purchasing a new a camera! My camera is incapable of taking close up shots! Urrrrgh!! This one is scanned, and I'll think I'll stick with that method even though it still doesn't give me the sharpness I desire.

I luuuuuvvv those comments!! Please leave them.

Snowmen! I love 'em!!!

I am hosting a Snowman card swap on SCS. If anyone is interested in joining, go here. I'd love to see you there! Do you like my card? Are they not the "coolest" couple you have ever seen!!

Be kind, my photography leaves a lot to be desired!! This is the front of the card. I used Bashful Blue for the scallop and the background paper is from SU! 4 seasons paper pack.

Here's the inside of the card:

I am a complete snowman freak and when I saw this adorable Penny Black stamp sitting in the display case at Studio Art and still had a little birthday money to spend, well, I just knew they wanted to come with me. Want to see another way cute snowman card? Actually a new blog pal, Heidi posted two cards that are just way adorable. Visit Heidi's blog - just click on her name or go to the sidebar where I list some of my favorite sites and blogs.

I promise, I will get some lessons on how to take better photographs of my cards. I really think it's because the lighting is HORRIBLE in my craft room. I understand it's better to take pictures outside, but it's almost 10 pm. Not a good time for photos! I will get better. Any tips you can share with me, I would surely appreciate it!

I'm experiencing another block

Help me! I'm sitting here at my table trying to work on my Basic Grey 12x12 page for a swap. I am all over this totally yummy paper from the Infuse collection and it's so beautiful but my mind is so small today that I can't come up with a darn thing to do with it!! I thought I had an idea and then *POOF!* out of my head it went.

What am I going to share with you today? My creative juices are following like Jell-O right now. Hmm - maybe an older project. Oh! Did you hear about Stampin' Up! latest offer? It has something to do with that lovely new punch box and 3x3 cards! OK, so it really goes like this... purchase the Three for You punch box the features a new punch, 3 ink spots Basic Black and the new In Color colors Purely Pomegranate and Wild Wasabe, and a 9-piece die-cut coordinating stamp set and you'll receive a package of 30 textured love notes FREE! Pretty awesome, eh? Here's the catch, there's not much time left for this offer. Ends in 2 weeks! Why do I mention this offer? I love 3x3 cards. They are sooo much fun. Here's one I made for a swap I participated in months ago. This one features a Bella, but you get the idea. These are great for gift tags, or to insert in a card fork-holder in a flower arrangement. I hope you like it!!


This picture doesn't do this beauty justice, but her wings are sparkly, her flowers are silver and a wand that dazzles!!

Oh, one other tidbit to share... I'm thinking of hosting a snowman card swap. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE snowmen and I picked up a Penny Black snowman couple stamp on Friday. Too cute. I need to play that stamp and what better way to do than with a card swap.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Did you see I added...

Hi All,

Did you see I added a visitor counter? I'm up to 50. That's neat! I wish everyone would leave a comment, but then it occurred to me maybe its a few of the same people who are coming back to see an update. I best not disappoint! (The spelling looks funny.)

How about a recipe page I made for a drink swap I participated in a few months ago. It isn't the best representation of the lovely pink card stock I used for the letters and the mat for Cosmobella. I love the base of the recipe. This paper was so fun and funky and fit Cosmobella to a T! Don't you agree? I also used my beloved Cherish Sizzlets font. They are a pain to work with, that is until my sister came to the rescue with a great tip. She said to cut your letters out and then place them on the table how you want them to be on your project. Then take removable tape and stick over top of your letters. Turn them over and using a Quickie Glue pen or Zig glue fine tip glue pen, put glue on your letters. Turn over onto your project, press down and lift off the tape. Viola'! Perfect placement and no sticky Xyron boogers to clean up!! (Don't misunderstand, I love my Xyron machines, I have 4 of them myself, I just don't like the gooey residue that's left around the sides of the letters.)

I'm not a huge fan of the drink, but my sister is, so I made this with happy thoughts of her!!

Soooo Cute!!!

I made this card because I fell absolutely in love with this stamp. It's called chitchat by Penny Black. These hedgies are just so darn cute, you can't help but smile.

I also used my Mom's Cricut to cut the blue postage stamp shape. --If only my pictures would come out a little better. I've tried scanning and photography and they both don't measure up!

Hope you like it!!!

Birthday Creation

I just had a birthday and I received an awesome gift from my sister and myself. My sister gave me two Bellas and this set of templates by Chatter Box called Doodle Genies. This one is called Whimsical (background). I gave myself a CTMH set that I have been drooling over for months and I finally bought it. It's called Alfresco. So I just had to try these out tonight and I needed something new for the blog. I used only Brocade Blue ink & ribbon and Very Vanilla card stock. The result, something so fitting for both a guy or a girl. I am really liking this!

Let me know what you think. I love, love, love comments.

Also, check out of my list favorites. I've added a few more blogs for you to go look at. More ideas, more thoughts.

And another change

I've added a photo of me. Yipes!! They said black was slimming, it's not working for my face! Anyway, I will put a better photo on here now that I have had my hair cut and my eyebrows waxed. I used this photo for an ATC Swap that I was in. I can't wait to get those back!

Another Change!

I know, I know. My blog looks different again! I'm still trying to find myself... I want the blog to reflect who I am... the colors that make me happy... and since I change on a day to day basis, so should my blog. Right? I promise though, once I find the right background - it'll never change again. I hope you like this one. I like the colors.

I have been very busy working on swaps! I have my monthly recipe swaps just about done for the swap I do with the ladies at work. I have my Penny Black card designed for the swap that my sister talked me into doing. I also just about have my recipes done for two other swaps, too! I still have to design my monthly card swap that I am co-hosting with my Canadian pal Erika. I've had my paper picked out for a month. I need to sit and play with it.

No pictures for this post. I just wanted to get August rolling. Hope you all are doing great! I am having such a ball with this blog, and swapping, and stamping, and walking every night. I am so thankful that the Lord has blessed me with all that He has. Great kids, a now-healthy marriage, awesome friends, my Mom and most of all my sisters! My sisters are my bestest friends in the whole wide world.

'Nuff mush! I'll post a project soon.