Here I am...

Did you miss me? Sorry that I didn't get a post out yesterday. I wanted to but was, well, lazy. LOL.. You caught me.

I wanted to share our Valentine's with you, but first, make sure you pop back Monday to see some new changes here and see what else is changing. It won't be big, but it might involve blog candy. Will that bring you back? How about some fun projects I've done? That will really reel you in huh??




OK, here is the cards and pretty flower that we got. The kids got cards from the Grandparents, and I got the rose from my dad. He also sent McKinley a lil blue bear...she said OH WoW when the florist delivered it. It was cute!! This was for our dinner. I made steak and shrimp and some veggies, and we used the china. And the wine goblets...no one here drinks wine, so we used Koolaid! LOL... The lil bowls have our butter. My mom always did this for us, so I thought it was fun tradition to keep going with!!

I got some chocolates and a mug from my Valentine, plus a Papercrafts magazine (that I told RC to make dad buy me!)

And this is the card that Greg made me. Pretty fun huh?


OK, and my new love... This is pretty good, and does curb my chocolate craving. For a few minutes!! Thanks Ashley for getting me hooked!!

(More Happy Mail)

More Happy mail today!! I tell you I didn't want to go out today either, but glad I did.

This Bella Babe RAK was from Carol Berthelsen - she was hoping it would make me feel warm...actually I think she needs goosepimples!! LOL... Beautiful coloring Carol...thanks!!
This one is from Kathea Kelley - I love these colors. Yummmy!! Thanks Kathea!!
And finally I got a box from my Bella Sister Julie Bock. Look at this yummy stuff. That lil body spray is wonderful smelling!! WoW!! Plus ribbon, bling, alterables and Wreathabella!! WOW!!!
The Bella Yahoo Group is taking sign ups for the next round - so if you want to get in on it, you can sign up now!!

And to leave you with some cute lil bug-bug pictures. We played Dress up last night, and she even wore her Snow White shoes!! She's funny this one!!

Bunch 'O Cards

Happy Monday!! Aren't they lovely? We got another couple inches of snow last night. And I could tell our deer friend was over munchin on our bush again...saw his tracks. I had to shovel out so David could make it across the street to school! Sounds funny, but I watched him try to step in the car tracks to get across! He's funny.

These are the creations I made Saturday night. I love having my friends over, but I would rather gab and not have to think about cards. So these are all pretty basic - and mostly card fronts. I'll get them mounted on a card later.

I still have some Valentine's to finish, and cards/projects for this months Stamping Up! club. Plus all that other household nonsense.

Hope you had a good weekend...off to waste time and forget about the laundry mountain!

Happy Stampin!

{Bella BABE!!!!}

Yay me!! Lori chose me for this month's Bella Babe on the Yahoo Group. I was sooo excited!! Thanks Lori and to all the others who commented on my card for the challenge. I loved the way the card turned out, but the competition for this challenge is always so darn tough!! There are some super talented Bella Sistahz! So again, thanks!!! I look forward to sharing my RAKS I receive!!



OK, on to some nonesense for the day. {I'll post some craftiness tomorrow!!}

Did you see the game yesterday? I didn't really care one way or another, so yay Giants. :oP We did have fun at our party, but didn't get home until late. There is no school for kids today - the teachers are there tho. So that is nice. The boys had a playdate at a friends so I am trying to recoop from the weekend and being gone most of yesterday.

I did take some cool pics this weekend, that I'm posting on the FAMILY blog.


I thought I would share some pics of myself. I got my hair cut last week. I wanted to grow it out, but my hair is so fine and blah. So I bit the bullet and went in. I had to find a new stylist since the old one moved, so it was time anyway. It's taking me some time to get used to, she cut a lil shorter than I planned, but I love it. So enjoy the before and afters!! Happy Monday!

Making Valentines and Coffee

Yesterday we were stranded at home and needed something for RC to do, so we made his Valentine's for pre-school. I had seen these Trident Gum Holders at Halloween and they are so easy.
I cut and scored the paper, RC punched the holes with the Word Window punch and then he put the frogs on front. I had colored those the night before while we watched TV. He was super excited to take them already, but we put them up to wait.
Since we were home bound all day, I got quite a few cards done. This set was still out & I thought it looked nice and warm. Esp. since I was enjoying my coffee all day yesterday. Sorry that the picture is so bright. Ugh.
This was pretty simple. I stamped the images (cup and foam) with Stazon and then cut out. Mounted on some Brown Bazzill that I stamped the steam in White Kraft ink. I stamped the straw separately and cut out and glued behind the cup. You can't see it well, but I stamped the coffee beans on the bottom part of the card.
When I was done, I used Crystal Effects on the cup and Liquid Applique on the foam. Looks sooo yummy!

RECIPE:
Stamps: I Like it a Latte - SU!
Ink: Stazon; Real Red - SU!; White Kraft
Paper: Kraft card (unknown); Black Prism; Chocolate Bazzill; white Prism
Other: Liquid Applique; Crystal Effects; May Arts Ribbon

Pooh

Oh Pooh! Can you believe that Thursday is almost done? This week has flown by. I guess it doesn't help I've been busy - but the weekend is almost here. Yeah!!

So this <------------ has been where I have been part of the time instead of at my craft table. Over the weekend the boys and I started this Pooh puzzle. I like to start with the outer edge, but they were all blank!! So we started at Pooh himself, and finally completed it last night. I had to take a picture to prove it.

I was asked to make something for a Door Prize for a friend. So I came up with this lil beauties today. I used some Prism Cards, Crate Paper, WRMemory Keepers Ribbon and my Bellas. All 6 are different yet alike.

You can click on the smaller ones to see more detail if you want.

Now I have to get back to the To Do lists that keep growing.

Enjoy the rest of the week!!

{Moose Me??}

Cuz I'm late today? Hee Hee

First, for those of you who only read me on Email, you may want to pop over to the blog and sign up for the Blog Candy - I'll be drawing for that on Friday before my Luncheon with the Gossip Girlz.

On to the creation... I really wanted to use up my new Moose You set, but he was so hard to work with today. Must be male. (Love you munchkin) But I finally created this lil number.

You can see below I used some new Clear Buttons I ordered from SU! I love them. And I whipped out some wire...remember that stuff? Oh I have tons from when that was in...so I thought I should use it. I glued the pink Bazzill on the back , then glued the heart on the front, and attached with wire.

RECIPE

Stamps: Moose You, Stampin Up!

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Stampin Up!

Paper: CS - White, Chocolate Chip, SU!; Pink, Bazzill; DP - Basic Grey Infuse Line

Other: Ribbon, Basic Grey; Clear Button, SU!; various wire

So then that all brings me to my help tonight. McKinley jumped at the chance to get up on my table and was coloring away. So I gave her a Bella image - she has to start sometime right? So then I look and she makes the sound like Hello, and she's talking to my ink pad. Oh!! So...time to wash her up and get her to bed. See you all tomorrow!!

Did you make it?

To midnight? I did....I had had just enough caffeine to make it and then not sleep so well. Oh well....today has been a super lazy day and I am not quite sure if I can get back to a routine. The boys still have tomorrow off and then back to school.
I played around a little now that I cleaned up my craft room. I found some things I didn't know I had and then some things I needed to get rid off. I'll try and post them later to see if anyone wants them or I may try Free cycle.

For this CosmoBella card, I used some Blue TAC CS and some paper from my Glitter Mat Stack, and fibers I had and then some black CS to mat it on. The charm is also from StampingBella. Very simple - I wasn't feeling too crafty.


This one, David made yesterday. He was in here watching the video by Kristina that I posted about in my last post. He started to draw the sketch and said he wanted to emboss the letters. So this is what he came up with in the end. Pretty good for 7. At the last second he asked for a fella and thought we would be BBQing on New Years, instead of drinking with Beerafella.

Off to keep the recliner from leaving the living room now. Enjoy the New Year!!

{Now back to the Regular Programming}

I have to say I am ready for a few days between holidays here!! I hope to play a little so I have something to share here. I know people {Khristi} don't like it when I take a break! LOL....

Anyway, here is some of my crafting loot Santa brought. Actually Santa brought me some new sets: Boatloads of Love, Sweet Thing and Moose You along with the Cutter Kit. Then the *kids*{aka Greg} got me the sets: Wanted and Bronc Buster along with the Outlaw DP. I have ideas rolling!!! They also got me the Sharpies, I am always needing them, and the Sugarloaf Whispers marker set. I think they are going to be great as well.

My brother and SIL got me some more fun trinkets, a Glitter mat stack (which I was telling Lindsey about the day before) a sentiment stamp and some cool ribbons and bags to alter. And my mom found me some vintage ribbons to use too. I got some other great things as well...lots of chocolate to keep me nourished while I am down crafting.

I thought I would also post a shot of our living room Christmas night. Crazy huh. It's all cleaned up and now back to the regular chores we always have.

Have a great day. Whatever day it is today....

{I survived!!}

We survived the whole Holiday weekend. It was a very long few days, but super fun. It was nice that my brother and his wife were able to come home and the kids loved that. Today I tried to clean up the mess and we went to Greg's niece's house to visit since we missed them on Christmas Eve. So - I have some more things to share but it's late.

I got new stamps, so Greg thinks I may never return from my room....but I have to come share with you all right?
oh yeah, and feed them to keep them quiet!! LOL....

TGIF

Hi all....this week has been as crazy as planned plus some. Some of you know my Grandma passed away this Wednesday. She has been in poor health for some time and we all knew the day would come. She was 81 and we were fortunate to be able to go see her on Tuesday and then she went down hill fast after that. But that morning, she was chipper and visited with us. That was great.
Here is a picture of her and McKinley from the end of Sept. at my Grandpa's birthday party. So now, the weekend will be full of bustle as well, with family coming and happenings on Sunday and the funeral Monday.

I did want to post tho, and send Holiday Wishes to you all. I've been popping on here and reading my SBS Sisters blog and will take more time for comments next week. I do hope that everyone has safe travels and a joyous time with family and friends.

Monday this week, was our Stampin'Up! Christmas party. We made these cute lil stars - well, they look funny really, b/c they are off kilter, but they are cute on the tree huh? And we used the Prints Designer Series paper, which I hadn't really looked at but I love it now!! Too bad I didn't think about it in Nov. when it was all on sale. :(

We also made some Snowman Poop bags which I gave to RC before I could take a pic. These tho are the cards I got in the swap and then the new Scrapping papers for my exchange gift.
Then Tuesday was a super mail day. I got my Bellas from Em - Thanks Em!! I got Clickabella, Ipodabella, MWAHabella, Hitchedabellafellla and some Doodles for Daniel flowers and the Giggle word. I did go down Wednesday night and color some to relax, but I'll save that for another day.
Then Chris Mott also sent me some fun images of DiplomaBella, and some Elzybells! They are soooo stinkin' cute!! So I can't wait to play more with them!! I also love the little owls!! Fun stuff huh?
Then I needed a Thank You card for a good friend of mine. When I saw Rockabella the wheels starting turning. I used up some Chipboard and DP from WRMemory Keepers. I love it!! And I think Tangii will too!
OK, so a super long post, but it's gotta last you all awhile. I'll see you all after Christmas...have a wonderful day!!

Family Christmas Card

Hi everyone. Hope you are enjoying the Sunday.

After a LATE night of stamping Friday, we got up way to darn early yesterday to drive to Havre for some Holiday Shopping, with my mom, aunt and McKinley. It was 20 below when we left my aunts house!! Yeah, we are nuts!! But I feel so much better about Christmas approaching.

I finished up my cards Friday night to send out for the holidays. I had some trouble getting them to print off right but it did work for me and I love it!!

It's simple b.c it had to be mulitplied, but that is OK!! The CS is DCVW from TAC, the brad was a MM I found, some extra ribbon and then the sentiment is from TAC.

I've cleaned up from leaving the 3 boys (yep, Greg) and now I am ready to play some more! I hope you are all staying warm and enjoying the day.

Black Friday

Are you totally stuffed from yesterday or what? Never plan to eat again? Yeah, til lunchtime rolls around huh? LOL...aren't we funny? We gorge ourselves, but we don't ever stop!

Sorry I didn't post a Happy Thanksgiving yesterday...I hope you had one. I am thankful for so much and more than I could ever type. But I also thankful for having the creativity and being able to share it here. I've met some wonderful gals through the online craft world and it's been so awesome this last year to blog and share things. Living in a small town, it's not always every one's cup of tea to see what I made, so being able to share with those who appreciate it is wonderful.

So I am thankful to those of you who come by and read my blog. I hope you continue to do so and I will continue to provide you with eye candy!!

For today's eye candy. I CASE'd these from Jen at Pieces of Me. I thought they would be so fun and easy and I am always looking for that!

I simply used some clear ornaments that I got last year and cut strips of the Dashing DP, rolled them up and pushed them into the top.

They really turned out just cute!!

Today is Black Friday Shopping! You goin'? My mom and I did that one year and people in the city were so rude!! It's not nearly as bad here in Po-Dunk, so I might venture out. I plan to call my friend for coffee and then David needs a new winter coat and then I either need to clean the garage to find the boys' snowboots or buy new ones. I swear I put them away last spring, but I did so in a way that I can't seem to find them. I cleaned out all of the closets and storage room Wednesday, so now it's the garage time. What a way to spend the day huh?

Have a great weekend readers...

Finale of Holiday cards

Here are the last two cards I made last Friday. My finale of Holiday Cards that are simple and sweet. You can scroll down to see more of them

The card on the left is made with Rose Red cardstock, Dashing DP, Old Olive CS, punched and then the smaller circles are punched out as well. Then I used the MM rub ons and the green ribbon is from the fibers.

The card on the right uses the CTMH santa again and more of the same papers. Like I said, simple and sweet and I can mail them out now.

Ack, seriously, it's almost that time isn't it! I really cannot believe that it's so close to Christmas.

So, why not leave you for the weekend with my Holiday Wish Lists....lol...if you know me, you are all saying that it was only a matter of time! LOL...

Papertrey Ink's Piece of Cake Set

PTI Borders and Corners Circle Set

PTI Borders and Corners Ovals Set

SnowbunnyBella

(If you click on them it will take you to where you can purchase these items!! HINT HINT!!)

OK, so those are the top wants for me

Needs, nothing really...I am pretty thankful for the great family I have, three healthy kids, a caring hubby, helpful and loving parents and a nice warm home to gather in. I think me needs are fed.

Have a great weekend...I'll be back a posting Monday (I'll be scrapping on Saturday so be prepared for that!!)

Hi-Ya

Nothing to share other than Thanks! Thanks for the birthday wishes that I have received today.

I've been busy enjoying the day. RC and I worked on their *costume* for the Halloween Parade today. I'll post the pics later. I'm only taking a few minutes to pop in. Today kind of zoomed by...of course.

We had family birthday dinner last night, which is always good. Mom made lasagna and we had salad and bread too. And chocolate cake...yummm!

I got some new clothes and slippers and a holiday decoration that I am excited to use. I also got some goodies in the mail today...my SIL bought me some fun paper crafting materials, so I'll have to create her a cool card. And post the one she made me. My Bella sistah Susan, sent me a bunch more images to play with ! I can't wait. So...I can't decide if I want to play or watch all my shows I have saved up....

Hope you had a good day too!!

Golf Anyone??

I got Golferfella from my Sistah Susan for my birthday!! I love that!! And today I was finally able to break him out and ink him up!!

I've been hosting (well, trying to) the Bella challenges on SCS and today I did a color challenge of Pumpkin Pie, Choc. Chip, and Old Olive. Yummy huh? So this is my outcome of colors. I also used some Sands of Time paper from TAC.

The FORE is from the TAC golf set and YOU is from the Cmas set. I just colored the letters with my markers. The ribbon CTMH. Simple and good for a guy birthday or just because. I think I'll give him to my golferfella.

I didn't have much time online yesterday, not being home. And tonight we are doing the family birthday dinner. But tomorrow is my day and I plan to play away!!

{The Nitty Gritty}

OK, first off...Blog Candy Winners to be posted next, I just wanted to get this out of the way.

Last night I read somewhere that Crafty readers don't want to see family stuff on craft blogs. Fine, but you'll listen to me right now. I have created a FAMILY BLOG for only pics of the kidlets and what not. No more Family Friday here...it's all craft, all the time. OK, so I may spat to you once in awhile.

Just so you know. You can visit me over there and the link is at the top of my Blogroll. --->

I am here .....I think....

I don't like to start days out like today, but it's OK now.





Last night, McKinley fell asleep way to early and then woke up after the boys were in bed. She ran back and forth between me in the front room and Greg in our bedroom. She was her regular crazy, silly self, but way to late. Finally at midnight I put her whining in bed and went to bed myself in my bed. I do not remember anything else until the phone rang at 6:30 AM! I was in the front room in the chair. Don't remember getting there or when and if my friend wouldn't have called I may very well still be there! LOL..

So startled awake, I found the phone and she wanted me to SUB for her at her pre-school today. I did, I'm done, I've been drinking coffee all morning...lil wound too tight, it's all good.

Now, on to the good stuff....







I joined the flock and altered a clippee. We've had these floating around here since Greg and I got together. It was his passion for Office Supplies that led me to him you know...lol.... No, we've just had them and they are too big for anything I would use, so I altered them. Seriously, if it lays around too long, it's mine!!

Stamps: Trendy Holiday Tags - TAC
Paper: Scenic Route & SU!
Ink : SU!
Ribbon: May Arts, various

I have to say it was fun and I'll eventually get the rest of them done.

Yesterday I added some new cards for Fall to the local store here. Tomorrow we are headed out of town for a day trip to get some shopping in.

***Also want to post that on SCS they've announced a new Member's Companies group for some special stamp companies. Bellas are there!! Yeah!!! So there is going to be a new forum over there esp. for us addictabellas!! You can read more about them all here. SCS.

Lil Miss {MES}sy

We are ending out our weekend on the quiet side. It's chilly out today..too cold for the races. Esp. since I have a nasty cold.

We have had a great week and weekend. Friday our obligations were done by 10:30 so I was able to spend most of the day in my craft room working on unfinished projects - I'll be sharing them during the week. Friday night was also a Home Football game. We did not dress warm enough and as soon as the sun went down we were cold. Saturday was Wes' first home Jr. High game and we dressed too warm. Both time we could have walked the block to the house and changed you know! Lazy us!!
Then last night we enjoyed a BBQ with a family friend who moved to California 6 years ago. {Hi Madelyn!}
So today we weighed in on going to the races and decided it was better to stay here and be warm. Today we would've needed all the layers we had yesterday.

On to these pictures I snapped this morning. McKinley Erin Skiff. MES. Why did we give her those initials!! Every time I turn around it's something else. Today it was the potato fries all over. When I said Pick them up.....she ate them as you see in the 2nd picture!!

Isn't she so cute tho!! We'll keep our lil MES monster!!

The Week Ahead

Some Sunday Randomness while I cook lunch! {If you want to see some cards, scroll on down}

A new week...fresh and exciting. Before Labor Day, I claimed that once we made it through that weekend, we would be able to chill and relax our way into fall. Well, then the calendar quickly filled up again. It just seems to be something all the time. Again, as I started out the weekend, I thought the next week would be quiet.
Well, I knew we had some things on Thursday and Friday. Then I got a call to Sub Tuesday at the High School lunchroom. OK. Then Friday night is a home Football game, we will probably walk down to that. Saturday is Wes' first home Jr. High game...we will defiantly go to that. Kristin and Travis will be here. My great Aunt Gene comes on the train Friday. A good family friend will also be in town for the weekend, so there is a BBQ Saturday night for her. We will most likely skip the Drag Races unless we decide differently for Sunday.

There you go, it's all booked up again! Isn't this just crazy? I guess most of the busy-ness is over the weekend, but it still seems like the whole week. Oh well...


Also, we talked to RC's kindergarten teacher and she thinks that he is still pretty young for K. So after a lot of thought we have decided to go back to Preschool. I am OK with it, and he is super OK with it. So I guess that is all the matters. And I am happy we do it now, then 3 years down the road.

Today I am enjoying the day creating. I keep thinking about how fast these craft fairs are going to pop up. I'm trying to think Holidays, but man I still want to think Sun Shine! LOL...

Hope you are enjoying the Sunday afternoon too. Have a great week...I've got lots of posts to share!!