Gifts from my Bella Sistah Leah

I have the sweetest and most thoughtful Bella Sister. Look at all of the wonderful things that she sent me!!! Last week she sent me two Penny Black Stamps. They are the two girls up top. Their names are Ginger and Vanilla. Today she sent me "Sir Cutealot". Don't you just love that name? She sent me lots of bling, ribbon, sparkles, stamps, colored pencils, an adorable stamp set with artistic expressions on it, cupcake stickers for Lexi birthday page, hand made cards and a beautiful card with a dress on it. Leah, you are so talented and so thoughtful.
Lexi loves it when I get packages in the mail. And, this time Leah included a package for her. A birthday present for Lexi. One that she knew Lexi would love. And, Lexi did love it. She got a Tinkerbell to color, A book about a fairy named "Bella". How perfect!!!, some images of an adorable penguin and some bling for her cards...dragonflies,butterflies, crowns stars and other gems. Lexi can't wait to play. Thank you Leah :)

Aspen Cards for my workshop

Today was a wonderful day for me. I had the whole day to create cards for my upcoming Christmas Card Worshop. These cards are made with the Aspen Paper, Snow Friends and Chillin. This little guy is from "Snow Friends." I paper pieced his hat. The sentiment is from "Festive Thoughts."

This little bear is from "Chillin." The sentiment is from "Christmas Scripts", and the snow flake is from "Winter Reflection". The center of the snow flake has a tiny little sparkle in it.

These two cards are also from "Snow Friends." The sentiment on this card is from "Christmas Scripts."

The Sentiment on this card is from "December Word Puzzle."

And this little guy is also from "Chilin." The sentiment is from "Christmas Scripts."

Some things that I have been working on

Last night I got together with a group of card/scrapbooking friends from work for our monthly crop at the local scrapbook store. I was so stressed and upset yesterday about our country's economy that it did me some good to be with friends. I showed up with a bottle of red wine and chocolate for everyone. That helped too. I made this layout of me on my birthday using some retired paper from CTMH called "Stylin". I have always loved this paper pack but have only used it for cards. I like how the colors in the paper compliment the colors in the pictures.

This is a Christmas card that we are going to make for my upcoming workshop. I used Creative Basics paper from CTMH and the stamp set "Evergreen", also from CTMH.

This card was designed by the talented Lisa Stenz from CTMH. I loved it so much that I made a copy to use for my workshop. The snowman stamp is from CTMH's November Stamp of the Month and the letters are from CTMH's "Chocoloate" Alphabet. Don't you just love that name?

I made the same card using "Aspen" from CTMH. We will do this one also in the workshop.

And, lastly this is a fun card that I made for Bella Sketch/Color Challenge #47. The stamp is "Pia Puddingtop" from Stampingbella.

Who's That Girl?

I made this card for the "Whose that Girl?" Monday Challenge over at the "My Favorite Things" Forum on Splitcoast Stampers. The card is due tonight at midnight to be able to win a prize. I posted my card at about 9:03 Pacific Time. I'm not sure if it will count, because I think that Splitcoast Stampers is an East Coast Company. But, that's okay. I enjoyed doing the challenge and getting new stamps. The challenge is to make a card that is primarily blue, has 4 brads and 1 blue ribbon. I think I fit that description. I did paper piecing to get that wallpaper look. First I stamped an image on white cardstock and then stamped the same image on patterend paper. I then colored my image on the white cardstock. I then cut out the pieces from the white cardstock and attached them to the patterned paper. I added bella baubles for the bubbles. The image is stamped with Memento ink and colored with Copic Markers. The paper is CTMH.

Notebook and Perfect Day Layouts

This has been a very busy weekend but I managed to get some scrapbooking in. Yesterday, I gave a baby shower for an Indian woman in our church. This was her first American Baby Shower. She loved it. Afterwards, I went over to Elaine's house and worked on these "Notebook" Workshop Layouts. I love this paper and am so happy with the way they turned out. I took Lexi outside today and

took these pictures of her. She loves posing in front of the camera.

These layouts are from the "Perfect Day" Workshop. I started them last weekend but finished today. I chose these pictures of Jennifer and Lexi washing Jennifer's new car.

I am very pleased with how well these pictures went with the colors in the layout. All of my CTMH layouts seem to work well with any pictures. It doesn't seem to matter what the paper pack is. They always work.

Some Cards to Share

Here are a couple of cards that I made recently. This one uses a stamp set from "My Favorite Things." It is called "Rain or Shine." On Monday's MFT's on Split Coast Stampers has a stamp challenge. This challenge was to use this stamp set and add bling or shine to it. I have always wanted to buy these stamps, and now I have a reason. Each week they will use a different stamp, but they let you know ahead of time which one it will be so that you have time to order it. Smart move for them. The paper that I used is DCWV - Nana's Nursery. I added stickles to the rain drops and pudlde. I used these awesome rhinestones, on the cuff of her jacket and sentiment, that my former Bella Sister, Sandi sent me. They come in long rows and are held together by a strip of glue. That's how they got so straight around the sentiment. I could never have done that on my own. Her jacket and boots are paper pieced. The sketch is SC194 from Split Coast Stampers.
This card is for a baby shower that I am giving on Saturday. I used "Teddybella." The "Mommy" who I am giving this card to looks just like her. She is very thin and has a big round belly. To get that raised belly look, I stamped a second image of Bella and cut out the belly part and placed it on a pop dot. The paper is DCWV - Nana's Nursery and the buttons are CTMH.

A present from my Bella Sister

I have a new "Bella Sister" and her name is Leah. She will be my sister for the next 3 months and during that time, we will spoil each other. Leah is very thoughtful and has figured me out very quickly. Look at all the wonderful things that she sent me. She even sent me some trail mix and chocolate, two of my favorite snacks. Look at this adorable card with "Lottie and Gussie." Isn't it so cute? She sent me images so that I could have fun coloring, plus she sent me a bunch of images that I don't have. I don't have any of the "Fellas." So I am very appreciative. Leah if you are reading this, THANK YOU so much for your thoughtfulness.

Last night I was busy trying to come up with birthday invitations fir Lexi's birthday party. Jennifer wants to have a cupcake birthday party for her. So, I used my "Cricut" to cut out the cupcakes. The cartridge is "Celebration." The cards have a little "A frame" behind them that helps them to stand up. Also, when you open it you can see the information about the party. To make the frame here is what I did, I made a template of the lower part of the cupcake (the pink part) and wrapper. Then I took a piece of cardstock and folded it in half. I then placed my template on the fold and cut out the cupcake leaving the folded part intact. Then I used adhesive to attach my full cupcake. The paper is from DCWV - Nana's Nursery. The pink cardstock, ribbon and buttons are from CTMH.

Upcoming Card Workshop

I have an upcoming card workshop and here is a sampling of some of the cards we will make. The paper that I used is CTMH Evenson. The stamp sets are Merry Persuits and December Word Puzzle. This is my version of the Merry & Bright Card kit that CTMH sells. I hope my customers love them.

She Got Some Bling!!!

My good friend, Angie lost her wedding ring several months ago and has been devistated since. Her husband bought her a beautiful new ring this weekend and she got it today. She was glowing as much as the ring on Bella's hand when I saw her today. I am going to surprise her tomorrow at work with this card. The paper is DCWV All Dressed Up.
Today when I came home I had a nice surprise waiting for me in the mail. I got my Tildas. I tend to like to put in big orders at a time. Don't ask me why. I got: Flower Jumping Rope Tilda, Wirling Fall Leaves Tilda, Cookie Baking Tray Tilda, Paris Tilda, Balloons Tilda, Barefoot Tilda, and Resting on Elbows Tilda. I also got some backgrounds to go with her. They are: Rockwall Background, Hill with Clouds Background, Shabby Chic Fence and Swing.

Speaking of Tildas, Lexi had fun with this Tilda. It's hard to see what her creative little mind did with her....so you will have to see in the next picture below. LOL

And, here is another adorable card. This one was created by my dear SIL Vicki. She always tells me that she is out of cards. Now I know why. She keeps sending them to me. LOL. But, I have to say I do enjoy them. She does such beautiful work. This is Hippy Chic Bella. When I was 12 years old, I wanted to be a hipppie in the worst way. I loved the long straight hair that was parted down the middle, the bare feet, the granny dresses, the round glasses, chokers, peace signs, fringed vests, moccasins and the list goes on. So I was so happy to get this card in the mail. Takes me back to the "Summer of Love."

And, lastly, I have been meaning to put this very special award on my Blog that I received from Bere. She is so sweet and is so funny. Please check out her blog. You are sure to love her.

http://berrybitchprincess.blogspot.com/

Last Day for Free Shipping on Stampingbella

Don't forget that today is the last day for free shipping at Stampingbella!!! This was so tough for me because there are so many cute things that I want. I really need another Bella Binder and the inserts and easy mount. That took up a big percentage of my budget. So, here is what I ordered: Pia Puddingtop, Polly Packages, Spoooooky Stella, Tangled Stella, Gossipy Stella, and Witchybella. I didn't used to like the Stella's but now I love them. I kept putting things in my cart and taking them out. The things that I had to take out are, Stella on her broomstick, Stellarina, Stella has something to say and Butch and Mimi. It was very tough being disciplined. I have to learn to pace myself. My sister-in-law has put a bug in my ear about these cute girl Penny Black stamps from hmstamps.com. They are so cute!!! There is Ginger, I love her, Cinnamon and Vanilla plus others that Vicki found. And, can you believe that I was the one that got her onto Penny Black Stamps. Well anyway, that bug in my ear keeps calling...come get me, you want me. LOL. Guess I will have to wait a while. Have a great day. And, have fun shopping.

Bella Sketch Challenge #45

Here is my card for the Bella Sketch Challenge over at Split Coast Stampers. I used "Little Witchy" from Stampingbella. Isn't she just the cutest? I stamped her with memento ink. It works great with Copic Markers. I then colored her with the Copic Markers. The little bit of shimmer on her is from "Stickles". The sentiment is from CTMH and is called "Say it in style. The striped paper is from DCWV The Fall Matstack and the purple paper is some old CTMH halloween paper that I had. I used the rectangle scallop from Nestabilites to cut the frame. And, it is raised on Pop Dots.

My weekend and some fun Layouts

This has been such a wonderful and relaxing weekend. The weather is beautiful and I have had some time to scrapbook. These layouts are from my visit with Vicki. This layout is right out of CTMH's Imagine Book. When I first saw it, I hoped some day to be able to make one just like it.
Well, I got my wish. The four of us girls, me, my daughter Jennifer, Vicki and her daughter, Brittany went and got relaxing pedicures. I got so relaxed that I fell asleep. Apparently while I was asleep, my foot moved away from the lady giving me my pedicure and she picked it up and put it back. That must have been so funny.

This layout was fun to do. It brought back such wonderful memories. Vicki and I had so much fun. It was a dream come true. Pictured below, top left, is Brittany,Emma, Jennifer and Lexi.
Below, left, is Bill with his two sisters, Vicki and Diane. On the right page we took Vicki and her family to dinner at Mine and Bill's favorite Mexican Restaurant, Casa Orozco. We usually go there once a week. I like to get there before 6:00 so that I can have a Cadillac Margarita at Happy Hour price. Vicki loved this restaurant.

Today at church was back-to-school Sunday. The service was tailored around the children. Pastor had all of the children come up to the alter while he told the story of David and Goliath and allowed the kids to act it out. They enjoyed it, especially when Pastor asked them to pick a Goliath from the adults. Immediately the kids had their Goliath. The big guy with the green shirt and shorts down below was chosen. It was quite funny. Afterwards, the kids enjoyed ice cream, crafts and games. Lexi especially enjoyed the rope tug-of-war.

Yesterday I got together with the girls in the Circle Journal Club. I finally got mine back after a year and a half. It was only suppose to be 12 months, but some people got behind and it lingered on. Finally, we had to set a deadline. I still have two people that need to finish mine. My theme was "Lazy Days of Summer." I asked that each person tell me what they like to do on those long summer days and to share pictures. I am so happy with the way mine turned out. Everybody took care in producing such beautiful pages...that is probably the reason for the delay. But, it was definitely worth it. Can't wait until it is all finished.