{ Happy New Year! }

So? What do you think of the new look? I know it is very simple. But I like it. Needed a change and could'nt find any templates that I really liked. I really need to try and make one myself, but I am not that computer savy to figure it all out! So this will have to do for now.

Hope Santa was good to you all. I was spoiled. I will share later, but for now I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy and safe New Year. We are heading out to my BIL and SIL's tonight for some fondue, movies and games. Should be fun.

I don't have any new creations for you. We have been spending all our freetime playing with the new Wii. And I have been revamping my stampin' room...which will take awhile to get it back into some form of order! I am hoping to do some stamping later on this week. I am excited to say that I ordered so Nestabilities Dies today!! Nancy had told me about http://www.ucutathome.com/index.php and I decided to check them out. They have a VIP 40% monthly coupon!! How cool is that? I just happened to get some Christmas money, so...I ordered the full Circle set and the Large Scalloped Oval and Classic Small Oval sets. Now I just have to wait!! I will let you all know what the service was like after I receive them.

Later...

{ It's not a Christmas card??!! }

Nope. I had a couple Bday cards that needed to be done for Christmas. This one is for my SIL...pretty sure she does not look at my blog...if she does...well...Happy belated Bday Natalie!!

I just love this sketch from SCS. I will definitely be using this sketch again...although I did move the bottom panel. I love this new SU set. This one is a new Level 3 set in the upcoming 2008 catalogue. I also used an old technique that I love...Dazzling Diamonds. And added more bling and sparkle. Trust me when I say this one is very sparklin'!!

I also wanted to share a few more RAK's that I have received. This first one is from my friend Catherine. I saw this stamp set on her blog one day and HAD to know where she got it. I am a HUGH Tazo Chai lover, so duh!! Well a few weeks ago she sent me an email saying that her LSS had this set again and she picked one up for me...Merry Christmas. And I so love the card too. I saw this one on her blog and thought it was so cute!! Thanks again, Catherine! and hope your little one is doing better!!!

This next one is from one of my fellow Cal-Gals...Shannon. This is a card that Shannon made at our last gathering and I loved it. Trust me it is even more amazing in person! Thanks, Shannon!

And finally this last one is from my friend, Robyn. I think, this maybe one of the first cards that she has actually given me...that she has made. And she will probably freak once she finds out I put her card up here, but...too bad!! It is awesome!! Thanks, Robyn. :0)

Well...that's it for now. This will most likely be my last post until late next week. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a fun and safe New Years. :0)

{ 4 more sleeps!! }

Are you ready? I'm still not...but getting there. ;0) Just a quick post today...like all of mine aren't!? Just wanted to share some more great Christmas cards and RAKs I have received this past week.

This first one is from my friend Dianne. Love this Santa image! Thanks Dianne. :0)

This next one is from my 'SIL' Kelly. Frosty has always been one of my favorite Christmas images...I will have to play with this one again for next years cards! Thanks, Kelly. :0)This wonderful RAK is from Susan. Susan and I have email back and forth a few times and she is such a sweet lady. Thank you so much Susan...I can't wait to play with these stickers! :0)

And finally I recieved this thank you RAK from Melissa. Hope you enjoyed your RAK Melissa!! :0)

Well I am off to do some more wrapping! I should be back at least once more before Christmas. I have to do up a few Bday cards this weekend. Have a great day everyone! :0)

{ Give me Coffee! }

Anyone else living off coffee these days?? And I don't even drink it! ;0) I am so exhausted! But it's fun right??? Right?? ...just kidding. Well the shopping is almost done...just have to take my oldest daughter out to buy her sisters presents and then let the girls pick out some Chocolate for their Aunts and Uncles. The wrapping is almost done too! Still need to do the grocery shopping though...does it really ever end?? Now if I was doing all this shopping for stamps? Well that would be a different story!! ;0)


Here is another card I did with all the other Christmas cards. This one is still sitting in my stamp room. Might have to send this one out as a special winter RAK after Christmas! ;0)

{ Is it really only 8 more days??!!!!! }

Okay....has the panic set in yet?? Okay, maybe not exactly panic, but do you know what I mean? My shopping is pretty much done, but I still have a load of wrapping to do. And I still want to make teacher and bus driver gifts. Don't know if those will get done or not!! Oh well...we do what we can, right? ;0)

Here is another creation for ya. I just love these penguins. They are so cute and this stamp is such a quick and easy stamp to color.

We bought a Wii for our family for Christmas and hubby and I decided to open it up so that we know how it works and test it out. OMG!!! Is it ever fun! Can't wait till we get our other controller so I can kick some butt in tennis!! And Wow! It is a pretty good work out too!! ;0)

{ Another TCP creation! }

I know I have said this already, but...Thank You Allison!! I tell ya these TCP images are too cute and they sure did help me to get all my Christmas cards done! Whewww! These last bunch of cards I did were quick...although I miss not adding some embellishments to them...but I needed them to be done quickly. I am definitely gonna get a handle on the cards for next year though. I am starting in January and gonna try and do up at least 5 each month. Wish me luck! ;0)

How is everyone doing on getting their holiday stuffs done? I was off on another 5 hr shopping trip yesterday...but I am done!! I am off to take my Mom shopping today, so hopefully after today I won't have to be out there any more...although, the girls still need to get their gifts for each other, Daddy and the Grandparents. So I guess I am not done. :0( I tell ya...I am gonna need a holiday after Christmas is over!! At least the kids are off for 2 weeks soon...maybe they will let Mom sleep in for a day or two...ya right!! ;0)

{ Another Stamp Company for me to Love! }

First off...dam you Allison!! ;0) just kidding...Last weekend at the stamp fest with Nancy,Shannon and Allison I was lucky enough to 'steal' TCP images off Allison. Well...I am in love with these images. These are not only cute, but just are great for quick and easy cards! Thanks again Allison...I think! Here is another card I did with the 3 Penguins...See No Evil, Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil...
I also wanted to share the great RAK we all received from Nancy on the weekend too. Isn't this bag cute! She included a cute Snowman ornament and a couple of acrylic Michaels stampsets...which I don't happen to already have! Thanks again, Nancy!

I also wanted to share a late entry for last months Challenge. Unfortunately, it was too late for the candy, but I still wanted to share it with you all. This one comes from Bobbie...please check out her blog for all the details. Thanks again Bobbie for playin' along.

Well, only 5 more cards to make and I am done!! All the rest went postal yesterday. So be on the lookout...you may get one in the mail very soon. ;0)

{ More Christmas RAK's }

So everyone ready for Christmas yet?? I am getting there...slowly! ;0)

Just thought I would share some more RAK's I received on Friday. This first one is from my friend Nancy. I just love these little penguins from TAC. Thanks again, Nancy!

This next one is from my friend Charlene. I just love this image! And Charlene also sent along a great stamp with the Chinese symbol for Friend and some stamped Housemouse and Happy Hopper images. Thank you so much Charlene!

And finally this last one is from the one and only...Allison. This is such a cute card...and my girls really like it too! Thanks, Allison. :0)

I got to spend Saturday night stampin' with Nancy, Shannon and Allison. We had lots of fun...or at least I did! ;0) Allison brought some of her TCP stamps. All I can say is...guess what stamps I will be buying now after Christmas!!! This ones for you Allison...thanks again! I had lots of fun with these last night. I actually made up about 5 cards in a few hours...I think that might be a record for me! I also got to use my Verve Visual stamps that I won from Toni! I am lovin' this card!

{ Feast your eyes on these!! }

I am so behind on posting some of these. Check out all these great RAK's I have received over the past week or so...

First off is the JT Aloha RAK for November. This one is from Alexis. Thank you so much Alexis...love that ribbon!!

This next one is from my friend Diana over at Scor-Pal. Not only did I get this amazing card, but also a new and improved Scor-Pal of my own!! Yup...now I have two...hmmm ;0) And go check out the Scor-Pal website for the new online Magazine...which just happens to have a tutorial by moi! ;0)

Next...I received my Christmas Blog Candy winnings from Toni!! Woohoo!! I can not wait to play with these babies!! I am thinkin' these are the stamps to get my Christmas cards done...what do you think? And check out this amazing Toni creation too!! Bet you are jealous. ;0)
Wait...theres more!! I have received my first Christmas cards and they were from some of my fellow bloggers and stamping friends. First off is from Flossie...thank you so much Florence!!And lastly? From my friend Dottie...who still does not have a blog!!!! ;0) Thank you so much Dottie. I am lovin' that little snowman in the globe!

I will be back later with one of my newest creations for ya. ;0)

{ I completed a challenge...woohoo!! }

Maria is having a blog candy/challenge on both of her blogs and one of the challenges yesterday was a sketch challenge. So I went down to my stamp room and got one more Christmas card done and a challenge too!! It is pretty simple...but I like it. I just love these new TAC snowman images I got. They are fun to color!!

Maria also had another challenge to photograph your stamping space as it is now. And tell what one item is your comfort or calming item. I would have to say that a permanent fixture would be my music and my normal item which is usually with me is my cup of Tazo Chai...not in this pic. ;0)

Okay...an update on the family. Took DD #2 to the dr today and turns out she has Bronchitis on top of the flu...poor thing. Got some really strong cough meds for her, so hopefully she will be feeling better soon. She actually wanted some crackers when we got home and ate 3! That's the most solid food she has had in 3 days! Daddy on the other hand? Still sick!!

{No!!!!}

I will be back with a new creation...in the meantime?

DD #2 came down with the flu this weekend!! So she is home today. Then hubby came home from hockey lastnight...yup, you guessed it! He was up all night and now he is home today. Please pray for me that I don't get it...although my tummy has that funny feeling this morning!! NO!!!!Will this ever end???

{ And the winner is...}

I would like to thank everyone who played along with the Mystery Challenge this month. Great job everyone! I had hubby pick a winner from all those who sent in their completed entry and the winner is...

Chris! Chris had the challenge of a Christmas Tri-Fold card...Congrats Chris!! I will be send you an email soon.

Here are all the other great entries and their challenges...

Jacqueline - Cut out a photo from a magazine and use it as your main focal piece

Cheryl - Sewing or faux Stitching

Maria - Gel Card JoAnn - Color Challenge - Always Artichoke/Really Rust/Barely Banana

Norma - No stamping

Kim - Shadow Box Card

Carol - Color Challenge - Purely Pomegranate/Night of Navy/Sage Shadow

Julie - Use buttons as main focal pointFlorence - Christmas Nugget Box

Denise - Spinner Card

Debbie - One Layer Masculine Card

Cresta - Color Challenge - Elegant Eggplant/Old Olive/More Mustard

Nancy - Star Box

Melody - No Stamping - Masculine

Kelly - Shaker Card

Thanks again to those who played along! I will be taking a break from the Challenges in December, but will be back at it in January!! :0)

{ November Mystery Happiness Challenge }

I have decided to do something a little different this month. I hope you like it and have fun! This months Challenge? It is a 'Mystery'. That's right. How you ask? Well, if you are up to the challenge this is what you do...

1. Email me and tell me that you are up for the challenge.
2. I will email you back with what your challenge is...that's right...each person will have a different challenge...could be sketch challenge, color challenge, technique challenge etc.
3. You will have until 9:00pm MST November 30th to complete your challenge
4. You will then email me a photo of your completed challenge...you will NOT post a photo on your blog or SCS gallery...it will remain a 'mystery' until the end of the challenge.
5. I will draw a random name on December 1st and post the winner and all other entries here on my blog.

What are you playing for?

* 1 brand new unopened(and corrected) package of SU Holiday Harmony DP
* 1 blank CD tin for you to alter
* 6 Square Chipboard Coasters
* Various 'Mystery' stamped images

So are you up for the Challenge??

{ My Beauties! }

Okay...just had to share my girls with ya. Here are their school pics for this year.

Emily is in Grade 1(6 yrs) She looks so grown up!!

Elizabeth is in Kindergarten(4 yrs) Anyone who knows El will totally get this pic! This is just so her. No she is not upset or sad...just very serious ;0)

{ Mojo, slowly returning...}

I actually managed to get down to my stamp room lastnight. And man...did it feel good to creat again. It seems like sooooo long. Hopefully I can do some more today since the kids have no school. I managed to get about 3 more cards done. And I played with my new TAC stamps. I am lovin' them!! I will share tomorrow.

But for today I have a card that I made for my friend Maria for the BRAK she sent me last month. This paper is part of the pack she sent me! Thanks again, Maria. I also used buttons! I have yet to use any buttons. These are some buttons that I received from my friend Dottie as a BRAK too. Yes...that would be the Dottie with no blog yet!!!! Thanks for getting me to finally use buttons Dottie. I will be using more now!

Looks like another cold one here in Calgary today. I had to go out and buy a new winter coat since mine kicked it the other day! I wanted a new one this year anyway, but I was hope to wait until after Christmas...oh well. I bought a nice brown wool peacoat style. I actually kinda feel like a grown up ;0) Have a great Friday!!

Oh...and the girls finally got their school pics back. I might take digital of them and post them for ya to see...just so I can show them off. ;0)

{ Woohoo!! }

I am just too excited...I had to share. I won Toni's Christmas Blog Candy! I never expected it as I got there pretty late the day she posted, but left a comment...cause I love her blog SOOOOO much. Thanks again, Toni!

I will be back with another card post in a bit. And don't forget, for all those involved with this months Challenge...you only have the rest of today to get me your pics of your completed Challenge!

{ Calgon...take me away! }

Man...could I use a nice loooonnnggg hot one! What a day. Thanks to everyone for their comments regarding my DD. I ended up taking her to the ER at the Children's Hospital. And what good timing we had. No one was there and we got in right away. Although, we still spent almost 6 hours there. Turns out DD just has a nasty stomach bug. But she was really dehydrated, so they hooked her up to an IV for about 3.5hrs. She was a brave little girl. She has yet to have any blood taken, so this was her first time. They ended up having to do it twice...once in each hand. She did very well considering. It was a long afternoon, but I think she is better. She will be staying home again tomorrow and we will try and get some more fluids in her and start getting some food into her. There is no school on Friday, so hopefully by the end of the weekend she should be good to go...I hope!! Poor thing.

Thought I would share another Bella creation with you all. This one was made for a special blogging friend of mine, Charlene who is taking a bit of a blogging/stamping break right now. Big hugs Charlene! I finally got to use my Basic Grey cs on this one. I must say I love this color! It really works well with all the pastel colors.

Well...I am exhausted. Back later with some more Bellas...

{ The Weather Outside is Frightful! }

Winter has definitely arrived! I so do not like this weather...it is cold and snowy...yuck! Oh well, guess it had to come eventually and we have had a pretty nice fall thus far. But I don't have to like it!!

So in light of this cold weather, I thought I would share a Snowbunnybella creation with you. I really like this bella. She is so quick and easy to color, but so fun too! You can't tell by the pic, but I added lots of sparkle to her with my Clear Glitter Pen.

Well, DD is home yet again today. I took her back to the dr yesterday and they are gonna send her for a ultrasound to make sure that her appendix is okay. They tried to book us in for an URGENT ultrasound, but of course in this city...well our appointment is for next Wednesday!! In the meantime if it gets worse we are to take her to the Childrens Hospital. I am thinkin' that I might anyway. She has been home for 3 days now...we keep thinkin' that it isn't that bad, but everytime she is up for more than 5-10 mins she wants to lay down again. We tried to get her up for school today, but she won't eat and starts crying again. Not sure what else to do. See how she is this morning. I might venture over to the Children's Hospital with her later on today. She is not worse, but not better either. Just not sure what to do...ya know?

Lastnight I had planned on doing up some Christmas cards, but right after we put the girls down for bed our little one got sick! She's okay...just needed to clear out the chest a little. But we just can't seem to win around here! Sorry for venting. ;0)

{ Great mail day! }

Yes, I am still alive! We just can not win in this house lately. My DD is doing better with the ear infection...or so it seems. But she awoke at 3 AM this morning with a tummy ache...came into our bed at 4 AM...then proceeded to vomit on mommy and all over our bed at 5AM. So she stayed home today...again...and proceeded to vomit every 2 hours until noon. So far this afternoon she has been okay, but she has only had water, a popsicle and a few saltine crackers...cross your fingers!!

But it was a very good mail day for me on Friday. I received a huge box of TAC stamps from my freind Kim...can not wait to play. Received my FREE SU set that was a gift to all demos from Shelli...I even gave myself a blister from mounting all those stamps!! I also recieved my 'Pay it Forward' win from Kathy. Check this out!!

Thank you again, Kathy!!

I also thought I would share another Presentabella card I made. My DD was invited to yet another bday party, so mommy had to create! ;0)

I am starting to panic a bit...regarding my Christmas cards. I am still only about 12 into about 50 or so that I need to make!! And I have not started any Christmas shopping yet. I really need to have some healthy kids in this house!! Everyone...please send me some healthy vibes ;0)

{ Happy Thanksgiving }

Just wanted to wish a big Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends out there in blogland. Hope you all have a wonderful day with your family and friends. Don't eat too much...and don't shop too much tomorrow!! ;0)

I am hoping to get back into the swing of things...crafting wise this weekend. It has been almost 2 weeks since I really did any stamping and I am in desperate need to get back at it. I still only have about 10 Christmas cards done out of the 50 or so I need to get done!!

Here is one I did a few weeks ago with my new Michaels stamps. I don't hate this card, but not really thrilled with it. I just wish I could color large areas with my SU markers without all those lines. Any suggestions??