{ September Happiness Giveaway }

**This post will remain the first post until the deadline of this months Challenge. Please scroll down for new posts**


I have finally got around to deciding on this months Challenge. It struck me the other day when I sat down to stamp. I have soooo many stamps that I bought cause I liked or loved and had to have them and then...nothing...they have been sitting in the box never to be used. Well it is high time I start using some of these stamps...don't ya think? Well for this months Challenge I want you to create a card using a stamp or stamp set that you bought and have not used in 'forever' or have never picked up since you bought it! Yup, time to pull out those neglected stamps and show them some lovin'.

Deadline is 9:00pm MST September 30th. You can enter as many times as you like, but you MUST use a different stamp set with each entry. Entries are to be added to the comments of this post with a link to your creation or email me a photo if you do not have a blog or gallery. The winner will receive a SURPRISE package of various items from my stash, including stamped images, Designer Papers, Primas, Ribbons and embellishments. To get you started here is my own creation. This stampset was a Hostess set from last years SU catty...Two way blossoms...I really liked this set when I saw it and thought there were so many great things I could do with it...yet it has been sitting in my stash of about 5 months and never inked!! I must say now that I have used it...I LOVE IT! I will definitely be using this set more now! Hope you like it...now go show those stamps some lovin'!

{ Check out these RAKs! }

Had a great mail day on Friday! Got a ton of my image exchanges from Bellaholicsanonymous, the great RAK from Beate below and these beauties...

This first one was a Birthday RAK from Heather. I just adore this little puppy card!! Check out these images she included! I can not wait to color these beauties ;0) Thanks again Heather.

This beautiful acetate card was sent to me from Ann. So pretty! Thanks Ann. :0)

Now we are off to do some shopping. School just started but already my oldest seems to be out of clothes!!

{ Beate's File Folder Challenge and a RAK! }

I saw that Beate had a new Challenge up for this weekend and thought I would give it a try. I had a bit of a struggle with this one. Just could not get my corner rounder to co-operate with me! But I think it is okay. I finally bought myself some stickles and used that...as you can tell from my smudge ;0) Gotta say though...lovin' the new Glitter stack from Michaels!! Don't you just love this paper?!

I was a lucky girl this week and received a ton of yummy mail! Here is a RAK that I received from Beate. I have been eyeing this new DP from SU...it is now ordered!! ;0)

{ Faux Linen...Bookmark Card }

Just thought I would share the project we did lastnight for our monthly stamping class. I wanted to do 2 projects and was thinking of maybe a bookmark and then decided to do a bookmark card! I think they all enjoyed it.

Have a great weekend and don't forget that you have until Sunday to get your entries in for this months Challenge!! :0)

{ Faux Linen Technique }

Have you ever tried this technique? I am doing a class on this technique this month and was working on some samples lastnight. I love it! It is very simple and very subtle, but so pretty and fun! If you give it a try I would love to see your creation!

{ Jen's Aloha RAK for September }

Lookie what I got from my RAK'n buddy Kathy! Wow! Thanks again Kathy!! And check out the Shaker card she made me too! I so need to make one of these!

Be sure to check out Jen's blog for the next RAK group coming in October!! :0)

{ More of Sara's Sketch Challenges! }

I worked all weekend and just realized that I don't really think I was on the computer much, if at all this weekend! How sad is that? I have a ton of blogs to get through on my Google reader!!

Thought I should post some more of my creations from Sara's Sketch Challenges. I pretty much try and do one of these sketches everytime I stamp. There are so many to choose from!! Here is my attempt at Sketch #11. I have had this DP laying around for quite sometime now. Thought it was time to break it out!

It is pretty bright...so not me! But I like it. :0)

{ I am in love with...Milton! }

Shhhhh...don't tell my hubby! It is soooo true. I am truly in love. Who is Milton, you ask? Here is Milton...

This is one of the 'High Hopes' images that Allison so kindly let me stamp off. Isn't he just the cutest?! And so fitting, since it is SNOWING right now!! Yup, that's right! I am not lovin' that, but am lovin' my card. I even used my Prisma pencils blended with Odorless Mineral Spirits! I am very happy with this one! You ever make one of those cards that you just can't seem to part with? I am thinkin' this maybe one of those ;0) I am definitely making a 'High Hopes' order in the VERY near future!!

{ Fun with Sara's Sketch Challenge }

Have you been checkin' out Sara's Sketch Challenge's? What? No? Go...do it now! This is so fun. She is doing 27 Sketches in 27 days. This is for Sketch #7...

It's not perfect, but it was still fun to make! :0)

I was also playin' with my 'High Hopes' images that Allison let me stamp off the other night!! I made my first card and I can't wait to show you!! I am in love with these images...too cute!! But you have to wait until tomorrow...teehee... ;0)

{ Tagged yet again! }

There is a new tag game going on in blogland and I have been tagged by my friends Nancy and Catherine. Here we go...

Four places I have lived.
1. Calgary AB
2. Raymond AB
3. Calgary AB
4. Calgary AB...do you see a theme??

Four places I have been on vacation.
1. Disneyland
2. Disneyworld
3. Maui
4. Vancouver Island...all over, but my fav was Long Beach!!

Four of my favorite foods.
1. Tazo Chai from Starbucks!
2. Tony Romas Ribs
3. Shrimp...anykind!!
4. Burbon Street Mai Mai from Bubba Gumps in Maui!!!

Four places I would rather be right now.
1. Disneyworld
2. Disneyland
3. Snorkeling in Maui with the Turtles!
4. Camping in Disneyworld!!...yet another theme ;0)

Four friends most likely to respond.
1. Kim
2. Charlene
3. Laura
4. Maria

{ In a Christmas mood }

Last night I had a great time stampin' at my friend Nancy's house. Not only did I get to stamp with Nancy, but also Shannon and Allison! I got to Nancy's house at 7:00pm and didn't leave until 12:00am. Yup! It was a great evening and hope we can do it again soon. In that whole time I did manage to get out 1 whole card! Yup, that was it. Oh, but Allison also brought along her 'High Hopes' stamps and let me stamp off a few images!! I can not wait to play with these cuties!! Thanks again, Allison!!

I took along my new SU Christmas DP, determined to create something with it! Nancy was kind enough to let me use her Christmas stamps too. Of course I had to grab this reindeer one again...just love this stamp! I also, brought along all of Sara's sketches to play with too. This was Sketch #10.

I actually quite like the way this one turned out. Got to use my new Dollarama gem brads too!!

{ Woohoo!!! }

That's right! I got the little one on the bus today!! Woohoo for me! She got on, no goodbye, no hug, no nothin'. My stomach had been in knots for hours worried about what would go down today...and nothing! I am so happy! So got back from the bus stop and put the other little one(not mine) down for a nap and went down to stamp!!

I decided to work on a few things. Firstly, Beate's Sketch Challenge. Then I also, need to make up a card for Norma's MIL bday challenge. Please head on over and read about Norma's Challenge and the background behind this special RAK collection for her MIL.

I have been wanting to try out the 'Faux Mother of Pearl' Technique and thought this was the perfect opportunity. Nothing says a 90 year old's bday like pearls...well to me anyway ;0) I am quite happy with the way this one turned out.

{ Oh no!! }

Today was to be an exciting yet anxious day in our household. It was to be the first day that El(my youngest) was to take the school bus to school by herself for the first time. Except for the fact that she woke up sick today! She is now asleep on the couch with a sore throat and a temp of 38+( that's a little over 100 for you Americans).

:0(

So we are into the second week of school and we are already sick!! I was hoping to at least get through the first month? Maybe? But no...oh well...hopefully she can sleep it off the rest of the day and be better for tomorrow.

So here is yet another Bella creation... I told you I had lots of colored images needing to be used up!! This one is Javabella that I received from my friend Kim...quite awhile back! This is what I wish I could be doing with all of you today! :0)

Have a great Monday!

{ Here's to you! }

Just thought I would do a quick post tonight. Feeling kinda lousy tonight...maybe this week has just caught up to me? Here is yet again another bella...Cosmobella. These were some images that my friend Nancy had given me awhile back and the DP was from a swap that Nancy I were recently in together as well! Thanks Nancy! This image was in my pile of colored images waiting to be created into a masterpiece!! ;0) Hope you are all having a great weekend!

{ Week one is finally over!! }

Sorry for not being around much this week! First week of school is now over and man am I exhausted!! The little one is still crying when I leave her at school but the teacher is convinced that it won't go on for too much longer...she was better today. She has found herself a buddy that is a constant companion...they hold hands all day long! I just pray she is never sick or moves away!! ;0)


I am thinkin' I should start calling my blog Bellarama from now on. Yup, here is another bella for you. I have been busy sending off a bunch of image RAK's to some of my fellow Bellaholics. This is one of the cards that I sent out this past week. I really like Elegant Eggplant and don't use it enough. I found this paper in the bottom of my pile of DP and thought it was high time I used some of my Elegant Eggplant. Hope you like it!

{ First Day of School }

I just had to share a pic of my girls today! The day is not over yet...I will let you know if the little one is traumatized for life after I pick her up. Let's just say there were tears involved...and they were'nt mine! ;0)

{ Best Blog Friend Award }

My friend Kim has given me a 'Best Blog Friend Award'. You are too sweet Kim! I have met some great people through stampin' and bloggin' and I definitely would consider Kim one of my best bloggin' friends! You are the best, Kim! :0)

So here is where I get to hand out my awards. I know she nominated me, but my first one would have to go to Kim. She has been there to encourage me with my stampin' and I sooooo wish we were closer and could see eachother on a regular basis!! Calgary and Lynwood and just too far apart!! You have to check out her new blog...she just got her wings(TAC wings that is!)

Next would be Nancy. Nancy is the one that 'really' got me into stampin' and the reason I am broke today...just kidding ;0) Nancy you are a constant inspiration and I am so happy to call you my friend. :0)

Next would be Maria. I think I found Maria through another blog and am amazed by everything she does! Maria you are a constant inspiration...through stamping and life in general ;0)

Next would be Julie. Julie and I met through an online group that we are members of(CST - Canadian Stamp Talk). We have been in numerous swaps together and I love to see what new creations she has on her blog. Julie has always been a great supporter and leaves me such great comments and emails too!! Thanks Julie! :0)

Finally...I would have to say Charlene. I too met Charlene through CST. Charlene has been the hostess to MANY swaps that I have been involved in! I love to stop by her blog and she always leaves me such great comments! Thanks Charlene...miss you while you are away!!

{ Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge }

Decided to play with Beate's new Sketch Challenge lastnight. I know what you are all thinkin'...another bella? Like I said, I had a LOT of colored images I needed to use up ;0) And I need to make some more cards to send off as RAK's this week. I always love using Beate's sketches...gotta love those square sketches ;0)

I also tried playin' with Amy's idea for a homemade 'studio in a box'. Mine still needs a bit of work though. I think I may need to invest in a clip on light for this...it all comes down to lighting! But I will keep playin'...bare with me ;0)

**Check out the updates on my sidebar...new music and blogs to check out this week! Can you tell I am getting antsy for Heroes to start??!!**

{ And the winner is....}

First off thank you to everyone who took the time to create something for this months Challenge. Now are you ready??? I put all the names into a bowl and had hubby pick out a winner when he got home from work. And the winner is...

Flossie aka Flossiefollies. Check out the cards she made...I know only one entry...well it was one blog entry for her and I only put her name in once. :0)

Now for the other entries...

Cheryl

Jodene

Esther

Jen

Monika

Lorie

Debbie

Ginger

Normaj

Barb

Cindy

Dee

Nancy

Crestajune

Melody

Mary

Cheryl

Allison

And these entries are for the ladies with no blog or gallery...

Entry by Deb Miedema

Thanks again to everyone. Flossie please drop me an email with your mailing address and I will get your winnings off to you this week!