I've Been Tagged!

I've been tagged by that wonderful & Scor-Pal-talented, Sharon Gabrielson! What are the rules to this?

Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer. Ten years ago: My eldest son was 8 years old...Sunday we had his high school graduation for him!!! What a wonderful and fun time we had but saddened to see him go to college.

Five things in todays 'to do list': Water the flowers, take youngest to play rehearsal, finish our Fellowship's monthly calendar, work on graduation thank-you card, turn in invoice for a "tea" project I did last week and on and on, huh?

What I would do if I was a millionaire: I probably would be the same as I am today but be able to bless others more & help them with their needs. Make sure my boys and my family members had their needs taken care of and okay, okay, I probably would have a wonderful "studio" designed to fit my needs too! I have lived: Arizona, Texas and Ohio

5 people I'll tag: Sheryll, Tonje, Jen, Mabelle, Nancy

Thanks for tagging me Sharon and thanks all for joining in the fun! Bless ya~

Simplicity

Say "Bye-Bye"

The Angel Company will be revealing it's new Fall/Winter 2008 Catalogue & Idea book after Seminar in June and you know what that means, right? A "Discontinued List" from the Spring/Summer 2008 Catalogue of their soon to be discontinued stamp sets is available for you now. I know it'll be sad to say "bye-bye" to some of these sets, huh? But great expectation & excitement is in the air for the NEW catalogue! Take a look at the list and let me know if you'd like me to order your favorite stamp sets or you can visit my online store to place your order!

T-2746 A God Thing Page 26, T-2660 Abundance Is Page 36, T-2333 All Season Skinnies Page 53, T-2680 Animal Blocks Page 75, T-2604 Autumn Smiles Page 92, T-2265 Be Page 80, T-2181 Be Authentic Page 86, T-2656 Beach Fun Page 55, T-2605 Beautiful Place Page 31, T-2358 Birthday Buggies Page 67, T-2321 Blossom Builders Page 21, T-2515 Buggie Christmas Page 99, T-2202 Calendar Page 69, T-306 Chicken Scratch Page 87, T-2573 Distressed Designs Page 37, T-2124 Diva Dresses Page 81, T-2619 Don't Bug Me Page 56, T-2755 F is for Family Page 19, T-441 Faith Hope Love Page 95, T-2283 Fanciful Flowers Page 27, T-2562 Fangtastic Page 91, T-2650 Forget Not Page 34, T-2623 Friendly Goblins Page 90, T-2611 Friendly Note Page 76, T-2791 Giggly Goblins Page 92, T-2328 Hang Loose Page 54, T-2728 Happy Celebration Page 69, T-2713 Happy Holiday Squares Page 101, T-2769 He Said She Said Page 87, T-2406 Heart-itude Page 38, T-2325 Hip Hardware Page 37, T-2370 His Angels Page 40, T-2794 Jolly Jack-O-Lanterns Page 92, T-2704 License To Chill Page 102, T-2560 Lily Pad Pond Page 56, T-2375 Little Inspirations Page 41, T-2615 Live Inspired Page 40, T-2372 May Your Merry Page 100, T-2548 Mini Sampler Page 69, T-2334 More Season Skinnies Page 53, T-2578 My Favorites Page 81, T-2874 My Spiritual Journey Page 41, T-2821 My Story Page 88, T-2649 Needed Numbers Page 45, T-2661 Nurture Your Soul Page 43, T-2643 Old Friend Page 43, T-2357 Pals Page 51, T-2858 Party Notes Page 68, T-2690 Party Time Page 69, T-2683 Playful Paisley Page 75, R-2027 Pretty Posies Page 76, T-2540 Ragdolls Page 85, T-2774 Remembrance Page 18, T-2797 Retro Christmas Page 100, T-2788 Retro Halloween Page 90, T-2787 Retro Reindeer Page 100, T-2789 Retro Treaters Page 90, T-1232 Rub A Dub Page 81, T-2353 Sassy Cats Page 51, T-2712 Sentimental Boxes Page 75, T-2152 So Girly Swirly Page 61, T-2288 So Silly Page 45, T-2639 Stipple Bet Page 32, T-2221 Sweet Sayings Page 87, T-2695 Swirly Seasons Page 88, T-2327 The Buzz Page 50, T-2800 The First Thanksgiving Page 92, T-2618 The Only Thing Page 95, T-2566 Tip Toe Page 33, T-2602 Too Spooky Page 92, T-2301 Truly Blessed Page 27, T-2360 Wedding Wishes Page 14, T-1205 Wishing You Page 69, T-2569 Write It Page 33, T-2823 You Are Mine Page 38, T-2809 You're A Hoot Page 17, T-1203 You're Invited Page 69,

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Cute Baby

A sweet and simple baby card. I used "Twins" stamp set and non-TAC patterned paper. What a great verse of scripture, huh?

Altering with "Bella Flor"

BEFORE PICTURES:




AFTER PICTURES:






Using our Bella Flor paper collection, I altered a few things with it because it's the perfect weight for these kinds of altering. Please check this beautiful paper as it is specially priced at only $10 (retails $19.95) until supply lasts. (You can see my post on this further down the page & order at my TAC online store.

Anyhow, I altered a Lipton tea box and made a recipe box. I just realized I forgot to take a picture of the files on the inside...darn! Maybe this week I can post it for you. I took the Crystal Light container and made a cute girlie tote with clear tubing handle. With the Crystal Light cover (orange colored) I made a photo frame. I also included an aluminum paint pail and a vitamin bottle (it's the one with the purse tag hanging on it) that I covered with Bella Flor paper as well! So you see you can make your own "one of a kind" gems with recycled items. Hope you enjoyed these. Any questions, leave a comment and I'll get back to you soon as I can.
Bless ya!

Paisley Rockz - No Coloring

Here's a challenge I participated in...one of Allison's - afss117... where there was NO COLORING allowed! Here's my try at it...I love black and white together so this one wasn't too hard. But I'm not too crazy about this card as it looks a bit too "top heavy"!

I used the Paisley Rockz stamp set for the flowers and for the sentiment I took one from our "Bookoo Blessings" stamp set (I really love this set...take a look at this set and see if you don't agree!) On the picture below you can see the embossed paisley design better.

Tutorial: Quick "Resist" Background

"Juliette Florals" meet "Butterfly Swirls"! These two stamp sets go so well together that I made a card to show you. I used a "resist" technique for my background. Here's what I did:







Oops, here's what I did:
-I stamped the small flowers with Versamark watermark inkpad on white glossy cardstock. Notice I only stamped them on the bottom portion of the glossy cs.

-I ran a brayer over a Kaleidacolor rainbow inkpad to pick up the colors. For newbies, a Kaleidacolor inkpad has 5 colors in it...side by side. Click on the highlighted word to see sample of one. Here I used the blue breeze colors.

-I ran this brayer over the white glossy cardstock...going in all directions. Prepare to be amazed when you see the flowers "pop" out of nowhere! What is happening, newbies, is that the ink is resisting the Versamark. Re-ink brayer as needed and brayer some more color if needed. Voila! You have a very vibrant background!

- I stamped the butterfly, with the same Blue Breeze inkpad, as part of the background on the glossy cs.

- With black inkpad, I stamped an element from the Curls & Swirls stamp set to form a stem for my big flower.

-I then stamped a flower from the set on a flower shaped cardstock. I added a pearlized brad to center and attached pop dots to it to give it dimension. Added glitter glue to it too.

-On the top left corner I adhered a piece of embossed (swiss dot) white paper as an photo corner and attached some tiny white ribbons to it and added glitter glue.

-Lastly, I adhered this glossy cardstock to purple cardstock and then to white cardstock to complete the card.

That's it! It's easier than you think...why not try making one and showing us what you've done with this resist background technique. Would love to see YOUR work! Have fun...see you later!

Looky what I have!

Hey everyone, just wanted you to take a look at my "signature" at the end of my blog posts...isn't it awesome? Sara Williams designed it for me and I love it...thanks Sara! Go check out her work on her blog "Tweaks and Designs"... she is very talented and loves to make "siggies"! Whatcha think?

File Folder Accordian Book

I've been working on these cute accordian books made out of those small file folders you can get at any office supply store. This was a project from Rita's Ohio Gathering weekend...thanks Rita! I used "Rustic Chic" paper V928 for the book & bookmark and I used the "Spiritual Journey" T2874 stamp set. Hope you like these...thanks for dropping by!

Matchbook Kit Special

Matchbook Kits are TIME-SAVING mini album kits and you're gonna love them because they are simple and very doable! You can assemble one in about 15 minutes! Then just fill these double-sided quality cardstock kits with your favorite pictures! How quick is that?

This special includes two (2) Matchbook Kits (retail $8.95 each) and a 9-set "True Wealth" word set (retails $19.95) for only $28.90! Click here to view the Pemberley Bay Kit and click here to view the Rockin' Roxie Kit.

You can order your kits when you visit me here or just email me. Special runs from May 9th thru June 16, 2008!!

Perfect Palette for Pennies!

One of my favorite brightly-colored paper collections with our own Mabelle Ramirez as the artist designer of this set. While supplies last, this Bella Flor paper collection is only $10 and you get 16 12x12 sheets, alpha stickers, large alpha stickers, tags & embellishment sheet!! Can you believe all of that for only $10.oo.

You can order R2500 Bella Flor when you visit my online TAC store or email.



Here's a sample of the paper when I used it to alter a vitamin bottle. I know, I know, a vitamin bottle? Thanks for looking.

May SOTM and Vintage Set

For newbies, you can purchase our "Stamp of the Month" stamp set with your $30 purchase for only $6.95 for a 7-stamp set and $4.25 for a 2-stamp "Vintage" set.

This month is the "Auld Lang Syne" set and also the "Flag Quilt" Vintage Set which I love both because I LOVE patriotic anything! Patriotic reminds me of all the freedoms made available to us...thanks to God, of course! Make sure you click on the highlighted "Auld Lang Syne" to see some wonderful samples of this set.

"Big" on Fun

These "Limited Edition" stamps sets are ONLY $2.95 each with your $30 purchase! What? Is that right, Mary, only $2.95 each? Yep...for sure!

From May 9 thru June 16, 2008 these miniature versions will be available to you. You can purchase ONE OF EACH with your $30 purchase and you can also get ONE FREE with your $100 Funshop. Visit my TAC Store to order or email me, please. Click on picture to enlarge view. Thanks for dropping by!

Happy Mother's Day!

These beautiful flowering trees certainly continue to bless my life especially today!

May you all have a wonderful Mother's Day enjoying all that God has done for YOU so that you CAN appreciate the little things in life...like, in my case, these cute little trees!

And the winner is....

RESENDING - EMAIL service acting up. April's giveaway winner is "2worlds"! Yea, congratulations! Please email me your address so I can mail it out to you. Thank you all for commenting and sharing your "blessings" for April. I see how God continues to take care of you all: NicD is thankful for Spring and her wonderful family. Starry7678's blessings are her grandchildren, her youngest daughter going to college, her hubby's job and is she is really blessed with cardmaking. Sandy did you enjoy your week off and get to play with your daughter? Stampincarol's husband's family was visiting last week...had a great time with them. Stampincats moved back to Ohio---welcome! Trudy is blessed with this card set and wants to know if she can "case" it---certainly! Sheila how's your new job? Kimi, Puerto Vallarta? Wow? Did you get to see the jungle movie location of one of Arnold Schwarzennegar's movie while there? Stephanie celebrated her 25th anniversary in Vegas with her hubby. Rachael saw Ephesians 3:20 at work--she got 3 jobs! Kayellwy is enjoying her 1yr and 4 yr grandkids along with her new assistant manager's job...congrats! Claudia is thankful every day for her hubby and kids. Cindy loves her granddaughter and there is soon to be another new arrival! Wow what wonderful blessings of life. We have a personal Heavenly Father that provides for our personal needs, huh? Can we all say "To God be the glory great things He hath done!" Thanks all for stopping by my blog and blessing ME. Please come back this week when I'm believing to post my May giveaway. Bye for now!

"Seeds of Blessings" Class

Live locally? Join us for our next FUN & easy class! Saturday, May 3rd from 10am to 12noon. RSVP please. In our "Seeds of Blessings" Gardening Set CLASS, we will make the following:

-rectangular pail
-plant stakes
-gardening glove card
-gardening journal

It's sure to be fun and makes a great gift for any occasion: spring, graduation, Mother's Day, Gardener day, yourself, etc.!
See ya' then!

April "Giveaway"

Time to count your blessings and time for me to show you April's "Giveaway". Leave a comment on an extra blessing you received this month. We all love to hear about blessings as they are very uplifting and can actually encourage us to "continue on" through the challenges of life. Here's a wonderful reminder and a fave verse of mine that God always makes "options" available to us. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 He promises that "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." Wow! How comforting to know that
God always makes a way for us to escape, that there IS always a way out when it seems as if there isn't! Now, that's a blessing to hold on to, huh?

Leave a comment and your name will be included in the drawing at the end of the month. You may be picked to receive my "white elegance" stationery set which includes 4 monogrammed/embossed cards with embossed envelopes, monogrammed tag and two embossed gum (or candy) pouches. Thanks again and have a most excellent evening!

Awards!

I was honored with the Arte y Pico award. The write-up says it is given to people "for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language." Goodness...thank you so very much...I was so surprised and honored! The following people blessed me with this recognition and I would like to recognize them as well. Pam has such a "sweet and tender" heart. Tonje my friend from Norway has such a big "giving" heart. Rita has a very "sharing" heart as she hesitates NOT to share all her know-how. Please visit their wonderful websites and tell them I sent you! I also received a BLOGGED.com rating for my blog. The editors of Blogged.com "recently reviewed my blog and have given it an 8.1 score out of (10) in the Recreation/Hobbies category of Blogged.com. Blogs are evaluated based on the following criteria: Frequency of Updates, Relevance of Content, Site Design, and Writing Style." So I was very blessed and honored to have received that rating for my little ole blog! This encourages and inspires me to continue with this blog and make sure my Heavenly Father receives the glory! Thank you friends for visiting me...I love it!

"Words of Encouragement" ATCs

Sorry for my absence....have been on vacation to sunny Florida, well mostly sunny... two days it was raining but who cares, huh? when you're having fun!


Wanted to share a few "words of encouragement" ATCs I made last week. My penmanship on the little penguin (isn't he a cutie?) is not quite the best. It should read "Keep lookin' at the Lord, He'll carry you through"...now there's a wonderful thought to hold on to, huh?

For newbies, ATC stands for ARTIST TRADING CARDS and they are only 2-1/2"x3-1/2" in size. Yes, your canvass is small which can make ATCs challenging for that reason but they are SO much fun to make! I will show you some more later using different techniques...so please come back and check them out!






The Angel Company stamp sets used:

"Butterfly Swirls" T2929

"Fluffy Friends" TB2841 Level B hostess set

"I Love Easter" T2719

March "Give Away" Winners

The winners of the inspirational refrigerator magnets for my March Giveaway are: for my "Paper Blessings" blog, the winner is Kathy Mcc and for my "Mary's Paper Blessings" blog, the winner is Kim Hannan. Congratulations ladies! Please email your address so I can mail them to you. And thank you all for commenting and continuing to inspire me. Thanks for visiting and I will have April's Giveaway posted next week. Thanks and God bless your lives with all of His Goodness!!