Such an Honor

I've received an award from Chichiboulie. I love visiting her blog--such a sweet person! But, more than her blog, I love using her stamps. Have you seen them? They're available from Stamping Bella. Her latest creations are the Bitty Blooms and I love them! Check them out!

According to the rules, I'll need to choose 7 blogs to nominate for this award so I can pass the honor on. Oh my! I will have to think about this for a bit. There are so many wonderful blogs to love! I have some ideas, so I wll take care of this soon. In the meantime, thank-you for this honor, Gretchen!

Thanks for stopping by!

Back in the Saddle!

Don't get me wrong. I love everything about the holidays and being at the beach, but I am so happy to be stamping again! This card is for Bella Sketch Challenge #61. I wanted to use one of my too-cute new Huggabuggs from Tiddly Inks and, with Christmas cards and thank-you notes, I have been sending more snail mail than email lately, so I chose this darling Snail Mail Huggabugg. Giggle-worthy, for sure!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday! We certainly did but, like I said, I'm glad we're all back here together too!

Stamp: Snail Mail by Tiddly Inks for Stamping Bella
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black
Papers: SU Close to Cocoa, PTI SS White, Pebbles Inc dp
Accessories: Copic Markers, nestabilities, Stamping Bella baubles, dollar bin ribbon, stamping dimensionals

And a Redbird in a Snowman's Hand...

Happy Day! Wherever you are today, I hope that you are safe and happy and with people who love you!

My family and I are in Cherry Grove, South Carolina at our favorite beach spot. It's such a wonderful time and I'm so grateful to be here watching my young nieces watch Christmas around them. It's special.

I chose the colors for this week's challenge by looking at this beautiful dp. The colors are Old Olive, Rose Red, Bashful Blue, and Orchid Opulence. The added twist is to use dry embossing on your creation. Have fun!

Stamps: Snowman Circle and sentiment by Stamping Bella
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black and SU White Craft Ink
Papers: SU Bashful Blue, Orchid Opulence, Rose Red, Old Olive, PTI SS White, and Heidi Grace Designs dp
Accessories: Copic Markers, Nestabilities, SU punches, Self-adhesive raindrops, sponges, stamping dimensionals, Shimmerz

My Favorite Christmas Discovery

Well, this has been such a busy time. I try to keep this blog strictly stamping-related. After all, that's why you come and I am so grateful for each visitor. I haven't been able to post as many cards this month, but I have been very busy in the craft room. There are so many little stamping gifts to make during this time of the year!

I wanted to give you a gift, of sorts. Please take a minute to view this video, I think you'll love it as much as I did! Whoops, I'm new at this Youtube thing. Maybe you can find the video from the link below? Or, look for the group, Straight, No Chaser, and the song, On the First Day of Christmas. I think it will be worth your time.

I heard about this group on the radio. They are men who sang together in college at the University of Indiana. As I understand it, they have come back together and made an album. I downloaded the album into my Itunes library and I have been listening to it everyday. I love it.

Enjoy and thanks so much for stopping by!

Merry Christmas!

In the Forest

Do you think that other kinds of trees want to be Christmas trees too? I wonder. These new images from Stamping Bella are just beautiful but they aren't the kind of trees that end up covered in ornaments. So...I decided to put them on a Christmas card. I think they look just lovely. This is the first card I have ever made with SU's Always Artichoke, I think. I like it!

Oh, things are so busy around here! And, Wolfpack basketball is really starting now. We had a big game last night, against ECU. They beat us shamefully last year and we just couldn't stand to lose to them again this year. Brent and I drove to Raleigh to attend the game and I am so glad we did! It was a great game and it was even greater because we won. Our boys look like they remember how to play basketball this year, but we'll see how they look when the conference games start. The ACC is tough! I can't even type the names of those dreaded blue teams here...we beat both of them in football this year! But, basketball is a whole 'nother sport in the ACC. Sigh...I am proud of those Wolfpack boys. Oh, and we play Florida this year. I don't have any idea what to expect from that game. I just love college basketball!

Stamp: Skinny Scribbly Tree by Stamping Bella
Papers: SU Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, PTI SS White, and Basic Grey Figgy Pudding
Accessories: SU markers, CB Embossing folder, nestabilities, SU punch, Stamping dimensionals

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Today's Special

One week, one week...wait, one week? Oh my, are you ready? Am I ready? I know the answer to the second question. No! My family packs everything up--tree, presents, nieces--and we head for the beach. Each family group rents a condo in our favorite condo tower and we meet for meals and fun times. It is the best holiday tradition ever!

But, that means that we are leaving here on Tuesday. I have a lot to do to get ready. One thing I want to get a good start on is thank-you notes. So this week, I am showing a thank-you note for the color challenge. Don't you just love I-Deserve-a-tip-a-Bella?! Her tray offers so many options! I decided to stack it with Stamping Bella's wee hug sentiment this time.

The colors are Apricot Appeal, Night of Navy, and Ruby Red. And the optional twist to this week's challenge? Let's try making a thank-you note! Have a wonderful, productive, restful!! week!

Stamps: I-Deserve-a-Tip-a-Bella and sentiment by Stamping Bella, Amuse mini oval stamp
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black
Papers: SU Night of Navy, Apricot Appeal, Ruby Red, and PTI SS white
Accessories: Copic Markers, nestabilities, CB embossing folder, SU navy ribbon, corner rounder, stamping dimensionals

BCC #59

BIG Thanks!

Happy Sunday! Today is a busy day in our house. We spent the morning the way we usually do--first we worked in the nursery with our "Creepers" (babies who are just crawling and not yet walking. We love them.) Then we went to service. I took Brent some lunch and now he is doing the props for the first production of the Christmas musical. I'll be going over at 5 to take him some dinner and then watch the second production. He is so worried about dropping something as he moves things around on a dark stage. I hope things are going well for him!

Now that the Christmas cards have been mailed, it's time to start getting thank-you notes ready. Since I was little girl, my parents taught us to sit down right away and write a thank-you note for a gift. As I've grown older, I've realized that it's just such an important thing for a child to do. It makes them take time out to appreciate the gift and it makes the person who gave the gift feel good about giving it. Everybody wins!

So, I've used Taylor's Cupcake Challenge to get one of my cards done. I love these new flowers from Petaloo, don't you?! They just beg to be spilled all over a card. Oh, so pretty together.

Stamp: SU Think Big
Ink: SU Basic Black, Pixie Pink
Papers: SU Basic Black, Pixie Pink, Going Gray, Paper Studios dp
Accessories: SU punch, Petaloo flowers

TECC46

A Cup of Christmas

Can you believe that Christmas is two weeks from today? My goodness! I tried to resist the idea, but I had to give in and do traditional Christmas colors for today's color challenge. I used Gable Green and Real Red, but I encourage you to use the red and green that you like the most. Whether you are making Christmas cards for this year or joining Sparkle in her Christmas card challenge, I hope you enjoy using these colors today! Have a great one!

Stamp: Minty Coffee by Stamping Bella
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black and SU Going Gray
Papers: SU Gable Green, Real Red, Going Gray, PTI SS White, and AC Moore dp
Accessories: Copic Markers, SU Piercing kit, nestabilities, Dollar bin ribbon, Stickles, misc. brads, sponges

Frosty Fun!

Tonight it's warm and rainy in North Carolina, but I know there are snowmen being built somewhere in the world! My nephews live in Minneapolis, maybe they are building some?

One of the things I love doing with Stamping Bella stamps is paper-piecing. I love seeing these striped pants, aren't they funny?! They match her frosty friend's scarf. Too funny!

Stamp: Snowfight by Tiddly Inks for Stamping Bella
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black
Papers: SU Bashful blue, PTI SS White, Heidi Grace Designs dp
Accessories: Copic Markers, Liquid Applique, Stickles, misc. buttons, SU Bashful Blue ribbon, stamping dimensionals

SCS Bella Sketch Challenge #58

Happy Cupcake Sunday!

Happy Sunday! Today's card needed two pictures. I just had to get a photo that showed the sparkly Shimmerz I put on their skates and on her pockets. Those Shimmerz are great fun, they just don't photograph so well!

How is your Christmas shopping going? We are whittling down our list. I am stuck on the one person I am always stuck on, my husband. something will have to some to me soon, hopefully!

Have a great week and thanks so much for stopping by the blog!!

Stamp: Tilda and Edwin ice skating by Magnolia Stamps
Ink: Staz-on Jet Black
Papers: SU Bashful Blue, Pixie Pink, Gable Green, watercolor paper, misc. dp
Accessories: SU Markers, Aquaflow pen, nestabilities, Janome mini sewing machine, Threading waters punch, CB embossing folder, rub-ons, SU piercing kit, Liquid Applique, stamping dimensionals, Taylored expressions pink candy dot, misc. ribbon, Shimmerz

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #45

CASEing Jessica

December's Bella's Favorite Stamper is Jessica and I chose this card to CASE. Jessica makes such beautiful cards and she's so generous with her comments. It was a pleasure to CASE one of her creations. Congratulations, Jessica!

Stamp: Eloise by Chichiboulie for Stamping Bella
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black
Papers: SU Gable Green, Pixie Pink, Allie's Wonderland dp, PTI SS White
Accessories: Copic Markers, SU Piercing kit, Stamping dimensionals, misc. clip, SU ribbon, Stamping Bella dots, Shimmerz

Happy Anniversary, Stamping Bella!

Tonight is the Bellaversary Bash. There are three great challenges with even greater prizes! One of the challenges is hosted by Sparkle. Her challenge is to make a card with Em's signature colors, pink and light green. I chose Tiddly Inks' sweet stamp for my card.

Stamp: Is that a Cupcake on Your Head by Tiddly Inks for Stamping Bella, Stamping Bella sentiment
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black
Papers: SU Regal Rose, Green Galore, PTI SS White, Misc. 2-sided dp
Accessories: Copic Markers, Stamping Bella dot, nestabilities, liquid applique, SU piercing kit, stamping dimensionals, SU punches


I hosted a challenge with a theme of twos. I love the new Bitty Blooms by Chichiboulie for Stamping Bella. What's better than one Bitty Bloom? Two Bitty Blooms! I also used two bows, two Stamping Bella dots and layers of two to put the cards together.

Stamps: Hydrangea Bitty Bloom by Chichiboulie for Stamping Bella, sentiment by Verve Visual
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black
Papers: SU Lavender Lace, Pretty in Pink, Gable Green, PTI SS White, and misc. dp
Accessories: Copic Markers, Stamping Bella Dots, Taylored Expressions twill, SU punches, stamping dimensionals, nestabilities



The third challenge is a sketch challenge hosted by Shannan. Here's the card I made. I used Shimmerz for the first time and they are so beautiful, but they just didn't photograph well at all. I put them on her coat's trim, skates, and scarf.

Stamps: Glideabella by Stamping Bella, sentiment by Stamping Bella
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black
Papers: SU Regal Rose, Baja Breeze, and Ballet Blue, PTI SS White, Frosty the Snowflake dp by SEI
Accessories: Copic Markers, Shimmerz, nestabilities, Stamping Bella ribbon, Stamping Bella dots, SU punches, Stamping dimensionals

BCC57 Warm Words for You

For this week's color challenge, I wanted to start with an obvious December color, Glorious Green, but mix it with two not so obvious December colors. So, I chose Ballet Blue and Cameo Coral. It makes for an interesting Christmas card, don't you think?! We may not be able to get Polly Packages leggings that are any other color than pink ever again. They look good on her.

The optional twist this week is to use Kraft paper on the card.

Stamps: Polly Packages by Chichiboulie for Stamping Bella, sentiments by SU
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black
Papers: SU Cameo Coral, Ballet Blue, Glorious Green, Kraft, PTI SS White
Accessories: Copic Markers, CB embossing folder, nestabities, stamping dimensionals, SU markers

Come to the Party!

It's Stamping Bella's second anniversary and we are having a celebration fit for a queen--Queen Bella, that is! On Friday, December 5, at 8:30 EST, the party will start in the SCS Forum. There will be games, challenges, and great prizes! Plan to join us!

Stamp: Sistahoodabellas by Stamping Bella
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black
Papers: SU Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa, PTI SS White, SU Berry Bliss dp
Accessories: Copic Markers, SU Punches, Stamping Bella dots, Copic Markers

A Festive Egg

What kind of egg would an egg fairy bring to the Christmas party? Why the fanciest Christmas egg you've ever seen! I know that her tree is covered with them! I love this fairy. She, Eloise, and Matilda Muffinbread are my favorites. Oh, I forgot Twinkle Fairy and Belinda Bombshell! Oh, I'm so glad that I don't have to choose!

Can you see my mistake? I was so carried away with cutting and matching all of my pieces that I covered up her hand. I'll do better next time.

Don't forget the Big Bellaversary Bash on Friday night at 8:30 EST! We are in for a grand time!

Stamp: eva Bloom by Chichiboulie for Stamping Bella
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black
Papers: PTI Ripe Avacado and SS White, Cloud 9 designs dp, and Cosmo Cricket dp
Accessories: nestabilities, stickles, liquid pearls, Copic markers, SU punches, Janome mini sewing machine

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