Jeannie's Happy World

TODAY'S THE DAY!! BRITISH INVASION!!!!!

2012-02-09T06:47:00.003+01:00

The Emilys are coming TODAY!!!!

I still have things on my "to do" list, but compared to Mon-Wed, it's a cinch!!! The house is in tip-top shape (or as tip-top as it's gonna get, lol!), and ready for company! After we pick Bella up from school, we'll be heading to the airport. In the meantime, I have to bake a cake, prep for dinner, and make my famous popcorn for the return trip. (Traveling is a hungry business, you know!!!) I also have to pick up my craft room...which hasn't really been used in over a week! Yikes!! But I have a feeling Emily & I will be making some fun things in there, in short order! I'm sure I will be taking tons and tons of photos, so be patient Bloggy Readers...good stuff is comin'! Hugs to all!!

The Menu!

2012-02-07T10:24:00.005+01:00

This is what I'll be preparing for The Emilys! I had to make a menu around our excursions, so that I could then make a grocery shopping list. And whew! I'm finally finished with it!!!

Thurs - 9th
Dinner: Twice baked spagetti, mozzerella garlic bread, green beans
Dessert: Chocolate castle cake

Fri - 10th - Verona Day Trip
Breakfast: French toast & bacon
Lunch: eat in Verona
Dinner: Montreal steak kabobs, ranch & bacon pasta salad, corn
Dessert: Chocolate castle cake

Sat - 11th - "Thanksgiving"
Breakfast: Monkey bread
Lunch: cold cut sandwiches & chips
Dinner: Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, olives & pickles, deviled eggs, corn, rolls
Dessert: Pumpkin pie w/ cool whip

Sun - 12th - Camisano Market Trip
Breakfast: Grand iced cinnamon rolls
Lunch: Chicken wings & deluxe nachos
Dinner: White turkey chili, cheddar garlic biscuits
Dessert: Brownies

Mon - 13th - Venice Day Trip
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs & bacon
Lunch: Eat in Venice
Dinner: Beef roast with potatoes & carrots in the crockpot, gravy, baked mac & cheese
Dessert: Bundt cake

Tue - 14th - Valentine's Day - Out to local markets
Breakfast: Cereal, toast/bagels
Lunch: Turkey & shrimp gumbo, biscuits
Dinner: Italian meatballs, fettecine alfredo, green beans
Dessert: Italian Tarts

Wed - 15th - Out to local mall
Breakfast: Cereal, toast/bagels
Lunch: Italian soup and breadsticks, Italian pizza
Dinner: Brazilian restaurant (AKA MEAT FEST!!!)
Dessert: Crescent roll smores

Thurs - 16th - The Emilys leave *sad face*
Breakfast: Belgian waffles topped with strawberries & cool whip
Lunch: Dirty rice

Post-It Note Tuesday

2012-02-07T06:47:00.014+01:00

Want to play along?? Go HERE to make your own! The original hostess of these has made her blog private now, and had stopped doing them for a couple months before that. But I'm still doin' 'em!!!

Monday's Monet Moment

2012-02-06T20:17:00.007+01:00

Happy Monday!

I know this is very late! I have been twirling around the house like a total madwoman today!!! My "to do" list is about five miles long in preparation of The Emilys imminent arrival, and although I worked nearly non-stop, I didn't get many things crossed off the list. I spent most of the day cleaning and organizing Bella's room and playroom. The two smallest rooms of the house took me nearly ALL DAY!! Tons and tons of stuff thrown away, and also given away. That kid is a total pack rat!!! Magazines, catalogs, scraps of paper, fast food toys, on and on and on!!! I also was able to "sneak" out some toys that were way too young for her, but that she had weird attachments to. She doesn't like to let anything go!!! I was expecting drama and tears when she came home from school, but surprisingly, she was totally OK with it! Now she has tons of room to actually play in her playroom! I did organize my desk too, cleaned out the kitchen cupboards, cleaned the fridge and freezer, did four loads of laundry, made bread and the usual daily chores. Tomorrow? Right back at it, cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming, dusting and the oh-so-fun Commissary run. I'm finishing up my meal menu (I'll post it tomorrow!), so I'll make sure I have everything on hand! It's going to be YUMMY!!!! For now? An early bedtime!!!

LOL Caturday!

2012-02-04T08:16:00.026+01:00

Happy Caturday!

The Bella has strep throat - poor thing. We took her in to the clinic on Thursday morning and she's on meds now. She's feeling better but not at full speed just yet. I'm sort of sick too. Not enough to be "sick-sick", just tired, run-down, and all stuffed up. Sick enough to have NOT played with my new Copics. So yeah, not up to par just yet, lol! I'll try to do an update post either later today or tomorrow. Depending on my level of tiredness/laziness, lol!

Sick Baby

2012-02-02T09:06:00.002+01:00

Post-It Note Tuesday (on Wednesday, my bad!)

2012-02-01T08:52:00.014+01:00

Inspiring Quotes Wednesday

2012-02-01T08:45:00.016+01:00

(And I have a stamp that says this!!)

My dream bedroom....so inspiring to me!!!

Happy Wednesday!

Monday's Monet Moment

2012-01-30T07:22:00.005+01:00

Happy Monday!

Florence Trip - Part 1

2012-01-29T11:04:00.070+01:00

Whew! It took me nearly as long to upload the photos and video of this trip, as it did to go on the trip!!! But at last, I'm all finished! It was a lovely trip for the most part and I'm glad we were able to get tickets at the last minute. Still not a fan of long bus rides though, lol!

When we got off the bus, we could see the Duomo from the distance...

These are known as "kneeling windows". This style started in Florence and were quickly copied all over Europe.

We went to the museum to see Michelangelo's work, including his famous David (it's HUGE!), as well as glorious paintings and religious icons. We had a tour guide and I have to say she was sooo freaking boring and contemptuous - ugh! I just took Bella and we walked away from the group and looked at what we wanted to look at! She was going on and on about things I had had enough info about, and would whiz by things I wanted to see! Rude!! We wound up "dumping" her as soon as we left the museum and found out the meet-up time and place, to discover the city central on our own! We couldn't take photographs inside the museum, but I did buy a fabulous book!

I thought this was cool.

This was the original Medici palazzo. It looks more like a fortress on the ground floor, but that was done deliberately!

You could rent segweys!

Outside the church of San Lorenzo

City Police

The facade of this church was commissioned but never done. So that is why it looks kind of drab & ugly.

We sat on these steps and ate our picnic lunch! We had salami sticks and rosemary bread - so yummy! Then we fed the pigeons for a bit. It felt good to sit in the sunshine and just enjoy the atmosphere! There were tons and tons of market stalls starting right there at the corner and we had a fabulous time checking them all out!

This is the family crest of the Medici family.

You see this crest all over the place!!

Florence's Duomo
(or if you're Snooki from Jersey Shore, The Vatican, lol!)

The Baptistry

Bell Tower

PURSES!!!
And no, I didn't buy any. *sniff*

CHEESE!

So breathtakingly gorgeous!!
There is ivory, rose and green marble as well as tons of sculptures and frescoes.

Not sure what this is, but it was directly opposite the Duomo.

GUCCI!!

The Savoy Hotel

LOTS more to go!
Be sure to check out Parts 2 & 3!!

Florence Trip - Part 2

2012-01-29T11:03:00.075+01:00

Carousel - directly across from the Savoy Hotel

His music was really wonderful!

Bella eating her 7 euro ($10) ice cream!!
(But it kept her agreeable, lol!)

Thomas and Bella doing their "zombie faces".

Even the ticket booth was pretty!

Waiting for it to stop, for Bella to get on.

The Savoy Hotel

Named after Bella??

LOVE these python pumps!!!
(About the only thing snakes are good for!)

One of the prettiest buildings I saw!!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the design!!

Another section of outdoor markets!
AND see that guy in the lower left? ROASTED CHESTNUTS!!
(I got two bags, and ate most of them myself!)

It's a tradition to rub the nose of the pig for good luck! Hey, the bull in Milan worked, so why not??? Bella getting her luck on.

Then Thomas' turn!

"Mini" David
(Equally impressive though!)

Bella did NOT like The David.
(His "pee pee" was hanging out and that made her very uncomfortable!)

Poseidon fountain

Chanel!

The carriage rides were 50 euros, so we didn't take one this time.
But it really looked like a lovely idea!

Keep going! Click on Older Posts for Part 3!

Florence Trip - Part 3

2012-01-29T08:27:00.066+01:00

This ceramics shop looked so lovely...but I didn't dare go in!

These dresses were soooo adorable!

Handmade table linens and lace.

Famous bridges of Florence

Incredible jewelry shop by the bridge.

They had just started this chalk drawing.

Very detailed work!

A street mime!

She sang but I wasn't expecting it, so didn't have the movie function ready!

She really seemed to like Bella, and Bella blew her a kiss!

Hello Kitty store!
Bella nearly hyperventilated with excitement!!

She didn't get anything though, but was happy to just window shop.

(mostly)

We circled back to the Duomo, where we were meeting up with everyone.

The entire building has these mini sculptures all around it.
Each one an amazing work of art!

Bella with her Florentine piggy!

Hanging out on the front steps, munching on pizza and snacks!

Simply gorgeous!!!

Yes, I'm an idiot for filming this sideways, lol! I had been taking photos from this angle, and forgot to turn the camera around! DUH!!! But I wanted you to hear the church bells!

While we were waiting, there was a big demonstration walking by. Not sure about the issue, but the woman screaming on the bullhorn inside the white van sounded pretty upset! There were TONS and TONS of police in front and behind the parade of protestors.

When everyone finally made it to the meeting point (late!), we had to walk about two miles to where the bus was parked. Having walked allllllll day long, I wasn't pleased about this. Not to mention they seemed to be running and that isn't easy (or fun) to do with a tired, small child! (Idiots!!) But we made it and the drive home seemed shorter than the ride there. We were all so tired and Bella got to bed around 10pm!

And we'll be doing it all again next weekend for...

PISA!!!

Stay tuned!

LOL Caturday!

2012-01-28T05:35:00.030+01:00

Happy Caturday!

And now...we're off to
FLORENCE!!!

Ciao!

ColourQ Challenge #121 & Mojo Monday #225 - TwoFer!

2012-01-27T16:42:00.007+01:00

I took a bit of a break on challenges, but I'm back with a "twofer"!! I'm using the colors from ColourQ (mostly!) and the layout from Mojo Monday!

My card for these challenges:

Close Up

Side View

Recipe:
Stamps: Surprise Tilda
Paper: Poppy Parade, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Cryogen White, Twitterpated DSP
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics
Accessories: Liquid Applique

I was just itching to add, add, add to this card, but I resisted and stayed true to the layout, lol! I wanted to add brads, or ribbons, or pearls, or glitter, or something!!!! What do you think?? Less is more? Or just less??

Bella's Mini Concert

2012-01-27T08:56:00.003+01:00

It took all afternoon and evening to upload 6 minutes worth of video, but I managed to get it done, lol! Bella was really antsy and apparently had some trouble concentrating today. Perhaps if they STOPPED having four day school weeks, she'd be more tuned in?? (Yes, she's off again this Friday!) The entire month of January the kids have four day weeks. *grumble* Anywho...here are the photos/videos I took...

As a class project, the kids made up Dream Clouds (tied in with Martin Luther King's speech, I have a dream), of things they'd change in the world. There were five "quit smoking" clouds...interesting! Bella's was to stop cyber bullying. Not sure where she even heard of that term, because she doesn't even GO online, etc, but still it was a good thought!!

Not a fan of all the lines of this song, but like the idea of it.
Bella really loves to sing, perform and sign, doesn't she??

Really getting into this one, lol! This song always, always, always makes me tear up because of it's theme. And they seem to play it tons when Thomas is deployed. In fact the kids sang it for the soldiers who will be going to Afghanistan this summer. Because Thomas won't be going to that new unit here, he won't be going.

After the concert

I have more cards and photos to share....but I need to get showered up and get Bella going on her math sheets (FROM SEPTEMBER!!! Ugh!) and her biography project. We have a bunch of work to get done today as we'll be gone all day tomorrow for our trip to Florence!!

Kupsh Family Updates!

2012-01-26T08:23:00.009+01:00

~ We had a 5.1 scale earthquake here yesterday morning. Yes, a freakin' EARTHQUAKE! It lasted about 30-40 seconds, which doesn't sound like a long time, but it is for something like this!!!! They are building a new high school at the end of our street, so at first I thought maybe they had some sort of accident, or something fell over. But my uber sturdy concrete and marble house was shaking and kept shaking! Then I was like, "Holy crap! This is an earthquake!!!" First thought? My craft stuff! LOL! Not my safety, not my family, not even me...my craft stuff. I have issues; I know. Apparently we had had one around midnight too, but much lighter and I didn't notice it. The epicenter was only 46 miles away. On a major fault line. Lovely.

~ Bella will have a mini concert at school today. Hopefully she will have stopped crying by then. *SIGH!* Today is "wacky-tacky day" at school. But she didn't inform me of that until this morning, and I had already set out her clothes, (a very pretty dress for her concert, thank-you-very-much!) and wasn't going to go nutz looking for "tacky" stuff. I can't be that creative, that early in the morning!! I'm NOT a morning person!!! (And neither is she, truth be told.) Not even half the kids dressed up, but enough of them did to make her all teary, all over again. She's going through a "melt-down" phase at the moment. I'm over it already! Hopefully I'll get good photos/videos of her. Hopefully she doesn't lose privileges for bratty behavior! Hopefully I'll be able to keep my patience. Hopefully!

~ No new news on the job in Belgium. They will make a decision by the end of February. That's a month away. Waiting sucks. A lot.

~ Thomas was able to secure us tickets to this Saturday's trip to Florence!! YAY! All sold out now, so that was super lucky! We will leave post at 7:30 am and return around 9 pm, so it will be a long day. (And I'll most likely spend most of Sunday uploading photos, lol!) We will have a guided tour of the city, as well as the Accademia Gallery to see the famous David by Michelangelo!!!

We live just west of Venice, so it's a long drive!

Lovely Florence!

Nice....butt, lol!

Aerial view

~ Thomas will be buying our tickets to Turin today, for the trip on February 26th. We will be visiting the Egyptian Museum there (second largest only to the one in Cairo!), to see all the Egyptian artifacts as well as the shroud of Turin! Apparently they are famous for their Baroque cafes, chocolates, and Barolo wines! Paradise!!!

That's all for now. I'll be back later with some new cards I did yesterday & today! Ciao!!!

Merry Monday Challenge #4

2012-01-25T08:39:00.007+01:00

Time for my favorite challenge - Merry Monday! Another sketch challenge this week, and another excuse to use a lovely Magnolia Tilda stamp!!! YAY! I'm so loving making my Christmas cards, in a leisurely pace!

My card for this challenge:

Recipe:
Stamps: Winter Tilda, SU sentiment
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Cryogen White, Merry Moments DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Momento Tuxedo Black, Copics
Accessories: Old Olive satin ribbon, MS snowflake punch, pearl, large oval punch, scalloped oval punch, doily nestie, dimensionals, champagne shimmer mist, mini glue dots

Lots of time to play along! Just click on the sketch photo for the link!

Inspiring Quotes Wednesday

2012-01-25T08:24:00.030+01:00

Brought to you by my Pinterest addiction...

NOT leaving Italy without seeing these!!!!

(I would never do this.)
(I think.)

Hunter Husband + Crafty Wife = this!

I hope you've been inspired!
Happy Hump Day!!!

Post-It Note Tuesday

2012-01-24T08:37:00.013+01:00

Monday's Monet Moment

2012-01-23T15:00:00.000+01:00

Happy Monday!

Bella's Girl Scout Father-Daughter Dance!

2012-01-23T12:00:00.001+01:00

I got a "reminder" notice on Friday evening about the Father-Daughter Dance the next night. WHAT??? This was the first I'd even heard about it....somehow most emails between Bella's troop leader and my inbox seem to get themselves misplaced. *sigh* But at least there was still time to prepare. I made sure she had an appropriate dress and that her good shoes still fit - that kid is growing like a weed! Then I sort of color-coordinated Daddy to match her outfit!

Just before they left for the dance:

At the dance:

Bella had an awesome time!! There was some mix-up with the refreshments, so they ate dinner when they got back instead of while there. It was for all the Girl Scouts here in Vicenza, so there were quite a few girls. Me? I stayed home and enjoyed the quiet house all to myself, lol!

Shane Graduates Today!

2012-01-20T16:21:00.012+01:00

My soccer loving son, is now a full-fledged soldier with the US Army!

And he's just completed his training as a Combat Medic!
Here are photos from his field exercise:

Eating dessert first, lol!

He's HOOAH!

Sometimes you get to "stick", sometimes you get "stuck".

I can't believe my "baby" boy is a soldier....and this isn't Halloween, it's for real!! He's now at his first duty station at Ft. Riley, Kansas.
Good luck, Shane!!!

Inspiring Quotes Wednesday

2012-01-18T08:48:00.020+01:00

Be Happy!!!
It will piss of the Idiot Neighbors,
and that's always a good thing!

Post-It Note Tuesday

2012-01-17T08:46:00.018+01:00

MINNIE!!!!!!!!

That crazy cat has been missing for just over two months, since we left for Paris, but then first thing Sunday morning I heard a meow at the back door. As I was walking toward it, I heard the familiar scratching!! Could it be??? Sure enough, I opened the door and in she races - we couldn't believe it! She headed upstairs (under my bed!) and didn't want to be bothered most of the day. Then she did come out and she was purring like crazy. She let Bella AND Thomas pet her even!!

Look at that smile!!
I was just as thrilled - believe me!

Lots of lovin' for our Kitty!

Awww!!! So cute together!

Sniffin the air

I put my vanity table bench under my desk to support my bum knee (works like a charm!) and that's where Minnie hangs out now. I even moved the stack of paper off of "her" rocking chair, but so far she's not interested in it anymore. She prefers to sleep at my feet! She's sooo cuddley and affectionate now!!! No clue where's she been, but she's in perfect shape. Not skinny or scrawny, fur still soft and luxurious as always! I don't care - SHE'S HOME!!!!!

And Thomas is just so pleased. yay.

Merry Monday #3 & Stampin Royalty #106

2012-01-16T16:25:00.005+01:00

We've got a "two-fer" goin' on over here! I was already working on my card for the Stampin' Royalty Challenge, and then I saw this week's layout for Merry Monday Challenge! Perfect!!! And I was struggling with just how to use my image too. For the SR challenge you had to use fabric in some way, and then the MM challenge was a layout one.

My card for these challenges:

Recipe:
Stamps: Tilda with Candle, Taylored Expressions sentiment
Paper: Cryogen White, Cherry Cobbler, Sahara Sand, Deck the Halls DSP
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler brads, modern label punch, oval nestie, scalloped oval nestie, SU fabric, mini glue dots, dimensionals

Merry Monday Challenge #2

2012-01-16T12:24:00.005+01:00

I'm too late in posting my card to be entered in this challenge, (#3 will be out sometime today!), but I wanted to finish it and post it anyway. I need to keep my own promise for these holiday cards so I'm not in a panic next fall!!!

My card for this challenge:

Recipe:
Stamps: Jingle Tilda
Paper: Cryogen White, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede, Deck the Halls DSP
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Copics
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler buttons, white liquid applique, deckled rectangle nestie, dimensionals, mini glue dots

ColourQ Challenge #119

2012-01-15T14:41:00.006+01:00

I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to post this in time, but I did! I decided to go for a more simple style for this challenge.

This is the card I made for this challenge:

Recipe:
Stamps: Circle Circus, Tiny Tags, Candy Conversations (inside)
Paper: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Going Gray, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo
Accessories: jewelry punch, small heart punch, Calypso Coral baker's twine, mini glue dots, EK border punch, finial press embossing folder

The Paper Players Challenge #77

2012-01-11T12:44:00.012+01:00

I knew just the image I wanted to use when I saw this challenge's theme! Fairytale Tilda! What could be more romantic than that??? And I'm so tickled with how this card turned out...one of my very best ever!

My card for this challenge:
(flash on)

(flash off)

Close-up

Pearl strips and paper flowers

Recipe:
Stamps: Fairytale Tilda, Once Upon a Time
Paper: Blushing Bride, Old Olive, Cryogen White, Twitterpated DSP
Ink: Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers
Accessories: Fleur de lis square nestie, circle nestie, silver embossing powder, dimensionals, glue dots, diamond stickles, frosted lace stickles, gray satin ribbon, pearl strands, MS branch punch, paper roses

Stampin Royalty Challenge #105

2012-01-11T12:35:00.005+01:00

I made this card and photographed it, but didn't post it in time! UGH!! I hate it when that happens. Oh well, what can ya do???

My card for this challenge:

Recipe:
Stamps: Flower Fest, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Pretty in Pink DSP
Ink: Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Curly label punch, XL curly label punch, large scalloped oval punch, Pretty in Pink satin ribbon, sticky strip, dazzlin diamonds glitter, word window punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, dimensionals

Inspiring Quotes Wednesday

2012-01-11T07:37:00.019+01:00

Happy Hump Day!

Post-It Note Tuesday

2012-01-10T08:53:00.012+01:00

The blogger who used to host Post-It Note Tuesday hasn't had one since November 15th! So I guess I'll just be posting 'em by myself, lol. If you'd like to try it, let me know and I'll swing by to check 'em out!!

Play Date Cafe Challenge #113

2012-01-09T13:57:00.006+01:00

I was so excited when I saw the colors for this week's challenge, because I knew just the image I wanted to use for it! A special Tilda, for a special Stampin' By The Sea lass!!! *wink*

This is the card I made:

*squeal!!!*
I almost don't want to give her away!

Recipe:
Stamps: Mermaid Tilda, Fabulous Phrases, Ocean Commotion
Paper: Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Marina Mist, Cryogen White
Ink: Marina Mist, Lucky Limeade, Momento Tuxedo Black, Copics
Accessories: Ribbon Banner nestie, Floral Flourishes nestie, scalloped circle nestie, circle nestie, pearls, dimensionals, crystal effects, dazzlin' diamonds glitter

** Fingers Crossed for this challenge!!! **

Monday's Monet Moment

2012-01-09T09:07:00.007+01:00

Yesterday was our grocery shopping day. And although they STILL don't have my coffee in stock (grrrr!!!), they did have still warm loaves of French baguettes and applewood smoked, thick cut bacon!! Yummmmmy! So this morning I made French toast out of my French bread, with a side of delicious bacon!!!! Can you say happy tummy???

In case you can't picture it....it looked like this:

I added some Pampered Chef cinnamon blend on them.
To.Die.For.

Today I will be finishing up another card using this image:

Isn't she darling??? The background (ocean part) is also finished, and I just need to whip it up into a card. This is my prettiest Copic colored image to date, and I'm really proud of how she turned out!!!

Happy Monday Everyone!!!

ColourQ Challenge #118

2012-01-08T08:19:00.007+01:00

I was really puzzled on what to do with the colors for this week's challenge! But I wanted to play so I knew I had to figure something out, and quickly!!! While looking over my ~~hoards of~~ paper, I saw the new Sale-A-Bration stack Everyday Enchantment and the light bulb went on!!! (Don't you just love when that happens?) The colors weren't exactly the same but it did have the same group of colors (Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral and Pool Party).

This is the card I made:

Close up of the image:

Recipe:
Stamps: Butterfly Tilda, Loving Thoughts, Pursuit of Happiness (inside)
Paper: Everyday Enchantment DSP, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Cryogen White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark
Accessories: Clear embossing powder, Oval & Scalloped oval nesties, pennant nestie, scalloped border punch, SU ruffled ribbon, butterfly embosslit, Copics, corner photo die, dimensionals

LOL Caturday!

2012-01-07T08:33:00.026+01:00

Happy Caturday!

TOMIC Challenge #31

2012-01-06T17:55:00.005+01:00

The Official Magnolia Inspiration Challenge

Yay!! I actually got a card made, photographed, and posted in time for this challenge!! I've wanted to play for ages!!! Wooo Hooo! This week's challenge was the above layout, plus color combo (blue & white), plus glitter! FUN!!!

This is the card I made:

I had sooo much fun making this card! There's so much going on here, that I don't think I'll come back and say what's what on it....but, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask away! It's definitely blue + white + glittery, lol!!! Everyone who does this challenge has an equal opportunity to win because the winner is chosen randomly! (Love that!!) So fingers crossed! There's still time to play if you'd like! Just click on the link at the top!

Merry Monday Challenge #1

2012-01-06T17:53:00.004+01:00

My sweet friend Lesley has just made up a new challenge!!! It's a weekly one....working on Christmas Cards!! After all the fuss and bother I went through trying to make mine in time (epic fail!) this past season, I thought what a brilliant idea it was to start in right away, and keep going!, so not to be in a rushed panic again!!! Plus, this way they will all be different like I like them to be, AND I can use all the lovely holiday stamps I have which never seem to get used in time, lol! So excited!!!!

This is the card I made:

I love my Tilda Magnolia stamps!!!! I got some new ones in December, and sadly I think I only used one or two in time to go out this year! Now I'll have time to use ALL of them - yay! This image was joyfully colored with my Copics, while chatting online with Emily - so fun! I've already put this one in a plastic envelope, waiting for the next holiday season! If you'd like to play along, just click on the layout photo above!! Good luck!

Mojo Monday Challenge # 222

2012-01-06T17:50:00.003+01:00

It's been a long time since I've done this challenge, or any challenge actually!, so it feels wonderful to get busy with them again!!! This is a simple layout challenge, but for the life of me, I had the hardest time figuring out how to arrange the papers I wanted to use - ugh! But finally, it all came together for me! Yay!

This is the card I made:

I got to use some new goodies on this card!!! LOVE new goodies! Aren't they always your favorite, lol??? If you'd like to play along, just click on the layout sketch above! Good luck!

Inspiring Quotes Wednesday - Birthday Edition!

2012-01-04T05:58:00.016+01:00

Especially when today is your birthday!

The eternal "do over"!!!!

I would like some cake that looks like this!!
(Or settle for shoes that look like this!!!)

No cake? Can I smell some at least??
(Seriously, I want this!)

No clue what language this is, but I laughed trying to pronounce it!

Birthday wisdom:

Yep, that's me!!!

From The Bella
age 3
(Bella, not me, lol!!!)

Post-It Note Tuesday

2012-01-03T10:10:00.011+01:00

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T08:45:00.002+01:00

It's the FINAL COUNTDOWN everyone!!!

...or is it???

I guess only time will tell, lol! In the meantime, enjoy the 80's flashback! I plan on doing some really fun stuff today....like changing sheets and doing laundry, and possibly even taking down the Christmas tree. Happy, happy, joy, joy! I have no intention of my making up any resolutions, but I do think I might make up a list of things I'd like to do, while there's still time! Of course I will have to hurry, hurry, HURRY to make the most use of my crafting goodies too! Let's make this year the year we pull out all the stops and have a banner year!!! Because...it's the final countdown...

My Favorite Cards of 2011!

2011-12-30T16:06:00.043+01:00

These aren't in any specific order, or even in chronological order! I was surprised that I had made so many fewer cards this year than the year before!! I need to get back in the swing of doing challenges again - I've missed it! I also need to get everyone's birthday and anniversary dates!!! I'm so tired of missing out on your big days!!!!! So anyway....here of my faves....

I love this card because I got to take my time with it, lol! I already knew it was going to be going out late, so I just accepted that and had fun coloring the image. I think Magnolia images are my favorite stamps to color. I love my little handmade poinsettia too!

I was really learning how to "shade" with the Copics and I liked how my efforts worked out on this card! I also was using my pennant punch for the first time and I sure do love my punches!!!!

I love doing anything "princess-y", lol! I had had this cement wall paper from the very, very beginning of my stamping career and finally found a way to use it!! This is why we crafters hoard our supplies!!!! We'll need it for sure....someday, lol!

I love this simple, but sweet little card! And yellow is my favorite color!!

My #1 favorite Christmas card this year!! It was for Emily, who still hasn't received it yet! There are a lot of pretty details that don't show up well in this photograph. I especially loved how Tilda's hair turned out, with the soft little holly garland.

I love Cherry Cobbler & Sahara Sand combos! And this card combines a couple of embossing techniques and I love, love, love trying new techniques!

These were commissioned pieces. I love this stamp, and I colored it with my beloved Copics! They may be expensive, but 100% worth it!!! I really love the vintage feel of these as well.

My favorite Valentine card! I usually have difficulty with layouts and this card came together so easily for me. I have to remember to use my crimper more! It adds so much dimension.

My award winning card! This card took me a long time to make, but I loved how it turned out!! Of course only my peacock would have this much bling on it, lol!!!

I CASEd this card from someone else's card I saw online. I thought it was so cute and wanted to try it out for myself. And in the end, I rather liked mine better!! Punch art is so much fun!

LOVE this card!! It so soft and dream-like! I think I'll have to revisit this design and perhaps change up the colors.

I sent this card to Alex. She really loved it! It was a card I made after feeling really poorly, and had missed crafting!!! I sure hope 2012 brings much fewer "pain" days!!!

This was Thomas' Father's Day card. I didn't have any background paper I was happy with, so I made my own with a large stamp wheel! I have to remember that more often, lol!

I'm pretty sure this was my most labor-intensive punch art card - EVER!!! So many little bits and pieces!! It took me most of the day to make, but it was very well received.

This was my first time making the pop-up birthday cake card! Turns out it was sooo easy to do! This die also has a bride & groom as well, so you can make wedding or anniversary cards! I never did get time to make the Christmas tree pop-up...so we'll have to add that to the list in 2012.

A Christmas shaker card!!! I just heard that SU is keeping those shaker frames, so this is very good news! It makes these cards so quick & easy to make. Really love the Bashful Blue/Marina Mist color combo on this sweet card.

This was another commissioned piece. This was one of those rare times when I didn't want to let the card out of my hands, lol! I just loved how it turned out - the coloring, the flowers, everything!

I made this Christmas card as a Guest Designer. I got to use quite a few new goodies at the time and that's always motivating! This card just seems well balanced to me.

A very fun, very pink birthday card! What's better than pink cake???

This card was also an award winner!! A combination of very old and very new goodies, all perfectly arranged, lol! Tilda is my favorite!!!

For this card I had to make a punch art doggie, and couldn't find any directions online for it! Sooo, I had to come up with something on my own - yikes! Having every punch from SU really helps, lol. I was pretty pleased with the final result too!

Country charm in a card! I love how the stamps and the paper all coordinate!

This was the very first Magnolia card I ever made! I fell in love with this pretty little ballerina, who reminds me so much of The Bella! Flowers, and sparkle, and pearls - oh my!

I simply adore matching stamp sets and punches!!! It makes crafting so effortless, and yet gorgeous! Plus sparkle...you have to have sparkle!!!

A very fun Christmas card! This was from a new stamp set, Polar Party, and I think it's my favorite Christmas set!!! I wish I had had the time to do more with it, but there's always next year, right? It was fun adding the older elements with the newer ones on this card. Embellishments never go bad, lol!

This was such a fun card!! It's a digital stamp, which is nice because you can make it just the size you need for a project! I had just the best time coloring it!

I was still learning about blending with my Copics on this card, but she's still darling! I'm going to have to make better use of the 300+ of these beauties I have and make many more cards next year!!!

Tilda is gorgeous as a fairy, don't you think?? I loved coloring her, but not cutting her out! I think I failed cutting in Kindergarten!!! I need to remember the multitudes of paper packs I have and get them used for fun cards like this!!!

This was just so cool! Somehow a SU sentiment stamp perfectly matched this digital stamp!!! See? You can't ever have "too many" stamps, lol! I love the layout (it was a layout challenge!) and all the pearls on this one. And her red hair turned out perfectly!!!

Last fall I got a poinsettia Nestie set and I actually remembered to use it!! Yes, sometimes I do forget I have stuff. What's great is that it cut and embossed at the same time!!! I really liked the crochet trim bow too.

I made this card for a challenge and didn't win nothin', lol! Oh well! I still think it's pretty cool! It nearly killed me to leave it so "simple", but you have to try new things!

LOVE THIS CARD!!!! It took me around three days to make it (lots of coloring and masking), and I was 100% happy with it when I was finished. Which almost never happens, lol! I especially love the way their hair turned out, which is challenging to get "just right".

This card is actually prettier in person. I couldn't get a decent shot of it, no matter how many I took! I think it just screams SPRING!!!

I was so tickled with how this card turned out! I drove myself batty trying to keep the correct colors going on those ribbons!!! I'm not really an orange lover, but this card is perfect to me.

Sparkle!!!!! You get this super, duper sparkle with heat & stick powder and then Dazzlin Diamonds glitter. The iridescent ice embossing powder doesn't even come close!! And then I added the glass glitter! Even the cupcake background paper had glitter in it! It was a "sparkle" challenge, lol!

Truer words were never spoken!! And I avoid it as much as possible!! The mosaic technique is always a good one for interesting backgrounds!

I love these paper roses!! And if they didn't take so stinkin' long to make, I'd make more, lol! It's amazing to me that they are actually made with an owl punch! There are so many crafting geniuses out there, and thank goodness they post directions for their creations!!!

This is an interesting card! It opens on the diagonal, and has a pocket inside! This was a first for me and I thought this image perfect for it! "The only place stamping comes before housework is in the dictionary!!!" Oh.So.True.

And last, but not least!, we have this Mother's Day card! I didn't make it for anyone in particular, which is probably why I still have it, lol! I really like it though. I mean, who doesn't like fairies???

So there you have it - the best of 2011! Hopefully I will make even more cards next year. You know, before the world ends on December 21st. But that's another post, for another time...

Nobody Likes a Tattle-Tale!

2011-12-30T13:19:00.005+01:00

Last year Bella had some run-ins with other kids in her class who were either bugging her or in one case, bullying her. She would come home and tell me about the things these other kids were saying or doing to her. I would always ask if she had told the teacher what was going on. In every instance, she said no, "because no one likes a tattle-tale!"

So we had many long discussions about what a tattle-tale was, and wasn't. Telling a teacher that someone is hurting you, or hurting themselves, or doing something dangerous, is a good thing! A teacher can't be everywhere all the time to see what everyone is doing. She wasn't convinced though.

One day she told me that "Billy" (not his real name) kept sticking his tongue out at her and it was distracting. Again, I asked her if she had told her teacher. No. *sigh* So, I told her the next time he did that to tell him he looked like a cow! Bella thought this was a good idea!

Bet you can guess what happened next, huh?

Yep, Billy started right in on sticking out his tongue, so Bella told him he looked like a cow! And Billy told the teacher that Bella had "called him a name", so Bella got in trouble. This was really upsetting to her because she only did what I told her to, and here she was in hot water. When the teacher told me that Bella had been in trouble that day, I asked her what had happened. She said Bella called Billy a cow. At which point Bella piped right up and said that she didn't say Billy was a cow, but looked like a cow because he kept sticking out his tongue at her! (Ironically, Billy is rather....um...*husky* and stupid, so it turns out to be a rather accurate observation in the end!) When the teacher asked why she hadn't told her the complete story, she said she wasn't a tattle-tale!

So it would seem that even a child of six knows that being a "tattle-tale" isn't cool. While I do want Bella to speak up when she is being mistreated in any way, I admire her determination to handle situations on her own. There are too many Susie Snotty's running around, all too eager to inform any authority figure who happens to be around, all the details of any given situation! You know the ones...the ones who aren't in any way involved but all too happy to get someone else in trouble! Or the ones who use the threat of "telling" as leverage to get their own way. True tattle-tales!!!

It would appear that some Susie Snotty's never grow up, or grow out of their tattle-telling ways either. These bratty jerks grow up to be even more bratty "adults". Small minded little trolls, who are unable to find happiness in their own lives, find it a pleasurable diversion to attempt to rain on other people's parades. And I have one of my own.

So go ahead Susie....tattle away! This is my blog. And I'll run it my way! And nothing you do, or say, or tattle about, is going to change those facts!! I'm not hurting you, or your "business", or the company. So how about you just mind your own business??? And if I make a purchase, and I want to share it with my blog readers, it's none of your business, or anyone else's. Got it?? You don't pay my bills, and you don't get a say! Why don't you just run your own race, instead of running around like a fool trying to supervise everyone else? You could make that your #1 New Year's resolution...just a suggestion!

Inspiring Quotes Wednesday

2011-12-28T08:26:00.016+01:00

Post-It Note Tuesday!

2011-12-27T09:43:00.014+01:00

Have yourself a Terrific Tuesday!!

Monday's Monet Moment

2011-12-26T08:19:00.006+01:00

Happy Monday!

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I NEED YOUR HELP!!!!

Bella got an awesome Easy Bake Oven for Christmas AND about a gazillion mixes to whip up. However, it requires a 100w light bulb to work....and they don't sell those here! YIKES!!! She was soooo disappointed to not be able to "cook" for us. They must be standard bulbs, not "soft glow" or "energy saver". They can be clear or frosted though. Is anyone willing to send us some lightbulbs??? Of course I'd be more than willing to reimburse you! Help, help!!!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T09:10:00.065+01:00

Merry Christmas!!! I'm sitting on the couch "recovering" from the HUGE feast we all just had! But now all the dishes are done, and I can just sip my wine and wait for the turkey induced nap to begin, lol!

Look what Santa brought for The Bella!:

And this was sent by Alex:

Presents waiting to be opened!

But Daddy isn't quite ready yet, lol!

Here comes Bella!!!

Inspecting her new set!

Blown over!! Will this be the last year she believes???

What should I do first?

Checking out her stocking goodies!

Showing Sissy her chocolates via Skype!

Opening Alex's presents first so she can see!

Snowglobes!

Do you think she likes this hot cocoa set???

Presents from Shane

CASH!!! She really loved this!!!

Easy Bake Oven!!! She's wanted one for two years!

Doesn't everyone have a Pet Jet?

8 new DS games. Yes...8!!!

Make up for the Princess!

Fashion Designer kit

Bella really wanted this pony!

Action shot! Bella went nutz over this!

And she HUGGED this one, lol!

ALL HER LOOT!

Let the playing begin! After Daddy unwraps everything that is!

Bella made these for us at Brownie Scouts!

And this is the Milestone Chart Bella made at school. This was the stamping project I went in to help with! So stinkin' cute!

Unwrapping toys - a hateful chore!

What do you think? Bella made out really well I'd say!!!! I didn't think to photograph Thomas opening his presents but he was quite pleased with what I got him! And I plan on enjoying my presents too (STAMPING STUFF!!)...later, after a nap!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

LOL Caturday!

2011-12-24T07:57:00.033+01:00

Merry Christmas!!!

PS: Shane sent me this email: "Thank all your stateside friends for the cards for me. They were awesome." So if you sent him a Christmas card....THANK YOU SO MUCH!! He won't admit it, but it's really sucky to be stuck all alone at a training post, when everyone else has gone home for the holidays!!!!! They wouldn't let him leave the country to visit us, but we tried!

A little bit o' stamping!

2011-12-23T11:40:00.009+01:00

There was some talk online that the new doily die I had just got in wasn't working well! So of course I had to hop right on upstairs to see if it was true!! Apparently the issues were due to "operator error" because mine worked out just fine! Below you will see it made in Cherry Cobbler card stock, silver glitter paper, and designer paper. Now there was some poking out of bitty bits (especially the glitter paper!! ugh!), but it cut just fine!

It's rather late in the game, but I still had two more Christmas cards to make and I wanted to use Magnolia stamps on them. I had purchased quite a few new holiday ones this year and I wanted to at least use a couple of them!!! (Mental Note: start on my Christmas cards earlier next year!)

This one is for Regina:

I got to use a new Magnolia stamp AND my new doily die for this one! I also made up an embossed poinsettia with the Build A Blossom stamp & punch set!

I just love her little matching cape & coat!!!

This card is for Emily:

Another new Magnolia stamp, and I used the doily die with the new glitter paper! PITA!!! LOL! But the effort was worth the stunning effect!

I love how she turned out! It was fun coloring these with my Copics!!!

Emily was hosting a Simply Adorned insert swap, so I happily joined in! I used Fresh Vintage for these which I got free at Convention. Here's a shot of the "production process":

One side shown in the locket:

Other side on the beveled side of the locket:

I signed up for the square insert swap (shown above) and the smaller rectangular insert (1" x 1.25"), but totally forget to take photographs before Thomas mailed them off this morning! Ooops!! I think I'm getting my own back in the swap, so I'll take photographs then! It's fun making small art! And I hope to make a bunch more very soon!

Goodies from Innsbruck

2011-12-23T11:08:00.016+01:00

I tried to take some photos of the things we picked up on our latest trip, but some got put away (or eaten! LOL!!!) before I could! We really scored some cool stuff!

This snow globe is awesome! The inside turns and it plays music.

Thomas picked out this cool stein for himself.

This wreath smells sooo good with cinnamon & dried oranges!

Bella's puppet and angel decoration.

I picked up two new fridge magnets for my collection!

Call me silly, but I *had to* have this cool shopping bag!!!

Thomas got us each a neat pen which lights up in different colors!

My super fabulous pen from Swarovski!

Bella modeling her new slipper socks!

I asked her to smile big for me:

Then I asked her to open her eyes more:

GOOFY KID!!!!

Christmas table topper

A little runner, perfect right here!

And last but not least, a German Christmas cookie! I knew I was going to be picking one of these up before we even left. And now that it's been photographed, I CAN EAT IT!!!!

We had so much fun on this trip, exploring, site seeing, EATING!!! Looking forward to our next Travel Adventure!

Happy Birthday Alex!!!

2011-12-22T14:00:00.002+01:00

My firstborn baby, Alexandria, is 22 today! I have no earthly clue how that's possible, but it's true! I could not be more proud of her if I tried!!! I LOVE YOU ALEX!!!!