MY last VSN cards

This is a card for the flying challenge. You just had to stamp something that could fly. I stamped the dragonfly (from Wonderful Wings) in Versamark and then clear embossed it. Then I sprinkled pearl Pearl Ex on top and heated it again. You can't tell in the picture but it is pearly. I also got ambitious and embossed silver brads to make them white. Can you believe I don't have any white brads? I wasn't crazy about the way this one turned out. It looked so much different in my head. And this picture makes the paper look black, it is really Night of Navy.

The final challenge I did tonight was one where you had to find a picture of a dream vacation spot. I pulled out the Country Living magazine and found this one. This looks like a place I would love to go but I never will. I stamped the chair from Shore Thing and put brads on it. I love the way this one turned out. I'll probably be sending this one to my mom. She is always wanting to go to the beach.

Retail Therapy Tin

Look, it's another VSN entry! The challenge was to alter a container to create a survival kit for a special getaway for you or a friend. A great get away for me is a shopping getaway! So I used an altoid size tin and decorated it using striped and polka dot pink and black paper. I used the paper from the sides of the tin on her pants. I'm not sure if you can see it too well but the top lip of the tin has a piece of black ribbon around it. They also wanted me to list things you could take in your container. I listed credit cards, gift cards, and cash! There is nothing better than a shopping getaway with the girls!

VSN-French Card & Piggy Tag

VSN is on a roll tonight. I thought I would take a break and post a few of my creations. The first card is the French challenge, making a French style card. I had just given Paris in the Spring to one of my good friends who has wanted that set forever. I never used it so I gave it to her. That was the only thing I could think of. So I went and sat and looked around my stamping desk and this is what I came up with. I used French script and Noteworthy. I did the popping pastels technique. I used my snap stamps to spell out je t'aime (I love you). I left the love tag hanging from the ribbon. I'm not sure if it is too French but I tried.

The next challenge was to make a luggage tag using the clear name badges. I knew exactly what I wanted to use for this one. I just love this little piggy from GinaK Design. I used the flowers from Unfrogettable and used the paisley on the pig body. I just love this little tag and will be using it on my luggage when I go to Las Vegas this summer!

VSN Vacation Wear

You know I had to get a Bella in there. This is the second VSN challenge. I actually did it last night because I stayed up later than I had planned. When they posted that last challenge I knew this Bella was coming out to play. The challenge was to make a card with vacation wear on it. I always wear a bikini to the beach, although I don't look near as good in mine as Bella does! I pulled out some old DP and I even used my Cuttlebug to cut out "hi." Taken with Teal is one of my favorite colors right now so I pulled it out to go along with the DP. VSN starts again at noon here so I"ll be posting more of my creations here!

Oh, in case you are not familiar with VSN check out this link. There are several threads on the board that will explain VSN and all the rules.

VSN Warmup- Purple Flowers

Virtual Stamp Night (VSN) started tonight on Splitcoast. I have only done one challenge because I am wiped out. First, the challenge I did was the embossing resist. I pulled out my new set, Doodle This. I used Vintage Violet and Barely Banana for my colors. I haven't used the violet since Halloween so I wanted to make some pretty purple flowers. I cut out both flowers and put the on pop up dots. I also added a touch of glitter down the middle of the petals. It was so funny because my friend Trace and I are both doing VSN. This is her first VSN and she has been having computer trouble tonight. So she will call me and we talk on the phone the whole time! lol She said someone on SCS asked her why we didn't just get together and stamp and she told them we couldn't pack up and come over because the things we leave at home would be the things we need for the challenges. I was e-mailing her all the challenges and we laughed about it the whole time!

Today I ran around with my friend Stephanie. We went to the thrift store that have some great deals on clothes. I had already been there last Saturday but she hadn't been so off we went. I bought 2 cute tops and a jean skirt for less than $10. I also bought some super cute red heels that are open toe with a buckle across them. They are so me but I'll have to find something to wear them with now. I normally only wear brown or black sandals so I'll have to work red in there somewhere. We also hit several other stores and then had lunch. It was a great day because we haven't been able to hang out in a while. She has been on a trip and just got back (this is our spring break week). She has also recently moved to the next town. Back when she lived here she would call if she went to Walmart or somewhere and we would go together. I miss getting to spend time just running around with her so today was great!

I'm going to bed early tonight so I can be more creative tomorrow for VSN all day! I can't believe it starts at noon and goes until 10 or 11 tomorrow night! There will be more than enough challenges for me to do and I'll need the extra brain power to get them done! I'll post more of what I get accomplished tomorrow! Have fun if you are doing VSN! Good luck!

I used my new paper!

What else would I use my new goodies for? Of course it was some new Bella cards! I thought the beach bella would go perfect with the orange, green, and blue paper. I used pumpkin pie for the base and then I added some of those cute little orange flowers I bought along with the little snap in the center. I stamped her again on the striped paper and cut out the towel to make it match the card. I also used the Gelly Roll glitter pen to add some sparkle to the bikini. It is almost so sparkly that you can't see the colors in the picture. The top is orange and the bottom is blue. I just love those little flowers. I have several things of prima flowers but I never use them because I always think they look funny when I add them to a card. I'm happy with these but I guess that little snap in the middle gives the flower a finished look.

The second card I made was another Martini bella card. I just love her! I used ruby red and old olive to match the paper that I used. I again used the glitter pen but this time I make a glitter drink. That kind of reminds me of that cinnamon drink with the gold flakes in it, Gold somethin' or other. I don't drink anymore because of my colon problems but I would enjoy an apple martini about now. However, I would pay the price for it later so it really isn't worth it!

I have several other ideas floating around in my head for the other paper I got today. But I'm done stamping for the night! I have to save some of my creativity for SCS Virtual Stamp Night! The tailgate party is tomorrow and the party is Saturday. I didn't play last time because I wasn't feeling well. I hope I'm up to participating this weekend!

Paper, paper, and more paper!

I went to the local scrapbook store today, Once Upon A Scrapbook. They have a wonderful supply of paper and I love going in there. I always end up spending too much money!

I picked a lot of brightly colored papers to use. I can't wait to get in the other room and start stamping. Sometimes I have a hard time using pattern paper in my card making. But I'm challenging myself to use it now that I have bought all this!

I picked up some checkbook covers, some bright colored snaps, large pink flowers, and the cutest orange flowers with different patterns on them. I can't wait to see what I come up with! Knowing my luck I won't be able to get my creative juices flowing! Isn't that the way it always works? It is just like when I go shopping for clothes. When I have money to spend I can't find a thing but when I'l flat broke I can find all kinds of things! Well, I'm off to see what I can come up with!

Where have all the SU stamps gone?

It is another bella card! I guess you guys probably think that I've gotten rid of all my SU stamps, but I haven't. Can't you see them on the card base? lol I am just addicted to these Bella stamps. I needed a birthday card and I just had to make more with this cute little bella. This one is similar to the last card I made with this stamp, I just used a different designer paper and colors. What do you think?

It is Spring Break!

This week is spring break and I'm off work because I'm a teacher. I have been doing a little bit of stamping. First of all I saw the triangle fold card on SCS so I had to make one. I got Doodle This for my free Sell-a-bration set. I have seen so many great cards with this set so I can't see what else I can come up with.

I also made my Easter cards today. I tried to keep it simple because I didn't want to have to do too much detail on a bunch of cards. I used my Cuttlebug to do the embossing on the pink and I used Pearl Ex on the basket. It really showed up in the picture! It looks like the basket is glowing. I just had to put the little chic in the basket because he was too cute!

Bold Brights and.....Bellas!

I stamped two days in a row! Can you believe it?!?!? I decided to make a card outside my color comfort zone. I went to colors from the bold bright family. Back when I first started stamping I used these colors all the time, but I haven't used them in a long time. So I pulled them out and made the colors matching the ribbon I already had.

You know I couldn't get through a whole post without a Bella card. Actually I made two! The first one is the grumpy bella and I used my favorite colors for this one. I wish I had a good stamp with words to go along with this. But I love the way the Love it a Latte stamp set went along with this Bella stamp.

This teacher card was one I have been wanting to do. I made Bella look like me sitting behind my desk at school! Of course I don't have a vase of flowers on the corner of my desk because the kids would knock it off and we would end up with a mess in the floor. You can't really see it too well but I stamped paisley on the red and canvas on the brown. I used colored pencils to color the images.

Birthday Cake Bella

Can you believe it? Two posts in one day? I have been busy stamping several cards today. When I sit down to make cards I normally make about 4-6 of the same one. That way I always have cards on hand to send if I need one. Here is yet another card using my Christmas present from Trace. I just love all the paper she got for me and I find myself using them a lot with the Bella stamps. I guess I use them a lot with Bella because I have been using Bellas a lot lately too! I do still have SU stamps, trust me.

I'm in the process in figuring out which free set I want to get for my sales during Sell-a-bration. I get one set $29.95 or less. I just can't decide which one I want to get. I hate to get one less than the amount I can get for free, that is like giving money away. I can't decide if I want Doodle This from the Spring Mini or Bodacious Bouquet from the big catty. I love the Bodacious Bouquet- it caught my eye when the catty first came out. But it is one of those stamps sets that is on the wish list but always gets bumped for something else. Does anyone else do that? Lovely as a Tree was like that for a while but I finally did break down and buy it before Christmas. So, any ideas on which set I should get?

Bella Stamps Followed Me Home!

They just keep coming to my house! Really, they are following me home. I guess that could be a little more belivable if I lived anywhere close to Canada. But since I'm in the south I can't really get anyone to believe me! lol

I've been playing with some more new Bella stamps. I just love these things and I can't get enough! I used some patterned paper a friend got me for Christmas. Then I pulled some SU colors that went along with it.

New Camera

I got my new camera today and my husband just took a picture of my cute little dog Bandit. Isn't he just the cutest thing? I have been wanting a new camera and I finally broke down and did it when the tax refund came in. I'm tickled with the camera but so far my husband has taken all the pictures. Now, the real test will be when I take a picture with it and see if everything stays crisp. Oh, by the way, my new camera is an Olympus SP-510 UZ. I found the cheapest price at amazon.com.

Get Well Bella

I made this card tonight for a girl in my class. I teach school and she had been out for the last few days. She came back to school yesterday and she told me that she had fractured her back playing soccer. She did pretty good yesterday but I could tell she was hurting. Today she didn't complain but I watched her sit with silent tears running down her face. I felt so bad for her and it killed me to watch her hurt so much. I did call her parents and they came to get her. I wanted to make her a little something to cheer her up. I know a fractured back is something that is difficult for an adult to deal with, much less a 5th grader. I hope this card will make her day. I'm putting it in the mail tomorrow.

SuperNerd!

I just love this superbella! When I saw it on www.stampingbella.com I just had to have it! Some of my friends (teachers) at school call me supernerd because I am so anal. I normally send them lesson plans well in advance and I'm super organized. They joke me and call me super nerd. One of my friends, Trace, even gave me a pack of nerds and left a little note on my desk that said to my favorite nerd. I just had to make this card for them! I used the Gelly Roll red glitter pen on the boots and the cape. I also used my oval to stamp the base for Supernerd to stand on. I used my snap stamp letters to spell SUPERNERD! What do you think?!?!?!?

GASP- Not a Bella Card!

GASP--- Can you believe I made a card without a bella stamp? I have a stack of new bellas that haven't even touched the ink yet. So instead of bella stamps I pulled out my new SU stamp set Best Blooms and designer paper. You can't really see it in the picture but I put a clear button over the flower and tied the ribbon through it. I just love the brown DP that SU has in the new Spring Mini catalog. I will have to buy several packs of that paper before the spring mini runs out later! I can see me using this brown paper with everything. It is so pretty! I'm sure I'll be posting some bella cards soon! I have a stack of them waiting to play!

Beachabella in blue

I sat down to play with my bellas again tonight. I had a brainstorm and pulled out Shore Thing to go along with beachabella. I am tickled yet again with one of my cards. I was just excited that I didn't case this one from anyone- it is all my own doing!

Here is what I used:
Stamps: Shore Thing, beachabella
Paper: cool caribbean, taken with teal, kraft, and white
Ink: black, taken with teal, cool caribbean, so saffron, and close to cocoa
Accessories: reinkers and prismacolor pencils to color images and ribbon

So what do you think?

Cosmobella

I sat down and played with another Bella last night. I decided to pull out some lovely paper that my friend Trace got me for Christmas. I figured the one I picked with perfect with Cosmobella.

I also dressed her in my normal colors! I also used the Gelly Roll glitter pen to color in the drink. You can't really see it too well in the pictures. I can't decide which one I like better. I think I might like the one with the ribbon best but I like the way the folded one shows off both sides of the paper.

I just visited the bella sight this morning and saw that she has added a new bella, Chefabella! Too cute! I can see that I will be sending Emily some of my tax refund money! lol Hope you enjoy President's Day!

I'm a Bella Addict

Hi, my name is Michelle and I'm a bella addict! lol
I already have the following bella stamps:
beachabella
cosmobella
emmybella
flowahbella
imeldabella
loveybella
parisbella
pregabella
giftabella w/hat
teddybella

Last night I ordered:
cakeabella
docabella
dryabella
grumpabella
javabellas
nursabella
stamping bella
superbella
teachabella
tinkerbella

WOW! I can't wait for that little brown envelope from Canada to arrive!!! I call them my contraband stamps because they are not SU stamps and I'm a SU demo! What is even worse is that I ordered this last batch with money I earned selling SU stamps!!! Oh dear. I guess it makes it a little better that I also have a SU order on the way!

Bella for my Friend

No, there is nothing wrong with your computer... I am posting twice in one day! Wow! I can't remember the last time I did that.

I went in the stamp room and whipped out some cards for my friends. I wanted to have some cards to give out tomorrow for Valentine's day that aren't really Valentine cards. I wanted to make a friend card with a new bella.

I used my new Flowahbella and my friend Cuttlebug embossing folder. I'm tickled yet again with another one of my creations! lol I used Gable Green, Green Galore, Regal Rose, and Whisper White. In the picture it looks like a blob on the bottom right but I tied a knot in some ricrack (sp?) that my secret sis sent me a while back. It was the perfect color to accent this card. I hope they enjoy the card!

Bella Valentine Card

I finally finished my Valentine's Day cards. I won't be sending out as many cards as usual because I waited until the last minute to make them. I tried to use some colors different than I would normally use. I used Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, and Ruby Red. I'm not sure I'm crazy about it but I mailed them anyway. I also added glitter to the dress. This is one of my new Bella stamps. I just got my 2nd order in over the weekend and now I'm ready to order some more.

The brown card is one I used for my stampin' party a few weens ago. It doesn't show up very well in the picture but I used the little airbrush thing that you use with markers on the brown paper. It gives it a really neat look. I cased this one directly from SCS. I loved it on sight and thought it would be easy enough for new stampers to make. I was right- they loved it!

Challenge from my Lil Sis- Collage Card

I guess by posting this I run the risk of my little sis discovering who I am but I was so excited about the card that I had to get some feedback from someone. I can't post it on SCS so HERE it is!

I am a big sis for Divine Secret Sisters on SCS where we send cards and goodies over a few months. I normally make a lot of "cute" cards and my lil sis isn't crazy about them. She says she likes to get them she just isn't in to making them. She really enjoys making collages but I normally have no luck with them. If I do make one it just looks like a pile of crazy things that don't go together and don't really seem to have a focus.

So today I get an e-mail for her. She is going to make a "cute" card because she said my cards have inspired her. And she challenged me to make a collage card. So, after reading her e-mail I went on SCS to look at other's collage cards to try to get some ideas. I don't really have a lot of stamps that lend themselves to collage but I gave it a shot. I pulled out an old favorite- Wonderful Wings. I figured if I could make a collage card it would be with that set and maybe some flowers. I didn't want to use any bright colors so I went with Sahara Sand and Brocade Blue. I stamped the butterfly with black Stazon and colored it with reinkers. Then I used bleach to bleach out some of the center of the butterfly. Then I played around with some of my patterned paper to see which colors went best and I added the blush strip of designer paper. I stamped grateful and added a frame on it. I left the edges out on the top and bottom to make it look a little shabby I guess. I distressed the edges of the butterfly and inked up the edges. Before I stuck it all down I decided to add some mesh along the left side and then the flowers were the finishing touch. What do you think? I want your honest opinion!!!! Should I add something else or it is a good collage the way it is?

Breaking in Eat Cake & Wild About You

I have been at it again tonight. I came home and wasn't wiped out so I decided to make a few cards. I have a bunch of new stamps sets I bought with Christmas money and I haven't even used them yet! ---GASP--- I know, uninked stamps, it's not often you find those at my house!

Eat Cake is the first set I played around with. I stamped the cake a few times with a few different colors and then cut out the layers of the cake and stuck them in place. That gives the cake the layered color look I wanted without having the right markers to do it wth one stamp. I also used my Gelly Roll glitter pen to add flames to the candles. They are really sparkling!

Then I pulled out Wild About You and Seeing Spots. I found a card like this on SCS and I loved the simple look! So I had to copy it. This is non SU ribbon on the card. I bought it at Michael's last year and never used it.

I can't wait until the tax money comes in. I am going to buy me a new digital camera! Yippie! Maybe I will finally get some good photos with just one shot. It normally takes me 10 times and then I only get one shot I can use!

Stinkin' Cute

I know I haven't posted in a while! Sorry about that. I have not been feeling well lately and I haven't been stamping very much. I have been sick for about 5 years and I keep going to doctors and they can't really figure out what is going on with me. Some think I have IBS and one said Crohn's. Since Christmas I have been wiped out and I don't have much energy. I had exploratory surgery and they didn't find anything. I have also been having a hard time dealing with the fact that I'm always worn out and sick. Last week my current doc called me and told me he didn't know what else to do for me, so he is sending me to yet another doctor. This new doctor will be doctor number 5.

So anyway, the other night I sat down and played with the Stinkin Cute set I just got. I love this little skunk! I fell back on the colors I love- red, black, and white.

I have also ordered some new Bella stamps. I am excited for them to come in. Hopefully I'll feel up to playing when they get here!

My New Bella Stamps

I finally had a chance to sit down and play with my new Bella stamps. I was so excited that my cards turned out so cute, if I do say so myself.

I used dots & daisies for the navy card base and canvas for the red. I also used my new Gelly Roll Glitter pen to color in the red shirt and bows. It doesn't really show up that great in the picture. I really need to get an oval punch that I can use with these cards. It would make it much easier to make several of them!

Next I made a cute brightly colored birthday card. I have a new ticket punch that I have already been using a bunch. I just had to use this on the card. I used the DP (designer paper) I have but have never opened. I got it from a past secret sister and I keep looking at it. I always hate to use my DP for some reason. I just hoard it! I did finally pull it out to make these cards.

The last card I made with some of my favorite colors- pink and black. I had this paper to match that I used a while back when I made a Bunco box. I thought it would go great with the colors and the shopping girl.

If you have any Bella stamps and you want to participate in a swap Christie is hosting one on her blog Little Pink Flowers. I have signed up to use my pregabella stamp. Now I just have to come up with something to do with it.

I have just fallen in love with these Bella stamps. I was showing to my stamping friends at work and we call them contraband stamps because I'm a SU demo and the stamps are not SU stamps! Oh well, I really like them anyway and I plan to order more in the future! I love the way you can just use double stick tape on a clear block to stick them on and use them. And when you are finished you just clean it and peel it off the block. So simple!

Night of Shameless CASE-ing!

Just in case you don't know CASE means Copy And Share Everything. I participated in a night of shameless CASE-ing tonight starting with dinner! lol I visit Amanda's blog, INKSPIRATIONS, on a daily basis. She posts some great recipes and I saw one I just had to try- Chicken Noodle Casserole. I only know how to make a few things and we get sick of eating the same thing all the time. Normally my husband wants steak tips, mashed potatoes, and mac & cheese. The Chicken Noodle Casserole sounded really yummy so I went to the grocery store and bought the things I needed to make it. It didn't cost very much to buy the stuff to make it. So we gave it a try. My husband and I loved it! My husband was happy because I cooked something (which I almost never do) that we both enjoyed. I will be making this one again soon. We also have enough left over to eat it for a few days!

I have a ton of new goodies to play with at my stamping desk thanks to my dad. He gave me money for Christmas and I have spent it all on stamping stuff. It has all finally gotten here so I went in and started trying to come up with some ideas and I ran into a wall. I had no ideas! I normally use a sketch or ideas I see other people do to give me a starting point but nothing was coming to me. So I CASED two cards I have seen that I just fell in love with.

The first one is from Laura's blog, Inky Dinky Doo. I saw this Loads of Love card. I know I have a twisted sense of humor and this one cracked me up! I just had to make one of my own. I changed a few little things because I didn't have everything to replicate Laura's card but I'm still happy with the way it turned out. Thanks for sharing your great card Laura!

My second case for the night was from Amy's blog, Prairie paper & ink. I normally admire Amy's work on SCS but I just discovered her blog and love it! So the piggy card caught my eye. I immediately ordered the stamps to CASE this one. I just love that cute little Gina K piggy from www.stampingfreak.com!!! This one took a little longer to make but it might be because I made four of them because I will sending a few of these out.

I guess I'm done with card making for the night. Maybe tomorrow when I wake up I'll have some ideas of my own.

WOW! Look at all those stamps!

My Stampin' Up order finally arrived and I have all the stamps cut and mounted!!! After cutting them all I had to stack them on my stamping desk for the night. Here is a list of my new stamps: Like it a Latte, Eat Cake, Voila, Wild About You, Stinkin Cute, Seeing Spots, Paisley, On the Spot, Very Punny, Delight in Life, Big Blossom, So Very, and Warmest Regards. I also got the ticket corner punch, mat pack, several packs of designer paper, and a whole bunch of reinkers!


I also found a link to these wonderful Bella stamps on SCS. I saw them and just had to have them! Here is the first one I have used. It is called Pregabella. I made the card for a friend who is expecting.

I have the day off tomorrow so I plan to stamp all day! Look for more posts soon since I have new toys and time to play!

Happy Birthday Kevin and Laura!

My brother and his wife Laura have the same exact birthday. They were even born the same year! The card I made is a little washed out in this picture. I'm still not getting any better with my photograpy skills.

I used my Cuttlebug and birthday embossing folder on this one! I just love that little bug and it is my favorite color, green! I also used my Crop-a-dile to set the eyelets on this card. I also used my Gelly Roll Stardust pens to color the flame on the candles.

Happy Birthday Kevin & Laura! I love you guys!

Gina K Design Stamps

I got some new stamps in the mail today. I also got a new scallop circle punch to go with the bigger one I got last week. I wanted to make something with a color combo I don't normally do so I went to the color challenges at SCS and saw this one. It is So Saffron, Mellow Moss, and Bravo Burgundy.

The stamps are Gina K Design and I ordered them from Stampingfreak.com. I had ordered the cute little pig but they were out of stock so they sent me this turtle to keep me busy until the pig gets here.

I have also been busy organizing my stamp room today. It was time to clean out my little corner! I bought one of those huge rolling carts with the drawers. The thing is tall and it comes a little higher than my waist. I have never seen one so big before. I went through all my stuff and put everything in drawers and tried to get all the clutter off my stamp desk. Now I have a lot of room to work.

More new goodies- punches!

I got another package today. I couldn't wait to play so I went and made a card for a friend. I decided to use the color challenge today on SCS. Here is what a used-
Stamps: Little Hellos, Canvas, Play on Words
Paper: Cool Caribbean, Basic Black, White
Ink: Black, Cool Caribbean
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Gingham Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, Circle Cutter, Glitter Gelly Roll Pen

You can't see it too good in this picture but I stamped the Canvas on the Cool Caribbean paper and then I ran it through the cuttlebug. I just love my new little bug. I have used it on every card I have made since I got it.

I was so excited when my package got here with the new punches. I went to use the Mega Oval and I was so sad because it didn't punch! There are parts of the punch that don't meet the cutting edge when pushed down. I sent an e-mail to Jo-ann's to see what can be done about getting a replacement. I also picked up a new toy when I went to Michael's the other day. I went to get a Cropadile but they were sold out. I had a 50% off coupon that was only good Sunday and Monday so I had to buy something. I also placed a big SU order today and I can't wait for that box to get here. I am having a party Jan 16th so I hope it gets here in time.