Secret Pals at Work

We have secret pals at work and I made some things for her this weekend. The first thing I made was a composition notebook with the red and black ladybugs. I should have made one of these for myself as well but then she might know who I am. It is a little hard to keep that a secret though because there is just one or two other people other than myself who makes things like this.

I also made some post it note holders, and as you can see, I made a few of these. The one for my secret pal has her name on it. The others I left blank for later. They were super easy to make. One of my past secret pals made me one of these and I love it. So I whipped up a few to give away as well. There is velcro on the inside flap to keep it closed.

And the last thing I made was this gift card box. I plan to get a gift card from Starbucks to put inside this one. I can't believe this is the first thing I have made with this set. It was in the mini catalog last winter and just had to have it. And it has never even touched ink until yesterday. I do like it though and I plan to use it a little more this winter. I have several friends who like coffee so it will make some cute cards to send to them!

Of course I plan to spread these goodies out over a few weeks, but I think my secret pal will be pleased with the goodies (I hope). I just got on a kick yesterday and made all these things. I need to look back at my list to see what she likes again so I can make some more goodies for her!

Yucky Swap!

I am part of the secret sisters on SCS. For this round our coordinator came up with a yucky swap for us to do. Here is the information we received:

make a package containing the following:
one or two of your favorite embelishment
half a sheet of cardstock scored in half of your mostundesired, "would not use even if its the last cardstock you have"color
quarter sheet cardstock of your sister's most undesired color
neutral cardstock of varying size for stamping (very vanilla, whisper white, the like)
a couple of punch outs of your favorite color IE: round tab punch, circle punch outs, etcput it all in an envelope, and mail it to your little sis

LIL SIS:when you recieve the package, your job is to make the prettiest card ever with both of your most undesirable color

So here is my end result- I did bend the rules a little because there was no way I could use the whole piece of green and all those punches! Big sis- if you are reading this you really challenged me with this one. I love green but those two colors are the two that I dislike the most! So I added a little pink when I colored in the images and tried to tone down that green. Wow- what a challenge that was!

From last weekend...

Finally, here are the cards I made the other weekend when Chris was at the races. I decided it was time to make pictures of the and get them posted. The first one is a new Bella I played with. I put crystal effects on the boots and the umbrella. I'm not sure if it shows up in the picture but they look like the real thing. I also did paper piecing with the umbrella to make it stand out a little bit.

I got this wonderful paper from Pegi and I just had to pull out the papertreyink stamps to use with it. I LOVE this paper and I thought this butterfly went perfectly with it.

I also traced over the swirls on the butterfly with my glitter pen to make this one sparkle. I used true thyme, pretty in pink, and naturals confetti paper. I must get some more of this DP to play with because I think this is my favorite from the bunch Pegi sent. Thanks so much Pegi!

VSN Dragonfly

Here is another card I made during VSN. I know, I'm slipping down on my job- I have pictures to post but I haven't done it! This week at school has been a little crazy. Today we had our first science club meeting. This is one of my crazy creations! lol It was so much fun, we did forensic science today and tested evidence for saliva. I think their favorite part was when they got to spit on a cotton ball and use it as the control! lol

OK, I don't own this set, but since I was VSNing at Trace's house I got to use her stamps too! I did this one for the resist challenge. I'm not sure I'm crazy about the colors. And a little bit more news- I actually stamped this last weekend. Chris went to the dragraces and he had the camera so I didn't get to post those. I'll get that camera out soon and make the pics so I can post them too!

OMG- have you seen how many hits I have on this site? I can't believe I have that many people checking my blog. I might have to see what I can do about some blog candy soon!

Miss U VSN

I am sitting here this morning waiting to go the the doctor's office. My appointment is late enough that I had to get a sub for the whole day. And the bad thing is that I have to go back for a faculty meeting because I organized this one. Oh well, so I might be able to enjoy a little of my time. I thought I would post another card I made for VSN. This one had to me a miss you card. If you aren't familiar with VSN, you should know that you only have 45 minutes to complete each card. This one I finished early and couldn't figure out anything else to add to it. Plus I wasn't at home with all my supplies so I couldn't add the flowers I wanted to add in the bottom corner. This is the first time I've used this Bella stamp. It really is sad how many Bella stamps I have now! I just love them though!

Stamping with Leaves

This is my favorite card from the VSN bunch I made last night. This challenge asked you to get leaves from the yard and stamp with them. I used fall colors and then sponged some river rock around the leaves so soften it up a little. I embossed the words in gold. I think this might be one I repeat soon!

VSN @ Trace's House

I went to my friend Trace's house tonight to do VSN on SCS. We had a great time. Everytime a new challenge was posted she would print them out and come in the kitchen to tell us what we had to do. She had borrowed this stamp from me a while back so I pulled it out and used it. The challenge was to use the same stamp on the main image and the background. So I stamped the words down the right hand side of the white that says what the symbols stand for. I used her green/copper embossing powder and embossed the stamped image and I colored the black brads she had. I had a lot of fun with Trace and Kelly this VSN. I have more cards to post but I'll spread it over the next few days so I can have something to post!

Something is Missing...

...other than me from the blogging world. I know those of you who read my blog on a regular basis have probably been wondering if I dropped off the face of the earth! Since school started back I've been so busy and worn out that I haven't been stamping.

There seems to be something missing from all the cards I make lately. I'm just not happy about the way things have been turning out lately. I guess I'm partly pleased with my new huggy bella card. If you know me well you know I'm the one on the right, wearing black and white, my signature colors! I also used the daisy from Martha Stewart. This is te first time I've used them but I do like the way it looks. I just think something might be missing from the bottom. I probably should have used a background stamp on the base so it didn't look so blank down there.

The next bella card is made using my favorite Bella, but again something is missing. It just looks too plain for my taste. But I think I'm gotten in the habit of overdoing so many cards that I don't think this one is up to par.

The final card is the one that takes the cake. I borrowed this set from my friend Trace. I thought about buying it when it first came out in the mini catalog but I didn't because I hated the birds. <--- Did you see that, I hated the birds? Do you see what I stamped on this card? OMG- so not me!!! I must have really been struggling when I thought stamping/embossing the birds on there would be good. It actually turned out okay, just not my taste. And I'm such a silver girl- and I used gold. Someone help me before I make another bird card!!!! lol

My DH is the BEST!

Today he gave me a Three Stone Diamond Ring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I still can't believe it! It was out of the blue and was a total surprise- I am so excited about it and shocked as well! It is a past, present, future ring and it has a total of 18 diamonds in it, princess cut (which is my favorite cut)!

He is such a wonderful husband and he said he wanted me to have it because I have had such a bad week. I found out I'll have to have shots for the rest of my life and was feeling a little down about it. Boy did he know how to cheer me up! lol I told him I need a new wedding band to go with it now, lol, I was joking of course! I love it! I just wanted you all to know that I'm married to the most wonderful man in the world!

I've been MIA!

I haven't been stamping much since school started back. I have been flat worn out when I get home and I normally end up taking a nap before I go to bed! I have been through more tests from a doc and he found out I have a B12 deficiency. I have started the shots and they say I should have more energy. I haven't seen it yet but it may take a while. The doc said my level was 164 and normal is between 200-900, so it was real low. I'm doing shots once a day for now to build it back up and get me going again. I am planning to go to a friend's house and stamp tomorrow so maybe I'll have something new to post.

School Starts Tomorrow!

Sorry that I don't have anything stamping related to post. I started back to work this week. Monday we had meetings all day and Tuesday was our work day/open house. I got to meet my new students and their parents. It was fun and things went really well. Today I presented to the faculty, along with my good friend Kelly. We presented all the wonderful things we learned during our Las Vegas trip.

My classroom is ready, I'm just not sure I am! lol I guess it is a little late now. I'm worn out from the week already but I know I'll get a burst of energy when I see all those new little faces enter the door. I am looking forward to this year. It has been hard getting back into the swing of things. This summer I didn't go to school myself so I just slept late and did what I wanted to. I am having a hard time getting up early again. They say the older you get the earlier you get up, but I'm still waiting for that! Right now I'm sitting here waiting for the washer to quit so I can pitch the clothes in the dryer and go to bed. I just wanted to check in and let you guys know I'm still in the land of the living!

Bee Happy

Here is a card I made with the cute little bee stamps that I ordered. It came in the day before I left for Las Vegas and I have just had a chance to play with it. I pulled out some designer paper from a big package I picked up at Hobby Lobby. I wanted to doodle around the white scallop but I didn't have a blue marker that matches. So I just left it off. I did punch holes around the yellow and then I went back and went around it with my white gel pen. I wanted to use some colors that aren't normally bee colors so I went with blue and yellow.

Michelle needs...

I saw this on a few people's blogs and I thought it was pretty funny. I saw it again tonight on Deb's blog and I decided to give it a try. To play, you just type in your name needs in a search engine to see the first 10 phrases that show up as a result. I used google and this is what my search came up with:

1. Michelle needs your help
2. Michelle needs a family that will be patient, consistent, kind, loving
3. Michelle needs to exercise her right to shut the f*** up.
4. Michelle needs to move on with someone else since Tony’s no longer around.
5. Michelle Needs Help (No, Literally)
6. Michelle needs to just shut up.
7. Michelle needs money so she can travel to Canada and the US to meet bloggers
8. Michelle needs to look for ways to increase her income
9. Michelle needs a home that can accept her limitations
10. Michelle needs to keep her @** in the LPGA and win something.

Monkey Cup

I picked up this coffee cup from Starbucks this summer. I used a gift card that one of my kids gave me at the end of last school year. They know I love coffee and I was tickled to get a gift card. There was quite a bit on it so I got the cup and several stops at Starbucks. Now we even have a Starbucks on the way to school! Too bad the giftcard is all used up! lol

So when I got the monkey stamps I just had to add them to my cup. I know it is not real fancy but I still love it! School starts Monday so I'll start using it then! BTW- I teach 5th grade and I love it! This year I get to teach Reading, Language, and Science (my favorite subject)!

I love my Bella sistah, Kim!

I got home from working in my classroom all day yesterday and there was a box on the front porch from my Bella sistah, Kim. So I open it up and there is a paper sack. with a guest check on it.

In case you can't read it in the picture it says: 1 Lg. Ribbon Rolls $5.95, 1 Lg. Sweet & sour flowers $7.95, 1 Lg. Brad fried rice $9.95, 1 sm. Button drop soup $6.95 = Fun! Fun! Fun!

When I opened up the bag there were four cute little take out boxes tied up with ribbon. And inside each of them was all the things listed on the ticket. Is this not the cutest thing ever?!!??!? I was so excited to get this package- thanks so much Kim!

Here are the cute little boxes all tied up before I opened them.

Here are the pictures of Button Drop soup, ribbon rolls, brad fried rice, and Sweet & Sour flowers!

I'm back and ready for school!

I know it has been a while since I posted but things have been busy since I got back from Vegas. Of course, I didn't take any pictures in Vegas, which is why I don't scrapbook! lol Kelly and I had a great time. We learned a lot at the conference and we are excited to share it with our faculty. We have finished the powerpoint for the presentation we have to give. I have also been spending a lot of time in my classroom getting everything ready to start back to school. I go back Monday and the kids come back Thursday. So that has kept me busy. I tried to post yesterday but when I signed in blogspot said they thought my blog was spam! Imagine that, lol. So I'm back and I have a few things to post.

Off to Las Vegas

Hello Ladies! I just wanted you to know that I'm off to Las Vegas. I will be back late Wednesday night so I won't post until at least Thursday. I have been tagged by Deb- check out her blog at http://inkydaze.blogspot.com/. I guess I'll go ahead and post the 7 things about me. I'll have to go back and find the blogs when I get back from my trip.

1. I teach 5th grade and I love it! This will be my 6th year to teach. Before I moved to 5th grade I taught 1st grade for 3 years.

2. I enjoy relaxing in the tub everynight and I read while I'm in there. Chris normally knocks on the door to make sure I haven't fallen alseep in there!

3. I love Dr. Pepper and I drink it all the time. I also love coffee!

4. My favorite candy is plain M&M's and Nerds.

5. I have a problem with digestion- they can't figure it out but it could be IBS or IBD. All the doctors tell me they have no idea but my body tells me something is wrong!

6. I collect frogs. They are all over my classroom and at home too! The bathroom is decorated with frogs. Some of the kids in my class counted the frogs in my room last year and they said I had over 60!

7. I don't mind washing clothes but I HATE getting them out of the dryer and putting them up!

I'm headed off to pack and get ready for my trip! Talk to you all when I get back!

Monkey Crazy!

When I got this monkey I fell in love with him! lol So when I saw the sketch challenge on SCS last week I had to use it. I made one little change, the scalloped circle. So I pulled out the DP that I thought would look good with him. I used my papertreyink.com words and the little flower. I drew the stem myself. I added some glitter on the flower with my glitter pen and then put the rhinestone in the center. I also punched holes around the scalloped edge and went around it with the white gel pen.

Tonight I couldn't come up with anything so I just made another monkey card. I pulled some more papertreyink.com stamps for the words and the flower. I think this little guy would cheer up anyone if they got him in the mail. He makes me smile! I have also ordered the one with the banana on his head. I want the one that has the two monkeys on it but he was sold out. Oh well, I'll just have to wait for later on that one. I'm waiting for that package to come in so I can use a different monkey!

I LOVE this monkey!

I picked up this little monkey stamp at the LSS today. I just had to use him on something so I stamped him a couple of times and pulled down my SU monkey set. I used Wild Wasabi, Choc Chip, and White. Then I stamped the heart and put it on a pop up dot to make it stand up. Isn't this too cute?!?!?!?!?

Trace Don't Read This!

I borrowed Carte Postal from my friend Trace. I can't believe how much I like this set. I believe my taste is changing because when this was first in the mini catalog I didn't like it at all! But now I have borrowed this one and I also bought Baroque Motifs!

I also used my Cuttlebug on the light pink. I have got to start using that more on my cards because I love the look of it! I also used the glitter embossing powder on the burgundy swirl thing, but I don't think you can see it very well in the picture. I was going to stamp some swirls on the bottom of the main card but I forgot and stamped the other on the vanilla and all I had was white craft ink. Oh well!

Here is the part I didn't want Trace to read yet! This is the card I made for her birthday. I used the Baroque Motif set and the words are from my Little Lady papertreyink set. I really like these new colors- I used River Rock on this one. This is the first time I've used the slot punch to make scallops on the bottom. It took a little while for me to figure out how to do this so it looked right but I finally got it done. My center flower is not quite centered but it's handmade! lol That is the excuse I always use when something isn't lined up just right.

I may have some time and creative juices back so I'll post again soon!