What a Weekend!

This past weekend my hubby and I decide to get away to celebrate our 20th anniversary. I am so impressed with all the arrangements he made he did such a wonderful job that he made me feel like a princess the whole weekend. We stayed at the Goldmoor Inn in Galena, Illinois.(it felt like we pulled up to a small little castle when we arrived see picture below) What an amazing town the scenery there is breath taking. We went to a winery and did some wine tasting (that's a first for us) and I have to say I think I found my new favorite wine there (yummy). It was the kind of weekend that you don't want it to end. The weather was beautiful, the scenery unbelievable, the accommodations spectacular and the company kept awesome.

This weeks Hero Arts Challenge Card

Wow didn't think I was going to be able to participate in this week challenge, it was down to the last day to submit and I finally got an idea (that was close). It's been busy around here this weekend with the Scrapbook Expo, mother visiting and trying to get use to the new school year I'm beat so this will be a short post.

Lots of Bargins

The Expo turned out great. I was able to pick up a lot of bargains there. I got a few stamps, ribbons, Copic markers, and paper flowers for a great price. I even got a flyer at the Expo that gave me 10 free 12 x 12 card stock and a $5.00 dollar coupon for Archivers. Needless to say right after the Expo I headed to my local Archivers. I was disappointed in only one thing the whole day. I can't find the new Penny Black Christmas stamps anywhere except for the Internet. I was hoping to get them here locally but it looks like I'm going to have to place a pre-order in at 7kidscollegefund store.

Off we go to Scrap Expo this weekenend and a Amazing Blog candy

So excited I can hardly sleep. I went out to Rockford to pick up my mom. WHO HOO it's time to attend the Scrapbook Expo in St. Charles, IL. I wasn't able to sign up for any of the workshops this time but that's okay I still can't wait until I get into the Exhibit hall and look at all the wonderful products. I will definitely post how it went later. Well off to dream land thinking of what a great time is ahead for us tomorrow! Oh I almost forgot you have to check out this Amazing Blog candy HERE a lot of great prizes. Just stop by and leave a comment to have a chance to win.

Making a list and checking it twice.....

That's right it's that time of year in our house. I am in the process of making our annual Christmas card list. I don't know if it's the same for you but I make two list, 1. people who will receive a special handmade card and those who will receive the traditional store bought card. I know it probably sounds bad of me but the truth is I just don't have the time to make everyone on my list a special card,as much as I would like to it's just not going to happen. Each year I try to do a few more handmade cards and this year is no different (but I'm getting a early start this year so I'm hopeful that more people will get one this year).

I went out yesterday and started to pick out some papers, but I still would like to get more and also some new Christmas stamps. Another thing that is different this year is I have the Cricut and Cuddlebug machine which makes me more existed. So today I think I will surf the Internet and look for this year must have stamps. I wish I knew a Stampen Up person too I heard they have great sentiment stamps and paper. Oh well maybe I should add that to my already long list of things to get for cards. Have a great Day!!!

Here is the results of my experiments

Here are a few of the images that I stamped with my new Magnolia Tilda stamps. I only had my Copic markers for a couple of days and I can see that I still need to practice with them, but so far I'm in love with them (Copic markers that is). I think I will watch a few more of the tutorials over on YouTube to see if I can pick up any tips this weekend. I also made two cards and I have to say I liked how they turned out. I will give you the list of materials for the cards on a different post because I forgot to write them down. Hope you all have a good weekend!

Still experimenting

So what the heck have I've been up to ..... hmmmm that's right I have been experimenting with my Magnolia Tilda stamps and my brand new copic markers. I haven't put together a card yet, because just between you and me this whole coloring thing with copic looks a lot easier than it is. I surf the Internet and find beautiful stamped images colored in with copic markers. They all have lovely shadowing down pat but it's not as easy as these lovely people makes it look. I will post later tonight some of the stamp images I have done so far. Until then HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Blog candy

Today I am trying to catch up on my blog readding while doing so I came across this blog candy at http://www.zhibit.org/elisabethbell/blog. They are giving away some beautiful stamps there. One very lucky winner will win the premier set of stamps released through Belles ‘n Whistles which contains six super cute stamps, each of which are pre-cut and mounted and deliciously packaged with what I call mini “Collector’s Cards”. PLUS the winner will receive a T-Shirt of their choice from my line of exclusive “Elisabeth Bell” T-Shirts. You should check this out.

I feel so behind this week, I have to take my dd school clothes shopping and I haven't even started my card for this weeks challenge over at Hero Arts. Plus I was attacked my a huge load of laundry! (I think the pile of laundry thinks it's going to win this battle but I have news for it). I also am a Brownie leader for my daughter troop and that's about to start and I haven't even started planning out our year yet (yikes that is the scary one). So needless to say I shouldn't be here typing my heart out to you guys I need to get busy. Have a wonderful day! Catch ya later

Hot, Hot, Hot...

I'M BACK!!!!! Just got back into town last night from AZ. Phew it was hot out there. I think one day got up to 117 degrees (that's too hot). I posted a couple of pictures of the scenery there for ya. I went to visit my niece we had such a great time going to the flea marketing, going to restaurants, shopping, going to restaurants, site seeing, and going to restaurants. The food out there was so good did I mention that to ya before? Also, while I was away I got a delivery! Ya I love coming back to surprises. My Magnolia Tilda stamps are in the house and my Cricut cartridge that I won from Christmas with Cricut came too not to mention a few Hero Art stamps. I feel like I'm the luckiest girl right now. I am going to have to wait to play with Tilda until I get some copic markers and thanks to me making all those invitations I think I will start looking into buying them soon. Well I have a lot to catch up with since I was gone for a few days. HAPPY MONDAY!!

Leaving on a short trip

I'll be leaving tomorrow on a short trip to AZ. I know what your thinking why is she going to AZ. in August? Call me crazy I guess, but no I'm visiting my niece who lives out there. She moved backed in October and she hardly knows anyone out there,so I thought I would drop in to see how she is doing. So I will check in with you all on Monday until then HAPPY CRAFTING!!!!

Cardvarks New Challenge

Woo Hoo it's looking a lot like Christmas around here. I decided to join in on the Carvarks new challenge. What is that you ask well let me tell you.
THE CHALLENGE

Create a -NEW- Winter themed card; holiday cards, snowmen, snowflakes, whatever reminds you of the Winter season! Link your entry via Mr. Linky by August 15th at Midnight, PST. THE PRIZE a collection of *new* Hero Arts stamps!
Yes you heard right there is a chance to win HERO ARTS NEW Stamps!!!! I think I'm in stamp heaven.

Sneaky Inspiration Challenge at Hero Arts

Well I managed to put a card together for this week challenge. It wasn't easy seeing that I am trying to get ready for my Az trip in a day. This card was inspired by Lisa Spangler card over on the Hero Arts blog. I used the new HA cling stamp Thank you and some green card stock, red ribbon and DCWV pattern paper. I really got to get my hands on some Copic markers. I really don't like using the color pencils anymore. I think I will be able swing it when I come back from my Az trip.










I don't know if you notice on my sidebar, but I received an award for my blog! This is my first award that I was given. Imagine winning a Cricut cartridge and getting this award in the same day, Wow I was really excited! Well I hope you all have a good (rest of the) week!

Doing the happy dance again

Just a short little post this morning. I'm so sorry that you have to see this again but I can't help it! HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY Dance!!!!! I just won a Cricut cartridge from Christmas with Cricut blog. Woo Hoo!!! You must go over to their blog and check it out it has alot of wonderful ideas for Christmas gifts and projects. Here is thier address: http://cricutchristmas.blogspot.com/.

Now for some new blog candy. Go check out this following blog. Their giving away some awsome stamps (Mangnoia Tilda Stamps) I love those stamps. Here their address
http://inkedinspirations.blogspot.com/2009/08/christmas-in-july-candy.html. I just love reading this blog too. I get a lot of inspiration here. You're still here????? What are you doing? You have to go see these stamps they're awsome!

Sunny Day

What a great day to go to the zoo. Erin and I had so much fun together. Here are a few pictures from our little adventure to the zoo. The butterfly exhibit is so cool I have a few really good pictures. Brookfield zoo is running an exhibit on dinosaurs that is totally amazing. Well I'm still working on the invitation for my friend so off I go to my craft room. Hope you have a great weekend!!!