Blog Award

Carol is one of my online friends from Paper Popsicles. I'm so lucky to get to be on the design team with her now! She passed on this award to me and I'm incredibly honored!! Thanks so much Carol!!

This award comes with a survey that I have to fill out, and I can only use one word to answer the questions.

1. Where is your cell phone? Kitchen

2. Your hair? Straight

3. Your mother? Giving

4. Your father? Steadfast

5. Your favorite food? Everything!!!

6. Your dream last night? Bizarre (even though I started this post days and days ago --- this is still fitting!)

7. Your favorite drink? Depends

8. Your dream/goal? Joy

9. What room are you in? Office Bedroom

10. Your hobby? Stamping & Reading

11. Your fear? Rejection

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Mountains

13. Where were you last night? Home

14. Something that you aren’t? Athletic

15. Muffins? Please!! With lots of butter

16. Wish list item? Security

17. Where did you grow up? Here

18. Last thing you did? Ate Put my little one to bed

19. What are you wearing? Clothes

20. Your TV? Small

21. Your pets? Faithful

22. Friends? Caring

23. Your life? Saved by the blood of Jesus

24. Your mood? Content

25. Missing someone? yes

26. Vehicle? Chrysler

27. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes

28. Your favorite store? Cato

29. Your favorite color? Undecided

30. When was the last time you laughed? yesterday

31. Last time you cried? Sunday

32. Your best friend? Traitor

33. One place that I go to over and over? Target

34. One person who emails me regularly? Kim

35. Favorite place to eat? Moms

I don't see instructions on if/how many to pass this on to.....if you'd like it, then I'm giving it to you -- please let me know so I can read your answers!! I think sooo many of the blogs I read are Over the Top --- but I'm going to pass it on specifically to all the gals on The Diedrich Dare team --- they are fabulously talented --- and they are certainly Over The Top - both on their blogs and off!!

Blog Smiles

Last week my sweet, dear friend Jacquie gave me this award. We met on the Twinkling Tuesday team (although honestly, I'd seen her blog before then but it was only after we became Twinklettes that we became friends). She's so incredibly sweet and encouraging - a true friend and anyone who can call her such is LUCKY! And that's me!!

Frankly, YOU make me smile every time you visit and every time you leave a little comment! Thank you so much, from the bottom of my big Texas heart!!

I try to share the love when I get awards and remember who doesn't "do" awards and who I've already given one to. So today here are some wonderful girls that I would like to pass this award on to:

Kim

Chris

Jennifer

Meli

Lolly

Jessica

Tricia

Tangii

Rebekka

The Gift of Love

Not very long ago I met a sweet Hawaiian girl over at PCP; Linda was debating starting a blog and she finally did along with her sister Kyoko. She truly loves stamping and sharing and I'm glad to be able to enjoy her creations! She was kind enough to bless me with the "Gift of Love" award. Thank you Linda!

I am supposed to share this with 5 other wonderful bloggers and wow - that's a tough decision to make! I would love to share this with the following gals who have been a blessing to me lately and that I am so happy to be able to share something we all love: stamping/crafting!!

Rebecca

June

Nancy

Anita

Mrs J

Jacquie

Vintage Paris

Good morning girls!! Today I have another card created from a collaboration between Rebecca and I. She suggested the Paris theme and I added the collage style to it. Be sure to visit her and see how her card came out!



My card is loosely based on this week's sketch from Inspirational Card Sketches: #13. I had looked at it the other day and of course it had a circle and if you've been reading this blog long you know those intimidate me! But I loved the little strips on the sketch and was definitely thinking of those as I created this. You can see that I forgot about the horizontal strips but that's okay! I usually lay things out and THEN glue everything down. But since this was a collage and I didn't want to spend forever on it, I just glued as I went pretty much. I'm pretty happy with the effect!



Before I go, I am so blessed by each of you! It means the world that you would want to stop in and see what I'm up to! Each visit and every comment you leave is read and brings a smile to my face. And I love checking out your creations too - even though I don't get to visit every day, I love checking in and think that it's so wonderful to have blogging which allows us to share this passion for paper, stamps, ribbon and baubles together since we could never all be in the same place at the same time. I have been doubly blessed since last night as 2 gals have bestowed the Karma Award on me! Thanks so much girls!! I treasure them and you have lifted my spirits!!


Both June from Simply Elegant Paper Crafts and Deanne from Just Wasting Time bestowed this on me! Take a moment and go visit them - they both have such lovely cards to share!

The Karma Award: These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.
It's tough to choose only 8 but I tend to be a rule follower; I also hate making a list that's so finite but I did it. So I nominate in no particular order:

Janna

Heather

Nancy

Kim

Tricia

Spike

Anita

Eva

200th Post

Wow! 200 posts - that's amazing! And hubby didn't think I'd stick with this! I think it's pretty cool that coincides with a new award I got from a fellow team member from The Cuttlebug Challenge - BettyBee

It's the Lemonade Award and I hadn't seen it before she gave it to me. But what an awesome one to get and it really touched my heart! You see, it it to recognize someone who shows a great attitude or gratitude. Awww - thanks girl! I know that each of you that visit certainly lift me up and I hope I do the same for you! I'm supposed to share this with 5 other bloggers and it can be sooo hard to narrow the list, can't it? I hate the thought that I'm leaving someone out and that you might think I don't appreciate you if I don't name you. {maybe that's why so many girls don't "do" awards anymore}. I do {do} them though, because I think it's so important that we lift each other up, we encourage each other, we let other people know how great I think YOU are!! So today, I'm going to pass this along to 5 new girls that I adore and appreciate. I hope you'll stop by their blog if they aren't on your regular "rounds" and see what they've been up to!!

1. Heather - Heather's Heavenly Stamptations - such a sweet girl. I'm just barely getting to know her but she is friends with lots of my friends and has such a sweet, kind spirit. Her comments are always so thoughtful and heartfelt - and I am just blessed beyond words that she's started bestowing them on me too! Plus, she's a Kansas girl, and they rock!!

2. Vicki - Stamped Smiles - so talented and always has a kind, encouraging word for me. Thanks Vicki! And I know I haven't been by all week - I'm so behind, but I will be soon and I'll get all caught up!

3. Sandra - Paper Funtastics - so talented and so funny! Her comments always make me smile - and usually make me float too!

4. Janna - Stamps, Paper, Glitter - OH My! - I knew I would like Janna when I read her blog title. I mean, she digs glitter? Come on - gotta love any girl that loves glitter!! She has the soul of an angel and always an encouraging word for me.

5. Jami - Stamp Happy with Sgt Stamper - so amazingly talented. She was one of the first people to follow my blog and I was so flattered. Over time, we've gotten to know each other better. She always knows just what to say to cheer me up! If you've never been to her blog, go check it out as this week she's previewing some of her NEW stamps that SHE DESIGNED for 2RedBananas. In fact, I won the very first one and it arrived today. I can't wait to play with it!!

Each of these girls are super talented and to know that they think I'm talented too - it does my spirit good! I hope each of you know that your belief in me is a boost every single day! Please feel free to post on your blog or your sidebar. Or not all. Pass it on. Or don't. The important thing to me is that you know that I love you and appreciate you.

Lots of other things going on too! Like the Luv Bug Event!! Starts tomorrow at 7 am EST on the Cuttlebug Challenge. You'll be collecting a WORD at each blog along the way while seeing lots of "sweet" ideas. Each word forms a quote (author's name included) and there is an awesome prize being given away. In fact, I know that you have 2 chances to win!

First is this awesome prize being given away for the blog hop on the Cuttlebug Challenge site.

The photo above is just for the blog hop - there are OTHER PRIZES too!

The second prize is by one of the design team girls and I hear it involved your choice of a Stampin Up Set -so be sure to watch for that as you are hopping around tomorrow!!

Speaking of the Luv Bug Event, there will be projects and spotlights and all kinds of things Friday to Sunday! I've seen some sneaks of them and they are incredible!! Seriously. You don't want to miss it!!

Another Blog Award

Taylor from Musings of an Addict gave me the sweetest award on Sunday. It just really touched my heart and gave me that warm, cozy feeling all day - really, all week! And that's a priceless feeling! Taylor is one of my new friends that I've been blessed with. We are both on Madelynn's Twinkling Tuesday team and I am so thankful to God for bringing her and the rest of the Twinklette's into my life. While I treasure this award, what is really priceless to me is the friendship that it symbolizes!

Here are the guidelines for receiving this award:
Rules of this award:
1. Add the logo to your blog.
2. Link to the person from whom you received this award.
3. Nominate 7 or more blogs.
4. Leave a message on their blog, letting them know they are “One Lovely Blog”

I could go on and on with the nominations, but the time just isn't there so I'm sharing some MORE of my favorites with you!

1. Kimmie at Crafting for Sanity - this gal does it all I tell you! She has been such an encouragement to me over the last several months. Yesterday was a great day for her - stop by her blog and leave her some "blog fives" - that's a new term I'm coining, by the way. It's like a high five, but you'd look silly hitting your monitor, so it's all mental and verbal!!!

2. Danni at Danni's Dreams - another girl that gets tons done. She is also a super encourager and is really, really good about helping people out. Word in cyberspace is that there is a big announcement coming Monday from her. I'm jittery with excitement and anticipation!! Be sure to stop by her blog today - she has her first tutorial; let her know how good she did!

3. Dawn at Daily Scrappin Inspiration - She's one of my SBS3 sisters and I love her blog b/c she posts lots of scrapbook layouts. It's funny to me that I was in first introduced to stamping b/c I wanted to get some SU scrapbook paper for free. I am soooo NOT a scrapper. I try, but it really just gives me a mental block! So I love all the inspiration from her and have tons of her layout posts starred in my reader to case - at some point when I sit down and scrap! LOL!! She's also starting a sketch blog, which you can find HERE.

4. Cindy at Stamps, Paper, and Ink - she's one of my must reads every day! She creates the most gorgeous of cards and is sooo helpful!! She's also organizing a buy for those new yummy SU buttons. I'm going to have to get into that I think!!

5. Kim at Scrapping on the Edge - a recent discovery from checking out the Cuttlebug Challenge participants. Oh she makes the most yummy,scrummy stuff! If you love that collage-y, vintage-y, layered-y look then you'll {heart} her.

6. Creative Journey - I don't know her name as she is another CC find this week. She had one of my favorite cards from the week and her style is more of that layered, lace, flower, yummy goodness!

7. Danni at DannisDoodles - I first discovered her on ebay and was so excited when she started her blog! Her blog always uplifts me every day and is another on my must read list!!

8. Suzanne at One Busy Mom - she's on of my "local" friends and when I get to see her it's always like a ray of sunshine! Suzanne - you looked so beautiful the other night! I'm sorry I couldn't give you more attention...but we'll get together soon!

9. Tara at Our Life Through My Eyes - another local friend and owner of my LSS. She's got a great sense of humor (we both tend to be sarcastic so I love that she "gets me") and always makes me smile! And I have to nominate someone who loves Dr Pepper as much as I do!!

10. Jessica at The Whimsical Butterfly - this girl is a super sweetie!! I can't think of her without smiling and am thankful for all the lifting of my spirits she does. Due to her fabulous artistic talents I have fallen in love with Anya -- and Jess is the Club Anya VP - a new blog debuting Feb 2nd Can't wait!!

11. Nikki at Project: Domestic Bliss - another recent discovery. She's one of those girls who is homemaker extraordinaire. And since I tend to be lacking in this arena at times, I love reading her blog. Inspires me to be better and enjoy the fact that I have laundry to fold. KWIM? It hasn't rubbed off yet, but I figure it's bound to. My mom always told me that who you surround yourself with rubs off on you ---- so ---- that's what I'm hoping for, some uber homemaker skills to cosmically transfer to me!

Okay, I'm forcing myself to stop. I could keep going as there are sooo many blogs that I enjoy visiting. I'd love to add yours to the list, so if you tend to just lurk, leave a comment!!

AND Have A BeautifuL Day!!

*speechless*

First, let me just say that I have clutched your kind comments from my post earlier this week to my heart!! So super sweet and it's nice to know that ya'll are glad I posted again!! Thanks so much for letting me share with you and for checking in here on what I've been up to!! I feel so incredibly lucky to have blogging friends!!

Second, Danyelle directed me to her blog (Hangnailz n' Papercutz) - where she rained some love down on my blog --- when I saw that - I was speechless! with a HUGE grin on my face!! It means the world to me Danyelle - so thank you from the bottom of my heart. And while you're there - be sure to check out her Aug 25, 2008 post: I love her background!!

I definitely need to share this - there are SOOO many blogs that I enjoy reading; although my new items are over 1,000 and have been for weeks. I could mark them all read and start fresh, but they are in my reader for a reason - and I don't want to miss a thing!! (sure, you can sing it with some Aerosmith attitude). Here's a few blogs that I love: certainly not a complete list, honestly, not even a dimple in the list but ones that I enjoy none the less - and maybe a new one for you to discover as well!

CakeWrecks - I just found this one today - hilarious. Not stamping related at all, but if you love sarcasm, you like to laugh and you enjoy cake - it's worth the trip!!

Stamps, Paper and Ink - Cindy has a beautiful blog! I am in awe every day of the art she posts on her blog. I also love it because it is a SU focused blog!

PagePlans - a sketch challenge blog. Even though I haven't had a chance to play every week in quite some time, I still love to go check it out!! They have great sketches and a wonderful design team!! And they are starting the search for a new design team very soon. I tried out last time and didn't make the cut - but that is okay! I'll try again this time and hope that you'll join me!!

OLW - another non-stamping blog --- but it's scrapping, so that's close, right? (says the stamper who is not a scrapper, yet wants to be......but isn't really one yet, b/c honestly......they are worlds apart - for me at least!) So, if I'm not a scrapper, why do I love this blog? 2 reasons: ONE: I would like to be a scrapper - esp. one that looks at the bigger picture and not just "today was a holiday" kind. My goal is to start and work back through all the one little words. TWO: thought-provoking posts!!! They always make me think, always make me feel. And looking at how other women are thinking and feeling, I feel not-so-alone in this world.

oh my. I could keep going and going and going, but I'm going to stop and go sneak a bite of brownie as I start dinner. That's the thing with blogland - you keep discovering new wonderful blogs and in a perfect world, the vacuum would run itself, the bathroom would never be dirty and I would just speak the words "fettucine alfredo, ceasar salad, grilled chicken, cheesecake" in front of an appliance resembling my microwave and 30 minutes later, a ding and dinner would be done! I tried it last night and it didn't work.

Have a beautiful evening!!

Awe-Struck

About a week ago, my SBS sis Denise gave me an award! Denise is a super talented stamper and for her to give this to me just really means so much! I'm just so touched girl - you have no idea!!

I need to pass this award on to 7 other people who inspire me. That's pretty tough as I have lots and lots of blogs that I love to read. I haven't blurfed around much over the past few weeks but there are a few blogs that I've clicked on first so that's what I'll pull from this time. Here they are in no particular order:

DannisDoodles - I first saw her work on ebay and even own one of her cards. I bought it to give to one of my lia gals but haven't been able to part with it yet. She is not only a great cardmaker, but I really enjoy her blog b/c she shares so much of herself and her faith in her blog. It's always an uplifting read and touches my soul. She is one of those gals that even though you don't know her, you feel like she's one of your very good friends.

Kim at Paper in the Works - a recent blog discovery for me but her cards are just gorgeous! all those layers and details are definitely inspiring to me!!

Emily at 3 peas {in a pod} - she is a rockin scrapbooker, let me tell you! I'm not a scrapbooker, but I adore her style and would love to make scrapbook pages like her. I have no doubt that when I do sit down to scrap, her blog will be open and I'll be taking MUCH inspiration from her! She is another gal with just so much love for God that it oozes out of the screen. I love that and I love being uplifted when I read her blog!

Vicki at Stamped Smiles - she took a break from blogging many months ago and I was thrilled when she came back. She makes great stuff!!

Cindy - Stamps, Paper and Ink - love her blog! It's almost always just SU stuff too, which totally inspires me! She is a great designer and has a clean and crisp style!

Maren at Zany not Crazy - one of my favorite stampers!

Ann at StamperDog - Awesome SU lady!!

Melissa Phillips - I've always admired her stuff. That shabby chic look is so cool!!

So that's my list - I could've lists TONS more, believe me, but I'm forcing myself to stop!! Go check them out if they are not already on your list!