What do you want?

What options would you like to see on my blog to make it more user friendly? I know a while back some of you commented on changing the colour because white is too bright... but what other features would you like? I am planning a revamp over the summer and I am just trying to get some ideas now so I can enlist help *smiles*

Here are some features I have changed in the last 6 months to make it easier for you:

• Added links to some of my tutorials
• Added labels again
• Changed to full feed for Google Reader (and other RSS feeds)
  

I found an interesting thread on SCS about what turns you off a blog...

Enjoy the rest of you day!

More Cornish Heritage Farms tid bits....

So you know they are background stamps...
You know they were made with a masculine theme in mind (but versatile none the less)
You know they will be released THIS WEEK...

But what you may not know is there is something a little earthy going on. Check it out.
I just ADORE that background. It has so much potential I can hardly wait to play with it. Imagine it for a western theme...oh the possibilities. Don't you love the way Kristine made it look like cracked ice? She is a clever gal! Lisa Silver also share a little cracked earth too. I LOVE her design. So natural.
Speaking of natural...how about some more juicy deets to gnaw on...check it out. Or this double whammy creation with two backgrounds. Can you see them? Some more wood as well as tulle. Dawn you are rockin'--thanks for sharing those creations Are you loving that tulle yet? How about NOW? Is that a clever use of a background stamp or what? Way to go Tami!
So now you are probably wondering why I am not sharing my backgrounds. Well...the truth is I am being the queen of patience right now. They are still in postal land somewhere. Not to worry, you will see LOTS of them soon enough. Stay tuned for more sneak peaks that will sure to make you bark? Did I say that? *wink*
I would love to hear your thoughts on these new amazing stamps. Please feel free to share.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

About Me? *lol*

Oh that Jason Sampson...the things he will say *wink* Thanks for the vote of confidence. Have NO idea what to call this except that "It's All About Me" (lucky you!)...hope you don't get too bored *lol* If you are...I did post a card below!

Four place I have worked.
1. Various schools on the island; teaching.
2. Clothing Supply on a military base...issued and kitted clothing for regular duty and deployment for 4 years.
3. Ice Cream attendant. Yes that is right...dished out the yummy frozen stuff one summer during my late teens.
4. Subway...enough said.

Four places I have lived. I'm a BC girl!
1. Victoria, BC
2. Comox, BC
3. Cranbrook, BC
4. Prince George, BC

Four places I have been on vacation.
1. Paris, France
2. Anaheim, California
3. The Oregon coast...what a dream!
4. London, England

Four of my favorite foods.
1. Mum's homemade cookin'
2. Flammekuchem (it's German, it's greasy, it's fatty and it is GOOD! Imagine if you will, a pizza with bacon, onions and cream)
3.Tomato, garlic and basil over a bed of whole grain noodles
4. Curry dishes...medium-hot...don't forget the pappadums

Four places I would rather be right now.
1. in Hawaii, on a beach, under an umbrella (I have fair skin...what can I say)
2. anywhere with DH; no kids *hehe*
3. wandering the aisles of my fav LSS in Campbell River called She Runs with Scissors
4. in Nichole Heady's stamp studio *lol*

Four friends most likely to respond.
1. Sherrie Siemens
2. Amy Westerman
3. Corinna Mulligan
4. You???

The Cowboy Way...

I will keep this post short but first, I must tell you this is part of the reason why I didn't post late last night; we were taking photos from this spot in the mountains until it was dark...it was SOOOO beautiful watching the sun set...don't we live in a marvelous WORLD?



Here is the card I promised to share. I followed the sketch this cards: 25 layout
isn't it yummy? I LOVE having sketches to follow from time to time especially when you just need a fresh idea and layout.



Recipe
Paper: Halfway Cafe: Amarillo and Barstow DP (Cosmo Cricket), Sage Shadow (SU!), Creamy Caramel (SU!), Basic Black (SU!)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU!), Creamy Caramel (SU!), Basic Black Craft (SU!), Old Olive (SU!)
Stamp Set(s): Bronc Buster (SU!)
Accessories: Star Punch (SU!), Hodgepodge Hardware (SU!), Hemp Twine (SU!), Corner Rounder (SU!), Sponge (SU!)

Hope you are enjoying your Sunday. We are off to pick some blackberries and we are hoping NOT to run into any bears or cougars.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Thanks and a quick update...

Thank you all for such warm wishes regarding my anniversary. It was too bad DH had to work! It turned out to be an eventful day with quite a scare. My 5 year old son has had fevers up and down for the past few days in the 99-102 range. He has had a fever of 104 before so I figured all would be well. At about 9PM last night as I was getting my post together for you he started screaming and crying. I rushed in the room to find him delusional and unable to answer my questions. He didn't know who he was or where he was. At first I thought he was kidding. When I sat him up in bed and asked him if he wanted water he said yes. As I walked down the hall he fell out of the bed and hit the floor hard. Needless to say the water went to the weigh side and I RAN! I continued talking to him and trying to calm him down but even his words were muttered and unclear. Trying to assume the best, I brought him out into the livingroom and sat with him talking thinking perhaps he was just sleepy and was trying to wake up. The poor guy just muttered and confused his mother. I really felt helpless. I called my DH who was working and he came home in a flash. I could hardly explain it on the phone before he arrived. After 10 minutes of talking to him he was finally able to say his name and tell us his age. I checked his temperature and it was 98. I literally sat there shaking wondering what on earth was wrong with my little guy. He kept complaining about a soar throat and neck so of course ALL things started going through my head. We contacted the health nurse line and were told to go directly to the hospital (30 minutes up the road). By the time we arrived there my lil' guy was showing some improved signs. We checked in and saw the on call doctor within 40 minutes of arriving. It turns out it was a viral infection and we were able to rule out the worst: meningitis and strep throat. The viral infection has caused some spikes in his fever which they figure resulted in delusion.

Besides the day he was born with a grade 2-3 hole in his heart, this was the scariest mommy moment with him; my daughter on the other hand keeps her mommy busy in this department (falling off of things, falling out of shopping carts, running into sharp objects...you know those grey hair moments).

Anyhow, I know I don't need to apologize for not posting my ATC cards (but I will..I am sorry)...I will do it...I just have to take photos of the remainder and I hope to upload later today or tonight. Thank you all again for visiting me on my blog! You are the best...and thanks also for listening to me. It means a lot!
It's just about 10AM my time and my boy is still sleeping...I am off to check on him again.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Tagged yet again!

Thanks to Rhonda and Wendy!

Boy, by the time I am 32 you will know all there is to know about me with all these 7 more facts tags *lol*

7 more facts about me:
1) I love to travel with my family.
2) I am a creature of habit.
3) I LOVE Starbucks coffee and I take mine black.
4) I love homemade soup.
5) I enjoy singing but I would NEVER try out for those idol shows *lol*
6) I check facebook twice a day.
7) I don't like to exercise but I do it whenever I can fit it in.

7 more things about me and a new card to come

Yes I bet you are getting tired of it...and again, even though I have been tagged I plan to keep it here unless you want to play along...then TAG you're it.
I find these funny. I truly have no problem doing them but have to laugh since I think this is the 4th or 5th one I have done this year.

1. I dream of fabric these days and YES this is stamping related.
2. My husband told me he was going to marry me 5 years before it actually happened.
3. I was in complete shock when my son was born because EVERYONE told me I was having a girl. It took a little adjustment (1 minute) and then I was THRILLED.
4. I adore the library but check out WAY too many books. A little ambitious in the reading department. Too bad I only ever get through ONE book each time.
5. I love taking photos of people...that is my favourite photography subject but after that it has to be the ocean or the beach.
6. I had the privilege of taking photos alongside my husband for our friends' wedding. No pressure or anything!!!
7. One of my blog followers used to date my brother when we were teens. It seems so cool that she is also a SU! demo (that is how we came to be in contact again...what are the odds??)

Stay tuned for a photo of my most recent card...just have to get the kiddies into bed first.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Papertrey Heaven and Bellas

Ok first of all, if you haven't been to Nichole's blog in the last few days then you are missing out! Next, if you LOVE what is on Nichole's blog it is now available on the Papertrey Ink website. Have YOU SEEN the coordinating stamp sets called Borders and Corners for the Marvy punches?...Somebody pinch me! I wanted to order all 5 but I knew I had to refrain and only order 3 *lol* They have limited quantities on the stamp sets this month so don't wait too long to order if you want them YESTERDAY like me *wink*. Now the patience will begin. The only problem I have is they can't get here fast enough.

So the yard sale is over. I am so relieved...and I bet my friend Angila is too. We started at 8 this morning and planned to pack up by 1PM but every time we did we had someone else show up...so that is why I didn't post earlier...that and I needed to feed and bath my kids and order my new stamps of course *lol*.

On a little side note, I have to say I am TOTALLY impressed by a blogging lady out there. When I first started reading her blog and looking at her cards I knew she was someone to follow. But man...this lady is knocking my socks off these days. Amy Westerman YOU'VE GOT TALENT!

Now, for that card I promised. If you had seen the pile-o-junk I had to climb over to get to this card you would have laughed at me. Remember, I cleared out my stamp room for the yard sale (just in case it rained...which it didn't...now I have a sunburn!!!) and EVERYTHING is sitting in my pile in my laundry room. It is a royal disaster. You will therefore note that my photo is not it's usual self...I have no lights or set up going on so I sat my card on the floor and took a photo for you!

Here is my very first LONG NOTE and here are my bellas...(click on the photo to enlarge it)



Bridal Party Memories Card Recipe

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Bordering Blue, Bashful Blue
Ink: Noir Black (Palette)
Stamp Set(s): Bridalpartybellas (Stamping Bella)
Accessories: Wedding Ribbon (Doodblebug), Ticket Corner Punch, Prismacolour Pencils, Gamsol, Bordering Blue Stampin' Write Marker

Hope you are having a super day and a reminder to Carrie...please drop me a line with your snail mail addy!

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

And the winner is.......

post 148. Congratulations goes to

Carrie Gaskin who said...

Thanks for treating us to such a great candy chance!

What did I hope for? More boy sets. Girls are easy, boys, not so much. You can only use that pirate so many times....I was sad to see that they didn't' update the kid tattoo kits. I would have loved a new design this year.

Carrie, please e-mail me your snail mail.

If I don't hear from Carrie in the next 5 days the next number is 89 (I have counted back yet so I have no idea who it is)! Gotta love the random organizer!

Now don't fret...there is a card on the way...I just have to get through the yard sale and should have something posted by late afternoon. I wanted to post earlier but you know how it is...yard sales take up a lot of time. The card is another wedding bella card (with the bridesmaids)...and is one of my fav ones yet. Postings should be getting back to normal in the next few days. My stamp room was converted into the yard sale room so I don't have ANY stamping supplies in there (with the exception of the ones I am selling). So far my friends who have come and had a sneak peak have gasped when they entered the room...they just want to make sure I am still up to my usual stamping is all...and of course I reassured them I was.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Andrew's 5th Birthday

Have you ever looked at the date and wondered how the time flies? Well today my little man turned 5! We took him boating on the Pacific Ocean and then threw him a party. I have some pics to share...





The lil' birthday man...doesn't he look happy?



A boy and his cake...mmmmm



I promise to have some new creations for you tomorrow. Thanks again for your patience. Hope you are enjoying your summer. We hit 32 degrees today (a record for us) 89.6 degrees F...seriously the hottest it has been since we moved here 2 years ago. Living on the coast has taught me a few things...prepare for fog and NEVER expect it to be warm *lol*.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Tagged Again

I was tagged by Charlene Weaver.a week ago and like a bad blogger have not completed my mission. Sorry this took me so long Charlene. I completed a similar tag a while back but of course am always willing to play along.
I have to list 7 unknown facts about myself and then tag 7 other people. As I don't have the time to tag other blogs today, consider yourself tagged if you are reading this and haven't participated! Ready? Here we go.

1) I am a school teacher, and call me crazy but my favourite grade to teach is grade 9! Many teachers shy away from those middle teen years but seriously...it is SOOO much fun to sit amongst 30 grade 9 students and discuss a topic; especially one they are really interested in talking about.

2) I look up to my little brother. For much of his life, he has had to follow in my footsteps but the reality is, he has always been a role model to me!

3) I LOVE (and I mean LOVE) cookies.

4) I have had the same best friend for 22 years. In school we were two peas in a pod. Even though we have been separated by distance, we still talk frequently and can catch up as if no time has passed between.

5) I used to volunteer for a community youth soccer club before I had kids. I loved soccer and felt that by organizing games and teams for youth I would be promoting healthy living in my community. I remember how shocked people were that I would do such a thing. It was so rewarding that I enlisted my husband to help out for a year and we finally retired from our positions when we found out we were expecting our first. Now our kids get to play soccer *smiles*

6) I have *secretly* wanted to be an interior designer for most of my adult life. Ooops did I let that one out of the bag?

7) I am the product of French Immersion in British Columbia, Canada. I am bilingual. I also know and speak some Spanish. Hey when you learn one language, it isn't that hard to pick up another. I plan to teach my children how to speak in French too.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Squash Book Close Up...

I mentioned I would share some pics of the squash book that I made for the Scor-Pal tutorial... up close and personal. I absolutely adore my family and when I created this book I wanted to find the perfect words for each of us so I searched high and low through all my sets.

Introducing for the first time...the Miles family...

DH--the love of my life



Our daughter Livi...the sweet and lovable little angel *lol* Is it those eyes or those curls???



Alli...so very blessed



Our son Andrew...that smile just adorable...we will cherish it forever



Well that's all for now. I may have an opportunity to post a card today but if I don't, know that I am celebrating a birthday with a special lady...my grandmother. Happy birthday Grandma!

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

An update later today

Yes...I am here *smiles*...I am getting through these report cards!
I will have an update later today. Thanks for your patience.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

Some chatter...

It's hard to believe this is post 195 since mid January. Where does the time go? Speaking of time, I need to finish answering the last five questions you asked me during my last blog candy giveaway (yes that was the beginning of May).

Alli vs the Questions...the final call

1. What is your fav technique for card making? Thanks for all your inspiration!

I LOVE shaving cream technique for backgrounds and then stamping a large background stamp over top of that.

2. Great blog...my question is when you learn a new technique,do you make lots of projects with that technique or you mix your projects.

I tend to get “stuck” on something for a while but I wouldn’t say I try a new technique every day. I am always open to trying new things. Generally speaking I do more mixing!

3. Love the inspiration you provide! Do you ever completely toss a card that hasn't turned out well? I have a hard time doing this and wonder how other stampers handle it.

Oh I tossem’! I know what you are saying though. Sometimes a card that looks terrible late at night (when you are tired of creating) looks great in the morning. I just keep them on the top of the trash JUST IN CASE *wink*. No seriously, if a card is just not working for me, I leave it on the side of my table and go back to it either the same day or a few days later. If after spending a week on my desk I do not like it, it goes in the trash.

4. Hi! I love your work!! My questions is what is your most favorite project or cards that you have ever made? Can you show it if it is not already here!

My fav all time card to date was made with Green Thumb by Papertrey Ink. I absolutely LOVE my strawberries. You can find the link here.

5. Hi, love your blog. My question is: Do you ever sit down and make something but you just can't get it right? If so, what do you do. This happened to me the other night, I tried two different cards with two different sets, but finally gave up. Now, I don't even want to go back and try to fix them

Read answer to question 3.

You may notice a blog hiatus for a few days. I am wrapping up the year with my students and want to concentrate on completing the hours of work ahead of me so that I can officially call the end of this month SUMMER VACATION! I have some cards and close up pics of my squash book to show you so stay tuned for those items some time next week. And remember...no fear, I will be back soon. Maybe sooner than I think LOL...this blog thing is hard to resist *wink*

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli

A Big Day ahead...

Today is a big day!! First of all, DH and I have to go to the school this morning and officially register our son for Kindergarten *sniff sniff* and meet with the principal while our son visits with his new teacher. I can hardly believe I have been a mum that long let alone that I have to take my child to school next year!!!
In addition to that, I have a father's day stamp camp that I am prepping for today. I usually do stamp camps for the kids around the "celebrations" and I always create something new for them to do. This year the kids will be making origami shirt cards, decorated handy man frames, decorated glass jars (to hold nails, bolts, nuts, washers etc) and decorated tins with coupons. The kids have an hour to complete the items above so I usually do a little more work the night before to help the event run smoothly. The long of the short is I am going to share the items with you tomorrow. So for now I will share a lil' card I was keeping for busy times like this...



Elegant Thanks Card Recipe

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Cool Carribean, Whisper White, Old Olive, Kraft
Ink: Cool Carribean, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Stamp Set(s): Branch in Vase (Impress Rubber Stamps), Japanese Flower (Impress Rubber Stamps), Pollen Dust (Fancy Pants), Faux Ribbon (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Corner Punch, 1 3/8th Circle Punch, 1 1/4 Circle Punch, Tres Jolie Buttons (My Minds Eye), Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker

Note: Card is 5.25 x 5.25

I hope you are having a fabulous day! I'll keep you posted on how I survive the meeting with the principal. Go figure, you would think as a teacher I would be used to this idea but seriously I just want to cry.

Because I love to stamp and you do too!
Alli