A serious moment

I try to avoid posting anything on my blog that someone might take offense to.

But I lay awake at 4:30 this morning, worrying about this. So I'm going to ask you to please read and consider my request.

Thank you.
Lisa
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In an election where both sides pledged to be civil, to run a campaign based on issues, not personal attacks, how did we wind up here?

Supporters at recent McCain rallies have been quoted shouting “Terrorist” and “Kill him!” (referring to Barack Obama). Is a candidate responsible for the words of everyone who shows up at a campaign event? No. But they are responsible for the rhetoric that incites such hatred and violence. They are responsible for saying “No. Stop it. This is not OK and I will not tolerate this.”

Maybe you don’t agree with Barack Obama’s policies. Maybe you think his presidency would be disastrous for the country. But remember that Barack Obama is not just a politician. He is someone’s husband, brother, grandchild, father.

To Michelle Obama, Barack isn’t a presidential candidate. He’s the man she fights with, laughs with, makes babies with. The one she intends to spend the rest of her life with. Michelle Obama already had concerns about her husband running for President. Imagine the fear and worry that runs through her heart and her mind when she hears people calling for the death of her husband.

To Malia and Sasha Obama, he isn’t a presidential candidate. He’s Daddy. I know the Obamas try to keep their daughters shielded from the harsher realities of political life. But we all know that our kids don’t live in a bubble. Imagine how they would feel hearing someone called their Daddy a terrorist. Or shouting death threats. Worse yet, imagine those two innocent little girls having to be told that their Daddy has been killed. That he’ll never be there again to tuck them in and kiss them good night, to watch them graduate college, to walk down the aisle, to tell their own funny “ride home from the hospital with the new baby” story.

So, regardless of your political affiliation, your religion, your social views, or the color of your skin, please demand that there be a stop to this before someone gets hurt. Contact the McCain campaign (http://www.johnmccain.com), your local government representatives, your local paper… whoever it takes to get the candidates talking about the issues, not each other.

Challenge Card

The first of our Bellaholic challenges was an embellishment challenge. We had to make something (didn't have to be a card) with a stamped Bella image, ribbon and at least 5 buttons. I knew Fashionistabella would be perfect for this!

Have a nice week! I promise to get that pocket tutorial up soon.

Happy Fall Y'All!

Here's another card that I made with "Fall Harvest" from the new Angel Company Fall Supplement:


The pumpkins on pocket were stamped in one color (Palette Orangerie). The brown stems and green vines were added with Prismacolor pencils. (I got the idea from this card on Heather Scott's blog.)


I had fun coming up with this pocket design on my own. Later this week I'll post a tutorial to make the pocket.

I've put my Bind It All to good use, getting ready for a craft show this weekend. I made a ton of notepads (thanks Lisa H for the chipboard covers!!). Here's a batch made with stamps from The Angel Company. (The two birds are from sets in the Fall Supplement.)
Here's another batch, featuring Bella stamps on notepads in the bottom row:

(The kitty is a Fluffles stamp by Stampendous. The dog is from a retired TAC set.)

Making these notepads was FUN! I can't wait to get my hands on some more chipboard.

3 Little Birdies

I made this set of 3 cards featuring one of the new Fall Supplement sets, "Fall Harvest". It's a very versatile set - look for more card samples later this week.

Here is a close up of one of the cards:

All the printed paper is from one paper collections - "Rustic Chic". It's one of my favorites because of the variety of colors & prints. The ribbon is from Bags and Bows. (Thanks Lisa H for coordinating that ribbon purchase!)

Rounding up some money for a good cause

Ali's school has a Relay for Life team and they always have fun events throughout the school year for the kids to help raise money. Yesterday was "Western Day". The kids got to dress up in Western wear if they brought in 25 cents. Here's my little cowgirl:


Daddy braided her hair. He did a good job, didn't he? (Sad to say, I am pretty inept at hair stuff.)

I did my own good deed yesterday and I gave blood at a blood drive at the school where I work. (And got this t-shirt.) I've wanted to donate again and it was just so convenient having it at work. Once again, my "slow bleeding-ness" made me the object of a little extra scrutiny, though. At one point, I had 3 blood collection techs watching my blood drip into the bag. (Were they trying to will it to flow a little faster? lol)

Visit the Red Cross "Give Life" donation site to find a blood drive near you. It doesn't take long (especially once you do it and get a donor card) and doesn't cost you a thing. A very easy way to make a difference and save a life!

Quote of the week...

I'm currently reading "The Whistling Season" for my book club. This passage made me chuckle:

"...Father did make one last try at grasping Rose's cookery-free existence:

'But you were a married woman - how on earth did you and Mr. Llewellyn eat?'

'Out'

LOL! My kinda woman. :-)

Red cards

I made a set of cards for my Mom as part of her Christmas present. No two are the same, but they're all predominantly red - her favorite color. Here are my 4 favorites.


The scroll paper is from a discontinued Basic Grey collection. I love that paper and was really bummed when they discontinued it. :-(



I love this Bella stamp! I had to buy it the last time I placed a Bella order. I wish the lighting on this had been a little better. DH just bought me some new stuff for photographing my cards and I'm still getting used to it. Anyway, this card is made with 2 of my favorite cardstocks from The Angel Company - Scarlet and Brown. Both are such deep, rich colors! The Scarlet is very heavy and crisp - it takes such a gorgeous impression in my Cuttlebug. (It's hard to see, but I used the swirl folder on the red layer.)



This is one of my favorite all-time Angel Company stamps, Gerbera Daisy. I think it's fun to color and it's such a generic image that I can use it for a lot of different cards.



I think Bikeabella is so much fun! I love the little dog in her bicycle basket. :-) Hmmm, I don't think that would work with Dixie (my 70+ pound lab)! I absolutely love the striped paper, but it's something I found in the dollar spot at Target a few years ago, so I will never see it again. Bummer.