God is Great ! Vaca Pics and a Toot

Well I have Fabulous news. The results are that I have just a Fibroadenoma in my left breast. Its quite large and painful so it will have to be removed but it is not cancerous. For some reason my body likes growing them but the news is good..... God is great ! I know that there has been so much controversy in the news over self examinations and when should mammograms be done. I for one feel that we need to take control. We should know our bodies better than a Dr. could. I for one will continue to do self examinations and will insist for a mammogram when I am unsure.

Damien and I also got away for a few days. It was so nice to reconnect and spend time together. We stayed at the Dana Hotel & SPA and had a spectacular time. The hotel was right in the heart of downtown Chicago on State Street. We walked all over and had spectacular weather. Here are a few pics of Damien tolerating me and my camera...hehehe


This is one of the balconies in our room and the street view from our balcony. GORGEOUS !!!!


This is where we had breakfast and the front of the Hotel.


Here are a few pics of the room. It was very warm yet very roomy. It was really hard to capture the size and feel.


We also loved the open to the city observatory area that the Danna offered. It was on top of the Hotel...38 floors up I believe. It was wonderful, it overlooked the city, it had a fab fire pit that really warmed us up from the Chicago late night air. It was hard to take good pics due to the plexi glass that protected us from falling 38 floors ;' )

Our last day we headed over to Schaumberg and did some shopping at IKEA. We spoiled Isabella and bought her, her very own craft table similar to mine, swivel chair, an art easel and a ton of her own art paper and tools. Which is currently still waiting to be put together.

We did cut our last day short to visit my mom who had just come in from Mexico. My dear sweet uncle Felo had passed away the day before and she flew in for the funeral. It was so nice to see her and visit with her !

So yes this past week was a super crazy week. It went from relaxing, joyful to super fast paced and a lot of sadness. Our family was really torn up by my uncles passing who we loved dearly! On Thursday I cooked for my family. We had a lot that came in from out of town. I made Flautas, Empanadillas, Lechon and Pollo in Fricase. I was exhausted but it was Great to visit with and be with my family even if I wish it could have been for a different occasion.

Despite how busy this past week was I had plenty of time to create before that.
Here is a layout I made for "A Kiss on the Chic". Laura still has some items left that are available so make sure to check them out before everything is gone.

I also got to work with some of the FANTASTIC "My Little Shoebox" Little Ladies line.

This layout is of my super sweet kitty... the kids named her Suger. They are now determined to get another kitty they can call Spice. Crazy kids ! (oh and yes I know suger should be spelled sugar but the kids wanted to spell it this way)


Here is a card I created using the fabulous die cuts to create an open window.
I placed it in a transparent vellum envelope that can found at Cut Card Stock.com in many different sizes.


This layout is a scrap lift of the ever sooo Talented Michelle Lanning.
I cannot tell you enough the sinking feeling I had when Suzy told us she wanted us to create a layout scrap lifting the MLS team. First I groaned abit and than it turned to moaning....hehehe Why is it that I fear having to scrap lift so much ? I really got to thinking and I think it may be because:
1.) If we are scrap lifting it, it must already be FABULOUS....right !?
2.) How does one scrap lift and keep the integrity of what the original designer had in mind.
3.) Simply I am a rebel..... I like to plainly use what I want and design how I want.
However it never fails that when I am done, I simply luv what I have created !
Thank You Michelle for your inspiration !




Last but not least my Little Lady Bug layout.
A total celebration of the Huge bows I like to
torture Isabella with.... hehehe


I also get to sorta TOOT. I have been asked to design
for someone I really respect in this industry. Her work is
Amazing and Simply Beautiful. I have gotten to know her
a bit this past month and she is simply a doll !
If you want to know who it is keep an eye here
on my Blog for who it is in the next few weeks....wink wink

Well thanks for hanging with me thru this very long post.
I also want to really Thank everyone who left me a sweet
comment here or emailed me with encouraging words
and their prayers.... this really meant so much to me !

Have a Blessed and Creative Day !
Warmly, Norma Kennedy ♥

Halloween Pics, A Travel Album and My Little Shoebox

How I adore and LOVE this man. Sometimes when I think about the fact that we are going on 15 years I am amazed at just how easy it has been. Don't misunderstand me ,we have been thru our fair share of trials, hardship & sadness. However I could not love him more than I do and he makes it so easy to love him !



We had a great Halloween this year. I love that our church has a Trunk or Treat for the kids. It had such a good turn out and really was a lot of Fun ! Cade dressed up as Roreshack from Watchmen (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) but ended up looking more like Indiana Jones. Isabella was Snow White. I made her costume and she of course had it destroyed with in the first 20 minutes she had it on.


Seth dressed up as a GI Joe character and Mercedes was a Witch.


It's that time again for you to head over to A Kiss on The Chic.com and check out the new kit Laura has put together. It is simply Fabulous. A lot of the extras came from her trip to Paris. I luv all the vintage pieces that really make this kit so unique !
Here is a travel album I put together with part of this kit:

I also got to create with My Little Shoebox "Imagine A Forest" line. This line is simply adorable and I had so much Fun creating with it. each line has it's own beautiful scalloped pattern paper. Here is how I used the "Imagine A Forest" and I also used a heck of a lot of SHIMMERZ on this one:


On this one I created a pocket for extra pictures and a hidden journaling to Isa.



Here is a simple card but Sweet.......look how CUTE those squirrels are !:


I would like to ask everyone of my readers to please say a quick prayer for me in the morning. This week we found another lump in my left breast and I will be headed to the hospital in the morning for an ultrasound and mammogram. I am a bit nervous of the unknown yet confident that God will take care of me and my family. I thank you in advance for your prayers.

Have a very Blessed Day !
Warmly, Norma ♥

Baby Shower Invitations, Halloween Goodies and so much more !

Every year creating Halloween goodie bags for my kids is such a challenge. Their school no longer allows candy and coming up with something that is healthy but FUN is so hard.
So what I came up with this year are these adorable little Halloween kits that I am offering on my Etsy. I plan on adding a YUMMY Granola bar and maybe a small toy of some sort to these bags. I am offering these as kits with the glassine bags at my Etsy store and you can even order them with your child's name on them .....how FUN !




I have also been creating these pretty hair pieces. These are GREAT for the Holidays or special occasion. My niece simply luvs wearing them to school and they look so pretty and trendy on her.



Another customized item I am offering in my Etsy are these Baby Shower Invitations.
There is something about receiving something with stitching on it so I made these whimsical invites that would be a delight for any one to receive.



I am in a circle journal group and this is one of my additions to one of the journals I recently did.



Here is a journal/scrapbook album I just finished creating. I know I have mentioned here so many times but I adore my Bind-It-All ! I am also loving all the new cardstock that CUT CARD STOCK.COM has been getting in. I used the new Via Linen in Sunflower for this album and it is so Beautiful and feels so nice !



Gearing up for the Holidays here. One of my favorite stamps is this sweet Susan Branch stamp I bought years ago. It was put out by All Night Media at the time but I believe that Plaid owns them now. I have a lot of family members who luv to bake as gifts and I thought how wonderful to make these tags for them to add to their baked goods. I even got to use some of my new copics and of course more of the Kraft cardstock I can't seem to get enough of from Cut Card Stock.com


So Laura / A Kiss on the Chic sent me the most beautiful kit to work with....FRENCH COUTURE. I couldn't help but want to create a vintage inspired altered project with this gorgeous kit.
I have been seeing older books being taken and being re-done lately and I of course did not want to get left behind on this awesome concept.
Make sure to swing by and see all of Laura's kits and vintage embellishments that she offers. Some she even brought back with her from her recent trip to Paris.


Have a Blessed & Creative Day,
Norma Kennedy ♥

Lotus Paperie , Sherry Steveson & a Little Felt Camera Bag

Well if you have not joined in on all the Fun going on at Paperie Lotus yet I hope you will now ! I luv how awesome their challenges are how they encourage you to think out of the box.

This weeks challenge was to create a layout using notebook paper. Not something I would commonly use. However I was very Happy with the results!
Journaling reads:
Before You met me
I was a Fairy Princess
I caught Frogs and called them prince
Before You knew me
I traveled 'round the world
Made Myself a Queen
And I slept in Castles and fell in Love
Because I was taught to Dream



This layout was based off of a sketch I think Vanessa did.
I used once again the Fabulous kraft cardstock from Cut Card Stock.
I also used the new Jenni Bowlin Core'dinations that can be found
at Cut Card Stock as well.


"The Scrapbook Embellishment Handbook" by Sherry Steveson
I was just sent this book to write up a review on it. I was so excited when I got my package opened it and indeed it was a book ! I don't know about you but I am so tired of buying books and when they get here it is nothing but a magazine. Tagged as a book & priced at the going rate of a book. Not sure when this trend started but if any publisher is reading this......helllloooo that's just not working for me!

Well rest assured this is one solid book. Loaded with FAB projects, pictures, instructions and step by step guides. One of my fave features is the binding...very well protected. It is hard covered and perfect for frequent use as a reference guide.


The Book sections are broken down by the many Embellishments us scrappers use. Then each section will cover several techniques using those embellishments....some I have done before others really were new to me.
The step by step guides makes it especially a Fabulous asset for the newbie scrapper.
For the more seasoned scrapper the techniques will serve as a great reminder.


I especially want to make mention of the GORGEOUS projects and layouts that this book is loaded with. OOOOHHH my ! Filled with work from Melissa Phillips, Cindy Tobey, Jamie Harper, Kimber McGray, Ria Weiss, Nic Howard & the list goes on. So overall my review is that this is a well made book that will serve as a valuable source of inspirations for all crafters !


Here is a little camera felt bag I made for my new phone. I made this in under an hour and was so please with the results I decided to make a tutorial on it. Super easy..all you need is felt, buttons,velcro, sewing machine or a needle for hand sewing. Keep an eye out coming soon for the tut and the down-loadable pattern.


I'm sure I've mentioned before how much I ♥ Paislee Press!
I would be in heaven if by some miracle, someday they decided to ask me to design for them.
There is something about Liz's colors and her minimalist approach to her designs that
makes me want to download everything she offers.
I once again used her goodies for this layout of Isabella. I wanted something that would allow me to showcase this close up of Isabella. Isa on this day was so intrigued by the camera and was actually starring right down the lens.

Well I think that's all for today.
Have a very Creative and Blessed Day !
Warmly, Norma Kennedy ♥

My Little Shoe Box meets Hero Arts & another Lotus Paperie Challenge

Ok this weeks challenge (141) for Lotus Paperie was to do something I luv to do which is Hand Cut paper and make embellishments out of it. I look forward to seeing what you guys submit ! In this layout I used a mix of Fancy Pants, Sassafras and Prima PP.
Here is was I did:



I have also been busy, busy, busy working with My Little Shoebox. This month I was given the "Whoo Loves You" line to play with. We also were given Hero Art Stamps to incorporate into all our projects. Love me "HERO ARTS" ! Incorporating some stamps I all ready had as well as what was sent to me I used in these layouts and cards the: "Handwritten For You", Take Good Care Greeting", Together, Four Stylish Owls & Elephants.

This "Just For You" card was Fun to make. Luv me the Hero Arts "Elephant set". It comes with a total of 19 stamps in the set. I also used the Hero Arts "Handwritten For You" which comes in a set of 3 phrases.I also used the MLS transperancies and diecuts.


In this card " A Warm Hello: I used one of the other phrase from the "Handwritten For You" set by Hero arts. I of course can't get enough of the MLS diecuts. For the base of the card I used a Gatefold from Cut Card Stock. Make sure to swing by and take a peek at all the Beautiful colors Cut Card Stock offers ! The color I used here is the Ruby Stardream Metallic.


In this layout " I Treasure You" I used the Hero Arts "Together" set. I also used the MLS scalloped pp circle, the Alpha Chipboard (which I luv using the postive and negative sides together) & Magistical Memories Chipboard all on top of the Core'dinations cardstock (which by the way can be picked up at Cut Card Stock.com).


I had a lot of Fun making this layout "Asleep or Awake, In Color or in Black & White You are Beautiful to Me". Iused the Hero Arts Elephant set and some of the CUTE stamp characters in it. I than placed them on top of the MLS diecuts and hand cut paper.



I do have quite a bit more to come soon. I have more MLS along with more of the Lotus Paperie Challenges. I even have a few digital layouts I created and some fabric tutorials so make sure to swing back by.



Have a Blessed, Creative Day !
Norma Kennedy ♥

GD for Lotus Paperie and Some Etsy Store Additions

Yay I am super excited to say that Vanessa Falle asked me to Guest Design for Lotus Paperie this month. The first challenge was a fab sketch that Tania Lennox created and inspired us with. Make sure to go and check the sketch out along with all the Beautiful projects that all the other DT members created. Here is the layout I created for Challenge 140:



I am really looking forward to the next challenge that I will be working on for them as soon as I am done with this post. Try to join us if you can! What I luv about challenges like this is that it inspires me to create/ create with products or styles I may never had considered before.

Having FUN creating for my Etsy store. I created these tags from a mix of Pink Paislee and SEI I had. It's also amazing to see what a difference a bit of stitching makes on any project.




Played around with some Ranger paints and alcohol inks on these. For some reason as of late I have really been enjoying pulling out the paints. When I was younger and hand more time on my hands I loved drawing and sketching. I am considering picking up a sketch book this week and see if I can pick it up again. Maybe draw and paint some originals for the shop :' )






Look how stinkin CUTE these are. I found this idea on Greenwala. Perfect project for a rainy or cold winter day's. Super easy and a load of Fun ....especially for boys! These are simply recycled toilet paper rolls painted up and re-molded.




Well that's all for today.
Have a Creative and Blessed day,
Norma Kennedy ♥

Easy Craft Projects and September's "A Kiss on the Chic Kit"

Run quick.......as fast as you can ! Because that's what it would take to get your hands on one of Laura's kits from "A Kiss on the Chic". This months theme that I got to work with is the "School Days" kit. I was so happy because I had the perfect pictures for this kit that I had been wanting to scrap. She is also offering up another kit this month called "Passion for Fashion" .......uuummmm...Stunning ! Emeline Seet has done some wonders with it ! So make sure to check out Emeline's Blog if you get a chance.
Here is what I have done with the"School Days" kit:









I am also SUPER excited to mention to you guys a fabulous Blog called "Easy Craft Projects". The reason I am so excited is because this is a project based tutorial site and it has an awesome forum with a great bunch of girls !!!! I have really been enjoying myself getting to know the girls and working tutorials up in the "Textile" section.
For my first tutorial I created is a little "House on A Hill" felt pin cushion.



For my second tutorial I created a very simple "Camera Strap Band Cover"



All of the tutorials are in a PDF format so they are easy to save and print up. Their are so many more projects by so many talented ladies. From how to make a "Resin Jewelry Pendant" to working on an "Altered Birdhouse". I would luv to see you there !

I also got to create a super FUN card and with a CUTE envelope. I hope you are not getting tired of me using the kraft chipboard cardstock from Cut Card Stock.com but I am addicted to it. REALLY ! It is such a fabulous base for any project. Weather you are creating a card , working on a layout or using it to alter a project with. The envelopes from CCS are fantastic as well. On this button closure policy 10 kraft envelope I added a simple but Fun embellishment to it that matches the card:



Last but not least....just a sweet simple love banner I made for my Etsy shop.
What I used was the Opal Stardream metallics in a 65lb cover weight from Cut Card Stock.com. They also come in Opal, Silver, Gold & Crystal. I am so in luv with this weight. It gives me so many options that I did not have with the 105lb.
I think that my fave feature is I can print at home using my HP photosmart printer. Now since it is a metallic it still prints wet but this gives me my next fave feature. Since the print remains wet longer once printed I can emboss with embossing powder and get a wonderful raised print/image.
I created this banner by using this exact method. After embossing them I than added a vintage feel to them by using Rangers distress ink . I than punched holes and added ribbon and I have a very sweet banner to hang.



Thank You for visiting Bella Vida................... ♥
Have A Blessed & Creative Day,
Norma Kennedy ♥

I am sooo Sorry !

I want to apologize to all my Blog readers. I am the worst at figuring out how to keep up with it. I am sooo Sorry !!!! Sometime I don't feel like I have enough to say or post and than other times I feel so over whelmed because I have to much to say and I don't know where to begin.

Well I guess I can start off by telling you that my trip to Florida/CHA was just wonderful ! I meet so many fabulous, talented & funny girls! Everyday there was an adventure with a laugh waiting around at every corner. Shout out to my girl Tanisha .....who I roomed with. She is such a gem. Make sure to swing by her blog...checking out her talent is a must! Here are a few pictures of us girls having a great time:




Since I have been back I have stayed super busy helping Cut Card Stock.com move to a new location. The warehouse is so big and so nice.Check it out:


We also have a new server switch that brought on some wonderful changes. One that I am super excited about is that now you can load up your cart and in your cart simply key in your zip code to see how much shipping is. We are also having a fab sale on all our Natural, Off-Whites, Cream, Ecru & Ivory cardstock.

Than this month I worked with the new MLS "The Sky's The Limit"..... so easy to work with ! Check it out:


While I was at CHA I saw a layout with crocheting on it and was totally inspired by it and I thought...hum I can do that. I wish I could remember who's layout that was. It was just stunning really!





On this card I incorporated the fab MLS " The Sky's The Limit" with some of Cut Card Stock.com shimmery translucent platinum vellum.

I just now realized I never posted my CHA work for MLS also featuring Maya Road/Core'diantions. I got to work with the gorgeous MLS new line "In Bloom"














I have also been working on some of these button paper flowers for my Etsy shop. These will be up for sale in about a week.


I also made these ATC trading cards as a custom order for my Etsy:


I am also excited to say that I have a few publications around the corner. I also was recently spotlighted here: The Design X if you want to swing by and visit.

I also have a few more Toots that I can't talk about just yet....wooohoo !

I have not forgotten I have promised a few RAKS. I had Isa pick out names from a box and she choose......
Jen H
&
Juliana
make sure to send me your address so I can send you a box of goodies. Jen you will be receiving the May Cards edition since Isa drew your name out first.

We also took the kids to a Railcats game:





and the beach a few time:




Well for now that's all.
Have wonderfully Blessed and Creative Day,
Norma Kennedy