We interrupt this blog for a Public Service Announcement

I just watched Bill Moyers Journal on PBS and hope that you will all either find it on your local PBS station or go to the PBS website and watch it. Here's the link - Bill Moyers Journal - please take a little time out of your day to watch this. It is an eye opening look at what lengths the health insurance industry in this country is willing to go to, to ensure that their shareholders are happy and their profits are high.

If you have not seen Michael Moore's film "Sicko" I encourage you to watch that as well. The guest on Bill Moyer's show is the former head of Corporate Communications for CIGNA Insurance and says that Michael Moore "hit the nail on the head" with his film. He left the company voluntarily for personal and ethical reasons - you just have to watch, it's quite an education.

The health insurance industry is behind the commercials warning us about a government run health care plan, spouting false claims and warnings....all to keep their executives in the style to which they have become accustomed.

Please pass the link along if you can...the Internet is a wonderful thing especially when it is used to inform We, the people!

Happy 4th of July!!

I thought I’d share a little project I put together for the CardsForHeroes.org and Richard’s Coffee Shop this Independence Day. I made some cards for the coffee shop to sell and when someone buys them they can write a message to a Hero inside, then I will send them along to CardsForHeroes.org. The coffee shop keeps the proceeds from the cards and the cards get sent overseas to someone who needs a kind word from home. It’s a win-win situation!
This is the box I put together in which to display them – it took longer than I thought it would!

I apologize for the dark photo, but it was about 3am, I was very tired, and the lighting was not that great.
Here are the cards I included:



I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday! Fireworks, cookouts, friends….what could be better? Please take a moment during this holiday weekend to remember our troops who are far from home, may they stay safe and come home soon!

New Pendants from Spellbinders - you can win them!

You have to go see what Becca has done with these new shapes! Her work is so fabulous. Spellbinders has a contest going on right now, too, so be sur to enter.

clipped from www.amazingpapergrace.com

Excellent Blog Candy

clipped from thescrapmaster.blogspot.com Included in this amazing blog candy prize is the following: *3 Sheets of 8.5X11 Stampin' UP Melon Mambo Cardstock *3 Sheets of 8.5X11 Stampin' UP Soft Suede Cardstock *3 Sheets of 8.5X11 Stampin' UP Dusty Durango Cardstock *3 Sheets of 8.5X11 Stampin' UP Crushed Curry Cardstock *3 Sheets of 8.5X11 Stampin' UP Bermuda Bay Cardstock *3 Sheets of 8.5X11 Stampin' UP Rich Razzleberry Cardstock (Cardstock Retail $5.50 per pack) *1 yard of each Stampin' UP In Color 09-10 Polka Dot 1/2inch Grosgrain ribbon (Retail $9.95 per roll) *1 set of Stampin' UP In Color markers (1 of each color, 6 markers total, Retail $17.95 for a set)

Candy

clipped from daydreamsbymichelle.blogspot.com clipped from prairiefairy.blogspot.com

I’m not a complete slacker

I have made a few cards – one to keep on hand just in case and some for the CardsforHeroes.org to send over to the troops.

This one I shall keep around in case a birthday or special occasion sneaks up on me. I used one of my crocheted flowers and Hero Arts stamps. PTI paper – Raspberry Fizz, Summer Sunrise and Dark Chocolate.

Here are some of the cards for the troops:

More Hero Arts stamps

Look ma, no layers! I stamped all of the images directly on the card front and I like it! The fern and swirly thing are Hero Arts, the verse is from The Cat’s Pajamas.

Cuttlebug embossing folder, Inkadinkado stamp.

Different CB embossing folder, Hero Arts stamp.

This one is really simple – patterned paper, Fiskars Apron Lace border punch and a stamp (dunno company).

Same as above, SU border punch, flowers, stamp (CTMH, I think).

I did a few more of each one and just changed up the verse and/or the paper and embellishments, but these were quick to make and hopefully will brighten someone’s day. I intend to get more done this evening and over the weekend and send them off next week. I hope to make this an ongoing project of mine and send some at least once a month, if not more often.

If you would like to join this effort just click the link above and check it out. I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

More cupcake blog candy

Mudmaven has some very delightful blog candy offerings on her blog and some gorgeous cards to look at as well, so hop on over and check it out.

Cards and some more candy

Just a few cards I made a couple of weeks ago, just for fun:

CB Embossing folder, Hero Arts sentiment stamp

SU Top Note die, Hero Arts sentiment and butterfly stamps, Savvy (or Memory Box) flowers. I don’t know why I made the flowers green, there aren’t any green flowers…*sigh*. The butterfly is stamped on patterned paper, heat embossed and cut out.

Same as above but this time I got the color of the flowers right – yay!

Birthday card for a dear friend of mine. Handmade flowers using Marvy and Punch Bunch punches, MS butterfly punch, Fiskars Apron Lace border punch, Punch Bunch leaf punches, Doodlebug Designs paper.

And now what you’ve been waiting for – the candy! It’s not from me, Hope has some sweet Elzy candy on her blog, Hope Stamps Eternal. I have wanted those cupcake stamps since I first saw them – they are adorable! I’m off to throw my name in the hat :-)

Who doesn't love free stamps??

Shirley over at Card Art, Etc. has a $25 gift certificate to Impression Obsession to give away to one lucky winner. Shirley's work is outstanding so be sure to have a look around while you are there and don't forget to enter - the drawing is July 1st.

Holy Moly!

You have to go see this very generous blog candy - Creating from the Heart - Melissa has outdone herself this time! Hurry - the drawing is June 12!