Stampin' Up! promotions!!

Click HERE to see all the promotions going on at Stampin' Up! right now. There are some very good deals to be taken advantage of - so what stopping you - CHECK THEM OUT and please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks!

Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #35

It's been a while since I have been able to do one of Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenges - or any for that matter. So last night, as I was working on my Sister's Purse Color Challenge, I decided to attempt to do her challenge this week. 

Since I am still trying to decide on my Christmas Cards I thought I would tackle one more just so I am sure that I really like the one we are going to send out. I love this card and it just may be the one!

It is so simple and all the colors work wonderfully together. Enjoy!

Details for my "Sweet Christmas Card" can be found HERE on SCS.

Stamps: Deer Friends and Heard from the Heart

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Baja Breeze, 

So Saffron and Very Vanilla

Inks: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron and Very Vanilla

Accessories: Scallop Edge, Scallop Circle and Circle Punches, 

Chocolate Chip Poly-Twill Ribbon, Dimensionals and adhesive

Sister's Purse Color Challenge #14

The purse for this weeks "Sister's Purse Color Challenge #14" was chosen by Becky. I like this tote - it's really simple and it's a big! All the details can be found on eBags.com at THIS link. 

Colors to be used this week:

Basic Black, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla

You can add another neutral if you like, but its not necessary.

Here is Becky's card. She loves cats so it is very fitting that she used her cat stamp to make this card. You can find the details HERE on SCS.

Stamps: Here Kitty Kitty and matching wheel

Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Black and Chocolate Chip

Inks: Basic Black

Accessories: Buttons and adhesive

For my card, you will have to forgive me, I for some reason had in my head that I was supposed to use Whisper White instead of Very Vanilla. I really don't think you can tell, but I just wanted to let you know that I had a brain hiccup! I love how it turned out! You can find it on SCS HERE.

Stamps: Seasons of Friendship

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black and Chocolate Chip

Inks: Chocolate Chip and Whisper White

Accessories: Chocolate Chip poly-twill Ribbon, Dimensionals and adhesive

Want to play along?: Leave us a comment on this post where your card is located. If uploading to SCS please use the keyword SPCC14(Gallery HERE) for this weeks entry, so we can find your card quickly. We will pick our favorites and post them with next week's challenge. Should be lots of fun!

Change it up Tuesday #18

It's time for the 18th installment of "Change it up Tuesday"! This is one of my favorite challenges I do. I love seeing how each card changes by just choosing different colors. It sometimes works where I like the card better, but sometimes not. This weeks I just so happen to like the first one I made better - I am partial to the green and orange combo though. 

Let me know what you think and you could possibly own one of these cards. Last weeks card will be making it's way to Australia to my blog buddy Tegan over at "Swiftly Created". So just leave me a comment or play along for a chance to have one of these cards in your snail mail box!

My old card - "Just Because - Flip#1" details can be found on SCS HERE.

My "Change it up Tuesday" card - "Just Because - Flip#1 - Take 2" details can be found on SCS HERE.

How to play: Take a card you previously created and only change the colors used. The layout and the stamped images should remain the same. Then leave me a comment where your cards are located or if you upload to SCS use keyword CIUT18 (Gallery HERE). For fun, I will pick from those commenting (with or without a card) on Monday (12/22) and I will send you my "Change it up Tuesday" creation. Have fun and I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Looky Looky !!

Tori, who just happens to have one of the greatest blogs I regularly look at and is extremely talented, is offering up some blog candy over at her site - Wild Sprinkles! Check out all the really inspiring things - her coloring is fantastic!!

1 Down - 39 to go - MAYBE?!

I finally got a little time to work on our Christmas Cards and this is one design that I came up with. I haven't quite yet decided if it is the one, I think I may try to dabble a little more this weekend to see what I come up with. I will definitely decide which one I like the best by Monday and start mass producing. So - here's to hopefully having a creative weekend.

This card is fairly simple. I stamped the poinsettia twice and cut them out and then pieced them together for a fuller flower. I, of course, had to add the little rhinestones to finish it off. Enjoy!!

Stamps: Season of Joy

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss and Bella Rose DSP

Ink: Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss

Accessories: Rhinestones, Paper Piercer, Dimensionals and adhesive

You can find this card on SCS HERE.

Look a blog award!

I just wanted to send a HUGE thank you to Robyn over at "Rainbows by Robyn" for giving me this award. I am so grateful that you thought of me. Thanks again and sorry I was late to post it. It got lost in my inbox and then I totally forgot - but I assure you that I was really excited when I first saw it!

So, being thorough - ok perfectionist as my hubby would say -  I had to locate the rules for this award. Here is what I came across when I googled it.

THE RULES:

1. Post the award logo on your blog.

2. Add the link to the person who nominated you.

3. Nominate 10 (yikes) other blogs and add post their links as well.

4. Let those people know that they received the award.

MY NOMINEES:

All of these ladies blogs are those that I regularly stop by and think are so creative and inspiring! So now all you ladies know you have a blog stalker! I try to leave a comment every so often, but - well - you know how it is. Congrats and Thank You for inspiring me!

Rachel at "My Cardstock Creations"

Julie at "Julie Case Designs"

Karen at "Stampin with Karen"

Tegan at "Swiftly Created"

Tori at "Wild Sprinkles"

Jen at "Stampin' Spot Studio"

Robin at "About a Girl"

Donna at "Butternut Sage Designs"

Jen at "Life in the Scrappy Lane"

JoAnn at "Studio no. 8"

WHEWW! That was almost exhausting! Thanks again Robyn and all the ladies for sharing your works!

My Christmas Present Gift Tags

I bought this really cute wrapping paper with Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer on it for wrapping all of our Christmas Gifts this year. The picture does not show just how extremely cute the paper is. I think it is one of my favorites that I have ever bought! Anyway, I wanted some really cute gift tags to add to the packages, but I could not find any to go with the paper, so I made my own.

When I got the SU Deer Friends stamp set, I debated about using it and had even thought about giving it away as a gift, but I am so glad that I kept it. The little reindeer from this set is exactly what I wanted for my present's gift tags. 

My 3 x 3 gift tag was super simple to make and fits my wrapping paper perfectly. I globbed crystal effects on the nose of that cute reindeer and then covered it with the red glitter. As that was drying, I punched all the pieces and then assembled. I spent more time searching for the perfect gift tag than it took me to actually make them. Enjoy!

Stamps: Deer Friends and  Season of Joy

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Kraft and Real Red DSP

Inks: Chocolate Chip and Close to Cocoa

Accessories: Scallop Punch, Circle Punch, Crystal Effects, 

Red Glitter, Dimensionals and adhesive

Thankful Thursday - #17

Today I am extremely thankful for:

"Sunshine"

If you have been tuning in the last couple of days, I have been complaining about how much the gloomy weather makes all of my pictures look terrible. Well - today the sun is shining in all it's glory! Not only does it make all my pictures look better, it makes me feel better. I am so a warm weather type of girl and all coldness of winter makes me glum. So - here's to the sunshine and the warmth it gives! If you get a chance scroll down to see all the wonderful photos I took this afternoon of my cards!

Feel free to leave a comment on what you are thankful for - I would love to know! Until next time, take a moment to think of something you are thankful for, then smile!

Sister's Purse Color Challenge #13 - Finally!

This weeks "Sister's Purse Color Challenge" is brought to us by this cute purse that I picked out. I chose this purse so long ago, that the information on it is no longer at the link I have. I will tell you that I originally found it on eBags.com and that it is a Cynthia Rowley. You can find more of Cynthia Rowley's bags HERE if you are interested. I still think that it is really cute and would look fabulous with the right outfit.

Colors to be used this week:

Summer Sun and Basic Black

You can add another neutral if you like, but its not necessary.

These colors just screamed out to me to use the cute bumblebees from my CC Designs Bear Hugs set. So that's what I did and I love how it turned out. I did draw all the cute mouths on them! You can find it on SCS HERE.

Stamps: CC Designs Bear Hugs

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black and Summer Sun

Inks: Black StazOn, Whisper White, Basic Black and Summer Sun

Accessories: White Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals and adhesive

Here is Becky's Card. I love how her cards are so simple and her use of buttons always amazes me. Becky's card can be found on SCS HERE - stop by and leave her a comment!

Stamps: It's a Stretch

Paper: Basic Black and Summer Sun

Inks: Basic Black

Accessories: Buttons, Dimensionals and adhesive

Want to play along?: Leave us a comment on this post where your card is located. If uploading to SCS please use the keyword SPCC13(Gallery HERE) for this weeks entry, so we can find your card quickly. We will pick our favorites and post them with next week's challenge. Should be lots of fun!

Purse post delayed, but something cute to look at instead!!

I just wanted to post a note to let you know that I didn't forget about the Sister's Purse Color Challenge. It has been yucky weather here the last few days and everytime I take a picture of my cards, they turn out funky. So, I have opted not to post the crazy looking picture and to wait until tomorrow to try again. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. Sorry!

Hopefully these cute photos will help to brighten your day. We decorated the tree on Saturday and here are some extremely adorable pictures I wanted to share.

I hope your enjoyed the pictures. I will be back tomorrow, hopefully with descent card pictures!

Change it up Tuesday #17

I had a few commenters on my last "Change it up Tuesday" post - oh so long ago. Thanks ladies for commenting! The last "Change it up Tuesday" card will be making it's way to Donna over at "Butternut Sage Designs".  So send me your snail mail address to nottus_2@yahoo.com.

Tegan over at "Swiftly Created" played along once again. You can find her card and a link to her old card HERE.

On to this weeks "Change it up Tuesday" cards. I chose a card I make for Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge #26. I really liked the card, but I kept thinking that it would make an awesome Christmas card. So, I redid it in Christmas colors.

My old card - "Flowing Flowers" details can be found HERE on SCS.

First let me apologize for the awful photo - it has been really gloomy today so there was no natural light. I am so asking Santa for a light box to take pictures of my cards. I will try to get a better picture when the weather clears up. 

** New photo added 12/11- makes a huge difference when there is natural light.**

My "Change it up Tuesday" card - "Flowing Flowers - Take 2" details can be found HERE on SCS. So - I changed my card just a tad from the original (shhh - don't tell on me). I thought that since it was to be a Christmas Card that it needed a little extra "wow", so I added the little rhinestones to each flower. I love how it turned out. I just may have to make more of these for our Christmas Cards - yes I am slow to get them done, at least I still have some time.

How to play: Take a card you previously created and only change the colors used. The layout and the stamped images should remain the same. Then leave me a comment where your cards are located or if you upload to SCS use keyword CIUT17 (Gallery HERE). For fun, I will pick from those commenting (with or without a card) on Monday (12/15) and I will send you my "Change it up Tuesday" creation. Have fun and I can't wait to see what you come up with!

A couple cards - FINALLY!

I wanted to share a couple of cards I made last week for a flood swap I am in. Each month (except this one) I make 2 cards to send out to 4 different people.  I think that there are 30+ people in the swap, so just imagine the overflowing mailboxes with beautiful handmade cards. I have yet to get my mailbox flooded, but I an anxiously awaiting my turn. I get excited when I get any mail (besides those icky bills - of course), so I just might have excitement overload during my month. I think this idea is FABULOUS and so much FUN! So on the cards!

Nothing too difficult with this card. I decided to use my Paper Piecer on the red after I attached it to the card, so it goes all the way through the card. You can find my "Simple Swap Card" on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Eastern Blooms

Paper: Kraft, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Watercolor paper and Green Tea DSP

Inks: Black StazOn, Baja Breeze and Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper Piecer, Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Circle Punches, Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen, Dimensionals and adhesive

This card was really simple as well. I did put the Very Vanilla Hardware onto the Kiwi Kiss prior to attaching it to the card. I hate to see the brads on the inside of cards. You can find my "Tangerine Blooms" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Eastern Blooms

Paper: Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla and Kiwi Kiss

Inks: Tangerine Tango and Kiwi Kiss

Accessories: Designer Label Punch, Very Vanilla Hardware and adhesive

I hope you enjoy the cards. Sorry it's been a while!

Thanksgiving/Birthday Photos

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our Thanksgiving/Birthday Bash. We had people eating and visiting in every room! It was such a wonderful day!

Here is the buffet line.

These are a few of Brad's family and his grad students and in the below photo, Brad's parents and a few friends eating at my craft table.

Ben enjoying some Thanksgiving yum yum!! 

Alexa with her birthday cake. She wanted a pink sprinkle cake, so that's what we made her. She loved it!

We had such a great day! Let me know how your Thanksgiving was.

Follower winner #3

I am finally getting back to blogging after all the craziness from our Thanksgiving/Birthday Bash. We had a wonderful time visiting with all of our family and friends - I am thankful for all of them. I will try to post some pictures later this eve or tomorrow from the festivities.

So on to rewarding one of "My Messages Followers". Around the first of each month I will pick a follower to receive a card that has been seen on my blog as a "Thank You" for tuning in. Be sure to sign up on the sidebar under "My Messages Followers" to have a chance to get your own. This months Message Follower spotlighted is:

Jen over at Life in the Scrappy Lane.

Thanks Jen for tuning in and send me your snail mail address and I will get your card out to you soon!

Alexa's Birthday Party

Yesterday we celebrated Alexa's birthday with all her school buddies. We asked her "where she wanted to celebrate her birthday?" and, of course, she said "The Little Gym"! So 14 of her closest friends gathered together for tons of fun and a little cake too. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the event! Enjoy!

This week is going to be a little crazy since we are hosting Thanksgiving at our house - for about 40 people, that's right, am I crazy! It should be lots of fun. I love a house full of people! I hope you understand if I don't get a chance to post any cards, I promise that I will be better after the holiday.

Thankful Thursday - #16

As I sit here blog surfing I realized that I needed to post my "Thankful Thursday"entry. Lately, as the weather has turned chilly I find myself indulging in what I am thankful for this week at least twice a day. I am thankful for:

"A cup of Hot Tea"

Every time I get a little bit of a chill I find myself running to the tea kettle to start boiling the water and then I find my favorite mug. As for deciding about which tea to have, that hasn't been a difficult choice yet. I just bought a box of Sweet Dreams Herb Tea by Bigelow. I got this tea to have in the evening because it is suppose to help you relax and unwind after a long day. The night I tried it, I was hooked.  This tea contains a mix of chamomile, hibiscus, peppermint and spearmint leaves and it has rose and orange blossoms as well. It's not too minty or flowery in taste - very subtle and not too strong. A perfect cup of tea every time - in my opinion - and I have at least two cups a day. I asked my hubby if that makes me English? 

Feel free to leave a comment on what you are thankful for - I would love to know! Until next time, take a moment to think of something you are thankful for, then smile!

Sister's Purse Color Challenge #12

I am so happy that I can post again. I was so afraid that with the break that I would not enjoy doing it as much and that I would just put it off, but I am totally revived and glad that is not the case.  This installment of "Sister's Purse Color Challenge" is brought to you by this cute bag that Becky picked out. Details can be found HERE courtesy of eBags.com. They have other colors, so if you are interested check it out!

Colors to be used this week:

Pixie Pink, Pretty in Pink, 

Lavender Lace and Rose Red

You can add another neutral if you like, but its not necessary.

Becky was in a polka-dot mood when she made this. I just saw that Tegan's has challenged us to make a card using a circle punch over at her blog Swiftly Created - HEREs the challenge info. So, Tegan - look Becky participated in your challenge and she doesn't even know it - well now she does. I have it on my list to catch up on! Leave her a comment on the card over at SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Wow Flowers, Best Yet and Polka Dot & Paisley

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Pixie Pink, Lavender Lace and Rose Red

Inks: Pixie Pink, Rose Red and Lavender Lace

Accessories: Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, Circle Punches, Dimensionals and adhesive

As for my card, I struggled a bit, but came to this adorable card for a little girl for her birthday. The background on the base has little flowers from the Pretty Princess stamp set. I don't know if you can see them on the photo. The hats are girly party hats that I just used my SU markers direct to rubber technique. I love how this turned out - I may just have to give it to Alexa for her birthday. You can find this card on SCS HERE.

Stamps: Party Hearty and Pretty Princess

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Lavender Lace and Whisper White

Inks: Pretty in Pink, Pixie Pink, Lavender Lace and Rose Red

Accessories: Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals and adhesive

Want to play along?: Leave us a comment on this post where your card is located. If uploading to SCS please use the keyword SPCC12(Gallery HERE) for this weeks entry, so we can find your card quickly. We will pick our favorites and post them with next week's challenge. Should be lots of fun!

Change it up Tuesday #16

Let's start out by sending a huge "Thank you" to Robyn and Tegan for playing along in the last "Change it up Tuesday" post. As a thank you for playing I sent both of you one of the cards from that post. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did making them. Take a look at their creations!

Robyn's can be found old card and her "Change it up Tuesday" card - HERE

Tegan's cards can be found HERE (old card) and HERE for her "Change it up Tuesday" card

Thanks Ladies!

On to this week's "Change it up Tuesday" post. I really liked this card when I first made it, so I thought I would give it a "makeover" for this post. I think the monochromatic look of the card this time around.

My old card - "Happiness" details can be found HERE on SCS.

My old card - "Happiness - Take 2" details can be found HERE on SCS

How to play: Take a card you previously created and only change the colors used. The layout and the stamped images should remain the same. Then leave me a comment where your cards are located or if you upload to SCS use keyword CIUT16 (Gallery HERE). For fun, I will pick from those commenting (with or without a card) on Monday (11/24) and I will send you my "Change it up Tuesday" creation. Have fun and I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Invitations

During my hiatus one of the things I worked on was this invitation - 30 of them to be exact. We are hosting a huge Alexa's 5th Birthday Celebration and Thanksgiving Dinner this year. Should be lots of fun, hense why I did more cleaning than creating this past week. I worked on these a little here and there and since I decided to put glitter on the cupcakes and use white craft ink; they took more time to dry than to actually assemble. I cut the card long ways, so when you fold it down you see all the invitation details. I also scored it about an 1-1/2 down and folded it with the ribbon in-between and used my scallop edge punch to make the scallops. I am so pleased with how it turned out! Enjoy!

You can find this card "Invitation" on SCS HERE.

Stamps: Party Hearty and Inkadinkado Birthday Cupcakes

Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Real Red, Certainly Celery and So Saffron

Accessories: Pretty in Pink Grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, 

Uniball Signo Gel Pen, Glitter, Dimensionals and adhesive

I'm BACK!!

We finally got our computer back. HIP HIP HORRAY!! We took it in because there were these three little lines running across the screen. They replaced the LCD panel and I guess that short circuited everything else leading us to the week long break in blogging messages. I do have a stack of a few things to share that I accomplished during the break, but mostly I spent the time cleaning and organizing the house - a much needed task that I have been putting off. I will show you tomorrow why so much cleaning got done as apposed to crafting.

So "Thank you" for sticking with me during the interruption. I truly appreciated all the messages/comments and hopefully we won't have another unexpected break anytime soon.

And for the 6 commenters on my "A little down time - UGH!" post.  Lucky # . . .

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

2 

Timestamp: 2008-11-17 04:38:32 UTC

is our grand prize winner of a surprise from me. Congrats Katie! Please email me your snail mail info to nottus_2@yahoo.com and I will get that surprise out to you.

And for the rest of you wonderful commenters - go ahead and email me your address as well and I will send you a card as an appreciation gift!

Thanks again!

Still computerless!

I didn't want you to think that I forgot about you all. So here's an update: I am still computerless. We got it back late yesterday and I was so excited, but - yes that's a but - I went to upload some things this morning and nothing happened - so back to the shop it went! So, please continue to leave comments on the below post for your chance at a little surprise. I will catch up with you all in a few more days.

UGH - I hate not being able to check all your sites!

A little down time - UGH!

I just wanted to leave a post to let you know that my computer is going away for a couple of days for repair. So I will not be able to post anything new until I get it back - hopefully Thursday at the latest! Once I do, look out, I will post my "Change it up Tuesday" and the "Sister's Purse Color Challenge". 

So be sure to check back some time on Thursday and for the inconvenience to you all, if you leave a comment on this post when I get back online one lucky reader will get a small surprise! Sorry!

Follower winner #2

It's time to reward another one of "My Messages Followers". Around the first of each month I will pick a follower to receive a card that has been seen on my blog as a "Thank You" for tuning in. Be sure to sign up on the sidebar under "My Messages Followers" to have a chance to get your own. This months Message Follower spotlighted is:

Tegan over at "Swiftly Created"

Thanks Tegan for tuning in and leaving comments. I will get your card out to you soon!

Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #28

Just a quick post as we are getting ready to get the kiddies dressed in their costumes and head out for some good ole "Trick or Treating". Here is what I came up with for Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #28. It was a toughie - I thought so anyway - that's why I didn't make the deadline for her cut off. Oh-well!

I added the Basic Black to highlight the ruby stems more.  Other than that it is pretty simple. Hopy you all have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Thankful Thursday - #15

This week's Thankful Thursday is a special Halloween edition. We are all thankful for:

"A Theme Night!"

So in honor of Halloween, we decided to do our little bit of Halloween fun tonight, since tomorrow we will be busy with Trick or Treating. We got Jack-o-lantern Pizza for dinner and carved a pumpkin before dessert of chocolate chip cookies. We had so much fun! Hopefully we will do this every Halloween. What's your favorite Halloween tradition?

Just for fun - check out this link HERE to carve your own pumpkin.

Feel free to leave a comment on what you are thankful for - I would love to know! Until next time, take a moment to think of something you are thankful for, then smile!