Change it up Tuesday #11

Once again it's time for my "Change it up Tuesday" post and I am prepared this time. I got the picture yesterday, so there is no delay in posting - YEAH! I chose this card that I made a while back for Tegan's - Swiftly Created Blog Challenge. I really liked the way it turned out, so this time around I wanted to use Christmas type colors to see if this set would work as a possible Christmas card?

My old card - "Friendly Flower" details can be found HERE on SCS

My "Change it up Tuesday" card - "Friendly Flower - Take 2" details can be found HERE on SCS

** Note for Ann: send an email to nottus_2@yahoo.com with your info and I will send you my "Change it up Tuesday" card from last week for leaving me a comment. Thanks! **

** Added 10/2/08: Thanks Ann your card is on it's way! **

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 CIUT11. For fun, I will pick from those commenting (with or without a card) on Monday (10/6) 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!

Sign up and In Color Markers deadline!

Just wanted to post a reminder that the deadline for me to make you your own In Color Markers - details HERE - is tomorrow! Just email or post a reply and I will get back to you.

Also please remember to sign up to be a "My Messages Follower". I will send you a handmade card by me just for signing up and you will have a chance to win a card from me in the months that follow. For more info follow this LINK.

I will be back later to post Becky's card to Sister's Purse Color Challenge #6 and maybe a new card by me too. Have a great day!

Something to smile at

No card from me today - sorry! There are lots of things going on here and I have no time to stamp, but Alexa wanted me to share her latest Frankie and Bride with you. She loves to make these guys and practically makes one daily. Enjoy!

Thankful Thursday - #11

For today's "Thankful Thursday" I am thankful for:

"the Colors of Fall"

This is absolutely my favorite time of year. The brisk mornings, the changing and falling of the leaves, the rustling sound with each step you take - I love this time of year! I took this photo yesterday on Alexa's field trip to the apple orchard. I got a bunch of great shots and I love all the colors - the apples the mums. I will say that this is my favorite picture I took, well that is, it's my favorite one without the kids. Aren't the colors beautiful! Let me know what your favorite time of year is.

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!

Found Blog Candy

My Australian Buddy Tegan, over at Swiftly Created, has blog candy up for grabs! You can find how to win - HERE - and to see some other cute things she has HERE.

PS - Thanks for the heads up Tegan! 

Fun with new stamps!

A couple of weeks ago I got a box full of new stamps from Stampin' Up! In my attempt to try them all out, I found that I got stuck - well not stuck, just really happy and wanting to use - the same set over and over. Well, I took a break and put my Pocket Silhouettes away so I could try out the Season of Friendship stamp set. I am loving how versatile it is and since it comes with little leaves, a flower and snowflake - the possibilities are endless.  This is the first of many cards I plan on making with the cute set!

I made clouds on the Bashful Blue cardstock using the leftovers of a scallop circle punch and a sponge dauber with Whisper White. I added a little Going gray to the edge of the dauber to get a little depth to the coluds. Then I tore the Old Olive cardstock to make the ground. The rest is pretty simple after that. Enjoy!

Stamps: Season of Friendship (available Oct. 1, 2008)

Paper: Kraft, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White and Going Gray

Accessories: Rhinestones, Chocolate Chip Poly-twill ribbon, Sponge Daubers,

Dimensionals  and adhesive

Sister's Purse Color Challenge #6

For my Sister's Purse Color Challenge #6 it was Becky's turn to pick. She found this cute tote on eBags.com. For a very reasonable $58 you can get your own Saltbox Ikat Large Tote - information can be found HERE. I just love totes of any kind - so this one is another one I will add to my Christmas list.

Colors to be used this week:

Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point

and Very Vanilla

You can add a neutral color 

if you like, but it's not necessary.

Becky's Card - details can be found HERE on SCS

Stamps: It's a Stretch

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point and Very Vanilla

Inks: Basic Black

Accessories: Happiness RubOns and adhesive.

As for my card, I stamped the image on the card base as well as using it for the main image. I am so in LOVE with this Pocket Silhouettes stamp set - it's still on sale right now so let me know if I can get one for you before you have to pay regular price for it. 

All the details can be found in my SCS gallery - HERE to go directly to the card.

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point and Very Vanilla

Inks: Kiwi Kiss

Accessories: Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Vintage Brads, 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 SPCC06 (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!

In Color 2008-09 Markers

I have had a few emails about how I used my In Colors to color the flowers on my card titled "A Card with a Mission" a couple of posts down - or HERE on SCS. So here's the scoop - I took a box of Stampin' Up! Blender Pens (new ones) and my 2008-09 In Color Reinkers and dropped a few drops on the tips to create 

IN COLOR MARKERS

I am not guaranteeing that this is a proper method and/or exactly how long they will last, but for now I love them and I use them almost daily. 

Special Offer: I would be willing to create these "In Color Markers" for any of you whom are interested - just send an email to nottus_2@yahoo.com or reply to this post with your email and I will contact you.  Total cost will be $14, that's with shipping included. US orders only please.

You will receive three Blender Pens turned into Markers - each tip will be generously inked with one of the six current In Colors. I will then label them like mine in the picture and put them back in the original box to ship to you. 

I will accept Paypal payments and checks or money orders. Deadline for inquiries and payments must be recieved prior to the September 30, 2008 unless notified. All orders will be shipped on or before October 7, 2008 or once your payment has cleared.

Be a Message Follower

If you like my blog do me a favor and sign up to be a Mandy's Messages Follower and in return I will send you one handmade card (of my choice) that you have seen here. All you have to do is follow the link on the sidebar (to the left) under "Mandy's Messages Followers" and then send a quick email to nottus_2@yahoo.com telling me that you signed up and leave me your address. It's that simple! After the first round for followers sign up, I will then draw one follower each month to receive a special card with the first drawing to be held on October 1st, 2008. 

I appreciate you visiting and I wanted to say "Thanks" to you all.

Edited to Add (10/2/08): This offer is now closed, but still sign up as you will have a chance to win a card each month.

NOTE: This offer is limited one card per household - sorry I really wish to send you all many more, but I do have two small kiddies that take up the majority of my time. I hope you understand.

Change it up Tuesday #10

Ok - so I just realized that I did not have my card done for my "Change it up Tuesday" entry - NUTS! So I hurriedly chose a card and ran to my craft room to make it. Well once I had it completed I went to take it's picture my camera battery was dead. What a day - GEE! Anyway, I wanted to post this today even without the card - I will add it tomorrow. Sorry - I am usually a few days ahead on making a card for my card challenges, so I was even surprised that I didn't have it done.

Edited to add (9/24): Got a picture and uploaded it. Sorry about the delay!

My old card - "Flowers for a Friend" (details

 can be found HERE on SCS)

My "Change it up Tuesday" card - "Flowers for a Friend - 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 CIUT10. For fun, I will pick from those commenting (with or without a card) on Monday (9/29) 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!

Blog Candy with a Mission

I came across this offer for blog candy. Not only is the candy itself amazing, but what Carolyn King is doing for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients is extraordinary! She is raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer's research by giving all the profits from the stamp set - Whimsical Autumn - that she designed through Gina K Designs.

Each one of us surely knows someone who has been affected by Alzheimer's - a close relative, a dear friend, etc. My childhood Sunday School Teacher was stricken with this terrible disease and even though I was young, I remember how awful it was for her family and all of those around her. Although that was so many years ago, when I read about what Carolyn was doing - it brought back so many memories. So I am sending a card to the caregivers at the address she has on her webpage. I am fortunate that I am not affected personally at this time, but my thoughts and prayers go out to those who are and this is a simple and effective way to let them know that I appreciate all of their kindness.

Visit Carolyn's web-page (HERE) for all the information on what you can do to show your appreciation for those special people and how you could win.

Here is the card I am going to send to those wonderful people:

"A Card with a Mission"

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, 

Whisper White and Hawaii Papaya DSP

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango and Kiwi Kiss

Accessories: White Grosgrain Ribbon, Gold Brads, Dimensionals and adhesive

Some of the wonderful companies that donated to this awesome mission of Carolyn's and my favorites: Taylored Expressions, Stamping Bella and Scor-Pal

And a selected few fabulous card designers that contributed: Sharon Johnson at No Time to Stamp and Kirsten Dubosque at Confessions of a Naptime Stamper

3 SCS Challenges completed!

I had been neglecting the SplitCoastStampers challenges - not on purpose, I just have been busy with other things. I sat down and told myself that I was going to get a few of them accomplished this week. So, here they are.

This first one is from Tuesday's Color Challenge #184. I thought the colors would be perfect for a Christmas card and this gave me a chance to test out my NEW A Cardinal Christmas set (available October 1, 2008).

"Christmas Cardinal Card" (details can be found on SCS HERE)

Stamps: A Cardinal Christmas

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray and Very Vanilla

Inks: Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, and Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Rhinestones, Dimensionals and adhesive

The second challenge that I did was Wednesday's Sketch Challenge #194. The sketch was perfect for a card because if gave me the chance to use a piece from my HUGE stash of patterned paper. I basically chose the paper and then the other colors and everything else just fell into place. I love it when that happens! So, here's my card for this challenge.

"Sparkle Friends" card (details can be found HERE on SCS) 

Stamps: Best Yet

Paper: Pink Passion, Pretty in Pink, Baja Breeze, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White and Patterned Paper

Inks: Pink Passion

Accessories: Rhinestones, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals and adhesive

And now onto the third and final SCS challenge I completed for the week. This one is for Thursday's Way to Use It #184. I love the new silhouette stamps that Stampin' Up! is offering now - especially Upsy Daisy (which by the way is 15% off right now - please let me know if I can order it for you!). The simplicity of the silhouettes makes for a very elegant and classy card - so I think anyway - and I have been wanting to try another black and white card and this gave me the chance to do so. 

"Classy Silhouette" card (details can be found HERE on SCS)

Stamps: Upsy Daisy

Paper: Basic Black, Basic Gray and Whisper White

Inks: Whisper White, Basic Black and Basic Gray

Accessories: Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals and adhesive

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have enjoyed all the cards! Take care and let me a note to let me know you visited.

Another ATS Challenge Card

I love a good challenge and these colors from the ATS Design Team Challenge #18 had me stuck. I think I scrapped two or three different cards before I finally was happy with this one.

I adore all of Christine's stamps she designs, I only wish that I could get each one. Every time she releases new ones, I drool all over the keyboard. They are all so cute! She released a sneak peak today over at the All That Scraps blog (check it out HERE) and I nearly fell on the floor - I just can't wait to see the rest of that set. I am sure that I will be placing an order real soon!

Anyway, on to the card. Enjoy!

Stamps: CC Designs Monkey Love

Paper: Baja Breeze, Kraft, Riding Hood Red and Whisper White

Inks: Basic Black and Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Rhinestones, Scallop Edge Punch, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Unigel pen, Dimensionals and adhesive

Get your Spooky Spiders

Start your Halloween decorating early. Stampin' Up! has added this fun "Spooky Spider" image to its Decor Elements line.  This image comes in three sizes - small, medium and large - and two colors - black or white.  Click on the flyer to the left to see the prices and even more information!

You can use this image to make your home and projects "spooktacular"! Add them to your front door, mirrors, candy dishes - wherever you add this spider will surely be "webtastic"!

To get yours today please email me or click HERE for online ordering through my Stampin' Up! web-page.  

This offer is available today through October 31, 2008.

Thankful Thursday - #10

Today is "Thankful Thursday" and we are all thankful for:

"a YUMMY snack"

Alexa & Ben have just been introduced to fruit snacks and they have quickly became their number 1 snack of choice. I have found that Ben prefers Diego ones and Alexa's first choice are these turtles - go figure - but they are happy as long as there is a stash - of any character - in the pantry. Aren't we all thankful for a YUMMY snack? My favorite are those yummy little peanut butter Ritz Bits crackers - oh, I am about to drool just thinking about them! What your favorite snack?

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!

Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #23

I know - I am a crazy poster today! I said that I had lots to share. This is probably all for today as we are having company for dinner and I have tons to do before he arrives. Kristina's Color Inspiration #23 is so Fall. I love all the colors and thought that they deserves to be showcased very simply. 

Inspiration colors: Bravo Burgundy, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron and Old Olive

I did the direct to rubber technique with my SU markers for the image. Really simple and very elegant. Enjoy!

All the details for this "Simple Stems" card can be found HERE on SCS.

CC Designs Challenge Card and one more

I LOVE the stamp set "It's my Birthday" by CC Designs. It is adorable! I love those little animals and each time I use them I love them more.  Last week the All That Scraps (ATC) Design Team member Jen challenged us to make circle inchies. I had been wanting to do something of this nature for a while and was excited about the challenge because it got me in gear and here is the card I made. 

You can find all the details for my "Inchies Cupcake" card on SCS - HERE

And just to show off this adorable set here is another one I made to replenish my stash of  cards for BOYS.

All the details for my "Birthday Puppy" card can be found HERE on SCS.

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you all are having a great Wednesday!

Sister's Purse Color Challenge #5

Here is the purse that I chose for my Sister's Purse Color Challenge. I love this purse and for $55.99 I might have to not buy a couple of my favorite stamp sets to get it - well maybe not. I will just have to find something else to save a little for it. Anyway, this bag is brought to you by Primo Purses - all info is HERE if interested. They do have this style in a mint and blue that just might show up on this challenge in the future. 

Colors to be used this week:

Regal Rose, Creamy Caramel

and Chocolate Chip

You can add a neutral color 

if you like, but it's not necessary.

This is my card and it is super simple to make. The only time consuming part was punching the scallop edge, besides that, I think it is the quickest card I ever made.  

All the details can be found in my SCS gallery - HERE to go directly to the card.

Stamps: NONE

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Creamy Caramel and Bella Rose DSP

Inks: NONE - again?!

Accessories: Unigel Pen, Scallop Edge Punch, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals and adhesive

Becky's card and all the details on SCS HERE.

Stamps: ?

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose and Creamy Caramel

Inks: Basic Black

Accessories: Chocolate Ribbon 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 SPCC05 (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!

Julie's Color Concoction #23 and Sketch Flip #4

This weekend I had a rest and my creative mojo is back. I have cranked out quite a number of cards over the past couple of days that I want to share and a few other fun things as well - so stayed tuned. 

This first set of cards to showcase is for Julie's challenges over at Paper Pleasing Ideas. It has been a long summer and now that we are getting settled into the fall routine, I can play along with all her fun challenges! YIPPEE! For Julie's Color Concoction #23 she chose Old Olive, Perfect Plum and So Saffron. I love all of these colors, so making a card came pretty easily. It's pretty simple, I just colored the main image with SU markers and stamped away.

"Fresh Cuts Note" details also can be found HERE on SCS.

Stamps: Fresh Cuts

Paper: Old Olive, So Saffron and Whisper White

Inks: Old Olive, So Saffron and Perfect Plum      

Accessories: White Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals and adhesive

For Julie's Sketch Flip #4, she had this sketch for us to follow. The  objective is to make one card with the sketch and then to flip it to make the vertical/horizontal view. It's fun! 

For these cards I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to "displace" the leaves a bit. I first stamped in Summer Sun and then lined up my jig and stamped with Tangerine Tango. As a finishing touch I drew the veins with my Chocolate Chip marker. I thought that it gave it a real pretty look. Enjoy the flips!

     "Just Because - Flip #1"                         "Just Because - Flip #2"          

details can also be found HERE on SCS.    details can also be found HERE on SCS.

Both of these cards used the following supplies:

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes and Best Yet

Paper: Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, 

Whisper White and Hawaii Papaya DSP

Inks: Summer Sun, Tangerine Tango and Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Paper Piercer, Rhinestones, Dimensionals and adhesive

Change it up Tuesday #9

It's time for another "Change it up Tuesday". I really liked my old card and thought that I would give it another go with the different colors. I have to say though, I do like the colors for the older card better. I am partial to greens and browns, but it wouldn't be a challenge if I kept using the same colors for each card. That's why I like this idea of "Change it up Tuesday's". It helps me to use up the colors that I don't use so much. I hope you enjoy!

My old card - "Doodle This - Spotlight" (details can be found HERE on SCS)

My "Change it up Tuesday" card - "Doodle This - Spotlight - 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 CIUT09. For fun, I will pick from those commenting (with or without a card) on Monday (9/22) 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!

Uplifting words by a 4 year old

As I was driving Alexa to school this morning we were having a talk about how big she is getting and that she was big enough to get ready for school on her own. Here is how a tidbit of the conversation went.

Me: "Alexa you are getting so big. You know that mommy should not have to help you get ready for school in the mornings. You can get dressed and put your shoes on - you're a BIG girl."

Alexa: "I know I am big girl - but I will be your little girl forever (with the biggest smile on her pretty little face)."

At that point, I gave up on convincing her that she was big and just appreciated the moment and her wonderful words! 

Found - Blog Candy Offered!!

I was tooling around this eve and found some candy that Misty is offering over at "Li'l Buck's Creations" - she actually calls it "blog booty" which, I think, is hilarious. She has some cute things over there to see, so check it out. 

Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #22

Kristina's Color Inspiration #22 caused me all kinds of difficulty! I almost gave up, but on the third attempt this card miraculously came about - and I actually think it turned out pretty well! 

Inspiration Colors:

Bravo Burgundy, Rose Red, 

Regal Rose, Soft Sky 

and Whisper White

I needed a card to send a friend and this is the one I came up with. It's pretty simple and I hope you like it. Enjoy!

Stamps: Time for You and Defining Alphabet

Paper: Rose Red, Soft Sky, Regal Rose and WaterColor Paper

Inks: Basic Black, Black StazOn, Bravo Burgundy and Soft Sky

Accessories: White Ribbon, Rhinestones, Scallop Punch,

Dimensionals and adhesive

Ben's NEW Wheels!

As promised we went out and got Ben a BIG BOY BIKE. I thought that it might be a little too big for him, but he was speeding through the store and cruising around the basement with ease. He was so excited and I was a wee bit sad to see that he is growing up!

Sister's Purse Color Challenge #4

Here is the purse that Becky picked out for this week's Sister's Purse Color Challenge.  For $72.00 you could have this JP Lizzie Scarlet Poppies Leisure Tote - all info can be found HERE. I love the colors in this tote - I found them hard to use, but the results for both of our cards came out nicely. Enjoy and play along if you like.

Colors to be used this week:

Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette,

Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip and Pixie Pink

You can add a neutral color if you like, but it's not necessary.

This is Becky's card. All the details can be found HERE on SCS.

Stamps: Cause for Celebration 

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Pixie Pink, Certainly Celery and Pink Pirouette

Inks: Basic Black

Accessories: Flower Punch, Dimensionals and adhesive

Here is my submission. All the details can be found HERE on SCS.

Stamps: Defining Alphabet

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Pixie Pink, Certainly Celery and Pink Pirouette

Inks: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Coluzzle, White 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 SPCC04 (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!

Ben needs a BIKE!

So Brad was yelling at me from the basement as I was posting my "Change it up Tuesday" entry tonight. When I got down there this is what I saw:

My 2-1/2 year old riding, all by himself, Alexa's big girl bike!

My little boy is growing up so fast! We are heading out tomorrow to get Ben his very own BIG BOY BIKE! Contributions will be accepted - please ask how you can donate to this worthy cause.

Change it up Tuesday #8

I can't believe that I have done 8 of these "Change It Up Tuesday" cards, the time is just flying by that's for sure. I chose this card that I made for the first color inspiration I did for Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration - Color Inspiration #8 in fact. What's with the "8" thing today?! Anyway, I thought that it would be fun to choose my own colors for this layout and I like the way it came out.

My old card - "Birthday Wishes . . ." (details can be found HERE on SCS)

My "Change it up Tuesday" card - "Birthday Wishes . . . - 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 CIUT08. For fun, I will pick from those commenting (with or without a card) on Monday (9/15) 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!

Hayden's Birthday

Yesterday we took a trip to celebrate with Hayden at his birthday party. He had it at the park and the kids loved it! All the little ones took advantage of the slides, swings, jungle gyms and we even took a quick walk to see the train and the airplane (which Ben LOVED). We had lots of fun and enjoyed the day. Thanks to Hayden's mom and dad and best wishes to the birthday boy!

Of course Ben and Alexa had to check out all of Hayden's gifts. They definitely got their seal of approval.