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!

ATS Challenge #24

I thought to myself when I saw that this week's Design Team challenge (#24) over at All That Scraps - oh no! I tend to stick to cards and every once in a while I decide to try something new. Well, if you saw yesterday's post, I got ambitous and made a treat box to send to my Dad for Halloween. I was proud, but then I hopped over to All That Scraps and saw this:

GASP!! I have been challenged to make another box! So with out a word I printed out the tutorial and thought - I can do this, I can do this (are you picturing the little engine that could). I sat down at my desk and surprised myself. 

As I was putting the base of this little box together I decided to create and advent box. So, once again that adorable little bear from CC Designs Bear Hugs got called on. As I have mentioned before I have a very limited number of stamps by CC Designs, so I had to be a little creative. If you look closely - I used the face shape of the bee in that set to make the tree. I think it came out really cute. Just a side note - the candy cane and the Santa hat are from the Dress up Lily set by Pink Cat Studio.

I printed the "picture" and then used my Nestibilities to make the frame shape. Then I just daubed on color and made it look like a real frame. I was surprised how well it came out.

For the inside of the box, I really didn't decorate it. What I thought was to write a little poem - with the help of my wonderful hubby -  to put at the bottom. So when you finished up all the goodies on Christmas Eve there it would be to remind you (as if you would need reminded) of what's to come. 

Here's the poem in case you can't read it from the picture:

If you emptied this box right,

Then tonight's the night.

That big guy in red with a beard of white

Will sneak down your chimney and stay out of sight.

He will leave your gifts beneath the tree lighted bright

For you and your family to see at first daylight.

So be sure to sleep tight and have a good night

For the morning will bring you pure delight.

So that's about it. I do ask if you use the poem to please only use it for personal use and not for submissions/paid publications. On a happier note - if you do use it let me know, I would love to see what you do!

Stamps: CC Designs Bear Hugs and Pink Cat Studio Dress up Lily

Paper: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Very Vanilla, 

Whisper White and Old Olive DSP

Inks: Black StazOn, Close to Cocoa, Real Red and Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Ploy-Twill Ribbon, Crimper, Rhinestones, 

Dimensionals and adhesive

I will be back later with my Thankful Thursday! Enjoy and let me know what you think. 

Sister's Purse Color Challenge #11

I must tell you, Becky and I pick the purses well in advance of the date - I think we have about 20 challenges saved up - so I was really happy when I saw the challenge colors for this bag. It fits so perfectly for the holiday coming up! This Cole Haan Georgia Large Tote will set you back $130. I think that it is the perfect beach type bag - don't ya think?! All the information can be found HERE on eBags.com.

Colors to be used this week:

Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Gray and Whisper White

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

So since Halloween is right around the corner, I decided that I would do something different than my usual card this time around. I made this cute little candy holder, that is currently on its way to PaPa and Grandma. I even used acetate as a peek-a-boo window, as this tote is see through. Of course, no Halloween treat is complete without my favorite candies - CANDY CORN - and even the frightened dog loves it enough to dress up as it! You can find this on SCS HERE.

Stamps: CC Designs Spoky Spooky Spooky

Paper: Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Gray and Whisper White

Inks: Black StazOn, Basic Black, Summer Sun, Creamy Caramel and Close to Cocoa

Accessories: White Grosgrain Ribbon, Acetate, Circle Punches, Dimensionals and adhesive

Becky's card is so pretty. I love all the "pops" of color she did with the punched flowers.

Stamps: Cause for Celebration

Paper: Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Gray and Whisper White

Inks: Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Boho Blossom Punch, 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 SPCC11(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!

PC Gourmet

PaperCrafts is coming out with a new book - PC Gourmet! It is full of wonderful recipes and coordinating paper crafts. It would be perfect as a holiday gift for that loved one who loves to create and cook! You can pre-order it right now HERE.

Doesn't the front look so enticing! Just as an added bonus I get to share a sneak peak. Here is a fabulous recipe and a craft project by the talented Alisa Bangerter.

Don't these look yummy? These Cheesy Garlic Drop Biscuits may find their way to my table real soon. Here's the recipe if you are curious.

Ingredients:

2 c. Flour

2 tbsp. granulated sugar

4 tsp. baking powder

1-1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2.3 c. butter or margarine

1-1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese

1-1/4 c. milk

Chives (optional)

Directions:

Mix together dry ingredients. Cut in butter with pastry cutter until mixture is fine. Add chees and mix well. Add milk and stir until just moistened. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased baking sheet. Spinkle top with chopped dried or fresh chives. Bake at 400 degrees for approx. 15 minutes.

And here is the coordinating project that Alisa made to go with those babies.

Enjoy Halloween Tag

Supplies:

Cardstock: (ivory)Dye Ink: (Black) Stewart Superior Corp.; (Summer Sun) Stampin' Up! Specialty ink: (Mango Lemonade color was) Stewart Superior Corp. Color Medium: (black chalk) Craf-T Products Accents: (black brads) Making Memories; (chipboard bat, moon) Melissa Frances Fibers: (black striped ribbon) Pebbles Inc. Font: (Black Family) www.dafont.com Adhesive: (foam tape) Finished size: 3" x 4-1/2"

Directions:

1. Make tag from cardstock.

2. Crumple tag and smooth out. Spray edges with color wash; let dry. Apply chalk.

3. Ink chipboard moon; let dry. Chalk edges and adhere.

4. Ink chipboard bat; let dry. Adhere with foam tape.

5. Print sentiment on cardstock; trim and tear edge. Chalk edges and adhere with foam tape. Attach brads Attach ribbon with brad.

Don't these examples make you want your own copy? So go ahead - pre-order your copy today! 

Change it up Tuesday #15

This week's "Change it up Tuesday" is one I did for Tegan's color challenge on her blog Swiftly Created. I love a good color challenge and when I completed this card the first, I thought to myself - "now why didn't I use the blue as the background color?" So - of course this is a perfect "Change it up Tuesday" card to recreate.

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

My "Change it up Tuesday" card - "Floating By - Take 2" details are 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 CIUT15 (Gallery HERE). For fun, I will pick from those commenting (with or without a card) on Monday (11/3) 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 walk in the park . . .

Yesterday afternoon was beautiful here, so we put on our walking shoes and headed to the park for a walk. Ben and Alexa carried bags and as we walked they collected pine-cones, leaves and all sorts of other goodies. When we came to the end of our walk we saw a sign that said not to remove things from the park - oops.

Here are a few of my favorite shots. Enjoy!!

And the winner is...

Alexa wanted to pick the winner of my "Celebration Candy" & Ben did the honors of holding the basket. 

Congratulations #3 okienurse

and 

since Ben wanted to pick too - #6 Tori Wild is getting a little surprise too. 

Please email your address to nottus_2@yahoo.com and I will get your winnings to you! Thanks again for taking the time to look at my site and I hope you will all be back to visit real soon.

Check out my Celebration Candy!

Check this out - all the goodies on THIS post could be yours on Saturday! Be sure to leave me a comment and sign up to be a follower for an added bonus! This will remain at top until Saturday so please scroll down for the newer posts. 

Since you are checking things out - check this blog candy out too! Jennifer Love is offering up a Gift Certificate to ALL THAT SCRAPS! Click HERE for all the info!

Also, over at the Simmerz blog you can comment to win some of their newest Simmerz Colors. All the info is HERE.

There is a whole lot of giving going around!

Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #27

So I made this card yesterday and uploaded it to SplitcoastStampers and then I go to check out Kristina Werner's blog only to find that she had posted a new Color Inspiration Challenge (#27) and that this card will work perfectly for her requirements. How odd is that?!

I made this card for a card swap that I am participating in using a stamp set from Stampin' Up's Holiday Mini. I chose this set "A Happy Heart". I love the dandelion bulb from it - although I did not use it for this card. I made another scallop circle card - I am on a roll I know. It's just like the Pocket Silhouettes stamp set, I just can't get enough of it!

It's pretty simple and very subtle in color. I did use a clear cost of embossing powder on the heart, I know that the image is kind of difficult to see. Other than that - super easy. Enjoy! 

Details for my "Valentine's Card" can be found HERE on SCS.

Stamps: A Happy Heart

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Kraft and Bella Rose DSP

Inks: Versa Mark and Close to Cocoa

Accessories: Whisper White Grosgrain ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Scallop Circle Die, Cuttlebug, Dimensionals and adhesive

** Remember to check out my post for some "Celebration Candy" - HERE. Deadline is coming up quick. **

ATS Challenge Card #23

I love these All That Scraps Design Team Challenges! Every week it is something new to keep me on my toes. This weeks #23 is a color challenge and I have to say that these are always a favorite on my list. The colors reminded me of Christmas, so of course that's what I had to do. 

I am limited on the number of CC Designs Stamps, but I found a way to make the little Bear from the Bear Hugs set into a Christmas scenario. I took out my Scallop Circle Nestabilities and my Cuttlebug to create the wreath around the bear. Then I thought that the wreath looked a little plain, so here is where I got creative. I used the little fish from the Summertime set to make the branches. I think that you don't notice them so much unless you stare at them, but I could be wrong. What do you think? The rest is pretty simple. Enjoy!

Stamps: CC Designs Bear Hugs and Summertime Fun

Paper: Old Olive, Bravo Burgundy, Sahara Sand, Whisper White and Old Olive DSP

Inks: Black StazOn, Sahara Sand and Bravo Burgundy

Accessories: Old Olive Poly-twill ribbon, Rhinestone, Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Brads, Dimensionals and adhesive

** Remember to check out my post for some "Celebration Candy" - HERE. Deadline is coming up quick. **

Thankful Thursday - #14

For this week "Thankful Thursday" I can honestly say that I am thankful for:

"an empty laundry basket"

This only occurs every once in a while around here and today is that day. It is so awesome to finally have all the laundry done and put away and it is nice to see that these things can be accomplished -  if only for a few hours, er - minutes (I do have two small kiddies).

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 #10

Becky and I both made it on time for this installment of our color challenge.  For this week Sister's Purse Color Challenge #10 Becky found this tote by M Missoni. When I first saw this tote I thought that it was cute - but when I saw the price, I nearly fainted! This baby could be yours for $489.99 - WHOA! I like the tote, but I will never shell out that kind of money for it! I will tell you that shipping is FREE - so you save a little there. All the information can be found on eBags.com or HERE.

Colors to be used this week:

Perfect Plum, Pale Plum and More Mustard

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

Here is my card this week. I double layered the flowers and used rhinestones in the centers. You can barely see the pale plum color because of the big ribbon, but it's there. You can find this card on SCS HERE.

Stamps: Eastern Blooms

Paper: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Kraft and Very Vanilla

Inks: More Mustard

Accessories: White Grosgrain Ribbon, Rhinestone and adhesive

So Becky made two cards this week. She couldn't decide which base she liked better. Alexa & Brad both like the purple base and I prefer the yellow, so we thought maybe you all could vote on it and let us know which you prefer! You can find her cards HERE and HERE.

Stamps: Unfrogettable

Paper: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum and More Mustard

Inks: Basic Black

Accessories: Rhinestone Brad 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 SPCC10 (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!

Cardinal Plate Information

I posted this plate on SCS (HERE) and ever since I have been getting lots of questions about it. So, I thought that I would share all the information on my blog - not that I mind replying to you all individually - this way I can accommodate them all at once.

I found this plate in the ceramic aisle at my local Hobby Lobby store. They have two sizes - a larger version for $2.99 and this smaller one for $1.99 (I think that was the price I paid). I thought that smaller one was the perfect size for my Cardinal stamp for SU's A Cardinal Christmas from the Holiday Mini. 

Here's how I made this. First cleaned the decorative plate and wipe it with an alcohol wipe to remove all dust. Once it dried, I stamped the Cardinal image with Jet Black StazOn Stamp Pad. As that was drying, I put a dab of Crystal Effects on to a paper plate and added a drop of my ink refills to it. I mixed (dilute with more Crystal Effects to get the desired color) completely and then "painted" the image with a small tipped paintbrush. After I was finished "painting" I put a clear coat of Crystal Effects over the top of the image to give it a smooth look. Finally I added the red Rhinestones and let it dry. Once it was all dried (overnight) I put the finishing touches on it and there you have it. That simple. The hardest part is the waiting!

Kind of a disclaimer: I will let you know that I did not seal the plate. I imagine you could put a clear coat over the entire plate, but I am unsure how it will change the image. I also really don't know if this is a correct way to use Crystal Effects and how long it will last - but I thought that the way it turned out was beautiful and with gentle care, I think it should last for a while.

Thanks for all the questions and I hope this answers most of them. If you find any of the information unclear, please email me and let me know. I love hearing from all of you! Also, don't forget to check out my Celebration Candy on this POST! Take care & enjoy!

Celebration Candy!

I am celebrating all my posts - all 125+ of them - and all the times that you all have taken a break to visit my little corner of the internet with a little bit of "CELEBRATION CANDY"! Here is what will be yours for just stopping by and leaving me a comment on this post letting me what you like best about "Messages from Mandy".

The details: SU So Many Sayings stamp set, Spare Parts Rhinestone Brads, 3 spools of ribbon, SU Rust embossing powder and some flower accents

As an added incentive, if you are a Message Follower and win my "Celebration Candy", I will add a little surprise for you in the package as well. So take the time to sign up to be a follower, even if you don't win the candy you still have a chance each month to win a card seen on my site. For info on being a Message Follower see these POSTS.

I will randomly select a winner in the afternoon on Saturday, October 25th. Thanks for celebrating with me!

Change it up Tuesday #14

For this week's "Change it up Tuesday" I chose this card that I made for a sketch challenge by Gina K. The "Change it up Colors" weren't really of my choosing - I saw that the next purse my sister chose for our weekly color challenge used those colors (so I  just gave away the surprise - oops!). I thought since I had the paper out, that I would go ahead and try them out on this card. I like how it turned out. Sorry the picture is dark, I will try to upload another one tomorrow.

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

My "Change it up Tuesday" card - "Hippo Birthday - Take 2" details are 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 CIUT14. For fun, I will pick from those commenting (with or without a card) on Monday (10/27) 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!

Decisions Decisions

This weekend I sat down to work on a few cards that I committed to doing for a card swap. I love this set "A Cardinal Christmas", but as I was playing with it, I found that there are not too many options as to how to lay-out a card. Don't get me wrong - it is still one of my favorite sets, but I find that I continue to color the cardinal the same colors and use the same color cardstock each time. Next time I am going to force myself to try something different with this set. So, here are two cards that I really liked.

I love the background on this card and how the bows really draw attention to the card. I thought hard about using this one, but I think I really don't have enough time to color all the cardinal images I would need and still get them to the host on time. 

"Cardinal Card" details can be found on SCS HERE

This second card uses a few of my favorite new In Colors. I absolutely adore the Kiwi Kiss and Riding Hood Red color combo almost as much as the Kiwi Kiss/Tangerine Tango combo. OK - so I admit that I love any combo as long as it has the Kiwi Kiss in it. The reason I think I am going to do this card is mostly in part due to that I wanted to stay away from using the cardinal. I feel that it would be a little unexpected to get this one.

and "Another Cardinal Card" details can be found HERE on SCS

I hope you enjoy these and let me know what you think. Did I make the right decision?

Alexa's Film Debut

Brad had the kids be film makers this evening and I thought that I would share their films with all of you. They had so much fun creating these. Enjoy!!

** Note: Ben's is in the post below this. **

Ben's Film Debut

This is Ben's film.

Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #26

I love it when you run to your craft area and a card just appears in a matter of minutes. I only have a few minutes spare to post today as we are getting ready for company to come for dinner tonight - the menu: chili and chili dogs, as Rachel Ray would say "YUM-O".  Anyway, here is what I came up with in those few minutes for Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #26.

Inspiration Colors:

Rose Red, Bashful Blue, So Saffron, 

Wild Wasabi and Whisper White

I cut my So Saffron cardstock with a "swoop" design and then cover it with the punched flowers. So super simple! Enjoy!

"Flowing Flowers" can be found on SCS HERE

Stamps: Eastern Blooms and Hugs & Wishes

Paper: Rose Red, Bashful Blue, So Saffron, 

Wild Wasabi and Whisper White

Inks: Rose Red, Bashful Blue, So Saffron and Wild Wasabi

Accessories: 1 inch Circle Punch and adhesive

Just a note: I have made it to over 10,000 hits this week and I have passed the 125 post mark, so be on the look out for some "Celebration Candy!!" 

Thankful Thursday - #13

I just realized that I did not post a "Thankful Thursday" last week - UGH! I will tell you the reason why it didn't get posted - we had a DATE night. Brad and I got a sitter and went to dinner and had a really good time. We really don't go out by ourselves enough - so with that explanation, I hope you understand.

Now onto this week's "Thankful Thursday"! We are thankful for:

"Homemade COOKIES!"

Butterscotch ones in fact. Who doesn't love those yummy Nestle Toll House morsel cookies?! Alexa, Ben and I congregated around the oven waiting for the timer to go off so we could demolish the evidence before Brad got home. 

Here are the action shots:

YUMMY!!

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!

Playing catch up

I have been slacking with some of the challenges I normally try to do. So, I decided last night when the kids were sound asleep in bed to get caught up on all the All That Scraps Design Team Challenges. I am posting them separately so I can link them to the appropriate spots. Scroll down to enjoy them all!

ATS Challenge Card #22

I have finally caught up on all the challenges over at All That Scraps. ATSDTC #22 is a product challenge - use Ribbon as inspiration. I have had the idea for this card in my head since I got the Bear Hugs stamp set.  I wanted to dress the bear up in a costume and the ribbon inspired me to create the mane for this Lion Bear. I am so happy with how it turned out. Enjoy!

For more details on my "Lion Bear" card check out HERE on SCS.

ATS Challenge Card #21

All That Scraps Design Team Challenge #21 was another technique challenge - Halloween Treats. I thought of my two favorite treats - the chocolate bar and candy corn and I came up with this idea.

My chocolate bar thinks that if he disguises himself as a Candy Corn, I will not recognize him. But little does he know, I love Candy Corn almost as much as chocolate! Enjoy!

For all the details on my "Candy Corn Chocolate?" check HERE on SCS.