What a crazy day!

What a crazy day yesterday was! I am sorry that there was no "Thankful Thursday" post, but we were so busy all day that I hardly had time to breathe. We spent the day running in and out visiting schools for Alexa for Kindergarten. Where we are you get to pick a school (School of Choice - they call it), but it is really you pick a school and we'll see if there is room enough for your child to fit in. Long gone are the neighborhood schools so I learned. It was so frustrating and will continue to be until we figure out where she will attend. I may have to look into homeschooling - we shall see.

Anyway, since there was no post yesterday I wanted to be sure to get one up today. This is a card I made a while back, but never posted - I have no reason why. I love this card and this stamp set is one of my all time favorites. Enjoy!

You can find my "To You" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes and Best Yet

Paper: Whisper White, Tangerine Tango and Kiwi Kiss DSP

Inks: Tangerine Tango and Chocolate Chip

Accessories: White Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Paper Piercer and adhesive

Sister's Purse Color Challenge #19

Last week I had a few participants, beside my sister and I, in the challenge. You can find my Mother-in-Laws HERE and I will post the second one later on. The lady who made it is sending to her mother and I don't want to ruin the surprise. It's very pretty too!

On to this weeks challenge. I picked this bright tote bag. I love tote bags like this. YOu can keep everything you would ever need in it and with 2 kiddies, I need the room. You can find this Rafe New York Adriana Large Shoulder bag on Zappos.com or HERE for a direct link.

Color  to be used this week:

Tempting Turquoise, Certianly Celery and Very Vanilla

You can add a neutral if you like, 

but it's not necessary.

For my card this week I wanted to try to do a card with little layering. I thought that if I did simple flowers right on the Very Vanilla it would look really pretty. I am not too pleased with how it turned out, but I don't totally hate it either. You can find my "Turquoise Flowers" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Petal Pizzazz & Best Yet

Paper: Very Vanilla and Certainly Celery

Inks: Tempting Turquoise and Certainly Celery 

Accessories: Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals and adhesive

* * There has been a delay in Becky's card. I will post it when I receive it. * *

Want to play along?: Leave us a comment on this post where your card is located. If uploading to SCS please use the keyword SPCC19 (Gallery HERE) for this weeks entry, so we can find your card quickly. We will pick our favorites and post them with next weeks challenge. Should be lots of fun!

From my Secret Sis

I just wanted to share a what I have been getting in the mail from my Secret Sis. She has been so generous! From paper, ribbon, card examples and teas - everything is absolutely wonderful! I love everything and Alexa loves the little babies - which are not shown, she has been playing with them - and Ben loved his card - see the giraffe with the "3" card (too cute)! 

Thanks again BIG SIS for being so thoughtful!

Change it up Tuesday #24

This weeks "Change it up Tuesday" (#24) I wanted to try remake one of my older cards that had beads on it. I ordered more of the Bead Duos from Stampin' Up! just so I could do this card for my "Change it up Tuesday" post. I am hoping that I will find more reasons to use the beads besides on this card. Any ideas? I may have to challenge myself to use the beads on a few cards this week so I just don't let them sit in the drawer. I hate getting supplies and hardly using them! Anyway, I think I still like the first card better this time. What do you think?

My old card - "Fun with Beads" details can be found on SCS HERE.

My "Change it up Tuesday" card - Fun with Beads - Take 2" details can be found on SCS HERE.

* * Congrats to Robyn at "Rainbows by Robyn" who will be receiving last weeks - #23 - "Change it up Tuesday" card for leaving a comment. For your chance to get this week card, be sure to leave a comment!  * *

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 CIUT24 (Gallery HERE). For fun, I will pick from those commenting (with or without a card) on Monday (3/2) 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!

Plant update & what I am doing

I wanted to give you all an update on our plants. If you remember from the post "Here's what the kids are up to" that they planted seeds with their dad for our garden. So here it is a week later and this is what has taken up residence on my dining room table. 

Almost everything has sprouted - with the exception of the green peppers. Hopefully they will take off real soon, they are one of my favorites.

And since Ben and Charlie's birthday party is rapidly approaching, I have been busily cleaning and making decorations. Here is a sneak peak at the cute decor - it's a cowboy party if you can't tell. Well, I am off to do a little more cleaning while the kids are all tucked in for the night (I hope), then I am off to bed myself. Hope you have a great evening!

Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #42

When I went through the new catalog I knew that I had to have the stamp set Trendy Trees and when my box from UPS showed up yesterday, I tore into it with all my might. This set was immediately opened and inked up - even before I went through the box to be sure everything was there! I played with it most of the day - I will show you more of those later, but I wanted to share this one. I made it using the colors from Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #42 colors.

Last night while playing with my NEW Trendy Trees stamp set I thought that one of the tree trunks and leaves would make an adorable chick if done right. I am probably not the first to think of this, but I was dying to try it. I got up early this morning and went straight to my craft room to give it a whirl. I LOVE how it came out. What do you think?

Sorry the picture is kind of dark- it is a little overcast here this morning. I will try to get a better picture of it later on if it brightens up. I printed the "Hi Chick" from my computer using Stamp Monkeys codes for the color values. I love that she has them listed so you can print exactly what words you want in the SU colors.

You can find my "Hi Chick!" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Trendy Trees

Paper: Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss and Really Rust

Inks: Kiwi Kiss, More Mustard and Really Rust

Accessories: White Grosgrain Ribbon, Word Window Punch, Google Eyes, Dimensionals and adhesive

ATS Challenge #12

Here is another card I made for the All That Scraps Design Team Challenge. This one is for Challenge #12 - another color challenge.  I had lots of fun with this one. I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to create the background and then I went to town punching holes in the scallop medallion. I wanted one of the "Happy Birthday's" to be pink, but I got carried away and before I realized it, it was too late. I still like how it turned out.

You can find my "Holey Cupcake" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: CC Designs It's my Birthday

Paper: Kraft, Pink Passion, Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla

Ink: Always Artichoke, Pink Passion and Only Orange

Accessories: Circle Punches, Paper Piercer, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Scallop Nestabilities, Dimensionals and adhesive

Purse Challenge Participant!

My sweet Mother-in-Law participated in my "Sister's Purse Color Challenge #18". I am so excited that she did and wanted to share her lovely card!

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Celebrate Everything and Enjoy Every Moments

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Sahara Sand and Petals & Paisley DSP

Inks: Tempting Turquoise

Accessories: Oval Punches, Corner Rounder, Stickles Glitter Glue, Buttons, Hemp Twine and adhesive

She did a great job and I think the card is beautiful!

Look at all the goodies found!

Just wanted to post a few sites that I have come across that are offering up some goodies and have amazing projects shared.

Bev over at "All the things I love" is celebrating! Her site is really amazing and all of her projects are stunning! Check it out and wish her congrats on her views and a Happy Birthday too.

Another great blog that is offering up some goodies is Steph over the pond at "Much Ado about Nothing". I however disagree with her blog title - she has a bunch ado about many great things! She is celebrating all her blog views as well! Stop by her blog and check out all the really stunning things she has made! It's SPECTACULAR!

February's Flood Swap Cards

Here are the two cards I sent out to the ladies for this month's flood swap! It really like the cards this time - ok I admit - I always really like the cards I send out. Could be that I am partial and that I made them, but this time they both are really pretty. Let me know what you think. Enjoy!

You can find my "Bird with Flower" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Fun and Fast Notes

Paper: Whisper White and Bashful Blue

Inks: Black StazOn, Tempting Turquoise, Only Orange, Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana, and Certainly Celery

Accessories: Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper Crimper, Dimensionals and adhesive

You can find my "Silhouette Stems" card on SCS HERE.

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, 

Very Vanilla and Raspberry Tart DSP

Inks: Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red and Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Square Punches, Chocolate Chip Poly-twill Ribbon, Dimensionals and adhesive

Thankful Thursday #22

Today I am thankful for:

"Kids doing their chores"

We have started working with the kids to get them to help out around the house with their own chores. We have had our ups and downs, but today was an EXCELLENT day! They were very helpful. Their favorite chore is throwing the dirty clothes over the banister and kicking them down the stairs. I took a picture, but decided to post the one of Alexa picking up the toys instead. No one wants to see my skivvies, that's for sure! So today I am thankful for the kids happily doing their chores without any incidents.

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 #18

This is a beauty! Becky picked out this weeks entry for our weekly "Sister's Purse Color Challenge" and I think that it is a cutie. This Offhand Designs Sabrina bag can be found in many different colors. I just happened to like this one. You can find all the details on eBags.com or HERE.  Right now it's on sale for 20% off.

Color to be used this week:

Sahara Sand and Tempting Turquiose

You can add a neutral if you like, 

but it's not necessary.

Becky made this cute little scallop birthday card for the challenge when she was visiting last week. I accused her of copying my design and she just laughed. She said that she stamped more on the background and used a different stamp for the focal point - so it wasn't copied, just inspired. I guess we all are guilty of using someone cards for inspiration. You can find it on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes

Paper: Tempting Turquoise

Inks: Basic Black

Accessories: Scallop Die, Corner Rounder Punch and Adhesive

So do you see what I was talking about with the "copying" that was done. I am glad that I can inspire her work. We have so much fun with this challenge and it was fun to actually do it together this time. 

For my card, I went with a normal sized card and stamped the background with those cute little blowers from the Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set. I stamped the ballon on Whisper White, cut it out, glued it to the Sahara Sand and then added Crystal Effects to give it the shine like balloons have. I LOVE the way it turned out. You can find my "Birthday Balloon" card on SCS - HERE.

 Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Sahara Sand and Whisper White

Inks: Basic Black and Tempting Turquoise

Accessories: Scallop Edge 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 SPCC18 (Gallery HERE) for this weeks entry, so we can find your card quickly. We will pick our favorites and post them with next weeks challenge. Should be lots of fun!

Change it up Tuesday #23 & All That Scraps Challenge #31

I combined this weeks "Change it up Tuesday" with another challenge. I have told you that I have been trying to play catch up on all the past All That Scraps Design Team Challenges. Since I used their stamp set by CC Designs: It's My Birthday on my old card I decided that this would be the perfect time to incorporate their Challenge #31 - a color challenge - into a "Change it up Tuesday" card. I really like how the "Change it up Tuesday" card turned out, but I think I am a little partial to the first one I did - that's one of my favorite color combos!

My old card - "Inchie Cupcakes" details can be found on SCS HERE

My "Change it up Tuesday" card - "Inchie Cupcakes - Take 2" details can be found on SCS HERE.

* * Since Rachel at My Cardstock Creations was my only comment on my last "Change it up Tuesday" post, she will receive last weeks card. You will have another card from me in your mailbox real soon Rachel! * *

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 CIUT23 (Gallery HERE). For fun, I will pick from those commenting (with or without a card) on Monday (2/23) 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!

ATS Challenge #36

I got a chance this weekend to make a card for the current All That Scraps Design Team Challenge #36. This challenge was to use the paper piecing technique. I love how cards turn out using this technique, but for me it is a little time consuming. Although this time Alexa was interested in doing this too. I will post her stab at it at the end of this post. 

For this card I used CC Design Stamp Sets - My Rubber Ducky. I thought that is was the techinque would be perfect for this bear in the towel. I just wanted to let you know that I used Soft Sky ink on the bubbles and then covered them with Crystal Effects to give them a little shine. I think it turned out so cute!

You can find my "Relaxing Bear" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: CC Designs My Rubber Ducky

Paper: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip

 and assorted DSP

Inks: Chocolate Chip and Soft Sky

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Oval Punch, Brad,

 Chocolate Chip Poly-twill Ribbon, Crystal Effects, 

Dimensionals and adhesive

As promised, here is Alexa's Paper Piecing Technique. She did all the stamping, cutting and piecing of the bear. When I asked her about the bear's pink hand she said "that he is holding a sudsy bar of soap and there are bubbles all over his hand - that's why I left it pink MOM." For those of you who know Alexa, she sounded just as you imagine - that "MOM, why are you asking me that silly question" reply.

Here's what the kids are up to

I have noticed that I have not posted much on my adorable kids lately, so I wanted to share what they are up to. Last night, Brad got out all the supplies to start our garden this spring and the kids helped plant the seeds. There was a huge dirty mess - which I did not get any pictures of. I know, what's wrong with me, I always have the camera out. Anyway, here is them posing with their seeds today.

They keep checking on them to see if they have sprouted yet. I get an update every 10 minutes it seems like. They are so CUTE!

A cute card!

I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day. We sure did! Our morning errands and spent the rest of the day lounging around the house playing. It was GREAT! I wanted to share a very cute and thoughtful card that Robyn from "Rainbows by Robyn" sent to me. Thank you so much Robyn for the card and being a great blogging friend!

A few Flood Swap Cards - Part 3

Here are some more of the gorgeous Flood Swap cards I received. I love sharing them with all of you and I hope you enjoy them as much as I am and have. 

From Debbie - This card is so bright and very pretty. I have a hard time using the bold brights, but after seeing this card, I will try harder to use them.

From Lisa - Both of these are gorgeous! I really like the new eyelet punch on the second card. I will add that to my next order for sure.

From Karen - this card is so cute! Perfect for Valentine's Day!

From Kirsteen - There is that eyelet punch again - LOVE it!

From Kris - She did the faux silk technique. I have yet to try this, but I will after seeing this beauty!

From Dawn - another set from a swapper. I absolutely adore the bee card she made. I have this set and have yet to ink it up because I really have no idea what to do with it. I LOVE the floating bee in the circle the best! The birthday card is so festive - perfect for a guy.

From Miranda - I am sorry that this card is a little disheveled. We once again had an incident with the PO - I found this card in the snow beside our mailbox - UGH! Even though it was wet, I still like that colors she used and the glitter on the cupcakes sure "takes the cake"!

Thanks ladies for filling my mailbox full of wonderful cards. I really appreciate all of your time that you put in to making them.

Thankful Thursday #21

It has been one of those days! I was super busy at work this morning and it seems like the day was a blur of one activity after another. It is now 11:00pm and I can honestly say that I am thankful for:

"BEDTIME"

So I will end it with that.  Good night all!

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 #17

How do you like the new look? I wanted a little change from the polka dots, I really like it, but I always am looking for feedback - so don't be afraid to let me know what you think. 

With that said, it's that time of week again for my "Sister's Purse Color Challenge". I have so much fun with these and I am so glad that my sister participates with me. I really like seeing what she comes up with and how much she has grown as a stamper. For challenge #17, I picked this cute wallet. I absolutely LOVE this and I want one for my birthday and for only $24.99, it would be perfect! You can find all the details on eBags.com - HERE is the direct link.

Color to be used this week:

Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery and Basic Black

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

necessary.

Unlike the last few weeks, I really like how this card turned out. Something about how well the colors went together this week, which made me really enjoy making it. You can find my "Baja Flowers" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Upsy Daisy

Paper: Pacific Piont, Baja Breeze, 

Basic Black and Green Tea DSP

Inks: Baja Breeze, Pacific Point and Certianly Celery

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Dimensionals 

and adhesive

Becky's card turned out really cute as well this week. You can find her card on SCS - HERE.

Just a note - I finally added Becky's card to last weeks post. Check it out HERE.

Stamps: Flight of the Butterflies

Paper: Pacific Piont, Baja Breeze, Basic Black and Certianly Celery

Inks: Basic Black

Accessories: 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 SPCC17 (Gallery HERE) for this weeks entry, so we can find your card quickly. We will pick our favorites and post them with next weeks challenge. Should be lots of fun!

Change it up Tuesday #22

For those of you who do not regularly visit my blog, this is a weekly post I do. I call it "Change it up Tuesday". I take an old card I made from my SCS gallery and recreate it - same stamps and layout - only different colors. It is so much fun and every once in a while I am surprised at the outcome. For this, the 22nd installment of "Change it up Tuesday" I went with a friendship card. The colors were so bright for the first one so I decided to tone down the colors for this one. Let me know what you think.

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

My "Change it up Tuesday" card - "Sparkle Friends - Take 2" details can be found on SCS HERE.

* * Since no one commented on the last "Change it up Tuesday" post. I am going to send this card to "My Message Follower" for this month - Rachel over at My Cardstock Creations. You'll have it in your mailbox real soon Rachel! * *

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 CIUT22 (Gallery HERE). For fun, I will pick from those commenting (with or without a card) on Monday (2/16) 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!

Birthday Invitation

On Thursday I mentioned that I was thankful that the birthday invitations for Ben and Charlie's Birthday Round-up were complete. Since they went out in the mail on Friday, I can now share them with you all as promised. 

I printed the "Ya'll are invited" with my printer and then used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the cowboy. I just think he is so adorable! Alexa kept asking me to make them girls and I kept saying it is for the boys birthday party and they are NOT GIRLS. I think I will have to make her a separate little invite with a girl just to make her happy. Anyway, each one took a little while to make, with all the coloring, the punching/cutting out the little accents and gluing, but it was all worth it. I LOVE the way they turned out.

You can find my "Cowboy Invite" on SCS - HERE. 

Stamps: Cowboy Kid

Paper: Bashful Blue, Old Olive, YoYo Yellow, Basic Gray,

Brilliant Blue, Whisper White and Summer Picnic DSP

Inks: Close to Cocoa, YoYo Yellow, Basic Gray, Basic Black, 

Brilliant Blue, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Real Red, 

Chocolate Chip and Creamy Caramel

Accessories: Circle Punches, Dimensionals and adhesive

ATS Challenge #7

I worked on another past challenge that was issued by the All That Scraps Design Team. This one is #7 - a Color Challenge one of my favorite types of challenges.

For this color challenge I inked up for the first time my "My Rubber Ducky" stamp set. I don't know why I don't use it more often, it is so gosh darn CUTE! I decided that since I wanted to use the "Squeaky Clean" saying on this that I should make the bath tub move back and forth. I just imagine it squeaking as you move it. Anyway, the Groovy Guava cardstock is sandwiched between the image piece and the Chocolate Chip cardstock with dimensionals allowing it to move. I added the ribbon as the pulls. I also added a little crystal effects to some of the bubbles to give them a little shine. You can't really tell that from the picture - sorry! I hope you enjoy this one! I like it a whole bunch.

You can find my "Squeaky Clean Monkey" on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: CC Designs My Rubber Ducky

Paper: Blue Bayou, Groovy Guava, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava and Blue Bayou

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Poly-twill Ribbon, Brads, 

Crystal Effects, Dimensionals and adhesive

Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #40

I got a chance to sit down to work on Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #40. I was a little intimated with the addition of the Taken with Teal for this challenge. It is a color I hardly ever use and I always have a hard time incorporating it into any project whenever it is listed as one of the requirements. The rest of the colors are a few of my favorites, so those were a no brainer. So here is what I came up with. Enjoy!

You can find my "Thank You Flowers" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Upsy Daisy

Paper: Old Olive, So Saffron, More Mustard, 

Taken with Teal and Whisper White

Inks: Old Olive, More Mustard, So Saffron and Taken with Teal

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Old Olive Poly-twill Ribbon, 

Dimensionals and adhesive