Mr & Mrs

Here is another card I made. I know - two in a week - CRAZY! I needed an anniversary card for a sweet couple and this is exactly the card I envisioned for them. I made this for a challenge - a recipe challenge. The recipe included using 4 embellishments (designer label hardward, ribbon, silver snaps and glitter), 3 papers (Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery and Bella Bleu DSP), 2 colors (Not Quite Navy and Certainly Celery - I know they have brown hair, but I just couldn't color their hair blue or green. Who would want that?) and 1 image. I think I did ok and I love the way it turned out. Let me know what you think. ENJOY!

You can find my "Mr & Mrs" card on SCS - HERE.

Tri-Shutter Card

I had always wanted to try to do a Tri-Shutter card and I am glad I tried, but I don't think I have the patience to do another one for a while. I worked on it for days trying to figure out how to put it all together, what colors to use and just exactly how to cover all the little openings that are on this type of card. I am simple gal and a perfectionist and when I try to do something that is truely extravagant, well let's just say I get frustrated. In the end - I love how it came out, but you will probably not see another one in a LONG time. Enjoy!

You can find my "Sweet Cherry" card on SCS - HERE and HERE.

For Tegan and all my blogging buddies!

I just wanted to apologize for not posting in like - FOREVER! The tasks of daily life have taken over and I have not been able to get a grasp on things. There is no need to worry though - everything is fine, we are just super busy! I am hoping that I will become more efficient at multi-tasking and get the things that have piled up accomplished so I can get back to crafting. Thanks for bearing with me.

So for being such wonderful blogging buddies and for checking in, I wanted to share a few of the cards that I had made over my very long hiatus, but was just not able to post them. If you want the specifics on any of them just shoot me an email and will will get back to you - I promise.

For your viewing pleasure:

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

You can find my "Praying For You" card on SCS - HERE.

You can find my "Birthday Wish" card on SCS - HERE.

You can find my "You're So Sweet" card on SCS - HERE.

You can find my "For the Bride" card on SCS - HERE.

Thanks again for sticking with me!

Christmas Card

As promised a Christmas card. It's not the one I am sending out. I am still having a little bit of trouble getting back into the groove of card-making that I took the safe route and order a few picture cards to send out just in case. I am glad I did because I have tried to come up with a few, but nothing I have made seems to be the one. Here is one that I made last month for the flood swap I was in. I love this card, but it is too much like the one I sent out last year (card) to be this year's Christmas Card. Maybe I will use it in a couple of years. Enjoy!!

You can find my "Swirly Tree" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Snow Swirled

Paper: Old Olive and Whisper White

Inks: Old Olive

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon,

Rhinestones and adhesive

A really late Halloween Card

I know Halloween is long gone and you are probably thinking "Hey Mandy - Where's the Christmas Cards?", but I assure you that I will have some on the way real soon. I just wanted to share this cute Halloween card I made for this year. I just adore the cute critters in the Booglie Eyes stamp set. I am so glad that I picked it up right before they retired it. I was hesitant, but I thought that the kids would enjoy using it for their Halloween treats in the future if I didn't like to use it. Oh boy was I surprised when I found out that I enjoyed seeing those critters come to life on cards. Needless to say, I have yet to let the kiddies play with it! Enjoy!!

You can find my "Creepy Critters Halloween" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Booglie Eyes

Paper: Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Going Gray and Whisper White

Inks: Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Going Gray, Lavender Lace,

Only Orange and Old Olive

Accessories: Circle Punches, Blender Pen and adhesive

Silhouette Cards

So I thought that it was about time to upload a few more cards. These are cards all using the Upsy Daisy stamp set from Stampin' Up! I love this set! When I first got it I really didn't care for it, but now that I have played with it quite a few times it has made it's way onto my favorites list.

You can find my "Blue Flower Silhouette" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Upsy Daisy

Paper: Baja Blue, Basic Black, Going Gray,

Whisper White and DSP

Inks: Baja Blue

Accessories: Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch,

dimensionals and adhesive

You can find my "Scallop Circle Silhouette" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Upsy Daisy

Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, and DSP

Inks: Close to Cocoa

Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, Circle Punches, White Gel Pen,

dimensionals and adhesive

You can find my "Thinking of You Silhouette" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Upsy Daisy

Paper: Kraft, More Mustard, Very Vanilla and DSP

Inks: Chocolate Chip and More Mustard

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Brad, dimensionals and adhesive

Hope you enjoyed the cards! Now that all of my wedding obligations are complete I should be able to get back to crafting - we shall see. You never know what will happen during this busy time of year, but I will definitely be back in the New Year - if not sooner!

Here are a few cards - FINALLY!

I thought that since I had a few minutes to spare this morning and since Ben is coloring I would post a few cards I made a while back. I got the Lots of 'Bots stamp from Stampin' Up! such a long time ago and made a bunch of cards for birthday's with this cute little guy! Here are 3 LONG overdue cards for you all!

You can find my "Birthday 'Bot 1" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Lots of 'Bots

Paper: Going Gray, Real Red, Whisper White and DSP

Inks: Basic Black, Real Red, Bashful Blue and So Saffron

Accessories: Bashful Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, Brad, Blender Pen,

dimensionals and adhesive

You can find my "Birthday 'Bot 2" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Lots of 'Bots

Paper: Going Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White and DSP

Inks: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise and So Saffron

Accessories: Blender Pen, dimensionals and adhesive

You can find my "Birthday 'Bot 3" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Lots of 'Bots

Paper: Going Gray, Whisper White and DSP

Inks: Basic Black, Riding Hood Red and So Saffron

Accessories: Riding Hood Red Striped Ribbon, Blender Pen,

Brads and adhesive

Reason 1 - Where my time has gone

Things have been crazy around here for the past few months, as you know with the lack of postings. It seems that with chasing after the kids and all the other things I was obligated to do, I just didn't have a whole lot of free time. This project is one of the reasons for the lack of free time. I have been working on this bunch of wedding invitations - 165 of them to be exact. My hubby's cousin is getting married and she asked me - what an honor - to design and make all of the wedding invitations. I was so excited that she asked and got busy designing a few samples for her - I will eventually post them as time allows (keep reading and you'll find out why I say this). Since she has finally gotten them out in the mail I think it is ok to share them with you.

Here they are in all their glory!

Hayley is a very simple type of gal and her tastes are very similar to mine, so it made designing her invites super easy. The one she chose was the first one I came up with. We modified it a bit to fit her budget. The orignal was a folder, but to save a little on costs we went with the pockets on the back of the invite to hold the few things she was sending with it. Please note that the picture shown is of my wonderful babies, she placed a picture of her and her fiance in it's place. I think the whole thing turned out really cute. Let me know your thoughts.

So my posting will not be regular (as it took me almost a day to publish this one) for a little while longer as, I guess, I did such a great job on Hayley's invites, that my brother-in-law's fiance has enlisted me to do their wedding invitations as well - 224 of them. They are a little more detailed than Hayley's and I will show it to you once I get them finished and Muneeba has sent them out. Until the next post - take care and happy stamping!

No Sister's Purse Post - but an oldie to share!

I have to apologize for not posting my weekly "Sister's Purse Color Challenge". I have decided that I am going to forgo this weekly post for a little while longer. It has not been as much fun since my sister quit doing them with me. So, for now I am suspending this post - just until I can really get back into crafting again.

I wanted to share a card I made forever ago and never got around to posting. This cute little bunny, from the Hunny Bunny set, card was made using a sketch by Amy Rysavy from her Friday Sketch #56 way back on April 3rd! I was quite please with how it turned out - so bright and cheery!

You can find my "Easter Bunny" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: CC Design's

Hunny Bunny

Paper: Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, Pink Passion,

Whisper White and DSP

Inks: Basic Black, Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, Pink Passion, and Blush Blossom

Accessories: Rhinestones, So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals and adhesive

Change it up Tuesday #35

I am going to slowly work my way back into this blogging thing. It's been a long time and I am not guaranteeing anything, but I am hoping that I can post on at least a semi-regular basis now. Things have been extremely busy around here and although they have slowed a bit, I am still obligated to a few more weeks of extra work for my "paying" job. After that, I will have all my time back that I usually dedicate to stamping. Thanks to all of you who have stuck around during the craziness and I hope to catch up on everything I missed too! So be looking for tons of comments from me real soon!

So, I thought I would let my first post back be my weekly "Change it up Tuesday" post. This one is the final one from my "Change it up Tuesday" posts dedicated to the stamp set by Stampin' Up - Pocket Silhouettes. I am not saying that there won't be more - but this is the last one for now. I have gotten a little tired of the set and there are so many others that are calling for attention. I LOVE the original of this card and I am extremely surprised how much I actually like the "Change it up Tuesday" card. Which do you prefer?

My old card "Silhouette Stems " details can be found on SCS HERE.

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

* * Congrats to Brandi over at "Yankee Belle Stamper" and for leaving a comment on that post. Please send an email to me (nottus_2@yahoo.com) with your address so I can send you the card from the LAST "Change it up Tuesday" Post - #34. Please be sure to leave a comment or participate for your chance to get this week card! * *

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 CIUT35 (Gallery HERE). For fun, I will pick from those commenting (with or without a card) on Monday (6/22) 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!

Change it up Tuesday #34

I am still using the Pocket Silhouettes stamp set for this weeks "Change it up Tuesday" - #34. I choose this card because I LOVE it and wanted to see it using a different color. I tend to gravitate to the green/orange color combo for a lot of my cards. I love the color GREEN and doing this challenge helps me to use those colors that aren't at the top of my "to use" pile.

My old card "Just Because - Flip #2 " details can be found on SCS HERE.

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

* * Congrats to Jessi & Rachel over at "Stampin' with Jessi and Rachel" and for leaving a comment on that post. I will be sending them the card from LAST WEEKS - #33 - "Change It up Tuesday". Be sure to leave a comment or participate for your chance to get this week card(s)!  * *

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 CIUT34 (Gallery HERE). For fun, I will pick from those commenting (with or without a card) on Monday (5/11) 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!

Another card set

I made this card set to have on hand in case I got another person to sign up for one of my handmade gifts. Since it was so long ago and I only had one person sign up, I thought that I would share them with you now. (You can find the post about getting a surprise from me HERE.) If you want this set of cards sign up on the post mentioned and follow the directions and they could be yours.

They are all made using the same stamp set, very simple and can be used for any occasion - which I like the best.  You can find all the details for my Gift Set cards on SCS at the links following each picture:

"Blue Gift Card" - HERE

"Green Gift Card" - HERE

"Pink Gift Card" - HERE

A couple cards!

I had a friend who needed baby cards and as I searched through my stash I found that I didn't have any - can you believe it? So I sat down and made a couple. Here's what I came up with.

This is a gender neutral card using one of my favorite retired sets. Every time I get this stamp out, the card pretty much makes itself and I don't have to try very hard to get it to turn out the way I want it. I love that! 

You can find my "Cute Yellow Baby" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Big on Spring

Paper: Barely Banana, Chocolate Chip,

Whisper White and DSP

Inks: Chocolate Chip and Barely Banana

Accessories: Scallop Edge and Corner Rounder Punches, Dimensionals and adhesive

The second baby card I made for a boy. I had this stamp set for a really long time and I just haven't used it as often as I like to. I love this sailboat and wanted it to be the focal image. After I got it all together I thought it looked a little plain, so I dug through my buttons and added them. I think they make the card!

You can find my "Sailboat Baby" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Nursery Necessities

Paper: Ballet Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Sahara Sand, 

Whisper White and DSP

Inks: Close to Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive

Accessories: Buttons, Dimensionals and adhesive

Sister's Purse Color Challenge #28 & KWCI #50

It is such a coincidence that my colors for my "Sister's Purse Color Challenge" #28 are exactly the same colors (plus and splash of brown) that Kristina Werner has for her 50th Color Inspiration. I so lucked out this week!! This week's purse is a reusable fold-up grocery bag - so not really a purse, but a bag. I know I am stretching it a bit. It really is quite large for a fold-up bag and can be yours for only $7.99. You can find this adorable bag on Modcloth.com or HERE for a direct link. 

Colors for my challenge to be used this week:

Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Yo Yo Yellow and Whisper White

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

Like I said, I found it to be a huge coincidence that my colors and the ones Kristina Werner picked  for her challenge were alike. She did have a brown listed so I went ahead and added a touch to my card, but it is mostly the colors for my challenge. 

I used the cute little Finishing Touch stamp and my Stamp-a-ma-jig to make the "faux" designer paper as the main image. I really didn't have a plan for the pattern, it just kind of happened and I absolutely LOVE how it turned out. Don't you just love when that happens. I added the ribbon and the scallop oval sentiment to finish it off. Enjoy!!

You can find my "Fancy Congrats" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: SU Congrats and Finishing Touch Stamp

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red and Tempting Turquoise

Inks: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise and Yo Yo Yellow

Accessories: Scallop Oval and Oval Punches, Chocolate Chip Poly-Twill Ribbon, Red Snaps, Dimensionals and adhesive

* * Becky had sent me a stack of cards and I have yet to show them to you - I will soon, I promise. I think that she is up to date on all of the past challenges, but I just found out that she broke her wrist and may be delayed on the next few challenges. What a bummer - right when she found her mojo!?! * *

Want to play along?: Leave us a comment on this post where your card is located. If uploading to SCS please use keyword SPCC28 (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 #33

Sorry for the delay for this week's "Change it up Tuesday". Things have been crazy around here and I just am not as productive this week as I usually am. I am once again focusing on the cards I made with one of my favorite stamp sets, Pocket Silhouettes. Here is the second one of 4.

My old card - "Purse Challenge #7" details can be found on SCS HERE.

My "Change it up Tuesday" card - "Purse Challenge #7 - Take 2" details can be found on SCS HERE.

* * Congrats to Rachel over at "My Cardstock Creations" and for leaving a comment on that post she will be receiving LAST WEEKS - #32 - "Change It up Tuesday" card. Be sure to leave a comment or participate for your chance to get this week card(s)!  * *

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 CIUT33 (Gallery HERE). For fun, I will pick from those commenting (with or without a card) on Monday (5/4) 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!

Just Buzzin' By Card Swap

I participated in a card swap where we were to use the Stampin' Up! stamp set Just Buzzin' By. I thought that this would be the perfect time for me to crack open the calm shell and use it as it was just sitting there on the shelf unmounted and being neglected. I hate it when you buy a stamp set and then you never use it - it drives me crazy - but I continue to do it! Anywhoo - here is the card I made for the swap and the rest are from all the other participants. Enjoy!

You can find my "Bee Swap" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Just Buzzin' By

Paper: Glossy White Cardstock, Basic Black and Whisper White

Inks: Black StazOn and Yo Yo Yellow

Accessories: So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch and adhesive

Thank for a fun swap ladies!

Sister's Purse Color Challenge #27's and ATSDTC44

This week's Sister's Purse Color Challenge - #27 - is similar to the one from a couple weeks ago I realize. After a while the purses start to look the same, so I may have to change the color challenge to the "Sister's SHOE color challenge" soon. The purse this week is this Zebra Striped Jaqueline Bag and can be found on Baghaus.com or HERE for a direct link. They have just a black and white one as well, but I like the splash of red on this one. It can be yours for $55.95.

Colors to be used this week:

Real Red, Basic Black and Whisper White

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

I combined my color challenge with a challenge the Design Team over at All That Scraps had last week. They challenged us to use microbeads (#44) on a card and not being a fan of the messy stuff (aka glitter, embossing powders, flock etc) I tend to just let those go. But I was inspired to make the dress and hair bow on this Angel Anya look like sequins with the microbeads. In person this card is lovely - there has been a lack of sunshine here so all my photos look terrible. I will try to get a better one later on when the sun decides to show itself. Other than the microbeads, it's pretty simple. Enjoy!!

You can find my "Sequin Anya" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: The Greeting Farm Angel Anya and Print Pattern background 

Paper: Real Red, Basic Black and Whisper White

Inks: Black StazOn, Real Red, Barely Banana and Blush Blossom and Copic C1

Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Flower Ribbon Slide, Microbeads, Paper Piercer, Dimensionals and adhesive

* * Becky has sent me a stack of cards for the challenges. As soon a I get through them and figure out what is what I will upload them to share! I am so excited that she has decided to join the crafting world again! * *

Want to play along?: Leave us a comment on this post where your card is located. If uploading to SCS please use keyword SPCC27 (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 #32

As I said in last week's "Change it up Tuesday" post I decided to focus on one of my favorite stamp sets, Pocket Silhouettes, and change up some of the older cards I made using this set. This is the first of 4. I hope you don't get bored with me - I love this set and was waiting to play around with it.

My old card - "Purse Challenge #6" details can be found on SCS HERE.

My "Change It Up Tuesday" card - "Purse Challenge #6 - Take 2" details can be found on SCS HERE.

* * Congrats to Robyn over at "Rainbows by Robyn" played along once again and she will be receiving LAST WEEKS - #31 - "Change It up Tuesday" card.  You can find her cards HERE. Check them out and leave her a comment letting her know I sent you over. I love sharing my cards, so be sure to leave a comment or participate for your chance to get this week card(s)!  * *

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 CIUT32 (Gallery HERE). For fun, I will pick from those commenting (with or without a card) on Monday (4/27) 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!

ATS Challenge #45

This week the challenge from the Design Team over at All That Scraps was to use buttons (ATSDT45). This is one embellishment I always forget about, so I set out to purposefully use buttons on my card. When I got to my stamp room - I was stumped. I flipped through my collection of CC Design stamps and after the third time I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

I know - a Christmas card - but those ornaments shouted out to me to be made with BUTTONS! It was no "small" feat to find such teensy buttons in my stash, but I think they made the card really cute. Enjoy!

 

You can find my "Ornament Buttons" on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: CC Designs Christmas Around the World

Paper: Old Olive, Real Red, Certainly Celery, 

Whisper White and Dashing DSP

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

Accessories: Buttons, Certainly Celery Poly-Twill Ribbon, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Circle and Circle Punches, Dimensionals and adhesive

Jenn's 300,000 Blog Hit Color Challenge

Jenn D. over at "Stamp You Heart Out" has a terrific blog! I stalk it everyday to see what she has created and I am totally amazed by her talent! If you have never stopped by her blog, then you should - she has so many great ideas and projects shared. Here is my submission to her color challenge - they just so happen to be some of my favorite colors to use! Thanks for making it easy Jenn!

You can find my "Trees of Thanks" card on SCS - HERE.

Stamps: Trendy Trees

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, 

Whisper White and Kiwi Kiss DSP

Inks: Chocolate Chip and Kiwi Kiss

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Oval Punch, 

Chocolate Chip Poly-twill Ribbon, Brads, Dimensionals and adhesive