When I saw this image on SCS (card by Michelle Petermann) here: http://milwaukee-mommy.blogspot.com/2008/10/high-hopes-challenge-3.html, I instantly fell in love and thought of my son, Parker, and his twin sisters, Paige & Mackenzie! I contacted Michelle and she graciously sent me this and other High Hopes iamges to play with!! This card was my attempt at getting two girls in the wagon for the twins! I simply cut another girl from one of the images and raised her up on dimensionals to look like they were both in there. I used paper from the Fall MatStack and the flowers are from a local craft store here from Daisy D's Paper Co. The rest was SU materials, Pumpkin Pie paper (one of my favorite colors) and others using watercoloring technique. I need more practice with water coloring and blending. I really like how this turned out, thanks for looking!

Here comes Turkey Lurkey, Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!

I made these tonight for Paige and Mackenzie's preschool friends and teachers tomorrow. They will not have school next week, so tomorrow is the day! I certainly did not come up with these beautiful ideas myself, I have to give credit to Mercedes at: http://www.mercedesweber.blogspot.com/ for the turkey nuggets. She also has some totally cute pilgrims using punches too! Check it out! I also have to give credit to "klboling" on SCS for the peppermint pattie ideas! I CASE'd both of these talented ladies, they did a great job! Thanks for looking!

House Mouse Pumpkin Pie!

Speaking of my favorite thing.... here are two cards I made using my new House Mouse Pumpkin Pie stamps. I like how they turned out. I pulled out my autumn designer papers and wasn't sure how to use them, but they turned out okay. I added copper stickles on both cards to make it pop! Thanks for looking!

Non-Stamping Thanksgiving Cards

I just love how these turned out, and they were easy and quick! I found these adorable little Indian girl stickers at Walmart on clearance. I just couldn't pass them up! I love Fall, it's my favorite season!! I love the colors, the smell of good food, the crisp, cool air, kids jumping in leaves, and Pumpkin Pie!!! I actually love anything "pumpkin." I'm going to try a new recipe tomorrow for pumpkin scones. I tried some at the grocery store this weekend and knew I had to try some!

Paigey's 1st Haircut

I just have to share pictures of Paige's first haircut, as she is just so adorable! This haircut just shows off her personality, it's really her and she was so excited to get it cut and just as excited by the outcome! She was giggly and giddy all day after the cut. Her twin sister got a little jealous, but did not want her beautiful long, curly locks cut off!

Happy Birthday Cosmo-Style

Wow, it's been over a month again since my last post! Where DOES the time go?! It goes to my three kids and the extra one I babysit!! lol In a nutshell, we've had one child fall and get 5 staples in her head, two baby showers and 1 bridal shower, another out-of-town scrapbooking party, plus PTO and PAC meetings for my son's school and the girls' school. It's been a crazy fall, but it's our favorite time of year! I love Halloween and the fall colors and the cooler weather! Although it's getting a bit cooler than I was ready for! It was 75 a week ago and today is 30! Yikes!!!

I've been doing a lot of hoarding lately of new stamps, now I need to find time to use them! I'm especially excited that I received my new Bellas today from Stamping Bella and can't wait to play with them! I got Tangled Stella, Tis-the-Season-to-be-Jolly Bella, Snowfight, and then 4 of the new Bittyblooms!!! They are so adorable! Anyway, I made a quick birthday card today with a Ghirardelli Chocolate Card Holder to go with it. I think it turned out pretty cute, this is one of my favorite color combos. I used red stickles on her shit and toes, because every Bella needs a good pedicure!

I also am posting a couple of pics of the kiddos from this weekend's Viking victory game!!! Yeah, go Vikes! It may not be pretty, but we have to take it where we can! This is how every Sunday is spent at our house during the NFL season! Everyone dressed in Vikings gear, lunch served "picnic" style in the living room watching the game, the kids with their trays, they love it! Thanks for looking!

Blog Candy Alert

Hello sistahs! I wanted to post this card as my entry into Cheribella's awesome blog candy contest! It is not the "traditional" Halloween card, but if you read my earlier post on this card, you will certainly understand!! ha ha ha!

So here are the rules/details for Cheri's blog candy contest:

1. You need to create anything for Halloween…card, candy bag, hat, etc, you decide.
2. Leave me a link so that I can check out your awesome creations. My real motivation here is to lift some of your ideas LOL.
3. You need to post a link to my blog on for all to see, including me.
4. All entries must be submitted no later than Saturday, September 27th at midnight and the winner will be posted on Sunday the 28th.
5. I thought I would be a little different here and let all of you choose the winning entry. Please let me know what all of you think of that idea. I could post images of all entries on Sunday the 28th and then the winner may not be posted until the 29th. Or we can go the usual way and draw a random number. Tell me what you think. Since this is my first time I am open to suggestions. THIS HAS BEEN CHANGED TO A RANDOM DRAWING TO MAKE ENTERING LESS DIFFICULT FOR EVERYONE…NO VOTING.
So far the prize consists of a full sheet of uncut rubber for “Any man in your Life”. You know how hard it can be to find any masculine stamps, well this is the perfect solution. Also, I have included a Fall glitter matstack of paper, 6 small sets of Halloween acrylic stamps, a six pack spool of fall color ribbons, a plastic pouch of flowers, some bling, and a small plastic divider that snaps shut from Archiver’s. I plan on stamping out some images to go along with this blog candy–but those will be a surprise. Since it’s still almost a week away who knows what I may add to this collection before the end of the contest.

Be sure to visit Cheri's blog at http://cheribella.wordpress.com/ to enter the contest and to leave her some comments on her awesome work! Cheri has always left the most wonderful comments on my blog, she's great! Thanks!

Bella Birthday and Nugget Box

This is a card and nugget box I made for my next door neighbor whose birthday is tomorrow. She is such a wonderful person and I want to show her that her friendship has meant so much to me. She's the one who had to call 911 when I had my allergic reaction about a month ago and she took good care of me! She's helped out numerous times with watching the kids, giving a supportive shoulder to cry on, etc. I loved the cards I saw on SCS recently with this layout. I used stickles on each of the ladies, my favorite embellishment right now. And can you believe this is the only Happy Birthday stamp I have right now?! I love to make nugget boxes. This is the first time I used DP for the cover on the nuggets, instead of labels. It was so much easier and faster, plus I could match it to the paper I used for the card! All of the paper came from a pack I got somewhere. I love all the colors. Only problem, I think I ate more nuggets than got in the tin! Stress reliever! I hope she likes it! TGIF!

Ever Have One of Those Weeks?

This week has been quite hectic! I have a kindergartner who has suddenly developed a serious case of separation anxiety. His first week he was fine, then it all fell apart! I made the mistake of telling him that we went on errands while he was at school. He dropped to the ground at the end of the driveway and howled for like 20 minutes. The neighbor two doors down heard him and came to see what had happened, thinking he was injured or something! Then the next day the girls had their first day of ECFE where he also had ECFE and preschool. That didn't go over so well either. Ever since, when I walk him across the street to school and he gets in his line to wait to go inside, he hangs on my leg and whines and cries and won't let me go. I talked to the teacher who told me that it is very normal, especially for boys, that the second week they start this behavior. All of a sudden they realize, "oh, this is every day" and "what am I missing out on when I'm not home." Then I had to leave for the evening last Friday and we had all the windows open, he again howled and screamed out the window for me. Again, the neighbor two doors down and the next door neighbor came over to see what was going on. Well yesterday, both neighbors came over with their kids to get Parker to walk to school with them, hoping to "break" him of some of this. He was promised that if he got through Friday without screaming and what not, he'd get a treat. He hasn't liked it, but he's done it. Whew! I know it's normal and it will change, but it's so emotional and hard to leave your child when they are screaming and crying for you like that. Then the girls have been whiny and clingy because it's the third week of me babysitting at 18-month old and they aren't liking it either. They don't want my attention on him, and... he's been a biter this week! He bit Paige twice yesterday, very hard, she screamed for about 20 minutes. It's been utter chaos and craziness, on top of an already full-blown PMS week. I have not been handling it as well as I would otherwise! So I thought up this card last night as I got everyone to bed and thought what a witch I've been all week. Can you relate?! P.S. And this scene is really me! Paige always wants to be held, 24/7, Mackenzie won't cuddle and will only hold my hand, and Parker has literally been hanging on my leg!! And I drive the soccer mom van! Have a great day!

My kids and our dog!

I just wanted to share these pics that my husband created with Photoshop. A little back history, since Parker was born, we have taken him, and then the girls too, to the State Fair every summer and get their caricatures done. We go to the same guy every year. I had put one of the pics on a shirt for DH for his birthday, he wore it the next time to the fair and the guy got a huge kick out of it. We think he does such an excellent job and has great detail. So this is all 5 that we have so far. It's neat to see the progression of the kids looks each year and what the guy sees in them each time. The next one is our dog, Loki, now 5 months, with a bunch of pictures since we got her at 8 weeks. She's grown from 8 pounds to 30!! She's such a beautiful dog and really coming along with her training and behavior, she's very smart! She loves to be with the family and cuddle. The vet said we should hook her up to a sled this winter and let her pull the kids around, she'd love it! I think it would be a hoot!

First Day of Early Childhood for the Girls

Here's a few pictures of my girls from their first day at the Multiples ECFE class yesterday. They had such a good time. I'm so excited for this class, when the moms split from the kids for group discussion, we will all have similar things to discuss!!! Good thing is that three other moms I already know from my Moms for Multiples group. I'm looking forward to a great year and we have some of the same teachers and assistants that Parker has had in the past and they are just wonderful! Thanks, have a great day!

Babies, babies, what's in the water?!!!

I just wanted to share two cards I made tonight. One if for a co-worker of my DH who had a baby girl this week. The other is for a mom I know from the kids' Early Childhood/Preschool program. She is expecting her 4th in February. I also know two other ladies from the school who just had their 3rd babies, respectively. Whew! I'm also really excited to be on the Sunshine Committee at my Moms for Multiples group. The sunshine committee person is the one who sends out cards for new moms that join, moms that have their multiples, if someone is ill, in need of assistance, etc. I have Dubbatrubbabella and am working on some layouts to use for cards for births and/or birthdays, etc. Anyone have any good ideas to share?! I also have both Expectafellabella and Babyfellabella, so good choices for the group. I just love the baby stamps from Bella, like all the others... he he he! Thanks for looking! And thanks again for all the great comments!

Now for the cards

I did manage some time this week to make a few more cards. Still playing around trying to use up paper and embellishments that I have had around, and inking up some stamps not yet played with!

The first one is in honor of the first Monday Night Football Game of the season tomorrow night. Minnesota Vikings v. Green Bay Packers. Go VIKES!!! We are huge football fans in our house and I am so excited for the season to begin! Our team is showing promise this year and I have a great team on my fantasy football too. This game will be of particular interest because of all the controversy during the off season and preseason with Brett Favre and rumors that he wanted to come to Minnesota to play. Green Bay would have liked to see him play for anyone, EXCEPT Minnesota!! We are huge rivals and it will be a great game! GO VIKES!!!

The second card I got the idea from a post I saw on SCS, but changed up the layout and paper. I loved the sentiment though and couldn't resist trying this card out! Having three kids and a Siberian Husky, it can be a challenge to keep the house clean! Just keeping them all in check is overwhelming most days! My twins are 2 1/2 and showing every bit of the Terrible 2's with their constant crying, whining, tattling, screaming, etc. Then my 5 year old joins in with the same behaviors for attention... gets real interesting!

The third card is another one I saw on SCS but changed up the layout a bit. I love this Hanna set and it was my first time inking her up! I wish I looked so good when I was cleaning the house!!

Wow... what a week... yet still stamped!

Wow, what a week we had...first, Parker, my just-turned 5 year old started Kindergarten this week. The school is right across the street from us, our front door looks right at the front door of the school. Ever since Parker could talk, he's been saying that, "when I'm 5 I get to go to the big school!" So here are a couple of pics of him on his first day. He got a nice big hug from his sisters for good luck. Group hug!!! My mother-in-law was here all week to help out, my daughter, Paige, had an MRI to check on her Sturge Weber, which I mentioned before, to see if the area of her brain that is affected has spread, grown, or changed in any way. We have to wait 72 hours for the results... we are hoping for great news!! It's so hard to go to the variuos appointments all the time and see my little baby go through so much, but she's tough, and as you can see from the pictures, quite a trooper! She's all smiles waiting for her procedure! She's pulling the curtain open and shut to play peek-a-boo with the nurses and technicians outside her room. Isn't she darling?! We also celebrated Grandma's birthday with a special dinner for her and I made her an angel cake. She loves angels, wears one on her shirt every single day, so I made a cake in the shape of an angel and frosted and decorated it. Parker drew her pictures and I gave her the card I made for her, see below. She is so awesome and was such a help with everything we needed to accomplish through the week. I'm always sad to see her go. She's only 2 hours and 15 minutes away, but I wish we were only blocks away! Also, I spent the weekend getting prepared for my latest challenge to come! Tomorrow morning I am starting to babysit full-time for my DH's cousin's son, who is 14 months old. I know, I'm crazy, right?!! I just get one in Kindergarten and add another!!! But I think it will work out great for both of us, I'm actually excited and hoping my girls love the idea of someone smaller than them to play with (or boss around!)

My Mother-in-Law's Birthday!

I made this card for my mother-in-law's birthday, which was this Tuesday, but we won't see her until she comes to our house this Tuesday. She's full of spunk and I think she'll like this card! I got the idea from an add in the newspaper flyers for a Dolly Mamas by Joey porcelain figure with the sentiment. I'm planning to do a little dinner party for her with a cake. She loves angels, so I am going to try my hand at making a cake in the shape of an angel and decorate it. I have never done anything like this, so stay tuned....! I have the very best mother-in-law in the world! Since the day I met her, she has treated me like one of her own, we are best friends, but she's also the most loving mother to me!! She truly is my inspiration and my model for what kind of parent I want to be. She also has been the most supportive and helpful person since I have had children. She is ALWAYS there for me when I need her and/or her help! As a matter of fact, she is coming this week because Paige has an appointment for an MRI in conjunction with her Sturge Weber. Grandma comes for every appointment to watch the kids for me while I take Paige for her medical stuff. She's also my concert going buddy! We go to all the country concerts we can! I think we've been to like 10 together now, we have so much fun! The best was last year's Tim McGraw/Faith Hill concert. We had front row seats and were standing with our arms resting on the stage, it was awesome!!!!! We both were like little giddy girls when Tim touched our hands!

Bunny Bath

I love how this card turned out! It's called Bunny Bath from Happy Hoppers. I have wanted to use this stamp for so long! It's definitely what I need when I finally get those kids in bed at night! I look at this image and almost feel the day's tension slip away! I used my aquapainter to color in the image on watercolor paper. The designer paper is Basic Grey Blush, love it!!! The ribbon is from Close to My Heart and really coordinates well with the Blush papers. I love the sentiment too... from High Hopes Rubber Stamps.

Bella Saturday

My goal today was to make some Bellas using images I have had ready to use and to use paper and embellishments I've had for a while. Ohsoprettybella is just too cute! I loved using my raspberry baubles I got from Stamping Bella, I like the color so much. Minivanabella shows my life to a "T!" It seems I never have enough hands for all the kids, and no matter how old they are, they still cling on my leg like in the picture! Recently, the kids have been fighting over who will hold my hand when we walk in a parking lot, etc. That always leaves someone out, so the one left out will push in and grab a finger of the hand that is already holding a hand! It's a battle to go anywhere!!! Plus, the smaller twin, Paige, always wants to be held like a baby. Then they start to fight, "my momma," "no, my momma!" It goes round and round between the three of them! Too funny! I like the saying, good humor, which is what us moms need a lot of, right?!

My Baby is 5!!!!

Here is a picture of the thank you cards I made for my son, Parker's, birthday last week. He just turned 5 and is geared up to start Kindergarten next Thursday and is so excited! I have mixed feelings... I can't believe my baby is going to school! We went to the State Fair for his birthday and it happened to be the Governor's Fire Prevention Day, and my son is totally into firemen and anything to do with being a fireman!! He had such a good time and did some fire safety activities, got a fire hat, etc. Then when we got home, our neighbor had put up a fireman birthday banner on the garage with fireman balloons on the mailbox and garage. Three of the neighbor families came over and had a little party for him in the yard. He had presents, cupcakes, a fire truck pinata, the whole thing! We really have an awesome group of neighbors and they sure came together for that night. We all help each other out with watching kids and whatever may come up. This summer, us ladies met outside at night often to "support" each other (vent) and just to laugh and relax after getting kids into bed! My husband calls us the "sewing circle." I used the fireman stamps I have from High Hopes for the card. I made the cards, but Parker personally wrote on the inside of each of them. He was so proud to do it and is very good at writing.

How Sandie Got Her Groove Back!

Well I posted yesterday to Bellaholics saying that I was ready to get back in gear and looking for some new images to swap. Then today I sat down while the little darlings napped and suddenly I was cranking out cards!!! This is the first time I've used these particular Bella stamps and got to use some new paper I got (at the beginning of summer) and try out some new ideas. I really like the Cupcakeabella as she was inspired by this cute little ceramic photo holder in the shape of a cupcake that sits on my desk. Last time I was up north at my in-laws, us ladies went shopping at these cute little country stores that are loaded with fun goodies. I walked into the first one and they had all these adorable cereamic cupcake goodies!! I could have lost my mind! So many cute things, so many cute colors, but alas, my checkbook kept me in check and I only purchased this little ceramic cupcake that is sooo cute! I knew when I purchased the cupcake that I wanted to make a Bella card based on it. The Biker Babe card was fun because I used many shades of green (my favorite color) and I put some liquid applique on Bella's collar for the fleece. You can't really tell in the picture, but it looks really cute in person. The Baby Bella Pumpkin was just too fun. My best friend just had her third baby, third girl, and I thought this would be cute for her for Halloween! Lastly, Yogabella, I love, love, love her! I had bought the Serenity set from MFT right before Yogabella was released. But I just had to have her also! I love the paper with the blues and greens. Again, my favorite shade of green for the yoga mat, makes me want to get it out and do some yoga! After the week I had last week, I could use it! In brief, I was hit twice in the same parking lot, once while I was sitting in the parking space!!! Then the next day I was at my neighbor's house eating some fresh mango and within 20 minutes was on the floor with an allergic reaction! It was the scariest experience I have ever had! I could not breath and my face was so hot and red that my glasses were steaming up. My neighbor called 911 and the ambulance was there and had me at the hospital in no time flat! I had to stay in the ER for three hours with an IV full of Prednisone, Tagmet, and Benadryl. I also was given an EPI shot, no fun!!! I thought "this is the big one, I'm a goner!" My poor neighbor, she felt so bad... I have eaten mango many times before, but never again!!!