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Blogger’s Challenge – Halloween Style

Today’s Blogger’s Challenge was to make a card that celebrates Halloween!  I must admit, I have more Halloween stamp sets that I really need, but something about them calls my name when I see them.  I usually end up buying at least one each year.

I wanted to show you that you can use this set, Crazy for Cupcakes, for more than just birthdays!  Isn’t it cute decorated for Halloween?  The fun Halloween colored cupcakes, and that little spider from Eat, Drink & Be Scary…you just know he’s had a taste of that yummy icing!  Of course, I had to add some Drippy Goo to the faux window awning (made with the Drippy Goo punch that Barbara was so kind to send me!)

The gray bat and pumpkin swirl designer papers are from Ghostly Greetings by Stampin’ Up!  I’m happy to say that I almost used up a full pack of this paper!  The cupcakes were colored with Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust and Basic Black markers.  The stand with a Going Grey marker.  I used a Black marker to omit and color only the spider, then hand drew his web hanging down.  I stamped Happy Halloween from All Holidays in Basic Black on Whisper White, then added an orange eyelet and gold elastic thread to tie around the black and orange satin ribbon.  Overall, I think this is a FUN card!

Hope you have a Happy Halloween!  Beggar’s Night was last night for our city.  Fun to see the little ones all dressed up!

Today is also the LAST day you can take advantage of Stampin’ Up!’s birthday celebration!  Click here to see what sets are 20% off and then click here to ORDER ONLINE!

Seasonal Whimsy RAK

I’ve glanced at this set, Seasonal Whimsy, several times in the Catalog, but never purchased it.  Then an awesome online demo, Regina Aldrine, sent me a package of felt Flower Fushion flowers to help me out and she enclosed this card!  I love it!  Thanks, Regina, for both the card and helping me…you are too kind.  I’m sending off a little care package to you today.  Hope you enjoy the goodies!

This card is very sparkly in person!  She used Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the leaves.  And I love how she layered the focal point with THREE extra layers of cardstock (Really Rust, Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie)…it just makes it pop!  In the background, she used the individual leaf in that set and a speckle stamp to make a random wave of stamped images…sort of like a wheel.  I never thought of using a stamp like that.  And, the greeting is perfect!  I do believe she has SOLD me on this set!

Again, thanks, Regina…you are awesome!  I am always surprised at the generosity of online stamping friends…those I’ve never met in person who go out of their way to help.

Trick or Treat (Beggar’s Night) is tonight at our house.  We only get about 30 here.  It is fun to see all the costumes.  Poor Bleach…I’ll have to lock her up in her room.  I know she wouldn’t like all the noise and confusion of the kids.

Bag of Note Cards

I’m embarrassed to mention that I received a full Build a Flower tin at Convention 2007.  We used a couple of the items on a scrapbook page and decorated the front of the tin, but I never did anything with them after that.  I had full intentions of doing a class, but didn’t…then they retired them this year.  Does anyone else buy stuff and then not use it right away…come on…I KNOW you do!

So, when I was thinking of things to make for the craft fair, I pulled out the tin of die cut adhesive flowers.  They really are VERY nice to work with…the same quality as the ones in the Scrappin’ Kits.  (We have Roof Garden in the current catalog.  You can easily overlook them on page 182.  But, I’ve purchased them and WILL be having a class using them.)

But, back to this project.  I remember someone did a similar class or project with them a LONG time ago.  There are four color flower sets in the tin…pink, purple, green and blue.  I used the same color theme for each bag.  I decorated the front of a small Kraft Handle bag with the larger flower, added a scallop circle and more build-a-flowers, then added some white shredded paper inside.  The four cards are fairly simple.  I used a Whisper White base card, layered it with the matching color…in this case Certainly Celery…then layered an polka dot embossed background on top of that.  Then a strip of coordinating Designer Prints pattern and finally the Build A Flower Die Cuts.  I also used colored mini brads in the centers of the flowers.  Even the envelopes are decorated with the die cuts.  I tied up the four note cards with some colored wide organdy ribbon (boy…I miss Stampin’ Up! carrying these ribbons!) and also tied a small bow around the handle of the bag.  Very simple, but I think it makes a nice gift.

I’m making a dent in the things I need to finish this week, so that makes me happy.  I need to start thinking about what I’m taking on my stamping retreat the following weekend!  It will be here before I know it.  Plus, I’m in charge of the Make & Take this time…I need to sort out the Scrappin’ Kits and prepare the directions for them to follow.  Almost 4 full days of stamping fun…I can’t wait.  Plus, several of my friends are coming into town that live around the country.  We’ll have a big reunion!

Eat Drink & Be Scary

I know…I’m addicted to this Halloween stamp set, Eat, Drink & Be Scary.  I truly LOVE that witches hat!  This is one holiday that I like to send out cards.  I have about 10 done, but need to make a few more if I get time!  I have SO many Halloween stamps and wheels…they are just so fun.

This card was a challenge card with Mary last week.  We used a sketch with any theme.  Many of you know that I also love Snowmen.  One of the home decor items I’ve purchased over the years is a Snowman Pumpkin for Halloween decorations.  I decided to replicate my decor piece onto a card. 

I used 3 sizes of circle punches (1-3/4, 1-3/8, 1-1/4) from some leftover Pumpkin Designer Paper.  The arms and crow are from Season of Friendship, I just cut off a couple of the twigs.  The spider and the hat are from Eat, Drink & Be Scary.  For the spider, I used my black marker to color in the body, stamped and then used the fine tip to draw the web coming down to him.  The background designer paper is from Ghostly Greetings.    I used the new Old Olive grosgrain ribbon to tie around the background.  And, I added a couple leaves from Autumn Harvest to "ground" the pumpkin snowman a little.  Oh, his face is from Autumn Harvest, too.  So, yes, I used three different stamp sets…but I just couldn’t resist!  What do you think?

Another start to a brand new week.  It is busy one for me…lots of deadlines.  It is supposed to be COLD today with a chance of the "s" word…  I’m not ready!

Blogger’s Challenge – Gifts to Give

This week’s Blogger’s Challenge was Gift Giving projects.  Perfect!  I love 3D items and giving little stamped gifts.  I can’t wait to see what everyone has done.  But I decided to tackle this project instead.

I’ve been wanting to do this project since Trees Three was in the mini catalog a couple years ago.  I bought the frame WAY back then!  I’m glad I waited, however, since I love the Season of Friendship stamp set even more.  I knew the minute I saw that set, that I could use it for this frame.  Wish I’d have bought more so I could make up a few more of these.

Some of the details.  I did use Craft inks so I got a more intense color.  And I used the retired Soft Sky cardstock for the background only because it matches my bathroom (yes…I know…I’m supposed to GIVE this away), but you could use Bali Breeze or Bashful Blue instead.  The little birds are all clear embossed…can you see the robin in the spring even has a rust belly?  And I love the cardinal in the winter, crow in autumn and bluebird in summer!  Fun!  The seasonal greetings are from a retired set, Season by Season.  Another set I’ll never part with…we don’t have anything like it now.  I added some glitter to the cherry blossom centers and the snowflakes and ground.

I decided to leave the glass off so it looks more 3D and I can enjoy the ribbon a little more.  I’m SO happy with how this turned out.  The photo really doesn’t do it justice.

Enjoy the weekend!!!

Stamps:  Season of Friendship, Season by Season (retired)
C/S:  Soft Sky, More Mustard, Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Old Olive
Inks:  CRAFT Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Old Olive, More Mustard, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, Gable Green, Whisper White
CLASSIC:  Close to Cocoa, Really Rust, Ballet Blue, Basic Black, Real Red
Other:  Versamark, Clear EP, 5/8 Grosgrain Ribbon (Rose, Olive, Choc Chip), Baja Breeze Striped Ribbon, Dimensionals, Multipurpose glue & Dazzling Diamonds, Large Oval Punch, White Gel Pen

Want this set?  ORDER it from me today ONLINE!

Inspired by Nature

Sorry I didn’t post earlier…I’ve been fighting a headache all day.  It comes and goes.  Probably weather related as it is supposed to get COLD this weekend…they are saying the "S" word.  NOOOOOOOOOOOO!  I’m not ready!

I made this card a couple weeks ago and was going to use it for one of my Technique Classes.  I ended up doing something else, but you may see this technique, Spectrum Roll, at a future class…just not the card!  I think it looks really cool and very vibrant!  Spectrum Roll is a August 2005 Technique Junkies Newsletter technique.  I really can’t believe it has been that long since I first learned this technique!  Oh my…  Colors I used were Glorious Green and Not Quite Navy.  I also used the new Designer Label punch and On Your Birthday set.

Don’t forget…tomorrow is Blogger’s Challenge day.  I’m better get working on my project!

2009 Coaster Calendars

EDIT:  Since I’ve received several questions, hope this helps.  I charged $2.95 for these at the craft fair.  They are the LARGE size calendars from www.skybluepink.com  and I discarded the first December page because I wanted them to realize they were for 2009 and the Christmas candy canes just didn’t go with the themes.  I just adhere the back to the coaster with adhesive.  Since the calendars are padded, you pull off the month after they are done.

 
I made a total of 25 of these coaster photo/calendar binder clip holders for the craft fairs.  I sold out the first one, so made a few more.  I only have 4-5 left from the second fair.  I’ll be taking them with me to sell at the Retreat in a couple weeks.  These were great to make, because again I am using up the tons of retired designer paper and ribbon I have stored.  When the year is done, they can add another calendar or replace it with a photo.

We also made these at my Last Minute Gift Ideas last December (stay tuned, I’ll be offering this class again THIS December with different ideas!)  I covered both sides of the blank coaster with designer paper.  Stampin’ Up!’s glue sticks work great for this.  Then wrapped designer paper around the binder clip.  I added some punched flowers, felt flowers and Rhinestone brads for a little bling.  The ribbons help keep the binder clip closed and holding the coaster.  Fun!

Oh, I purchased the calendars from www.skybluepink.com  I get several dozen from her every year.  I still have some left, so will need to think of a few more things to do with them! 

I have my Punch Class tonight.  We are doing some fun things…I’ll share as soon as I hold the second class in November…don’t want to ruin the surprise for them!

And the Winner is…

I know…you were expecting to see a winner announced last night.  However, we got the chance to go to dinner with some dear friends and the evening got away from me!  But, here is the Winner….HEATHER…COME ON DOWN!  Remember, you do need to be a US resident in order to win this prize.

Hi Connie, congrats on your publication!!! I love the apothecary jars that you did. What a great idea!!! Thanks for sharing all your creative ideas, I always love seeing what you put together.

Heather
t_bear514@yahoo.com

Send me an EMAIL with your information and I’ll get it out to you.  I’ll send in the form to Paper Crafts Magazine with your information, too!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This was a blank gift card holder from Stampin’ Up! that I made up for the craft sales.  I had an entire package of last catalog colors (Old Olive, So Saffron and Sahara Sand) that I never used and some of last year’s designer paper.  Now we carry the gift cards in Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red and Kraft colors.  I used a variety of different stamp sets, but I liked the snowman from Merry & Bright the best.  After I took this picture, I did add a little bit of glitter to his body to make him sparkle!  The greeting is from an old hostess set, Warmest Regards…still one of my favorite sets that I won’t part with!  I sold out of these at the first sale, so I made up some more and only have a few of those left!  People really seemed to like them!

Busy week for me…I have a Punch class and some Class Kits to finish.  Plus a couple design team assignments.  I also need to start preparing what I’m going to work on while I’m at a weekend stamping retreat coming up in a couple weeks!  Woohoo!  Happy Monday!

Ghostly Greetings Pillow Boxes

Aren’t these cute?  For my stamp camps, I always like to have a little gift item sitting on top of their projects, waiting for them when they get here.  These are 1/2 of the ones I made…I did two classes.  The gifts look so colorfull when they walk in…ooohhhing and aaahhing.  Being able to make 3D items was one of the reasons I started stamping.  I so wished I’d have known about Stampin’ Up! when my kids were little.  Making favors for their birthday parties and classes would have been so much fun!

I used the Big Shot Pillow Die from Stampin’ Up! along with the Halloween paper, Ghostly Greetings.  Love the bags and pumpkins on these two designs.  And I love how the pattern is random, so you don’t need to worry about what side is up or down.  I used up some ribbons I had laying around to hold the pillow box closed.  I used the tag stamp from Eat, Drink & Be Scary with the ribbon!  Fun and easy to stamp and punch it out!  Inside I put two peppermint patties.

I’m so surprised (and HAPPY!) that the Big Shot has been such a success for Stampin’ Up!   The exclusive dies are so popular (some of them are on backorder, but they are well worth the wait!)  So, if you’ve been thinking about getting the Big Shot and/or dies, EMAIL me.  I’m still offering 5 projects ideas and a FREE $4.95 die with your Big Shot Starter Kit purchase!  It would make a GREAT Christmas present for yourself!

Blogger’s Challenge – Week 69

Uh, oh…I woke up not realizing it was Friday already!  It has been a short week for me with the Columbus Day holiday on Monday.  It’s time for the Blogger’s Challenge already!  This week we needed to use the color combination of Old Olive, Really Rust and Riding Hood Red.

Hmmm, these colors look almost Christmasy to me.  I’ve had this set, Brocade Basics, for a while, but I don’t think I’ve ever inked it up!  Shame on me…  It is a very pretty set! 

And, this didn’t turn out they way I pictured it in my head.  I still think it needs something in the lower left, but anything I tried to put there just didn’t fit right.  So, this will have to do!

I chose to use my Craft Ink pads and Clear EP for the Old Olive stem and Really Rust and Riding Hood Red flowers (well, the Versamark and Classic Ink trick for the Riding Hood Red anyway).  I cut out the flowers and mounted them on the opposite color 1 1/4 circle punch.  In the centers, I punched some Faux Diamond Dust Old Olive cardstock I had in my scraps file.  I love the wide striped ribbon we have in the In-Colors and it wrapped around the base of the stem perfectly.  I scalloped the top edge of the Very Vanilla, which left my Vanilla piece a little short, so I added a strip of Old Olive cardstock at the bottom.  I like that little edge color band!

Have a great weekend!

Don’t forget to leave a comment on my Blog Candy post to win a year’s subscription to Paper Crafts Magazine and the October Issue that has my Rub-on Candle in it!  I’ll be choosing the winner on Sunday at 5 PM.  Sorry, US residents only.