Decorative Mini Pumpkins

Are these the cutest pair of pumpkins you have ever seen? Yet another way to use our punches. These are made with the Scallop Oval Punch. For the tall pumpkin, the ovals are folded vertically. For the smaller pumpkin, they are folded in half horizontally.

Punch (11) Scallop Ovals from your cardstock. Sponge the edges with Creamy Caramel Ink. Fold all (11) ovals in half, with the sponging on the inside. Apply adhesive to one outside edge of the folded oval and attach the backside of another oval. Continue until they are all connected like an accordian and you can adhere the last two edges together. Your sponged edges should be facing out when completed. Roll a small piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock for the stem and stick in the top hole. Curl some Old Olive Cardstock for the vine/leaf and adhere in the top hole.

The small pumpkin is the most level and is easy to stand up. I am still challenged with getting the taller pumpkin to stand alone, but wanted to share it as an alternate option.

Use these for place settings or just decorations around the house.

TFL!

Stamps: None
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip and Old Olive Cardstock
Ink: Creamy Caramel Classic Stamp Pad
Accessories: Scalloped Oval Punch & Sponges

Oval Punched Pumpkins

Who doesn't love pumpkins: Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Cookies, Pumpkin Roll & 3-D Pumpkins for your cards??? These are super cute and can be made from any orange cardstock or designer paper.

This is a good example of how to use those punches we collect. These use the Small and Large Oval Punches. Punch 3 same size ovals out of your paper. Adhere two of the ovals by slightly overlapping them. Then, take the third oval and adhere it with a pop dot in the center of the other two ovals. Adhere some ribbon for the stem and curl some cardstock for the leaf and you have pumpkins. I made one large and two small pumpkins for this card.

Love them!!!
TFL

Stamps: Holiday Best (Hostess Set)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Very Vanilla Cardstock; Pumpkin Pie Patterns DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Stamp Pad
Accessories: Swiss Dots Embossing Envelope, Chocolate Chip Brads, Mat Pack & Paper Piercer, 1/4" Old Olive and Chocolate Chip Ribbon and the Small & Large Oval Punches.

Bashful Fall Leaves

A friend of mine sent me a project idea for these leaves...and I knew I had to try them. I cut a pair of each leaf out of old book pages (Persuasion by Jane Austen, if you must know), adhered them together and traced the edges with Platinum Stickles. They are absolutely beautiful!

I experimented with many different color combos, but decided on Kraft, Soft Suede and Bashful Blue. I think it works *wink*. The colors are not your traditional fall colors, but now-a-days we're experimenting more and thinking outside the box. Give it a try on your next Holiday card. Use some colors you normally wouldn't!

Hope you like it & TFL!

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Kraft, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Blue Designer Paper & some Old Book Pages
Ink: Soft Suede Classic Stamp Pad
Accessories: Leaf Dies, Eyelet Border Punch, Platinum Stickles, Bashful Blue 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon and 1/2" Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon.

Halloween Treats Galore!

These are the last of the Halloween Treats that I made for the school staff....and my last official Halloween Post! I made about 50 of these and it took no time at all. They can be stuffed with Individual Reese's Cups or Treat Size M&M's.

You cut your cardstock to 8 1/2" x 2 3/4". You then score at 3 3/4" and 4 3/4". Fold on the score lines and staple at the top. So Easy!! The front is then covered with Designer Paper and a focal image. The Designer Paper gets cut to 2 1/2" x 3 1/2".

These could also be used for any holiday treat. The options are endless!
TFL!

Stamps: Batty for You
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Night & Day DSP & Cast-A-Spell DSP
Ink: Old Olive & Basic Black Classic Stamp Pads
Accessories: Staples/Stapler, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch and Olive Olive, Basic Black and Elegant Eggplant 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.

Halloween Friends

Well friends, it has been far too long since I have posted! I was busy with our school's Fall Festival and then rolled right into making Halloween treats for the school staff. I made 15 of each of these and the Frankenstein box. They were just too cute and I couldn't resist.

These are really very easy to make. I could type up directions, but with the cutting, scoring and adhering, a video works much better. Angie Juda over at Chic 'N Scratch has a great one, so pop on over and check it out: http://chicnscratch.typepad.com/chicnscratchlive/2009/09/little-halloween-box.html

These can easily be converted to a Christmas/Winter theme....the options are endless!
Hope you enjoy!

Mummy Details
Stamps: None
Paper: Creamy Caramel (Base), Very Vanilla, Basic Black and Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Ink Pad
Accessories: Sponge, 1/2" Circle Punch, Hole Punch, Pop Dots and a Black Marker

Dracula Details
Stamps: None
Paper: Almost Amethyst, Real Red, Basic Black and Whisper White
Ink: None
Accessories: Hole Punch, 1/2", 3/'4 & 1 1/4" Circle Punches, a Star Punch, Pop Dots & a Black Marker

A Batty Birthday

And I thought I was done with Halloween...No siree! My nephew has a birthday next week and since I have no stamp sets for a 14-Year-Old boy, I had to improvise. His birthday's in October, so Halloween qualifies, right????

I started with a Jodi Collins sketch over at There She Goes. She is the Featured Trendsetter this week and gives some awesome tips on Paper Piercing. I know all my girls love piercing *wink*!

This week, I wanted to create a pennant banner. I could definitely work it into this sketch, so I was one happy girl. I saw a quick tutorial that makes creating these very easy. Start by cutting a rectangle the size you'd like your pennant to be. The purple cardstock was cut to 1" x 2". I then marked the 1" side in the middle. I lined up that middle dot with the opposite corner of the cardstock in my paper trimmer and sliced away. I did the same with the opposite corner and it cuts perfectly. I cut the designer paper 1/4" bigger to create a mat for the purple cardstock.

The possibilities with the pennants are endless. Give them a try! TFL!

Stamps: Riveting & Doodle Alphabet
Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Basic Black and Gray Cardstock; Various Halloween Papers
Ink: Basic Black Classic Ink
Accessories: Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Black Brads, Bat Brads and Black Twine.

Olive Stitched Thanksgiving

Well, this was a bugger of a card to get made! I started the week out working on the Mojo Challenge, but then stumbled upon this stitched pumpkin...and the rest is history.

He is the cutest thing and 'sew' (pun intended..hee hee) easy to make. Punch out a circle using the 1 3/8" circle punch, then using your paper piercer, pierce around the edge (be sure you end up with an even amount of holes.) Grab a needle, thread it up and sew through the holes. Who knew???

I have tons of DMC floss from my cross-stitching days, so I grabbed one that matched the Old Olive Ribbon and stitched away. If you don't have floss, it can be purchased at any Craft Store, is very inexpensive and comes in many, many colors. I used two strings of the floss to sew.

To finish out the card, I used the retired SU! Stitched background stamp. It seemed only fitting with my sewn pumpkin. I also added a clear button to the ribbon, because if you didn't know, buttons are the new must have accessory!

I love how this turned out....it just took a while to get there ;) If you love it too, I will make this available as a Make & Take kit at my Open House on Saturday, October 17th for $3. Stop by and pick one up.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes & Stitched (Retired SU!)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Old Olive & Dusty Durango Cardstock; Fall DSP
Ink: Old Olive Classic Stamp Pad
Accessories: 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Paper Piercer, Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, SU! Clear Buttons, Linen Thread, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, DMC Floss and a Small Needle

Mojo Monday Challenge - Baby Boy

I am on a roll with the Mojo Challenges! This is my third one in a row....WooHoo! I needed a Baby Boy card for a teacher's gift at school and having a sketch to start with made it sooo easy. I did do a little cheating with the sketch (shhh....don't tell.) The circle image didn't work to the right of my Bunny, so I switched it to the left. Since having to swap that, I moved my bow to the other side as well.

For my patterned paper, I used the Retired Parisian Breeze, as it is one of the few masculine sets of paper that I have. It's perfect for a masculine adult or baby card. You should always have a stash of 'Boy' paper laying around ;)

Next, I had to pick a focal image. I pulled out all of the baby themed stamp sets I had and looked for the biggest image I could find. It happened to be this Bunny from the Retired set A New Little Someone. This set just happens to be on loan from my mom until she gets her craft room in order. It fits perfectly. I stamped the image on two different pieces of the Parisian Breeze Designer Paper, cut out the Bunny and the Bow and paper pieced them together. Love it! He is just adorable.

This was a fun card to make. I hope she likes it!

Stamps: A New Little Someone & So Many Scallops (Both Retired SU!)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze and Whisper White Cardstock; Parisian Breeze DSP (Baja Breeze & Parisian Breeze are both Retired)
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Stamp Pad
Accessories: Paper Piercer and Mat Pack, Jumbo Brads, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Retired Valet Ribbon Originals, Sponges and Paisley Embossing Envelope

Sweet Center Lollipop

Isn't this just too cute? This is the third project we made at my last workshop. It's made with the new Sweet Treat Cups from the Stampin Up Holiday Mini. I made a lollipop and filled my cup with Nerds, but you could fill it with jelly beans, glitter or any other treat you can think of. The possibilities are endless.

The coordinating Stamp Set is called Sweet Centers (also in the Mini.) It includes the Halloween stamp featured here, a Hot Air Balloon, an Ornament and Flower Petal stamps. Once stamped, a circle is punched out with the 1 3/4" Circle Punch for the Treat Cup to be added. The cup has it's own adhesive, so once it's filled and in place, you just add a piece of cardstock to the back to seal it up. It can then be added to a card or made into individual treats.

I saw this idea over at My Life's Art by Teresa Payne. She has an awesome video tutorial if you'd like to check it out: http://www.mylifesart.com/2009/08/new-product-sweet-treat-cups.html. It's very fun and easy to make! TFL.

Stamps: Sweet Centers
Paper: Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant & Old Olive Cardstock
Ink: Elegant Eggplant & Old Olive Classic Stamp Pads
Accessories: Sweet Treat Cups, 1 3/4" & 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Lollipop Sticks and Googly Eyes.

Deal of the Week #1

Who doesn't love a deal? I know I do! Stampin Up has brought back the Deal of the Week for the month of October. Each deal will run a week and there are no quantity limits or minimum purchases.

The first Deal of the Week features three punches and is available till Monday, October 12th:

Item# 109183 Trio Flower Punch $15.95 Special Price $10.99
Item# 109041 5-Petal Flower Punch $15.95 Special Price $10.99
Item# 110709 My Way Punch $15.95 Special Price $11.99

The punches can be found in the catalog on pgs 186-187.

Please contact me to place an order or order online by clicking on the Order icon in the right sidebar. Thanks!

Oh Mummy!

Isn't he just the cutest??? He was created by Angie Juda over at Chic' N Scratch Live. We will be making him at my workshop on 10/1, but if you would like a tutorial, a video can be found at Angie's website: http://chicnscratch.typepad.com/chicnscratchlive/2009/08/mummy-candy-bar-holder.html.

As with the Frankenstein treat bag we'll be making at the workshop, this does not need a die cut or a template. It's just cardstock that is cut, scored and folded. The Creamy Caramel is the base and is cut at 10"x 2 1/2". It is then scored at 2 3/16", 2 11/16", 6 1/8", and 6 5/8". The Very Vanilla is used for the mummy wrap and is torn from a strip 2 1/2" wide, sponged and adhered to the Creamy Caramel.

This can hold any mini size candy bar. I used a Kit-Kat, but it could also hold a Hershey Bar as well. I punched a hole with the Modern Label Punch and slid the candy bar in. The top flap is held down with a mini glue dot.

I love it because it's quick and easy and you don't need any fancy gadgets ;)
TFL!


Stamps: None
Paper: Creamy Caramel, Very Vanilla, Basic Black and Whisper White Cardstock
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Stamp Pad
Accessories: Scoring Tool, Sponges, Modern Label Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, 1/4" Hole Punch, Mini Glue Dot, Black Marker & a Mini Candy Bar.

Did Someone Say Clearance?

Stampin' Up! sure did! They have launched a new Clearance Rack on their Online Store. All of the items are retired or discontinued and available at substantially reduced prices. Quantities are limited and while supplies last. New products will be added often, so you'll want to check back periodically.

• Click on the 'Order Stampin' Up! Online' icon to the right
• Click Products/Shop Now
• The Clearance Rack is on the Left Side Bar

Be sure to check it out...you never know what you'll find!
Thanks for stopping by.

Mojo Monday Challenge - Raspberry Tart Boutique

I saw the sketch over at Mojo Monday and knew I had to pull out my retired Raspberry Tart DSP from Stampin' Up! I LOVE this paper and will be sad when mine's all gone, but couldn't resist using it. Let this be inspiration to all of you...don't save it for a rainy day *wink*.

This challenge actually came together pretty quick for me. I decided on the papers I wanted to use for my circles, pulled out my Rose Red & Old Olive Ribbons, and knew that the Humor in High Heels stamp set would be just perfect! I love this dress and the designs in the DSP are perfect for recreating a fabric look. I did, however, have a huge white space at the top of my card that was throwing off the balance. I slept on it and woke up fresh this morning looking for ideas. I saw a scalloped edge on another card and thought layering mine might create a nice effect for the card. I needed something and I think this works. It reminds me of a cute boutique awning, which is just perfect for putting this dress center stage.

To finish it off, I added lots of bling and tied two elegant little bows to the center ribbons.

Thanks for stopping by....and hope you like it!

Stamps: Humor in High Heels & All Holidays
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red & Whisper White Cardstock; Raspberry Tart DSP
Ink: Basic Black Classic Stamp Pad
Accessories: 1" Rose Red Double Stitched Ribbon, 1/4" Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack, 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Scalloped Edge Punch, Dimensionals and Clear Rhinestones

Mojo Monday Challenge: Rich Elegant Christmas

As my Darling Husband pointed out, this is not your traditional holiday card, but I think it works!

My sketch was inspired by the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #104 at http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/. Although this isn't true to the sketch, I'm hoping it's close enough. It's supposed to inspire us, right???

I love this color combo: Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black and Whisper White. It's so elegant and makes for a very sophisticated card.

I've also been wanting to put some patterns down on paper using stamps. SU's Circle Circus is perfect for doing just that! I used two different stamps from this set. For the horizontal design, I stamped Rich Razzleberry Ink onto the Rich Razzleberry cardstock. For the Circle design, I stamped Basic Black Ink onto the Rich Razzleberry cardstock. I love how they turned out and hopefully it inspires you to create some designs with your stamps.

TFL & Enjoy the rest of your day!

Stamps: Circle Circus & All Holidays
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black and Whisper White Cardstock
Ink: Rich Razzleberry and Basic Black Classic Stamp Pads
Accessories: Paper Piercer & Mat Pack, Black Satin Ribbon, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder and Dimensionals.

New Email Feature

Hello Friends,

No new card to post today...I have one that I've been working on all week, but I've been under the weather and busy with PTO duties, so it's become the red-headed stepchild :( But, keep an eye out for it on Sunday!

I wanted to share a new feature to my blog: an Email Feed. It is located in the right hand column. If you subscribe to the Feed, it will email you when I have a new post. This is perfect if you don't visit my blog everyday (as I don't post everyday), but want to keep up with what's going on.

Hope you'll try it out!

Mr Frankenstein to You....

Happy Monday!

I was blurfing today and came across this little cutie over at Angie Kennedy's Blog: Chic 'N Scratch. Isn't he just adorable? Perfect for some chocolate snacks for your child's teacher or quick and easy enough for treats for the whole class!

Since my next workshop is 10/1, we will definitely be making 'Frankie' as one of our projects. With the right supplies and some cutting and scoring, he is so very simple to make. You will be amazed!

Stamps: None!
Paper: Old Olive, Whisper White and Basic Black Cardstock
Ink: Basic Black Stamp Pad
Accessories: Scoring Blade, 1/2" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Sponges, Dimensionals & Scissors

Crushed Suede Thanksgiving

Although it's still over 100 degrees in Arizona, I'm trying to transition to fall colors. Here's my first go at our new In Colors: Soft Suede, Dusty Durango and Crushed Curry. They are just perfect for Fall!

I haven't ordered any new fall themed stamp sets YET, so I had to go into the archives for this one. This is the Season of Friendship Set and it can literally be used for every season: Flowers for Spring, Snowflakes for Winter, Leaves for Fall and a cute little bird to throw in any time ;)

I chose to use the leaves and stamped them in the Crushed Curry and Dusty Durango. The tree is stamped in Soft Suede. I ordered the Soft Suede Ribbon last week, but haven't received it yet, so I had to go a different route for my focal image. I've seen 'banners' popping up all over blogs, so I thought I would give one a try. I just cut a strip of cardstock, measured in about an inch, scored a line, measured in another 1/4 inch and scored again. Then, repeat on the other end. This creates a fold so the banner can pop up. I clipped the ends and added buttons, and Ta-Da, a banner is born!

Hope you like it! TFL.

Stamps: Season of Friendship & Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Soft Suede, Dusty Durango and Whisper White Cardstock
Ink: Soft Suede, Dusty Durango and Crushed Curry Classic Pads
Accessories: Piercing Tool and Mat Pack, Hemp Twine, Modern Label Punch, Movers & Shapers, Designer Buttons-Buttons Latte

Vintage Best Wishes

Happy Football Sunday Everyone! Luckily, the Steelers played on Thursday, so I didn't have to be glued to the TV today. Of course, I did watch a few other games...and even squeezed in some cardmaking.

If you've been following my blog, this color scheme and stamp set probably look familiar ;) I ran across another design similar to the one I posted a couple weeks ago and just had to do another. I stumbled upon this gem on Splitcoaststampers. It was designed by Beate Johns. I switched out the ribbon and added some Stickles, but pretty much kept it the same.

Hope you enjoy. TFL!

Stamps: Friends 24-7, Oval All
Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla Cardstock; Bella Bleu DSP
Ink: Bordering Blue Classic Stamp Pad & Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Accessories: Sponges, Half Back Pearls, Scalloped Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Distressing Tool, Paper Piercer and Mat, Cinnamon Stickles and Various Ribbon.

A Little Rose Saffron Love

Happy 3-Day Weekend Everyone! Whether you have plans to stay close to home or travel to see friends or family, hopefully you enjoy your time off!

I had a workshop on Thursday night and this was the last card we made. I bought the Scallop Square Punch some time ago and was excited to finally use it. I paired it with a Retired Stamp Set called A Little Love. The images are the perfect size for this punch and are just adorable. But, if you don't have this set, and are looking for an alternative, there's a set in the catalog on Page 44 called Holiday Blitz that would be perfect---and it covers almost every holiday.

Both sets have small images that are harder to work with on cards. The punch allows you to make the image a little larger, therefore creating a better balance.

I love this color combo and the simple layout! TFL.

Stamps: A Little Love (Retired-Alternative: Holiday Blitz) and All Holidays
Paper: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Rose Red and Whisper White Cardstock; So Saffron DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip Pad and Stampin' Write Marker
Accessories: Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Scallop Square Punch, Rose Red Ribbon, Chocolate Chip Brad, Scallop Edge Punch and a 1/16" Circle Punch.

Crushed Razzleberry Lemonade

I have been wanting to use the new Razzleberry Lemonade DSP since I got it in July, but it never really fit into any of my workshops. With Fall coming, I'm trying to gravitate toward more fall colors and I think it has finally found a place.

The Razzleberry Lemonade papers have beautiful floral designs in the new In Colors: Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry and Crushed Curry. They all work so well together and can be coordinated in so many different ways.

I matched the Crushed Curry and Rich Razzleberry and what a wonderful combination they make. SU! finally decided to release Markers in the In Colors, which is perfect for coloring images to match the cardstock. I used the Rich Razzleberry marker for coloring the flowers and then drizzled Crystal Effects over the blooms. Once dried, this gives them a glossy look.

I hope you like it....TFL (Thanks for Looking)

Stamps: Friends 24-7, All Holidays
Paper: Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry & Very Vanilla Cardstock, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Ink: Rich Razzleberry & Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pads
Accessories: Modern Label Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Movers & Shapers Die, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, Rich Razzleberry, Certainly Celery and Old Olive Stampin Write Markers, Crystal Effects and Vintage Pewter Brads.