Creepy Shoes

While looking through my stash of stamps, I thought it would be fun to dress one of Karen Lockhart's shoes up for Halloween. Well, as you can see below, my thought process got a little out of control to say the least! I had first thought about making a shoe look like a witch's shoe but then I saw the Pasta and Meatballs stamp. Anyone would immediately see blood and goo and eyeballs right? Okay, maybe not!! My mind definitely thinks out of the box sometimes.

Then I thought about a sentiment. What could you pair with shoes that have eyeballs? JustRite Stampers to the rescue again! Did you ever watch that scary movie where the babysitter keeps getting phone calls asking, *Do you know where the children are?* That movie really creeped me out when I was young!! That's what made me think of my sentiment.
I was able to spell out the words with the JustRite Small Alphabet Stamp Set and a circles border stamp, using the smallest round wood block stamper. I cut the circle out with a Spellbinder's circle template. Again, the JustRite stamps were designed to fit perfectly with Spellbinder's Nestabilities dies. I mounted the circle onto another scallop cut die from Spellbinder's.

For the shoe image, I used Copic Sketch markers and then added some shine to the eyeballs using a black glossy gel pen. I cut the image layers with rectangle Nestabilities from Spellbinders. My final finishing touches were some green and black harlequin patterned paper, black and white gingham ribbon and some bright green craft paint seeping down the card.
Hmmmm, now who do I know that would appreciate this somewhat twisted card???


By the way, Marianne from Copic has some great posts on her blog about airbrushing. Check out her great tips HERE.

New Home Cards

My realtor friends wanted some card refills so I was happy to oblige. I'm glad to hear that their business is doing well enough to have the need for *congratulations on your new home* cards. I was absolutely thrilled when Nicholed designed the Papertrey stamp set called Boards and Beams. The details on the houses are fabulous and the sentiments are perfect too. I needed to do a little mass production so there wasn't time to color all of the stamped houses individually. So instead I decided to do some paper piecing. I simply stamped the house image onto polka dot patterned paper by My Mind's Eye with Palette Black Noir ink. The design of the polka dot patterned paper was simple enough that it did not take away from the architectural details on the house. I cut out the houses with a sharp pair of fine tip scissors. I did use some Copic markers on the roof and window shutters to add a little bit of detailing. Next I popped the houses up on pop dots and adhered them to a few rectangle layers of cardstock. By stamping the tree image directly onto the cardstock and then placing the house in front, I created some perception of depth in my focal images. I adhered some Spring Moss Grosgrain ribbon to the focal pieces by cutting notches in ribbon then stapling directly to the cardstock. I used PTI Kraft cardstock for my card base and PTI Polka Dot Basics in white ink for the background. I was able to create a nice little stack of cards pretty quickly. By keeping the design the same, I saved time because I could easily get my production line going. Same size pieces, same length of ribbons, same size of patterned papers, same size cardstock mats, etc.
So whatever kinds of cards you're making, remember to do some mass production sometimes. You'll be glad you took a little extra time to make a few more cards for your stash.

Bridal Invitations

Last week I was given quick notice that a friend needed 15 bridal shower invitations, pronto! To speed up the process, I typed up the invitation wording, printed it off onto cardstock and layered it into the inside of the invites. This helped my hostess friend because she didn't have to hand write anything for the invites. Next, I reached for my handy dandy JustRite Stampers stamps. I chose to use the Weddings Borders and Centers set, choosing to cut off the flowery portion of the center stamps. (Note: be sure to click on the photo again...the images shown at the first link are not the correct images, but when you zoom in you'll get the correct view of all the wedding images). To use the Borders and Centers stamps, I choose the wooden Harmony I Classic Circle Stamper to hold the rubber images. I was able to stamp my outside card sentiments in no time. I simply went to work mass production style and stamped off 15 sentiments onto scrap vanilla cardstock. I then reached for my Spellbinder's Nestabilities Circle Dies to cut out the circles. I added the embossing also to make the invitations have a little more formal detail. I then cut some patterned paper and adhered the layers to black scallop cut rectangles from Spellbinder's Nestabilities. I adhered these layers to my vanilla cardstock, added the round embellishements with pop dots and added some black satin ribbon for a finishing touch.
The great thing about the JustRite stamps is that they coordinate in size with the Spellbinder's Nestabilities dies. You're always able to find just the right size circle or other shape, because the stamps were designed to coordinate with the die shapes. I was so glad I was able to help a friend in need and just in the nick of time too.

Hey Ghoulfriend

Back to Halloween today. Last year I got this cute little ghosty girl image from Whipper Snapper, designed by my friend Anna Wight. The ghost image has THE cutest little face and darling bow. The name of the stamp is called Sheila Ghost and is available HERE at Whipper Snapper.


I didn't have time last year to create with this stamp, so it was a must for this Halloween season. I knew exactly how I wanted to color Sheila. I stamped Sheila onto Papertrey's Kraft cardstock with black ink and then reached for my white pigment ink pad. I used inexpensive eye makeup sponges to apply white ink to the ghost image. It was very easy to blend and the white ink shows up very nicely on the Kraft cardstock. I then cut out the image with a rectangle Spellbinder's die and ink the edges of my rectangle while the metal die was still in place. I colored Sheila's bow a burnt orange color and added some glitter. I also used some pinkish colored chalk to color her cheeks. Isn't she just adorable?The background papers are from Making Memories and My Mind's Eye, my two favorite collections this Halloween. For the sentiment on my cards, I used the Small Alphabet from JustRite Stampers to spell out *hey ghoulfriend*. Ha Ha! I used a polka dot border stamp and small wood stamper from JustRite to frame my sentiment. I then added some dressed buttons and black and white gingham ribbon and my cards were complete.
Here's a closeup of cute little Sheila Ghost, all dressed up in her finest sheet and sparkly bow.
Now that I've made all these Halloween cards, I better get them mailed out to some spooktacular friends and family!! Have a great day everyone!!

Let It Snow Album

Happy Saturday everyone! I hope your weekend is off to a great start! I slept in til 8am and was awakened to the smell of wonderful coffee! Later on when the dew dries off, we're heading out to the timber to cut a load of firewood. The girls are excited for the first fire in the fireplace. It's not cold enough yet but we're stocking up on firewood.

To get into the season a little, I thought I would share a little photo album I made using Papertrey's Made of Snow stamp set, designed by Nichole. In true Papertrey style, this set helps you to build the perfect snowman. All of the pieces and parts of the snowman are separate stamps, from the body parts, to the the scarves, all the way down the the tiniest details of the face and buttons. Be sure to click on the link to the stamp set so you can see all the pieces and parts.

I have a drawer full of little albums so I thought I would start with this fun barn red album (source unknown). I used some of the Polka Dot Parade paper along the bottom edge. I tore the paper and distressed the edges with Ranger Distress Ink. I used green, glittery chipboard letters for the *let it snow* album title and some Spring Moss Saddle Stitched ribbon to tie up the album. Same supplies were used for the matching card. Here's a single shot of the album by itself.
Here's the fun detail of the snowman. I used buttons from my Foofala collection in three different sizes to build my snowman. I stitched the top button for the head, added button stamps from Made of Snow for the middle body portion and a bigger button for the bottom body portion of the snowman. I paper pieced a scarf from Made of Snow and attached it with cut up pieces of foam dimensionals. I also paper pieced a tree from the Made of Snow stamp set and added three green sequin stickers.
Here's a close up shot of the ribbon detail. I also added a few Making Memory epoxy stickers to the ring binding.
Here's a close up shot of the super fast card I made using leftover letters. It would be the perfect addition to my little album for a fun gift. Maybe I'll fill the album with sledding photos that we take of the girls every year. Who knows, but it's a fun way to start the holiday season.
Have a great weekend everyone!! What's the weather like in your neck of the woods??

Wise Owl Halloween Treats

Whooooooo knew October would fly by so fast! Halloween will be here before you know it. Do you have some spooktacular treats planned for teachers, friends and family? Today, I have some fun treat bags to show you that you can whip up in no time. Gather up your supplies and let's get started!

Today, I have a helper...my good friend Carmen came over to play in my stamping room. She is kind enough to let me use her as a hand model. Her hands are much prettier than mine anyway!

I knew that I wanted to use the PTI's Wise Owl stamp set for a Halloween project. While gathering up supplies, I found that a patterned paper from the First Fruits collection was a perfect selection! The layered design pattern reminds me of feathers on the owl's belly. And the colors were perfect for Halloween too.
Start out the project by stamping the Wise Owl body and wings onto Papertrey's Kraft cardstock, using Palette Black Noir ink. Using Copic Sketch markers, shade in the outline out of the body using some light tan shades. Using a Copic Blender Pen, blend in the ink colors...they'll fade into the Kraft color easily. (Look at Carmen's pretty nails. )

Whoooo's that looking at us? Before we get to the eyes, let's stamp on the owl's belly. I used belly that resembled the feather pattern in the First Fruits patterned paper. This belly image is from the Wise Owl Bellies stamp set, an additional set that coordinates with Wise Owl. Perfect combination. Stamp on the owl's beaks too.
Now for the eyes. Stamp some big, googly eyes onto PTI's Stamper's Select White Cardstock. I punched them out with two sizes of circle punches.
Cut out the owls with a pair of fine tip scissors and add the eyes. I adhered one eye directly to the owl image and popped another eye up on a foam pop dot. This enhances the *googliness* of the owl's eyes.....you've heard the saying, *keep one eye open*, right. Aren't the owls so cute all piled up? (How could you resist these Pine? She loves owls.)
Next, it's time to stamp the sentiments. Cut Kraft cardstock and stamp on a *Happy Halloween* sentiment from Spooky Sweets and the *have a hoot of a day* stamp from the Wise Owl set. Add three little dots with a black marker to the front of the *have a hoot sentiment*. Ink the edges with white ink. (Pretty ring, Carmen.)

Next, cut squares of Kraft cardstock and adhere the patterned paper. Finished size is 3.25" square. Adhere the owls and a the sentiment rectangle.
Bake up your favorite treats. I made Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies, using the recipe straight off the package. I usually add about 1/4 cup more flour so they puff up a bit more. Bake them in a big cookie pan and cut into bars. No time for individual cookies, the big square bars will do! I added Halloween colored M & M's to the top of the batter before baking. Don't mix them in because you won't see them all. Sprinkle them on top so they stay bright and colorful.
Slip the fresh baked but cooled cookies into a Large Glassine Bag. I LOVE these bags, they come in so handy! Fold over the top, punch a hole and add a Dark Chocolate Saddle Stitch Ribbon. Adhere the finished owl piece to the front of the sack with a couple foam pop dots.
If you really want to make your owls look cool, add some Ranger Glossy Accents to the eyes. It will make them look like real googly eyes. Allow plenty of time for them to dry though.
Package up all your goodies in a basket and you'll be all set for Halloween! I love to drop by the girls' school on Halloween day and deliver my treats. The teachers love it when they see me comin'! I always save out two treats for my mom and dad too. They get a real kick out of getting a special treat, all packaged up just for them. Poor Eric, he just gets the outside cookie crust. He feels so deprived on treat days!

Well, I hope you've enjoyed my treats today! Thank you to Carmen for being my helper! Have a spooktacular day!

Trick or treat, smell my feet..

It's SO COLD here in Kansas. Brrr, feels more like Thanksgiving weather than Halloween. I've steadily been making more Halloween cards in between my Christmas projects. Today I'm using Karen Lockhart's fun Warm Socks stamp. I love this stamp, I think I could use it for every occasion. All it takes is a little *out of the box* thinking.

I stamped my image onto My Mind's Eye patterned paper and paper pieced the socks. I colored in the background image from the same stamp with an orange Copic Sketch marker outline and then glittered the inside pattern. I adhered the socks to the background image with pop dots. Here's a view of the glitterfied background. For the sentiment, I reached for my handy dandy JustRite Stamps. They're the perfect *go to* stamps if you need to really customize a sentiment. I used the Curlz Font Alphabet and my large rectangle block Harmony stamper. I used two different font size on the same rectangle block. I stamped my completed sentiment into Versamark embossing ink and embossed my letters with black embossing powder. I'm loving the black embossed look for Halloween this year. I finished of a letter *i* with a burnt orange sequin sticker and added some more My Mind's Eye Halloween patterned paper and May Arts striped vintage ribbon. Who wouldn't smile when they receive this fun card?
Be sure to check out the contest going on at JustRite Stampers. There's lots of goodies to be given away each day.

Papertrey October Release

Whew, what a fun Papertrey Release, right? There are sooooo many fun stamp sets, punches and fun new colors added to the lineup this month. I'd love to hear what your favorites were and what you ordered. If you haven't been to the Papertrey gallery yet, be sure to stop by to check out even more samples of the Design Team. There are so many great projects, my list is a mile long of gifts I want to make. There's no need to think up something original this year for gifts, Papertrey has done the work for you!


Here's a recap of my projects this month:


First off, my Cocoa for Two gift ensemble using the Warm Happiness stamp set. Next up, a fun frame that holds two 4" x 6" photos. I used the cute mittens from the Snowfall set on the left. I dipped the mittens in the Glue Essential pad and then dumped on Martha Stewart brown glitter.

Here's a closeup of a soldered embellishment. I used the negative image of the Extra Jumbo Snowflake Punch. I inked the edges of the Kraft paper with white ink and then made a soldered sandwich. I added a button and green sequins to the outside of the glass. Tied it on with a fun PTI ribbon. Can't wait to add a photo of my family and set this on the mantle for the holidays.
Simply and beautiful card using the Silent Night stamp set and a leftover glittered Extra Jumbo Snowflake Punch.

Ohhhh, the Recipe stamp set! I'll be using this one a ton, you know how much I love the recipe cards! Here's my version of a 4" x 6" recipe card using the pre-printed recipe cards. I used some PTI holiday patterned paper and embossing on the beverage embellishments. I'll be making my mom's wonderful Hot Spiced Tea recipe and giving out a little tin with the recipe this year. Good stuff.

And finally, another gift ensemble using the holiday tags collection stamp set. Snowflakes are embossed and mounted on a gold Spellbinder's die. I packed up the hand scrub and lotion in a pretty frosted PTI sack along with some iridescent scrunchy filler.

The card was so simple to make, I used one of the printed recipe cards!
All supplies from Papertry Ink. Sooo, did you stay up til midnight???? I'm dying to know what you're going to make this year for gifts. Let me hear from you, girls!