On a Dark & Dreary Night...

     Hello!  Today's card was inspired by Cards4Ever's Birthday card over at SCS (here).  I loved her layout and decided to change the theme from birthday to my favorite holiday - Halloween!
     Lately, I've been all about using what you have as opposed to purchasing something you may only use once or twice - this includes stamps.  While I absolutely {love} Googly Ghouls and Monster Munchies in the Holiday catalog, I decided to get a bit more use out of my Dark & Dreary stamp set.  
     I had a hard time deciding which paper combination to use and I'm still not sure I like the one I chose.  I have a hard time using different patterns on the same card, I like everything to be matchy-matchy!

Stamps: Dark & Dreary (retired)
Ink: StazOn Black
Paper: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Tangerine Tango, Howlstooth & Scaringbone
Tools & Accessories: Glimmer brads, black grosgrain ribbon (retired), dimesionals

Meow!

 
   Hello!  I can hardly believe Halloween is right around the corner!  I was reminded of this fact last week when I noticed the dollar store selling Halloween candy... it's still September! 
     Today's card is a CASE of Connie Babbert's Frightening Feline card over at her blog Inkspired Treasures (here).  I loved everything about her card and when something's perfect, why change it?!  Unfortunately, I don't have the Window Frame framelit dies so I used the Labels framelits instead.

Stamps: Frightening Feline
Paper: Houndstooth & Scaringbone DSP, Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, Basic Gray
Ink: StazOn black
Tools & Accessories: Big Shot, Labels Collection framelits dies, paper piercing tools, glimmer brads, Boho Blossoms punch, dimensionals

Using the Block in a Whole New Way

     Hello!  Today's card was inspired by Angie Juda's Flower Fest cards over at her blog Chic' n Scratch.  I am someone who must have things neat and organized and cringe when I get ink somewhere it shouldn't be - like the clear blocks!  So it took me a second or two to get used to the fact that I would need to ink up the entire clear block to make the background for this card (deep breath).
     If you've never seen this technique before it's very simple.  Instead of using a stamp to create the orange background I inked up a clear block and used that as a stamp instead.  I did press a little harder than I would have had there been a stamp on the block, just to make sure I got as much ink off the block as I could.  I love the speckled look the block gives you.  If you're more of a visual learner Angie does have a video tutorial available on her blog.  
     Once I got over the initial shock the rest of the card was incredibly easy to make.  The birds were stamped with black StazOn as was the sentiment. 

Stamps: Dark & Dreary, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, StazOn Black
Paper: First Edition DSP, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie
Tools & Accessories: Clear blocks (I used B), dimensionals

On a Dark & Dreary Night...

     Hello!  Halloween is my favorite holiday but surprisingly I only own one Halloween stamp set (although Spooky Bingo Bits is super cute and I may have to order that soon!).  I originally purchased Dark & Dreary when it was featured in the 2010 Holiday mini and was happy to see it carried over to the 2011 Idea Book & Catalog.
     Today's card was inspired by Patty B's Pretty in Paint card (here) over at SCS.  I absolutely loved her layout and decided to change very little on for my card.  I did want to add a bit of sparkle to one of the layers so I pulled out my Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss powder and VersaMark and applied it to the entire second layer.  I should note that I stamped the sentiment in StazOn before applying the embossing powder.
     Even though the Iridescent Ice gives this card a great "wow" effect, it was very simple to make and could easily be mass produced.  If you plan on making Halloween cards but need to stock up on paper or accessories (or perhaps a new Halloween stamp set!) there's still time to place an order!

Stamps: Dark & Dreary, Baroque Motifs, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: StazOn Black, VersaMark
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Old Olive, Whisper White
Tools & Accessories: Heat tool, Iridescent Ice embossing powder, grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals

Halloween Bean Bags!

     Hello!  I really am addicted to making this adorable little totes!  They are so super easy and I have yet to have a recipient who wasn't thrilled with the "cuteness" of this paper tote!  These totes were created by Kay Sha over at Creations on Paper and were given to 3 teachers at school who make my job so much easier.  They were filled with an assortments of chocolate Lindt balls that I picked up at the factory outlet store in Stratham.  Yes, I am lucky enough to live near a chocolate outlet where they sell incredibly delicious (almost addictive) chocolate at a discounted price. 

    Wouldn't these make cute gift card holders for Christmas?!  Just fill the bottom with a bit of tissue paper and you've got a unique way to jazz up an otherwise boring card holder.

Stamps: Tags So Much (retired)

Ink: Black StazOn, White Gel pen

Paper: Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black

Tools & Accessories: Big Shot, Lattice Textured embossing folder, tag punches, linen thread

A RAK From My Upline

     Hello!  I love to make cards but I love receiving cards even more!  My wonderful upline, Stella, sent me this adorable RAK (Random Act of Kindness) Halloween card. 
     If you're not familiar with how the Stampin' Up! career plan works and who an "upline" is it's pretty simple.  Stampin' Up! has a place for everyone, whether you want to build a full-time career and business, supplement your family income, or add to your personal rubber stamp collection (that's why I signed up!). When you become a demonstrator, Stampin' Up! helps you reach your goals and be successful through training materials and personal support.  One way SU! offers support is through an upline.  An upline (the demo you sign up under) is your personal advisor and is eager to help you achieve your goals.  And Stella is FABULOUS at what she does!  Even though I've never actually met her (she lives in California) she still provides support through her website and frequent e-mails.  Thanks Stella!

Stamps: From the Crypt

What a GREAT Idea!

Hello!  My fabulous upline, Stella, recently posted a super cute idea for Decor Elements on her blog!

   Stella took a trip to her local thrift store and picked up these dishes for less than $10.  She then used the Spooky Things decor elements to decorate the items and turned them into adorable Halloween decorations!
     The Spooky Things can be found in the Holiday Mini and come in black or dark gray ($14.95  for a set of 10 images!)  The thrift store items were $8.50.  So, SIX darling Halloween decor pieces for $23.45, or $3.90 each!  Wouldn't these make great decorations at your Halloween party?  Or any of these items would make a great gift for your favorite teacher, coworker, family, the Halloween lover in your life, etc....

Thanks for the inspiration Stella!

Frankie and His Mummy

     Get it?!  His mummy!  But seriously, aren't these just the cutest little things ever?!  Unfortunately, I can't take 100% creative credit for these little critters.  I was inspired by Angie's Easter Nugget & KitKat box video tutorial over at Chic' n Scratch (love her blog!!). 

     Angie used her own box but I chose to use the Matchbox Bigz XL die (pg 208, $42.95) that's been collecting dust in my stamping studio.  Not sure why I don't use these more often, they are so quick and easy to put together.  From start to finish, including cutting, I'd say that both boxes took me less than 20 minutes to make.  Now, if I liked all the kids (and their parents) in our condo complex I might consider making these as trick-or-treat favors for Halloween...  nah.  I'll make a bunch up for the teachers at my school instead.  Teachers love a little surprise in their mailbox every now and then!
     The mummy box was incredibly easy to put together.  I wrapped 3/8" twill tape around the Very Vanilla matchbox and secured it with sticky strip.  The eyes were made using the 1' and 3/4" circle punches.

     Frankie was also just as easy (although I did have a hard time drawing his mouth on exactly as I wanted it.... silly OCD).  Same size circle punches for the eyes and his hair was cut free hand with paper snips.
     I filled each box with 5 mini candy bars (were you expecting something other than chocolate from me?!).  Four Hershey nuggets would also fit nicely in the box. 

Paper: Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Crumb Cake
Ink: Black Stampin' Write marker
Tools & Accessories: Big Shot, Matchbox Bigz XL die, 3/4" & 1" circle punches, 3/8" twill tape