Happy Halloween!

I must confess that, after being down with that flu bug, I don't have any Halloween cards for this year.  What with babysitting full time now, I chose to move right into my Christmas cards and projects, in order to have enough time for them,  As a paper crafting artist, I feel like I never have enough time to create all the ideas that are swimming in my head.  I did finish 8 cards yesterday and that thrilled me! So, today, I will share some of my Halloween memories with you and a few Paper Pumpkin ideas for Halloween.  Enjoy!

So now, do you feel bad you missed out on some of the great Paper Pumpkin projects, if you sign up now, you can get the November kit.  It's available for ordering through November 10.  A little birdie told me that it will coordinate with our current kit which, by the way, has gorgeous cards that I am working on right now.

Now, for some Halloween memories ... 

Memories from my own childhood ...
We made our own costumes.
Cowboys, ghosts and hobos were very popular.
I liked to dress up in my dad's old clothes.
We went to neighborhood houses.
We got home made treats.
We got apples and oranges.
I survived it ... and ... I loved it.
Times have changed a bit.

Memories from teaching ...
Lots of kids showed up with cheap, ugly boxed costumes.
The strings always broke off before you could tie them.
The masks always got dented.
The parents expected you to have plenty of time to put on make-up, attach fangs or false teeth, and add all the fake blood to anyone needing it.
Teachers didn't count how many years until retirement, they counted how many more Halloween parties they'd have to endure.
I did enjoy the years we paraded through the school neighborhood.
The kids were wild and crazy ... but they loved it.

Memories from when my own children were little ...
We carved pumpkins every year.
I made popcorn balls for our 'guests' who came knocking.
I sewed all my kids' costumes.
My favorites were a witch, a cowboy, and Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy.

One year, my daughter asked if she could make the costumes.  She loved creating as much as I do.  What did she make for them both?  They were tubes of toothpaste!!!  They were darling.  It only took paper, crayons, markers and a complete roll of Scotch tape:).
One time, when my dad was visiting, he came out of my daughter's room holding a paper shoe she'd made (just the one) and asked: "Why?"  My answer:  "Because she could."  That one took a complete roll of tape, too:)
That's art ... and that's fun!

Here's a look back at our trip to Black Bart's Pumpkin Patch.

... and his class trip to another Pumpkin Patch with his mama.  Isn't this the cutest shot ever?!!!

So, Happy Halloween everyone.  It will be a chilly and damp one here.  We're taking Joey to our bank today because they're inviting Trick or Treaters.  Then, we're going to carve a pumpkin that we got when we took Joey to Black Bart's Pumpkin Patch a couple of weeks ago.  It should be a fun day.  I'll try to get some pictures.
Then, while he's at school ... He'll have his first school party today at Pre-K:) ... I'm going to be working on our latest Paper Pumpkin cards and our Christmas Countdown Project Kit.  I have projects 'in progress' spread out all over the place.  Happy days are here again!

WHAT'S UP NEXT?

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE PARTY / 2:00-5:00 / RSVP REQUESTED

Sunday, November10 --- 
PLEASE NOTE THE NEW DATE!!!

Come enjoy holiday displays, inspirations, projects and more!

SCRAPS AND PRAYERS / 5:30-7:30 / $18.00 

November 11 / Pay to register by November 4

We’ll be making beautiful Christmas cards.

PAPER PUMPKIN CLUB / FREE FOR MY LOCAL PP SUBSCRIBERS 

November 19 / 1:00-3:00 / BRING YOUR KIT.

SCRAPS AND PRAYERS / 5:30-7:30 / $18.00 

December 9 / Pay to register by December 2.

We’ll be making beautiful Christmas cards.
These will NOT be the same card designs as those from the November class. 

PAPER PUMPKIN CLUB / FREE FOR MY LOCAL PP SUBSCRIBERS 

December 17 / 1:00-3:00 / BRING YOUR KIT.

That's it for now.  

Thanks for stopping by my blog neighborhood.   

Have a beautiful day!

Happy Halloween 2018

Happy Halloween, from my studio! 

3 Remaining Events / 2018

                 

> Nov. 12 / Scraps and Prayers

         5:30-7:30 / $15.00
     Mixed Media Christmas Project
     PAY TO REGISTER ON WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS.

> Nov. 18 / Holiday Open House Party

          2:00-5:00 / A ‘No Fee’ Event
                    RSVP REQUIRED TO ATTEND
            Come any time during these hours.

            Come prepared for fun!

> Dec. 10 / Scraps and Prayers

         5:30-7:30 / $15.00
     Christmas Cards, showcasing the Timeless Tidings Card Kit.
     PAY TO REGISTER ONE WEEK PRIOR TO CLASS.

A Wonderful Party Hat for My Fall Decor

Before I get started on my new mini series of tutorials on OSW cards, I just have to show you what I just finished making.  I'm not always big on kits because they sometimes stifle my creativity, but this project was made with a kit I just love!

Isn't it great?  I feel like it's cute and pretty all at the same time.  I don't always decorate a lot for Halloween, but this kit just grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go.

These are the same berry baskets I shared with you in a previous post (click here).  I just changed out the contents to Fall leaves, using our beautiful new Vintage Leaves stamps and coordinating Leaflets Framelits.  My leaves are embossed in gold EP.  I'm trying to NOT use candy in my displays.  It's too tempting and I don't want to lure the puppies into showing any interest at all in my displays. 

The Witching Decor Project Kit also comes with more supplies to make a big Halloween label decoration on the front of the hat.  I haven't decided yet if I'll add it to my hat or use it for something else.  I really like my hat the way it is right now.  In addition to all the leaves in the kit, I added a few leaves cut from our new Black Glimmer Paper.  I love it!
Click here to see a video about making this wonderful hat.

I'll probably continue to tweak my display, but this is what I have right now.  I love decorating for Fall!  Right now, I'm working on the Season to Season Wreath Project Kit.  It's fun!  So far, I haven't even burned myself with my glue gun.  Even if I do at this point, it's still a record for me.  By the way, this witch hat is surprisingly quick and easy to make so, if you're interested in a beautiful Halloween decoration, this is the one for you!

Be sure to come back as I start my new mini series tutorials.  Now, I'm off to finish my beautiful wreath.   

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or look on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

BOO!

Today's post is short.  It's too spooky to stay too long.  Happy Halloween!!!

To all my little ghosts and goblins out there --- be safe...  and save me some candy!

Pssssssst!  Before you go, I'd like to pass on a little secret.  I'm having a huge Halloween sale at my Prairie Treasures booth in the Root Cellar.  I'll be taking it all away and adding tons of new Christmas goodies VERY SOON, so get down there and check it out if you'd like to get it on some great bargains.  Happy Halloween!

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Boo Wreath!

What's black, fluffy and scary cute?  A Boo Wreath, of course:)  I've been looking forward to sharing this with you!  You've seen a lot of wreaths that I've made and this one is really unique.  I have 2 of them on sale now at my Prairie Treasures booth at the Root Cellar and all my Halloween items are on sale this week, so if you're in the area you should go check it out.

This wreath features torn strips of black burlap and painted wooden letters.  Take a look:

Tips:
I used burlap ribbon instead of flat yardage.  It was much easier to cut into narrow strips.
I worked outside on our outdoor table, so the frayed pieces blew away to be used in bird nests.
I spray painted the wooden letters.  It was much quicker than hand painting them.
Once the paint was dry, I added glitter polka dots, using our Dazzling Details.  It comes in a little bottle, like glitter glue.  Again, quick and easy.
I let the polka dots dry overnight, so there was no possibility of messing them up.
I used a glue gun to attach the letters to the wreath.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Another Halloween Card --- Trick or Treat

If you liked this Halloween card, you're in luck because I have another version of it today!  This one is complete with some of our Witches' Brew Washi Tape --- inside and out.  This card was inspired by Sandi MacIver.  Let's get right to it!

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

All the Cards for my October Cards Classes

Today, I'd like to share all the cards we'll be making at my October cards classes AND call your attention to some new items on my scheduled events.  I'm pretty excited about them.

Here are all the cards for my October Cards Classes.  We'll be making 1 for Fall, 2 for Halloween and 3 for Christmas, along with coordinating envelopes for each.

Remember, if you get a friend to sign up with you, you will both get to make the bonus card.  This one is the bonus card:

Today, I stayed home all morning, nursing my poor knee.  After all the manipulation they did at the doctor's, it was swollen up like a balloon this morning.  I guess it's pretty torn up.  I am sad to say that I will have to have surgery on it in the near future.  Ugh!

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Happy October and a Spooky Fun Halloween Card

October is a fun time of year.  It's full of pumpkins, rich colors, cuddly clothes and spooky goodness.  Let's get started with some of that fun!  Today's post is all about the skeleton --- a fun skeleton, that is.  This is the bonus card for my Oct. 11 and 13 card classes. 

Here's my skeleton card, which is my version #4 of ways to use the Thinlits Circle Card die.  This card was inspired by Sandi MacIver.

Would you like to learn how to make this version of the Thinlits Circle Card?  It's easier than you would believe!  This will be the Bonus Card at my Oct. 11 and 13 card classes.  Get a friend to sign up, too, and you both get to make this bonus card.

Well, I'm still wondering what happened to August and September.  I guess it's true that time flies when you're having fun.  Thanks for stopping by and Happy October! 

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

A Bit of Halloween Fun and A Fun New Twist on the Thinlits Card Dies

If you're wondering why I disappeared, the answer is simple.  We've been on vacation and alas I could not get on the net.  We were on the Outer Banks and there wasn't even a McDonald's close to us.  We had a beautiful week and a wonderful time and it is soooooo good to be home again.  I'll share a few photos soon.  Now, back to stamping fun ---

I love our new Thinlits dies for making the circle and label cards.  How fun it is to come up with new ways to use them!  So far, I've shown you two versions --- by just cutting out the card and using the die as is and one with making an extended version with a flap.  Today, I have a third version, inspired by Sandi MacIver.

Here's my card:

With Halloween coming up so soon, I thought I'd share a fun Halloween treat idea with you today.  Aren't these cute?  With all the candy that comes out at this time of year, I love the idea of a fun and nutritional treat.  These would be cute for a party or for a lunch or snack treat for your little ones.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

A Telescoping Card and A Video

One of the perks I enjoy in being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is getting to attend events with other demonstrators.  Today's card is one that we made at our last meeting in Springfield.  I liked it so much that I decided it would be fun to make it at my next Friday Night Cards (Sept. 13) / Sunday Afternoon Cards (Sept. 15) classes.

This card was designed by Julie Davison, a talented stamper, great leader, and wonderful friend.  I added a coordinating envelope --- lined of course:)

I hope you can come to my class and see how much fun it is to make a telescoping card.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Sept. 1 ----- Happy September!

I cannot believe it is September already.  Did we even have an August this year?  Oh well, that just means that we're getting closer to Halloween.  Today's card is actually a little treat holder.  This was inspired by Dawn Olchefske, a very sweet and talented lady.

It's so much fun to open a card and find a little treat inside.  I'm not even a gum chewer and I still love it!  Of course, I lined the envelope because I just love our new envelope liners!!!  As you can see, I'm having way too much fun with all the goodies from our Holiday Catalog.

I placed this treat in a regular sized envelope, so there's room to enclose a message, too.  You could also write your message on the top, inside flap by using our new White Stampin' Chalk Marker!  And, if you really don't want gum inside, you could always place a small candy bar in it.  It fits.

By the way, if you liked yesterday and today's posts, we'll be making these at my September card classes.  Hope you can join us! 

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Let's take a look at it all!

I've been sharing with you some of the fun projects that we'll be making at my Holiday Stampin' Party / Open House (Sept. 7, 8).  Today, let's take a look at all the projects for you to enjoy.  You'll notice that I've planned a variety of projects for you, to give you the greatest opportunity to try some of our new goodies.

I hope you'll come by and join in on the fun.  If you cannot make it, I hope the projects I've shared will inspire you to get to work on your own holiday stamping projects.  By the way, if you need Halloween treats, the goodie bag shown above comes in a Halloween version, as well.  They're called Pumpkin Pie Goodie Gear.  Love the name!

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.