Spooky ...

I just love Halloween.  I don't know if it's the fall colors, the fun in dressing up, or the "trick or treating".  Maybe it's the candy corn?  I recall dumping my "bag of loot" on the family room floor and finding all the coconut bars for my Mom.  Candy corn and chocolate for me ... Almond Joys and Mounds for Mom!  Good memories.

We had a "banner party" yesterday and it was so fun!  I wanted to share with you the banner my daughter and I made.  Isn't it fantastic?!  (Click on the images for a better view.)  I'm going to hang it over our bowl of candy corn - maybe we should have made it read "Don't Touch!"?  The upcoming mini catalog from Stampin' Up is super cool.  I will have it posted on my sidebar later this week ... be sure to stop back for a visit.

The ribbon is Pumpkin Pie 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain.  I like to use Jumbo Eyelets on the ends of the banner when using this wider ribbon.  In between each pennent are regular eyelets with ribbon bows holding everything together.  The letters are On Board Alphabet Soup - painted and glittered by Sabrina.  She also did an awesome job creating these rosettes!  We glittered the edges with Dazzling Diamonds ... I've never found anything with more sparkle. 

Lots of bats on this banner - created with our Bitty Bat Large punch!  And the flower was created with Basic Black Cardstock in the same manner as I make my white flowers (see older posts).  I sprayed it with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz and I must say ... WOW!  This flower really shimmers!  An orange jewel was perfect for the center.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  This project is also posted at Simon Says Stamp and Show.  This week they celebrate the artwork of Tim Holtz.  He is the master of distressing and his projects always remind me of mystery, magic, and Halloween.  Don't miss seeing the wonderful posts there!

Some Supplies (don't forget to check back after September 1st):
#115616 - Pumpkin Pie Striped Ribbon
#119239 - On Board Alphabet Soup
#102023 - Dazzling Diamonds Glitter
#108431 - Jumbo Eyelets (Antique Brass)
#108432 - Jumbo Eyelets (Pewter)
#121045 - Basic Black Cardstock
#118772 - Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz
#119279 - Bitty Bat Large Punch

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Pink Dreams ...

Hello everyone.  I hope this note finds you all happy, healthy, and enjoying the last days of summer.  Our school supply shopping is nearly done and I am looking forward to settling into the daily routine that comes with the new school year.  When I was a kid I would get so excited when the school ads would come on ... I couldn't wait to get back into the classroom!  Although they would never admit it, I think my young ones are pretty excited too.

I love the simple elegance that this card brings.  Blushing Bride, Whisper White, and Regal Rose - such a pretty combination.  The gorgeous flower is from our Fifth Avenue Floral set ... beautiful.  The lined paper is from our Newsprint Designer Series Paper collection.

My numbers are an older set - I would suggest Calendar Alphabet & Numbers as a substitution.  The chipboard is painted pink then covered with chunky pink glitter.  I dyed my own seam binding and then added a "dreamy" little tag using our Jewelry Tag punch.  You'll find I use that punch everywhere!

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Enjoy the rest of your day!

Supplies:
#113734 - Fifth Avenue Floral
#111610 - Calendar Alphabet & Numbers
#117166 - Newsprint Designer Series Paper
#105211 - Regal Rose Classic Ink Pad
#119796 - Blushing Bride Cardstock
#100730 - Whisper White Cardstock




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What could be better?

A rainy afternoon, inside with friends, creating our art ... eating chocolate chip cake.  What could be better?

Here's a project from today's event.  I used some old retired black and vanilla background paper layered with our new Newsprint Designer Series Paper ... black and vanilla is so "classic" ... you can never go wrong with it.  The word(s) are from "In a Word" stamp set.  I love it ... "so sorry" ... so clever!  It's only available thru the end of this month - you can shop 24/7 from my website (see the link on the left?).  The center shape is cut and edges embossed using the same die shape.  The crochet trim lace is a very pretty pattern called Victoria.  It adds just the right "soft" element to this sympathy card.  You can see beautiful heartfelt cards at The Cuttlebug Spot.  Be sure to visit and leave a comment or two.

The flower is inspired by Wendy Vecchi.  I am a HUGE fan of hers!  Her art is incredible and is being celebrated this week at Simon Says Stamp and Show.  I encourage you to visit and see all the wonderful projects ... there is a link to her blog there also ... you'll be blown away!  Back to the flower ... I created it with three punches and some paper scraps.  First the leafy branches are from my Two Step Bird Extra Large Punch.  The flower is from Fancy Flower Extra Large and 5-Petal Flower Extra Large punches.  I curled the petals just a bit before I assembled the layers with an Antique Brad.  These brads are gorgeous ... the package includes different sizes and shapes ... I love them all!

Thanks so much for stopping by ... I hope you've found a little inspiration!  Enjoy the rest of your day!

#117166 - Newsprint Designer Series Paper
#120057 - In a Word (clear mount)
#117143 - In a Word (wood mount)
#118481 - Victoria Crochet Trim
#117191 - Two Step Bird Punch
#118073 - Fancy Flower Punch
#119880 - 5-Petal Punch
#117273 - Antique Brads
#113439 - Big Shot


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Finally catching up ...

My goodness, vacations are wonderful but the work waiting for you when you return can be overwhelming!  I am still preparing for August's Stamp Camp this Saturday and have a bit of time tonight to share with you my first project.

My base is Whisper White cardstock.  The DSP is retired but I think this card would be gorgeous created with our Blueberry Crisp Designer Series Papers!  My dear sweet sister-in-law sent me vintage sheet music she found in Virginia.  Thank you Shirley! 

I must admit ... I can't seem to get enough of these beautiful flowers.  If you "click" on the image you can see how they sparkle in the sunlight!  They are so fun and easy to make ... let me know what colors you have created!  The leaves are punched from Jolly Holiday DSP with our Two-Step Bird Punch.  I simply can't get enough of our Basic Pearls and Basic Rhinestones.  I use them everywhere!  The ribbon is 5/8" Whisper White Organza.  The blue gem topped pin adds just the right finishing touch and the rub-on sentiment expresses my thoughts for the lucky birthday friend.

Be sure to visit the ladies at Crafty Cardmakers ... they are celebrating this week. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY and many more!

Once again, the Design Team at Etsy Inspired have outdone themselves.  This week they are featuring Lover Dover Clothing and you must see the adorable children's clothing and the ladies aprons ... well, I just can't say how badly I'd LOVE to have one of those aprons!  I was so inspired to use shades of blue with touches of white by these sweet photos.  I don't have a "little" girl any more (my daughter would second that thought) but the ladies aprons at Lover Dover are just as sweet!  Follow the links to visit Lover Dover and leave some love at Etsy Inspired along the way!

I'm afraid that is all I have time for tonight!  Thanks so much for stopping by...I hope you enjoyed your visit. 

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Home again ...

Hello friends.  The Sequoia's in southern California are outstanding!  If you have never seen these gorgeous trees please make a special trip to do just that.  You can see Redwoods along the coast of California and into Yosemite Park, but there is a very special place that the Sequoia's grow.  The are the largest living organism (by volume) growing on this wonderful planet of ours and they are found nowhere else except right here in the United States.  To stand at their base and look up into their branches - it's awesome.

I have an event planned this weekend so I need to get busy!  Be sure to stop back soon as I will be posting my projects in the upcoming days ...




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Chic Boutique ...

Our days are busy, busy, busy!  Work, swimming, family, volleyball, fishing and more ... I just don't know how we are going to fit school back into our schedule!

This project was whipped up in a jiffy ... thanks to the adorable dress form in our Chic Boutique stamp set.  Paper-pieced from coordinating papers makes me feel like doing a little window shopping.  The trees along the bottom give you the sense of a "outdoor boulevard" ... Haussmann Boulevard perhaps?  Wouldn't that be wonderful?!

My chipboard frame is from our Mix and Match collection.  I painted it blue and added some bling with our Chunky Essentials glitter.  The buttons are from my "drawers and bins" ... as well as the crystal pins.    Along with the gorgeous peach colored flower, the pearls add dimension.  A sweet sentiment in the lower right says all the right words. I haven't used rub-ons in years and I'm so glad they are making a come back ... in a big way!

Thanks for visiting with me today.  I hope you take the time to visit these challenge blogs ... they will truely inspire you to create your own works of art ... 

Papertake Weekly has provided a wonderful sketch this week ... thanks ladies!
Simon Says Stamp suggests "dots" ... so cute!
Delightful Sketches has a recipe "2 papers, 3 embellishments, outdoors" ... I think I over-achieved on the embellishments!
Dutch Dare says ... anything goes!

Supplies:
#113744 Chic Boutique
#119240 Mix and Match Chip Board
#108797 Chunky Essentials
#119247 Basic Pearls


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