Batty Halloween Card

It's still a little early in the season, but I've been doing lots of thinking about Halloween ideas. I'm not a huge Halloween fan, but like I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm a sucker for cute. Now this one isn't really cutesie, but I do think it falls on the cuter end of the Halloween "ghoulish meter". Wonder if there really is something like that??! Anyway, it was fun to make and that's what counts, right? BTW - Connie, this one's for you!


Stamps: All Holidays set, and Frightful Fence Jumbo Wheel
Cardstock: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, and Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait, and Old Olive
Accessories: Jumbo Handle, Modern Label Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Round Tab Punch, Sponge quarters, Brights Brads, Mat Pack and Piercing Tool, and Dimensionals

I didn't pre-order the new Bat Punch, so I made do with bats made from repeatedly punching the side of the Round Tab Punch. I love the look of these. They have this slightly sinister look, but totally harmless. Just the way I like my Halloween!

For the grasses on the bottom, I used the direct-to-paper technique with Old Olive ink. If you're not a fan of that technique, I think using a marker and just drawing in the grasses would work just as well. Without anything on the bottom it looked a little bare. I was lucky enough to get the spider web from the wheel onto the card front this time. Half the time it didn't make it, but this time it worked. Guess I've got to practice where to start my wheel on the paper better.

When I was working on the moon, I wanted to have it look rounded but then almost blending into the background. To accomplish that I sponged the circle with a good amount of Daffodil Delight ink about 1/2" in on all the edges, then went back with Peach Parfait and added a little more sponging on the edge. This starts to blend the edge into the Pumpkin Pie background, but still keeps it separate.

Anyway, hope you have fun with the idea. This was one of the cards in my Punchy Class today. If you're in the Detroit area and are looking for a fun class, come join us! We're always looking for people who like to have fun and love chocolate. Well, I guess the chocolate part is optional, but expect to meet some great ladies and have a good time. Just contact me and I'll get you the information for upcoming classes.

Have a great week!
Sharon

Fang-tastic!

Yup, I had decided not to get another Halloween set because every time I do it's retired right away. How frustrating! But I just couldn't help myself when I saw what Stampin' Up! was offering in the new Holiday Mini coming out in September. Oooooh, it's just too cute and I love cute Halloween stuff. You can skip the ghoulish and gory as far as I'm concerned. Just give me the cute little kids in their Halloween costumes, and I'm an absolute pushover! So when I had a chance to pre-order from the new mini and get some samples made, well, along came the guy in the brown truck with a box for me with Fang-tastic sitting right on top!!

I was even crazy enough to sign up for a swap using this set, so I had to get creating with it. Now I can't show you the cards I made for the swap just yet. (don't worry, I did remember to take a picture before sending them off, but I have to wait a bit to share!) But that wasn't the only card I made with the set. Here's a different idea using the cute little dracula kid.

Stamps: Fang-tastic stamps, Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel

Cardstock: Basic Gray, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, and Whisper White

Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: AquaPainter, Watercolor Wonder Crayons - Neutrals, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch (for the teeth marks), Distressing Tool, Jumbo Handle, Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, and Dimensionals

Now, wasn't I right? Isn't this just the cutest little kid dressed up like dracula? It was so easy to color him with the Neutral WWCrayons. All except for his vest - I had to use my Razzleberry ink pad for that.

How do you like the Vintage wheel design on the background? I had someone mess up their cardstock at class last week using the wheel in the wrong direction. So, since the inked, gray cardstock was just sitting there, I figured I might as well use it for something. Right?

Well, hope you like this idea using the very new

Fang-tastic set. Maybe I need to make another card or two with the set before it finds a home on my shelves. That cute little girl-witch is calling out to me! We'll see.....

Happy stamping,

Sharon

CASEd Grunge

No, the total grunge look really isn't my style. But I've seen so many cards and 3d objects with the 'grunge technique' that intrigued me. Guess it was time to give it a try. So when my sis Connie emailed me a card idea she made with that look, I decided to use hers as a jumping off point and try my hand at it. It really helps to have a basic plan to work with when you're waaaaaaaaay out of your own comfort zone! LOL Of course, there were a few tweaks along the way to accommodate what I had on hand, but it does look quite similar.


Stamps: Grunge Rock, Extrme Elements, and Friends Rock
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, and Baja Breeze
Ink: Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze, and Soft Suede
Accessories: Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, Log Cabin Smooch Spritz, Metallic Brads, Mat Pack and Piercing Tool, and Distressing Kit






It was interesting layering all the stamps and ink colors onto the Baja Breeze cardstock. The hardest part was distressing it and then crumpling it up. Once you add just a smidgeon of the Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint on with little dabs from a sponge, it changed the look immensely and started pulling everything in together. The last touch was adding a spritz from the Log Cabin Smooch Spritz. Yep, that did it. Then just a couple of brads and the ribbon to complete the look. Not too bad. Then I took another look at Connie's card, and I think I might have used a different green color - not sure about that. But I am happy with the results.

So there you have it! I tried something new and way out of my comfort zone and lived to tell about it. Why not give it a try yourself? I can see why teens and tweens would like getting a card like this. It is kind of fun. Maybe I should give it another try since all those stamp sets are strewn over my table. Just a thought - isn't it silly that I had purchased 3 different 'grunge' style sets and had never made a card in this style??? Guess I just needed a bit of a nudge. Thanks Connie!

Have a splendid day today! Since it's sputtering rain outside, I think I just might spend some more time creating....
Sharon

Happy Anniversary to us!

That's me and my hubby I'm talking about. It's 36 years today! Wow, that's a lifetime of living together with my best buddy. We went out Saturday together to celebrate. For 13 years we worked at the street fair in town selling whatever I was making at the time. Many of those 13 years we worked on our anniversary. So this year we decided to walk the fair and have some gyros just like we used to do. It was a fun evening, there was a nice breeze, and the food was good. I didn't even spend too much money either. I did find a baby's 1st Christmas ornament and got it personalized for Carson. Now I've got to hide it away til Christmas. And then the hard part is remembering I bought it and where I hid it come December! lol Anybody else out there buy things for Christmas or birthdays way in advance and then forget you bought it and buy something else??? One Christmas was so bad my son asked me why I forgot to give him a gift he had already found!

Anyway, back to the anniversary business... I wanted to make my hubby a card and wasn't getting inspired. I checked in on the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge and saw a great little layout. The card came together easily after that little nudge. Hope he likes it. The card isn't the normal mushy anniversary type I usually do, but it gets the idea across anyway.


Stamps: Sense of Time, Extreme Elements
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard, and Whisper White
Ink: Baja Breeze, Cherry Cobbler, and More Mustard
Accessories: Scallop Square Punch, Big Shot with Clearlits Scallop Rectangle die, Metallic Brads, Sponge Dauber, and Dimensionals

It was a little tricky figuring out how to use the words for the design element in the challenge sketch, but after playing around with a few different options, this is what I came up with. I think it worked out pretty well.

Well, I'm off to spend a bit more time with my hubby tonight. Hope you all have a great evening.
Sharon

Joy Filled

Happy Sunday to you! My used stamp sale yesterday didn't go too well. I still have way too many stamps left that need to be stored away somewhere. When I set the date for the sale, I totally forgot about the big stamp convention about an hour away from here. And that's where all my customers went. bummer! I've been getting updates from some of my ladies about going there instead of coming here. Oh well, maybe I'll give this a try in another couple of months. Something has to leave this basement, or I won't be able to cram anything else in here without busting out the walls! Wow, what an idea!! I wonder, could we excavate out from the walls and add another storage room on the back of the house? hmmmm.... Ah, no, I'm pretty sure my hubby wouldn't go for that idea!!! LOL

Anyway, I have a Christmas card idea to share with you today. I know Christmas is still a long way off, but we need to get the cards finished for the soldiers extra early so they can send them home. I mentioned how I try to use retired items to make these cards, and this one is no exception. The Merry Moments Designer Series Paper and Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon used for this card have both been retired, but the main image comes from a great new set called Perfect Punches.

Stamps: Perfect Punches

Cardstock: Old Olive, Real Red, Very Vanilla with Merry Moments DSP (retired)

Ink: Old Olive

Accessories: Real Red Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, and Dimensionals

So never think that you have to use only new products with new, and old products with old. Stampin' Up! does a fabulous job of making things coordinate on so many different levels. Get out your old favorites and pair them up with something fresh and new. You'll like what you come up with and fall in love with your old favorites all over again!!

And just to keep you thinking Christmas, there are only 138 days left before Christmas! Start thinking about what cards you want to make to send to all your family and friends to wish them well. This card design is super-simple and goes together in a jiffy. Just find a lovely printed paper, and go to town with it. Make sure you check back later to see the terrific new Designer Papers that Stampin' Up! will be showing in September! I have them pre-ordered and I can't wait to start creating with them and sharing with you! I know you're gonna want to get some for sure!

Oh, I almost forgot, in a couple of days my hubby and I will celebrate our 36th anniversary! Since I've been so busy babysitting and not doing as many workshops as usual, anyone that places an order on my website will be getting an extra-special thank-you from me! I've made several sets of cute owl note cards with a little holder for them. I'd love to share one of these sets with you. So go ahead and place your order online and I'll get one of these in the mail to you pronto!

Ok, I'm off to have a little stamping time since there's no baby here to keep an eye on. Hope my mojo hasn't up and left me because of lack of use! lol Have a restful day. Take time to dwell on all God's grace and goodness to us!!

Sharon

Country Blessings

Ok ladies, I have a couple versions of a Thanksgiving card for you today. One is the original I made for the ladies to make on Tuesday night, and the second one is using up an extra stamped piece from Tuesday night. Got that? And I also need to apologize for the carpet background on the pictures. I'm all set up for a used stamp sale and there's not an inch of table space left anywhere! (where have all those stamps come from??? YIKES!) I haven't done a sale for the last 4 years, and it sure looks like it! I sure hope some of these sell so I can get a bit more organized. But I digress....

I did find two of the cards from Tuesday that missed the box that was mailed out, so I thought I'd share with you. One of my main plans with making these cards for the soldiers is to use up retired cardstocks, DSP, and accessories that I have on hand and just fill in with current products. Plus this gives me a chance to use some of my favorite retired stamp sets too! All in all it is a win-win situation for me and the soldiers, don't you think??

So for this first card, I used a special set we were able to buy from SU! and also get a magazine subscription too. Needless to say I was rather shocked when I looked at the copyright date to see how long ago it had been - 2006!! But I still love the artwork of this set and will probably keep it forever. Oh yeah, I was going to show it to you, wasn't I???

Stamps: Country Blessings, Holidays and Wishes, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, and Canvas (miss all of these so much!!)

Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Always Artichoke

Ink: Basic Brown, Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, and Sahara Sand

Accessories: Aqua Painter, Metallic Eyelets, Crop-a-dile, Linen Thread, and Sponge Dauber

So on this card, about the only things current are the two cardstocks, most of the ink, and Linen Thread. The other goodies are all retired, but you can use this idea using current stamps quite nicely.

Now the 2nd card was just put together with a left-over stamped piece from Tuesday and extra cardstock I have sitting around. The ladies used one of our retired naturals cardstock - I think this one is the white tone. I had just a small strip of Always Artichoke and put the card together differently to utilize what I had. The background was changed to the current Sanded set. Not bad for using up what was available, was it?

I think the soldiers will enjoy using these cards to send Thanksgiving wishes home to their families. At least I hope they do! And speaking of Thanksgiving, I want to take a minute to thank you for stopping by and checking in with me. I'll try to be a little more consistent with my posting. Now, you noticed I said 'try', didn't you? Some days I'm just to 'fried' to get down to the stamp cave and try to create something. But I'm sure you all know how that goes in your own lives too. So take a bit of time to relax and enjoy the weekend.

Sharon

Halloween Favorite

Oh my! Another week seems to have come and gone since I checked in last. I'm just a bit overwhelmed here lately. Seems like the days are totally focused on our grandbaby, and evenings I've been cramming in everything else that needs doing. Last week I was planning on the cards the church ladies would be making for the soldiers this week. And yes, we had a great turnout on Tuesday evening - 15 ladies and 2 preteen girls. Everyone worked like crazy to get as many cards made as possible. They actually finished 115 cards in 2 hours!! Now that's really hustling! And after finishing all those cards Tuesday night, I spent time Wednesday getting them all counted, packaged up, and then dropped at the Post Office. Whew!! Now for the duh part - I forgot to take pictures of the 6 different cards the ladies made!! How dumb is that?? I was so intent on getting them mailed out, that I totally forgot the pics. What can I say? (shrug) Anyway, I have some pics of one of the cards the ladies made for the soldiers last month. Here goes...

Stamps: Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Pumpkin Patch

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black and Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, and Old Olive

Accessories: 1", 1 1/4", and 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Paper Snips, and Dimensionals

Isn't it fun having the pumpkin peeking from inside a hole in front of the card? It's just so darn cute in person! I just wish the colors showed up better in the pics. The colors in the 2nd picture are much more realistic than the top one. The ribbon came from one of the craft stores and is pumpkin on one side and black on the reverse side. So cute and matched so well with the cardstock, you'd think it was made for it. Don't you love it when you have just the right ribbon or accessories for the right card??

Hope you enjoy the idea and it jump-starts some card ideas for you! See you soon (I hope!)...

Sharon