Spooky Halloween!

Trick or Treat, y’all!! I’ve had this darling Spooky Halloween set for a couple of months now and this is only the SECOND time I’ve used it!

I figured since Halloween was FAST approaching that I needed to get it together and make more with it!

This doggie is my most FAVORITE stamp in the entire set!!! (I am, after all, a very big-time dog lover!)

Thanks to the Spooky Sweet DSP this card was a snap! I used a trimmed piece and put it on the card base. Luckily, I had a couple of Basic Black squares leftover cut using the Perennial Postage Dies. All I did was cut a couple more - one in Highland Heather and one in Granny Apple Green.

I cut the little fence diecut from Basic Black as well … and just used a sponge dauber and some White Craft Ink to give it some dimension.

Mr. Spooky Pup (I just made that name up!) I colored with my Stampin’ Blends, and the sentiment was just stamped with Memento Ink and torn around the edges.

I also used a white gel pen to add some little dots to the lollipop Mr. Spooky Pup is holding … cute, right?

A few little foam stars and it was done!

Stamps: Spooky Halloween

Paper: Basic Black, Highland Heather, Pumpkin Pie, Basic White, Spooky Sweet DSP

Ink: Black Memento; Stampin’ Blends - Lt. and Dk. Granny Apple Green, Lt. and Dk. Highland Heather, Lt. and Dk. Pumpkin Pie, Lt. Smoky Slate, White Gel Pen

Accessories: Glass & Garden Embossing Folder, Perennial Postage Dies, Spooky Halloween Dies, Shimmer Star Foam Stickers

And we added a new member to our family over the weekend … we have a KITTY! Her name is Willow and she is so stinkin’ caaaaaYOOT! I will share a pic next time … I’ve never raised a kitty so this will be a fun adventure!

TGIF Challenge #545 - Color Challenge

How can it be Spooky Season ALREADY???!!? (I mean … not like I didn’t put up all of my Halloween decor last weekend or anything!)

You KNOW that the colors for this challenge are just screaming HALLOWEEN, right??? So I just had to go there!

Check out the blog challenge here - TGIF Challenge Blog if you’d like to play along.

This card came together soooo easily. As I was looking through my stash of things I came across these great witchy brooms. They are from a sheet of adorable precut images included in the Spooky Sweet Specialty DSP. 

I distressed the edges of the piece of Basic Black cardstock because … well … it looks spooky! 

The spider’s web was made using some pieces of White Baker’s Twine. I put some adhesive on the back of the black layer and just tied and wrapped the pieces around the edges of the cardstock until I got the look I was going for.

I used a sponge dauber to dab at the web and around the moon with some White Craft Ink. I also did the same thing to the moon, but with Black Memento Ink instead.

The sentiment was stamped in Versamark and heat embossed with White Embossing Powder. I literally tore the sentiment out of the piece of cardstock it was stamped on! I then tore a little coordinating piece of Gorgeous Grape to mount behind it.

Added a few of the fun little Shimmer Star Foam Stickers and called it good! I love Halloween!

Stamps: Spooky Halloween

Paper: Basic Black, Gorgeous Grape, Daffodil Delight, Spooky Sweet Specialty DSP

Ink: Versamark, Black Memento, White Craft

Accessories: White Baker’s Twine, White Embossing Powder, Shimmer Star Foam Stickers, 1 1/4” Circle Punch (retired … but you could use any circle diecut to do this as well!)

I am hiking IN the Grand Canyon tomorrow … about 22 miles! My biggest hope is to NOT die (hahaha! It will be challenging for sure, but fun! I am excited!)!

We’d love to have you play along!! You can check us out our blog HERE and Instagram … lots of great inspiration from the rest of the TGIF Crew!

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Stampin’ Fancy Friday - Sparkle & Shine

Ooooooh! Shiiiiiiny! Spaaaaaarkly! That is what we are all about for this month’s Stampin’ Fancy’ Friday Challenge.

I realized when I sat down to create for this challenge that my supply of all things shiny and sparkly is sadly lacking!

But the dies … ooooohhhh the dies for this card! I am OBSESSED!! 

I am admitting first off that I used some older glimmer paper and I can’t for the life of me remember what pack it is from! I cut out one of the Sentimental Frames Dies and the “BOO” letters with the glimmer paper, as well as using a scrap of it behind the little haunted house. 

The background is Silver Foil embossed using the Joined Together 3D Embossing Folder. I also cut out an additional “BOO” from the Silver Foil.

The little bat flags are cut from Basic Black using one of the dies from the Spooky Halloween Dies, as well as the haunted house and gate … which I cut from Smoky Slate cardstock.

I also sponged the house and fence with some Black Memento Ink.

A few little Shimmer Star Foam Stickers and a little flag of Petunia Pop 1/4” Iridescent Ribbon were used to accent the main images and add a little pop to the card.

Stamps: None!

Paper: Basic Black, Smoky Slate, Silver Foil, Glimmer Paper (retired)

Ink: Black Memento

Accessories: Spooky Halloween Dies, Sentimental Framing Dies, Mini Alphabet Dies, Joined Together 3D Embossing Folder, Petunia Pop 1/4” Iridescent Ribbon, Shimmer Star Foam Stickers

Believe it or not, I have put up ALL my Halloween decor … inside and outside my house! I am going to be hiking in the Grand Canyon next weekend and wanted to get ahead of the game. Makes me happy!

Check out all the fun things created by the Stampin’ Fancy Friday Challenge Team on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/stampinfancyfriday/!!!

Monday Montage #246

 

Keep checking things of my MASSIVE to-do list! My oldest got married last Tuesday (YAY AND HOORAY AND FINALLY!)! One more crazy hurdle and then ... wait ... the holidays are coming!! But I am having surgery on my knee next week to repair my right ACL and meniscus (the real story is sooo lame and dumb let's just say I was pogo sticking and skateboarding simultaneously because that sounds better, ok??)! THEN I feel like I will be moving forward, albeit slowly for a while!

This is Hall-O-Ween! This is Hall-O-Ween! Pumpkins scream in the dead of night!!! I was totally going to bypass ALL Halloween crafty supplies and skip making Halloween cards, but I finally caved! (Thanks, Bree!) Now I want #allthespookythings! Sheesh! I used the little tags punches in the Trick & Treats Dies to make a wonky kind of banner to accent Frankie and Drac. Can't say I'm unhappy with the results!

I was kind of going for the "floating eyeball" effect with one of the Cheerful Effects embossing folder in the background ... how'd I do???

Stamps: Tricks & Treats

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Fresh Freesia, Granny Apple Green, Glorious Gingham DSP, Brights DSP, Neutrals DSP, Three Color Glimmer DSP

Ink: Memento Black, Versamark

Accessories: Tricks & Treats Dies, Ribbon Duo Combo Pack, 1/4" Gingham Ribbon, White Embossing Powder, Cheerful Effects Embossing Folder, Glossy Dots Assortment

Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Bree Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma

Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Cheryl Curtis - Pomp and Sustenance 

Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner

Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots

Emily Kimmey - EMK Creations

Julie Warnick - Creating on the Run  - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK

Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU ARE HERE

Click "Next" to see Bree Renwick... and "Back" to see Emily Kimmey ... little bit of Fall and little bit of Winter!

Monday Montage #174

We could not have asked for a more beautiful weekend. Our skies outside were cool and clear. The colors and smells of fall were in the air. i got some crafty projects done and even some laundry and housecleaning! YAY ME!

I sat down and kept getting distracted whilst I was trying to find inspiration to create something. I finally came up with an idea using the Banners Stamp Set. I made a fun little strip of images using the cute stamps in the Banners Set. I also brushed some Whisper White ink over the top of the Old World Paper embossed piece ... kinda made it look cob-webby!!


Stamps: Banners
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie Glimmer DSP
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Black Stazon, Garden Green, Basic Gray, Whisper White
Accessories: Old World Paper Embossing Folder, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Whisper White Embossing Powder, Flowers for Every Season Ribbon

Here's a blog roll just in case you get "stuck" trying to hop around ...

Monday Montage Hoppers
Amy O'Neill - Amy's Paper Crafts
Breelin Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma
Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs
- NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange
  Cheryl Curtis - Pomp and Sustenance
- NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner
 - NOT PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots
Julie Warnick - Julie Warnick Stampin' Up! Blog 
Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc
Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations - YOU'RE ALREADY HERE!!

My poor puppy dog has some sorta doggie stomach flu ... she is just NOT interested in eating (since last Thursday). All tests came back with normal results ... sigh ... I wish she could talk and tell me what is wrong!! LOVE my fur baby!

Click "Next" to see what Amy O'Neill ... and "Back" to check out Melissa Stout ... what-the-WHAT??!!?? Fantastic!!

Fab Friday #174

BRRRRRRRRRR!!!! Are you KIDDING me??!!? It was absolutely FREEZING yesterday!! It was about 36 degrees when I got up in the morning! Like, SERIOUSLY?!!?? October 10??? I am NOT ready for it to be THIS cold yet!! I have a feeling that this is the start of a very long winter!!! Sigh ... at least I had some Fab Friday fun to distract me from the cold! This week's color combo made me think SPOOKY thoughts!

This came together pretty easily ... just cut out some rectangular and square shapes and started to piece them together. Added some embossing and a few embellishments and VOILA!!

Stamps: Spooktacular Bash
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Monster Bash DP, Black Glimmer DSP
Ink: Black
Accessories: Ornate Frames Dies, Hammered Metal 3D Embossing Folder, Subtle Embossing Folder, Black 5/8" Glittered Organdy Ribbon

Fun colors, don't you think??!??











Here's a link to the Fab Friday Challenge Blog so that you can play along:

Fab Friday Challenge Blog

Mindy Backes
Heather Heroldt
Brian King
Amy Koenders
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers

I feel like crawling under the covers and binge-watch me some Netflix while it's being so cold outside ... maybe I will do just that for a while today or tomorrow!! BRING IT!

Fab Friday #173

Stamping with one hand is tricky ... especially when that one hand happens to be your non-dominant left hand. The fact that my right hand has been wrapped and padded to the MAX since last Friday when I had a little surgery to release my trigger fingers ... my ring finger and my thumb ... means that EVERYthing is tricky!! There is only a little pain ... the this big, puffy wrap and bandage thing going on makes it nearly impossible to even do ANYthing with it (yeah ... typing this is a labor of love!) Good news?? Stitches and wraps will all be gone on next Tuesday!!! HOORAY!!! I will do ANYthing for our Fab Friday friends!

I started with a Stitched Circle Die in Whisper White.  I then sponged it with Daffodil Delight, Mango Melody and Pumpkin Pie,

The Basic Gray background was embossed with the Subtle embossing folder and was then sponged it sporadically with Basic Gray and Whisper White.  The cute little black cat was stamped directly onto the moon and painted with a little Wink of Stella.

Stamps: Wonderfully Wicked
Paper: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Black Glimmer, Silver Glimmer
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Mango Melody, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Black Memento, Wink of Stella
Accessories: Stitched Shapes Dies, Wicked Dies, Black Glittered Organdy Ribbon, Subtle Embossing Folder, Sponges

Cute and fun ... open to a LOT of interpretation!











Here's a link to the Fab Friday Challenge Blog so that you can play along:

Fab Friday Challenge Blog

Mindy Backes
Heather Heroldt
Brian King
Amy Koenders
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers

The hubby and I will be volunteering at the Wendover Airshow this weekend ... and I shall try to do the very best I can with my non-dominant left hand!! Wish me luck ... and it's supposed to rain, which will add to the adventure!

Control Freaks Fallin' Into Halloween!

Yep! It's FALL (I actually wore a JACKET this morning!)!! And you KNOW the Control Freaks have gotcha covered!! This month we are stepping into fall with all of our Autumn/Halloween creations. You should just have come from the block of the marvelous, magnificent and multi-talented Melissa Stout!! You WANT to pull out your fall decor now, don't you??

I can already tell that I'm gonna be using this polka dot basic mask a LOT!!! And I do mean A LOT!!! How FUN IS THIS??!!?? I used three different colors ... Cajun Craze, Soft Suede and Crumb Cake ... to give the dots a sort of "ombre" feel. I love how the colors look with the Rococo Rose Ribbon AND the Copper Foil Sheets, don't you??

Stamps: Daisy Lane
Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Copper Foil
Ink: Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Basic Patterns Decorative Masks Seasonal Layers Dies, Sprig Punch, Leaf Punch, Trio Corner Punch, Rococo Rose Gathered Ribbon

I make at LEAST one "spiderweb" sort of card every year at around this time. I just can't HELP myself!! And what about those Ornate Frames Dies??? OHMYGOSH!! I love them SOOOOOO very much!!! I "colored" over the top of Drac's black cape with some Wink of Stella ... I wish I could have caught how the light was sparkling on it in the photo. It's fun!

Stamps: Spooktacular Bash
Paper: Blackberry Bliss, Whisper White, Basic Black, Smoky Slate, Pumpkin Pie
Ink: Black Memento, Blackberry Bliss, Wink of Stella
Accessories: Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies,  Stylish Scroll Embossing Folder, Ornate Frames Dies, Whisper White Bakers Twine

Next up??? Creative, crafty and clever  ... super Cindy Elam!!

Fab Friday #148

The inside of my house is decked out ... the outside of my house is decked out ... so I guess I have officially given in to Halloween/Spooky season!!! Honestly, this is my favorite month of the year. I absolutely LOVE Halloween ... and fall ... and costumes ... and decorating!!! The Fab Friday folks are playing around this week with a color challenge ... and it just SCREAMED Halloween at me, so I just went with that!

Isn't this little witchy hat just the CUTEST??? The brim is made with two circle punches (or framelits), and the pointy part is made with the old (retired) Tree Punch. You can just as easily make the pointy part from a rectangle and trim down the sides ... I just went with the easier approach!

Stamps: Trick or Tweet, Gallery Grunge
Paper: Whisper White, Gorgeous Grape, Pumpkin Pie Glimmer Paper (retired), Basic Black Glimmer Paper (retired)
Ink: Gorgeous Grape, Pumpin Pie, Basic Black
Accessories: 5/8" Burlap Ribbon, Black/Pumpkin Bakers Twine (retired), Basic Black Bakers Twine, Faceted Dots, Classic Label Punch

See what I mean???? PERFECT Halloween combo!










Here's a link to the Fab Friday Challenge Blog so you can play along:

Fab Friday Challenge Blog

Check out the Fab blogs of my fellow Fab Friends:

Mindy Backes
Cindy Beach
Heather Heroldt
Brian King
Amy Koenders
Justin Krieger
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers
Jan Tinklenberg

I have had a VERY busy week ... and will have a VERY busy weekend! Sometimes I need to be cloned ... at least some of the things I'm doing this weekend are going to be FUN (we're meeting some friends for breakfast tomorrow morning, which will start the weekend off GREAT!)!!

And SOMETIMES I Craft withOUT Stamps!

Happy Fall, Y'all!! It's still in the mid-to-upper 90's here, so I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around the fact that we are halfway through September! However, when I cruise around looking at stuff on Pinterest AND spend a little time in the local craft store, it is very hard NOT to feel the FALL coming on!

A friend of mine posted a picture of a similar "Hocus Pocus" project on her Facebook page last week. I fell IN LOVE with it. Sadly, she said she had no pattern or anything, it was just something she had seen online somewhere and liked. Let's be clear, my friends ... I STAMP because I CANNOT draw. I'm NOT kidding!!! I STRUGGLE with stick figures ... and I'm NOT kidding!!! So this project seemed a bit daunting to begin with, but since the witches are a bit "abstract", I feel that this project is rather forgiving. I used 6" wide pieces of pine board (they are 1" thick ... the taller piece is about 22" high, and the shorter pieces are 18" high). I sketched in a VERY rough idea of each face on the boards to begin with (after I stained them, of course!). I worked backwards from the faces and just kinda "winged it" with the rest. The "I Smell Children" banner is only 1/2" thick ... I used my trusty Cricut and some vinyl to make a stencil, and then I painted the letters on to my stained board. I am SUPER happy with how this turned out!

This was pretty easy peasy ... whilst shopping at the local craft store a couple of months ago, I picked up this milk can for a SUPER good price. The other day, the fall "foliage" was on sale at same-said craft store. A few bits of trimming here and there and VOILA!!! Just needed to add a little checked ribbon as a bow and it was done!!! SUPER quick and easy!!

I plan on trying to do some paper crafting today ... I love when I have a little bit of time to play!!!

Fab Friday #98

My costume is finished (Yay! Already wore it at Disneyland for Mickey's Halloween Party!), my house is decorated, lights are up, and my 4-foot Frankenstein is on the porch!!! I am READY for Halloween!!! It's the most spook-i-ful time of the year!!

I've been stepping out of the box lately ... using things in unconventional ways. NOT THIS WEEK!!! When I saw the color palette for this challenge, I THOUGHT about doing something "non-Halloween" ... but I just gave up!!! Who's to argue with these colors??? Halloween HAD to happen!!

Stamps: Sweet Home
Paper: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Perfect Plum, Old Olive, Smoky Slate, Halloween Night Specialty DSP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Home Sweet Home Thinlits, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, Halloween Nights Enamel Dots

Spooooooooooky and fun color combo!









Here's a link to the Fab Friday Challenge Blog so you can play along:

Fab Friday Challenge Blog

Check out the Fab blogs of my fellow Fab Friends:

Mindy Backes
Cindy Beach
Heather Heroldt
Brian King
Amy Koenders
Justin Krieger
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers
Jan Tinklenberg

I have lots of cleaning and lots of little projects I need to get done this weekend ... and I FINALLY have a weekend that isn't "over-planned" with so much OTHER stuff!!! My laundry may even get caught UP!!! Hooray!!

Stamp Review Crew - Jar of Haunts Edition

It has been a few months since I've had a chance to play with my stampin' friends on The Stamp Review Crew. Soooooo happy to be back in the thick of it with them!!! This week we are reviewing "Jar of Haunts" ... since Halloween is my MOSTFAVORITE holiday, I'm super happy I got to play along!

Spooky eyes!!! I totally LOVE these spooky eyes!!! Since I have been working on my Halloween costume this week, my sewing machine is still sitting out on my craft table ... couldn't resist the urge to sew on this a little bit!

Stamps: Jar of Haunts
Paper: Whisper White, Halloween Night DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Perfect Plum, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Square Framelits Dies, Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies, Halloween Night Baker's Twine, Mini Tassels

Cute-cute-cute!!! And it even has FRAMELITS to cut out all the awesome shapes!








Ahhhhh fall ... the smells, the colors ... the pumpkin-spiced EVERYTHING!!! And October has meant a trip to Disneyland with my sister in law for me for the past few years ... the BEST!!!

The "previous" button will take you to the lovely and talented Linda Callahan, and the "next" button to beautiful and amazing Betty Traciak!!

  

Happy Fall, Y'all ... Freaky Style!!

Happy Control Freak Blog Tour Day!! I had to take a break from cleaning my bedroom and TOTALLY reorganizing my closet (it was SO hard to break away, I tell ya) to sit down and play with some stamps! If you've been hopping around, you just came from the amazing Julie Davison!!! Weren't her projects FABULOUS??!??

Oh Halloween ... how I LOVE thee!!! I'm quite certain I am NOT ready for the "holiday season" ... but I AM ready to put up my Halloween decorations!!! My FAVE!!! And what says "Happy Halloween" more than a Mason jar full of floating eyeballs???

Stamps: Jar of Haunts
Paper: Basic Black, Old Olive, Halloween Night Specialty DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Old Olive, Real Red (marker)
Accessories: Halloween Night Baker's Twine, Everyday Jars Framelits, Silver Sequin Trim, Halloween Night Designer Washi Tape, 1 3/8" Circle Punch

Ok ... I know that Floral Phrases is NOT a fall stamp set. However, I DO have a wedding to go to during October, and this set was just calling to me!!! The images in this set are SO gorgeous!!! Hmmm ... Maybe I'll have to try one in CHRISTMAS colors!!! But NOT YET!!

Stamps: Floral Phrases
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Baker's Twine Trio Pack, 5/8" Burlap Ribbon, Delicate White Doilies, Pearl Basics

I was all mentally geared up to go for a run this evening after I finished typing up this post. And for some reason today has been TORTUOUSLY HOT!!! Not sure I'm gonna want to face it ... I guess I'll have to get up early and go in the morning!!

Next up??? The super-clever Connie Babbert!!! More things to make your fall a happier place!!