Halloween Treats

So, let me first say that my son took the pictures with his iPod. I realized too late I hadn't taken any pictures....and no pictures after this much work, is just not okay - lol!

The pre-teens & teens in our church had organized a party / haunted maze. sounded like a neat opportunity to try out some treat packages....Didn't come out as I'd envisioned, but the kids enjoyed them.

The topper: black CS edged with a the Martha Stewart spider web around the page punch - only on the front edge & corners...then, a scalloped punch of white cs with a simple stamp of each - spider & boo!

The trickiest part....getting the bag to stay in the cupcake wrapper. For that, I put the wrapper in a cupcake pan, ran the double stick tape in a couple of places, then stuck the bag down - put in some candy corn, one mini Hershey, stapled & stuck on the topper.

42 done! Happy Halloween.....

Busy Months

The start of the School year always brings with it a ton of activities & never enough time.  It is also a busy time for family birthdays. Committed to not buying anymore cards given all the supplies in the house, some cards make it on time, some not quite.  Here is a brief overview of some of the cards.....


For a brother who is an avid bike rider...turning 50....The bike is a digi print from Rhoda Design Studio; Bike Stamps. I had picked up some vinyl rub ons a while back, first time I used it, but think it works well here.

 

Always interested in exploring options for folds, I took this to a Z-fold. Not too complicated, but a bit of special for 50.

Next, my mother in law's birthday....for this, I wanted something a bit whimsical & fun, but soft....

 

I used some designer papers, the entire image is one stamp, used some embossing for a subtle sparkle...no, you can't see it in either of the photos. The outline is a CB embossing folder. For a different twist, I ran the ribbon on an angle.

 

 

 Next up.....two nephews. Actually, one got his very late....unfortunately, not that out of the ordinary. But, the second one had his on time - YEAH!

Enough of that, now to the cards...

Wanted to try this effect, different dp with opposite rounded corners. Very simple, but a neat look. Topped off with a plain greeting & stamped cake piece, colored with pencil. Perfect for a 20 yr old. (should start now to think what I'm going to do for him next year - the big 21)
 
 

For his younger brother, he's kind of into guitars, and turned 14 so he needed a TEEN card. Searched for an appropriate digi & found it - a Stampin' Up brush stamp - Extreme Guitar. Printed up a computer greeting, turned the black matt on an angle & its that simple. Oh, the digi comes black, I washed it out for the grey look. 

The very first fun punch I ever purchased (12 yrs ago, mind you) was this music note. I first used it as part of a cake decoration for my then 3 yr old. Best of all, I just received an email from this nephew, he thought the card was "pretty cool" - I'd call that success with a 14 yr old - lol!

Next up, Halloween treat bags for a church party.....

For a Special Lady

My mother asked me to make a card for a special woman who is retiring from working with the preschool at their church. I had a blank slate, except I do have this thing for butterflies. It feels to me as though they symbolize growth. 

This is a woman who had volunteered for many years & had undoubtedly helped many children fly in one way or another. 

So, after sifting through the pads of designer paper, I came to rest on this soft violet tone. Used a coordinating DP off set on the front of the card rather than a traditional all around border. 

For the sentiment, I used the Layered Labels template by Hot Off The Press. I haven't used them much so I just realized on this "label" that once you trace one time around, if you flip it over & trace again, you get a complete outline to follow - much neater that way then guessing where the line goes to connect.   Anyway, I stamped before I cut to be sure I chose the right label. After cutting, I realized I had a smudge from the ink - what to do? Shade all the edges of course. I tested out the idea of ink on a makeup sponge - too much. Ended up going back to pastel chalk - that has to be one of the best tools I've ever bought; its lasted so many years already & you'd think I bought it yesterday. I used the makeup wedges with the chalk & smudged the edges - no more "mistake".

I layered a rectangle behind it with rounded corners and popped the sentiment up. 

okay, now the butterfly.....

I used the same designer paper, punched with a MS butterfly punch - twice. I needed 2 butterflies so they'd add dimension to each other. The two are stuck together at the body in the center. I used glitter & embossing powder both to get a bit of shine & shimmer on the wings. The body I just touched up with a bit of white gel pen. The antenna were a bit tougher...after looking at several options, the charcoal grey watercolor pencil was perfect. 

Hoping it shares the attitude of gratitude with its recipient.

Popup Frame

So I wanted to do something a bit special for my niece's birthday card. Saw a frame popup on Pinterest & had to try it. You start with a 4x4 in square, and its very simple to fold in & then back out.....the tutorial is on another's blog here. 

Funny thing, thought I had more double sided paper than I do. Since the blue was seeming a bit plain on the tips flipped out, I stamped a butterfly on one & some swirls on the others. I like that they are soft, just a little something there.

The bottom treatment is from a MS punch I picked up at TJMaxx (love the prices of paper crafting things there). Ran a ribbon through it & taped on the left over of the paper used above.  Actually, the punched strip is the blue side facing of the same paper.

I hope she likes it. 

TFL

Tone on Tone, Almost

I have been drawn to so many tone on tone cards lately. They make beautiful wedding cards, anniversary, etc. Love the subtle look so I tried....

 Starting with an ivory card base, layered on the subtle heather green cardstock. Next, took a piece of watercolor paper, ran it through the Cuddle Bug with an embossing folder. Using the same paper, I stamped the bird/branch image in a slate grey. Colored with watercolor pencils & added just a smidge of water to blend.
 

Stamped on the sentiment, rounded the corners then punched the ribbon slots. The sentiment & focus panel are both popped up.

Special Inspiration

 A very special man passed away, sending me to create something that would embody his spirit and be appreciated  by his wife.

He had spent a lot of time researching the family heritage, genealogy, etc. Reaching out to family across the world, making connections that hopefully will live on for generations.


For the card, I chose a couple of designer papers, backed them with coordinated card stock. Then, rather than running the ribbon above the panels, I ran it underneath where the two meet. (see inset). Lastly, a added the sentiment but it seemed a bit stark in just white. I took a paper towel pounced in the same ink & dabbed it around; rounded only 2 corners & layered it on.

"Sweet" Sixteen

 What to make when you have a special girl turning 16, but she's more of a tom-boy? A softball inspired card with just a hint of pink.
This dp came in a stack with lots of beachy / tropical pages.

I used a "chunky" stamp for the baseball/softball. Inked in white chalk ink on a dark tan cs, then added a second circle behind.

To give the sentiment a bit of a kick, I paper pierced above & below. Finally added a grommet in each corner to add to the edginess.