Celebrating a Very Happy Halloween with Doodlebug and Ruby Rock-It!!!

I hope everyone is enjoying their Halloween with some treats and some tricking!
I love giving and receiving goodies, and thought it would be fun to share a quick Doodlebug and Scor-Pal project that you can whip a few of up in no time to deliver last minute goodies to friends and neighbors.

1)Trim paper at 11 1/2” wide by 9” tall.
2) Start with the width paying close attention to directional pattern Score at 1 1/2”,
5 1/2”, 7”, and 11”.
3) Turn paper sideways and score at 1 1/2”, and 7 1/2”.
4) Trim along vertical lines to the top and bottom horizontal line.

5) Fold along all the lines.
6) Apply Score-Tape to the side flap and attach to other side, fold in side flaps and adhere closed.
7) Optional apply Score-Tape to top flap, but leave protective covering in place. If concerned that it will be removed and closed before being filled wait to apply adhesive until ready to use.
8) Cut black card stock at 11 1/2” wide by 1 1/2” tall.
9) Score at 1 1/2”, 5 1/2”, 7”, and 8 1/2”. Wrap around box and adhere end to end.
10) Cut “Boo” image from paper and adhere to black card stock with dimensional foam.
11) Adhere black card stock to wrap with dimensional foam.

I am also celebrating the day away with the news that I have been selected as an inaugural member of the Ruby Rock-It design team!!

Along with these other talented designers:

Sandy Ang - Singapore

Sarah Hill - Indiana

Amanda Jones - UK

Rebecca Keppel - Arizona

Gina Lideros - California

Becky Olsen - Utah

Benedicte Raphalen - France

Debbie Sherman - Wyoming

JJ Sobey - Canada

Carrie Walz - Illinois

Jodi Wilton - Canada

Erin Yamabe - California

Keely Yowler - Kentucky

The last few days have been filled with so much good news that I think I may actually explode!! I am really excited to work with this company, and their products! 

Best wishes for a treat filled day to everyone!!

B-

Chalkboard Pumpkin Tutorial

I wanted to share how easy it is to make your own chalkboard pumpkins. I did them last year and wrote about them in a post, but didn't think to share any of the information in that post. That post continues to be one of the more popular and I don't want anyone to come to the blog hoping for information and leaving disappointed because the post wasn't intended as a how-to, but as a this was fun.

So lets get down to the nuts and bolts, and don't worry there is plenty of time to pull this off before Halloween arrives. 

What you will need:

1. Pumpkins (I used the plastic ones from the craft store so they could be used year after year, but you could certainly paint a real one and just chuck it when you are done with it.)
2. Chalkboard paint (I tried the spray can type first and was not happy with the results, so went with the kind in the can and loved the results)
3. Glue (I used Multi Medium by Claudine Hellmuth because I could brush it on, but most any kind would work)
4. Paintbrushes (A few different sizes for different jobs, rinse immediately after each application)
5. Black Glitter (I used a very inexpensive craft style)
6. White Chalk (Found it at Target but I think most school supply sections of a store would have it)
7. Drop Cloth (Something to protect the surface you will be working on)

Start by putting a layer of chalkboard paint onto the pumpkin. 

Continue adding layers of paint until you get a nice even coverage, set it aside to dry.

Apply glue to the stem of the pumpkin and then sprinkle black glitter over the glue, set it aside to dry.

Get the chalk out of its box (if this will be a gift you 

could give the whole box of chalk or tie a piece onto the stem with a cute piece of ribbon)

Once the chalk is in hand, have fun! Write a greeting a give it as a gift with some treats, draw a cute or spooky face for your porch or add more glitter and glam it up as a centerpiece for the table. Paint tiny ones and use them as place settings, the possibilities are endless!! 

Happy Haunting!

B-

World Card Making Day Winner? No Way!!!

Way!!!
World Card Making Day, that little contest that Paper Crafts has every year where a few people (hundreds) sent in some cards (1850+) in the hopes of winning some goodies (over a $1000 prize package), maybe you have heard about it? Well, I sent in a few of my fave cards in some of the categories and one of my entries actually won in the "Thinking of You/Hello" category. Now I overslept this morning, not thinking I had a chance and had gone to bed late after catching up on some work while the house was quiet. I awoke to a few fun texts and emails from sweet friends congratulating me, and for the rest of the day you could have knocked me over with a feather! And while I can't share the card with you that was selected, it is set to be published the March/April issue of Paper Crafts, I can share some more timely cards that are perfect for this spooky and kooky time of year.

This quick and easy cutie came together in five minutes using some Cosmo Cricket chipboard and Little Yellow Bicycle stickers.

This one took just a few more minutes and used some October Afternoon paper behind the Little Yellow Bicycle frame and stickers with the Cosmo Cricket stickers.

These cute little cards will get attached to some goodies and dropped and the doorsteps of friends. I am getting better at quick, easy and done. Sometimes I get so caught up in making something elaborate instead of done that I get overwhelmed and then end up not delivering. It has been one of my goals to change that and by keeping more of my projects simple it helps me achieve that.

Chloe and Carter are dressing up at work tomorrow for the Boo at the Zoo event that Hogle Zoo does every year. We spent the afternoon/evening working on the last few details and I can't wait to get pictures! Chloe is dressing up as Peter Pan and we even found some pixie dust (Krylon's new glitter spray in silver) for her shoulders. Carter is going full nerd in an amazing costume that my mom created for him. The Real Player Game called Nightfall has a character profession called a Dervish. I still really don't understand it completely, but all the gamers will and that is all that matters.  But when I share pictures, it will make a whole lot more sense I think.

Anyway, I am hoping to spend the weekend relaxing, socializing with the family on Sunday night and hopefully getting caught up with the stuff that is sitting on my desk needing attention.

First of all though, I think I will enjoy my little visit to Cloud 9 with this win for just a few minutes more  :o)

B-

Hambly Chevron

Remember last April when I was able to get down to Arizona for a few days, visit my aunt and attend a friends wedding? I had a chance to make a layout using some of Hambly's new products and also share a tutorial on building a chevron pattern and I used one of the pictures I had taken at the wedding. Kim's colors had been  a gorgeous shade of yellow and a beautiful gray, the new Hambly was perfect!
















If you are interested in the technique I used to create this layout you can find more information on this Hambly blog post.

I love the memories that I have from that wonderful weekend, and I am so happy for Kim and Steve to have found each other and enjoying a beautiful life together!

B- 

There Is No Place Like Home

There is just something about this time of year where the weather is changing from warm to crisp and the thoughts of snuggling up at home with crocheting on my lap and a hearty stew on the stove, that always makes me think to myself that there really is no place like home. It is a great time to get caught up on some crating and scrapbooking and maybe even get started on Christmas cards so they can be sent out on time...
(nah! LOL!!)

With all the fun that Fall brings, one of the favorites has got to be Halloween, and I loved making this project for a class at Heartland, but now that has come and gone and it seems like a good time to share it here. The photo mat is only adhered on the left, bottom and right so it has a nice large pocket for a journaling card or even extra pictures if you wanted. I have a couple of older pics that I am thinking are the perfect fit for it, just need to print and adhere!

I just love this collection, as a kid I always wanted my own pair of ruby slippers! I think this is as close as I am going to get, and I am good with that  ;o)

B-

Magic of Oz Tags 2	Magic of Oz Goblin Gazette	Magic of Oz 12" x 12" paper pack	Magic of Oz Scatterbrained Scarecrow
Magic of Oz Journey to Oz	Magic of Oz Yellow Brick Road	Magic of Oz Tenderhearted Tin Man	Graphic 45 Staples Hinges

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Washi Tape Weaving

A few weeks ago I shared a tutorial for weaving washi tape over at the Hambly blog, it was quite fun and once I did the card size I knew I wanted to try it as a layout as well. Honestly it was a little harder and took a lot more patience, but I am really happy with the results, and wanted to share them  :o)

The movement and colors of the weaving reminded me of Chloe and how she has so many unique and interesting components to her personality, but she is much more than just a hard worker, sweet daughter, great student or kind friend. She is our Chloe.

Also, Hambly is doing their design team search and I want to encourage everyone who has a crush on Hambly to give it a shot! It has been a dream to work with them and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to share my love for this company and their wonderful products with the world! The information can be found on this blog post for what you will need to do to apply.

Hope everyone has a very happy and crafty weekend!!

B-

Washi Tape

Washi Tape

Washi Tape

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Happy World Card Making Day 2011

It is wonderful that people who love to make cards have their very own holiday to celebrate! We have all kinds of other days to celebrate donuts, birthdays, and talking like pirates, so why not set aside a day every year dedicated to delightful craft and community of giving miniature pieces of art to those we love? After all, isn't that what a handmade card really is? A bitty canvas that lets us pour our heart and soul onto and then give away that small part of us to a recipient who will hopefully ooooh and aaaaah over our efforts giving us that warm, giddy rush of happiness that make all the decisions worth the while.

I made a couple of cards just to share with anyone who happens by the blog today, and if you have a card that you have made for the day that you would like a little love on, leave a link and I will pop by!!

For this first one I used the Christmas Emporium line from Graphic 45. The stamps are beautiful red rubber and leave a fabulous impression and the paper is gorgeous! I stamped with Archival Jet Black then colored with my Prismacolors. Easy peasy and how relaxing is doing a little coloring while the afternoon whiles away?

A closer look at the shading if you are interested.




















And this fun little number uses Hambly's Birds on a Wire, some Authentique letters and handy dandy American Craft Thickers. No rocket science or skill required, just a cute and punny way to share happy birthday wishes with someone special.

Another fun way to celebrate card making is to do a little shopping, and I have seen great sales at loads of places! I know Ellen has some great products at great prices, so that might be a place to start if you need a little retail therapy (I am jealous if you don't, such self control is very impressive to me!!)

Of course there are loads of other cards in various stages of  completion on my desk, but that is the fun of having a whole day to make a mess, revel in small successes and maybe even get an entire set of holiday cards done...

(that isn't me, wish it was today, but not in the cards, lol!!)

If it is you, kudos!! That makes you my hero  ;o)

Best wishes for a delightful and productive World Card Making Day!!
B-

Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Cling Stamp Set 1

Christmas Emporium Stamp Set 2

Hampton Art Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Stamp Set 3

Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium

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