Quick Halloween Treat

Okay, how about a quick Halloween treat today? I made these this past weekend to give to my kids. They were so easy and quick to make that they would be perfect as a treat for a child's class, too. I cut some white and black scalloped circles to fit the top of the small 2.5 ounce tins using nestability dies. (It could easily be done with punches, too.) I stamped the white circles using stamps from Spooky Sweets and Spooky Sweets II. Then, I added the white circles to the black circles and adhered them to the top of my tins. I added a little ribbon around the bottom (from my stash - I have no idea who made it). I filled the tins with candy corn and they were done. These seriously only took a few minutes to make.

Sorry I posted these Halloween ideas so late. Seriously, I don't know where the month went! Hopefully, some of you will be able to try one of these ideas or they could inspire you to create something of your own. Have a great day!

Recipe

Stamps: Spooky Sweets, Spooky Sweets II (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), black (SU!)

Other: 2.5 oz tins, ribbon

Tools: circle nestability dies

Super Easy Halloween Lanterns

I have a super easy and fun project to share today. Last month, I bought some small paint cans with the intentions of making some Halloween lanterns for my kids. Sunday, I decided I better get to it if I was going to get them done in time! I cut some vellum just a hair over 3 3/4 inches tall by 11 inches for each lantern. I removed the handles and then rolled the vellum pieces and put them inside the lanterns. I marked where the handles were on the vellum, removed the vellum, and then punched the holes for the handles.

I used Palette Noir ink to stamp images along the entire strip of each piece of vellum. I used images from both the Spooky Sweets and the Spooky Sweets II stamp sets. I dried the ink by heating the images with my heat gun.

I rolled each vellum sheet slightly and put them back in the paint cans. Then, I lined the holes up and put the handles back on. No adhesive necessary because the vellum isn't going anywhere anyway.

Then, I decorated the top of the lanterns. I cut some white and black circles using nestability dies. I stamped the pumpkins and sentiments and added the circles to the top of the lanterns. I did not do any other embellishing on the outside of the lanterns because my kids are way too rough on things and ribbon wouldn't last. I plan on letting them carry these lanterns on Halloween so they have to be functional.

To light them up, I just put a glow stick inside and put the lid back on. I love how they turned out and they were so easy and quick to make. My kids packed them all over the house Sunday night and can't wait to take them with them when we go trick or treating Friday.

Another view of the lanterns. If you decide to make up a Halloween lantern, I would love to see it! Be sure to leave me a link.

Recipe

Stamps: Spooky Sweets, Spooky Sweets II (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: black (SU), white (Papertrey Ink)

Paper: vellum (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: noir (Palette), pumpkin pie (SU), ripe avocado (Papertrey Ink)

Other: small paint cans

Tools: heat gun, hole punch, nestability circle dies

The Doctor is In

This week's High Hopes challenge is a sketch challenge (sketch created by the ultra-talented Katharina.) I love sketches because they make some of the assembly of the card so easy. I moved a couple things a tiny bit, but overall, it is pretty close to the sketch. I first stamped my medicine man on white cardstock and cut out the oval shape. I decided upon some colors and colored my image with copic markers. Then, I cut all my cardstock and patterned paper pieces. I used two different embossing folders to emboss the always artichoke and really rust cardstocks. After embossing, I inked the raised embossing by tapping an ink pad all over the pieces. I like how that helps bring out the embossing. I sewed my layers and started assembling my card. I added some ribbons and rain dots to finish off the front of my card.

I always have to have a close up so you can see the inking on the embossed cardstock and a close up of the Medicine Man.

I finished off the inside of my card by adding a really rust layer. Then, I stamped the sentiment. Love that sentiment. I stamped the brewing pot on white cardstock, colored it, and cut it out. I added it to the corner of my card with dimensional foam adhesive.

Be sure to check out all the design team creations for the challenge and join us! Leave me your link if you join in the challenge.

Recipe

Stamps: Medicine Man, Doctor is In, Potion, Bubbling Brew (High Hopes Rubber Stamps)

Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), really rust, black, always artichoke, soft sky (SU!)

Patterned Paper: Boxer (Basic Grey)

Ink: black (Momento), noir, cognac (Palette), ripe avocado (Papertrey Ink)

Accents: rain dots, soft sky ribbon (SU!)

Tools: copic markers, sewing machine, embossing folders (provo craft), oval nestability dies (Spellbinders)

Snowy Days

I got a chance this week to play in the Papertrey challenge for the week. This week's challenge was a sketch created by Kim. First, I decided upon the colors and then I started cutting layers. I like aqua mist and spring moss for winter cards. All the white layers are white shimmer cardstock. I love the shimmer it adds to the card without doing anything extra.

Here you can kind of see the shimmer on the snowman. I stamped him first on white shimmer cardstock. Then, I stamped the scarf and hat on spring moss cardstock. I cut them out and added them to my snowman. Then, I cut out my snowman. I added some liquid applique and fun flock to my snowman's hat. Then, I stamped the snowman's arms on my aqua mist patterned paper and added my snowman using foam dimensional adhesive.

Have a great weekend! I need to get back to cleaning and getting ready for the party tomorrow. Why, oh why, do I put everything off until the day before the party?! lol

Recipe

Stamps: Made of Snow (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: white shimmer, aqua mist, spring moss (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Everyday Blessings (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: noir (Palette), dark chocolate (Papertrey Ink)

Tools: sewing machine, rectangle nestability die, liquid applique, fun flock

ready to party?!

This weekend, we are having my son's 5th birthday party. I can't believe he is 5 already!! My baby boy is 5! This week's High Hopes challenge fit in perfectly with the coming party. This week's challenge is to create anything but a card. I decided to alter a gift bag. (Click on the photo for a larger version where you can see more details.)

I started out stamping Party Cat on white cardstock and coloring it with copic markers. I used a pair of my old decorative scissors to cut the layers for my image. Then, I sewed the layers together and added the image to my bag. I stamped some presents (Hanna Stamps Perfect Package set) on white cardstock, cut them out, and added them with foam adhesive to my bag.

I also stamped the balloons again on white cardstock and colored them with copic markers. Then, I added some dimensional glaze to the balloons and let it dry. After it was dry, I cut the balloons out and added them with foam adhesive over the image for more dimension.

I wanted to add a tag to my bag, too. I used the Perfect Package stamp set again. Then, I stamped the sentiment (Papertrey Ink's It's a Celebration set). I cut the layers and added an eyelet. I tied it to the handle of my bag with white polka dot ribbon.

Then, I cut a bunch of strips of ribbon different lengths and created the pom pom like ribbon bundle. I used a rubber band to hold the ribbons. I also added an extra ribbon through the back of the rubber band and used it to tie the ribbon bundle to the bag.

Have a great day!!

Recipe

Stamps: Party Cat (High Hopes Rubber Stamps), Perfect Package (Hanna Stamps), It's a Celebration (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), real red, always artichoke, tempting turquiose (SU)

Ink: black (Momento), noir (Palette)

Accents: ribbons, large eyelet

Tools: copic markers, decorative scissors, sewing machine, scissors, crop-a-dile, dimensional glaze

Chocolate Moose anyone?

It has been forever since I got a chance to play in one of the SCS challenges. I finally got a chance today to do the sketch challenge. I love the new Sleepytime Riley and had to use him for my card. I stamped my image and colored him with copic markers. I also added some fun flock to his slippers to make them nice and fuzzy. The stars are cut from patterned paper using a star nestability die. The image and the stars are popped up on foam adhesive.

Well, I'm running behind today so this is going to be short and sweet. Have a great night!

Recipe

Stamps: Sleepytime Riley, Things Riley Would Say (Hanna Stamps)

Cardstock: kraft, white (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: stars - Bitty Baby Blessings (Papertrey Ink), blue (SU!)

Tools: copic markers, fun flock, glue pen (Sakura), star nestability die (Spellbinders), sewing machine

Warm Winter Wishes Just for You

I just love the 2008 Holiday Tag Collection stamp set. I wanted to use it to make a quick and easy gift and had to make a card to go along with it. For my card, I stamped the background paper first (more on that below). Then, I matted it with dark chocolate cardstock and put it on my pure poppy card.

I wrapped some dark chocolate satin ribbon around my card. Then, I stamped the sentiment. I first masked the coffee cup and stamped the sentiment ring. Then, I inked the "Just for you" in pure poppy and stamped it in the center. I sponged dark chocolate ink all over the circle and added a scalloped pure poppy layer.

My quick gift is a single serving of cocoa. I just dumped a packet of cocoa into one of the small glassine bags along with some marshmallows. Then, I folded the top over and stapled it shut. I created a tag for the top by stamping the tag, sponging some dark chocolate ink on it, and adding a pure poppy scalloped tag.

Stamped Patterned Paper Tutorial

It's been a while since I did a tutorial so I thought I would do a quick one with how I stamped my patterned paper for my card. It's really very easy I love how it reminds my of cocoa.

First, stamp the dotted circle from Borders and Corners Circles stamp set in dark chocolate ink onto vintage cream cardstock.

I wanted to use the coffee mug (without the sentiment) so I created a mask. Create a mask by stamping the tag image onto a post it note. Punch out the coffee mug so that you are left with just the sentiment on the post it note. Be sure to stamp the image up at the top of the post it note so you can use the sticky to keep it in place when using it as a mask. You can kind of see through the post it note so it is easy to center it over the dotted circles.

Now, you can stamp the coffee mug in the centers of the dotted circles and the words will stamp onto the post it note instead of the patterned paper. This way, you don't have to worry about being careful and only inking up part of the stamp. Just ink it all up and stamp in the center of the mask.

And this is what you will end up with. Stamp in the center of the rest of circles using the mask.

Now, the post-it note is not made of thick material and I started getting some marks on my paper where the ink bled through a little. If you want to prevent this, either use a few post-it notes layered together or use a thicker paper for your mask. I decided to embrace it and actually like how my paper turned out because of it. I sponged dark chocolate ink lightly all over my patterned paper. When I sponged, I inked the sponge up really well and then stamped it off on scrap paper before stamping it onto my patterned paper. Each time I needed more ink, I always stamped off on the scrap paper first. This helped get rid of a little ink so that it wouldn't be quite so dark. Then, after I cut my piece of patterned paper for my card, I sponged more dark chocolate ink on the edges. I think all the sponging really brings out the "cocoa feeling." Not sure if that is a real feeling or even makes sense, but I'm sticking to it.

Hope you all are having a great week!

Recipe

Stamps: 2008 Holiday Tag Collection, Borders and Corners Circles (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: (hand stamped)

Ink: Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink)

Accents: Dark Chocolate Satin Ribbon (Papertrey Ink)

Tools: circle punch, scalloped circle punch (Marvy), small glassine bags (Papertrey Ink), sponge

Recipe Box

For the October release, Nichole designed a really neat recipe set along with recipe cards that will fit in the PTI egg boxes. I just love all the details in this set down to the stamps for the edges of the recipe cards.

Our kitchen is in bad need of paint, but the inspiration for my recipe box came from my red Kitchen Aid mixer. I like the retro feel. So I decided to paint my box red and white. I painted the entire lid red and then, I masked stripes on the box and painted the red stripes. I love how the stripes turned out. Very easy to do and you just have to wait for the paint to dry.

I stamped the label on white cardstock with pure poppy ink and added the title in black ink. Then, I matted it with pure poppy cardstock. I attached it to my egg box with some large silver brads.

I wanted my section dividers to be something easy to create. So I cut some pieces of pure poppy cardstock the same size as the recipe cards. I rounded the corners with a corner rounder. Then, I stamped the labels on white cardstock and punched them out with a circle punch. I stacked the dividers so I could see where each label would land and made sure they were not too tall for my recipe box. I made one extra divider to put in the back where I could store the blank recipe cards.

The custom recipe cards that Nichole designed are so nice. They are lined on both sides and have a section on the left where you can stamp. The set comes with four stamps that fit perfectly. And the Ingredients, Instructions, Temperature, etc are stamps that come with the set so you don't have to try to squish the ingredient list in a small area. Just list the ingredients and then stamp the instructions.

I can't see what everyone starts creating with this set. There are so many possibilities. If you haven't already, be sure to check out all the things in the gallery that the design team created with this set.

Recipe

Stamps: Recipe Box, Recipe Box Label (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: white, pure poppy (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: pure poppy (Papertrey Ink), noir (Palette)

Accents: silver brads

Tools: red paint (Making Memories), tape, paint brush, circle punch, corner rounder

Other: recipe cards, egg box (Papertrey Ink)

Happy Autumn

I thought I would share a card that is created with stamps that aren't from the new PTI release. (I'll finish up my last couple release things next week.) I got a chance to finally play with my Mailbox Greetings set that I got a while back. I love this set! There are so many possibilities and I love the sentiments in the set.

I made this card sometime at the beginning of the month, but I use the new Ripe Avocado cardstock so I couldn't share until after the release. I started out by stamping the image on vintage cream cardstock and cut it out with a nestability die. Then, I colored it with copic markers and stamped the sentiment on the bottom. I stamped the row of leaves along the mailboxes. (While inking the leaves, I inked them in summer sunrise ink and then sponged some orange ink around them to create the fall colors.) I put the rectangle nestability die back over my image and sponged antique linen ink around the mailboxes. I cut my card base from kraft cardstock and then cut a ripe avocado and a summer sunrise layer. I stamped the envelopes randomly on the summer sunrise cardstock and then sewed the layers together. I cut a piece of patterned paper, layered it with ripe avocado cardstock and sewed the edges. I wrapped the pure poppy grosgrain ribbon around the layers before adding them to my card. Then, after adding all the layers, I added a few dew drops.

Hope everyone is doing something fun this weekend. I'm hoping to scrapbook some more if I get a chance.

Recipe
Stamps: Mailbox Greetings (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: vintage cream, kraft, summer sunrise, ripe avocado (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: First Fruits (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: ripe avocado, summer sunrise (Papertrey Ink), Antique Linen (Ranger), noir (Palette), orange (sorry, I don't remember what orange I used)
Accents: pure poppy grosgrain ribbon (Papertrey Ink), dew drops (Robin's Nest)
Tools: copic markers, rectangle nestability die, sewing machine

baby, it's cold outside

Heather's new Snowfall and Snowfall Additions sets are so much fun to use. I love how 4 of the snowflakes coordinate with snowflake punches. Of course, you don't have to use them with the punches. It's just one extra possibility.

My favorite stamp in the set is the long bunch of snowflakes. They make it so easy to stamp a neat background paper. I stamped my card base using white acrylic paint. Then, I cut a piece of pure poppy cardstock slightly wider than my ocean tides stitched ribbon. I stamped the mittens on white cardstock and patterned paper. I cut the top part of the mittens out and adhered them over my cardstock mittens and cut them out. I added white paint to the edges of my card, pure poppy strip, and the mittens for a more snowy feel. I stamped my ribbon with versamark ink and embossed the sentiment directly onto the ribbon. Then, I added the ribbon to my cardstock and adhered the whole thing to my card. I added some rhinestones to the ribbon and added my mittens using dimensional foam. I wanted the illusion of a heart with the placement of my mittens. Does it kind of seem that way? My 5 year old told me they looked like a heart without me asking so at least he sees it. *smile* Then, my card felt like it needed something extra so I stamped a snowflake in pure poppy ink on white cardstock and punched it out using one of the snowflake punches (pink - mega). I added a button and put it in the corner of my card.

So, who's ready for snow? I'm not, but my kids are. They are ready to make snowmen. I'd like it to at least wait until after Halloween to start sticking.

Recipe
Stamps: Snowfall, Snowfall Additions (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: white, kraft, pure poppy (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Vintage Holiday Prints (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: pure poppy (Papertrey Ink), versamark
Accents: Ocean Tides stitched ribbon (Papertrey Ink), rhinestones (Me and My Big Ideas), button, hemp
Tools: embossing powder, white acrylic paint, snowflake punch (pink mega - Marvy), scissors

Silent Night

I can't believe it is already time for another Papertrey Ink release night! All the new goodies are now up in the store. This month featured lots of new Christmas and winter sets. The stamp designers created some fabulous sets. One of the most elegant Christmas sets I have seen is the new Silent Night set. It's just beautiful.

For my card, I wanted something simple yet elegant. I stamped the star on vintage cream cardstock with pure poppy ink and cut it out with an oval nestability die. Then, I distressed the edge and matted it with a pure poppy oval. I stamped the sentiment on a vintage cream rectangle, punched the corners with the corner tab punch, matted it with a pure poppy rectangle and added some silver brads. Then, I created the card base from pure poppy cardstock. I cut a piece of patterned paper and matted it with vintage cream cardstock. I sewed around the edge and distressed the vintage cream. I added more silver brads and some pure poppy stitched ribbon. Then, I added the star and sentiment to my card using foam adhesive. My last step was to add some tiny rhinestones to the star.

So, do you have a favorite set from this release? I can't wait to see what everyone starts making when the new sets starting arriving.

Recipe
Stamps: Silent Night (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: vintage cream, pure poppy (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Let it Snow (Kelly Panacci)
Ink: pure poppy (Papertrey Ink), noir (Palette)
Accents: rhinestones (Me and My Big Ideas), silver brads, pure poppy stitched ribbon (Papertrey Ink)
Tools: ticket corner punch, oval and long rectangle nestability dies, sewing machine, edge distressor

Joy and Wonder fill the season

This week's High Hopes challenge is to sew on your card (faux or real). I absolutely adore the High Hopes snowmen and snow ladies so I had to use one on my card. This is Snow Sweet Snowlady. I stamped and colored my image using copic markers. Then, I cut it out using a nestability die. While the image was still in the die, I sponged Antique Linen distress ink around my image. I found some great gold thread at my local craft store. I used it to sew my image to it's mat. Then, I added some gold stickles to the poinsettia and the snowlady's scarf and set it aside to dry while I made the rest of my card. I did not have any gold brads so I made my own with embossing powder. More layers, a little more stitching and ribbon and my card was done.

It doesn't show up well in the photo, but the thread is a nice, shiny gold. I love the extra sparkle it adds to the card. Isn't the snowlady adorable, too?!

I'm spending some time scrapbooking and really enjoying it. I'm trying to break myself of having to scrapbook chronologically. I like to have everything in order, but I've really been wanting to do more journaling about what is going on right now. One of the layouts I just finished is about my son who will turn five soon. I really enjoyed making something with more current photos. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Recipe

Stamps: Snow Sweet Snowlady (High Hopes Rubber Stamps), Christmas Wishes (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: wild wasabi, real red, baja breeze (SU!), white (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Figgy Pudding (Basic Grey)

Ink: black (Momento), noir (Palette), Antique Linen distress ink (Ranger)

Accents: brads, wild wasabi ribbon (SU!), gold thread, gold stickles (Ranger)

Tools: copic markers, sewing machine, rectangle nestability die, heat gun, gold embossing powder, sponge

Welcome Autumn

This week's challenge over in the Hanna Stamps Forum is to make an autumn card. I just love this Pumpkin Patch Riley and had to use him for my card. For a change, I decided to try coloring with Koh-i-nor pencils and gamsol. It turned out okay, but I still prefer my copic markers.

Anyway, if you have a question about something, let me know. Be sure and stop by and join us in the challenge. Your name goes into a the hat once for every challenge you complete during the month for a chance to win a stamp set at the next release party.

I think we skipped autumn and went straight to winter. Can you believe it was snowing yesterday?! It didn't stick, of course, but still . . . it was snowing! Edited to add: I wrote this post last night and we woke up to snow this morning that is actually sticking (for now anyway). Crazy weather. Have a great weekend!

Recipe
Stamps: Pumpkin Patch Riley (Hanna Stamps), First Fruits (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), old olive, more mustard (SU!)
Patterned Paper: First Fruits (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: noir (Palette), black (Momento)
Accents: old olive twill (SU!)
Tools: Koh-i-nor pencils, gamsol, sewing machine, square nestability die

A Good Friend is Easy to Spot

Phew! I finally got my stuff done for the next Papertrey Ink release. Then, my computer decided to give me fits when I try to download the photos from my camera. I finally got it to transfer and now I just have to edit all the photos and upload them to the gallery. You all are going to love the new sets!

I also finally got a chance to take a photo of my card for the High Hopes challenge. The challenge is to use blue, brown, green and any neutral. I just love this giraffe from High Hopes. His name is Stretch. Isn't he cute?! I chose my papers, cardstocks, and ribbon and then set about coloring my image with copic markers.


I used the embossed edge as a guide for my grass and sky, leaving a nice white border. I added the grass using a copic multiliner pen. Then, I cut all my layers, added my sentiment and some stitching, scallops, and ribbon.

Well, I have to run and get the kiddos in bed. Have a great day!!

Recipe

Stamps: Stretch, Easy to Spot (High Hopes Rubber Stamps)

Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), old olive, close to cocoa, baja breeze (SU!)

Patterned Paper: polka dots (Wild Asparagus - My Mind's Eye), brown stripe (LilyKate - Basic Grey)

Accents: chocolate chip ribbon (SU!)

Tools: threading water punch (Fiskars), copic markers, long rectangle nestability dies, sewing machine

warmest wishes

Last weekend, I got a chance to play a lot with some stamps that had not seen ink yet. Where the time goes, I don't know. So many cute stamps and so little time. lol This is Carol Singing Charlotte. I think she is adorable.

This was a quick and easy card to make. I stamped the image, cut it out with a rectangle nestability die, and colored it with copic markers. Then, I cut all the layers and wrapped the ribbon around the patterned paper. I assembled everything and added my sentiment tag and poinsettia. I found these poinsettias at a local craft store. They are floral arrangement pieces. I just snipped off one of the flowers to use on my card.


I don't think you can see it well in the photo, but I added liquid applique to Charlotte's hat, sprinkled it with glitter and then heated to make it nice and puffy. Isn't Charlotte adorable?! I just love the Charlotte and Charlie stamps. Whiff of Joy has another release coming up, too, so be sure to check them out on Katharina's blog and her design team blogs. Cute stuff!

Have a great weekend!

Recipe

Stamps: Carol Singing Charlotte (Whiff of Joy Stamps), Holiday Treats (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), real red, wild wasabi, baja breeze (SU!)

Patterned Paper: Figgy Pudding (Basic Grey)

Accents: ribbon (Target), poinsettia (craft store), glitter, liquid applique

Tools: copic markers, rectangle nestability die, tag trio die (Spellbinders)