Happy Halloween!

Meet Jack! I made this wall hanging out of 5" orange and black squares (and some triangles). Then I machine appliqued the stem, eyes, nose, and mouth on. HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Holiday Hoopla

I know it's still October, but I couldn't wait to post this card from "Holiday Hoopla". I finally got a chance to play with this Santa and he is C-U-T-E! The background paper is the Jolly Holiday DSP and the colors used are Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla. The button is from the Deck the Halls pack in the Holiday Mini.

The winner of this week's give away drawing (buttons & ribbon gift pack) is Kristi.

Tagged

Don't you just love this little tag hanging from the stem of the leaf? It's a Mini Vintage Tag and the little round postage-cancellation-looking circle stamp from "French Foliage" fits it perfectly. The leaf, stamped in Cherry Cobbler, is from the same set and goes well with the Crumb Cake background.

Pair of Penguins

I made these cute penguins using the "Owl Punch". I cut off their ears and added a Tangerine Tango beak and feet. I ran vellum card stock through my Big Shot using the Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and then tore Whisper White card stock for the snow (one piece under the vellum and one piece over the vellum). The card base is Bashful Blue and I added Basic Black 1/8" taffeta ribbon on the side.

Priceless

I haven't used this set for awhile, so here are two cards from "Priceless". There are many more images I didn't use and also the word "Priceless". Colors are: Early Espresso, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, and Baja Breeze. If you're wondering where I got these ingenious ideas--check the catalog, page 134.

Wish Big

These words are from "Word Play" and the images from "On a Pedestal". Colors used were Early Espresso, Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo, and Daffodil Delight. Although I've been celebrating for over a week now (see previous "Going Home" post), my last birthday wish was fulfilled today with the singing of "Happy Birthday" over the phone by my grandson--way cute! And, because it's my birthday, I'm doing a give away. Leave a comment between now and Thursday night to be in a drawing to win a gift package of SU ribbon and buttons.

Contempo Christmas Continued

Here's a Christmas card using the non-traditional colors of Blushing Bride and Certainly Celery. I used a Crumb Cake base and background paper from the DSP In Color Collection. I stamped the ornament from "Contempo Christmas" and punched it out with the ornament punch. I punched a 1/16" hole in the top and tied a piece of hemp twine around the coordinating ribbon. Last, I added a celery button with hemp twine tied through the middle.

Green or Red?

Actually, Old Olive or Cherry Cobbler? I just can't decide, so I made them both. This set, "Big on Christmas" also has the words "Happy Holidays" with a Christmas tree and "Let it Snow" with a snowman. Cuteness. The background DSP I used is "Jolly Holiday" and has eleven more festive stripes and polka dots to choose from. I used coordinating markers to color in the words and images, added a scallop edge border, and stapled piece of 5/8" ribbon.

Trendy Trees

This is an oldie, but goody, "Trendy Trees". This set can be used for any season, depending on the colors. I used Old Olive, More Mustard, and Soft Suede on Very Vanilla for a "fall" look. The background was embossed using the Elegant Bouquet Folder through the Big Shot. I added a strip of Soft Suede polka dot paper from the Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack made with the Scallop Edge Border Punch. Last, I sewed a piece of Old Olive 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon and popped up the images with Dimensionals.

Going Home

We all need a break--sometimes even from crafting. Saturday was the best, although it was hard to top marching with my Alumni Band in Muskegon on Friday night. We went to our second homecoming game in two days, and well, it was like going home. I forgot how much I miss MSU's beautiful autumn campus. As we stepped into Spartan Stadium the memories from my college days in East Lansing came flooding back. Here's a few pictures from our fun-filled day! When the band double-timed out on the field during pre-game, I was so excited! I have to admit, I probably watched the drumline/band and the stunting cheerleaders more during the game than the football team. Good thing we won--is this a good place to mention MSU's victory over U of M last week? Here's a view of the addition to the upper deck that was constructed a few years ago.
Look at all those flags with Sparty on them!

The block "S"! How many times did we sing the Spartan Fight Song?
Too many to count.

Spartan Stadium, you had me at "hello"! I hope to see you again next fall. Did I mention it was 64 and sunny? Thanks to my husband, it was the best early birthday present ever. Go Green!

Autumn Spice

Here are two of the new DSP from the Holiday Mini called "Autumn Spice". There are ten more fallish designs to choose from. Colors in this series include Cajun Craze (base of card & scallop circle), Old Olive (words punched with the Curly Label), More Mustard (circle), and Early Espresso (ribbon). This double sided card stock is textured and heavy-weight. Love it!

Funky Cute

Polka dotted paper from the Designer Series Paper Stack in Early Espresso, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, and Tangerine Tango were sewed on a Crumb Cake base. I used the Scallop Edge Border Punch for the Early Espresso pieces at the bottom and the top of the card. Then, I added a tab of Daffodil Delight 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon. Stamps sets used were "Funky Four" and "Curly Cute".

Puttin' on the Glitz

This Designer Series Paper is called "Candy Cane Christmas" and is from the Holiday Mini. The Real Red polka dots are glittery on a Baja Breeze background. There's eleven more designs to choose from that coordinate with "A Cute Christmas" that I stamped the stockings with. I colored them with matching markers and used 5/8" Real Red Satin Ribbon to finish it off.

Corked

Did you know you can run Cork Sheets (from SU) through the Big Shot? Here's a card I made using the Flower Die. I used double sided tape to adhere it. The little stamped flowers are from "Every Little Bit". Colors used were Daffodil Delight and Marina Mist. I sewed the Marina Mist Striped Ribbon on before attaching the flower. Thought I needed to try something new--I think the girls at the class liked it too!

Hoo-Hoot!

Love this little owl from "Aviary". I decided to for-go the birds this time and change up the colors a bit. I used Melon Mambo and Basic Black. I also did some decorative stitching with white thread along the side. I stapled a tab of 5/8" Basic Black grosgrain ribbon on the left and used the Scallop Edge Border Punch for the strip of black on the right. The words are from "A Word for You" and this 3" x 6" card fits in SU's Small Open-End Envelopes that use regular postage.

On the Porch

Sometimes when I finish a quilt, I take it out on the front porch for a little fresh air. Just kidding--I happened to finish the binding on the quilt whilst sitting on the rocking chair taking in the view of Lake Huron. I decided to hang in up on the railing for a picture... ...then folded it up for another picture. I guess I really like this quilt. It's from the "Hello Betty" fabric line from Moda.

Three Leaves

Here's another one of the cards we're making at the class on Tuesday. The squares from left to right are: So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Peach Parfait, Pumpkin Pie, and Tangerine Tango all sewn on a strip of Cherry Cobbler. I used the stamp sets "Falling Leaves" and "A to Z" and layered the background on another piece of Crumb Cake. I also edged the pieces to give it a distressed look.

Funky Five

The name of this set is really "Funky Four", but I stamped five of them. The words are from "Word Play". Colors used were Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, and Pear Pizzazz. There's some Pear Pizzazz polka dots peeking out from the bottom. I made a small strip using the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder.

Happy October!

October is my second favorite month (only to December). I look forward to the changing leaves, cooler temperatures, football games, and last but not least, my birthday. So, I have another Christmas card I just couldn't wait to share--we'll be making at class on Tuesday, October 5. The set is from "A Cute Christmas" and I made the bow from the new Candy Cane Christmas Fabric from the Holiday Mini. It also matches the background DSP called Candy Cane Christmas as well. Colors used were Baja Breeze, Real Red, Garden Green, and Blushing Bride.