PUMPKIN PATCH

Good morning everyone! Here's a Halloween page layout that I worked on yesterday.  It's ready to put my grand children's pictures when Halloween comes around.



Pumpkin Patch

On this layout I used Martha Stewart's Holidays die-cut laser sheets, Cuttlebug spider web embossing folder, Sizzix Big Shot by Stampin' Up, black and pumpkin pie card stock, and the photo corners X-large punch.  I also cut the "Pumpkin Patch" sign from the October 31 Cricut cartridge.

Beware

The "BEWARE" was also cut from the same cartridge and of course I added Stickles.  For any type of Halloween project this cartridge is really great. 

I will be creating several more Halloween layouts, I've got to, I have six grandchildren.  This layout was quick and not difficult to make.  You can find the laser die-cuts at Michael's.  The set I bought was on clearance. 

Thoughts of Encouragement

You can choose your own thoughts and should do so carefully, since they have creative power.  Thoughts become words and actions.  If we don't reject bad thoughts, we will ultimately turn those thoughts into bad words and actions that are not pleasing to God.

Graveyard Gala

Spooky skeleton

I got the idea for this project from the Stampin' Up 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog.  The stamp set is Graveyard Gala (#115458, $20.95) and can be found on page 26.  I cut the skeleton from the Cricut cartridge "Happy Hauntings."  The grave box is cut with the Sizzix Matchbox die cut (#114890, $42.95).

The spider webs are from the stamp set "Wicked Cool" (#120600, $14.95) and I added Stickles to them.

Graveyard Gala (set of 4)

 
I also used the Martha Stewart "bat" punch.  Remember you can fill the boxes with some delicious candy treats for those special goblins.

 

Thoughts of Encouragement

"We were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve.  This is God's gift to us, and not anything we have done on our own.  It isn't something we have earned, so there is nothing we can brag about.  God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live.  That's why he sent Christ to make us what we are."  Ephesians 2: 8-10

Alee's Birthday Invite



Once Upon a Time

My granddaughter Alee's 7th birthday is coming soon.  Her mommy Marta made the birthday invitations and I think they came out looking super cute.  The outside has the princess castle cut from the Cricut cartridge '"Once Upon a Princess." 

Open the card and the inside looks like this:



The middle of the card has all the birthday info, date, time and location.  But what I thought was very clever was that Marta (the Fairy Godmother) started the invite with, "Far away in a magical land lives a Princess named Aleesandra.  She has made a birthday wish to have all her family and friends gather at her 7th birthday ball."

Side pockets

Notice the sides have two princess crowns with the number "7".  Those too were cut from the same cartridge.  On the left side a tag pulls out requesting Alee's guests to dress up in their favorite costumes to the Royal Ball.  

The right tag has the Princess' wish list, mostly toys like Barbie, My Little Pony, Zhu Zhu Pets, and D.S games.  The Princess also wants clothes and she gave us her shoe size.  Does that mean Alee will be dressed as Cinderella who lost her shoe or can you guess who Princess Alee wants to be?  Hmmm, I wonder what her Nana will get her?  Oh my, I need to get my horse and carriage ready to attend the Royal Ball.  If you need directions to the castle, just call King Eddie (aka Daddy).

I'll tell you later if I meet my Prince Charming at the ball.  I just hope I don't have to kiss a frog ...

Thoughts of Encouragement

The Bible says, "Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right.  Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy to praise." - Philippians 4:8

What is showing on the screen of your mind?  Develop the habit of staying positive in your thoughts and conversations.  Stay strong, happy, healthy, rising to new heights.  Get your mind going in the right direction.

New Coach Purse

Good Saturday morning everyone!  I didn't think I would have anything to share today, but I was wrong, I have a new Coach bag to share.  Is this not the cutest thing?  Last night at Teri Baxter's TNT class we were surprised with this terrific project. 


Side and back view

And if this were not enough, we also made two birthday cards from the stamp set, It's Your Day (D1352, $22.95). 

On this card the technique that was taught was new to me.  We tore the right side of the designer paper about 1/2 inch and then turned the torn piece around and glued it to the back of the darker side.  Because this is double-sided designer paper you get a different look.



On this card, can you see the glitter on the brad in the middle of the crochet flower?  We placed a mini glue dot on the brad and then we dipped it in glitter.  The glitter sticks to the mini glue dot giving the brad a glitzy look. 

Loved everything we made last night.  Thank you Teri for sharing your talents with us.  Check out Teri's blog at http://www.themidnightartist.blogspot.com/

Have a great weekend! 



Thoughts of Encouragement

The greatest gift that can be given is offered to each of us every day.  Yet few of us accept it.  God offers us His love.  All we have to do is open our hearts and receive it.  Receiving God's love is important because we can't love others without it.  We cannot give away what we don't have.

Be passionate about receiving God's love.  Go after it.  Study God's love.  Meditate on it.  As you seek it eagerly, you will receive a revelation deep in your heart that will change your life.

Christmas cards

Greeting Card Kids

I thought it was time to start making Christmas cards and I recently bought this cute Stampin' Up stamp set which I love.  It is called, Greeting Cards Kids (#120633) and it has four images ideal for Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day and back to school.  You can probably find even more uses.  Below you can see what I made.



I mainly used Stampin' Up  products, such as Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black  and Very Vanilla cardstock, Dazzlingly Diamonds glitter, Basic Black ink, color markers, red grosgrain ribbon, and scallop trim border, extra-large scallop circle and modern label punches.  For the greeting I used a stamp from Snow Swirled (#111690).

I think the above card is my favorite, because of its simplicity.

Can you see the glitter?

Of the three cards, this last card  is the easiest to make.  I hope you liked all of them.  I plan to schedule a card-making class in a few weeks.  I want to offer the stamp set for the selling price ($15.95 plus S&H and tax) and you can make all three cards for free. 

Can you believe tomorrow is Friday!  I have so much going on these next few days, so excuse me if I don't get to post until Monday.  May God bless everyone have a great week-end!

Thoughts of Encouragement

This moment is filled with joy.  I choose to experience the sweetness of today.

The more love I use and give, the more I have to give, the supply is endless.

Life is really very simple.  What we give out, we get back.

All About Me

Bo-Bunny layout



This is the last scrapbook layout that I worked on at the 14-hour crop at Scrappin' Time.  It was a Bo-Bunny kit that they sold exclusively to those attending the crop for only $5.  It included six sheets of designer paper, one sheet each of the Petal Pushers cut outs and stickers.  I thought this was quite a bargain.  Visit them at www.bobunny.blogspot.com or www.bobunny.com for some great ideas.

I love butterflies

Did you notice my Martha Stewart punched butterflies.  The butterflies and several rhinestones were the only extra embellishments I added to the layout.

Left-over stickers & cut-outs

I even had some extra paper scraps, left-over stickers and cut-outs which I know I can put to good use.



The first thing I will probably add to my list of "Things I Love" on my layout is "Scrapbooking." 

Thoughts of Encouragement

Every day, when you first get up, set your mind for success.  Don't dwell on your problems and magnify them.  Instead magnify your God.  The bigger we make God, the smaller our problems become.

Just like a magnet, you will attract what you continually think about.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!

Closed layout

I was motivated to try this pop-up lay out after seeing

Cecy's Spooky Halloween pop-up.  Check out her blog, www.cecygarcia.blogspot.com.   You can also find instructions at www.EverydayCricut.com dated 9-2-09, titled, "Let It Snow."  It looks complicated, but it's really not that hard to make.  I'm looking forward to making one for Christmas.

I wanted to place photos on my layout, so I made an album and adhered it to the top.  I also added spider webs cut from Martha Stewart's web punch.

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Photo album

The album opens up and I assembled five Flip Flap Memory protectors by Close to My Heart and added Halloween photos of my granddaughters

Opened photo album - Natie "monster"



Alee and Natie

Flip open the layout and this is what you see, spooky ghosts black tree, black cat, mice, and Frankenstein's bride welcoming you to her haunted house.  All the images were cut from the Cricut cartridge "Happy Haunting."  I found the designer paper at Target's dollar bin. 



Opened layout





Close up

I added wiggley eyes by Creatology to some of the images.  And of course there's Stickles everywhere.


Frankenstein's bride



Hope you enjoyed this layout as much as I enjoyed making it.  I'm not the greatest photographer, so some of the pictures could be better, but for an amateur that's the best I could do.



Thoughts of Encouragement

Don't believe the lie that more is better.  Sometimes more is just that--MORE.  More clutter, more to clean around, more space taken up.

Less is More.  The less you have the more you will use what you own.  The less you acquire the more you can pay attention to what you have.

Recently, I read this message and it got me thinking of how true this is for me.  So I ask God for help as I try to apply these basic truths and work towards decluttering my life.  I know this will be a challenge, as old habits are hard to break. 

Bo-Bunny Crop

Good Monday morning everyone, hope you had a great weekend. 

On Saturday I went to the Scrappin' Time's Bo-Bunny crop.  About 20 ladies attended the 14-hour scrapbooking event and it was evident that everyone had fun.  We each received a scrapping kit and several prizes were given out.  I was fortunate to win twice, first a Bo-Bunny clear stamp set and then Bo-Bunny candy brads.  You can see what I won below.   The grand prize was a red leather purse which was won by another attendee. 

Bo-Bunny prizes

During the crop everyone works on their own projects.  I was able to accomplish a couple of page layouts which I want to share with you.  My granddaughters attend summer bible camp and they love to participate in this yearly event.  


Natie and Angie

 

Team leaders and pajama day

 

"Life Is A Beach" Cricut cartridge


I will post more this week, so come back tomorrow, I know you will love my Halloween pop-up layout. 

Thoughts of Encouragement

We should always stay open and be willing to take advice.  But after you have prayed, be bold enough to make a decision that is right for you.

Don't try to please everyone or you'll be cheating yourself.  Don't run around in circles trying to be something that you are not or you'll miss out on God's best for your own life.

Run you own race and God will be pleased.

NO-SEW SLUMBER SACK

Good Saturday morning everyone.  I pray that you have a great day today!  Get up and live a joyous life.  This is my project I worked on yesterday.  Hope you like it.

No-sew fleece kit



Front side

Back side

Finished slumber sack

To store roll sack up

Tie sack bundle for storage or transport

I bought this kit over a year ago at Jo-Ann's and it required no sewing (love it, love it).   Since I will be participating in the annual Craft Fair at St. John Neumann (SJN) in November, I decided to finally put it together.   It took me about an hour to complete and I already have a buyer.  My granddaughter Alee saw it and wanted it.  I told her she could get her daddy to buy it at the craft fair (LOL).  

All craft items are donated to the Marthas and Marys at SJN, sold at the craft fair, and the proceeds go towards helping the church and the community.  Please contact me if you would like to donate a hand-made craft project.  Every one's contribution is appreciated.

That's all for today, I'm off to have fun, fun at the Bo-Bunny Crop at Scrappin' Time located on Eastern and Russell Road.  I won't be posting until Monday.  Hope everyone has a blessed weekend.

Thoughts of Encouragement

Instead of turning first to your own willpower in your time of need, turn to God instead.  God releases His power into your willpower and energizes it to bring you across the finish line.

God did not create us to function well without Him, and the sooner we learn that, the better off we will be.


What should we do when the burdens in life seem heavy?  Jesus said, "Come to me."

SCARY & WITCH'S HAT

I found this "scary" decoration in the $1 bin at Target a few days ago.  Even though it wasn't very decorative, I decided to put it in my shopping cart and buy it. 

After a few embellishments, this is what my "scary" looks like now.


Then I decided to search "You Tube" for a witch's hat.  This is what I found. This is an awesome tutortial, check it out at www.stampwithtami.com/blog/2009/stampinup-witches-hat.
 



Inside filled with candy

Today is the 1st day of October, so Halloween is only 30 days away.  I hope you're motivated to make a Halloween craft.