Happy Halloween!

Hey there! I'm seriously tired today. Almost embarrassed to put it out there, but I was up all night working on my kids' Halloween costume. Yes, I waited til the last second. And it was THE very last second! They needed those costumes for their school's Halloween parade this morning. All three wanted to be characters from Minecraft. Why? I don't know. I don't get that game. But I assumed it would be easy, and I could throw it together quickly. Which kinda is. But they could have been way better if I had more time. Let's hope next year I will start earlier ... (yea, right!)

Anyway...

Onto the good stuff. Lawn Fawn is blog hopping with Scrapbook Adhesives, makers of my most favorite pop up dots. They are honestly the bestest.

Here's my project for today's hop.

Cyclops + vampire + pumpkin!

The pumpkins are from the So Thankful stamp set. The moon from Hoppy Halloween (featuring Bunicula!!!) The speech bubbles and heart are from A Birdie Told Me. And lastly, the sentiment is from Happy Everything. I also used a sheet off the 6x6 Dewey Decimal Petite Pack, and some brown hemp cord. The glitter is from American Crafts' glitter Zing. And the glittery moon is DCWV's Glitzy Glitter Matstack. All popping up done with 3D Foam Squares.

Oh, wait, there are prizes involved! Go by Lawn Fawn and Scrapbook Adhesives and leave comments on both blogs.

Thanks so much for coming by today. Have a safe and fun Halloween!

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Technique Tuesday: October Greenhouse Society, part 2

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about Technique Tuesday's October Greenhouse Society stamps. These stamps:

Here's my other project.

stamps: Technique Tuesday October Greenhouse Society / patterned paper: My Mind's Eye, Bella Blvd. / card stock: Bazzill / adhesive: GlueArts / ink: Technique Tuesday Red Ink, Tsukineko Versamark / embossing powder: American Crafts Zing / twill ribbon: Technique Tuesday White Narrow Twill

This card uses a few of my favorite things (oh no, the song has started looping in my head! Ack ack ack!): white embossing powder, grey cardstock, and Technique Tuesday's twill ribbon. Stamping on that twill ribbon is so easy, and such a great way to create a custom embellishment. I've use it quite a bit (okay, fine, quite a lot). Here, here, here, here, here, and here. Phew! Told you I like that stuff.

Thank you for stopping by today. Don't forget to head over to Technique Tuesday's blog for more Greenhouse Society projects!

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Lawn Fawn: October Inspiration Week!

Hey there! Lawn Fawn is having its October Inspiration Week right now. That means lots of cards and layouts to share. And lots of giveaways!

This month, Lawn Fawn is featuring everything Winter and Christmas! Here are two projects I created.

patterned paper: Lawn Fawn Fa-la-la / twine: Lawn Fawn Lawn Trimmings / alpha stickers: Lawn Fawn Bright Side / cardstock: Bazzill / diecut system: Silhouette Cameo / font: p22 Typewriter

I really love these photos from Christmas morning. We don't give our kids huge amounts of presents. We try to keep it to a few they really want. And one or two surprises. We also try to emphasize graciousness when receiving a present. And it's working out so nicely! We've never had a disappointed kid on Christmas Morning (Thank goodness! And knock on wood!). We also emphasize giving more than receiving. That's a work-in-progress... To make this layout, I cut the presents out of the Oh What Fun paper, and tied little bows with assorted Lawn Trimmings (more about the Trimmings in a bit).

patterned paper: Lawn Fawn Fa-la-la Petite Paper Pack / stamps:  And A Partridge + A Birdie Told Me / ink: Tsukineko Versafine in  Onyx Black, Technique Tuesday Leaf Green Ink + Red Ink / twine: Lawn Fawn Lawn Trimmings 

The card is another possible Christmas card for us. This photo was actually our Christmas photo a few years ago. So I am going to need a new photo. Always an unhappy project for us all. Sigh. I used the 6"x6" pad for this. And some more Lawn Trimmings!

So. Yes. Lawn Trimmings. Love that stuff. It's made of hemp, it's biodegradable, and still scrapbook safe. It's so different from cotton twine. It's got more body, holds its shape really well, and it doesn't fray. How awesome is that? I've always had trouble getting cotton twine to uncurl, and to stick down straight because it's so floppy. Lawn Trimmings sticks down straight so easily! Super easy to tie bows with!

Now, go to Lawn Fawn's blog, leave a comment on each of the days of the Inspiration Week for many chances to win a bunch of stamps, and the Fa-la-la Collection!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Technique Tuesday: October Greenhouse Society

I was invited to play along the Technique Tuesday Greenhouse Society team this month. This is the awesome set I got to use:

It's a simple design, and oh-so-pretty. I like that depending on the colors used and which sentiment is chosen, you can create very different cards. Learn more about The Greenhouse Society here.

I created two cards, and this is the first one. I'll share card number two in a few days.

stamp: Technique Tuesday October Greenhouse Society / ink: Technique Tuesday Orange Ink, Clearsnap Colorbox Classic Pigment Cat's Eyes / patterned paper: Echo Park This&That / banner: Elle's Studio / cardstock: Bazzill, DMD / other: sewing machine

This one is super simple, super easy, super quick, and super useful. One of those cards I need to have more to keep around. Because who wouldn't like to receive a "Thinking of You" card?

I stamped the image at the bottom left of the office ledger paper (Echo Park). And stamped the sentiment on a pre-printed banner (Elle's Studio). The banner already had black stitching on, so I added a bit more with my sewing machine. Mounted that on orange cardstock, and then onto a kraft card base. Super easy, right?

Don't forget to visit the Technique Tuesday blog for more inspiration!

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Elle's Studio: The Fun Continues!

As you may (or may not) know, I am Elle's Studio October Guest Designer. Elle and her team sure know how to make a girl feel special!

They've posted about me here.

Turned one of my layouts into a sketch contest here.

Now they are having an Inspiration Gallery Treasure Hunt here. The prize is a $25 gift certificate to their shop. And I'm pretty sure you want that. I'll even help you with one of the answers... #5 is *cough*me*cough*. Don't tell Elle.

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Tourist In My Own Town: The Getty Center

The Getty Center was in our Summer to-do list, but we ran out of time. We had a school holiday two weeks ago, so the kids and I headed over there. If you are ever in Los Angeles, this should be in your must-visit list. Really! It's not just the art (which is amazing!), it's the whole experience.

You start with the tram that takes you to the top of the hill. The tram curves around, and it gives you a view of the city, as well of the freeway below. In the last few moments, you get a peek of the building. I love how the trip reveals a little bit at a time. Then you get out, and you are surrounded by beautiful gardens, gorgeous architecture, famous sculptures, and more amazing views.

Once inside, you will see world class art. But it's not all art and no play. They have lots of interactive art, and one nook that you can go and sketch real works of art. My two eldest loved that. They sat there and sketched for a while. And much to my happy surprise, they decided that they will continue sketching on their own.

Right now, there's a Franz Xaver Messerschmidt exhibit. They had a fun room where you can go in and take a selfie recreating a Messerschmidt sculpture. Here's the middlest's take.

My favorite part was the garden. When you live in an urban environment, big, well designed gardens are rare, and such a treat. AND (yes, this is a big "and") they had maple trees with leaves that were changing colors. It might have been a warm Los Angeles day, but the tree had the most beautiful red leaves. Sigh of happiness. I miss Fall. Real Fall.

This trip was a total success. Instead of the usual "are we done yet" that I hear when we visit museums, the kids have made plans to go back. As a matter of fact, my middlest summed it up the best, "This is the best museum ever. We should come back more often." And hey, it's free! Win-win.

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World Card Making Day

Hello there! Happy World Card Making Day! Yes, there's such a thing. You can get more info here, here, and here. Seriously, there are so many giveaways, online parties, and sales going on.

So. Every year, I wait until the week before Christmas to get my holiday cards done. Every. Single. Year. This year, as I made this card, I thought that perhaps I should get the process started now? I could actually stamp the 93 cards I need by Christmas? Right? Maybe. A big maybe. BUT, at least I've got number one done. That's the hard part. I think.

This little card uses two different Technique Tuesday stamps. The Be Jolly set by Teri Anderson and the Jingle All The Way set by Ali Edwards.

The tree and decoration are from the Be Jolly set. The star (cut out and popped up), the stripey base, the sentiment and holly are from the Jingle All The Way set. Love how they work together so nicely. And I love sets which have separate components so they can be stamped in my desired colors. Without having to mask. Because I'm terrible at masking!

Are you creating cards today? Maybe getting scrappy? Whatever you are doing today, thank you for coming by. Hope you have a great weekend!

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Technique Tuesday: Halloween Card

I went to Target the other day, and was smacked with a huge Halloween section. Already picked over. What the heck, peoples! I was never a plan-ahead kind of gal. So cut me some slack. Please.

Well, once I bought Christmas presents in September. I felt hugely accomplished, but not enough to do it again. That aside, I'm seriously worried about my costume for my youngest. And getting the balance of too little vs too much candy to pass out. Last year was our first Halloween in this location, and we didn't have a lot of trick-or-treaters. We found out it was because we live in a neighborhood whose  residents do not celebrate Halloween. I don't like being left with a lot of loot, because let's face it, I will eat it. All!

Anyway. Halloween. Card.

This one was made with this adorable stamp set by Teri Anderson. I created the spiderweb with a resist pen and some clear embossing powder. I think next time I'll try a thinner marker.

stamps: Technique Tuesday Eek / resist marker: Ranger Perfect Medium / embossing powder: Ranger Super Fine Detail in clear / ink: Tsukineko Memento in Tuxedo Black, Clearsnap Colorbox Classic Pigment Ink Cat's Eyes / cardstock: Neenah, Bazzill / alcohol marker: Triart / adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives

I stamped the spider, cut it out, and colored its eyes with an alcohol marker. Then adhered it to the card with pop up dots. Stamped the "eeek!!!" and I was done. Super easy!

Click here for more ideas using this stamp set. Thanks for coming by today!

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Elle's Studio Guest Designer

I'm so honored to be guest designing for Elle's Studio this month. I've been a big fan of their products for a long. Then I met the Elle! And I became an even bigger fan. She's such a kind, and giving person!

This first layout is about the costumes I create for my kids each year. I've tapered off on the sewing quite a bit, since my two oldest said they were too old to dress up. I do miss seeing them going from house to house trick-or-treating. But can I say that I'm also a bit glad that I don't have to make three costumes anymore? Ha! I know... nice mom... I've been trying to convince my youngest to go as the Lorax this year, but he's having none of it. He wants to be a tree, but "not a Truffula tree. Just a normal tree." I guess he was reading my mind...

tags: Elle's Studio Spooky Tales Large Journaling Tags + Spooky Tales Pennants + Spooky Tales Thankful Pennants + Spooky Tales Tidbits / patterned paper: My Mind's Eye / stamps: Hero Arts Basic Lower Case Letters / washi: MT / sewing machine

That Halloween card was perfect for my journaling. I ran it through my printer, and then I couldn't resist adding one googly eye to the O. So Despicable Me minion, no? (Maybe the littlest could be a minion...)

This next layout is all Fall also. It's about one of last visits we took to our favorite pumpkin patch in Philly. It's this amazing, organic farm with the cutest farmer's market.

tags: Elle's Studio Spooky Tales Large Journaling Cards + Hello Summer Lil' Snippets + Summer Lovin' Note Tags / stamp (chevron): Lawn Fawn Interlocking Backdrops / ink: Clearsnap Cat's Eye Pigment Ink / flair button: Ormolu 2-day Hooray Month / sewing machine + typewriter

I used three 4x6 journaling cards as the base for the photos. For two of those, I trimmed around the "tags", and tucked the photos underneath. It creates the look of layers without adding more bulk.

tags: Elle's Studio Summer Lovin' Cutouts + The Sweet Life Note Tags / stamps: Lawn Fawn A Birdie Told Me + Happy Everything / ink: Tsukineko Versafine / markers: Letraset ProMarkers / sewing machine

And I made a card. I cut one of the smaller journaling cards apart to use the pretty stripes. I layered it with another card, and added some adorable Lawn Fawn stamps on top. The chevrons are from one of the cut apart tags. Easy peasy!

Thanks for dropping by. And thanks to Elle's Studio for asking me to guest! Don't forget to drop by their blog for the design team gallery reveal!

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