PENNANTS BUILDER PUNCH CANDY CORN

I made a few of these candy corn tags made from the Petite Pennants Builder Punch and attached them to Candy Corn scented Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel, CASEing Ashley Marostica, all i create.

RECIPE
Stamps:  Itty Bitty Banners
Paper:  Polka Dot Parade DSP and Whisper White cardstock
Ink:  Basic Black
Embellishments:  1/8" Pumpkin Pie Taffeta Ribbon
Tools:  Petite Pennants Builder Punch, Bitty Banners Framelits, Big Shot

SWEET SUNDAY FRANK

My design for Sweet Sunday Sketch #40 is pretty simple this week, but what a great sketch! The possibilities are endless! (If only I had more time to explore them!)

I hope you'll find time to play along! Be sure to link your sketch card to Karen's post so everyone can see your creation! Here's more sketch inspiration from the rest of the Sweet Sunday Stampers ...

Jennifer Tapler
Karen Motz
Laura Fredrickson
Lynn Put
Sarah-Jane Kale'
Vicki Burdick

RECIPE
Stamps: Batty for You, Smarty Pants
Paper: Cast-A-Spell DP, Basic Black, Old Olive, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Old Olive Classic, White Craft
Tools: 1" Circle Punch, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

NIGHT & DAY AUTUMN HARVEST

Last night, I worked with Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #34 ... and the result is this simple little card using the pumpkins from Autumn Harvest which are paper pieced with Cast-A-Spell Designer Paper. The awesome black & white designer paper is the new Night & Day Specialty DP in the new 2009 Holiday Mini Catalog! I've been waiting forever for Stampin' Up! to come out with black and white paper!

This morning, I was visiting with Vicki Burdick on Facebook, and happened to click over to her blog ... only to find out that my card looks very much like her Sweet Sunday Sketch card! Great minds think alike, I guess! *wink*RECIPE
Stamps: Autumn Harvest, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Night & Day DP ('09 Holiday Mini), Cast-A-Spell DP, Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie CS
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On
Tools: Word Window Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

CASEing ANTHONETTE

It was a pretty sad sight yesterday in my craft room ... seeing an experienced stamper like myself attempt to create after being away from it for several weeks. It took me several attempts until I finally CASEd this awesome card by Anthonette Chavez! Anthonette's card has always been one of my favorites, and CASEing it at least got me started! Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever figure out how to incorporate my craft with working full-time (+ laundry, cleaning & cooking ... ugh!). I'm feeling like there's not enough of me to go around these days. (whine, whine, whine!)RECIPE
Stamps: Eat, Drink & Be Scary, All Holidays
Paper: Cast-A-Spell DP, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, and Basic Black CS
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On
Embellishments: Lilac Circle Ice Rhinestone Brad
Tools: Star Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

FRIEND. GOOD.

Yes, I'm jumping the gun here with a Halloween card, but couldn't resist using the new Cast-a-Spell Designer Paper! Frankenstein (Batty For You stamp set) is my favorite Halloween image, and this sentiment from the stamp set Smarty Pants always makes me smile! I used Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #76 Sketch.

After I had my card all put together, I realized that maybe I should have more thoughtfully cut the background designer paper with the pumpkins. It bothers me that the orange pumpkins in the print aren't seen on the right and bottom. Does it bother you like it does me?
RECIPE
Stamps: Batty For You, Smarty Pants
Paper: Cast-a-Spell DP, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Old Olive and Basic Black
Embellishments: 1/4" Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" and 1" Circle Punches, Modern Label Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

I'M JEN'S SFYTT OCTOBER GUEST DESIGNER !!!

I've been bursting at the seams with this exciting news for quite some time! TODAY is the day that I can finally share this news ... I am Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try October Guest Designer! Oh yeah! Jen's sketches have always been one of my favorite regular challenges, and to be asked to be a Guest Designer is an incredible honor!!!!

Here is one card I've done using today's Sketch For You To Try. Go to Jen's blog, i{heart}2stamp to see the other sketch sample I've created, Jen's sample card, and for all the information you need to play along!

I was completely inspired by Wendy Bond's adorable card HERE. Frankenstein has GOT to be my all-time favorite Halloween "characters"! This Frank image is from the retired stamp set, Booglie Eyes. I purchased the Smarty Pants stamp set just for this sentiment! The designer paper is from Ghostly Greetings, and the striped Perfect Plum panel is from Perfect Plum Patterns.RECIPE
Stamps: Booglie Eyes (retired), Smarty Pants
Paper: Ghostly Greetings DP, Perfect Plum Patterns DP, Basic Black and Whisper White CS (Perfect Plum, Pumpkin Pie, and Kiwi Kiss CS for the small 1/4" circles behind the brads)
Ink: Basic Black, Perfect Plum, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, and Going Gray
Embellishments: Basic Black Brads, Kiwi Kiss 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: 1/4" Circle Punch, Blender Pen
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Googlie Eyes (non-SU)

HALLOWEEN - weSTAMP STYLE!

Last Tuesday night was our weSTAMP Stampin' Up! Demonstrator meeting and swap at Lorri Heiling's home.

This month's swap theme was HALLOWEEN/AUTUMN, ANYTHING BUT A CARD. Here are the swap projects ...

Ginny Schembri provided this Make 'n Take project, along with a wonderful demonstration of the new Stampin' Up! Sissix Big Shot. We made these small folders that help show what the Big Shot can do. Inside the folder pockets are examples of many of the Big Shot dies, along with various materials including designer paper, cardstock, cork, felt, vinyl, soda cans, and various fabrics.Lorri had these charming Halloween treat purses for each weSTAMP participant.This next photo of the weSTAMP girls being SILLY. We're all wearing the plastic dracula teeth which were part of Tara's swap. Front row: Terri Guyman, Tara Hilde, Rachele Sanclemente, Nancy Riley. Back row: Ginny Schembri, Adrianna Gray, Jessica Blair, Pam Wood, Lorri Heiling, Leah Sinatra, Jennie Portonova, Toni Santanello

ALTERED HALLOWEEN DIXIE CUPS

My daughter is the Co-Section Leader of the Clarinet Section of her AWESOME Marching Band, and I always like to send treats with her on the holidays for the 20 girls and 1 boy in their section. I "thought" I would just whip these up yesterday .... "whip" is a relative term! Took me way longer than I thought they would even though they are very very simple! (I know what you're thinking ... "her daughter's in high school, and she's still sending treats to school with her?" ..... hey!, the kids love it!)

Speaking of Marching Band .... the kids had a FANTASTIC day competing in Tucson yesterday! They received a SUPERIOR rating and four captions! WOOHOO!!! One of the judges they had last week was also there yesterday, and said he couldn't believe how one band could improve that much in one week! I am so happy for that incredible group of kids! They work so hard, and put in so many hours .... yesterday's rating defenitely fired them up for the State Competition in two weeks!

These treat holders are 5 oz. Dixie Cups, covered in Creepy Crawly DP. To create a pattern, use an exacto knife to cut the bottom out of one cup, the cut down the seam. I also cut off the top lip for a more accurate pattern. Use this "torn apart" Dixie Cup as your pattern to trace onto the DP and cut out with scissors. When I cut the DP, I cut about 1/4" wider than the pattern so the DP will overlap when adhered to the cup.

Don't forget the KEY ingredient: STICKY STRIP. Because the DP is curving around the cup, regular tape won't hold!

The handle is Basic Black CS measuring 5/8" x 7", attached on the outside of the cup with a More Mustard Brad, surrounded by a 1/2" Basic Black CS Circle and a 3/4" Pumpkin Pie Circle.

The front of the cup is a simple medallion using the stamp set, Batty For You. Had to make these simple since there were 21 of them (would have liked to have embossed them) ... so the Batty For You images are stamped in Jet Black Staz-On on Whisper White twice. Punch the center image (without the surrounding words) out with the 1" Circle Punch, then the entire image with words is punched with the 1 1/4" Circle Punch. Really Rust or More Mustard CS punched with the 1 3/8" Circle Punch and Pumpkin Pie CS punched with the Scallop Circle Punch are used behind the stamped image. Adhere the entire medallion to the front of the Dixie Cup with Sticky Strip.

Now, we just need to fill with treats!

RECIPE
Stamps: Batty For You
Paper: Creepy Crawly DP, Whisper White, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, and Really Rust CS
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On
Embellishments: More Mustard Brads
Tools: 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1 1/4", 1 3/8" and Scallop Circle Punches
Supplies: Sticky Strip, 5 oz. Dixie Cups

HALLOWEEN SHOEBOX SWAP

My friend, Sandy Braddock is one of the biggest Halloween witches (oops, I mean "nuts"!) I know! She invited me and three other stampin' friends to a Halloween Shoebox Swap at her home Wednesday morning. If you've never heard of a Shoebox Swap, it's where each person creates a stamped project for the other participants to create, i.e. all the supplies, paper cut, etc. I believe the name comes from the idea that all the supplies for one project could fit into a shoebox. Sandy's home was the perfect setting for our Halloween themed Shoebox Swap! Her home is lavishly decorated for the holiday ... lots of whimsical and spooky items!

Below is a photo of our group. From left to right: Sandy Braddock, our hostess with the mostest (aka doublesmom on SCS), me (I've noticed that I'm wearing black in every single photo I've posted on my blog .... I DO own other colors of clothing!), Karen Laub (aka nikesmom on SCS), Lorri Heiling (aka lorriheiling on SCS, and her blog, Confessions of a Stamping Addict), and Tammy Mendoza. Karen and Sandy are fellow band booster moms, Lorri is my Stampin' Up! sideline, and Tammy is my neighbor. Of course, what brings us all closer together is our love of stamping!

Here are the five adorable projects we made Wednesday morning. This first one is a treat box by Karen Laub, using a template by Sherry Graves. Sorry, I haven't been able to find the link to the template. If anyone out there knows where I can find it, I'd be happy to link it! The stamped pumpkin images are from the stamp set, Carved & Candlelit. We filled the box with shred and candies ... YUM YUM!!! This mummy card was Sandy Braddock's project.The Very Vanilla CS strips were actually wrapped around the large Very Vanilla piece for the mummy effect. The Very Vanilla CS was randomly stamped with Itty Bitty Backgrounds, and the edges were sponged with Creamy Caramel. The twill tape already had the words "HAPPY HALLOWEEN" printed on it! Sandy found it in her summer travels. Don't you just love those large googlie eyes?!This Halloween Firecracker is a project by Lorri Heiling. Looks difficult, but is super easy to make! Lorri's project uses the spider from Booglie Eyes and Creepy Crawly DP. Halloween candies are inside. This cute Halloween card was created by Tammy Mendoza. It uses an actual 35mm negative filmstrip, and plastic spider rings (with the ring portion removed).This altered fruit can was my project. I've shared this before here on my blog. For all the details, click HERE.Tammy altered these jumbo root beer and cream soda bottles, and gave one to each of us! Are these FUN, or what?! Tammy is a Halloween NUT, just like Sandy! Tammy and her dog, Gandoff have coordinating costumes each year, and they are the highlight on our street on Halloween night!
Sandy made our Shoebox Swap so much fun! She had all her Autumn and Halloween stamped cards displayed for us to oooh and aaaah over. Wouldn't she make a wonderful Stampin' Up! demonstrator???!!! Here are a few of her creations.




Gotta show you one more thing! Sandy has all kinds of interesting things in her home ... the gal's got style! This is one of my favorite things .... not only is Sandy a talented stamper, she is also a talented quilter! This is her Halloween quilt that hangs in a high niche in her entryway. I'm standing on the 2nd level stairway to take the photo, and she has to get up on an extention ladder to hang it. She made this quilt about 12 years ago when she was pregnant with her twin daughters. It's hard to see in the photo, but the group of pumpkins on the right, second from the top, represent her family of five. She had to add the fifth pumpkin when she discovered she was having twins! THANK YOU for a wonderful Shoebox Swap, my dear friends!

OCTOBER STAMP CLASS PROJECTS

These are the five projects I prepared for my October stamp classes that were held on Tuesday, Oct. 9.

SPOOKY SKYLINE CARD
This first card is a total case from Pam Varnell, The Stamping Addict. See her original card HERE. The only change I made from Pam's original is the addition of the full moon, done by masking with a 1 3/8" Circle Punch. To achieve the Spooky Skyline Scene, brayer the Glossy White CS with the Pumpkin Patch Spectrum Pad (with 1 3/8" Post-It Note Circle temporarily adhered in place), remove the circle then roll the Spooky Skyline Jumbo Wheel across with Basic Black Ink. Allow to dry for a few minutes.

RECIPE
Stamps: Spooky Skyline Jumbo Wheel (pg. 26), HAPPY HALLOWEEN sentiment from All Holidays (pg. 143)
Paper: Glossy White, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, and Old Olive CS
Ink: Basic Black Classic Ink Pad, Pumpkin Patch Spectrum Pad
Embellishments: Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Jumbo Stampin’ Around Handle, Brayer w/ Rubber Attachment, 1 3/8” Circle Punch
Supplies: Post It Notes (non-SU)
Techniques: Masking, Brayer


FALL FLOWERS CRISS CROSS CARD Click HERE for a wonderful Criss Cross Card Tutorial by Beate Johns on SCS. These are super easy to make and are so-o-o cute! The flower on the insert is cut out from the Fall Flowers DP, an Old Olive Brad is placed in the middle of the flower, and popped up with a Stampin' Dimensional. This card also uses the new Stampin' Up! Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon.

RECIPE
Stamps: Priceless (pg. 117)
Paper: Fall Flowers DP, Really Rust, Old Olive and Sahara Sand CS
Ink: Sahara Sand
Embellishments: Old Olive Brad, Old Olive 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Round Tab Punch, 1/16” Handheld Circle Punch
Supplies: Sticky Strip, Stampin’ Dimensionals


HALLOWEEN POPCORN PULL
These Halloweeen Popcorn Pulls were created using various patterns from the Creepy Crawly DP. The DP was cut 6 1/2" x 9", and scored at 2 1/4" and 6 1/2" to wrap around the standard size microwave popcorn pack. Sticky Strip was used the adhere the bottom and back seam, then the bottom was crimped with the Crimper. The Pewter Jumbo Eyelets were set (in front AND back) with the Crop-a-dile. The Black Grosgrain Ribbon is looped around the popcorn pack, threaded through the Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, and tied in a bow.
RECIPE
Stamps: Booglie Eyes (pg. 29)
Paper: Creepy Crawly DP, Basic Black, Whisper White, and Pumpkin Pie CS
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Black Stampin’ Write Marker
Embellishments: Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, Black Gingham Ribbon Tools: Crop-A-Dile, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/2" and 1 3/8” Circle Punches, Paper Crimper, 1/8” Handheld Circle Punch
Supplies: craft store "eyes" glued on with Crystal Effects, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip

2-5-7-10 AUTUMN HARVEST BOX

This 2-5-7-10 Box is a total case from Deborah Southard, aka debils on SCS. See her original box HERE. HERE is a tutorial for a 2-5-7-10 Box by Jenn Balcer. This box was made shorter than the one in the tutorial, measuring 5" tall. Instead of scoring at 2" in Step 2, CUT at 2". The pumpkins from Autumn Harvest (pg. 6 of the 2007 Holiday Mini) were stamped in Black Classic on Pumpkin Pie CS and cut out. The smaller pumpkin is raised up on Stampin' Dimensionals. The leaves on the Old Olive CS were stamped in Versamark.RECIPE
Stamps: Whimsy Jumbo Wheel (pg. 101), Autumn Harvest (pg. 6 Holiday Mini 2007)
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive CS
Ink: Basic Black Classic Ink Pads, White Craft Ink, Versamark
Embellishments: Pumpkin Pie Gingham Ribbon, Black Brads
Tools: Jumbo Stampin’ Around Handle, 1/16” Handheld Circle Punch
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals/Foam Tape, Sticky Strip

HALLOWEEN ALTERED ALTOID TINS

You've all seen this 5th project HERE on my blog.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

This is a card I did a couple of weeks ago with the intention of using it for my upcoming class .... until I discovered a version of it I liked better. I'll be sharing that one with you on Wednesday or Thursday. This card was inspired by the one shown on pg. 22 of Stampin' Success (SU Demonstrator Monthly Publication).

The Halloween scene was created by using the brayer and the Pumpkin Patch Spectrum Ink Pad on Whisper White CS. Before using the brayer, punch a Post-It Note (with some of the sticky portion) with the 1 3/8" Circle Punch and temporarily place it on the Whisper White CS ... that portion will remain white, creating a moon (masking). After brayering the Pumpkin Patch Spectrum, the Spooky Skyline Jumbo Wheel is wheeled across in Basic Black Classic Ink. The More Mustard CS border is Paper Pierced, and the More Mustard and Old Olive borders are torn.
RECIPE
Stamps: Spooky Skyline Jumbo Wheel (pg. 26), sentiment from All Holidays (pg. 143)
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, More Mustard, Old Olive, and Really Rust CS
Ink: Pumpkin Patch Spectrum Ink Pad, Basic Black Classic Ink Pad
Embellishments: Black Gingham Ribbon
Tools: Brayer, Paper Piercing Tool/Mat/Template, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Stampin' Around Jumbo Handle
Supplies: Post-It Notes
Techniques: Masking, Paper Piercing, Brayer

HALLOWEEN ALTERED FRUIT CAN

My apologies for lack of posts this week, and for lack of original artwork. What LITTLE time I've had to stamp has been stamping for my upcoming stamp class (and I try to keep those projects a surprise for my local stampin' friends). As I've mentioned before, my mom has been here for two weeks recovering from surgery. In between helping her (which I'm very much enjoying!), driving kids to and from schools and activities, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, and TRYING to keep the house fairly clean, there's been NO chunks of time for some serious stamping! Bummer!!!

Drew joined a tackle football team and is taking guitar lessons, and Allie's marching band season is in full force. I can't tell you how many trips my husband and I make in one day back and forth from schools and activities ... it just plain NUTS! I can certainly tell October is approaching! Seems like October, December and May are always CRAZY months at the Riley house! (Now that I think about it ... when ISN'T it a crazy time at the Riley house?). Bear with me ... I am trying really really hard to get some stamping time in!

I have a photo folder on my computer for photos of cards and projects I find in various places. I totally CASEd this altered fruit can from Sarah Moore. See her original HERE.

This can was originally a Del Monte 4 oz. can of fruit. I opened it from the bottom with a Pampered Chef Can Opener which opens cans without the sharp edge. After taking the fruit out, wash the can and remove the label, decorate, fill with Halloween goodies, and glue the bottom lid back on the can. E6000 glue works well for this, and can be found at your local craft store and Walmart.

I did use the retired Stampin' Around Wheel, Boulder Bits, and some of last year's retired Halloween Night DP and ribbon for this can. My all-time favorite Halloween character has got to be Frankenstein, and love it when green and purple are added to the traditional orange and black colors for Halloween!


RECIPE
Stamps: Booglie Eyes (pg. 29), Builder Bits Stampin' Around Wheel (retired), "HAPPY HALLOWEEN" from All Holidays (pg. 143)
Paper: Lovely Lilac, Basic Black and Whisper White CS, Halloween Night DP (retired)
Ink: Basic Black Classic Ink Pad, Green Galore, Lovely Lilac and Only Orange Markers
Embellishments: Green Galore Brad, Tangerine, Apple Green, and Delphinium Grosgrain Ribbon (all three retired)
Tools: Tag Punch, Word Window Punch (folded in 1/2, attached to tag with brad and looped through Tangerine Ribbon)
Supplies: E6000 Glue, Pampered Chef Can Opener (both non-SU)

HALLOWEEN ALTERED STARBUCKS FRAPPACINO

I've had this project in my head for weeks, and am so excited that I was finally able to put it together yesterday! It is an Altered Starbucks 4-pack Frappacino ... the kind you purchase at your local grocery store. Recipe and directions are given below the photos.

RECIPE

Stamps: Batty For You (pg. 27)

Paper: Creepy Crawly DP, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust & More Mustard CS

Ink: Versamark, Black Craft Ink

Embellishments: Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard & Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Really Rust Eyelets, Black Hemp Twine

Tools: Word Window Punch, 1" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Powder Pal

Other Supplies: Starbucks 4-pack Frappacino Bottles & Cardboard Carrier, Assorted Halloween/Autumn Candies, Stampin' Dimensionals or Foam Tape, Black Emboss Powder, Black Satin Spray Paint

NOTES:

* The lids to the bottles were painted with black satin spray paint.

* The Black Craft Ink Pad was used to ink up the edges of the cardboard carrier before adhering the CS.

* To cover the body of the cardboard carrier, cut 2 pieces of DP 4" x 10", scored at 2 1/2" and 7 1/2". I used Scotch double stick tape to adhere DP to cardboard carrier.

* To cover the middle handle section, cut one pieces of DP 4 1/4" x 5", scored at 2 1/8". For the oval shaped hole, I traced the hole with a pencil on the wrong side of the DP, and cut it out with scissors.

* There are two small triangle pieces on each side of the carrier. Again, I traced them onto the wrong side of the DP, and cut them out with scissors.

* The band going around the body of the carrier is the black spider web DP from Creepy Crawly and Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon.

* The images from Batty for You were stamped in Versamark onto Cardstock and embossed with Black Emboss Powder, then punched with the 1" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches.

* The words dangling from the center of the cardboard carrier were punched with the Word Window Punch from the Creepy Crawly DP (the one with all the Halloween-related words). Really Rust eyelets were added to the "tags", and hang with black hemp twine from the center black grosgrain ribbon.

* I chose not to decorate the glass portion of the bottles ... didn't want the CS or DP to "catch" and tear when removing and inserting the bottles into the carrier.

Here is another Altered Starbucks Frappacino gift set I did back in January for Valentine's Day.