{BOO!}

Hello all---yes, here I am again after 3 weeks of abscence---I just can't believe it's been that long! Obviously at this time in my life, this is taking a back seat. I've had a lot going on---and much of it is blog worthy---but there has not a lot of time to actually sit down and blog, so, it has not happened. I made these little surprises for some of my co-workers---just the ones in my building because I just didn't have time to do them for the whole Lower School. I was inspired---and sort of CASED (copied and stole everything) this idea from Betsy Veldman's PTI group post in August "Tags Two Ways". I don't usually do a lot of Halloween stuff, but I just loved these tags and I really like to give little gifts throughout the year. I used this pillow box template that I found online here. It was the size I wanted to use and after looking at several sites that wanted me to pay for one--this one was free, so I used it!!! I didn't follow her directions, but I used the template. She has a template there for the small and large one--this is the large one.

I'll put the details of papers and ink down below. After I had cut out all the pillow boxes, I trimmed the patterned paper 3.5 x 8". I stamped them with Fancy Flourishes using Memento Tuxedo Black ink to look like the lacy felt (WRMK) that Betsy had used. Then I used the Apron Lace edger punch to make the edge. The tag was stamped on Rustic Cream cardstock and then I antiqued the edges with Antique Linen distress ink. I punched the tags with a 1 3/4" circle punch and then cut out a scallop circle using my Marvy scalloped circle punch and antiqued that as well. I tied a bow around each box then I sewed various Vintage buttons on with rustic twine and tied that around the bow. I filled them (before tying the bow) with different Bliss candies---it's a chocolate candy that I can resist---can you believe it? I decided it was best to do it with something I didn't like---but everyone else seems to!

I have some very exciting news to share with you tomorrow---I just don't have time to do the post now with my son beside himself to be a "SWAT guy" for Halloween tonight---I'll post pictures of that next week, I hope....that's my story, and I'm sticking to it! ;) I hope you'll come back to find out!!


BOO! Pillow Boxes:
Stamps: Fancy Flourishes, 2009 Halloween Tags (PTI)
Paper: Kraft, 2008 Bitty Box, Bitty Star and Bitty Dot Basics (some of all three), Rustic Cream cardstock (PTI)
Ink: Ripe Avocado, Plum Pudding, Summer Sunrise (PTI), Antique Linen distress ink (Ranger), Tuxedo Black memento (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Apron Lace punch (Fiskars), Scallop Circle Punch (Marvy-blue), ribbon & vintage buttons in Ripe Avocado, Plum Pudding, Summer Sunrise, Orange Zest

{Autumn Blessings}

I don't know about you, but we have had some AMAZING fall weather lately---one of the things I love most about living in North Carolina is the fall---I never really understood the fascination with all things fall (except that meant it was football time) before I moved here----I'm from Texas, remember? We didn't have fall like I know it now---don't get me wrong---I'm not bashing the Republic---that will NEVER happen!

ANYWHOOO----my post does need to be short today, so I'm going to get to it. I told you I had done a little craft demonstration awhile back---here is another journal I made to show and then give away that night as a door prize!

These are so easy to make---and they can be as simple or fancy as you have time/supplies for. I told you about making these in this post, so if you need "instructions"---look there. It is a long post, so just scroll down to the bottom.

I used Papertrey's Autumn Abundance set for this one---I don't color much, but this set was amazing---I love the colors of autumn---and after seeing Debbie's projects with this set, I HAD to have it---she's my hero! Her coloring is lovely~The patterned papers are from the Autumn Abundance paper. Again, I love the colors of autumn and I love to make place cards and such for our Thanksgiving table, so I bought this for those.

I made a pocket on the front cover, too---I always want to put stuff in a pocket! I just put my AC Moore Rewards card in there as an example---I wasn't making a statement about it being a blessing to me----although I could argue..........OK--'nuff said!

I put the details below if you want to see what the materials are. Did you see the new Papertrey blinkie on the right? If you click on it you will be delivered straight to Papertrey Ink and you can purchase all the stuff you want....well, if you have the money---there's this silly little thing they do---they make you pay. But, you can just fill your cart up and drool over it as if you had it and then clear it all out later--that's free!

Well, I need to get some things done--I hope you have a great Thursday~




Autumn Blessings Journal~
(all supplies PTI unless noted)
Stamps: Autumn Abundance, First Fruits
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Summer Sunrise, Rustic Cream, Autumn Abundance patterned paper
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Dark Chocolate
Tools/Accessories: Cuttlebug (Provocraft), circle and scallop circle nestabilities dies (Spellbinders), Rustic jute twine, Rustic wood buttons, Apron Lace punch (fiskars) twill (martha stewart), scalloped edger punch (ek success), Copic markers

{Hannah's Birthday Card}

Happy World Cardmaking Day! This post will be short, because I am heading out to make cards with some of my friends! We have a grand idea to finish our Christmas cards today, and we just may do it! We are meeting all day long with the hopes of finishing our Christmas cards so we can have one less thing to do on our crazy list! I hope you are making some cards today, too!!

Here's the card I made for Hannah's birthday---I didn't have much time, so I used Dawn McVey's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge. There's still time for you to do it, too---I think you have until Monday night! I love these colors together, but really struggled with the layout of this card. When I finally found something that worked, I put it together and then stamped the sentiment directly on the card in Dark Chocolate----I messed it up....what to do with a card that is finished, but not presentable? (Lesson ONE---don't glue it down until the stamping is done---I know this lesson, but I'm forgetful!) I would have just made the card over---but I really didn't have time, so I did the next best thing---covered up the mess by stamping the sentiment on the red paper and then adding some embellishment to it. I tried several different things, but this is what I finally came up with. I'm not crazy about it, but I didn't have time to trash it and start over. AND, Hannah liked it---so, does it really matter that it's not my favorite? NO---Lesson TWO---the card is for someone else who will just appreciate being remembered---don't stress over it being perfect! OK---done with that! I need to go get ready for the fun day! Enjoy your day--whatever you are doing!


Hannah's Birthday Card~ Stamps: Bird Watching, Bird Watching Additions Paper: Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream (PTI) Ink: Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream Accessories/Tools: Edger Punch (ek success), Aqua Mist twill, Vintage buttons in Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate, White, & Aqua Mist (PTI), Dimensionals (SU!)


Oh yeah, I stamped the envelope, too! :)

{An 18th Birthday!!!}

My Hannah is 18 today!!!! Isn't she LOVELY?

So much happens in eighteen years~ I wanted to scan in some pictures of her from preschool---she was so mischievous---you could see it all over her face!!! BUT, my scanner is not working---boooo~~~so, I'll have to wait to do that---there will be plenty of time to do this sort of thing in this Senior year. All sorts of moments to reminisce!

First applications are due October 15, so she is in the midst of all of that---you know how it is!

Hannah had an opportunity to go to England a year ago---she LOVED it---I think she'd like to live there......

but only if she could live in a place like this!

Here she is in Africa this past summer with some form of a Gecko-type creature on her head...gotta love that!

Another picture in Africa with a Massai girl~

And one more---

Hannah is an unusual girl---she is very confident in herself---but not in a snobby way---but a quiet, stoic belief. She has wanted to be an English teacher since Middle School and hasn't waivered from that. She sets high standards for herself and reaches for goals that seem unattainable to some---I think she can do it all---she can do whatever she wants to do. She's smart, but not too smart to laugh at herself---for instance, my sweet, kind, leader of a child has Silent Lunch detention today---yep---ON HER BIRTHDAY!!! She was tardy three times to her Greek class----now, I won't comment on the use of silent lunch for an 18 year old---BUT, I must say, her attitude about it was pretty amazing---I would have thrown a fit----but, she just laughed, said it was embarrassing and that she should leave earlier to get to her Greek class on time----that is a GREAT attitude!! She's a great girl---I wish you could know her!

I'll show her card tomorrow---it's for Dawn McVey's RSCC and I didn't think people would want to read through my birthday tribute to get to my card!!! Hmph~

Have a great weekend! Can you come mow my lawn?