Shabby Pumpkins

Sorry folks.. forgot to take a photo, but I'll link up the tutorial I found on making the shabby pumpkins we made today at the make 'n take.  Check out the tutorial here... by MsLiberty25.

Here's the basic instructions:
1.  Cut 12x12 cardstock in half so you have 2 6"x 12" pieces.  You can make 2 pumpkins with one sheet.  You can also adjust the size of your pumpkin by cutting it to desired length.

2.  Then cut the sheet into 5/8" strips.  You should get about 19 strips.

3.  Punch holes on each end of the strips.

3.  Using long brads, stick all strips through the brad and secure by opening up the feet.

4.  Fan out strips and select strip closest to the brad head.  Starting with that strip, stick the other end of the strip through another brad.  Select a strip on the opposite end.  Then repeat, selecting strips on opposite ends.

5. Close up brad and decorate!

You can see pumpkin samples at the shop!  Great for housing goodies like Halloween candy and other small gifts!

Happy Halloween!

Can you believe October is over?  Before the month ends, I thought I'd pop in to share the make 'n take project from the Anniversary Sale.  I literally came up with this project the morning of the make 'n take!  Talk about procrastination!!!

For a few years now, I've been meaning to teach everyone how to make the mini backpack that I've been spying all over the internet.  Of course, by now, its pretty old news.  I thought everyone would think- been there, done that... but that wasn't the case.  Everyone seemed pretty happy making this project.

Since the Tim Holtz mini treat bag die arrived just in time for the sale, I decided to use it in the project.  It was just the right size to become a backpack!  Don't assemble the bag until you are done adding straps.  To create the flap, I just punched out a 3" scallop circle and folded it in half.  Adhere one half to the back of the bag, leaving the other half without adhesive.

Then punch holes in the back.  You can measure in about 3/8 of an inch from top/bottom/sides.  Tie ribbons so that knots are on the inside, then seal up the bag.  Add velcro to the flap to allow it to open/close. I added the ghost from Imaginisce.   He was perfect since he did not require any coloring!!!  This bag was perfect to hold a couple of Halloween sized candies.

Of course, you can try different sized bags for different sized backpacks..  you get the drift right?

Special thanks to Tracy for taking over blog duties while I was on vacation!  Maybe she'll start posting more often? :)  Happy Halloween Everyone!

Creative Crafting

We love receiving projects from our customers... this cool bag was made by Mardi. Isn't that jack-o-lantern the cutest? It's a pin too, so you can take it off the package and wear him if you wish. I think that pin is made out of a flasher- which would be great for trick-or-treaters.

Isn't that bag so neat? It's made out of fabric and I'm told that it also glows in the dark! Thanks Mardi!

Happy Halloween!

Guess I must've forgot to post this card... This little fairwee has turned into a witch for Halloween just by adding a witch hat from the hats off to you Lawn Fawn set. These little hats are the perfect size for many of the Lawn Fawn characters and also for these cute Fairwees!


The sentiment is from the Lawn Fawn Heebie Jeebie's set and comes with the spider (and bats too!). Decided to distress the background using some Halloween colors and added in some colored pearls for interest. Halloween is just around the corner, so time to start working on those Halloween projects if you haven't started yet. The store just received some oh so cute Halloween papers that would be perfect for your projects! Better save some for me!

A Good Reason...

Sorry, been a bit MIA recently, but we have good reason. Just getting ready for our upcoming Anniversary Sale next week Saturday (10/16)! But before I spill some details about the sale day, thought I'd share this card with you... Used the new Fall Hansel stamp by CC's Designs. Just love how he's already on the pumpkins! No cutting/no fuss! Just added the "You're the pick of the patch" sentiment- also by CC's, and some flowers and the card was finished!

By the way- all of these CC's Amy R sentiment stamp sets are on coupon this week for IS members. Members can get 30% off each set! There are so many to choose from too and they go great with the CC's images. I always seem to find one that's appropriate to use for my cards.

Here's a close up of Fall Hansel...




Supplies:

• Fall Hansel- CC's Designs
• Pick of the Patch sentiment- CC's Designs
• Flowers- Prima
• Flourish- Sizzix (Tim Holtz)
• Stickles
• Cardstock- Bazzil
• DP- Imaginisce

So now for the good stuff... We are planning some really fun things for Anniversary Sale day! Here's the latest scoop...

• Great in-store specials on sale day only. We'll post more on this later...
• Bringing in several new product lines that you'll want to check out.
• 2 great make 'n takes that are FREE! First come, first served.
• Birthday cake- cause what's a birthday without cake?
• Birthday Card Contest- bring in a handmade birthday card (by you!) using products that we carry in the store and enter our card contest. Everyone who brings in a card will be entered. We will randomly draw one name from all entries for a birthday sur-prize!
• Birthday game- cause what's a birthday without party games?
• And all kinds of giveaways!!
  

I'll be sharing more details - so check back soon!

Spiderweb Die

In the mood for some Halloween fun yet? Well, this card is definitely fun- just wait till you see the inside! But before I show you the inside, let me introduce Halloween Birgitta from CC's August Release. She's so bewitching yah? For the sentiment, I cut out a pumpkin from my nesties and used my copics to add some shading for dimension. Then I stamped You're Bewitching using a stamp from the CC's designs Autumn Sentiments set. Framed it with my MS Web punch- I love that punch set!

OK- here's what you've been waiting for... Neat-o yah? The spiderweb was made using a Sizzix die and comes with the spider. All you have to do is attach one end with a brad, adhere the center of the web with a glue dot, close the card and wherever the center sticks to on the other side is where you attach the other brad! I added more spiderwebs to fill the space, but the focal point is definitely the 3-D web.


Supplies:

• Spiderweb and spider die- Sizzix
• Spiderweb punches- MS Crafts
• Brads- Making Memories
• Halloween Birgitta- CC's Designs
• You're Bewitching- CC's Designs
• Pumpkin Nesties- Spellbinders
• Cardstock- Bazzil
  

Boo Yah!

I couldn't resist using that title in this post... it makes me laugh everytime I see that ghost! Wanted to feature these cute images by Bo-Bunny that will make your Halloween crafting projects a breeze. They come 12 on one sheet that you can just cut out and they are ready to use! Perfect for Halloween treats to give to your kids friends, co-workers, or other ghosts and witches out there.

Used the mini tote bag and substituted the spiderweb punch for the handle again. Love this look for Halloween projects. After making the bags, just needed to trim down each character to fit the bag and then I was done! Made these three bags pretty quickly and the great news is you can stretch your dollars by just putting one image on each bag. I put one on the front and one on the back to feature more of the characters, but you could easily just use one per bag and the recipient would be happy.. Now I just gotta fill them up with treats!


Here's the bags up close...


















Supplies:

• DP- Bo Bunny
• Cardstock- Bazzil
• Spiderweb punch- MS Crafts
• Brads- Making Memories
  

Haunted Basket

Just got in the long awaited Sizzix shipment last week and bought one of the Haunted Mansion dies. This an old design but was brought back in for Halloween. Its almost gone, so hurry in if you still want one!

Decided that the Haunted Mansion would make a neat box, so added it to one side of the box.. but it looked a little plain, so I decorated it a bit more... Added some individual spiderwebs on each side... then I got inspired!!! I used the new MS spiderweb punch for the handle! Here's a side view so you can see what I'm talking about...





The Haunted Mansion looked a bit lonely, so I added this ghost to the window. I totally CASE'd the idea from Mr. Barnes, who made his own ghost using the MS ghost corner punch and hand cut the body out. Thanks Don!



Supplies:

• Haunted Mansion die- Sizzix
• Spiderweb border, spiderweb and ghost corner punch- MS Crafts
• Cardstock- Bazzil
• Brads
  

Haunted Mansion

Are you ready for Halloween yet? Well, since we got in the Halloween dies from Sizzix, Debi made this cute Halloween card with the haunted mansion die. She started by stamping Frightful sentiments using Versamark on the purple background. Then she layered the haunted mansion and then added the cute ghost from the Hero Arts Halloween set. Easy peasy!





Supplies:

• Haunted Mansion die- Sizzix
• Ghost and sentiment- Hero Arts
• Glitter Cardstock- Doodlebug
• Cardstock- Bazzil
  

Bewitching Emma

If you are looking to make some Halloween projects, we have a bunch of new Halloween papers and stamps to assist you! This witch is by CC's designs from last year's Halloween collection. I placed her over the new Hero Arts Spiderweb cling stamp that just arrived and topped it off using another CC's Designs sentiment- You're Bewitching.



Supplies:

• Witch Emma- CC's Designs
• Spiderweb background- Hero Arts
• Bewitching sentiment- CC's Designs
• Acetate
• Cardstock- Bazzil
• Glitter
• Distress Inks- Ranger
• Crystal Glaze
  

More Halloween Punch Art...

Here's another clever card made by Don. He used the new MS gate punch and cut out the little bats from the gate and made them flying by the moon. Neat yah?

Here's a closer look...



Thanks for sharing your creations Don!

Ghostly Greetings

Mr. Punch himself, Don Barnes dropped off this amazing Halloween card! He punched out the ghosts in vellum for an eerie effect. Then he used a tag punch to make the gravestones! How awesome is that? Thanks Don!

Supplies:

• Ghosts, gate, grass punch- MS Crafts
• Tag punch- EK Success

Halloween Items On Sale!

Just wanted to let everyone know that beginning tomorrow, 10/29, select Halloween items are on sale. Stop in to get those last minute Halloween items before its too late! Select Halloween paper will be buy one get one free.

Cards From Our Customers

Just wanted to share a couple of cards from our creative customers! The first card up was made by Don. He used one of the new Spellbinders Pendant dies as the focal point of his card. The background was embossed using the snow dots cuttlebug folder on vellum.

He even added heart crystals to the tips of the pendant.

Next up we have a Halloween card by Mardi. She dressed up Hope (or is it Grace?) from the Hope and Grace Greeting Farm set to look like a witch for Halloween. Mardi combines all different types of crafts into one neat project. In addition to using paper, rubber stamps and dies, she also embroiders!

Here's a close up of the witch..

The inside of the card is just as cool as the outside!

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Thank you Mardi and Don for sharing your neat creations with us!