Boooo to You!!

This is gonna be a short and quick little post ... LOTS to do today for Halloween!

Just wanted to wish all my friendies a Happy Halloween ... and since, for some reason I wasn't feelin' the ghosties and goblins thing, I decided to make a "non-traditional"-ish Halloween card ...

Don'tcha love the little ribbon rosette??? I think I'm gonna make me a bunch of those! I love 'em!!

Have a great day!!

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: 1" Square Punch, Word Window Punch, Houndstooth Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Basic Black Polka Dot Ribbon, Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Pearl Basics

FREE MDS DOWNLOADS!!

Yet another great promotion from Stampin' Up!


What do you get when you combine Digital Scrapbooking Day and My Digital Studio? A week of FREE downloads and 50 percent off ALL digital kits!

What: FREE downloads. 50% off ALL digital kits. Mega blogging on MyDigitalStudio.net all week!
When: October 29-November 5, 2012
Where:

• Get your FREE downloads here (US/CAN).
• Get your digital kits-ALL 50% off-here (US/CAN).
• See project ideas and tips all week on MyDigitalStudio.net.Share the
  digital love, and get even more in return! Tell your friends (and
  hey-even your enemies) because if we get all the free items downloaded
  18,000 times, we'll give a fourth one to everybody for FREE.

Post this button on your blogs and online pages to spread the word!


First time getting downloads from the Stampin' Up! Online Store? Get all the technical ins and outs of getting and using them here.

If you bought MDS or MDS2 and want more information, inspiration, great sketches, and more head on over to our Tink & Bell Digital Scrapbooking Club page to learn more about our club.

And WHAT'S the point of having software and great downloads if you are not getting the most out of them? Check us out today!

AND don't forget there is also an AWESOME stamp sale going on today only! 15% off nearly EVERYTHING!!

Sell-a-Stamp SPOOKTACULAR - 10/29/12!!!

Guess WHAT???? Stampin' Up announced that they are having a 15% off sale on nearly every stamp set in the catalog!! YEP!!! You read that right!!! The only catch??? It's "spooktacular" ... which means it is THIS MONDAY ONLY ... Monday, October 29, 2012! Here are the details:

Starting at 12:00 AM (MT) and ending at 11:50 PM (MT), almost every stamp we sell will be 15 percent off.

This means all stamps in the current catalogs including:
* Background stamps
* Personalized name stamps
* Incentive stamp sets from the supply list
* Cookie press stamps
* Single-image stamps

This DOES NOT include:
* Hostess sets
* Bundled stamp sets
* Digital stamp brush sets

There is no minimum purchase, and no limit to the number of stamps you can order! Hooray!! Just click the "Shop Online 24/7" button on my sidebar to the right ... easy peasy!! You can also email me by clicking the "email me" button if you have any questions or would like me to help you with an order. If you don't have a catalog handy (Annual Catalog OR Holiday Mini), scroll down a little further and you will see links to those as well on the sidebar to the right!

Fab Friday #5!

Welcome to Fab Friday #5! Another great sketch ... and I MADE myself make another Halloween-y card because I have been so bad this year (and I really DO love Halloween!)!

These googly guys ... what's NOT to love about 'em, right?? I figured if I didn't make another Halloween card SOON that I was going to get to DO any more this year!! And today is Halloween Carnival Day at the local elementary school. My friend and I have been in charge of it for at LEAST 15 years ... not sure, really. We are a well-oiled machine, though, so it makes it all run smoothly!! And I think I'm gonna be Minnie Mouse this year for the carnival (my Maleficent and Wicked Witch of the West costumes are HOT when I do so much running around)! I'll share a pic if I get one taken!

Stamps: Googly Ghouls, Border Banter
Paper: Basic Black, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla, Howlstooth and Scaringbone DSP
Ink: Basic Black (Classic and Craft)
Accessories: Window Frame Framelits, Spiderweb Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Houndstooth Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Clear Embossing Powder, Glimmer Brads, Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon, Pretty Postage Punch, Flourish Designer Frame, Googlies

Here is a graphic of the sketch we were working with this week:

Fun, right??








AND, here's a link to the Fab Friday Challenge Blog so you can play along:

Fab Friday Challenge Blog

Check out the Fab blogs of my fellow Fab Friends:

Mindy Backes
Cindy Beach
Jason Casper
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers
Marla Reed
Pam Steckman
Jan Tinklenberg

Enjoy your weekend, friends!!

I Did It Again!!

I would be LYING if I said that all of the crafty goodies I had were made by Stampin' Up (but ... to be FAIR ... the largest portion of them are!!). I feel the "guilt" going on from time to time (as I seem to have this week) about all the lovely things I have that go neglected and unused ...

Which brings me to this card ... I hafta admit that I went shopping with my BFF, Cheryl, TWICE yesterday ... once we went to one store (during her lunch break), and then we went to another (after she got off work). I bought this non-SU punch ... we had seen a card on Pinterest that used it and KNEW we had to grab our coupons and GO! So we did ...

Which brings me to the OTHER punch I used on here that has been neglected for some time ... the maple leaf. When I first started papercrafting I was HEAVY into decorative scissors (c'mon, admit it ... you got a box FULL of those babies in the back of your closet!) AND paper punches. I have a whole Craftsman toolbox FULL of those babies ... and they haven't seen the light of day for quite some time. So I caved and brought them out. Boy, do I have GOOD taste!! There are some BEAUTIES in there!!

So, that is my confession ... as JanTink would call it, I have committed rubbahdultery ... but not really ... since I didn't use non-SU stamps at ALL ... just punches. So there!!

Stamps: Bring on the Cake
Paper: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Rich Razzleberry, Basic Gray
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Martha Stewart Garden Trellis Punch, Family Treasures Maple Leaf Punch, Large (Wide) Oval Punch, Fancy Fan Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Early Espresso, Rich Razzleberry and Basic Gray Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Pearl Basics

Cheater-Cheater Pumpkin-Eater!!

You KNOW we all have stuff that is "retired" ... "old" ... "NON-Stampin' UP (GASP!!) ... right??? Well, actually ... everything on this card IS Stampin' UP, but it's not all current stuff (which kinda makes me a cheater) ...

A couple of years ago when they came out with the swirly-blingy black rhinestones in the Holiday Mini I was STOKED!! And when they put those same swirly-blingy black rhinestones on the clearance rack about six months or so ago, I JUMPED on 'em!! Soooo ... now I have a bunch of those swirly-blingy black rhinestones, so I decided it was high time to use 'em!!

AND ... I felt like it was high time to make me another Halloween card!! I have been SOOO negligent in my Halloween creating this year. Not sure WHERE the time is going, but it just seems to be zipping along!!

Because I thought this was so classic, I decided to share with you the most epically COOL and FUN photo we have EVER taken on Splash Mountain. We had no plan ... we all just decided to be our genuinely dorky selves (this was during one of the Halloween parties that Disneyland hosts during October ... which is why I was dressed as Maleficent and my daughter was dressed as Pikachu ... my son??? We're not quite sure WHO he was ... just a weird dude, I guess!) We were laughing SO hard when we saw it at the end of the ride I just knew I HAD to buy a copy of this! Halloween CLASSIC!!

Stamps: Frightening Feline, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Champagne Glimmer, Howlstooth and Scaringbone DSP
Ink: Basic Black Craft and Classic, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze
Accessories: Window Frames Framelits, Festive Paper Piercing Pack, Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Ticket Duo Punch, Basic Black Rhinestones, Spider Web Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Clear Embossing Powder, Sponge, Dimensionals

Fallin' for the Men in Your Life ...

Welcome to this month's Control Freaks Blog Tour ... "For the Men in Your Life" ... did ya just come from the blog of my BFF, JanTink?? Did ya see the dang suh-WEET manly hot-air balloon card??? LOVE it!

First of all, I need to 'splain where I been. I am embarrassed to admit that I was at the Happiest Place on Earth (again!) ... this time with one of my sons and my daughter (I really have been making the most of my annual pass, let me tell ya!!). Disneyland just makes me happy ... but I digress ...

On to my "dude" projects. In looking at this month's theme I have to admit that I broke a bit of a sweat, 'cause y'all KNOW how I struggle with this!! I just decided on this first card that "fall is for dudes" ... and that's that!!

Stamps: French Foliage, Itty Bitty Banners
Paper: Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Basic Gray, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla
Ink: Early Espresso, Soft Suede Sahara Sand, Lucky Limeade
Accessories: Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Bitty Banners Framelits Die, Paper Piercing Template, Linen Thread

On to the "little dudes" ... got this cute "Blast Off" set a while back and hadn't had the chance to ink it up. Paired him with the International Bazaar DSP (which I LOVE!), and this is what I came up with! (Who says ya can't use rhinestones on a dude card??!!??)

Stamps: Black Off
Paper: Lucky Limeade, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point, Whisper White, International Bazaar DSP
Ink: Lucky Limeade, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point
Accessories: 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Paper Piercing Template, Rhinestone Basics, Decorator Label Punch

And last ... figured the little dudes (and the big dudes!) could use a little treat, so I made this dump truck treat box and filled it with ...

... M&M's!!! YAY!!!

Stamps: I Dig You
Paper: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Howlstooth and Scaringbone DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Word Window Punch, Glimmer Brads, Simply Scored, Velcro Sticky Dot, M&M's

Now onward and upward to the ever-so-talented Yvette Ashe! She totally ROCKS an "oldie but goodie" with Lovely as a Tree ...

Fab Friday #4!

Welcome to Fab Friday #4! This week we are doing a color challenge ... Midnight Muse, Island Indigo and Summer Starfruit. I LOVE when I have SOMEwhere to start with a project ... color scheme, sketch, theme ... it's just so nice to not to have to think from scratch (I KNOW a lot of you know what I mean!).

I am one of the "I love Summer Starfruit" crowd, so this color combo was really fun for me. I was sure how I was gonna feel about a "blue and greenish" cake ... but I think I like it!

Stamps: Topsy-Turvy Celebration
Paper: Midnight Muse, Island Indigo, Summer Starfruit, Whisper White, Patio Party DSP
Ink: Midnight Muse, Island Indigo, Summer Starfruit
Accessories: Delicate Designs Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Large Scallop Border Die, Word Window Punch, Rhinestone Basics, Simply Scored

See the pretty colors??









AND, here's a link to the Fab Friday Challenge Blog so you can play along:

Fab Friday Challenge Blog

Check out the Fab blogs of my fellow Fab Friends:

Mindy Backes
Cindy Beach
Jason Casper
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers
Marla Reed
Pam Steckman
Jan Tinklenberg

Hellooooo, weekend!!!

2012 Artisan Design Team Projects for October - Part 2

I think it is FINALLY "officially" okay for October to start (since it is now the 10th!)! I got my Halloween decorations all up last night (spent over an HOUR looking for my pumpkin and ghostie lights ... my husband got home and found them in about 30 seconds right under my nose!!). Such a GREAT time of year!! And such a GREAT time to be able to share a couple of fall cards I made with ya ...

This first card has TWO purposes ... first of all, I made it as one of my Artisan Design Team projects for this month (obviously!). But SECONDLY, I made it for my dear friends at the Stampin' Up Home Office. Guess what THEY did??!!?? They heard through the grapevine (apparently SEVERAL "little birdies" called to report it!) that my house had been burglarized and one of the items taken was the BEAUTIFUL bracelet I had received from them at Convention when I was presented as one of the Artisan Award winners (see a photo HERE). You know what is coming next ... they had a replacement made and sent to me!! I cried ... I have hardly been able to wipe the smile from my face since. But, SHHhhhhhh!! Don't tell them this is for them (particularly Amy Schwarz, okay??)!! It's headed out in the mailbox today ...

Stamps: Wonderfall, Petite Pairs
Paper: Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Orchard Harvest DSP
Ink:  Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso
Accessories:  Autumn Accents Bigz Die, Decorator Frame Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Corner Rounder, Finishing Touches Edgelits Die, Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon, Decorative Label Punch, Linen Thread

One more card to share ... I KNEW what I wanted this card to be, but I had a VERY hard time getting out of my head and into production. Took me MUCH longer to do than I had planned (guess it is the dreaded "Dude Card Syndrome"!). I sooo love this DSP ... I would LOVE it if it hung around for, like, FOREVER!!

Stamps:  Friendship Preserves
Paper: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Island Indigo, Orchard Harvest DSP
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Window Frames Framelits Dies, Curly Label Punch, 1" Square Punch, Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Festive Paper Piercing Pack, Brushed Bronze Designer Buttons, Linen Thread, 7/8" Cotton Ribbon

Have a wonderful day!

2012 Artisan Design Team Projects for October - Part 1

The fall is already just flitting on by. I LOVE the colors, the smells ... the SOUP!! (I'm a self-professed soup FIEND!) And it's already time to share my Artisan projects for the month. I'm LOVING the Autumn Accents Bigz Die ... Leaves, leaves and MORE leaves!! Put it together with the coordinating Wonderfall Stamp Set and life is GOOD!

I have had the same framed art piece hanging in my kitchen FOR.EV.ER!! I was excited when I decided to update it a little to go with the goodies I received this month ... and this is what I came up with (to be honest, the trickiest part about this was mixing all my paints together to come up with a suitable brown ... isn't it always the way that when there is one color that you NEED, it's the only one you don't HAVE??!)

It is already happily hanging in my kitchen ... instead of putting the word "FALL" across the leaves in big letters (which was my FIRST inclination!), I just added the simple sentiment of "gratitude" ... that way I can have it hanging all year long as a reminder to be grateful!

Stamps: Wonderfall, Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, More Mustard, Very Vanilla
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Lucky Limeade
Accessories: Autumn Accents Bigz Die, Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Word Window Punch, Linen Thread, Early Espresso 1/8" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Pearl Basics, Brushed Bronze Designer Buttons, Dimensionals, Frame

2012 Artisan Facebook Friday

We are SOOOOO very happy and excited to be able to do another Stampin' Up Artisan Design Team blog hop!! You should have just come from the ever-so-amazingly talented Sarah Sagert (her Halloween Party invite is stinkin' ADORABLE!!).

Looking at all the fun Halloween-y and fall-ish stuff in the box of goodies we got from Stampin' Up last month I felt a little befuddled (which is strange because I LOVE Halloween and Fall!). So I decided to try something a little different and wanted to use the MDS downloads we had gotten as part of our monthly "stash" (I'm tellin' ya, this is a GREAT gig!!). So, I came up with this little counting book.

I'm a sucker for all the cute apples, pears, flowers and corn on the cob images in the Perfectly Preserved Stamp Brush Set, so I started with those. I used the Oval Accent Bigz Die to cut out the outline for the pages. I used the oval punch in MDS to create the page designs, and I just cut those out with my trusty ol' paper snips ...

See??? More fun pages!!

Now I just need to decide whose cute little person I am gonna share this with!!

Moving on, now it's time to go and take a peek at Amy Bollman's MAD scrapbooking skills. Her layout is beautiful (as is her darling family!!)

Christmas-y Swaps!

I was pulling some pictures off my camera yesterday when I saw this one and realized i had never posted this!!This was my Holiday Mini Swap with the Control Freaks ... actually, the one on the right is the "actual" design I came up with. When I underestimated how much of the DSP I was going to need I had to adapt it a bit with the DSP on the left card!! And my daughter, trying to be helpful, cut the sweater trim for me ... but she stretched it a little too much while she was cutting, so the pieces were all a little too short!! Dang!! (And I had NO MORE sweater trim ... AND, since doing these at the 11th hour - none of YOU do that, right?? - I had no choice but to use the pieces that were already cut!!) Sigh ...

Stamps: Make a Mitten, Petite Pairs
Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Snow Festival DSP
Ink: Pool Party
Accessories: Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions Folder, Snow Flurry Bigz Die, Build a Mitten Punch, Whisper White Sweater Trim, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Ticket Duo Punch, Rhinestone Basics, Simply Scored

Mom was discharged from the hospital late Friday afternoon. So glad that her visit wasn't overly long. Since she was so wiped out while she was there she slept most of the time, anyway (she said the "visit" there was really rather comfortable! What??? I guess sleeping through the whole thing has its advantages!!). Here's hoping that she is cooperative with the Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Home Health Nurses and Aides that are headed her way this week ...