Potbellies for Christmas

I just got these fun Potbellie dies from PTI - and I couldn't wait to use them!  There are three different dies  reindeer, penguin and Santa -  this one is the Potbellies: Reindeer die.   

The way the die cuts under the arms - makes a perfect slot to fit in a gift card!   The gift card stamp is from Gift Card It by Waltzingmouse (retired) and the Merry Christmas is from Penned Elegance: Christmas stamps and dies from PTI.

All of the Potbellies dies are sold out -  but if you click on 'notify' over at PTI they will let you know when they are back in stock.

I also made some shaker cards using the Potbellies: Penguin die and clear bubbles large.  The stamp is from Around Christmas Time from Waltzingmouse (retired). On both cards, I cut an extra body and adhered it to the back at the head, scoring at the neck so it bends to stand up.

I'm linking my reindeer to:

Just Us Girls 

inspired by the red and brown colors and the silver reindeer holding a place card in it's antlers!

 I'm linking my penguin shaker card to:

Happy Little Stampers

Reindeer
Stamps:  Penned Elegance: Christmas - PTI, Gift Card It - Waltzingmouse (retired)
Paper:  Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, True Black, White - PTI
Ink:  True Black, Pure Poppy - PTI
Accessories:  Penned Elegance: Christmas dies , Potbellies: Reindeer Die,  - PTI

Penguin
Stamps: Around Christmas Time - Waltzingmouse (retired)
Paper: White, True Black, Orange Zest, Summer Sunrise - PTI
Ink: True Black - PTI
Accessories:  Clear Bubbles Large, Potbellies: Penguin Die - PTI, Marigold Flower Sequins and Spring Sequins - Honey Bee Stamps, Tombow Glue.

Papertrey Ink October Blog Hop

I'm joining in today with the Papertrey Ink October Blog Hop.

This is the photo they have to inspire our creations this month.

I was inspired by the colors, the wood textures and the round pumpkins - but used the Text and Texture: Wood Slices stamp instead of pumpkins!  I used Canyon Clay and Cocoa Bean inks on the two part stamp.  I die cut the panel using my fav die lately - Pierced Feature Frames - using foam dots on the outside frame so the inside is depressed.   I added a panel cut out of Canyon Clay paper using the smallest Pierced Feature Frames, inspired by the black board sign in the photo.   The stem stamps are from the Wood Slices stamp, and the FOR YOU is from Text and Texture Leaves.   The die cut Thankful is from an older die set Counting My Blessings. and is adhered to the popped up edges of the frame with a foam dot right about at the letter N to keep the center popped up!   I added orange tiny twinkles to the center of 4 of the logs.

You have until midnight to link up your card for the hop -  I'm off now to see all the fall inspiration everyone has created!  You'll find the hop at the Papertrey Ink Blog.

Also linking to:
Fusion Card Challenge

Stamps:  Text and Texture: Wood Slices, Text and Texture: Leaves.
Paper:  White, Cocoa Bean, Canyon Clay - PTI
Ink:  Cocoa Bean, Canyon Clay - PTI
Accessories:  Counting My Blessings Die, Pierced Feature Frames Die - PTI, Tiny Twinkles - Taylored Expressions, foam tape.

Eileen Hull Sizzix dies for Halloween and Thanksgiving!

This month Eileen Hull's Inspiration Team is creating fall projects using various Sizzix dies designed by Eileen.

Today I have used her Bookmark Tag and Pocket Dies, and Bookplate Hinges and Label Dies 

to make treat bag toppers for Halloween. 

The toppers measure 2 1/4" high and 2 1/8" wide (including the points of the name labels).  The bags are 3" tall x 2 1/4" wide folded as shown

 and name place cards for Thanksgiving!

The place cards measure 2 3/4" tall to the top of the leaf and 2 1/4" wide including the point on the name labels - so they are sweet and petite!

For the Halloween Treat Bag Toppers -  I cut out all the pieces from patterned papers.  I used the pattern paper for both front and back of these.  These papers are thick so they are sturdy without having to layer them to card stock.  The labels and smallest flowers are die cut fro card stock.

 I adhered the flower pieces together (the largest one is cut from purple/black glitter paper so it's shiny IRL!)  I stamped the names on the labels (these are Karen Foster Alphabet snap stamps - no longer available).  I glued the backs to the fronts just at the top rounded area.  I added an orange rhinestone to the center of each flower.

 I filled the bags (from a Stampin'Up monthly project box - gifted to me by my blogging friend Mary as she wasn't going to use them, thank you Mary!) with Hershey Kisses, folded down the bags and sealed them with a piece of tape.  Then I put ScorTape along the bottom edge of the front and back of the 'toppers' and adhered them to the bags.

 Those are tiny spiders on the clear bags!  really yucky spooky!  I added a skeleton sticker to the boys bags and a Halloween Kitty to the girls bags (both from Michaels).  They are glittery as well.

It was pretty much the same process for the Thanksgiving Place Cards.

This patterned paper from PTI was thinner and I only used the pattern on the front so I cut 6 out of the patterned paper and 12 out of Vintage Cream card and adhered the patterned paper to the Vintage Cream for sturdiness.  I used Tim Holtz/Sizzix Funky Foliage set for the leaves and acorns which I die cut out of Coredinations Kraft Core Nostalgic Collection papers.

I scored along the inside of the back pieces so they would bend nicely to stand up when I adhered the top section of the fronts to the backs .

I adhered the acorn pieces together as well as the leaves and veins gluing them to the top of the fronts.  The acorns are popped up on a foam dot.  I glued the fronts to the backs just along the top above the score lines and added the name tags to the front. 

I adhered orange rhinestones on each side of the names for a little sparkle.

A side view.

So that's it!  A creative way to use Eileen's Bookmark and Bookplate dies! I hope you have been inspired by my projects today!   

Please check out Eileen's blog for the month of October where she will gather all of the teams projects and post them weekly on her blog!  Lots of fall inspiration for you!!

I'm linking my Place cards to:
Happy Little Stampers

The Cupcake Challenge

Stamps:  Karen Foster Snap Alphabet Stamps - no longer available.
Paper:  Orange Zest, Vintage Jadeite, Vintage Cream, Rustic Cream, Text Style Autumn Abundance - PTI, Core-dinations Kraft Core Nostalgic Collection, Glitter Paper - Michaels, Moonlit Manor Paper Pad - Michaels, Ghosts & Goblins Mat Stack - DCWV.
Ink:  Hero Hues Black.
Accessories:  Bookmark Tag and Pocket Dies, Bookplate Hinges and Label Dies - Eileen Hull/Sizzix,  Funky Foliage Thinlits - Tim Holtz/Sizzix, candy bags - SU October kit, Skeleton and Cat Glitter Embellishments - Michaels, rhinestones - Kaiser Craft, ScorTape, Tombow Glue.

Mid Month Reminder - CAS Mix Up Card Challenge - Faux Metal

Today I'm have a card to share as a mid-month reminder about the October CAS Mix Up Card Challenge!  Our hostess Mac would like us to use faux metal techniques - there are several links to technique videos posted over at the challenge blog to inspire you!

For my reminder card I was inspired by this video by Jennifer McQuire:  Faux Metal Embellishments by Jennifer McGuire (16:03) 

I used faux metal technique (multiple layers of embossing), stamping, stenciling and rhinestones.

I die cut my Small Gothic Window and Hampstead Bloom (both from Poppy Stamps - may be retired) out of watercolor paper 3 times.  I glued the layers together to make the die cuts thick.  I embossed the Gothic Window 3 times using Patina Oxide Baked Texture Embossing powder from Emerald Creek.  I embossed the Hampstead Bloom 3 times with Ranger Gold Embossing powder.

They come out so wonderfully thick!  I sponged over a portion of a Tim Holtz Mini Stencil with Ranger Distress Tumbled Glass Ink and adhered the die cuts over it with Tombow Glue.  I added 2 blue rhinestones to the centers of the flowers and stamped a sentiment from Ways to Say: Thinking of You from PTI.  I placed a heavy object over the die cuts for an hour to be sure they adhered to the panel.

The challenge is open until 10/24 and we hope you'll join us!  

Please link up your faux metal CAS cards over at CAS Mix up - where you will find lots of inspiration from the Design Team and our Guest Designer -  Pat (Colourful Card Creations). 

I'm also linking my card to:
Inkspirational

The Flower Challenge
  

Stamps:  Ways to Say: Thinking of You - PTI
Paper:  Water color paper - Canson, Hawaiian Shores, White - PTI
Ink: Versamark, Ranger Distress Tumbled Glass, Hero Hues Black.
Accessories:  Hampstead Bloom and Small Gothic Arch Dies - Poppy Stamps, Gold Embossing Powder - Ranger, Patina Oxide Baked Texture Embossing Powder - Seth Apter/Emerald Creek, Mini Stencil - Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous, blue rhinestones - Kaiser Craft, Tombow Glue, Heat Tool.

Harvesting Sympathy

I'm joining in again this month with Darnell's Twofer Challenge!  This month the word is HARVEST.  You use the same stamps on two different designs for two different occasions.

I used the same stamp set for both cards -  First Fruits from PTI (no longer available).

For the first card I used traditional fall colors and a harvest sentiment from the set.  I die cut the frame using Pierced Feature Frames from PTI.  The outside frame is popped up on foam tape.  I inked the top of the stamp with Canyon Clay and the stems with Simply Chartreuse.  I added a tiny twinkle to the top of each sheaf of wheat.

For my Twofer -  I used the same wheat sheaves image but embossed it in blue and added a sympathy sentiment stamped on a blue strip, layered over the stamping with foam dots.  On this card I used  Scallop Stackers Large die for the framing and Mix & Mat Herringbone Die to make the stitched edge gray panel.

I'm linking my 2 cards to:

Twofer Challenge

Linking my Autumn card to:

House of Cards 

I used the colors

Linking my Sympathy card to:

Inkspirational

Autumn Harvest Card
Stamps:  First Fruits - PTI
Paper:  Rustic Cream, Vintage Cream, DP Text Style First Fruits - PTI
Ink:  Simply Chartreuse, Canyon Clay, Pure Poppy - PTI
Accessories:  Pierced Feature Frames Die - PTI, foam tape, Tombow Glue, Tiny Twinkles

Sympathy Card
Stamps: First Fruits, Words of Comfort - PTI
Ink:  Versamark, True Black - PTI
Paper  Enchanted Evening, Weathervane, Soft Stone, Blueberry Sky - PTI.
Accessories:  Scallop Stackers Big die, Mix $ Mat Herringbone Die - PTI,  Cornflower Blue Embossing Powder - Wendy Vecchi/Ranger, foam dots.

Spooky crafts from the past!!!

This month Eileen Hull's Inspiration Team is sharing new and old creations for Halloween/Fall using Eileen's dies!

Today I have two from the past, and rather than repeat my tutorials, I'm just posting photos with links to my prior posts!

I die cut her Cup Cake Stand and turned it into a spooky apothecary table from a witches laboratory for Halloween!   I presently have this cute decoration on a side table in my living room!  It measures 3 1/2"h x 3 1/2" w.  I posted this first almost exactly 1 year ago!  

See supplies listed below.  You will find all the details here.

Here are all the pieces cut from the die.  I didn't end up using the banner piece.

I made my second project in August of 2016 using Eileen's then newly released Twist & Style Tool to create the twisted wire to hold my flying bat and dangling skeleton hand on my potions bottle!

Here's the Twist & Style Tool - with the wire wrapped around it just before twisting!

 I made 3 pieces with 3 different charms on the ends.

You'll find more photos and details for this project on my post here.  Supplies are listed below.

So please check out Eileen's blog all this month for some wonderful Halloween/Fall Inspiration using her Sizzx dies!

Witches Apothecary table
Paper:  Little Sizzles Black Matboard - Sizzix, Paper Stash Materialize/Tim Holtz Ink:  Versamark Accessories:  Eileen Hull Cup Cake Stand and Pennant Die - Sizzix, Mini Cat and Raven Movers and Shapers Die - Tim Holtz/Alterations, Ideaology Skulls, Clipping Stickers/Halloween, Apothecary Vials, Adornments Halloween (Spider), Pumpkin Pieces,  Miniature Poison in the Nature Book - Ever After Miniatures Etsy Shop, real leaf,  Tan and Cranberry Embossing Powders - Adirondack, twine, Tiny Twinkles - Taylored Expressions, Tarnished Brass Distress Glitter - Ranger, black Sharpie marker, Black Stabilo Pencil.

Twisted Wire Halloween Potion
Ink:  Versamark

Accessories:  corked jar - The Christmas Tree Shops, Haunted Rub Ons - Cosmo Cricket, foam bats - Michaels, Twist and Style Tool - Eileen Hull/Sizzix, 22 gauge floral wire - Joanns,  skeleton hand charm - Funkie Junkie Boutique, Idea-ology Adornments/Cross Bones, Adirondack Alcohol Ink - Latte, Frantage Aged Gold Embossing Powder - Stampendous, water and red food coloring.

In the Shadow of the Trees

Here's another set of Halloween cards I made with some more of my new Tim Holtz purchases!

These cards all pretty much the same accept for variations in colors and the sentiment sticker used.

My cards were totally inspired by Richele Christensen's guest designer post over at the Sizzix Blog.

For all of the cards I used Entomology Stamps and dies, Tangled Twigs Die, Idea-ology Clippings Stickers/Halloween. 

For my first card I used black card to cut the Tangled Twigs die. A much bolder spookier? look than the lighter paper used on the others.

For the next 3 cards I used a tan Core-dinations Distress Collection paper to cut the Tangled Twigs.

I colored all my backgrounds by smooshing a watercolor panel onto my craft mat that was rubbed with DOX inks in Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap and Black Soot and spritzed with water.  Doing one color at a time and drying between colors.  Then I stamped the text stamp from Entomology over the background using Black Soot .

I stamped and die cut the insects from Entomology and watercolored them using Ranger Distress Markers and a wet paint brush.  The insects and sentiments are popped up on foam dots.

I made these all just card fronts -  adding a die cut easel to the backs so they can be displayed on a shelf or side table.

I'm linking my Halloween cards to:

Frilly and Funkie Haunted Halloween

Addicted to Stamps and More

Happy Little Stampers

Creative with Stamps

Stamps and Stencils: Spooky Fun with Autumnal Twist

Stamps:  Entomology - Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous
Ink:  Ranger Distress Oxide Black Soot, Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap.
Paper:  watercolor paper - Canson, True Black - PTI, Core-dinations Distress Collection.
Accessories:  Entomology Die, Tangled Twigs Die - Tim Holtz/Sizzix, Idea-ology Clippings Stickers/Halloween, Ranger Distress Markers Salty Ocean, Fired Brick, Spiced Marmalade, waterbrush, water, craft mat, water mister, foam dots, Tombow Glue.