HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Here are the rest of my spooky cards!

This little bat girl is SOOO cute!! I'm using the Beate's weekend challenge (WSC104) with a twist. Instead of using strips of paper, I cut windows in the main paper. The bats are velvet stickers.

Stamps: Magnolia SO SPOOKY collection
Paper: Basic Grey EERIE
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Velvet Bat stickers, Copics

This one I did just for the Copic Creation bi-weekly challenge. This challenge was COPIC black. The cauldron and shoes were both done with C1-C7 grays. The main background piece (behind the moon) was done by just spraying Glimmer Mist on a piece of white card cardstock

Stamps: Magnolia SO SPOOKY collection
Paper: Basic Grey NOOK AND PANTRY
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copic, rhinestones, Martha Stewart border punches, ribbon, and Glimmer Mist.

A clean and simple card (CAS). The image reminds me of Tim Burton's characters in A NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. I lightly colored her with Copics.

Stamps: Stampotique PROM QUEEN
Paper: misc
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Basic Grey square Rhinestones

Have a Happy Halloween! (and Day of the Dead). And don't forget to "FALL BACK" on Saturday night! :D

GO VEGAN!

HAPPY FRIDAY! Time for another post for KLSNS! This week I want to share some goodies I got from Kelly (the K in KLSNS).
Kelly is one of the few (maybe only) US sites carrying the HIGH HOPES stamps! This cute turkey is praying that you decide to go vegan for Thanksgiving! Also in my goody bag was the new Basic Grey NOOK AND PANTRY paper. The fruit paper was a perfect pairing with the veggie turkey!

I used this week's SCS sketch (SCS252). It was a great way to showcase that great Basic Grey paper!

I decided to do simple coloring on Mr Turkey, so I used the Stampin Up Color Coach. In the center of the wheel is a group of matched colors. I did the solid coloring with the light color and then outlined with the darker color. It's a very effective way to do quick "shading. I also decided to dress him up a bit with a glitter pen.
And finally to give him a little more depth, I colored him twice, cut out the main body, and then used pop dots to lift him up. The background was very lightly airbrushed with my COPIC system (I use the canned air right now) and then brushed with Ruby Red.

Stamps: High Hopes TOM'S PLEA
Paper: Basic Grey NOOK AND PANTRY
Ink: Stazon Black, SU! Markers
Accessories: Nestabilities, Copic airbrush system, gold rhinestones, glitter pen, ribbon, Basic Grey brads.

Kelly is still looking for new design team members for next year. You have until the end of October to apply! There's still a bit of time!

Hope you all have a safe Halloween! And don't for get to "FALL BACK" with the time change on Saturday night!

A Grungey Tag and Inspirational Chunky Book pages

Well...it's STILL SNOWING. I shoveled 4-5 inches out of the driveway last night; and 8-10 more inches this morning. Probably one more run will be called for later tonight.

This tag is for fun! And a couple of challenges. One challenge was to make a "giggle" card using a Crafty Secrets image. The other challenge is for Kard Krazy's Tag Tuesday challenge: Paper Piecing.

Stamps: SU! What's Brewing, Inkadinkado sentiment
Paper: brown and turquoise scraps, tag
Ink: Distress Ink: Walnut Stain, Antique Linen, and Broken China
Accessories: Craft Secrets clipart, Glimmer Mist: Coffee Shop, Prima, and metallic turquoise nailheads.

These are altered 4x4 coasters for a "chunky" book swap on SCS. Once again I used a Glimmer Mist background with masks. Then I used Wet Water color method for the flowers - inking the stamp than misting with water before stamping. The half circle of dots is a fun think I learned at an Archiver's crop. Using the template below I used the largest circle of dots and placed a small dot of Glossy Accents in each hole. When it dries it adds a nice highlight to your piece.


Stamps: Stampers Anonymous CREATIVE MUSE, NATURE'S MOMENTS, NATURE'S DISCOVERY, and MONA'S SKETCHBOOK
Paper: 4x4 coasters
Ink: Distress Ink: Spiced Marmalade, Shabby Shutters, Worn Lipstick; Archival black
Accessories: Glimmer Mist (Sunkissed Peach, Tuscan Sunset, Golden Terracotta), maskes, ribbon, colored staples, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, rhinestones, Glossy Accents, and journaling template.

Close up of the chunky book pages.






























































And one funny note. Last week, I posted a picture of Jazz parking herself RIGHT BEHIND my chair while I'm working. Today I tried to set up an area behind my chair where she was blocked off. She still managed to park herself in the open space between the "fence" areas. Gotta love a smart Lab! :D

It's beginning to look a lot like Halloween?

It's snowing again....
It's a common occurrence in Colorado for kids to have to wear their snowpants under their Halloween Costumes. The weatherman says we're suppose to get 3-8 inches before tomorrow night. We also got 5-inches on Monday too. Sigh...I think we missed fall. Winter is here! Fortunately, this time of year most of the snow will be gone after the first sunny day.

I got this e-card from a friend. It's too funny, so I thought I'd share it with you: http://www.bluemountain.com/display.pd?path=104704&prodnum=3169536

I took a class at my local scrap/stamp store last Friday night. The teacher was from Tattered Angels, the makers of GLIMMER MIST. It was suppose to be a two hour class but stretched to nearly 4 hours. But we came away with TWO great projects. I finished the main project last night. This altered "inspiration" board.

We began by using masks and Glimmer Mist on a 12x16 artist board. It's a pre-gessoed board for painting. By layer masks and using different colors of Glimmer Mist, and heat setting between colors, I got this grunged-up base.

Lower Left: This corner is covered with a 6x6 "tag". Using Tim Holtz "wrinkle free distress" method (the best tutorial is here) , I ended up with a tag that looks like marble! The sentiment was then embossed with copper. The "D" is a piece of "Glimmer Chips" - chipboard from Tattered Angels.

Upper Left: This corner I did when I got home. I took some blue flowers and sprayed them with COFFEE SHOP Glimmer Misty. Then added the brads. I didn't want to cover up the medallion, so I just stuck them in the upper corner.

Upper Right: The teacher had supplied the small envelope. We cut off the flap and grunged it up a bit (I stamped some flower vines on it). The frame is the other half of the "D". And I added the Idea-ology key when I got home.

Lower right: This is a mirror that was embossed with copper. I hadn't done this before, it's a great look. But it does take a LOT of time for the EP to melt. It must have something to do with heat distribution on the glass. The mask I had used in the background was the perfect size to "frame" this round mirror.

Now...if I could just figure out where to hang it.

The second project was a tag album but I don't have it done. So more on that later!

Altered Vintage Puzzle Pieces

This is for another swap on SCS - Altered Vintage Puzzle pieces. If you're interested there is still one spot left. The due date is December 1st. The hostess sends out 12 puzzle pieces for altering. The only theme is VINTAGE!

Instead of covering each piece and trying to get in the corners to smooth edges, I did a Glimmer Mist background. I used three colors: Sunkissed Peach, Tuscan Sunset, and Golden Terracotta. Before spraying the Tuscan Sunset (the darkest color) I used a piece of paper doily as a "mask".
Then I randomly stamped small stamps (flowers, butterflies, and a number chart) on the pieces. The gold foil is self-adhesive and I think from Flower-Soft (which surprised me at the time). The image is from Paper Whimsy.

Grunge Tag swap

It's been a BUSY weekend for me! Two classes at my local stamp store and another at Archivers. When I get the projects finished I'll share. Then the VSN challenges on Saturday night. And swapping out the GRUNGE TAG swap I've been hosting on SCS.

The NUMBER tags I kept from the swap (upper left to lower right): Loretta (Bethyblue), KAD, Kathy (Madcrazy), Lisa (LisaCox1980), and not marked.

The LETTER tags I kept from the swap (upper left to lower right): Jessica (jlazarski), Andi (Gr8tnurs), Jane (Plain Jane), Lori (Artsylori), and Lisa (Lisacox1980).

And the 2nd batch of pear butter turned out great! And for those that asked - Pear Butter is the same as Apple Butter - only with pears. ;) :D

VSN October Mini #5 - Christmas Tree Trio

The final challenge tonight is PREPARING IN THE OKIYA. Use an acetate sheet to add a layer of white over the main image to enhance but not hide the other image.

I've had this Denami set for a while, but I got it after last year's Christmas Cards were finished. So it hasn't seen ink until today! You cant see the acetate layer in this picture, but you can see where I connected it to the background paper with the ribbon. I stamped the tree part first and then adhered between the acetate and card. Then using stamp positioner again, I stamped the swirl and dots on the acetate!

Stamps: Denami Designs
Paper: Bo Bunny, acetate
Ink: VersaMagic: Turquoise Gem & Aquatic Splash; ColorBox Ruby
Accessories: Ribbon, paper piercer, rhinestone snowflakes, and stamp positioner.

This is the last challenge for the October Mini VSN. You have until Monday evening (8pm ET) to post your cards to the galleries in the links. The main event (2 days of VSN) is November 13th and 14th. I hope you'll play along with me - I am hosting the 1st challenge on Saturday morning!! (Nov 14th, 11am ET (9am MT))!

VSN October Mini #4 - Pumpkin Kitty

The fourth challenge is MASK FOR THE BALL. This is all about simple masking. The trick to good masking is figuring out what goes down first! Hint: Do a rough stamp first on scrap paper to figure out the layers!

The masking went fast after my rough stamp. Leaves, small pumpkin, large pumpkin, and then cat. The cat head is popped up on a foam dot. The card was sponged and water colored with my aqua painter and SU! inks/re-inkers.

Stamps: SU! AUTUMN HARVEST, Inkadinkado CATS
Paper: white cardstock, SU! Pumpkin Pie & Really Rust
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Summer Sun, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Ruby Red, Old Olive, Lavender Lace, and Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Aqua painter, brads, rhinestones, and pop-dots.

VSN October Mini #3 - Spilt Negative Fan Dance

The third challenge is INSPIRATION AT THE OPERA. Find something in the movie PHANTOM of the OPERA as inspiration to create a card. I've seen the movie ONCE (and once on stage) and the only thing I could remember was the chandelier! But she did provide a clip from the movie.

The clip is where I found my inspiration for the card. First, the black/white faces (and costumes). Second, the fan dance at the end. And finally, the pale pink dress of the heroine. The Split Negative tutorial is here.

What can you come up with??

Stamps: SU! Dream Gardens
Paper: Bazzill Strawberry Splash, washi paper, black & white cardstock
Ink: none
Accessories: black and white embossing powder, ribbon, rhinestones, and Martha Stewart border punch.

VSN October Mini #2 - Masked Autumn tree

The second challenge is PEELING AWAY THE LAYERS. Use one of several masking techniques listed in the challenge post.

I used two techniques for this card - Reverse Masking and Faux Tearing. I stamped the Penny Black tree first, then laid the reverse mask over the image. I cut a sheet of typing paper the same size as the card front (4.25 x 5.5). Then cut a window out 1 inch from all sides. Over the reverse mask I added a 2nd layer of torn sticky notes under the tree trunk. Geometric stamps in SU! inks for the "fall leaves" create an autumn tree. The next step was to use a brayer to add the purple layer under the trunk and it was stamped with a darker purple swirl stamp.

Stamps: SU! SIMPLE SHAPES and BY DESIGN; Penny Black FANTASY
Paper: SU! Whisper White
Ink: SU! Elegant Eggplant, Lavender Lace, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Really Rust, and Old Olive; Archival Black
Accessories: Prima leave, button, and Scrapper's Floss.

VSN October Mini #1 - Masquerading Holiday Card

I hope you'll play along with the Splitcoast Mini VSN (Virtural Stamp Night) tonight! For the next 5 hours there will be a new challenge and I'll be posting my card for the challenge here, as well as in the SCS galleries. Can't play tonight? That's ok - you have until Sunday evening to post your challenge cards at SCS.

The first challenge is GET IN THE PARTY MOOD. Using a holiday stamp create a card for a different holiday.
Here I used my little Hanglar & Stanglar Devil. She's holding a trick or treat bag, but sitting her on a heart, my Halloween stamp is transformed into a Valentine! The heart is from Stampin Up!'s ALWAYS set, embossed in white and then sprayed with Glimmer Mist.

Stamps: Hanglar & Stangler Devil; SU! ALWAYS; High Hopes sentiment
Paper: SU! Real Red, white glitter paper, Neenah Solar White.
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Pixie Pink
Accessories: Copics (Y000, Y02, Y26, E000, E00, E02, R20, RV000, R24, R27, R29, R39); red glitter brads, Nestabilities DOUBLE ENDED TAG, white embossing powder, Glimmer Mist: Candy Apple Red, Starfish, Tattered Rose, glue pen, clear glitter, and scallop edge punch.

The Moon and The Witch

Just a quickie card for a CAS challenge.


The moon was embossed using Technique Junkies' CUTTLEBUG SMOOSH. Then cut with my Nestabilities. Witch Tilda was colored with copics.

Stamps: Magnolia WITCH TILDA ON BROOM
Paper: Memory Box TWILIGHT
Ink: SU! Pumpkin Pie, Kaleidacolor AUTUMN LEAVES
Accessories: Cuttlebug embossing folder.
Technique: Technique Junkies CUTTLEBUG SMOOSH

Happy 2nd Birthday to Artistic Outpost!

Artistic Outpost is one of my long-time favorite stamp companies. And this month they are celebrating their 2nd birthday with a challenge sketch!! The rules were to make a fall or birthday card using an AO set. I used HOME.


The sketch below was flipped 90-degrees. The row of trees I stamped directly on the Basic Grey INDIAN SUMMER paper is the long "paper" piece under the main image. The main images was "rock 'n rolled" using the edged of the ink pads to ink specific areas. After the ink dried, I distressed with Distress Ink and a sponge dauber. I used another Technique Junkies method to distress the image panels - FRAME FRENZY: TORN FRAMES. It adds that great "grunge" feel to the card.



Stamps: Artistic Outpost HOME; A Muse HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Paper: Basic Grey INDIAN SUMMER, SU! Rich Razzelberry
Ink: SU! Dusty Durango, Rich Razzelberry; Distress Ink: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy
Accessories: brads, pop dots, and sponge dauber.
Technique: Technique Junkies FRAME FRENZY: TORN FRAMES

Please visit KLSNS design team blog for more info on Basic Grey goodies!!

A Wicked (green) Witch

My friend, Carolyn (of the pear butter fame), has a daughter, Missy, who is a senior at the Univ of Nebraska-Lincoln. Two weekends ago, Missy was nominated for homecoming queen. And while she didn't win, she is a remarkable young woman who always had a kind word and smile.

As I was looking through all the pictures from homecoming weekend it was a SEA OF RED. When it came time to make Missy's Halloween card this year, I decided she needed a change of pace. Since she's also a big fan of the musical WICKED, I decided she needed a green witch.

This was a card kit I received in a recent Magnolia swap. It came with two witch images. I originally colored both images to see which one I liked better but couldn't decide. So, I decided on a flip-flop card. If I had been thinking ahead, I would have done both images in the same clothes and same hair color, but what the heck! The only thing that didn't come in the kit was the "moon" sentiment and the spider web border.

Stamps: Magnolida Witch Tilda; A Muse sentiment, Just Rite Alphabet
Paper: unknown
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, Martha Stewart spider web punch, glitter pens, EK Success Bat Lace Punch (bats only), spider brads, and ribbon

A Busy Weekend - Carmel Spice Pear Butter

I don't have any cards to share today. I did get a few things done but since they are submissions for a magazine (keep your fingers crossed) and for the VSN (Virtual Stamping Night) on SCS, I can't share them yet. I also had friends down this weekend. Carolyn brought some pear butter with her as a thank you. When I discovered pears were 2 lbs. for $1 at Safeway, I got her to help me make a batch. Unfortunately, they were very, very green (hard) so it took a long time to soften them up. And in the end this batch didn't turn out very well. But I have 10 more pears ripening. Yes, I did redo the recipe, but it is one of my magazine submissions. However, the recipe is below.

After the pears were pureed, I added the bulk of the sugar. This recipe isn't for those watching their weight!! (Yikes - 6 c. of sugar!!)

The carmel part is melted sugar. It takes a while for the sugar to melt but once it does, it turns brown quickly. WATCH it or it will burn on you!!

A close up of the melting.

After adding the carmel and spices the butter got really brown. I think I should have added more water at this point.

In the end I only got 4 pints of butter (and a bit extra). I think it was because the pears were too hard to be "juicy". And all my jars sealed (YIPPEE!!!) I love those little pops when the jar seals. Big grin!

A lot of dishes for four pints of pear butter....

My ever faithful companion, Jazz, slept through the process. But at least she wasn't under foot.

CARMEL SPICE PEAR BUTTER (from my friend Carolyn)

• 15 large, ripe pears
• 2 c. water

Wash and core, but not peel pears. Add water and cover. Cook on low 30 minutes or until tender. Puree and return to kettle.

• 1 1/2 c. sugar

Melt sugar in fry pan until melted and golden brown. Add to pears.

• 4 1/2 c. sugar
• 1Tbsp. cloves
• 1/2 tsp. ginger
• 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Bring to boil and then reduce heat. Simmer 45 minutes or until thick.

• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice

Add lemon juice just before pouring into jars. Can in the usual method.

What's Moo?

It's Friday! That means another post for KLSNS blog!!

I love clean and simple cards (CAS). But I'm AWFUL at them! I do try but they always look so "naked" when I do them. Sue me...I love BLING! When I saw this sketch, I thought I could manage that. Simple strip down the side and an image. But you'll notice that I just had to keep adding. LOL!

Don't you love this High Hope's AMERICAN COWTHIC image! So iconic. So retro. So funny! Colored simply with Copics. Torn edges that were distressed (I couldn't help myself). Some scraps of paper laying on my table. A button with Scrapper's Floss. Clean and simple right?

Stamps: High Hopes AMERICAN COWTHIC
Paper: scraps and kraft
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Close to Cocoa, Distressed Ink Antique Linen
Accessories: Copics; button, Scrapper Floss, and Nestabilities TAG TRIO.

Hope you visit the KLSNS blog - there's always something exciting going on over there!

King Kandy Korn

I LOVE CANDY CORN!

So, when I saw this little spider standing on his pile of candy corn - I *TOTALLY* understood him!
Following this week's SCS sketch (SC250), this was a very simple, quick card. I originally colored everything with glitter pens but they were too light. So, I went back over the yellow and orange parts with a copic. The rhinestone words come as a single "sticker".



Stamps: Art Gone Wild CANDY CORN STACK; Stampendous COSTUME KIDS
Paper: K & Company
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, Martha Stewart spider web punch, glitter pens, nail head rhinestone, and rhinestone words.

Stampin D'Amour - October ATC

This is the October ATC swap for the year long group I'm in on the Stampin D'Amour website. Each month the hostess selects several themes as inspiration. For the month of October: Halloween, fall, outdoors, owls. Although it was unintentional - I managed to hit all the themes with this one (ok, I substituted bats for owls...)

The bat girl image I found on a free clipart gallery - The Graphics Fairy. I sized her down considerably and printed on Neenah white. She was then sponged with Distress Ink Antique Linen. Then I struggled! This version is my 4th attempt to create an ATC I liked. Finally at about 11:30 last night - I jumped out of bed and had the prototype done in 30 minutes. You can't tell but I used Glimmer Mist on the paper I cut the corner dies from. It gives it a nice sheen but you can't tell in the picture.

Stamps: Memory Box TENDRIL COLLAGE
Paper: Basic Grey EERIE, SU! Confetti Natural,
Ink: SU! Basic Grey, Distress Ink: Antique Linen
Accessories: Sizzix corner die, bat brad, rhinestone, glitter, and Glimmer Mist: Walnut Gold and Golden Terracotta.
Image: The Graphic Fairy