Freebie Friday for the holidays!

Paper Popsicles has the cute little Elizabeth in her pajamas for the free Friday image today. It is really simple to get her. Head over to Paper Popsicles and simply left click on her image. Once you have got this little cutie all ready for Christmas Eve, give her some color, add her to a project, and then show her off to us at Paper Popsicles on Monday. You might just win a prize.....

Feel like yucky is coming to get me

I feel it coming on. I have been fighting valiantly, but it has entrenched itself as a low grade fever, runny nose, sore throat, and a cough. I refuse to admit it, I refuse to accept being it. GO AWAY! The ache is trying to work it's way in. No, no, NO!!!

Back from the East

And am kind of feeling human again. I wasn't expecting the jet lag to catch me, but boy did it ever! I slept over 15 hours yesterday and then went to bed last night and woke up at 1:00 pm today!?!? Crazy. I don't like that part of traveling, but am going to force myself to regain some normalcy to my schedule starting today. I am also fighting a sore throat that I hope isn't an indication of anything else.

G & I in the Forbidden City.

So....CHINA!! It was beautiful, wonderful, fabulous, and every other positive superlative you can come up with. We saw so many places, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Giant Pandas, the Terra Cotta Warriors. I took 871 photos on one camera and about a 100 on another one. I have been trying to upload photos, so lets see what I can post here today. I will keep posting pictures throughout the week so you can see some of these cool places. Okay, here goes.

G & I at the Yuyuan Gardens in Shanghai.

G & I in our Panda hats in Suzhou.

So I am off!!

Today is the day of departure. I leave at 1:00PM PST to LA where hubby and I will spend the night and then tomorrow we will board a plane to Beijing, China!! I am getting my house sitter settled in this morning and running a few last minute errands, then I am gone. I will have a tom of photos for everyone when I return!

Beware-OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE

It is for a challenge though, I promise. (Even though I did this LO a while back.) Over on Candy Shoppe Designs, they are hosting a "Watch Your Language" layout challenge and the whole point is to use language that you wouldn't normally see in a scrapbook. You know, the language that we all use on occasion? (Okay, maybe some [most] of you don't, but cut me some slack here.) I loved being able to get gritty with this one, so not my usual style.

There it is folks. My response to those who say I have a bad attitude. Can't imagine why they think that about me.

Last Freebie Friday of October

And it is an important one. Melissa is giving away the shaped card template for the awareness ribbon. Need I say more? I recently found out someone whom I admire, respect, and care for has breast cancer, so this is closer to home than usual. I know without a doubt she will pull through, but there are so many who don't. The word cancer is one I pray is stricken from our regular vocabulary soon.


Whatever cause or causes that are close to your heart, this is a great template to have, so head over to Paper Popsicles to get yours.  http://www.paperpopsicles.blogspot.com/

Been a busy bee today.

I created a card for the Paper Popsicles Wacky Wednesday challenge, I created a layout for the Therapeutic Thursday sketch at Paper Popsicles, and finished a home decor project. Whew! No wonder I am yawning. Oh, and possibly because it is after midnight. I used Cosmo Cricket's fantabulous new "Nutmeg" line for two of these projects and some older Cosmo and Making Memories paper for the card. All of this yummy paper is available at Paper Popsicles of course. Boy, I love that place. And just a little secret, Melissa just posted the November kits for sale in the store. Shh...I wasn't supposed to say anything, but that is too good to keep to myself.

Free Therapy

Getting your creative flow on is very therapeutic. I am sure you would agree, so I can offer you some *free* therapy today. Doc Lynda, P.D. of Paper Popsicles has drawn up a layout sketch for all today to get those creative and healing juices flowing. Here is the sketch:

For inspiration as to what others did with this super awesome sketch, check here. And doctor's orders are take a moment to create with this sketch and call us in the morning! Oh, and it is usually best if chased with some wine and chocolate.

Where do the days go?

Seriously, wasn't it just Monday and now it is the eve of Thursday? My goodness! It has been crazy with getting ready to go to China next week. Today over at Paper Popsicles, there is a new sketch by the crazy talented Tricia for a card.

The ladies have done some fabulous work with this. I hope I have a chance tomorrow to create my own version of it. Should I remind you that if you play with us and link your card by next Wednesday, November 3rd you will be entered for a RAK? Oh, and in case I haven't mentioned it, (I am pretty sure I have mentioned it..?), we are still hosting the November Guest Designer auditions. Get over to Paper Popsicles and put your name in for both!!! It is truly one of the best places on the web!

I have a challenge for you and finally a project.

Today is the first day of my new challenge on Paper Popsicles. It is called the Fortune of Color and will be a weekly challenge started on every Sunday with the deadline being midnight (PST) on Saturday night to post your creation on the Paper Popsicles forum. I will announce the winner of the challenge when I announce the new fortune of color on the following Sunday.

This is an open challenge. You can create a layout, a card, an altered item, whatever the color inspires you to make. All that is required is that you use the color in the fortune for the largest part of your art. So the first fortune is:

"FOCUS ON THE COLOR PURPLE THIS WEEK TO BRING YOU LUCK."

Okay, get started!! Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

Now, for the project. Here is a layout I created for Challenge #4 on All About Me blog. It is about a turning point in your life. For me, when I turned 30 this year was a big turning point. A lot had happened right before I turned 30, got married, was laid off, lost our family pet to cancer. I had actually journaled about these feelings the night before my birthday, so I typed that up and went from there.

Oh, and one quick thing before I go!

I scored my second Louis at the Goodwill. Now I am not sure for sure it is the real deal, but it looks pretty real. Plus it was only $15. And the Kate Spade I got a couple weeks ago is real. And IT was only $5. ;-P

 

Still here

I promise. I know it has been a week almost since my last blog and I am SO sorry. I have quite a few projects to show off, just need to pull from the camera and edit. So, while I do that, why don't you mosey on over to the Paper Popsicles store where all the kits are 25% off!! Wow! Know a scrapper in your life that you will need a Christmas gift for? This is a great idea. Also, they are still having the call for the November Guest Designers. There are three spots open and this is a great group to work with. And, Carol and Robyn have both put some peeks for November's kits into the forum and I have to tell you, they are super cute. I am very excited for these to go on sale!

New camera= New photos!

So I took the digital SLR out this morning for some practice. I am making a mini album called Signs of Fall and needed some photos to coordinate. This is what fall looks like in Walnut Creek, CA.

As you can tell, I am loving the new camera. There are some features that I want to read more about, but to be brutally honest, my head starts buzzing when I pick up the manual. I just printed these plus some out for the albums and I am happy with the results. Now I am off to finish the books!!

It is the weekend!

And what an odd weekend it started to be. I had plans for both last night and tonight and they both fell through. I have had it happen where one or the other falls through, but never both days. It happens, right?

So I stayed home and worked in the Squirrel Hole last night. I almost finished my Valentine's album which I have been working on since May. Once it is rebound, I will take and post photos. I think that husband and I are going to go buy our new camera today, a Nikon D60. I have been lusting after this camera for probably 2 years, so I am very excited to finally get it. I can't wait to start taking photos and it will be great for China!

Last but most definitely not least, Paper Popsicles is having a 50% off all clearance sale. Get over there before the goodies sell out. I am talking Cosmo Cricket for like $.35 a sheet. Don't miss out. Paper Popsicles store

Another Freebie Friday!!

And another one of my all time favorites from the Paper Popsicles store, the shaped card template in the Witch's Boot!! I LOVE this card and couldn't wait to get my grubby little paws on it, but you can have yours for FREE!! But, only if you go and order it from the Paper Popsicles store today by midnight CST. This boot has infinite possibilities.

I have posted this before, but since you can get this template for FREE, I figured I would post it again.

Also, may I remind you that the November Guest Designer call is still going strong. If you haven't entered yet, you should consider doing so. It is a great group of people and great products. Go to the Paper Popsicles blog to learn more about the freebie and the DT call. http://www.paperpopsicles.blogspot.com/

Paper Popsicles challenges

Yesterday was the Hump Day card sketch over at Paper Popsicles and today is the Therapeutic Thursday layout sketch. I love these for a creativity jump start and Tricia and Lynda, the resident sketch artists are so talented. Here is the card sketch:

Here is my version:

The layout sketch:

My version:

I hope that these have inspired you to create and have fun. You can read more about these fun prompts and all the happenings over at the Paper Popsicles blog.

Just a quick LO before I go play

I am spending the day in the real Squirrel Hole (a.k.a. my scrap room) so I will hopefully have many more creations to share with you in the next few days. Here is a quick one that I did using the Monstrosity from Sassafras Lass and the adorable picture of my niece trying to attack an unopened candy bar! Love that kid.

Where did you go?

In case you noticed, or even if you didn't, I was gone from Saturday at 9:30 am until 12:30 am on Sunday night/Monday morning. Where the heck was I? Well, friends, I was immersed in creativity. On Saturday, it was an all day class at my friend, Daniela's. The morning was soldering jewelry taught by the vivacious and very talented Julee Herrmann, whose work you can find on her blog, HeArt Collective. Between alcohol inks, Marshmallow Glimmer Mist, and soldering, nothing is going to be safe in my house. Then the afternoon was dedicated to a class very near and dear to my heart, the 7Gypsies Artist Tray with a Halloween theme, taught by Daniela. She has some pictures of the hauntingly fabulous tray she taught on her blog, The Art Life. This was so much fun and a chance to venture into the slightly macabre side, (as well as play with some alcohol inks!). Daniela and I have been lusting after this tray since July when 7Gypsies previewed it at CHA and I knew that once my incredibly talented friend got her hands on it, the tray would be transformed. I promise I will post my own version of the Halloween Artist Tray and my humble attempts at soldering tomorrow. 


After 7 hours in these classes, Daniela and I zipped off to the airport, where we caught the last flight to LA. We spent a very LONG night in a Doubletree hotel in Commerce, CA thanks to some party people who thought the hallway outside our room was the PERFECT place to hang out and then on Sunday morning, we went to the home office of 7Gypsies. There, we were taught a class showcasing the Artist Tray by resident Gypsy, Janelle Smith. This is my version of what she taught, though I promise you it is far from finished.

Janelle was an absolute doll, as was all the Gypsy staff on hand and I am very excited about their new products. After a quick lunch, we participated in their incredible warehouse sale. I cannot wait for the classes Daniela has planned with this fabulous product!!


After spending five hours at Gypsy headquarters, we went off for a shopping excursion, which we got in spades. The outlet mall that had looked so promising turned out to be a dud, sadly, but we found the mecca Forever 21. It was the size of a Macy's. San Francisco has an amazing one, but this one was better. 


We got on our delayed 9:00 PM flight, exhausted and full of ideas. I can only speak for myself, but I am sure Daniela will agree that we had a lot of fun, but were happy to fall into our own beds last night.

The porch light is ON!!!

Welcome to Paper Popsicles' second blog hop, our CREEPY, CRAWLY, Blog STOMP! Today, we hope that as you go around to each of our creative team member blogs, you will find inspiration, some tricks, and perhaps some TREATS! If you stumbled upon my blog from Valerie's blog GREAT!!! you are on the right track! If you have stumbled upon my blog or this is your first stop, please start at Tricia's blog here and follow the treat road from there.

The costumes are in place and we have turned on the porch lights. As you move from one blog to the next, you will collect a TREAT (a word).

Gather all the treats to make a spirited saying and email your phrase to Melissa at melissa@paperpopsicles.com.


For your efforts, you will be entered into a RAK to win a fantastic prize—The Loud Talker Kit from October, which I was honored to play with this month and have to tell you is AWESOME!! Full of Sassafras Lass. Before you go though, please remember to leave a comment on EVERY blog during our stomp....otherwise you might miss out on some other free treats!!!! (hint, hint)

AND!!! For even more of a treat, Paper Popsicles is screaming with great deals today. 25% off everything in the store and 50% off all clearance! October 10th only. www.paperpopsicles.com/store


And now I want to share with you MY wicked decoration for this haunted season using the shaped card templates resized for embellishments. While they are great as cards, the possibilities for them as embellishments is endless.

I used a Maya Road pre-made chipboard banner, but you could make your own from fabric or whatever patterned paper that you might prefer. I used the polka dot paper from Jenni Bowlin featured in the Worm has Turned kit from Paper Popsicles, (remember, 25% off in the store), and stamped a harlequin pattern in orange to create the back ground.

I sanded and inked the edges with black. Then I sized the shaped card template of the ghost, the bat, the witch hat, and the pumpkin small enough to fit on the pennants. I cut them from black card stock, glittered them in black and then stuck them behind or on the four centered letters.

Once I decorated the pennants, I strung the, on a ribbon and then tied 3"pieces of black and orange gingham ribbon between to keep the placing and for a finishing touch.

I guess you want your other treat too? The treat on my blog is:  A GOOD

STOMP ON with your goody bags, my friends. There are lots of goodies to be had.


Now that you have have gathered some treats and hopefully some inspiration, don’t forget to leave a comment, then head over to Carol's blog next where I am sure she will have something frighteningly good to share!
1. Tricia http://www.triciastreasures.blogspot.com/ First stop
2. Lynda http://www.positive-force.blogspot.com/ Second stop
3. Cassie http://www.fortheartofit.blogspot.com/ Third stop
4. Valerie http://www.allmyscrappin.blogspot.com/ Fourth stop
5. Lora http://www.singingsquirrel.blogspot.com/ ******YOU ARE HERE*******
6. Carol http://www.crazyforcrafting.blogspot.com/ <------GO HERE NEXT
7. Amy http://www.papertrailsleaver.blogspot.com/
8. Jen http://www.jensbrainthings.blogspot.com/
9. Robyn http://www.dreaminginscraps.blogspot.com/
If you get lost along the way, please head back to the main Paper Popsicles blog for assistance.


HAPPY STOMPING!

Freebie Friday and a personal reason I love the image!

His name is OLIVER!!! And he is dressed up as a cowpoke, so this little dude goes straight to the soft spot in my heart, (yes, there is a small one). I had to color him and put him on a card.

If you want an Oliver all of your own, cause you can't have mine, go to Paper Popsicles today and follow the steps to lasso him in. Freebie. While you are there, check out the info for becoming a guest designer in November.

Lots and lots going on...

Over at the Paper Popsicles site, there is so much going on! Posted the card sketch on Wednesday, a LO sketch today and then Melissa is posting the Friday Freebie tomorrow!! AND, (yes there is a BIG and), on Saturday, we are doing the Creepy Crawly Blog Stomp! Seriously, set an alarm, tie a string around your finger, safety pin a note to the kid, whatever it is you do to remind you of things not to be missed, because this is going to definitely be one you'll be sorry if you do. There will be special Halloween theme projects on each blog to prepare you for the season and lots of treats along the way. It all kicks off at 8:00 am CST and yes, my dear friends, I will have my "porch light on" at that time which is 6:00 am my local time, with cup of coffee in hand and ready to give out treats.

To top off all the fun and goodies, Melissa has offered up this haul of blog candy for passing the word along.

I am pretty sure I mentioned how you can win this before, but today is the last day to get in the drawing for it on Saturday, so don't wait. Click here for the rules of how to be entered.

OH!! And how could I forget that Paper Popsicles is also looking for three Guest Designers for November?!? Must be all the candy. Find out how you can come play with this fabulous retailer and team. I know everyone says it, but the PP DT are the best!!!

Seriously, why are you still here? GO!! ;-P

Decorated for Halloween!

I love this time of year. It means getting those Halloween decorations out, just the start of the next six months of decorating I do for the holidays. Over at Paper Popsicles, Lynda asked us to share our favorite decorations. That is hard for me to do, because they are all a part of my world for a reason. But here are a few I have around the house.

Some of these have a lot of meaning, like the three ghosties in the picture right above. My mom painted that. The mini glass pumpkins in the candle on the bookshelf are the first gift my hubby ever gave me. All of my glass pumpkins have been collected throughout the years. The flying owl in the jars on my fireplace is from a really good friend who shares a love of owls. These are the real reasons why I decorate, the memories.

First Blog Award!

So, Carol, my super talented PP design team colleague sent me this blog award and a little survey that I am to fill out using only one word answers and share with my followers and then I am to pass it on.

1. Where is your cell phone? table

2. Your hair? brown

3. Your mother? young

4. Your father? hero

5. Your favorite food? savory

6. Your dream last night? cold

7. Your favorite drink? coffee

8. Your dream/goal? performer

9. What room are you in? dining

10. Your hobby? art

11. Your fear? restrictions

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? home

13. Where were you last night? Nation's

14. Something that you aren’t? sympathetic

15. Muffins? chocolate

16. Wish list item? camera

17. Where did you grow up? Oregon

18. Last thing you did? blog

19. What are you wearing? clothes ;-P

20. Your TV? old

21. Your pets? nope

22. Friends? amazing

23. Your life? fabulous

24. Your mood? better

25. Missing someone? yes

26. Vehicle? Envoy

27. Something you’re not wearing? nylons

28. Your favorite store? thrift

29. Your favorite color? Jewels

30. When was the last time you laughed? now

31. Last time you cried? unknown

32. Your best friend? Mom

33. One place that I go to over and over? Goodwill

34. One person who emails me regularly? Daniela

35. Favorite place to eat? Vanessa's

I'm supposed to pass this on to six bloggers, so I'm off to do that. Hope everyone is having a good day and that you are able to sneak in some crafting time!

Hide and Seek!!!

Head over to Paper Popsicles to play the Hide and Seek game and be entered in the drawing for a $10 gift certificate in the PP store. Details on the blog. Hey, $10 is the super cute Digital Image Stamp kit or the full of goodies card kit. Game ends tonight at midnight CST, so don't wait!

World Card Making Day!

Wow, this is the first time I have participated in World Card Making Day and let me tell you, card making is a whole world unto itself!! What I have learned from my Design Team partners is beyond incredible and makes my little attempts seem very "young." Did you know you can make 11 cards from one piece of patterned paper? Or how about a super cute crimped envelope that can disguise goodies? Or a super cute matching paper box full of notes for a friend? Ever wondered how to do a pop-up card? All of these tutorials and more are over on Paper Popsicles today in honor of WCMD. These instructions are fabulous, even if you don't have time today to play, write them down for the future and since they are all featured in one place, there is no random Google hunting! Okay, enough chit chat, I have to try these techniques!

New Card sketch

Tricia put a great new card sketch over at Paper Popsicles on Wednesday. It is super-duper cute and in honor of World Card Making Day, this sketch is a great way to celebrate the day, as well as all the other fun things going on over there starting tomorrow. And don't forget all the wonderful prizes Melissa is giving away to those who come play with us!

Here is my version of the sketch:

Let's see yours!!!

Who likes FREE?

I certainly do and dear Melissa over at Paper Popsicles is giving away a super cute digi image for FREE today. This is actually an image I have been eyeing in the store and would have bought it eventually, (but shhh...don't tell her!).

All you have to do is go here, register and order the free image, which is posted on the blog so you can find it easier. Once you checkout, Melissa will email this image to you directly, no cost! But once Friday is over, so is the freebie, so head over there stat and get this cutie!!

October Kit reveal at Paper Popsocles!!

So here is the full reveal, my friends! I got the "Loud Talker" kit this month, full of yummy Sassafras Lass, Pink Paislee, Jenni Bowlin and some bling, Shimmerz, felt flowers and chipboard. I LOVE the Amplify line from Sassafras! This paper speaks for itself, has so much vibrancy that you can add a photo, a few embellies and ta-da! A great layout. Head over to Paper Popsicles to see the full kit details, http://paperpopsicles.com/index.html, and scroll down for the projects I made from it.

Hope you have a great day!

Who likes candy???

Scrapbook "candy" that is! To win this great blog candy from Paper Popsicles, follow these four steps:

1. Post on your blog the info for our October 1othCreepy Crawly Blog Stomp and add our Purple Witch's Stomping Boot to your blog

2. Become a follower of our blog

3. Add our blog to your list of blog favorites and link to our blog

4. Don't forget to comment here and please add your email address to this post so we can contact you.


Your name will be included in the drawing on October 10th for THIS!!!

Here is the blog: http://www.paperpopsicles.blogspot.com/

They are out!

Paper Popsicles has released pictures of the October kits. This is the kit I have been lucky enough to play with for the last few weeks and let me tell you, I have had a blast with it! The kit is called Loud Talker, which I love too!

Lots of Sassafras goodness in there, with a perfect addition of Pink Paislee, ZVA, BG Bling It, Jenni Bowling and some Creative Cafe. Oh, and don't forget the Shimmerz and the fun Buzz and Bloom chipboard that I used for a very fun altered project as an extra idea.

The other kits are full of scrappy goodness too and I probably would have bought them all to add to my own stash, but after seeing what the fantabulous Design Team made with these kits, there is no doubt I will be purchasing them. Sigh. I really may have to get a part time job to support this habit.

Just for fun, here is one last sneak peek at one of the projects I made with the Loud Talker kit.

OMG!! Love these!

So, I wasn't going to post today, but I happened to stop by the Paper Popsicles blog and noticed that Melissa had posted some new Halloween goodies and I can't help myself from spreading the word. The new images from Cheeky Radish are super cute! I will have to have them for the Halloween projects I have in mind. The great thing about these digital images are they can be sized to whatever your needs, plus, you don't have to worry about smearing the ink when "stamping" nor do you need storage space for them. And, who doesn't love to color? It is one of the most relaxing things to do.

Head over to Paper Popsicles to check out more of these cute little characters. http://paperpopsicles.blogspot.com/2009/09/octobers-digital-stamps.html

Is that Bella? ;-P

And a card sketch!?!?

Good grief, we are busy over at Paper Popsicles!! A layout sketch yesterday, a card sketch today and the Creepy Crawly Blog Stomp around the corner! Whew!


The uber-talented Amy Duff has posted a new card sketch on the PP blog today. Here it is and my version, using one of the cute Cheeky radish digital stamps from the PP store. Now, go play!

As promised!

Here is my version of this week's Paper Popsicles layout sketch. I HAD to do Halloween!! This LO is a combo actually. The sketch is Lynda's, the idea is from ScrapFit's workout #4, which is to use photos with no people in them and using some Cosmo Cricket. Here it is with one of my Halloween decorations and then without.

Oh! And didn't I promise something else yesterday? What was that again? Ugh, coffee hasn't kicked in yet. RIGHT!! A Paper Popsicles October kit sneak peek! How could I forget?

Head over to the Paper Popsicles blog to see more sneak peeks for the other wonderful kits Melissa has put together for October. http://www.paperpopsicles.blogspot.com/

Got some good things coming!

Over on Paper Popsicles, it is a new week and that means a new layout sketch. I have posted a copy of it made by the talented Lynda Lyndley. Head over to Paper Popsicles to see all the fun things going on and be sure to check back tomorrow! I will post my version of this sketch, (the Stickles are drying), and just might have a sneak peek of an October kit for PP!!

Just might=definitely will!

"Plastic" flower how-to

First you will need Shimmerz paint, paper flowers, a watermark pad, Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel, (known from here on as UTEE) and a heat gun. I also use my craft sheet and a tin roasting pan from the dollar store.

Paint the flowers with the Shimmerz, adding as many coats as desired. Let dry or use your heat gun to speed up the drying time.

Press the face of the flowers into the watermark coating them completely with the ink. Then cover the flower with UTEE.

Heat the flower up until the UTEE is melted. Let cool. For a more plastic look, repeat the watermark, UTEE and heating up process.