Cookie Wrapping

Yep, another '2 posts-in-one-day' kind of day! Just thought I'd pop in & share some quick packaging I made for the Halloween cookies from a few days ago.
Here are some easy cookie envelopes made with glassine sleeves (got these from Stampin Up):

I love glassine. While working on these I got some great ideas for holiday cookie packaging. I'll be sharing those next month ;)
This was a little more complicated but still fairly simple & quick to put together:

I wanted the ghost cookies to 'haunt a house.' I had a surplus of those white bags leftover from my wedding. (They are actually bags for packaging coffee - I made cookies for my wedding favor and packed them in these bags with a fancy shmancy label - long before my days as an 'official papercrafter'.) For this project, I cut out & added the window with a Hambly transparency and a roof from Core'dinations cardstock. The mix of embellishments on all the projects are from American Crafts, K & Co. and a Tim Holtz stamp. Glad I hung onto those bags all these years. I knew they'd come in handy some day. (Now I need to do something with the gross of Chinese food boxes I also purchased for the wedding and didn't use :)
Enjoy the day & happy haunting!!

Sunday At The Studio

Happy Halloween!

Dan and the kids carved this guy last night - their annual tradition. I love that I just get to stand back and watch this one!

We have a busy day ahead - I need to get a cookie job in the works and we have plans to trick-or-treat with friends later in the afternoon. Of course, my children will ask me every 15 minutes until we go, "when will it be time to go?" I love that they still get excited about these things.

So, onto the business at hand...a new challenge at The Studio!

This week we had a sketch. Love sketches - they take so much design pressure off and make the process so much more fun!

Here's what I came up with:

Here's a detail:

To see the sketch and check out the work of our awesome DT - stop on by The Studio. Maybe you'll be the winner this month?
Have a fun, safe day!

Twisted Sketches #031

It's Saturday so that means it's time for a new card sketch over at Twisted Sketches! I'm definitely enjoying being on this team and working with Anam's great sketches. This week's twist was 'glitter' which worked out really well for my plan to do a Halloween card. Here's the card I submitted:

For this one I used a black Coredinations cardstock along with Pink Paislee Hocus Pocus. The sticker is K & Co and the glittery dots are from American Crafts. The penant stamp is Studio Calico.

Here is my back-up:

Same papers & glitter Thickers here - but this time I embossed the cardstock and sanded it to reveal the orange core. I thought the scallops used upside down looked like bats. The journal spot stamp is from Midnight Rooster.
To see the sketch, check out the inspiring work of the rest of the design team and play along - check out the Twisted Sketches blog. Every week Anam picks a fave - maybe it will be you this week?

And also on the subject of Halloween.....Ella Publishing Co. is having a Halloween sale!

Use code ELLAWEEN at checkout before midnight on October 31, 2010, to receive 31 percent off of any (or all) of the following ten eBooks:

Vintage Hip Christmas Crafts

Design Workshop

Picture Perfect

Stretch Your Sketches

A Year in the Life

20 Simple Secrets of Happy Scrapbookers

Special Effects for Digital Photos

40 Top Tips for Better Photos

Quick & Creative Quizzes

Text Tricks for Scrapbookers

Good stuff - Stretch Your Sketches one of my all-time faves!

Halloween Prep

What a blur this week was. Baking, day job, other day job, Halloween parties, parades....I'm glad to be on the other side of it. I love Halloween - but for some reason, this year I've been having a hard time getting into all the hoopla - that was until yesterday. My need to celebrate this holiday finally kicked in.  Here are some photos from yesterday's holiday preparations. Yep, definitely feeling the Halloween creative mojo yesterday:

So today, I want to work on some packaging for those cookies and do whatever I can to spend time at my desk - which I have not spent significant time at since Monday! Will have another post later today (yes, 2 in 1 day - must make up for lost time!) with my card for this week's Twisted Sketches challenge.

Holiday Prep

Oh boy, I've got so many Christmas/Holiday projects starting to pile up on the to-do list that I'm actually starting to feel like I've already fallen behind - and it's not even Halloween yet! I even had a dream last night that we forgot to buy candy to hand out and we forgot to go trick-or-treating.

I'm starting to prep several guest blog posts, all holiday-related. I also put this together over the weekend, but only got as far as the cover:

The Christmas Daily. I always fall behind on this project too, but it's definitely worth it. The last time I did one was in 2008 and I still page through it, in awe of all the information it contains. Things I would have surely forgotten. This year, I'm going to keep it really simple, and smaller. This is a 6 x 6, my last was 8 x 8. Those extra 2 inches make a big difference. I'll share the insides once I figure them out.

Oven is cranking today and will be over the next 2 weeks. I've got 3 kid parties to make Halloween cookies for, plus some that I give to neighbors. Think I'll try to come up with some cute crafty packaging this year. I'll have that all later in the week. Also have a baby shower to bake for - 110 baby bottles and rattles, due right after Halloween.

Oh, and Picture Fall - I'm so far behind on that it's not even funny. I was out on Sunday trying to catch up but there are some challenging prompts that I haven't tackled yet. I vow to catch up though, because I really like the way my album is turning out, and will hopefully have a pile of photos to share on Friday. In the meantime, here are a couple of my Sunday shots - from a place best described as our local 'Halloween-land':

my peeps...

 a really cool blow up...

tickets for the Jersey Devil Hunt - I was afraid to move to NJ when I was little because of that guy - I hope they catch him this year!:

Anyone else starting to stress on the holidays?

Sunday At The Studio

After 200 posts I think its pretty clear I could just go on and on about many topics...so why did I experience a little shudder when I saw this week's challenge at The Studio?

Your journaling must take up at least 50% of your scrapbook page

Journaling on a layout seems so daunting. Especially if you are using your own handwriting. I don't know about you but even though I like the precise control of computer generated type, somehow, writing the story by hand seems more authentic.

I don't know if it's actually 50% of the page, but I think I got close. For this challenge I decided to write about the significance of my cookie jar - a little Roseville number which belonged to my Grandmother until she passed away in 2006. For 40 years I took cookies out of that jar on her kitchen counter. This simple object is priceless to me. I can't bear to put it away in a cabinet. I need to see it and use it even though I live in fear of it being broken. I had a lot to say about it (and could probably have said a lot more) so I knew it would be a great subject for this challenge. I took the photo for one of the Picture Fall prompts but wound up not using it.

here's the detail (used Amanda's little typed words in the frame):

 materials: Cardstock: Bazzill; patterned paper: MME, Studio Calico, American Crafts; letters: October Afternoon, American Crafts; stickers: October Afternoon; frame: Making Memories; small words, button: Scrap Rat; string: Martha Stewart; pen: Stampin Up

Finally used my October Studio Calico kit. I really need to step up the layout production with those kits. I'm starting to stock pile way too much product!

So - why not give this one a go- if you are feeling a need for some inspiration check out what the DT did. I am truly blown away by their pages this week.

Still feeling challenged? Why not pick up this little number:

That's Journaling Matters  from Ella Publishing. I got my first peek last night and I'm definitely seeing the challenge of journaling in a new light!

So today I need to fire up the ovens for some Halloween cookies I promised to my kid's school parties and  a Brownie's party. I'll have those to post later in the week. We also need to procure our official carving pumpkin. We are a little behind schedule this year but hopefully our guy is still out there waiting for us!

Hope you have a lovely day!

Congratulations Winner!

Just want to thank you all again for leaving such nice comments and giving me such great ideas about what to do with this:

Loving the ideas of covering it with maps, displaying beachy stuff with it or making a little 'shrine'. The wheels are definitely turning.
Now, onto the winner of the 200th post giveaway.....drum roll...and the winner is:

Congratulations PinkPug,Ink - you win!

....her idea for the Configurations box:
"thanks for a chance to win! if i had that alterations box i think I'd use it to make a fall shrine- patterned papers from lily bee, acorns, leaves & of course pictures of my family taken in the most beautiful season! :) "
Great idea - hope you share it when it's complete! Please send me your address (to valfm66@yahoo.com) so I can ship out your goodies :)

Here's a quick card I made this morning for the My Sketch World challenge.

here's the sketch:

This was my 3rd try with this sketch, so it truly is a challenge. I like the concept I came up with but not sure about the papers. I will need to revisit this idea. In the meantime, Here's the link if you want to join in!

In other news - the 2nd half of the design team at Twisted Sketches revealed their sketch today. Can't wait to check out their work and sketch. I'm sure it's all gorgeous. Oh, and this is good....this is on pre-sale at Ella Publishing: "Journaling Matters - Simple strategies for finding the right words"

If you are a Facebook fan of Ella Publishing, you can save 10% but only this for this weekend - so hurry on over there! (Here's a little related tidibit/hint...this will come in very handy tomorrow when we reveal this week's challenge at The Studio ;)
So, Congrats to PinkPug and I hope you all have some Fall fun planned for the weekend. Me, I've got some picture taking to do and hopefully some scrapbooking. See you tomorrow!

Falling Behind...

This week was nuts and I've fallen painfully behind on my Picture Fall project. So today, I've got only 2 of the 7 that should be complete by now.

I fully intend to get out this weekend and just take pictures. I just got this to inspire me:

Hope to just chill tonight and soak it all in.

Have you been to the Ella Publishing Blog today? Liz Oram just started a weekly series of posts and challenges dedicated to creating texture on your pages. Also, just a few more hours to get your comment in for my 200th post giveaway. Can't wait to see who's taking home the loot!

See you over the weekend with some crafty projects!

200 Post & My First Giveaway

Yipee - welcome to the 200th post! Wow - and I thought I'd have nothing to write about. As I move past my 200th post, and my 1 year blog anniversary approaches, I'm a little amazed at all that has happened in the last year. 

I actually started my blog at the prompting of a friend. I resisted for a long time and she encouraged me to go ahead and write, and I didn't even have to make it public if I didn't want to. So that's what I did. For a month and  half I wrote the blog and vowed I'd never put it 'out there.' I was very reluctant to share my personal paper-crafty world with....well, the world. That was until one day in December...Paige Evans - Northridge Media editor, scrapbooker extraordinaire, new mom & all around creative person asked 'do you have a blog because I'd like to link a post on the Cards Blog to you?' I panicked and pondered what to do. I ultimately realized that opportunity was knocking and I sent her the link. How amazed I was to see that people started to read it! And leave nice comments, too?

So here I am a year later - so grateful for this blog because I've gotten to know so many great people all over the world. I'm a lucky girl, indeed! So in honor of the 200th post I'm hosting my first giveaway ever. Oh, and it's a good one! I've selected a few of my favorite things for you...

First up: A vintage matchbox full of little typed words from Amanda Jones' Scrap Rat Shop (I'm in love with these little words and I think you will love using these on your projects, too!)

And how about this, too:

What we have here: the Cosmo Cricket Material Girl paper pack (sewing themed - my absolute fave from Cosmo) a Tim Holtz 5.5 x 5.5 Configurations box (picked up one of these for me, too!) some Tim Holtz mini pins and mini paperclips (I use these things on everything!) and a 10 pack of my favorite manila tags from Scrapper's Cove (perfect for inking, misting, whatever - love them!)

All you have to do to win this little selection of Val faves...just leave a comment telling me what you are going to do with the Configurations box, as I now have no idea what to do with mine. I just know I love it and can't wait to make something out of it! I'll draw a random winner on Saturday morning. (You don't have to be a follower of this blog to win, but is sure would be nice :)

Thank you so much for coming to my blog. For taking time from your day to read my words and for the nice things you say. I can't even tell you how much that means to me - thank you!!

And one more thing....I found out yesterday that blog pal and frequent inspiration source Laurel Seabrook passed this little ditty on to me:

So cute - made me smile. The rules for accepting this - I have to tell you some things about me then pass on the love to 5 of my blogging friends. I'll do 5 random factoids:.
1) I wish I had more time to work on craft projects.
2) Wish I could spend at least one day a week driving around by myself taking pictures of stuff.
3) I love going to showers (baby, bridal...you name it) and always try get a seat up front where I can see the stuff.
4) I am terrified of large flying/hopping insects and have a hard time adjusting when Spring rolls around and bugs return.
5) I hate houseplants and don't like to garden. (might be connected to #4)

Hard to pick just 5 for this prestigious honor! Here are some of the gals who inspire me & make me smile on a regular basis - go see for yourself:
Jan
Karen
Cindy
Sara
AuroraFedora

Ok...now I'm off to eat that Indian corn 200! Get your comment in by Friday at midnight E.S.T.!!

Sunday at The Studio

Amanda's challenge this week at The Studio was a little different...

"This week, I want to see you all WEARING your stash! OK, I don't expect you to make paper ball gowns (although you can if you wish!), but a little something like a piece of jewelery, hair accessory or brooch shouldn't cause you too much trouble :)"

This was brand new territory for me so I tried to keep is simple and stick with what I know. I wear headbands a lot, as I can not stand to have hair in my face, so it would not surprise any of my friends that I made a headband. Made this one for my girly girl: 

Those crocheted flowers are from my stash. They were made ages ago by a friend. I wove some old ruffle-y Making Memories ribbon through the holes then added the Prima bling in the centers. I wrapped a plastic headband with satin ribbon then attached the flowers. Done. It was so easy and my daughter loves wearing it. Hope you'll give this challenge a try and win some awesome Scrap Rat goodies!

Moving right along...you all know how much I love Julie's work and how I have enjoyed taking her classes. She'll be featuring a week of crafty holiday projects in December.

If you saw her Art Journaling Week, you can rest assured this will be another great week of inspiration. I am lucky enough to have grabbed one of her guest spots. I've got some great ideas for a food-related post (hmm, wonder what food item I'll be focusing on? ;) Still working out my details but it's going to be so much fun to put this together. So, fire up the glue gun and put Julie's Holidays Handmade on your calendars!

Today I'm off to the 'big city' with my little girl to see West Side Story. Yay!

I'm not a huge fan of Broadway or show tunes, but WSS is my all time favorite. Only a few more months and it will be gone. So happy we are getting to see it before it ends its run. We've got a nice sunny day for hitting the theater district.

and one more thing....my next post is going to be my 200th post and I've got a giveaway so I hope you will stop back for a chance to win!

Twisted Sketches Saturday

My first time playing along - and as I mentioned in a previous post, I was having a little mojo trouble so I actually made 2 cards for this week's card sketch. Here's the card I submitted. I had to make 3 other cards before I finally got to this one and was happy:

The twist this week is "jewel." I chose to add the twist with some bling 'jewels' on my card. I used my Studio Calico Summer Camp kit for this and added the Studio Calico Doily stamps (embossed with Apricot Zing!), an SRM sticker, some Hero Arts ribbon and some Queen & Co. bling.

Here is was my first effort of the day. Should have exercised a little restraint here but I went full on Sassafras Lass Mix & Mend :) What a pretty line that is and I have a ton on hand thanks to this month's Studio Calico 'On the Easel' kit and and the Add-on 'En Plein Air.' Here I made the twist a little more direct:

Verdict is still out on this one. I like the 'thrown together' feel but it got a little busy.

Now today, I'm feeling pretty crafty and have a few ideas buzzing around in the head. As long as I don't make myself sick eating this stuff:

 (like I did yesterday) I should be good to go! I'm so addicted to Indian Corn this year!

Picture Fall - Week 2

Just completed my second week of Picture Fall - so it's photo share day! Can I quit my day job and do this all the time? (Suzan, if you are reading this, I'm only kidding.)

Now onto week 3! 

A congrats today goes out to Paige Evans and her family, who just welcomed little baby Fox into their world, and wow is he a cutie! Congrats Paige!! And also to Sue, my teammate at The Studio, who also just welcomed her little baby Lucas to the world, too. It cetainly is a baby-having kind of month, no?!

My 200th post is only a few days away - stop back for my first ever giveaway!

Scrap That! Review

Today I've got a review up and running on Scrap That!  I had such a great time writing it and was lucky enough to get a lovely bunch of this to review:

A lovely selection of Zing! Embossing Powders by American Crafts.  In order to have the complete "Zing!" experience I had to emboss many, many, stamped images. It wasn't work at all - I had a blast. Here's a little mish-mosh of projects that resulted from my experimentation. I'll start with this Halloween tag with embossed bats to put us in the Fall holiday mood. I used the black opaque finish here:

For this tag, I used my new Practicing Creativity stamp set (...my new favorite stamps - have you seen these things? My goodness - new ones come out every month!)

I love those embossed starfish and the typeface on that script sentiment. I'm going to get a ton of use out of this stamp set. I also picked up the "Christmas Wonder" holiday set- designed by my blog pal Karen B, and the 2 new holiday sets that were just released, too. Good stuff!!

Next up is a monochromatic card. For this one I used a new Studio Calico stamp set - the Doilies. Oh, I love these too...

I was impressed with the detail on these embossed images. Here's the full card view:

Here's a simple little Valentine. I was dying to use that red glitter finish powder. I was not disappointed:

I used a discontinued Stampin' Up alpha set for this one. As far as I'm concerned, this is the most perfect, mess-free way to get glitter onto a page. Clean, simple and precise - and glittery.
You can check out my full review here. Next up I'll be working on a review with the "Crafter's Companion" so stay tuned!