Title

Today I wanted to show you a cute title I created. I used our new alphabet today. It's called Old World Alphabet (E1017). I have to say, it wasn't a favorite of mine until I saw something stamped with it. Then I was in love!

As some of you know I LOVE alphabet stamps! I have most of them...but really didn't think I was going to get this one...then I saw it. And, I now own it! LOL So I thought I would show you all how awesome this alphabet it. I stamped this title and will be putting it on a page in the near future, but wanted to show it to you.

The stamp set I used with this is called Fright Night (B1359). A set of stamps that one of my customers ordered...I saw it in her bag and HAD TO HAVE IT. See, it happens to me too!

Enjoy all your Halloween festivities and get some GREAT pictures! We have a ton of cool stamps and kits that will make your pictures SING!

Scraplifting

It is ok to scraplift. We do it all the time. And I did it today. I created this layout that I scraplifted right from our Autumn/Winter catalog. It's on page 36. It was just too cute not to steal...so I did. LOL Mine is a little different, but that is what makes it mine.

Remember to look through your catalogs (current or old) to give you inspiration and remember, it is ok to scraplift!

Treat Pockets

Today I am going to show you how to make this treat holder. You can put 2 flat candy bars in the pockets. I have used Ghirardelli chocolates and York peppermint patties. Last year I got the York peppermint patties that were shaped like bats for Halloween. Very cute as far as bats go! LOL

Main cs - 6 1/2 x 3 Score at 3, 3/12 (I used Gypsy cardstock from our Hooligans kit)

Decorate front how you like.

Inside patterned paper - 6 x 6 Score at 1 3/4, 4 1/4, turn 1/4 turn and score at 2 3/4, 3 1/4.

14 inches of ribbon. This is our Pear ribbon from our Pear Mini Medley pack.

Adhere ribbon down the middle of inside of cs.

Fold inside pattern piece and glue together, leaving the ends open to insert candy. Glue real good to the main piece of cs. It is best to glue the middle, then fold the cd and then glue the pattern paper as you are folding it. That will help make it bend better.

You can use Ghirardelli chocolate or York Peppermint patties. One in each pocket.

The stamps I used for this was The Boo Crew (C1421) Very cute little pumpkins. I also used the black Opaques for the eyes on this pumpkin. Can you tell I LOVE those Opaques! The bat that I popped up in the corner was from our In the Month of October stamp set (C1431). So take some time and start creating some great 3 dimensional items for those "special" spooks!

Treats for your Spooks!

I like to give some special treats to some of my trick or treater that come to my door, so I will be taking a few days here on my blog to share some of them with you.

These are good for teachers, co-workers, or even those special spooks!

Here is how you make them...

Cut 2 pieces of cs 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 for box. Score 1 3/8 on 2 short sides (sides) and one long side (bottom). See picture.

Cut off the ends on one piece and just cut up the score line on the other box just up to where it intersects with the next score line. See picture.

Assemble making sure the front doesn’t have any outside edges facing forward. So when you are looking at it, it looks nice. It folds backwards. For a nice clean look. Then you are ready to add your front image. You can even add a handle if you chose.

I used our Hooligans Level 2 kit and our Spooky Alley (D1439) stamp set. I LOVE this set! I also used our markers to color in my little Frankenstein guy. The marker colors I used are Pear, Gypsy, Sunset, Cranberry (for his scar) Grey Wool and Grey Flannel. I popped out his head (love the look of popping things up) and then added black Opaques for his eyes. How fun is he! lol

I hope you try this little box. It is a fun way to make your treat a little extra special.

Cropping Dessert

If you came to my September crop, not only did you get some yummy lasagna, but I also made this Black Forest Cheesecake. YUM! But if you didn't, this is what you missed. It was a little more of a "mousse" then a cheesecake. Maybe that is why I liked it! I am not a cheesecake fan and not a chocolate fan, but this was just right.
I got the recipe out of Best of Taste of Home Magazine.

So, do you want the recipe?

Here it is.

1 1/4 cup Chocolate wafer crumbs (I couldn't find those so I used chocolate graham crackers crumbs)

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 envelopes unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup cold water

1/2 cup boiling water

1 can (21oz) cherry pie filling

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup sugar

2 oz semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped

Maraschino cherries and additional whipped cream and melted chocolate for garnish, optional

Combine crumbs and butter; press into the bottom and up sides of a 9 inch springform pan. Chill for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand until gelatin is moistened. Add the boiling water and stir constantly until gelatin is completely dissolved. Combine 1/3 cup gelatin with pie filling and almond extract; pour into crust and chill until set. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in melted chocolate. Add extract and remaining gelatin. Fold in whipped cream; spread over cherry layer. Chill at least 3 hours.

Remove from pan, If desired, garnish with whipped cream, cherries and chocolate.

Enjoy!

Color Me Monday Layout

This layout is the one I created for those who attended my last crop. I stole the idea from Jeanette Lynton's website. About a week ago she had this as a Color Me Monday layout. I just loved it and had to recreate it.

She used her layout for carnival pictures, but I used mine for my son's birthday pictures. It was so fun to do. The Holiday Red cardstock is stamped with the word stamp from our Noteworthy stamp set. I know you can't see it real well, but trust me. LOL Is that a stamp set you have? Get it out and use it! I also used our color ready lots of dots alphabets for the "birthday party". I just sponged them in Holiday Red. I would have NEVER put these colors together. They are Lagoon, Holiday Red, Buttercup and White. The layout is from our new Magic How to Book!

Now, get out that cardstock and re-create this layout using your pictures. You will be happy you did!

Stinkin Cute Monsters!

Don't you just love this cute paper? It is from our Hooligans Collection. I got the idea from our new Magic How to Book. The cool thing about this book is that it shows you how to make layouts that are interactive.

In this first picture you can see the journaling box and the picture after the tab has been pulled out. The next layout shows you how it looks pushed in.

I don't have a lot of pictures of my kids at Halloween (I already scrapbooked them all) so I had to come up with something. So I got some pictures of our "monster" kitten. It is VERY appropriate! So get your "little monsters" pictures and create this layout!

Organize Your Scrapbooking Projects

Have you ever been overwhelmed with all your scrapbooking supplies and just felt like it takes more time to get it out then you have time? Or you feel like you have to take EVERYTHING in order to go to a crop or a friends house to scrapbook?

Fear NOT! I have 2 solutions for you.

The first solution is for those little projects. Like when you have your group...you make your 4 layouts and you have all the extras to make more on your own. I recommend putting those 4 completed layouts in your ziplock bag that the kit came in (we do sell these if you need more or don't have any). When you have time, find pictures that will work with those layouts. Put the pictures in the ziplock with all the supplies and put in a place where you can find them. Then, as time permits, you can pull the bag and you have just about everything you need to finish those layouts and make more. All you need to do is pull the stamps, accessories and stamp pads. This is a VERY easy way to grab your supplies and go!

My second idea I have for you is when you are working on a large project, like a vacation when you take a million pictures! LOL I have taken these bins, and put my supplies, maps, notes etc. Everything that I need for this trip. I then label the box and put a checklist in the box. This list tells me what kit I used, the colors, stamps and accessories. So I can grab the box, grab the album, look at my list of supplies I need and I am out the door! This not only helps me stay organized, but I can get to scrapbooking MUCH faster and I don't have to take it all with me.

One other thing I don't scrapbook without...post it notes! If for some reason I forgot something I can just stick a post it note when I need the item and make a note. Once I get home I can add the needed item and throw the post it note away.

I have also recommended these boxes to my friends to put their supplies in. You can organize your supplies by season, theme...whatever. This will help keep your supplies organized also. I have a friend that is going to fill a box with all her "sports" paper, sticker, and embellishments. Now when she is ready to scrap, she can pull that box and those sports pictures and she is ready to go.

Organize your supplies and you will get more scrapbooking done!

October Stamp of the Month

It's time for Christmas! I know...it's only October, but really it is time to start thinking about it and planning for Christmas.

Our October stamp of the month is now out and ready for you. It is called Share the Magic and has 12 stamps.

I made these cute tags that I will be using on my Christmas gifts. They were very fun to make. The card below...not real Christmasy, but I wanted to show you how versatile our stamps are. This teddy bear is in the set and I wanted to show you how you can make other things from a "Christmas" set.

Then there is the layout. Great for all that snow we will NOT get this year! LOL Get your October stamp of the month soon. Remember, it's only available in October!