Be Creative

Embellished Halloween Candle

I loved how this project turned out and I couldn't wait to share. I can't claim the technique as mine, i'm not entirely sure but, I think i've seen it before. What made this one turn out so beautiful is the Trick or Treat die cut from Sizzix. The die cut comes in my new Spooky Treats and Goodies Kit, you can get one for yourself HERE. * Friday Update... there is still time to get your kit, i'm shipping priority mail :)

It was a little hard to photo and explain so I made a quick video. Check it out to see how I did it.

** I do not advise burning these candles with the paper on them**

 

Check out all the projects in the Halloween Kit HERE

Related articles

Curly Q's

New Kits and Videos

Curly Q's

I can't believe it's been 10 days since my last post. I've been trying to make more time to actually be creating and less time on the computer. But, like most times I don't find a good balance... now i've got way to many creations to share and my blogging is backed up. Such is my life,  out of balance, but loving it.

I have a really simple technique to share today. Teeny tiny curly q's, perfect for decorating pumkins as tendrils or leaves or as some spooky black cobwebs.

Here's how I did it... Gather up your supplies; cardstock, patterned paper (Authentique Irresistible Collection), a bunch of tiny leave die cuts (Sizzix), Pumpkin and swirl (Sizzix), inks button, twine... all the usual goodies.

Flick some paint on to the stamped sentiment.

I inked some cardstock so that when I create the curly q's you see a variation between the front and back green colors.

Trim the thinest strips you can from the edge of the cardstock.

Twist the strips of cardstock around a small round tool and pull off. Now you're ready to attach the curly q's to your card.

And here's the finished card. I'm all about dimension and I love how the curly q's pop off the card.

I layered up all the tiny die cut leaves along the bottom of the card and of course had to add some sparkle with some fall colored rhinestones.

I used this same technique on this card from my Spooky Fall Treats and Goodies Kit.

Like I said simple... easy peasy. Hope you enjoyed the cards. Leter this week i'll have another technique using one of my favorite Sizzix Halloween die-cuts.

1000 posts

This stat just caught my eye when I logged on to blog this morning... my 1000th  post was my last post (homecoming)... 6 years, 312 weeks of being a blogger. If my math is right thats an average of 3.5 posts per week.

There have been times of daily blogging for months, there have been times of weeks of absence. It's been both  fun and frustrating at times. Here's to a 1000 more! 

Wrapping up the details of my last Christmas Card class this morning while the rest of the family works on projects... Niguel, spanish report. Kylah, drawing floor plans. Randy, cabinet trim. Then a family dinner and fun day tomorrow. Have a wonderful weekend!

Oh, if you're local... join me at Timeless Treasures Tuesday 10/30 at 6:30 to make some Christmas Cards. You can give the store a call to sign up 949-888-7151

Fall Card and Decor Kits

I had so much fun creating my Halloween kits I decided I needed to make up some Fall Card and Decor Kits. These kits are perfect for your Thanksgiving celebration or if you're not hosting Thanksgiving maybe they would be great for a cookie party, ladies night bunco, or maybe a tea with friends. Direct link kits in my shop HERE

Here's the whole scene...

Fall Banner to adorn your fireplace. Embellished with pretty newsprint bags. Canvas and dictionary paper flowers add simple finishing touches.

3 Fall themed cards to send or give this holiday season. Cutsom art, 3d pinecone die cut, and an adorable acorn die cut.

Burlap Candle Center Piece: Show your guests just how crafty you are with this cute and easy centerpiece.

Treat Bags: Yummy treats for guests or friends, a pretty doily and custom tag complete the bags. Perfect for nuts or cookies.

Fall Place Cards: perfect for greeting your guests, a special personal touch. A delicate oval die cut makes a plain card extra pretty with pearls and burlap bow.

Just so many fun things to create with in beautiful neutral colors that will coordinate with any of your fall or home decor.

Kit includes all the supplies to create the above projects; all supplies to make banner that reads "Give Thanks, 3 Fall cards with envelopes, approx. 12x24" piece of burlap to create candle center piece and all the ribbon and buttons to embellish, 12 kraft colored treat bags with doily and tag topper, and supplies to make 12 embellished place cards. 4 yards of ribbon, 5 yards of twine, buttons and pearls. Includes full written directions and color copies.

What you'll need to provide:  Adhesive, scissors, paper trimmer, black and brown ink, 3 cans from canned goods and candles,some kind of filler for the cans like oatmeal or coffee beans, glitter and pearl pen, glitter glue or some kind of dimensional paint. That's it everything else will be included for you to get creative.

You can get yours HERE

From the craft table

Heres a peek at my craft table this morning.

Bundles of cards for my next Kit and Crafty Goodie Sale...

And making up new kits that are being released tomorrow. Check those out tomorrow or watch for my newsletter (you can sign up for that over on the top right sidebar)

Hope you have a beautiful Friday :)

What???

71 days till Christmas! Holy cow! I really think its kind of unfair... here in California we really don't have seasons. We don't have fall (ok we had last week but, hello it's 90 degress again), here we are going to the beach just like we have done all summer and then WHAM... Happy Thanksgiving and guess what you're already behind on your Christmas plans.

Thank goodness I have a calendar and many bloggy friends who like to start reminding me in July that Christmas is on the way! I seem to do fine with Christmas and how it relates to my business... Christmas Card classes are well underway in July and again in September and October.

My newsest kit available HERE. Over the summer I made 77 different holiday projects for the summer trade show. And late this summer I wrote material and made samples for two different rounds of my online Holiday Creatables class.

All that and I still have two more Christmas Card classes to go! If you're local join me Tuesday October 30th or Saturday November 17th.

I also have one more holiday idea up my sleeve, the supplies are piling up on my craft table, the ideas are coming together in my head.

Whew! Now it's almost time to get to my personal holdiay to do's. Back to that calendar... I really want to set a deadline date for myself, to have everything finished. Then I can get down to the business of relaxing and enjoying my family for the holidays. Have you started making your plans yet?

Finally

Today the heat finally broke here. Today was beautiful and crisp and lovely. It made me think of this card. Off to open the windows and play outside... Have a beautiful day!

Kits to make getting creative easy

Two new kits to share today... First up the brand new October Card Kit - Fine & Dandy Greetings. I'm in love with this kit... includes supplies to make 6 cards and 2 tags. My personal art, unique die cuts, on trend designs and several sentiments to choose from. You'll love the soft but bold colors and you'll be set for card giving this next month. Available HERE

There's no stopping it the holidays are coming soon. My first Holiday card kit of the season, Snowflake Greetings is now available. Make 7 cards (including one photo card) and 2 tags. Includes all supplies and envelopes to make the cards with printed sentiments page. With your card kit you will receive by email a PDF sentiment page to reprint more if desired and my guide to Holiday Card Making - tips and tricks for mass producing your own holiday cards with articles such as the process of design and getting started. Use my card designs as a jumping off point and design your own or use these 7 beautiful cards for your card giving this coming season. Available HERE

Have a great weekend and hope you find some time to be creative.

Party Time

I've been partying over at the Catch my Party site this week. I have a giveaway going on at their super site of party ideas. Come check it out on the Catch my Party Blog and enter to win and have a look around at Jillians site.

I'm giving away a $50 gift certificate to my shop. :)

Holidays are coming

Theres no stopping it now, the kids are back in school and the holidays are on the way. For me, Christmas is a weekly event. I can't remember the last week I didn't have a holiday project due, for a trade show, magazine, classes. It's always christmas around my craft room. This week I taught a Christmas card class at my local store and I know that a packed room of ladies is now ready to make their own cards. Here's just one of the seven cards we made.

Loving the Authentique Festive papers... the texture, the patterns, the colors... Love them!

Holiday cards are a time to keep it simple since we all probably make a load of cards. I've been really attracted to typography lately and thought i'd make my sentiment the focal point for this card.

You can check out all the cards in the kit available HERE