Sites of the week

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! I know that I have mentioned this before, but I am just throwing it out there again {mostly just as a way to get this post jump started-to be honest}…I am not the biggest fan of Halloween. I don’t have any particular reason why; it’s just never been something that I loved. What’s funny is that can’t remember ever having a bad Halloween. I always had fun costumes. My favorite from when I was young is a Care Bear. I am sure you all recall the plastic costumes with the plastic masks. I don’t know why, but I just loved that one! When I was in middle school, one of my friends and I dressed up as Siamese twin aliens {yes people, seriously!}. Her mom made our costume, which was basically a gigantic jumpsuit so that we could both fit in it. We decorated it with paint pen and sparkly stuff. We then painted our faces and put on antennae. It was a riot. Where am I going with this? I dunno. Anyways, nowadays I am not the biggest fan of all the hoopla that is associated with Halloween. HOWEVER…I do love all things Halloween when it comes to paper crafting! So, that being said, here is my ABC Friday project…

The top…

The bottom…

Frankie detail…

This project all started out with the thought, or should I say question, “What in the world am I going to do for ABC Friday?” Right then I saw my Stamp A Sweet Impression Trick Or Sweet set. Ok, “easy enough, something with candy and this cute image,” I thought. Then I dove through my alterables, and dove and dove… Finally, I found this clear acetate box from www.clearbags.com. I created the top and bottom from Only Orange cardstock that I had run through the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots Embossing Folder. The black ruffled edges are May Arts ribbon that I attached to the inside of the top and bottom with red line tape. I used the same ribbon on the top to create the loop and bow. As for the main image, I popped lil’ Frankie up on dimensionals and topped him off with a red rhinestone. I filled the box with Lindt chocolates with black wrappers…perfect for this project. It is taking every ounce of will power not to dive into those chocolates. I am doing well on my diet and exercise plan, so I have to just keep thinking “just say no.” So far I am down 7.5 pounds. I love the fact that I now have a scale that measures 1/2 pounds, too!! LOL. Ok, this is getting to be a long post, so I am signing off. See you tomorrow with another Sketch For You To Try along with a brand spankin’ new Designer of the Month.

Several weeks ago I was graciously asked to be a Guest Designer for Storage Units, Ink and More {some of you may have heard them referred to by SU Ink}. There images are very cute line drawings that are fun to color, so I accepted the adventure of being one of their first Guest Designers.

This is a card that I created using the Snow Day set that is going to be released this Saturday, November 1st.

The image is actually 3 trees, but I masked them to create a little forest. The peppermint ornaments are topped with Diamond Glaze and I used Diamond Stickles to create the snow beneath the trees. I love putting my sentiments inside circles and, as you can see, that is what I did here. This sentiment comes from a separate sentiment set called Winter Thoughts. The white panel is embossed with the Cuttlebug Christmas Ornaments folder. As for my final touches, I added felt ric-rac from Creative Cafe {from Creative Imaginations} and circle punches with brads in the center.
Last, but not least, I want to take a moment to thank Denise for having me as part of her team this month…THANK YOU! Also, but sure to check out the creations from the SU Ink Design Team on the SU Ink blog HERE.

Hooray…Halloween is just a couple days away and I am in full swing creating all things black and orange. I’ve managed to squeeze in a few holiday projects, too. However, for today I am sticking with Halloween stuff. Since today is What’s Up? Wednesday I chose to use some images from the Totally Witchin’ set from My Favorite Things. I stamped the cauldron in VersaMark on PTI Vintage Cream cardstock and then embossed with Stampendous Marcasite embossing powder. This EP is SO COOL! It’s almost like a mixture of black, silver and glitter embossing powder. It makes the cauldron look very realistic. The fun little monster DP is from DCWV…very cute!

Here’s a detail shot of the embossed cauldron. I used baubles to add more texture and then outlined the image with Copic BV31 to give it a little more “pop.”

Be sure to check out the MFT Forum on SCS for new What’s Up Wednesday challenges. There will also be a chat tonight, see ya there!

It is CHILLY here in North Texas. A cold front came through on Sunday/Monday night and the temps dropped…quickly. Now, I know that many people will not take pity on us here, but trust me…I am COLD! I used that inspiration to create my card for today’s TCP Tuesday challenge. This week Leigh has another fab sketch. The end of this post has all the TCP Tuesday deets.

Here’s my take on it using Cranberry Crisp, Basic Black, Kraft and PTI Vintage Cream with Cosmo Cricket DP…

I wanted to take a minute and show you some of the details. First, I used two different kinds of ribbon. The ribbon that goes all the way around is a grosgrain and then I tied two separate strips of organdy ribbon into the knot. To give the card some extra texture, I took my heat gun and “curled” {melt} the organdy. Be VERY careful when you try this! The ribbon will melt very quickly and sometimes it gets holes in it or it can catch fire. Nope, that hasn’t happened to me, but I have come close a time or two.

Second, when using an embossing folder, you don’t have to embossed the entire panel. I have used this idea/technique/whatever the heck you want to call it a number of times and each time I get responses that read, “I would have never thought to use it that way.” By no means is this an original idea, but rather just a little something to tuck away in your idea book.

So, wanna play along?…EVERYONE can! Here’s what you are gonna want to know…
1. Each a week one of the The Cat’s Pajamas DT Members will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, color,theme/inspiration, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until {this} Saturday night to complete the challenge.
4. Link your project on this week’s hostess’ challenge announcement. This week you will link your project on Leigh’s TCP Tuesday post.
5. TCP stamps are not required, but of course, highly encouraged. {Unless it is a challenge calling for a specific stamp}
6. There will be one winner each month. They will be deemed that month’s Swankiest Stamper and get $25 in Cat’s Cash {money to spend on the TCP site!}.
7. When uploading to SCS, please use the keyword TCPTUES31 for this challenge.
8. Alma will post the entries from the week the following Monday on her blog.
9. The newly crowned Swanky Stamper will be announced on the First of the Month and have his/her winning entry posted on The Cat’s Pajamas website where he/she will reign for the entire month.
10. Oh yea…HAVE FUN!

A week or so ago Paper Crafts Magazine sent out an email asking if anyone would like to spread the word about their {upcoming}latest and greatest publication, Paper Crafts Gourmet. I love just about anything Paper Crafts, so I said I would love to spread the word. Here is a peek into what is in this YUM-O publication {please note that this is not a my project or recipe}…

Deets on the project by Alisa Bangerter…
SUPPLIES: Cardstock: (ivory) Dye ink: (Black) Stewart Superior Corp.; (Summer Sun) Stampin’ Up! Specialty ink: (Mango Lemonade color wash) Stewart Superior Corp. Color medium: (black chalk) Craf-T Products Accents: (black brads) Making Memories; (chipboard bat, moon) Melissa Frances Fibers: (black striped ribbon) Pebbles Inc. Font: (Black Family) www.dafont.com Adhesive: (foam tape) Finished size: 3″ x 4 1/2″

1. Make tag from cardstock. 2. Crumple tag and smooth out. Spray edges with color wash; let dry. Apply chalk. 3. Ink chipboard moon; let dry. Chalk edges and adhere. 4. Ink chipboard bat; let dry. Adhere with foam tape. 5. Print sentiment on cardstock; trim and tear edges. Chalk edges and adhere with foam tape. Attach brads. Attach ribbon with brad.

Here are the YUM-O biscuits that are featured with this project. Don’t these just look like the ones that you can get at Red Lobster? I swear I can take down a half dozen of those without blinking. Well, I could have. I’ve been doing good on my diet, so I would probably be happy with one. Um, ok, make it two.

Here’s the recipe for those DELISH biscuits…
Cheesy Garlic Drop Biscuits
Alisa Bangerter

This is a perfect recipe to pull out if you are short on time because there is no rolling or cutting. The cheese and garlic add extra kick to a plain biscuit, and kids love them. They are the perfect accompaniment to serve with soups or stews, and are great served with a salad.

INGREDIENTS
2 c. flour
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 c. butter or margarine
1 1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese
1 1/4 c. milk
Chives (optional)

DIRECTIONS
Mix together dry ingredients. Cut in butter with pastry cutter until mixture is fine. Add cheese and mix well. Add milk and stir until just moistened. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased baking sheet. Sprinkle top with chopped dried or fresh chives if desired. Bake at 400 degrees for approx. 15 minutes.