Happy Halloween

I don't buy many Halloween sets because I really don't use them that much.  The boot set has boots for other occasions and the set with the monster also has a bat, a spider, a ghost, and a mummy so I will get a few years out of it.

Honeycomb Halloween Idea

 When we were in Branson, I spent a lot of time in a scrapbook store there.  They had these cards that are dimensional when you open them.  Remember those old time decorations made with honeycomb paper?  That is what this is.  So Jim had this idea to put a mask on the squirrel and turn the acorn over and make it a jack-o-lantern.  For thanksgiving I have one of these made the way it suppose to be that I will post.  And I may even tell you how I used honeycomb paper when I taught calculus.  I know you can't wait for that explanation.

Turtles

I try to make cards with a variety of things on them that people like or collect.  I met a lady a few years ago at a craft show that always looked for turtles.  This die of the turtles is a multi-tasker.  I used the cut out on one card and the negative on the other.  The stamp set is Nature's Nest from Stampin Up.

Versatile Stamp

I bought this stamp when I was in Branson.  There is a great scrapbook store there that I can't resist going into.  I thought this stamp would be good for Easter, Christmas, or sympathy so I bought it.  I haven't made the Easter version yet.

Another Asian Card

For some reason red and black cards look Asian to me.  That is why I am calling this one another Asian card.  It is just one I have in my stash for when I need a thank you card.

Dragonflies and Turtles

I always get people looking for cards with turtles and cards with dragonflies.  So here are two that I made recently.  The left turtle is stamped on very vanilla card stock and a sheet of vellum was attached using a brad.  This gives the card a softer look.

Fall in Florida

People say to me all the time, you don't have seasons in Florida.  Well, yes we do.  True our leaves don't drop now, they do that in the spring, but the humidity and temperatures do start dropping by October.

Mr. and Mrs.

Our good friend's daughter is getting married today. I made the card, though this is not the card we gave her and Jim made the gift, all stained glass.  When it came to wrapping the gift, I used some white paper that comes in a huge roll.  I used it to cover bulletin boards back when I taught.  I stamped it all over and used some Stampin' Up! rub ons with various lovey expressions.

Baby Cards

I thought the card on the left could be used for someone having twins but still would be ok for a single also.  The card on the right uses a doily cut from some retired Stampin' Up designer paper.  It reminds me that I need to send a card to our niece and her new baby girl.

Lemonade

I have a great recipe for blackberry lemonade if anyone wants it.  It takes time to make because you have to try to get some of the seeds out.  It is so good on a hot day but so full of sugar that I try to limit my intake.  I saw a card like this on splitcoast and had to copy.  The jar has vellum on top of it which was lightly shaded with yellow ink on the back. The straw is just hand cut and smears of red ink dabbed on it.  Leighastamps posted a card similar to this on splitcoast stampers which gave me the idea to use mine.  Maybe a wine version should be next.

Canning Jars

Whoever decides these things has decided that canning jars are in this year.  I have had this jar stamp for at least 10 years and never used it.  But since I have issues with getting rid of things, I am using the jar.  Stampin Up has one that is a little shorter and much nicer for using on cards but I am too cheap to buy a new one.

Asian Garden

I love this lady from one of my Stampin Up retired sets.  I always have a hard time sending them to someone though because I never know what to put for a sentiment.  The "dream"  I use for graduations.

Jury Duty

I am scheduled for jury duty today.  Hopefully if I get picked it will not be for a big time crime.  So I thought today would be a good day to show some of Jim's work.  It is so difficult to photograph glass.  It needs light behind it but our windows have either screens or divided bars on them.  Can you see the screen on this one?  This is an awesome piece which is a mermaid riding a wave and a horse at the top of the wave.

Shadow Box Card

Dragon flies are one of the things people seem to collect.  This one is in a shadow box. Let me see if I can explain how to make the box.  You will need a 4 inch by 4 inch piece of double sided designer paper.  I used Stampin' Up Comfort Cafe.
Fold the paper in half both directions.  Open it back up and you should see a cross in the folds.  Now bring each of the corners up to the center of your square.  Now bring the tip of the triangle down to it's base.  Be sure to crease your folds well.

Craft Show Season Begins

Today is our first show of the fall season.  We are going to some different venues this year and hopefully will meet some new card customers.  I am bringing along all of my boot cards today and I hope they are a hit.

The Boot Stamp

 I love this boot which is one of the first stamp sets I ordered from the new Stampin' Up! catalog when it came out in June.  I have a bunch more that I will be showing.

The Pigs Again

I thought I didn't take a picture of my bagged up pig candy that I took my nephews but I found one.  It was still on my camera.  They sort of melted on the way to see them so the pigs were flat.  They didn't care.

October Birthdays

Can you believe it is already October?  I sure can't.  It seems like we were just planning our summer and now it is over.  Well, the heat here isn't over just the season.  Let me see who I can think of with birthdays this month:  Emilie, Carol, Linda, Pippa, and I am sure I missed some.  Happy birthday to all our friends and family.