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Halloween Treat Creature Feature

TRICK OR TREAT!

Halloween-Treat-Creatures

Aren’t these scary creatures just the cutest?  They’re not only adorable but they hold a delicious chocolate treat. Wouldn’t they make the sweetest party favors for the classroom, coworkers, neighbors and friends?! I hung them on this tree I found at Michael’s and placed them on my entry table ready to hand out to those special trick-or-treaters who show up on All Hallows Eve!

Halloween-Treat-Creatures-o

Directions:

Cardstock:  Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant

Ink:  Momento

Accessories:  Tag Topper Scallop Punch, 3/4″ Circle Punch, 1/2″ Circle Punch, Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, Cupcake Builder Punch, Project Life Journaling Pens, Glue Dots

Treat Holder:  The treat holder is made using a piece of card stock measuring 2″ x 7-3/4″ that is punched on both ends with the Tag Topper Scallop Punch.  Score the strip of card stock at 3-3/8″ from each end, fold at the score lines then adhere the tag together at the top using Glue Dots.  The little slot in the middle of the tag is the perfect size for a chocolate nugget candy which I attached with a Glue Dot.

Faces:  The eyes are made using the 3/4″ Circle Punch for the eyeball and the 1/2″ Circle Punch for the iris.  I used the Cupcake Builder Punch for the small dots in the eyes.  For the witch’s and monster’s eyelids I used the 3/4″ Circle punch cutting the circle in half.  The witch’s nose is a 1/2″ circle cut in half with a small dot made from the Cupcake Builder Punch for her wart.  The monster’s nose is made using the Small Oval Punch.

Monster:  Frankie’s hair was made by punching a scrap of Elegant Eggplant cardstock with the Tag Topper Scallop Punch and fringing the other end with scissors then gluing it on the tag.  His mouth and scars were drawn with a Project Life Journaling Pen.

Witch:  The witch’s hair was made by punching a scrap of Elegant Eggplant cardstock with the Tag Topper Scallop Punch and fringing the other end with scissors then gluing it on the tag.  A few other strips of cardstock were then glued on the edges.  Her hat is a triangle with a rectangular strip of paper with two rounded corners made using the corner rounder punch.  The hat band was a smaller rectangle with rounded corners.  The witch’s mouth is drawn with a Project Life Journaling Pen.

Mummy:  The mummy is “wrapped” by using three 2″ strips of Whisper White cardstock that are torn and sponged on the edges using Momento ink then glued on.

Bat:  The bat’s wings are made using the Large Oval Punch and the 1/2″ Circle Punch.  His teeth and ears are small triangles and I drew his mouth with a chalk pen that I had in my stash.

Vampire:  The Count’s hair line was made by punching a scrap of Basic Black cardstock with the Tag Topper Scallop Punch and the 1/2″ Circle Punch.  His cape, teeth and eyebrows are made by cutting triangles.  The Count’s mouth is drawn with a Project Life Journaling Pen.

12 Weeks of Christmas – Week Three!!!

Gift Box Punch Board

This week’s project was made using the Stampin’ Up! Gift Box Punch Board.  It’s a fun element to add to holiday packaging, creating containers just right for that special gift.  Create boxes up to 4-inch square.  The sizing chart and instructions are even printed on the board making it a sinch to use!  View the video at the end of this post for a live demonstration of this nifty gadget! 

12-WKS-Christmas---WK-3

Aren’t these gift boxes cute?  They are the smallest measuring 1-3/4″ square.   I used a 6 x 6-inch piece of Old Olive Cardstock for the box and a scrap of Red Glimmer Paper and Whisper White Cardstock for the tag.  The Merry Christmas sentiment is from the Petite Pairs Stamp Set and was stamped using Cherry Cobbler Ink.  The box is tied together using 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon in Old Olive.  I used the 1-1/4″ Scallop Circle Punch and the 1-3/4″ Scallop Circle Punch for the tag and used Stampin’ Dimensionals to assemble the tag and adhere it to the box.  View the video below for a full tutorial on how I assembled the boxes using the Gift Box Punch Board.

 

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Twelve Days of Christmas – Week Two!

Lovely As a Tree Card

 

Lovely-as-a-Tree-Card

This card is made with a classic Stampin’ Up! stamp set, Lovely As a Tree.  Using the “stamp off” technique there appears to be a forest of trees.  The simple technique adds a lot of depth to the card giving it a rich look.  Extra drama was added with a sprinkling of Dazzling Diamonds on the tree branches giving the effect that they are frost covered.  The video below includes all the dimensions and techniques used in the making of this card.  

Products:

Stamps:  Lovely As a Tree 128655 (w) 127793 (c), Bright & Beautiful 135056 (w) 135029 (c)

Cardstock:  Whisper White 100730, Always Artichoke 105119

Ink:  Always Artichoke 126972

Accessories:  Dazzling Diamonds 133751

 

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Sweet Scarecrow Card & Memory Keeping Pages

Scary-Scarecrow

My thanks to fellow Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator Diana Ball for her original design that I CASED for this cute scarecrow!  I ended up making two of the darling faces and used one for a card and one for a scrapbook page layout:

Scary-Scarecrow-CardSweet Scarecrow Card

 

Scary-Scarecrow-Page-LayoutSweet Scarecrow Double Page Scrapbook Layout

Directions:

The scarecrow’s face is a 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ square of Very Vanilla Cardstock that I embossed with the Chevron Embossing Folder then sponged the edges with Early Espresso Ink.  The 1″ Circle Punch and the 3/4″ Circle Punch were used for her eyes and eyelids and the heart punch from the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack for her rosy cheeks.  I cut a triangle for her nose and used the Extra Large Oval Punch for her mouth.  Her eyelids, nose and cheeks are adhered using Stampin’ Dimensionals.    The “straw” surrounding her face was made with a 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ square of Crumb Cake and Early Espresso Cardstock that were fringed on the edges with Fringe Scissors.  I glued the two pieces of “straw” squares together with Snail Adhesive then attached the face to the “straw” with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Introducing Twelve Weeks of Christmas!!!

Twelve Weeks of Christmas!!!

Today starts the beginning of twelve weeks of Christmas projects.  If you’ve looked at your calendars you will see that I’m already a week behind!  No worries, twelve total projects will be posted so stay tuned and look for a bonus post before jolly, old St. Nick arrives! Join my email list now to make sure you don’t miss a single one!

My first project in this series is this delightful little gift bag.  I think it’s the perfect size for a small cellophane bag of bath salts, tea light or votive candles, a gift card and candies or, of course, cash! 

12-Wks-of-Christmas-2014---

Directions (view the video below for a complete tutorial):

The bag is made with All Is Calm Designer Series Paper. I used a 12″ x 6″ piece of the DSP and scored it in landscape mode at 1-3/4″, 5-1/2″, 7-1/4″ and 11″.  Then, in portrait mode, I scored at 1-3/4″ and 5-1/2″.  For the tag I used the Endless Wishes Stamp Set, stamping the snowflakes with Soft Sky Ink and the sentiment with Black StazOn Ink onto a 2″ circle punched from Whisper White Card Stock. Using Stampin’ Dimensionals I attached the stamped circle to a 2-3/8″ scallop circle punched from Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper.  The circles were attached with Dimensionals to a 2″ x 4″ piece of Pear Pizzazz Card Stock that I flagged at one end.  The tag is attached to the bag using Snail Adhesive.    Finally, the bag is tied up cute with Pear Pizzazz Cotton Ribbon and sprinkled with Rhinestone Basic Jewels.   

 

Frightful Wreath and DYI Wreath Stand

Frightful-Wreath-on-Stand

 

Fright-Wreath-Spider

Frightful Wreath Simply Created Kit

We’re entering that Bootiful time of the year when I like to pull out my Halloween decorations.  This wreath was assembled in about 30 minutes using Stampin’ Up!’s Frightful Wreath Simply Created Kit and the coordinating stamp set Frightful Wreath.  I love the bling of the beaded spider – so cute!  The 17″ wreath is perfect for hanging on a door, window or a mirror but I wanted to place it on my entry table and after seeing this pin on Pinterest I decided to get my power tool self on and assemble my own wreath stand.

The materials for the wreath stand are simple and inexpensive.  I found everything I needed at Hobby Lobby or in our garage and probably invested less than $5 .  Here are the materials needed:

Wreath-Stand-Materials

 

5/8″ Dowel Rod

5″ x 5″ Wooden Base

1″ Wooden Doohickey for the top of the stand

Extra-Strength Adhesive

Small Flat Head Screw (not shown)

Small Cup Hook (not shown)

Flat Black Spray Paint (not shown)

 

 

First I cut the dowel rod 20-inches long using a small saw.  Then I drilled a hole in the base to place the dowel rod. ( I would recommend a drill bit the same size as your dowel but since we didn’t have a 5/8″ bit mine was slightly larger than the rod.)   Next I  placed the adhesive into the drilled hole and set the dowel into it.  The topper doohickey was glued on at this time as well.  After letting the adhesive dry overnight, to give the stand a little more stability, I decided to drill a flat head screw through the bottom of the base.  If your drill bit is the same diameter as your dowel this step is probably not necessary.  After spray painting the stand flat black and letting it dry completely  I added a small cup hook to hang the wreath on.

Wreath-Stand-BaseWreath-Stand-Cup-Hook

Without counting drying time it probably took me about an hour to assemble the wreath stand.  I’m really happy with the results and it was so easy to make I’m thinking maybe a gold one for Christmas decorating is in order!

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September My Paper Pumpkin, Weekly Deals and Clearance Rack

September My Paper Pumpkin

I know I say this every month, but this month’s My Paper Pumpkin Kit is AWESOME!  It’s always a great day when that little orange box is waiting for me in the mailbox!  Although we previewed the September kit at Convention this year I still had a lot of fun tearing open the box when it arrived!

 

Here are my completed treat bags.  Aren’t they adorable?  I’m one of those moms who still loves to surprise her adult children with Halloween treats so I will probably  fill these with some candy and slip in a gift card.

Sept-14-Paper-Pumpkin

 

If you are interested in My Paper Pumpkin there are two ways to subscribe:

  1. MONTH-TO-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION:  It’s convenient and low risk – you can put it on hold or cancel anytime.  $19.95 a month (shipping included).  For MONTH-TO-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION sign up today HERE.
  2. PREPAID SUBSCRIPTION:  Enjoy the fun every month – or give one for a gift!  As low as $17.95 a month (shipping included).  To purchase a prepaid subscription click on the desired length of subscription below:

This quick video from Stampin’ Up! demonstrates how to assemble the treat bags.  Hope I can produce such quality video when I grow up – lol!!!

 Weekly Deals September 23 thru September 29

Weekly Deals

To find out more information or to purchase any item on the Weekly Deal list click on the item below:

Grateful Card

GRATEFUL CARD

 

Grateful-Card

Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back so it must be that time of year again!  Don’t you love the colors of Fall?  I’m drawn to the full, rich autumnal yellows, reds and oranges.  I created this card with that in mind using the deep brown of Early Espresso as a base and layering with some of the new In-Colors; Hello Honey, Tangelo Twist and Mossy Meadow.  The stamp set I used was Gratitude for Days from the Holiday Catalog.  Here’s a video tutorial for the card:

Weekly Deals – September 16 thru September 22

Love the Stampin’ Up! Weekly Deals the last few weeks!   I’ve added several punches to my collection already and will be ordering the Sweetheart Punch this week for sure.  For more information about each Weekly Deal product click on the product image below.

 

• Gold 1/8″ Ribbon $3.71
• Happy Hour $22.46
• Label Card Thinlits Die $24.71
• Sweetheart Punch $11.96
• Tangerine Tango Baker’s Twine $2.21
• Essentials Wooden Elements $3.71
• Write Stuff II Digital Kit – Digital Download $5.97
• Yippee-Skippee! Wood-mount Stamp Set $14.21

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Memory Keeping with Stampin’ Up!

MEMORY KEEPING

I would like to introduce you to the newest member of our family . . . (drum roll). . .  Ladies and Gentlemen please meet my newest grandson, Riley!

Riley

Isn’t he about the cutest little thing you every did see!  I am now the proud Grandma to two adorable boys and it is the best ever!  Here’s my other little favorite guy, Sam.

Sam-at-the-Pool-blog-phto

Love these two!  Each visit with these precious boys along with their parents is sweet and leaves fond memories.  Of course we take tons of photos when we’re together but those photos rarely get printed and into an album to enjoy.

In comes Jenny!  Jenny is a new gal to my Stampin’ Style classes who wanted to make traditional scrapbook pages instead of cards.  I had so much fun making these samples for her to create!  The process has helped me to determine (again!) to record our family memories.  I’ve already uploaded and ordered photos from Riley’s first day in the world to put on these pages – perfect timing.  Thanks Jenny!

Scrapbook-Page(Thanks to fellow Demonstrator Kay Kalthoff for her layout that I borrowed and made my own.)

Scrapbook-Page-2

Another, quicker memory keeping method which I will probably turn to for help in catching up on those piles of photos, is Project Life by Stampin’ Up!  I started an album when Project Life by Stampin’ Up! debuted this Spring.  See that blog post HERE.  I’m working with the Everyday Adventure Project Life Card Collection right now but can’t wait to start using the Seasonal Snapshot Card Collection for the holidays.  And, shhh, don’t tell anyone, but there is a certain daughter and daughter-in-law who will be receiving the Little Moments Project Life Card Collection and Playground Project Life Card Collection for Christmas!

Here’s a video showing just how quick and easy Project Life by Stampin’ Up! is to use.  The video showcases the Love Story Project Life Card Collection and Accessory Pack.  Gotta Love It!!!!

Goodbye Summer, Hello Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog!

holiday-catalog-blog-post

 

We just celebrated Labor Day which to some is the official end of Summer.  No better way to get over the end-of-summer blues than to start planning for the next season!  Although it was EXTREMELY hot here in Kansas City this weekend, I started pulling out all my fun Fall decorations and putting them out.  That process got me motivated to do a bit of freshening up and deep cleaning.  No more worrying about the “pop in” because, for today at least,  my house is guest ready!

Another reason to smile about the loss of Summer?  The 2014 Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog went live on August 28th!  It is chock full of great stuff to make your holiday gatherings, greetings and decorating awesome!  Follow the link in the side bar of this post to view a full-color PDF copy of the catalog.  If you would like to get your hands on a paper copy I would be happy to send you one.  Just email your request to me:  Leslie@theplaidpoodle.com.

 

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 Click on the Weekly Deals photo above to shop for this week’s specials!

BACK TO SCHOOL ENSEMBLE – DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
Price: $17.95 $10.77

BUTTONS & BLOSSOMS SIMPLY PRESSED MOLDS
Price: $7.95 $5.96
ISLAND INDIGO CLASSIC STAMPIN’ INK REFILL
Price: $2.95 $2.21
POOL PARTY CLASSIC STAMPIN’ INK REFILL
Price: $2.95 $2.21
SOFT SKY CLASSIC STAMPIN’ INK REFILL
Price: $2.95 $2.21
STRAWBERRY SLUSH CLASSIC IN COLOR STAMPIN’ INK REFILL
Price: $2.95 $2.21
WHITE SIMPLY PRESSED CLAY
Price: $6.95 $5.21

Short and Sweet!

Short and Sweet

Take your passion for paper, stamps and ink to a new level!  If you’ve been waiting to join Stampin’ Up!, wait no longer! When you join between August 21–28 you will receive $150 worth of products in your Starter Kits for just $99! Talk about a sweet deal! Contact me today to learn how you can get in on this great offer, but hurry—it’s only here for a short time!

You can enjoy all Stampin’ Up! discounts and benefits! – here are just a few highlights!

• Customize! Choose up to $150 worth of any Stampin’ Up! products for $99!
• A 30 percent discount on your first order (minimum $150 order placed within 45 days) . . . Imagine getting 30% off all the new goodies!
• A 20 percent discount on all your orders.
• The starter kit ships FREE (another 10% savings).
• Although you’re going to want to there’s no obligation to host workshops or purchase anything further.

Hobby Stampers Are Welcome Here!

READY TO GET STARTED?

JoinNowCTA

 

 

 

Hello Card

Sorry I haven’t posted in a while.  After a couple weeks of not feeling very well I finally broke down and went to the doctor yesterday.  Two prescriptions later I am feeling a little better this morning.  Do you ever keep waiting to feel better and then forget how better feels – lol!  I think that is where I was at when it dawned on me yesterday that I was tired of feeling sick and tired and maybe there was something I could do about it.

Even though I have been pretty sluggish this week I was able to do a little creating.  Here is a card that I made for a Stampin’ Up! Group Meeting I’m attending on Saturday.

Hello-FW

Not knowing how it would turn out I wasn’t too thrilled about this card at first.  When I finished it however it became one of  my new favorite cards!  I love how all the elements when put together make this a WOW card!  The colors used are the new Stampin’ Up! In-Colors – can’t get enough of them!  Also, the more I use the Hardwood stamp the more I like it.  The stamp really adds a lot of depth to this card.  The tag, which takes center stage, is a Framelit from the Chalk Talk Framlit Dies.  Stampin’ Up! is currently running a promotion for the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine.  If you’re interested see all the details HERE.

I would be happy to share the Project PDF for this card with you.  Just sign up for my e-mail list.  If you are already on my list send me a quick email requesting the “Hello” card PDF.  My email is Leslie@theplaidpoodle.com

 

What’s the BIG Deal?

 

Big Shot Header

Big Shot and Bundles

If you’re anything like me, you absolutely love when BIG opportunities come your way. And the Big Shot is a big deal Stampin’ Up! is offering for the entire month of August!

With a purchase of a Big Shot in August, you will receive one of five free stamp set/framelits bundles below, your choice!  Not only that, but if you already own a Big Shot, you can still purchase these designated bundles at an amazing 15% off! This is one deal you won’t want to miss-only available from August 1-31-as these bundles are one-time only exclusives.

Two Choices:

1) Buy a Big Shot, Item #113439 and get a free bundle below.

  and/or

2) Buy a discounted bundle below at a 15% discount.

Bundles                                            Item #        Stamp Set                     Framelits                  Price

Sumthin’ w/Bubbly Words (C)    138920       Sumthin’ Sumthin’        Word Bubbles            $31.25

Sumthin’ w/Bubbly Words (W)   138923        Sumthin’ Sumthin’       Word Bubbles            $33.75

Decorative Goodies (C)                  138921        Oh My Goodies              Deco Labels                $35.95

Decorative Goodies (W)                138924       Oh My Goodies               Deco Labels                $42.25

Celebrating Chalk Talk (C)           138922        Day of Celebration        Chalk Talk                   $37.25

Celebrating Chalk Talk (W)          138925        Day of Celebration        Chalk Talk                   $43.25

Flowery Daydream (C)                  138910        Daydream Medallions   Floral Collection        $45.75

Flowery Daydream (W)                 138911        Daydream Medallions   Floral Collection        $54.25

Bright & Beautiful Stars*              138200        Bright & Beautiful           Star                              $43.95

Bright & Beautiful Stars*             138644        Bright & Beautiful           Star                              $50.75

*From Holiday Catalog

 

Queen Bee Girls Night Out and FREE Shipping!

Last night I had the opportunity to participate in the Queen Bee Girls Night Out event at the Zona Rosa Town Center in my community.  Such a fun evening full of music, food and shopping!  Here is a photo of me with my table.  I apologize for the quality of the photo but the lighting was not the best.  The table appears to be a hot mess but up close and personal I think it was presentable – lol!

Queen-Bee-Girls-Night-Out-T

Guests who stopped by the table were able to make this cute little tag.  We used a stamp from the Work of Art stamp set creating an ombre effect by using the stamping off technique (a fancy term for stamping off on scratch paper before stamping onto project – lol!).  I absolutely love the Work of Art stamp set and use it a lot!

Make-&-Take-Tag

What Girls Night Out is complete without prizes?!  Each vendor supplied a gift to be raffled off.  There are so many beautiful products in the Stampin’ Up! Catalog I just couldn’t decide so my donation to the event was the catalog along with a gift certificate.  I’m so excited to see what the winner chooses!

Queen-Bee-Girls-Night-Out-G

As a show special I am offering FREE shipping for all orders placed by Monday, August 4, 2014 at 10 AM.  To receive FREE shipping you must place your order with me directly.  For FREE shipping email your order to Leslie@theplaidpoodle.com with your contact information.    If you have any questions or need help with your order please do not hesitate to email me with your contact information.  My email is leslie@theplaidpoodle.com

Can I Have Fries With That?

I took an extra early flight out to Convention last week so that I could attend an optional class.  We created this adorable favor using the Fry Box Bigz L Die.  Isn’t it cute?  This project convinced me that I had to order the die.  It will be perfect for creating all sorts of fun for the upcoming Fall and Holiday gatherings coming up!

Fry-Box-1

Fry-Box-3

The box was made using the Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine along with the Fry Box Bigz L Die. The lid was made using the Oval Accent Bigz Clear Die.  The box clasp was made using a Mini Brad with a Pearl Basic Jewel attached. Hint:  Attach the brad “loose” by slipping the edge of your paper snips between the brad base and box.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to purchase a Big Shot, that time is August! When you buy a Big Shot during the month of August, you’ll receive your choice of one of five FREE exclusive stamp set and Framelits bundles (that’s up to a $60 US value absolutely free!).   If you already own a Big Shot, we’re also offering a 15-percent discount on these select bundles. Check back on August 1 to get all of the details!

Supplies:

Cardstock:  All Abloom Designer Series Paper Stacks 133703, Island Indigo 122923, Daffodil Delight 119683, Whisper White 100730

Stamps:  Tag Talk 134249 (W), 134252 (C)

Ink:  Island Indigo 126986

Accessories:  Fry Box Bigz L Die 132966, Oval Accent Bigz Clear Die 127005, 1-3/4″ Circle Punch 119850, Label Bracket Punch 132153, 1/8″ Circle Paper Punch 134365, 1/8″ Mini Brads 122941, Pearl Basic Jewels 119247, Mini Metallic Clothespins 133320, 1/8″ Gold Ribbon 134583, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine 113439

Big Shot

 

Fry Box

 

         

 

Oval Accent Bigz Clear