It's The Great Pumpkin!

Having BIG fall fun up here in northern Michigan this weekend.

Hope you are too!!

SVG Challenge--Halloween (Not A Card)

Looking for something to do this weekend?  
Create a Halloween project--anything but a card--using a SVG (or similar) file and enter it into this week's challenge.  You could win a $5 Gift Certificate or special artistic recognition.
Need inspiration?  Check out the twelve spooky Halloween projects from the very creative DT!  All the fun is over at our sister site:  CREATIVE CUTTING CHALLENGE.

Cool Stuff--#6

I love shopping at my local thrift shop.  The other day I found this Sudoku game.  I bought it for the numbered tiles as I thought that they'd be great on cards, tags and multimedia projects.  Of course there are no "0's" but for 75 cents, I couldn't go wrong!  I thought I'd pitch the game board but when I opened the box, I discovered that it is glass--nice and thick with beveled edges.  With the grid on it, it makes a perfect cutting or gluing surface--double score!!

Iris Folding Cards

Here's the last project I was able to do during my August "Craft-Cation".  Above is the Iris Folding Card that my Mom taught us.  What makes this card super fast and easy to make is that I took the square cutout base and created a SVG file that has four of them fitted to a 8.5" x 11" piece of cardstock.  By using my electronic cutter, I can have four card bases cut and ready to go in just a few moments.  Iris folding cards are a great way to use up your paper scraps too.  If you're interested in how to create them, do a Google search for instructions.  This square design is super easy.  

I'm entering this cards into the following challenges:

PENNY'S PAPER CRAFTY--#95 MORE THAN 1 FOLD

Here are some other cards I made:

This base is cut from ivory cardstock.  I used blue and brown patterned papers, brown ribbon and a blue button.  Great birthday card for a guy! 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

THE SISTERHOOD OF CRAFTERS--HAPPY BIRTHDAY

CRAFTY CALENDER--BROWNS & CREAMS

This base was cut from kraft.  Same brown and blue patterned paper as the card above.  I used alcohol ink to color the clear square gem to match. 

These last two cards use papers in greens and pinks. 

This card is entered into the following challenge:

RIBBON CARDS--PINK & GREEN COLOUR

The sentiment I used above was actually on one long line.  Using masks, I stacked the words so that they would fit into the opening.

Supplies:

Four 3/4" Strips of designer paper

Cardstock Card Base (cut with SCAL and Cricut)

Purple Cardstock

Stamped Sentiment:  Theresa Collins Fabrications "Linen"

Yellow Ribbon

Scotch Tape

Halloween Test Tube Holder

Velcome to my LA-Boratory!   

I had lots of fun creating this creepy crawly test tube holder for the second challenge over at CREATIVE CUTTING CHALLENGE.  The theme for this two week challenge is "HALLOWEEN--NOT A CARD".  I hope you'll play along if you use SVG (or similiar files) in your crafting.  Pop over to the challenge blog for rules and be sure to check out the 12 projects the Design Team has for you---you'll be in awe!

To create this piece, I used a test tube holder file from Creations By AR .  The hole in the original file was too big so I made it smaller and also created arched pieces to go behind the test tube.  I used the heaviest black cardstock I could find to cut the holder.  You definitely need a 12 x 12 piece and you have to turn the file to get it to fit.  I also used scraps of Halloween paper for the bottom, distressing the sides with Black Soot Distress Ink.  With scraps of yellow cardstock, I stamped the spiderweb on the inner arch, stamped the calendar and cut part of the BOO heading.  The heading and spider are from my newest freebie-- BOO SPIDER FREEBIE.  

The BOO sign is in a Tim Holtz Memo Pin which is stuck into the cork.

I added yellow Stickle eyes to the spider and attached him to the test tube using a glue dot.

Finished off the bottom with a ribbon and then filled with candy.  A sweet and spooky Halloween treat!

I entered this project into the following Challenges:

HIDING IN MY CRAFT ROOM--#64 HALLOWEEN

CRAFTY MESS--#18 DISTRESSED/AGED

Quick & Easy Halloween Favor

Here's another piece I created during my August "Craft-cation". 

This project was taught by my little sis, PAPER SQUIRREL. 

Can you guess what household item is used to make the base of the favor? 

Its an empty TP roll! 

Here are the design details:

• Flatten your TP roll and make sure it's free of stray paper.  Adhere decorative paper to the roll.  I used four scrap pieces of Halloween paper (a GREAT way to use up those scraps). 
• Using a small punch or awl, add a row of holes along the bottom and whipstitch it closed.
• Punch two holes at top at each crease and add a ribbon or wire hanger.  I used Cosmo Cricket "Haunted" ribbon.

Decorate the pocket and fill as desired.  I used a pumpkin stamp from Inkadinkado and stuffed the pocket with a scrap of burlap, silk leaf and a grapevine star.  You could also fill with candy.

I've entered this piece into the following Challenges:

 STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS--#66 PARTY FAVORS

CREATIVE CRAFT CHALLENGES--ANYTHING GOES

TOP TIP TUESDAY--RECYCLE IT (toilet paper roll)

LOVE TO CREATE--#33 THINGS WITH WINGS (bat)

FASHIONABLE STAMPING--#30 GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES

PILE IT ON--#38 STITCH UP

Tim Tag #3

This is the last of my currently completed tags from the "Creative Chemistry 101" class.  I have more backgrounds, but need to finish the tags!  On this tag, I used the Distress Crackle Paint for the first time and really liked how it came out.  Of course I had to go buy some as the paint I used on this tag was borrowed. 

I had stamped the butterflies and they just didn't "pop" from the tag.  What to do?  I borrowed some CRACKLE ACCENTS (so nice that my Craft-Cation guests brought new things for me to play with!) and added it to the large butterfly and that made it pop right off the tag!  I liked the cracked glossy because it defined the sections of the butterfly's wings.

Here's a close up of my burst of creative ingenuity.  I had bought a container of plain white ceramic tiles (the kind used for mosaics) because they were cheap and I figured I could do something with them.  I added the color with alcohol inks and then used rub on letters to create "FLY". 

Entering this tag in the following Challenge:

ANYTHING BUT A CARD--#2 TEXTURE

HIDING IN MY CRAFT ROOM--#63 DISTRESSING

OUR CRAFT LOUNGE--#134 TWINE

RAISE THE BAR--#111 I BELIEVE I CAN FLY

Halloween SVG Freebie

Some new spooky SVG sets for you and a Freebie too!

Get the Coffin Card HERE

Get the Jack Pumpkins HERE

Get the Free File HERE

Have you heard about the new Challenge Blog 

 CREATIVE CUTTING CHALLENGE?  

You can use any SVG file.  Just enter a current project and be in the random drawing for a great prize and artistic recognition! Check out what the eight talented ladies on the DT created...even if you're not an SVG user, you'll love the inspiration!

Tim Tag #2

Here's another tag I did based on what Tim Holtz taught in his CREATIVE CHEMISTRY 101 class.  Even though the live class is long over, you can still get all the teaching materials.  Well worth the $35 for anyone who is interested in learning about not only how all those wonderful RANGER products work, but also how Tim uses them to create the awesome grunge-ness that is his alone!

This tag features some bright neon pink ink and the hexagon stamped background...perfect to enter in the SIMON SAYS STAMP Challenge--We're So Trendy!
And since I repurposed black mesh from a ham and a piece of metal, I'm also entering it over at TOP TIP TUESDAY--#85 RECYCLE IT.

Speaking of Challenges, if you use SVG files in your scrapping, card making, multi media or any type of art, are you aware of the new Challenge Blog  CREATIVE CUTTING CHALLENGE?  You can use any SVG file.  Just enter a current project and be in the random drawing for a great prize and artistic recognition! Check out what the eight talented ladies on the DT created...even if you're not an SVG user, you'll love the inspiration!

Tim Tag #1

Earlier this year I took a great online class from Tim Holtz called "Creative Chemistry 101" where he not only explained all his products, but he also gave some great examples on how to use them.  This card was done using a Distress Resist technique on embossed kraft cardstock.  While I can't go into details, I will provide you with the LINK to Tim showing his most popular Distress Ink techniques.  He truly is the master!

I demoed this tag during "Craft-cation" to my guests and they loved how their tags turned out.   Here's one tip I can give:  use alcohol inks to make a bright brass charm (clock shown below) more vintage/grungy looking.  Black Soot, Silver Metallic and Mushroom are the three colors I use the most.

This tag is entered into the following Challenges:

Anything But A Card--Debut

Simply Create Too--So Old/Vintage

Creative Cutting Challenge Begins with Saddle Up Card

Well, after months of planning, today is the very first 

Challenge--ANYTHING GOES-- over at my sister site.  

I've mentioned before that I decided to start this new blog as I love to enter challenges and couldn't find any challenge blogs specific to SVG projects.  (In the last month, I've been made aware that there are a few others out there, but I figure, the more the merrier!)  Even if you don't use SVG files, please pop over as the Design Team has created some awesome projects that will inspire everyone.

Bookmark or Follow at CREATIVE CUTTING CHALLENGE.

Now on to my CCC Design Team Submission.
 I used two of my newest SVG files, SHERIFF'S BADGE FREEBIE and SADDLE UP SET to create this western themed birthday card.

I used a square from a patchwork denim sheet of designer paper as the base.  Over that I layered a strip of bandanna designer paper that I scallop cut on the top edge using decorative scissors.  Inside the scallops, I added small dots of Picket Fence Distress Stickles.

The bottom and sides of the papers were distressed using Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink.  I went over the stitch lines with a white gel pen so that they wouldn't get lost where I had distressed.  

I cut the SVG heading out of blue and black cardstock.  The top blue portion was embossed, sanded and shaded with DI. I added more white gel pen stitching on the letters. Using my Distress Tool, I roughed up the edges of the black layer and then took a craft knife to scratch the inner portion for an even shabbier look. 

SVG cowboy diecut was positioned to "hold" the white cord lasso, which I attached using scant amounts of Glossy Accents.  For the Sheriff Star SVG, I broke the file apart to get a plain top which I cut out of white cardstock.  I then used my computer program and printer to add the sentiment.   Using DI, I added shading around the star and then with a ruler and Faded Jeans Distress Marker, I added the outline.  The middle layer is cut from gray CS and I added a third shadow layer with black CS.

I hope you'll check out all the great SVG projects from the Design Team.

Enter your own SVG project and you could win a $5 Gift Certificate 

for SVGs from The Creative Pointe STORE

This card is entered into the following Challenges:
Platypus Creek--#15 Let's Celebrate Birthdays.

Thanksgiving (Canadian) Card

As today's guest designer over at CARD A DAY BLOG, I'm featuring a Canadian Thanksgiving card.  According to Wikipedia, Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving "on the second Monday in October and it is an annual Canadian holiday to give thanks at the close of the harvest season".  Sounds pretty similar to ours... just earlier.  And as a close neighbor (Michigan) and frequent visitor (when I lived in metro Detroit) to Canada, I felt like I could do this theme justice!  And I can use this as an American Thanksgiving card too.  (I love working ahead--lol!)

The first thing I did was select the digital stamp I wanted to use.  EDIT:  Digital Image from KAREN'S DOODLES (Thanks Charlene!)  I sized it to fit my card and printed it out on white cardstock.  Next I sprayed the ink with fixative so it wouldn't smear when I colored.  I then sat on my deck, enjoyed the weather and colored used the GAMSOL TECHNIQUE.

The drawing was matted (Kaiser Craft "Super Hero/Villian").  Strips of scrap paper were used as accents.  The brown paper was embossed, trimmed with deckle scissors and distressed with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I used the distress tool on the edges of the green paper and put Vintage Photo on those edges as well.  The elements were layered onto the base paper (K & Company Tim Coffey Fall Stripe).  The banner (Spellbinders Ribbon Banners) was die cut from ivory cardstock and distressed with Tea Dye DI.  The sentiment (Image Tree "Winter Card Set") was stamped with Tea Dye then added to the card using foam dots.  Final details were a button and two Liquid Pearl (Bisque) dots.

This card is entered into the following Challenges:

Patties Creations--#52 Embossing

Cute Card Thursday--#233 Autumn Gold

Fab N Funky--#137 Colors of Autumn

Scrapalicious USA--Welcoming Fall

New SVGs: Saddle Up Set & Sheriff Badge Freebie

Howdy Par'ners!

If you're hankerin' for western themed SVG s, the new "Saddle Up Set" 

might just be what you're looking for.  You can get it HERE.

 And the newest Freebie file, "Sheriff Badge Freebie" will go perfectly with it!

Get the Sheriff Badge HERE

DON'T FORGET...Monday is the very first Challenge over at

Be sure to check out the projects from the Design Team. 

Enter your SVG project and you could win a $5 Gift Certificate 

for SVGs from The Creative Pointe STORE

Challenges held twice a month.

Bookmark or Follow at CREATIVE CUTTING CHALLENGE

Scrapbook Pages: Scrappin' Queens

I've blogged before about the only crop I attend that is also near and dear to my heart-- MARY'S SCRAPBOOK EVENT.  Last year we continued with our "Scrappin' Queens" theme.  

My Mom wore her wedding tiara...a beautful vintage piece.  I had a real tiara (not from my wedding) and Sue and Vic wore their pretty dollar store crowns.  The matching t-shirts and bling-y earrings completed our ensembles. 

Supplies:

Paper:  Imaginisce "Lucy Bird", black, cream cardstock

Fonts:  (cut with SCAL and Cricut)  "London Court" and "A & S Black Swan"

SVGs:  Crown and Scroll Rods

Stamp:  Unity "Just Be You"

Ink:  Staz On "Jet Black"

Stickles:  Cotton Candy

Punch:  EK Success "Swirl"

Velum

Gems

Each year the first person to register wins some delicious homemade fudge.  It's usually a contest between Sue and I.  This year we both won!

Supplies:

Paper:  Imaginisce "Tiny Tantrum" cream, black cardstock

Die:  Sizzix "Vintage Market"

SVGs:  Crowns and Lacy Circle

Stamp:  Darcie's "Queen Owl"

Paint

Black Sharpie

Ink:  Archival "Jet Black"

Punch:  EK Success "Swirl"

Paint

Black Sharpie

Chipboard

This is the last of the 14 scrapbook pages I did on my summer Craft-cation.  

But that's not all I did...lots more to share from that fun week coming up soon!

Don't forget...Monday is the kick-off to a brand new Challenge Blog that is just for SVG file users.  If you enter, you might win a prize!  If you don't use SVG files, check it out anyway.  The Design Team will have lots of inspiration for you and who knows, you just might get hooked on electronic cutting!

CREATIVE CUTTING CHALLENGE

Scrapbook Page: Father's Day

My Dad's birthday falls about a week after Father's Day so we always celebrate them together.  I like the bold colors in this layout.

Supplies:

Paper: Imaginisce "All Kinds of Happy", Sandy Lion "Birthday Lingo", orange, blue, yellow cardstock

Stickers:  Letters and Sentiments "Numbers Cloud 9 Designs"

Green Kraft Tag

Scrapbook Pages: Mackinaw Island 2011

Last year was the first year we went to Mackinac Island, Michigan and actually stayed on the island for the weekend.  It was so much fun and we saw lots of things off of the "tourist" trails.

I was accused of "cheating" by my sister with this layout.  That's because the paper came with the heading printed on it!  I used the hotel brochure for their name and a picture of the waterfront side...another cheat!  Hey, sometimes you take shortcuts.  Love that this was a really fast page to do.  

Supplies:

Paper:  Stampin Station "Mackinaw Island"

Rub On Alphabet:  Fancy Pants "Double Alphas"

Black Fasteners and Brads

Tim Holtz Ideo-logy Token

Black Twine

Here we had our picture taken on the most famous porch in the world.  We also took a little tour of this historic hotel....lovely!  I cheated again on this page as I ripped a map and a logo out of a guide book.

Supplies:

Paper: Karen Foster "Explorer Collage"; blue, grays, red, white cardstock

Font:  (Cut with SCAL and Cricut)  "AKA Dora"

Punch:  EK Success "Donut Chain"

White Gel Pen

 Remember me recently posting about using a coaster as an embellishment?  Here it is!  I also continued my "cheating" with another title cut from the guide book.

Supplies:

Paper: Karen Foster "Explorer Collage"; blue, gray cardstock

Punch:  EK Success "Donut Chain"

Fiskars Black Photo Corners

Scrapbook Page: Girls' Weekend

Also known as "Creative Chaos"!  This layout is from 2011 and two important people were missing.  My sister was out of town for work (guess who messed up getting her the dates in time?) and BFF Sue fell down her steps and was in the hospital!  The rest of the group carried on without them but they were missed!

Supplies:

Paper: MME Pretty Please "Polka Dot Orange"

Font:  (Cut with SCAL and Cricut)  "Bad Tome"

Circle Punches

Distress Inks & Markers:  Faded Jeans, Rusty Hinge, Vintage Photo

Stamp:  Stampers Anonymous "Mixed Media"

New SVGs: School Set Two

It's been quite a few years since I started school (Yep, that's me in my kindergarten photo) but I well remember the excitement the first day brought.  Here in Michigan, the kiddies will be back to school tomorrow.  So this might be a good time to introduce my newest SVG set that is perfect for "Back to School" crafting projects:

You can get this file HERE

Don't forget about the first "School Set"

You can get the file HERE

and if you didn't grab last year's School House or School Bell Freebies:

Follow this LINK

Follow this LINK

DON'T FORGET...next Monday is the very first Challenge over at

Be sure to check out the projects from the Design Team. 

Enter your SVG project and you could win a $5 Gift Certificate 

for SVGs from The Creative Pointe STORE

Challenges held twice a month.

Bookmark or Follow at CREATIVE CUTTING CHALLENGE