Boo Blocks

Try saying that five times fast!  This is my favorite project for this year.  I love Halloween decor and this set of blocks is going to be a perfect addition to my work area.

 You'll find a set of 4 Decor Elements Blocks in the Holiday Mini Catalog for just $9.95.  The blocks are smooth MDF, natural wood, 3" blocks which require no sanding.

I decided to paint the blocks with white acrylic paint.  It took 3-4 coats of paint to achieve the look that I wanted.  I cut my Night & Day designer series paper into 3" squares and adhered it to the blocks with Modge Podge.

The cirlces and letters were die cut using the Big Shot, Circles # 2 die, and the Serif Essentials Alphabet dies.  The ghost image is from the Twick or Tweet stamp set, also in the Holiday Mini Catalog. 

And to tie it all together, I used the 1-1/4" Striped Pumpkin Pie ribbon.  The blocks can be displayed side-by-side, or if you have limited space, you can stack them.

But wait.....my blocks have a little secret.  If you flip them over, you'll see that I have decorated the other side for Christmas!  I used the Christmas Cocoa Specialty paper and the Holiday Mix Decor Elements.  The snowflakes were punched from cardstock and I added rhinestones to the center of each flake.  (Tip:  pry apart a rhinestone brad from the back to release a flat rhinestone.  Adhere to your project with a mini glue dot)

 

The Holiday Mix Decor Elements come in 4 colors:  Black, Chocolate, Real Red, and White.  This is only the first project I'll be sharing with you that features this item.  Be sure to add it to your next order.  For only $9.95, you'll be able to create many adorable holiday projects.

Back to Halloween tomorrow with a project from My Digital Studio.

 

From the Crypt

This is one of the cards we made at Ghouls Night Out.  It features the From the Crypt stamp set......this is one of those sets that grows on you with time. 

Scary, edgy, and artistic? All in one stamp set? Hard to believe, but it's true.I'm not really into skulls, but if you take a close look at this image, you'll see a cute little pumpkin, ghost, and flying bats. 

Stamp Sets:  From the Crypt, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Basic Gray, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie

Paper:  Basic Gray, Whisper White, Basic Black, Cast-a-Spell DSP, Groom Specialty Paper

Accessories:  Horizontal Slot Punch, Pumpkin Pie and Basic Black Grosgrain ribbon, sponge daubers

 

	It's not too late to order supplies for Halloween treats & cards.  You can shop now on my Stampin' Up! website.  I'll be back tomorrow with one of my favorite projects for Halloween.  It is Bootiful!

My Spooktacular Return to Blogging

I just checked and my last post was dated September 21st.  I would say that is a good indication of how hectic EVERYTHING has been the past few weeks.  I'll spare you the details, but share some new Spooky goodies with you this week.

My first Halloween project for you is a mini scrapbook album that we did at Scrapbook Club this month.  It features the From the Crypt stamp set and Cast-a-Spell DSP.  There are lots of pull-outs and hiding places for pictures & journaling.

SUPPLIES

Stamp Set:  From the Crypt

Ink Pads:  Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie

Paper:  Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Perfect Plum, Cast-a-Spell DSP

Big Shot Dies:  Circles #2, Scallop Circle #2, Serif Essentials Alphabet

Punches:  Scallop Edge, 1-1/4” circle, 1-3/8” circle, Scallop Circle, Horizontal Slot, ½” cicle

Accessories:  Whisper White Small Open-End Envelopes, Antique Brass Build-a-Brad, Pumpkin Pie 1-1/4” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Mat Pack, Paper-Piercing Tool, White Gel Pen, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, SNAIL or Sticky Strip

The tutorial for this project is available in PDF form for $5.  The tutorial includes lots of pictures, step-by-step instructions, and card stock measurements.  Please use the Paypal link below and you'll receive your tutorial within 24 hours by email.

I do have a limited number of kits available for $20 (includes shipping).  You will need to have the stamp set, ink pads, adhesives, and punches to complete the project.  If you don't have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I would be happy to help you order the necessary supplies.  The paper has been pre-cut and scored, plus you'll receive all of the die-cuts and ribbon in your kit, along with the PDF tutorial.  Because these kits are extremely limited, email me at [email protected] if you would like one and I will send you a Paypal invoice.

Tomorrow, I'll be sharing a card made with this same stamp set.  Stay tuned!

Pencil Case Tutorial

I made a bunch of these Halloween pencil cases for a WOW 3D swap.  I think what makes them a WOW is how little cardstock and adhesive it takes to make one.  These go together so easily and are perfect for many different occasions.

 

I have made up a tutorial that you can download here.  As I was designing the tutorial, I also made two other samples:

 

If you use this tutorial, I would love to see your project as well.  Who knows?  I may even feature it in an upcoming post.

I hope you've enjoyed all of my convention swaps.  I'll be back in a few days with more creative inspiration for you.

Have a great weekend!

Another Cast-a-Spell

Stamp Sets:  Autumn Harvest, Holiday Best Hostess Set

Ink:  Basic Black classic ink, Old Olive marker

Paper:  Pumpkin Pie card stock, Basic Black cardstock, Whisper White card stock, Cast-a-Spell DSP

Accessories:  Scallop Oval Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Dimensionals

Here is another super quick card.  The pumpkin image was stamped on Whisper White cardstock and the pumpkin pattern paper from Cast-a-Spell.  I cut out the pumpkin from the Cast-a-Spell and adhered it over the pumpkin that was stamped on cardstock.  The stem was colored with the Old Olive marker.

And don't you just love the "Trick or Treat" greeting?  It is from the Hostess set, "Holiday Best" which is available for FREE when you have a workshop of $150 or more.  This would be a great week to have a book party.....you and your friends can get FREE SHIPPING on orders of $35 or more plus you can earn FREE stamp sets and merchandise like the Holiday Best stamp set.   Contact me at [email protected] if you would like more information.

Leaving for Convention

Well, it's Monday night and I'm getting ready to leave for convention.  I've been so busy making swaps that I haven't posted anything for 2 weeks!  So...I'm going to share what I've made with you all this week while I'm gone, so check back for a new card each day.

 Stamp Set:  Just Jawing

Ink:  Basic Black Classic Ink, Sahara Sand marker

Paper:  Whisper White card stock, Basic Black cardstock, Cast-a-Spell DSP

Accessories:  2-way glue pen, Chunky Sprinkles glitter

This card was so easy to make.  I stamped the skull image, then outlined the features with a Sahara Sand marker.  I added green glitter to the eyes and crystal glitter to a tooth with the 2-way glue pen.

I wasn't real crazy about the Cast-a-Spell DSP when I received it, but it is slowly growing on me.  This design looks very elegant from a distance.   However, there are lots of spiders and webs in the design that make it perfect for Halloween projects.

Check back to tomorrow for another project made with this great DSP!

And don't forget....while I'm gone, you can get FREE SHIPPING on all email orders of $35 or more received by August 9th.  Just drop me a line at [email protected] and give me your wish list. 

Pumpkin Poop

On Saturday, I participated in my first craft fair of the holiday season.  These Pumpkin Poop boxes were one of the most popular items at my booth. 

I am attaching two files here, so that you can easily make your own poop.  The first is the template to make the box, and the second is a sheet of the pumpkin poop poems that will fit perfectly inside your box.

Download mini_pizza_box_template.pdf

Download pumpkin_poop_poem.pdf

 

This is a close-up of the inside of the box.  I bought the small packages of candy corn at Wal-Mart.

The box is made from Basic Black cardstock and measures about 2-1/2" square.  I layered 2-1/4" squares of Ghostly Greetings DSP on the lid.

The pumpkins and the pumpkin faces were created with Sizzix dies and the Big Shot.  I added the wiggly eyes for fun.

These boxes would make a great school treat for your children and they are very easy to create.

The other Halloween project that was very popular at my booth was the punched spiders. 

 I wish I could take credit for these little guys, but it is not my original idea.  To make these spiders, you will need:

• Scallop Circle Punch
• Photo Corners Punch
• 1/2" circle punch
• 1/4" circle punch
• York Peppermint Patties (buy extra...they are yummy!)

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

New Class Kits by Mail!

Have you checked out the Stamp Doc Shop lately?  I've got three new class kits by mail for you, including this adorable Batty for You class.....

October Card Kit of the Month   

SOLD OUT!!!! 

 

And don't forget to check out these 2 kits featuring stamp sets from the new Holiday mini catalog.....

   

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

Ghouls Night Out

Sorry it's been awhile since I've posted.  It's been a crazy week of workshops, clubs, and a bout of stomach flu!  All is better now and I wanted to share with you what I did last weekend.

This past Saturday, I hosted a ghouls night out.  We made 5 projects including all of those pictured above, a BOO box (see my earlier post), and a mummy card. 

The big project was the PEEPS IN A JAR.  I bought my jars at Big Lots for $7 a case (12 jars).  You'll want to look for the jars in the fall because they get really difficult to find as we get closer to the holidays.

Then go to the grocery store and pick up plenty of M & M's, peeps, graham crackers, and brown sugar.  You'll want to have extra M & M's on hand for well....you know!

Crush one package of the graham crackers and pour about 2/3 of the crumbs into the bottom of the jar.  Insert the peeps along the side of the jar....the pumpkins require 16 per jar.  I've heard that ghosts and bunnies are only 8 per jar.  Add remaining crumbs and 1/3 cup of brown sugar to the middle of the peeps.  Top off the jar with M & M's.....don't measure them, just pour it on!

Decorate the lid and the tag and VOILA!  The perfect gift for Booing!

Here is the wording on the tag:

Halloween S’mores

Enjoy eating some of the M&Ms to reduce the amount a little as desired.  Empty the jar contents into a bowl.  Snip the pumpkins into bits with kitchen scissors or a knife.  Return the pumpkins to the mixture and mix well.  Melt 10 T butter, add 1 teaspoon of vanilla.  Pour this over the dry ingredients, mixing well.  Pat into a greased 8 or 9 inch baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15-25 minutes.  Cool ½ hour, then cut into bars.  Option 1 – leave pumpkins whole; combine remaining ingredients and place pumpkins on top, then bake as directed.  Option 2 - omit the vanilla, bake and serve warm over vanilla ice cream or use a blender to mix with ice cream like a Blizzard.

Below, you'll see some of my guests making their Peep Jars.  We used the Batty for You Stamp set and Creepy Crawly Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up! to decorate the jars.

By the way, the bars are quite delicious!  Unfortunately, they didn't last very long at my house, so I had to make a cake for the party.  The cake idea came from the October issue of Parents magazine and is simply a devils food cake iced with chocolate frosting, and topped with oreo crumbs and gummy body parts.....mmmmm CHOCOLATE!!!

Happy Stampin'

Melissa

Paper Lanterns

I've had many requests for directions on how to make the paper lanterns like the one from my earlier post.  There are quite a few tutorials on the web, so I'm not going to go into great detail.  However, I will share the basics and my favorite Halloween decorations with you!

Here is a picture of the paper PUMPKIN lantern we made today at the Crop-a-Dile Rocks class:

SUPPLIES:

• 109155 Creepy Crawly Designer Series Paper     $9.95
• 109041  5-Petal Flower punch     $15.95
• 105119  Always Artichoke cardstock  $5.50
• 109035  Always Artichoke grosgrain ribbon    $4.95
• 108362  Crop-a-Dile     $29.95

Step 1:  Cut 12 strips of patterned paper to 1" x 6".  We used Creepy Crawly Designer Series Paper.

Step 2:  Stack the strips, and punch a 3/16" hole in each end of the stack with a crop-a-dile.  Set the guage to 1/2" for best results.

Step 3:  Punch a 5-petal flower from Always Artichoke cardstock.  Punch a 3/16" hole in the center of the flower with the crop-a-dile.

Step 4:  Take a 12" length of artichoke narrow grosgrain ribbon and fold it in half.  Tie a knot approximately 1/2" from the fold, leaving a small loop.

Step 5:  You'll want to make sure the loose ends of the ribbon are trimmed to a neat point for this part!  Thread the loose ends through the artichoke flower, then through one set of holes in the stack of Creepy Crawly paper.  Bend the paper to form a "C" and thread the loose ends through the bottom holes of the paper.

Step 6:  Tie a knot at the bottom of the paper.  Spread out the strips of paper.

That's it!  Now here is my version of the Halloween decorations that were shown at convention this year:

I found the tree at Michaels on my way home from the airport after convention.  It was about $12, but that was back in July, so I'm not sure if they are still available.

Here is a close-up:

If you'd like to make these lanterns for your own home, remember all products are from Stampin' Up! and are available through me!  Just send me an email and I'll take care of the rest.

SUPPLIES:

• 109155 Creepy Crawly Designer Series Paper     $9.95
• 109027  Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon     $4.95
• 109363  Batty for You Stamp Set     $22.95
• 105216  Pumpkin Pie Classic Stamp Pad     $5.25
• 101179  Basic Black Classic Stamp Pad     $5.25
• 105117  Pumpkin Pie cardstock     $5.50
• 102851  Basic Black cardstock     $7.50
• 104401  1-3/8" circle punch     $15.95
• 104403  1-1/4" circle punch     $15.95

My next Stampin' class will be Saturday, October 13th at 7pm.  You'll want to join us for a fun GHOULS NIGHT OUT!  Contact me to reserve your spot.

Happy Stampin'

Melissa