Blop Hop Participants

If you get lost along the hop, come back here and CLICK for the complete list. Thanks!

Happy Halloween!

Our dear friend Joy gave the girls this adorable Halloween card (along with a booklet of Frosty coupons!). She used Jeanette Lynton's recent Color Me Monday combo as her inspiration. I love how she used the peacock feather patterned paper as her background and turned into something totally different, a night sky!

I'm sharing her card to wish YOU all a happy trick-or-treating! That's what we'll be doing tonight on our local town square, after our new priest's installation service.

Here's hoping you have a happy Halloween!

Share the Magic Swap Cards

The October stamp of the month, Share the Magic, is only availabe for a few more days. Here are the cards my monthly swap group made with this set. We all used the Mistletoe paper pack collection (Level 2 paper pack or Creative Basics). I am amazed each month that no two cards are ever alike, and no one knows what anyone else is making.

Clockwise from top left: Taralyn, Camy Eisentrager, and Tanya Stone

Clockwise from top right: Carla Ramirez, mine, and Bridget Mahler

Paper Pumpkin

Happy Fall, y'all! What do you think of my paper pumpkin? I think it is so sweet! Now that I've made one, I want to make several. (Participants in my Olivia workshop next month will learn now to make their own paper pumpkins. Won't you join us?) I couldn't resist getting a pumpkin made in time to participate in this week's Heart 2 Heart challenge: Halloween or pumpkins! Can you see the "vine" I made by curling a strip of paper around a pencil?

They are so easy to make! In fact, for Christmas, my students have taken old Christmas cards and turned them into ornaments. (Although it has not been so easy for them, especially when you're trying to show the picture on the card.) I'll have to get some Christmas-y ones made to show you what I mean. Look for them coming up (but it may be awhile). Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy everything the fall season has to offer!

Supplies from Close To My Heart: Olivia paper pack; Timeless stamp set (from the Olivia Workshop on the Go); Topiary and Cocoa inks

Other: two brads (office supply)

Olivia Workshop: Autumn Glory

Celebrate all things fall with the gorgeous Olivia workshop, to be held on November 13. We'll begin at 1:00 creating the beautiful cards you see at left (six total cards; two of each style). At 3:00, we'll create both scrapbook layouts featured at right/below. Come for cardmaking, scrapbooking, or both. Preorder your kit no later than Wednesday, 11/3, to ensure delivery. Your kit is only $29.95. I strongly recommend adding on the Cocoa and Smoothie ink pads ($5.25 each) if you don't already have them, plus a sanding kit ($3.50). (All prices are before shipping & handling/tax.)

Can't attend? Order your workshop kit and easily follow the directions included in it!

Here are "stamples" from the Close To My Heart Art Studio of what we'll be creating. Hope you can make it!

Inspired by Simply One Of a Kind

Chrissie at Simply One Of a Kind makes such beautiful cards! (I love that she is a "retired infant school teacher." How cute- and British- is that?) When I saw her card on this post, I was totally inspired to create my own. (It didn't hurt that I already had these materials out.) If you click to check hers out, I'm sure you'll see the resemblance.

It amazes me how the world wide web has shrunk our world. (I'd love for you to leave a comment and let me know where you currently reside, because I have visitors from around the globe pop in!) The advances in technology and communication continue to astound me. The amount of information literally at our fingertips is amazing and at times overwhelming. I can't imagine what's next (although I am tired of upgrading movies and music!).

On a related side note, I'd like to create a layout soon of the current technology in our lives today. Won't that be a hoot 20 years from now? (I remember our first VCR. It was probably the size of four of today's DVD players!) Since we're on this technology tangent, what is your current favorite techie toy? Feel free to leave a comment about my card, too. LOL

Thanks and Joyful Banner (Workshop)

Join me Sunday, 11/7, beginning at 2:00 to create this beautiful THANKS mantel decoration or wall hanging. As a bonus, we will decorate the back with JOYFUL in holiday colors to further extend the life of this piece of home decor. This beautiful stample was on display at Convention and can be found on p. 38 of the current Idea Book.

Your class kit ($30 including S&H/tax) includes everything you need, plus you'll have some hemp, Mocha Opaques, and chipboard letters to take home for other projects. If you'd like to make more than one, each additional kit is only $25. Space is limited to 5 people, but you can also order a kit with complete instructions if you cannot attend the workshop.

RSVP ASAP to reserve your spot! Payment is due no later than 10/27 to ensure prompt delivery of materials. Thanks!

Inspired by Papercrafts Mag, Annette, and the Play Date Cafe

Talented Close To My Heart Consultant Annette Green has a great post on her blog about what inspires her as a crafter and "copying." Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? It is so hard sometimes to be creative, but then you see something someone else did and it just sparks you. You get the mojo going and off you go.

The "Happy Birthday" card by Ingrid featured in Papercrafts Magazine was Annette's inspiration (and mine too for my card, below) for her cool Halloween card (also inspired by Tim Holtz's cool grungy style).

When I saw the Play Date Cafe color challenge this week, I knew I had to give it a try. These colors just look so fun together, although I would have thought they would be tacky.

My card looks "heavier" to me than their beautiful inspirational image collage, but I'm okay with that. (Hubby says this card is too busy, but I like it anyway.) What do you think? Do you see Ingrid and Annette's sketch inspiration in my card? I totally copied the design (layout or sketch) of their cards although mine has a totally different feel with the entirely different color palette.





Techniques: direct-to-paper edge distressing; marker distressing

Supplies from CTMH: Treasure Life stamp set; Olivia paper pack; Creme Brulee, Sunset, and Smoothie inks; Smoothie marker; Colonial White designer ribbon; pink Sparkles; Just Blooms Creme Brulee flowers

Other: tag from office supply store; Martha Stewart punch

Team Ra-Ras Kicks Breast Cancer - Susan G. Komen for the Cure Philadelph...

Each time someone views the video, United Healthcare will make a $.10 donation to the Komen organization. Their goal is to get a million hits, which will lead to $100K raised.
Please can you take a moment to watch the video - and, just as important, pass this link onto your network of friends, family and colleagues? It benefits a very important cause!

New Art & Soul Webisode: Autumn Projects to Fall For

Discover the awesome art of tissue stamping in this month’s episode of Art & Soul®. “Autumn Projects to Fall For” will also show you the incredible versatility of Flip Flaps™ (one of my favorite new projects!) and will demonstrate some fun Studio J® techniques. Walk away with all the inspiration you need for your autumn artwork when you watch “Autumn Projects to Fall For.”

After watching the 12-minute video, come back here and let me know your favorite technique or project from this webisode! (I absolutely love, love, love that A Sip stamp set! Of course I had to get it, and I can't wait to play with it. Flip Flaps are so much fun too! So many goodies, so little time...)

More DC Highlights

Of all the Smithsonian Museums, I think the American History Museum was my favorite. My Mom has a great post today about it, so go check it out (along with Dorothy's slippers and Julia's kitchen!). Just click right HERE and tell her I sent you. :)

For my artsy friends, I do plan to get back to crafting, and tomorrow, when I'm finally home before dark, I'll be able to take and then post pictures from my October stamp of the month swap, plus hopefully get started on the November one (due very soon).

Finally, a few seats have opened up in my scrap class this Sunday, so let me know if you're interested! Thanks!

Happy Birthday, Dear Nephew!

My sweet nephew turns four today! Here he is enjoying one of his new toys (a helicopter that you launch with that gadget in his hand) from his birthday party last night. (That's Grammie in the background behind him.) A good time was definitely had by all! We love you, big guy!!!

Yesterday's cross country meet- our first real one- ended up not being as much fun. It was really neat to see all the kids, and boy was there some stiff competition! Macey, in the 9-10 bantam category- got sick not long after I took this picture and couldn't finish her 3K race. (It was surprisingly HOT and she overheated, turning as red as her shirt!)

Ansley didn't even want to start her 3K after her sister got sick, but she did. Not only did she complete her race, but she finished 2nd for our team in her midget category. Only one team member placed (3rd in the sub-bantam group), but we are proud of each team member who ran! They all put in a good effort, which is way more important than winning.

Charm Bracelet Diva GiVeAwAy!

Really and truly, I debated about whether to share this with you, but in the spirit of generosity, go check out this gorgeous necklace giveaway at Charm Bracelet Diva. Good luck!

Longaberger Is Coming to Atlanta!

You're invited to visit with the Longaberger Company in Atlanta this Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday! At the Country Living Fair at Stone Mountain Park, you will be able to watch basketmakers at work and see fall gathering displays. You could even make your own basket, but call 740-322-5588, option 6, for a reservation.

I am planning to attend one event or the other, so if you're interested in joining me, let me know! Also, if you attend one or both events without me, be sure to mention me, Haley Dyer, as your consultant (unless of course you already have a consultant).

Product Spotlight Blog Hop: Gift Ideas!

It's never too early to think about gift ideas for family and friends! This month, a select group of Close To My Heart consultants are sharing some of our favorite gift ideas with you. (If you've come from Tracey Jean's blog then you're hopping right along. After your stop here, go see what my terrific upline, Chris Hill, has in store for you.)

Since we are away on vacation (and the week before we left was so hectic), I am recycling some of my favorite quick & easy gift ideas for you. For a short tutorial on how to make these binder photo clips, click right HERE.

Have you thought about making a photo wallet? These make lovely gifts, and I have a complete tutorial HERE. (I've chosen to show you the outside of one that I made, and the inside of a different one just to give you a few more ideas.)

A button bracelet is another nice idea. Check out my video tutorials HERE and HERE.

Don't forget to check out all our consultants' gift ideas. Hop to Chris's blog next!

Fall Break/Quote of the Week

A vacation is like love - anticipated with pleasure, experienced with discomfort, and remembered with nostalgia.

~Author Unknown


















After 2 days of DC, we hit Baltimore's Inner Harbor where we toured four really interesting decommissioned ships. (Here we are at the submarine USS Torske, which sank several Japanese ships in WWII.)

Fall Cards

Have you ever made a 3"x6" card? They are so much fun to make! There is just something about their smaller size. It is the perfect canvas on which to create a card. For World Card Making Day Saturday, I created a set of eight cards like this one here. It is based on the Wishes sketch, "Long Layers," and is modeled after the beautiful card we made at Convention this summer (below).

Both cards use the stamp set called The Present, the Olivia paper pack, Barn Red ink, Bamboo ink, and Mocha Opaques. My new card (above) also uses Sunset ink and some beautiful eyelash fringe a girlfriend gave me. (Hi, Nancy! Thanks again!)

The sentiment on this card is a great reminder to us all. Carpe diem!

Be Inspired @ A Matter of Memories

Here's a cool website that I just found that you scrappers might really enjoy!



If the button doesn't take you there, try clicking HERE.

My Layout Is Featured...

...on the Stamping Scrapbooker's home page! If you like to stamp and scrapbook, then you might enjoy this Yahoo group. Go check them out! You will not be bombarded with tons of junk in your in box, but you will enjoy checking out other people's layouts (or at least I do).

Each month (or most months at least) they run a contest, and the winning layout is featured on the home page. I couldn't resist entering our family portrait layout for the "Squares" challenge. I was surprised to find out I won! Thank you!

DC Bound!

We get a week off from school next week for Fall Break, so we're taking the girls camping in (near) Washington DC. I am so excited! My parents are going too (in their motorhome), and we are going to have a blast.

Besides the Smithsonian Museums and Mt. Vernon, what recommendations do you have for us? We will be going to a service at the National Cathedral (and visiting family interred there) and visit a family friend. Our friend Sarge wants us to stop by the Wall to say hi to some of his friends, and of course we want to see the Korean War Memorial in honor of Grandad Ralph.


Thanks for your tips! (Blogging may be a bit sporadic while we're gone, but please stop in to visit!)

Images from the DC Tourism website.

Halloween Home Decor: Spooky Bottles and Coffin Boxes

If you know me, then you know that I am NOT one to get carried away...

LOL!

Here are all the items we made at my Halloween home decor class: the boo banner, a coffin treat box, and a decorated bottle. (I actually made the one in the middle in class, then when back and made the one on the left. The 3rd one was made by our older daughter.)

Hey, Mom! Which bottle do you like better? The "Scary Halloween to You" or "Happy Haunting" bottle? You pick, because one of them is for you!

The bottle our older daughter made...

Can you see how the skull is lifted up off the bottle with 3D foam tape?

Stamping with Stazon ink directly onto the bottles

The cute little coffin treat box

Friend Joy's finished projects