This weekend I chose to stay home and get cracking on my Christmas cards. I do not send out my handmade cards to everyone at Christmas. Only the ones who appreciate & understand the art will receive one this year. I used all kinds of stamps & paper from Stampin’ Up, Dollarama, Wal-Mart & other scrapbooking kits. Of course, at least 3 pots of coffee & QX104 FM helped out too!
Hey, I had a member ask me to narrow down the Shout Out list because it had gotten so long that she was having trouble seeing all the entries in a reasonable amount of time. I would love to do that, but I can’t pick — it’s like having a favorite child. Instead, I’m working on redoing the blog. Hopefully soon, I’ll have tabs on the site that let you look at the list whenever you’re in need of a little extra inspiration. You’ll also have the ability to search the blogs that I read for quick lists of whatever category you want. Stay tuned 
Thank you too, for all the wonderful birthday wishes. I had a wonderful day and was truly humbled by all the love. You guys are awesome. Best of the Blogosphere lists. Remember these lovely little boxes don’t show up in Google Reader, so if you can’t see them, click on over to my site and they will magically appear. (When you see the boxes, there is a small “read more” in the bottom, right hand corner… click it and you can see the list with pictures as a web page!) The Shout Out List (my favorite CARDS OF THE WEEK): The cards and projects that earned some extra love and attention this week. The best of the best. You people ROCK MY WORLD 
Halloween: Fall: : Thanksgiving: : Christmas: : Snow: Teacher: Card Sets: Wedding: Invitations: Friendship: Wrap it Up: Favors (Party favors…): Thank You: Birthday: Gift Ideas: Baby: Boxes: The Best of the Blogosphere : In my travels through Blogland, I discover a lot of projects, cards, scrapbook pages, tips, templates and tutorials that are all worth sharing. I want my friends to see the things out there that are special, inspirational, worth some extra notice. This list is everything I think is worth sharing… better read it… you could be on the list! Please remember that my site is powered by YOU. Please comment here if you’d like me to read your blog or if you have seen some amazing blog art that I’m missing! Thanks!
Don’t forget to enter this week’s cartridge giveaway over on the Christmas with the Cricut blog! We are giving away the Jubilee cartridge, a special “you choose two” set of Cricut cartridges, sponsored by Hallmark Scrapbook , a pack of paper from Core’dinations and a gorgeous paper pack from SEI ! To enter, you just need to do 3 things: 1) Go to Christmas with the Cricut, by clicking HERE ! 2) Subscribe to the blog via email (look in top menu bar under “subscribe via email”) OR follow us by clicking the “follow” button in the right hand column 3) Leave a comment under each post daily to maximize your chances of winning each week! For more info on how to leave comments on blogs, click HERE ! Six days a week, we feature cards, gift packaging, layouts, tutorials and videos showing beautiful and fun things you can make with your Cricut for the Christmas season!
HALLOWE’EN by Joel Benton Pixie, kobold, elf, and sprite Folded Paper Halloween Hang-Ups from Martha Stewart Living All are on their rounds to-night, Candy Fillings from Country Living In the wan moon’s silver ray Spider Template from Country Living Thrives their helter-skelter play. Halloween Wonderland from Country Living Fond of cellar, barn, or stack, Pumpkin Greeting from Country Living True unto the almanac Halloween Tablecloth from Martha Stewart Living They present to credulous eyes Strange hobgoblin mysteries. Glow-in-the-Dark Funkins from Martha Stewart Living Cabbage-stomps-straws wet with dew Vintage Halloween Postcards from Country Living Apple-skins, and chestnuts too, Caramel Apple Ideas from Country Living And a mirror for some lass, Spooky Paper Curtains from Martha Stewart Living Show what wonders come to pass. Halloween Ornaments from Martha Stewart Living Doors they move, and gates they hide, Black & White Plates from Country Living Mischiefs that on moon-beams ride Licorice-Eared Mice Mini-Cakes from Country Living Are their deeds, and, by their spells, I Scream Sandwitches from Martha Stewart Living Love records its oracles. Spooky Halloween Bouquet from Martha Stewart Living Don’t we all, of long ago, By the ruddy fireplace glow, Pumpkin Lantern from Martha Stewart Living In the kitchen and the hall, Those queer, coofllke pranks recall? Chocolate Pumpkin Cake from Country Living Eery shadows were they then But to-night they come again; Shocking Silhouettes from Martha Stewart Living Were we once more but sixteen Candy Wreath from Martha Stewart Living Precious would be Halloween. Arise Ye Dead Pumpkin by Jacquie W. for Martha Stewart Living Have a wicked weekend friends, ~Cath PS The Not Your Regular Ruffles Challenge will wrap up on Monday at midnight, so if you’re planning on playing along, now’s the time! Same thing with the Paper Crafts October Gallery Challenge ! AND I’m looking for our next Tuesday Trigger ! Email me at tuesdaytrigger@gmail.com for a chance to inspire us all!
This page is busier than I normally like, but I think it’s fun with all of the bright colors. I think it’s perfect for the pictures since the sunglasses are so colorful. This page was created using only the Kaleidoscope Collaboration from Little Dreamer. This Saturday is my last stamping workshop. It’s so weird to know I will be finished. But I’m ready! I have noticed a lot of other demonstrators have resigned. I wonder if Stampin’ Up! shot themselves in the foot by trying to restrict what demonstrators put on their personal blog, email, etc.?? I’m curious to find out what happens in the future.
I’ve been a-boppin’, friends, seeking seriously sinister projects to inspire your tricky treating this year. What might my devilish charms have lurking in the corners of your darkest, dreary dreams? Let’s take a peek, shall we? Hop on my broom and hang on tight! That is, if you dare to ride along… Spooky Card by Kim Hughes Moxie Fab Alert: I love the burst of colors on this white card base–an unusual take on the typical color schemes of Halloween. I also love how my eye is drawn into the bat first, then carried along by the stars along the bottom to the right, then to the web which draws me in and upward to the smaller bats with the dots behind, and finally up to the ribbon. It’s a sweet trip to the top and it’s simply moxie fab! Pumpkin Centerpiece by Sherry Wright Moxie Fab Alert: Patchwork is all the rage these days and I not only love the patterns that Sherry has combined to create the panels of this perky pumpkin, but I also love how she’s used her exquisite skills to create a 3-dimensional centerpiece out of paper. This guy is sure to grace any table with its presence! Treat Bags by Anabelle O’Malley Moxie Fab Alert: What a clever way to use those ever-popular Bingo cards, don’tchathink? The polka dot ribbon handles ground the orange in the titles nicely, and I love the addition of the stamped tombstone and tree for a splash of eerie green! Who wouldn’t just love to receive one of these this Halloween? Creepy Crawlies Card by Raspberry Kate Moxie Fab Alert: Monsters are all the rage this year, whether for Halloween or otherwise, and this cutie-pie treatment of this one-eyed friendly freak makes me grin from ear to ear. Halloween Labels by Celeste Rockwood-Jones Moxie Fab Alert: Once you’ve taken your toiling boiling brews out of the cauldron, dress them up with these terrifyingly terrific labels that would make any good witch proud. Concerned about time and all the haunting you have left to do? They’re available as a free download! So click on over, it’s as easy as casting a spell! Little Monsters Card by Kazan Clark Moxie Fab Alert: Again, monsters rule the day and these colorful, goofy, toothy guys would make any little spook giddy with Halloween joy! Boo Bag by Kimberly Crawford Moxie Fab Alert: I love the cute little ghost hovering in the bottom left-hand corner, and the fact that he’s with his little pumpkin friend makes it that much sweeter. And speaking of sweets, I’m thinking this little treat bag would make any treat look extra yummy! Little Monster Card by Megan Hoeppner Moxie Fab Alert: I love the innovation in this card. Megan’s used an envelope template for Frankie’s head here and added some fun embellishments to “seal” the deal. Spooky Lantern by Megan Hoeppner Moxie Fab Alert: In this graphically great project, Megan has applied a vinyl transfer to this swanky lantern from Ikea. Great gift/decor idea, great result, all around great! Trick or Treat Card by Beatriz Jennings Moxie Fab Alert: I adore the classic vintage style of this card, but what I adore even more is all the color that Beatriz has incorporated into the project. Charming and delightful! Go Beatriz! Boo Card by Danielle Flanders Moxie Fab Alert : What’s not to love about this card? I love the color scheme, the way she’s contrasted damask and polka patterns, glittered and naked chipboard, and pretty ribbon with the rustically treated chipboard. The cous de grace? The spiders upping the freak factor, giving this card a spooky spark that rattles my bones. If you’re inspired like I am, I’m pretty sure you can’t help but want to start creating immediately. Once you’ve whipped up something wicked, why not enter it in the Paper Crafts October Gallery Challenge which is about all things hauntingly Halloween? Click here to enter AND to see over 300 additional inpsiring projects that will stimulate your sinister spirit! If you’d like to leave some love for these ladies, I’ve got some “Halloween” to share with you from American Crafts . You’ve got until Sunday, October 25 at midnight MDT ! Happy haunting, ~Cath
Check out the details HERE!
Meet Betsy Veldman . I had the great privilege of meeting her for the first time myself this past September for our Paper Crafts editorial board meeting. Betsy is one of our six Go-to Gals, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have such an amazingly talented, fun, and gracious woman on our team! What I love about Betsy is her completely different approach to colors and patterns. Here in the office we’ve tried to “define” her style, but she doesn’t really fit into any of the categories that most card makers fall into. The closest is shabby chic–but the colors she uses are too bright for the “shabby” part of that style. So I’ve coined the term “funky chic” for Betsy because her work is usually quite layered with distressing and inking, but the palettes she chooses and focal points she incorporates are more funk than shab. Betsy also creates for Papertrey Ink , Provo Craft , and she’s on the Card Positioning Systems design team as well. Let’s hear what Betsy has to say about how trends influence her paper crafting. I can’t wait for you to get to know her better, for she is a true gem in this card making world of ours! Hi Betsy! Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions today. Let’s start by asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself. I am a wife and mother of two wonderful children plus a two year old. Just kidding…she’s wonderful too, but she sure keeps us on our toes! I live in a small town in northwest Iowa. I began paper crafting about nine years ago and started out as a scrapbooker. A few years ago I began making cards and I was hooked! My style seems to keep evolving, but in general, give me anything with bright colors and a touch of vintage and I’m a gonner! Oh, and stamps…can’t forget my stamps — I can’t create without them! Is trend-watching important to your creativity? Why or why not? If so, how does trend-watching manifest itself in your work? I have never really thought of myself as a “trendy” person. I tend to find things I like and stick with them. But, I do love to shop! I love to wander around, soaking up inspiration by looking at store displays, taking in all of the color trends and the latest design trends. I am probably most influenced by color trends. The color inspirations I find while shopping and browsing around the Internet quite often end up being the inspiration for a card or two. Where do you find trends? Trends are EVERYWHERE! I love to look on the web at home décor sites, children’s clothing, and stationery. But really, trends are all around us, from the mail that lands in our mailbox, to the commercials on television, and even the packaging our food comes in! What websites, blogs, magazines, ads, etc. are the most inspirational to you in terms of trend-watching? Why do they motivate you? Etsy : Just going to their home page makes me happy. There is always something fun and trendy to look at. I happened across this sweet little cookie set by nanacompany the other day. How sweet is that?!? It makes me want to get out my needle and thread. Country Living : There are always so many beautiful, inspiring photographs on their site. Print and Pattern Blog : They post the latest trends in stationery, fabric, ceramics, etc. It just gets my creative juices flowing! I found this fun notebook on their site by Green Room : The leaf pattern reminded me of a Papertrey stamp set that I have, and it inspired me to use it on a card. Name a designer (or two) in the scrapbooking industry that inspires you. What do you like about his/her work? One of the first people to come to mind is Heather Bailey . Her sense of mixing color and pattern is fabulous. She is a fabric designer (another love of mine!), but has branched out into the paper crafting world. She has the look I love–bright and fun with a little vintage feel. These little turtles make me HAPPY! So cute! (she sells the pattern on her site:) What advice can you give to paper crafters who are interested in incorporating more trends into their projects? Visit the Moxie Fab blog! Cath will keep you up on the trends. Oh, and browse through catalogs and magazine–lots of companies offer free catalogs. Get on their mailing lists! Instant inspiration delivered right to your mailbox. If you find a photo that you love, try and incorporate some the things you love from the photo into your next card or project, whether it be the color scheme, a little detail on a dress or pillow, or just the overall feel of the photo. I loved this living room photo from CountryLiving.com the moment I saw it. I knew I wanted to translate that look into a card. And here is the result…. In your opinion, what paper crafting techniques are trendy right now and why do you think they are appealing? I think stitching is huge. It’s an easy and very inexpensive way to add a lot of texture and pizazz to your projects. Stamping has also become an invaluable technique for paper crafters. Stamps are one of those items that can be used over and over again in such a variety of ways that make it very cost effective. I also think paper piecing is making a big comeback because it gives that fun folk art feel to projects. In your opinion, what paper crafting products are trendy right now and why do you think they are appealing? Anything vintage looking is so popular right now–from “found” objects, to products resembling vintage items–if it looks aged and time worn, chances are, we’ll love it. I also think there is a trend towards product lines that have an emphasis on “mix” rather than “match”. What is your favorite part about your job as a designer and why? What is your least favorite part about your job as a designer and why? Favorite? Easy! Creating! Just taking a handful of product and making something beautiful (hopefully!) with it is so rewarding. Least favorite? Easy! Paperwork! Ugh. Name some doors that have opened to you as a result of being connected to the scrapbooking industry and what that has meant to you. Well, my position here with Paper Crafts , for starters. I told Cath a while back about my “dream job” story. My husband and I were talking about what our dream jobs would be–realistic or not–and I said “A Paper Crafts Pro!” (Or, as the case is now, a Go-to Gal.) A few months after that conversation, I was presented with an opportunity to pursue that dream. Be careful what you wish for, I guess. I’ve had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people through this hobby. I am also thankful that it has allowed me to work from home and be here with my little ones. Which retail stores tend to get your trendy juices flowing? Anyone who knows me knows that I love to dress my two daughters. Their closets are bursting at the seams, while mine is pretty sad. I love the bright colors and patterns of children’s clothing–many times they inspire my paper crafting projects. Some sites I love are: Mini Boden for Girls : I found this adorable and trendy outfit on the Mini Boden site and thought the bright color scheme would be so fun for a card: The colors instantly reminded me of the June Bug line by Basic Grey, so I took that out and started playing. By having a color scheme in mind, half the work was already done and this card came together quickly. Gymboree : Their clothing is always full of such fun little details. Their hair accessories alone are a great source for color inspiration! The Gap : I also love Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids : …and Anthropologie , of course: One last question, Betsy. Do the evolving trends change your paper crafting style, or do you inject the trends into your already established style? I think it’s important to try to incorporate trends into your own personal style without losing yourself along the way. I think using products just for the sake of trendiness, not because it’s something you love, might leave you with projects you’re not really happy with. But, on the other hand I do think it’s important to keep up with trends, just feel free to be choosy and leave some trends behind if they’re just not your thing. I’d like to thank Betsy for taking the time to answer our questions today! I don’t know about you, but I’ve loved getting to know Betsy better and to see what makes her tick! Now friends, as if this interview isn’t special in and of itself, I’ve got an even special-er surprise for you! If you leave Betsy some love by midnight MDT on Sunday, October 25 , I will choose one random commenter to win this: Yep! It’s a Gypsy ! From Provo Craft . I know! Awesome prize, huh? …and another random commenter will win this: Yep! It’s the Holiday Button Bits Stamp Set and the Vintage Buttons Holiday Mix from Papertrey Ink . I know! Another awesome prize, huh? I’ll announce the winners on Tuesday of next week! Grateful for Betsy, ~Cath PS How are your challenge entries coming along? I’ve seen some amazing things so far in the Not Your Regular Ruffles challenge–and don’t forget! Paper Crafts has a Halloween Challenge going on as well. They both wind up on Monday of next week! I hope you’re planning on giving them each a try!
Hey everyone! Welcome to Lesson Eight of our Back to Basics series! This week we’re learning the shape shifting technique. We have another great video to share from Fran, featuring the Jumbo Snowman from Stampendous. If you remember back to Lesson Three , this adorable bag was made using the Jumbo Snowman and the shape shifting technique. This week, I thought I’d make some fall images to share. I used the Stretchy Spooks set. For this first card, I used the pumpkin image. I stamped it and then masked it so that I could stretch it and stamp it again in the background. For this next project, I used Adela’s 3d challenge Cookie Box template to make this adorable vellum box! I stretched the Stretchy Spooks ghost so that he formed the sides of the box! Here’s a close up of the tag: Here, I added a LED tea light to the box! Look how he glows! We’ll be having a challenge each week to go along with each lesson. To play along, make a card, scrapbook page or 3D item using the simple stamping technique featured this week. Our featured techniques this week all featured the shape shifting technique. Tag your photo b2b8 (all lowercase) so that we can pull your project into our gallery. (If you’re new to Paper Craft Planet, here is an excellent tutorial on adding photos to the gallery!) Next Wednesday, we’ll pick one lucky, random, winner from our challenge players for the generous prize pictured at the end of the lesson! This class was brought to you by Stampendous! Click on this banner to purchase any of the supplies featured in this lesson: Jump on over to our Stampendous group and take Lesson Eight from our Back to Basics class. Happy Stamping! Susanna
This is a page I created for the Week in the Life project using one of Tiffany Tillman’s templates from Little Dreamer. I added a few more pictures to the template for the extra pictures I wanted to put on the page. I really enjoyed the rest of this project, but I didn’t take as many pictures as I would have liked to for the last few days. Here are the credits.
