Archive | September, 2013
9-13-life-goes-on

Dose of Sunshine Monday — It goes on

Today I combined one of my favorite quotes with one of my favorite pictures to share with you. These are some amazing Aspen trees in Northern Arizona. My husband and I were hiking with some friends and came upon an entire forest of Aspen trees with their leaves changing color to a bright yellow. It’s almost that time of year again! I just LOVE fall.

9-13-life-goes-on

Take a look at this picture and take a deep breath. Life goes on! No matter what you are going through, you can find amazing life all around. That is simply amazing, isn’t it?

Here in my city, we don’t experience changing leaves…nothing as amazing as these Aspen trees. We have to travel a ways to see beautiful, color-changing trees like this. Do you have changing seasons where you live?

Comments { 0 }
halloween-treat-sacks-3

Halloween Treat Sacks — A tutorial (and a free printable!)

I have Halloween on my mind. I know, I know…it’s only September! First, mini pumpkin pies and now Halloween in September! But these little DIY Treat Sacks are so fun to make and share, that I HAD to show you how to make them.

These little sacks are made from 1 sheet of paper and really can be used for ANY occasion. But filling them and decorating them with Halloween is super-fun. 🙂

halloween-treat-sacks

All you have to do is take 1 sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 paper and fold it up. It’s kinda like folding up an awesome note to pass around in jr. high, only this time it turns into the best little treat sack (and that’s better than a folded up note, right?!)

I made a video of just how to do this.  Check it out:

And for those of you who like simple, I created a printable Halloween tag you can use to dress up your treat sacks! It’s a chalkboard printable with a Halloween bat…a nice little combo. My nephew always says “Spoo-oooky” at this time of year, and that’s just the word I used for this printable! (Hi, Porter!)

9-13-spooky-halloween-tag-small

To download this tag, first like my page here

Then download the pdf here: halloween tag 6 up

halloween-treat-sacks-3

For a little added fun, take a spider ring and cut off the ring part. Attach it to a paperclip with a glue dot or hot glue, and sparkle it up with a little glitter glue on the body of the spider (see picture below). These work perfect to attach the tag to the treat sack. You can also punch a hole in the top of the sack and tie it together with ribbon.

So try your hand at making these little sacks. They would be perfect for a party favor, or to dress up a Halloween themed dinner table. I’m making some for my neighbor kids.

halloween-treat-sacks-2

Happy Haunting!

Comments { 0 }
IN_participant

Trick or Treat Money Card

My college-aged son is not a fan of my crafting. So I thought…if I combined MONEY with my love of card making and send it along to him at college he just *might* change his mind about that. Ha! So we are going to give this a try.

I learned this card technique from Laura Bassen at the Insider Card Class. I am LOVING this class…have I mentioned that?

IN_participant

Laura inspired me to create a card that had a “window” to see through to a money-containing envelope. I thought I’d make a Halloween card for this one:

trick-or-treat-card

That trick or treat stamp is a new favorite from Teresa Collins. When he opens the card….there is the envelope.

trick-or-treat-card-2

trick-or-treat-card-3

…filled with a bunch of money!!

Ok, tell me who wouldn’t LOVE a card filled with money? So we shall see if I make a fan out of him with this card. 🙂

That’s all for today! I’ll see you soon with a Halloween Treat Sack made out of one sheet of paper! (I love these little treat sacks!)

Comments { 0 }
wed-challenge-badge_zpsf506d7ee

Extra Long “Growing” Card

I have been taking the Insider Card Class with Kristina Werner and Jennifer McGuire and friends. It has been AWESOME!! I am truly enjoying each day of this 4 day class…and I wish it wouldn’t end!

Here is one of the cards I was inspired by Kristina to make:

flower-grow-card

It’s a happy, cloudy sky card with vibrant flowers. THEN, when you OPEN it…

flower-grow-card-2

It grows and grows and grows!

flower-grow-card-3

flower-grow-card-4

I used Paper Smooches friendly flowers stamps as well as Autumn Flowers stamps, Stampin’ up ink pads and Distress ink to make the sky. Inktense watercolor pencils are my favorites right now for coloring in these flowers. The “Hi” and those stars are heat embossed with gold embossing powder.

I thought this card would be perfect for my daughter who is pregnant (aka “growing” a baby)…what do you think?

Loving this card class, Kristina & Jennifer!!

Linking up to Paper Smooches challenge and Simon Says Stamp challenge.

Paper Smooches logo sparks

wed-challenge-badge_zpsf506d7ee

Comments { 3 }
fantastic-and-easy-fried-rice-small

Fantastic and Easy Fried Rice (Guest posting)

I’m guest posting over at Mom Endeavors today! It’s my all-time favorite Fried Rice recipe that you can make at home. If you like fried rice, you may be surprised that you can make it just as delicious as those teppanyaki restaurants (yum!)

fantastic-and-easy-fried-rice-small

So head on over here to check it out. And while you are there be sure to leave a comment or well-wishes!

Comments { 0 }