SWEET SUNDAY FRANK

My design for Sweet Sunday Sketch #40 is pretty simple this week, but what a great sketch! The possibilities are endless! (If only I had more time to explore them!)

I hope you'll find time to play along! Be sure to link your sketch card to Karen's post so everyone can see your creation! Here's more sketch inspiration from the rest of the Sweet Sunday Stampers ...

Jennifer Tapler
Karen Motz
Laura Fredrickson
Lynn Put
Sarah-Jane Kale'
Vicki Burdick

RECIPE
Stamps: Batty for You, Smarty Pants
Paper: Cast-A-Spell DP, Basic Black, Old Olive, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Old Olive Classic, White Craft
Tools: 1" Circle Punch, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

FRIEND. GOOD.

Yes, I'm jumping the gun here with a Halloween card, but couldn't resist using the new Cast-a-Spell Designer Paper! Frankenstein (Batty For You stamp set) is my favorite Halloween image, and this sentiment from the stamp set Smarty Pants always makes me smile! I used Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #76 Sketch.

After I had my card all put together, I realized that maybe I should have more thoughtfully cut the background designer paper with the pumpkins. It bothers me that the orange pumpkins in the print aren't seen on the right and bottom. Does it bother you like it does me?
RECIPE
Stamps: Batty For You, Smarty Pants
Paper: Cast-a-Spell DP, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Old Olive and Basic Black
Embellishments: 1/4" Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" and 1" Circle Punches, Modern Label Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

TRICK OR TREAT, SMELL MY FEET

I haven't posted or stamped ALL week! I'll consider this my warm-up card .. amazing how it takes a few tries to get the mojo back! I'm hoping to get a few more cards designed today before heading back to work tomorrow.

This card uses Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try 09/20/08. I used the stamp set, Batty For You with Ghostly Greetings Designer Paper.

The stitching is from the retired stamp set, All In A Row. I've owned this stamp set for a very long time and this is the first time I've ever used it! I found it quite intimidating but now that I've mastered my Stamp-a-ma-jig I may use it more often! I love the look of stitching in papercrafting and would love to have the patience to stitch with my actual sewing machine. But, swear words tend to spill out of my mouth every time I try to use my sewing machine! LOL!

I added paper piercing within the stripes of the YUM YUM dp and within the scallops of the scallop circle, three Pewter Jumbo Eyelets along the side, and Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.

RECIPE
Stamps: Batty For You, All In A Row (retired)
Paper: Ghostly Greetings DP, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Kiwi Kiss and Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: 1" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Scallop Circle Punch, Crop-A-Dile, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack, Stamp-a-ma-jig
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

ALTERED HALLOWEEN DIXIE CUPS

My daughter is the Co-Section Leader of the Clarinet Section of her AWESOME Marching Band, and I always like to send treats with her on the holidays for the 20 girls and 1 boy in their section. I "thought" I would just whip these up yesterday .... "whip" is a relative term! Took me way longer than I thought they would even though they are very very simple! (I know what you're thinking ... "her daughter's in high school, and she's still sending treats to school with her?" ..... hey!, the kids love it!)

Speaking of Marching Band .... the kids had a FANTASTIC day competing in Tucson yesterday! They received a SUPERIOR rating and four captions! WOOHOO!!! One of the judges they had last week was also there yesterday, and said he couldn't believe how one band could improve that much in one week! I am so happy for that incredible group of kids! They work so hard, and put in so many hours .... yesterday's rating defenitely fired them up for the State Competition in two weeks!

These treat holders are 5 oz. Dixie Cups, covered in Creepy Crawly DP. To create a pattern, use an exacto knife to cut the bottom out of one cup, the cut down the seam. I also cut off the top lip for a more accurate pattern. Use this "torn apart" Dixie Cup as your pattern to trace onto the DP and cut out with scissors. When I cut the DP, I cut about 1/4" wider than the pattern so the DP will overlap when adhered to the cup.

Don't forget the KEY ingredient: STICKY STRIP. Because the DP is curving around the cup, regular tape won't hold!

The handle is Basic Black CS measuring 5/8" x 7", attached on the outside of the cup with a More Mustard Brad, surrounded by a 1/2" Basic Black CS Circle and a 3/4" Pumpkin Pie Circle.

The front of the cup is a simple medallion using the stamp set, Batty For You. Had to make these simple since there were 21 of them (would have liked to have embossed them) ... so the Batty For You images are stamped in Jet Black Staz-On on Whisper White twice. Punch the center image (without the surrounding words) out with the 1" Circle Punch, then the entire image with words is punched with the 1 1/4" Circle Punch. Really Rust or More Mustard CS punched with the 1 3/8" Circle Punch and Pumpkin Pie CS punched with the Scallop Circle Punch are used behind the stamped image. Adhere the entire medallion to the front of the Dixie Cup with Sticky Strip.

Now, we just need to fill with treats!

RECIPE
Stamps: Batty For You
Paper: Creepy Crawly DP, Whisper White, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, and Really Rust CS
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On
Embellishments: More Mustard Brads
Tools: 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1 1/4", 1 3/8" and Scallop Circle Punches
Supplies: Sticky Strip, 5 oz. Dixie Cups

OCTOBER STAMP CLASS PROJECTS

These are the five projects I prepared for my October stamp classes that were held on Tuesday, Oct. 9.

SPOOKY SKYLINE CARD
This first card is a total case from Pam Varnell, The Stamping Addict. See her original card HERE. The only change I made from Pam's original is the addition of the full moon, done by masking with a 1 3/8" Circle Punch. To achieve the Spooky Skyline Scene, brayer the Glossy White CS with the Pumpkin Patch Spectrum Pad (with 1 3/8" Post-It Note Circle temporarily adhered in place), remove the circle then roll the Spooky Skyline Jumbo Wheel across with Basic Black Ink. Allow to dry for a few minutes.

RECIPE
Stamps: Spooky Skyline Jumbo Wheel (pg. 26), HAPPY HALLOWEEN sentiment from All Holidays (pg. 143)
Paper: Glossy White, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, and Old Olive CS
Ink: Basic Black Classic Ink Pad, Pumpkin Patch Spectrum Pad
Embellishments: Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Jumbo Stampin’ Around Handle, Brayer w/ Rubber Attachment, 1 3/8” Circle Punch
Supplies: Post It Notes (non-SU)
Techniques: Masking, Brayer


FALL FLOWERS CRISS CROSS CARD Click HERE for a wonderful Criss Cross Card Tutorial by Beate Johns on SCS. These are super easy to make and are so-o-o cute! The flower on the insert is cut out from the Fall Flowers DP, an Old Olive Brad is placed in the middle of the flower, and popped up with a Stampin' Dimensional. This card also uses the new Stampin' Up! Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon.

RECIPE
Stamps: Priceless (pg. 117)
Paper: Fall Flowers DP, Really Rust, Old Olive and Sahara Sand CS
Ink: Sahara Sand
Embellishments: Old Olive Brad, Old Olive 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Round Tab Punch, 1/16” Handheld Circle Punch
Supplies: Sticky Strip, Stampin’ Dimensionals


HALLOWEEN POPCORN PULL
These Halloweeen Popcorn Pulls were created using various patterns from the Creepy Crawly DP. The DP was cut 6 1/2" x 9", and scored at 2 1/4" and 6 1/2" to wrap around the standard size microwave popcorn pack. Sticky Strip was used the adhere the bottom and back seam, then the bottom was crimped with the Crimper. The Pewter Jumbo Eyelets were set (in front AND back) with the Crop-a-dile. The Black Grosgrain Ribbon is looped around the popcorn pack, threaded through the Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, and tied in a bow.
RECIPE
Stamps: Booglie Eyes (pg. 29)
Paper: Creepy Crawly DP, Basic Black, Whisper White, and Pumpkin Pie CS
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Black Stampin’ Write Marker
Embellishments: Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, Black Gingham Ribbon Tools: Crop-A-Dile, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/2" and 1 3/8” Circle Punches, Paper Crimper, 1/8” Handheld Circle Punch
Supplies: craft store "eyes" glued on with Crystal Effects, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip

2-5-7-10 AUTUMN HARVEST BOX

This 2-5-7-10 Box is a total case from Deborah Southard, aka debils on SCS. See her original box HERE. HERE is a tutorial for a 2-5-7-10 Box by Jenn Balcer. This box was made shorter than the one in the tutorial, measuring 5" tall. Instead of scoring at 2" in Step 2, CUT at 2". The pumpkins from Autumn Harvest (pg. 6 of the 2007 Holiday Mini) were stamped in Black Classic on Pumpkin Pie CS and cut out. The smaller pumpkin is raised up on Stampin' Dimensionals. The leaves on the Old Olive CS were stamped in Versamark.RECIPE
Stamps: Whimsy Jumbo Wheel (pg. 101), Autumn Harvest (pg. 6 Holiday Mini 2007)
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive CS
Ink: Basic Black Classic Ink Pads, White Craft Ink, Versamark
Embellishments: Pumpkin Pie Gingham Ribbon, Black Brads
Tools: Jumbo Stampin’ Around Handle, 1/16” Handheld Circle Punch
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals/Foam Tape, Sticky Strip

HALLOWEEN ALTERED ALTOID TINS

You've all seen this 5th project HERE on my blog.

HALLOWEEN ALTERED STARBUCKS FRAPPACINO

I've had this project in my head for weeks, and am so excited that I was finally able to put it together yesterday! It is an Altered Starbucks 4-pack Frappacino ... the kind you purchase at your local grocery store. Recipe and directions are given below the photos.

RECIPE

Stamps: Batty For You (pg. 27)

Paper: Creepy Crawly DP, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust & More Mustard CS

Ink: Versamark, Black Craft Ink

Embellishments: Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard & Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Really Rust Eyelets, Black Hemp Twine

Tools: Word Window Punch, 1" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Powder Pal

Other Supplies: Starbucks 4-pack Frappacino Bottles & Cardboard Carrier, Assorted Halloween/Autumn Candies, Stampin' Dimensionals or Foam Tape, Black Emboss Powder, Black Satin Spray Paint

NOTES:

* The lids to the bottles were painted with black satin spray paint.

* The Black Craft Ink Pad was used to ink up the edges of the cardboard carrier before adhering the CS.

* To cover the body of the cardboard carrier, cut 2 pieces of DP 4" x 10", scored at 2 1/2" and 7 1/2". I used Scotch double stick tape to adhere DP to cardboard carrier.

* To cover the middle handle section, cut one pieces of DP 4 1/4" x 5", scored at 2 1/8". For the oval shaped hole, I traced the hole with a pencil on the wrong side of the DP, and cut it out with scissors.

* There are two small triangle pieces on each side of the carrier. Again, I traced them onto the wrong side of the DP, and cut them out with scissors.

* The band going around the body of the carrier is the black spider web DP from Creepy Crawly and Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon.

* The images from Batty for You were stamped in Versamark onto Cardstock and embossed with Black Emboss Powder, then punched with the 1" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches.

* The words dangling from the center of the cardboard carrier were punched with the Word Window Punch from the Creepy Crawly DP (the one with all the Halloween-related words). Really Rust eyelets were added to the "tags", and hang with black hemp twine from the center black grosgrain ribbon.

* I chose not to decorate the glass portion of the bottles ... didn't want the CS or DP to "catch" and tear when removing and inserting the bottles into the carrier.

Here is another Altered Starbucks Frappacino gift set I did back in January for Valentine's Day.

JUST CALL ME THE TIN LADY

More tins, different style! I have been very anxious to get around to this project for quite some time! These are altered Altoid Tins, and I was inspired by the altered SU Accents & Elements tin make 'n take project many people have shown on their blogs from convention.

Last Spring, Tammy and I were out garage sale-ing and found a big 'ol box of Altoid Tins. Of course, we snatched those puppies up FAST! The lady holding the garage sale was very curious as to why we would even want them! We simply replied, "crafting". She said she could never figure out why her husband saved all those Altoid Tins! She said that he eats them like candy! One man's garbage is another woman's craft project!!!!

I spray painted the tins, inside and outside, with black satin spray paint. The crop-a-dile cuts through them like butter! (which creates the holes for the ribbon to go through). The ribbon is simply tied in knots on the inside to secure it in place. I also covered the back of the tins with the same Creepy Crawly DP used on the front. Several pieces of Halloween candy can easily fit into these tins.

RECIPE

Stamps: Batty For You (pg. 27), "happy halloween" from All Holidays (pg. 143), one tin uses the spider from Booglie Eyes (pg. 29), "boo!" from Autumn Apparitions (pg. 21 Holiday Mini)

Paper: Creepy Crawly DP, Basic Black, Whisper White, Really Rust, More Mustard CS

Ink: Basic Black, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink Pads

Embellishments: Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon

Tools: Crop-A-Dile, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/2", 1 3/8", and 1" Circle Punches, Word Window Punch, Corner Rounder

Other: Black Satin Spray Paint, Altoid Tins, craft store "eyes" glued on with Crystal Effects, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip

Here is a card Halloween card I did a couple of nights ago. I wasn't even going to post it, but Allie (who is very frank with her opinions about my work) liked it. Allie has a great eye for design so I figured if she liked it, it must be OK! To me, it just seems to be missing something but everytime I try to add to it, it looks too busy.

I went by the same layout as the Garden Whimsy card we made at my August class (here).

RECIPE

Stamps: Autumn Apparitions (pg. 21 Holiday Mini)

Paper: Creepy Crawly DP, Basic Black, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie & More Mustard CS

Ink: Basic Black Classic Ink Pad