Something About Fall......

With Halloween approaching next week, the time change coming soon, the colder temperatures, it can only mean one thing.......fall has definitely arrived. 

As much as I love summer, there is something about fall that I absolutely love.

There is a coziness to this time of year. 

I concentrate more on my house.....almost like an expectant mother who is "nesting." 

I relish my big bulky sweaters and my cups of coffee.

I love the smell of the furnace when it kicks on for the first time all season. 

My crafts start to gear now towards the holidays.

Halloween for me becomes the "kick off" to the holidays.

Such a fun time of year!

I know some may ask how this card was made.

 It was cut with the Cricut machine.

But I made it about a year ago and never posted it here. So ask me if I remember what cartridge I used.

Because this forgetful lady can't remember. ;) 

But hopefully you can still be inspired by it....

I am batting a thousand this week....

No giveaway yet...

Can't remember the name of the cartridge I used....

Sheesh!

Good thing it is Friday! 

;)

Thanks for putting up with my nonsense! 

Open if You Dare!

How about a cool coffin box to enclose those sweet treats for Halloween?  

My box was featured in Northridge Publishing's Cricut Magazine. (October 2012)

I adore this cut from the Happy Hauntings cartridge! I cut it at 5 inches to be sure it was large enough to store candy inside. 

Instead of the traditional Halloween characters....ghosts, witches etc, I decided to go with this lil' mouse. I am not really a fan of "scary" Halloween....I really prefer the "cutesy" Halloween. (I'm kind of a wimp that way! LOL!)

He's a cute mouse complete with a purple sparkly hat. 

I added an orange satin ribbon complete with a purple rhinestone. 

I also added a sentiment from My Craft Spot on a tag cut from the Close to my Heart Art Philosophy cartridge.  

I wanted the moon to be behind him, so I cut a circle with the Cricut Craft Room Basics. I added glossy accents and glitter......because we all know that moons should sparkle. ;) 

And I had to share pictures of my two furry monsters. 

My lil' devil, Skippers.

And....Myla the angel......most of the time! ;)

That's it for me today!

  Have a great day my friends!!

An Apology.....

I have to start this post off with an apology.  I told you I would be hosting a giveaway this weekend. 

And I didn't.  I couldn't for the life of me get my act together. 

I was preoccupied with "house" stuff, "kid" stuff, and "school" stuff. The weekend came and went, and I suddenly realized I hadn't posted what I said I would post.  

I am still planning on a giveaway, but I need to take pics of what I have, and get it uploaded here.

So I apologize for once again being a huge slacker!

I do however have a card to share with you today. 

This watering can is from the Crafty Secret's Gardening Digital collection.  

I colored it with my beloved Inktense pencils.

I added a rolled flower and several miniature flowers in my stash. I backed the image with several Spellbinder's dies. (Circle, Scalloped circle, and Pinking Shear). 

I added a pink doily cut using a Papertrey Ink die. 

As a finishing touch, sequins, and a tulle bow were added.  

Here is a bit of what I was up to this weekend.  

I had these glass cabinets that were dark. 

No one could see the dishes in there unless it was a bright sunny day.

My husband and I replaced the wooden shelves with glass ones. We then installed lights. 

I added pretty yellow fabric to the back and voila!

Now it's a cabinet that makes a statement instead of hiding in the weeds!

Thank you for putting up with me!

:)

Take Two on the Witch's Boot!

I couldn't resist making another witch's boot.

  This time I wanted to add her leg and striped stockings. 

And then one thing led to another and I ended up adding multiple roses, glittery leaves, and a spattering of sequins. 

Sometimes these projects take on a life of their own! ;)

The flowers were cut using my Silhouette and the leaves are by Prima. I used Halloween papers from the Paperloft.

The box still holds Halloween treats like candy corn.

Unfortunately, the candy corn didn't survive the last photo shoot from the other boot. 

Someone ate it all....   ;) 

It's the weekend!

I have no real big plans.

Crafting, grocery shopping, hanging out with the family....

Quiet is good.  I need a bit of quiet. :)

Check back if you get a chance this weekend.

 I will be hosting a giveaway and you won't want to miss it!

Hello....

My card today is a complete 360 from my witch's boot on Monday! 

I have a variety of Heidi Swapp stencils and have been having a bit of fun playing and experimenting with them. For this card I placed the stencil on cream card stock and taped it in place with low tack artist's tape.  I grabbed a variety of inks from Papertrey and just "stamped" the ink in the various colors. The magic happens when you take the stencil off and are left with this pretty background!

And because I am the type of gal who can't leave well enough alone, I added glossy accents to all of the colored areas. It gives the colors a bit more pop and a bit of dimension as well. 

I added a glittery flower that was cut using my Silhouette and a sentiment from JustRite's Vintage Banners set. I added several sequins for a finishing touch. 

As many of you know, Cortney had a modeling shoot on Sunday.  The photographer took many, many photos, but afterwards I couldn't help taking a few of my own. 

This gal loves the camera!

I just need a company, Etsy shop.......someone to give her a chance to model for them.

I think this dream may be unattainable....unrealistic.....but for now, it is one I am trying to pursue.  

Thank you kindly for your e-mails and kind words.  It truly, truly means the world to me.

I love that this hobby has created this thoughtful and kind group of people who care and support one another.

I am truly blessed by all of you!

Witch's Boot....

I have today off. I thought I'd get to relax.

I was wrong.

Too many errands and things that needed to be done because they had been neglected for far too long. 

But at least I feel like I am a bit more caught up now. 

Not in my "crafty" life, but in my "regular" life. ;)

With Halloween around the corner, I couldn't resist this adorable witch's boot from Silhouette.

It's a box and holds treats.  I added lace and this cute witchy image from Crafty Secrets Halloween Digital Labels. I gave her a bit of color using my Copic markers. 

I laced up the front of the boot with silk ribbon. 

I filled it with treats. Of course it was a bit fuller, but as I was taking the picture I kept sneaking a few..... :)

I can't resist candy corn.  

A few months ago I decided to do something I had always wanted to do. 

Get gel nails. Mine never grew. 

I had tried every product known to man and nothing worked. 

I envied women with nails......so I decided to do this for myself. 

I love them.

I love that my hands always look pretty.

I love experimenting with all the cool polishes out there.

I found this purple by Deborah Lippmann. 

Awesome.

Off to get some beds washed and pick up my newly groomed pups....it's time for their Halloween pics!

(Crazy dog owner here.)

Lucy, Lucy, Lucy......

Okay admit it, you said it in your best Ricky Ricardo voice didn't ya?

I loved this show growing up! The situations Lucy and Ethel got themselves into cracked me up!

But then again I was easily amused. ;)

2 years ago, I decided to be Lucy for Halloween.  I had the "Lucy" wig and everything.

My students got a huge kick out of it!

I used my Cricut and the Suburbia cartridge to cut the retro lady and title. For my circular elements, I used Cricut Fonts and Basic Shapes. It was published in the February issue of Cricut Magazine. :)

See the old fashioned vacuum cleaner?  It's not just a cool prop for my picture it is the school's actual working vacuum cleaner......yep, still works.  (Maybe it's time to get a new one?) ;)

I used some vintage inspired papers to add to the retro feel of this page. 

I can not begin to tell you how happy I am it is Friday! I have a 3 day weekend to look forward to and Cortney has a modeling photo shoot on Sunday!

Life is good! I am blessed!

Have a great weekend my friends!