What do you do with scraps of Designer Series Papers that you just love, but don't want to throw out?  Make a sampler!  That's what I did last night.  I took my stash of Spooky Night Designer Series Paper, cut it into 2" squares, and started decorating.  Some squares, like the Jack O' Lanterns and Witches Hats look great on their own, while other patterns call for some stamping.  Did you notice the little rat (so gross!) in the lower right hand corner?  He's stamped in Basic Black right on that square of paper!   And there are two cats.  The one in the top right corner is punched directly out of the cat pattern found on the Spooky Night Designer Series Paper, but the one in the center is stamped and punched out with the Spooky Cat stamp and punch bundle.  

Have you ever made a sampler?   They're a lot easier than they look.  I made this last night, while chatting on Facebook with a friend who lives an hour away.  Go ahead and give it a try.  They're a lot of fun, surprisingly quite easy to put together.  I might just make another one for fall!

Today's tutorial features just cutting instructions.

Base:  8 1/2" x 8 1/2" Spooky Night "Dot" pattern Designer Series Paper.   (It's the reverse of the cat page)
Layer 1:  Pumpkin Pie Cardstock, 8" x 8" 
Layer 2:  Card stock squares, 2 1/4" x 2 1/4"  (5 Very Vanilla and 4 black)
Layer 3:  Squares of Spooky Night Designer Series Paper, 2" x 2"
Scraps of Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie, and Basic Black, plus one Black Cat punched from the Spooky Night paper. 
​
Click here to download a copy of the supplies used in this project. 

One grand prize winner will receive our entire Stampin’ Blends Marker Collection (a $121 USD), and 100 runner-up winners will receive one Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack in one of our 12 signature colors (a $9 USD). 

TO ENTER: Like, comment, or share this post on Facebook. Limit one entry per person. Giveaway ends October 31. Winners will be selected on or before November 7 and notified via Facebook. Read the Official Rules here: https://tinyurl.com/y99dykz9.
​

Mark your calendars for the rest of this season's holiday stamping events!
October:

• October 28th - Christmas Card Club.   10 am or 2 pm.  RSVP due no later than 10/15.  

November:

• November 1st - Stampin' Blends are available to order!  (Stay tuned for an extra special treat from me when you order, too!)
• November 4th - Year of Cheer Holiday Stamp Camp -Email to RSVP by 9/30. ​​
• November 25th - Christmas Card Club,  10 am or 2 pm.  RSVP due no later than 11/15.  

December

• December 2nd, Customer Appreciation Day.  10 am  More details to follow.
• December 2nd, Stamping Bee Holly Jolly Celebration.  2 pm.
• December 9th - Christmas Card Club,  10 am or 2 pm.  RSVP due no later than 11/25. 
• December 10th - 2nd Sunday ​Coffee & Cards   2 pm.  Email to RSVP by 12/8  (Available in person or "to go" by mail.)
• December 30th - New Year's Bingo - Stampin' Style!  You won't want to miss out on this.  Featuring Make & Takes, Bingo, Prizes, Food!.  All new products and prizes from the 2018 Occasions and Sale-a-Bration Catalogs!   Must RSVP and prepay no later than 12/15.  ​​

My second Halloween treat for you comes in the form ofTreat Tubes.  These were the favorite part of last year's Halloween themed Paper Pumpkin, now in the catalog for only $5 for 12 of them.  Food safe, and cute as can be, these are filled with candy corn, M & M's, and Skittles.

​And they aren't just for Halloween.  Last year, I sold them at craft fairs filled with candy sprinkles with my favorite sugar cookie recipe.  The ideas are just endless.    

But that's not my favorite part of the treat.  Surprise! The Spooky Cat medallion can be removed and used as an ornament!   The trick is using our Multipurpose Liquid Glue.  If you put down a good coat of liquid glue on paper and let it dry before adhering it to the other piece of paper, it will try tacky enough for it to function as a removable adhesive.  Add a piece ofBasic Black Metallic Thread, and you have an instant ornament to hang.  

Another handy trick, to keep the  Treat Tubes from slipping is to secure them together before wrapping them with afew glue dots.  Those are strong enough to hold them together while you decorate. 

Last week, I gave a little hint about of the new Stampin' Blends alcohol markers.    As of last week, there was no release date for customers.  Well, guess what, I woke up this morning to see that the new Stampin' Blends alcohol markers will be available starting November 1st!!!  Just in time to make it on your holiday wish list!

I've been playing with the Stampin' Blends for about two weeks now and know you're going to truly love them.  And I was so confident they'd be released before the holidays, all classes between now and December will feature at least one project using these new markers.  In fact, I created my December Sweet & Simple class around them! You're truly going to love them!  They take all the worry out of coloring! 

• Add just the right amount of color where you need it with the brush tip or fine-point.
• Each color (except Ivory and Bronze) has a light and dark shade marker, available individually or in a combo pack.
• We have done in-house testing for evaporation and life testing and are really happy with the results, so you can feel confident sharing them with your customers.

• Press fit seal prevents air from entering the barrel and causing evaporation.
• The nestable lids are easy to keep track of and have a tight fit for long-lasting color.

Now, you can't order them until 11/1, but here's a little sneak peak video of what's in store.   And when you're ready to place your order, please shoponline at my store, or feel free to contact me for help!

Upcoming Events:Mark your calendars for the rest of this season's holiday stamping events!
October:

• October 28th - Christmas Card Club.   10 am or 2 pm.  RSVP due no later than 10/15.  

November:

• November 1st - Stampin' Blends are available to order!  (Stay tuned for an extra special treat from me when you order, too!)
• November 4th - Year of Cheer Holiday Stamp Camp -Email to RSVP by 9/30. ​​
• November 25th - Christmas Card Club,  10 am or 2 pm.  RSVP due no later than 11/15.  

December

• December 2nd, Customer Appreciation Day.  10 am  More details to follow.
• December 2nd, Stamping Bee Holly Jolly Celebration.  2 pm.
• December 9th - Christmas Card Club,  10 am or 2 pm.  RSVP due no later than 11/25. 
• December 10th - 2nd Sunday ​Coffee & Cards   2 pm.  Email to RSVP by 12/8  (Available in person or "to go" by mail.)
• December 30th - New Year's Bingo - Stampin' Style!  You won't want to miss out on this.  Featuring Make & Takes, Bingo, Prizes, Food!.  All new products and prizes from the 2018 Occasions and Sale-a-Bration Catalogs!   Must RSVP and prepay no later than 12/15.  

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
-MacBeth, Act IV, Scene 1 

Yesterday, I played the roll of student, not teacher, as my friend Julia Sharpe Fair had invited me over tor her Spooky Treats class.  It was great fun, and it gave me the idea to create a week of Halloween treats, just for you.  If you know me at all, you'll know that Halloween isn't my favorite holiday, still it's fun to have a bit of fun with Halloween crafting. 

Today's treat features the Mini Pizza Boxes found in the 2017 Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog.    We've all been busy putting 3" x 3" note cards in them, but Julia reminded us yesterday, they really are great for treats, too!  They easily hold fun size Junior Mints or bags of Sour Fish, both of which we could choose from yesterday as we filled our treat holders. 

The box above is one I decorated last week at my Stamping Bee Team Spooky Celebration, and features theSpooky Cat Punch.  I love Stampin' Up! punches and dies that punch  out not only stamped images, but those found in the designer series papers, too!    I love how versatile our papers are, too.  There's no stamping on my box at all!  The cat, hat, Jack O'Lantern, and striped background all were cut from the Spooky Nights Designer Series Paper. ​

On Julia's design, we stamped the edges of the box with two background image stamps found in the Spooky Cat Stamp Set. ​  And added the Owl on the branch of the branch found on one of the sheets of the Spooky Nights Designer Series Paper. 

We both finished the look with our favorite spooky trim,  black Vintage Crochet Trim! 

Now, who do you need to send a spooky treat to? 

Mark your calendars for the rest of this season's holiday stamping events!
October:

• October 28th - Christmas Card Club.   10 am or 2 pm.  RSVP due no later than 10/15.  

November:

• November 4th - Year of Cheer Holiday Stamp Camp -Email to RSVP by 9/30. ​​
• November 25th - Christmas Card Club,  10 am or 2 pm.  RSVP due no later than 11/15.  

December

• December 2nd, Customer Appreciation Day.  10 am  More details to follow.
• December 2nd, Stamping Bee Holly Jolly Celebration.  2 pm.
• December 9th - Christmas Card Club,  10 am or 2 pm.  RSVP due no later than 11/25. 
• December 10th - 2nd Sunday ​Coffee & Cards   2 pm.  Email to RSVP by 12/8  (Available in person or "to go" by mail.)
• December 30th - New Year's Bingo - Stampin' Style!  You won't want to miss out on this.  Featuring Make & Takes, Bingo, Prizes, Food!.  All new products and prizes from the 2018 Occasions and Sale-a-Bration Catalogs!   Must RSVP and prepay no later than 12/15.  

​

Tuesday night, I was designing my November Christmas Card Club and I found a new stamp.  I was using the Labels to Love Stamp Set, and saw the Give Thanks sentiment for the first time.  I'm sure I'd seen it before, but this was the first time I really 'saw' it.  Of course, I just had to use  it.  So last night, I got out the stamp and set to work. 

I had seen a photos of some fall sunflowers, with shades of yellows, purple, and green, so I decided that would be my color palette.  And, why not, I threw in my Painted Harvest sunflowers, too.  Nothing like being inspired by nature!  I really didn't have a design in mind, just the colors.   I did mute the purple down to Fresh Fig, mostly because I don't have Elegant Eggplant.  Shocking, I know.  I think that's the only color I don't have in my whole Stampin' Up! repertoire.  I've just never needed it...until last night!  Guess what color's going on my next order!

Base:  Crushed Curry, 8 1/2" x 5 1/2, scored at 4 1/4"
Layer 1:  Fresh Fig, 5 1/8" x 3 7/8"
Layer 2: Whisper White, 5" x 3 3/4"
Layers 3 & 4:  2 labels from Everyday Label Punch, one in Fresh Fig & one in Crushed Curry
Layer 5:  Whisper White Circle
Layer 6:  Old Olive for leaves

1. On Layer 1, stamp 3  of the larger outline sunflowers in Daffodil Delight.  Then, over the top of those, stamp smaller detailed sunflowers in Crushed Curry.  (See illustration below).  Add Chocolate Chip Centers, stamping off first on scratch paper, then into center of flowers.  Add sunflower seeds in Chocolate Chip, not stamped off this time. 
2. Stamp Sentiment onto Layer 5 using Fresh Fig.  Roll edge of circle across stamp pad to add a color layer to edge. 
3. Stamp veins of 4 leaves in Old Olive.  Punch out with Leaf Punch.  Using glue dots, adhere two leaves together, slightly off set.  Wrap with linen thread a few times and tie with a bow. 
4. To assemble the card, adhere layers 1 & 2 to base.  Adhere layers 3 & 4 to each other and add to base with dimensionals.  Add layer 5 with dimensionals.  Attach leaf bundles with glue dots. 

Remember to register for the Snowflake Sentiments Christmas Card Club.  Registration is due October 15th.  Class is October 28th @ 10 am or 2pm.    Email me today to register!

“Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” ~The Dalai Lama

It hasn't been a peaceful week.  From lives lost and broken hearts, it's been a very emotional week for many , close to home, in our nation, and around the world.  But if we dwell on unrest and uncertainty, our lives are no longer in balance.  I was speaking with a friend of mine just yesterday, and what she said reminded me again of why I'm proud of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  We were talking about our kids and our lives and she said, "​I always get so calm when I'm making cards....it brings me peace!"   

It's been said that peace begins within one's own self.  When we're creative, our mind are at peace because we find connection and mindfulness.   When we create, we find harmony.  A chaotic spirit creates discord.  A peaceful spirit creates beauty.  And when we create something beautiful, we share that peace with others. 

What will you do to create peace and harmony this weekend?

Angie Hunter, who happens to be my friend with the quote above, is the winner of our 6 fall cards from last week.  Thank you, Angie, for leaving a comment on my blog.  I'll send these to you right away. ​

​Who will be this week's winner?  Leave me a comment on the blog or on Facebook about what you're creating this weekend - from gardening, to cooking, crafting or just cleaning and creating a peaceful home environment.  A random winner will be selected next Friday, and will receive the two reindeer cards from my blog yesterday.  (Did you figure out it was a reindeer yesterday?) 

Base:  Whisper White Note Card 5" x 3 1/2"
Layer 1:  Basic Black, 4 3/4" x 3 1/4"
Layer 2:  Quilted Christmas Designer Series Paper, 4 1/2" x 3"
Layer 3:  Basic Black Stitched Shape Circle
Layer 4:  "Tree" triangle cut from Quilted Christmas Designer Series Paper
Layer 5:  Whisper White, 2 1/2" x 3/4"

1.  Stamp sentiment in Real Red onto Layer 5. 
2.  Adhere Layers 1 & 2.   Wrap Christmas Quilt Ribbon around and secure on back.  Add a bow with a glue dot. 
3.  Adhere Christmas tree to circle and adhere to card with dimensionals. 
4.  Add sentiment with dimensonals.
5.  Add all layers to card base and finish with Gold Metallic Enamel Star.