Last Chances Today!

This is it! The end of September means the end of entering to win my Rubber Stamper's Halloween Pack. You can still enter today until midnight by answering the question below in a comment or by placing an order (gets you 5 entries).

Today's card idea is one of my favorite stand-by layouts.

• The Kraft cardstock base was embossed with the Big Shot and Stampin' Up! Texturz plates, then a light sponging of Dusty Durango rubbed across the top to help the embossing stand out.


• A piece of close to cocoa attached at the bottom creates the "text box". The sentiment is from Kind and Caring Thoughts--email me if you would like to know how to get this stamp set free.


• For a little zip, I added some Bermuda Bay polka-dot ribbon.


• The image is Flowers in Silhouette which is a single stamp offered by Stampin' Up! It is stamped onto a small piece of Kraft first in Dusty Durango, then again (slighty offset) in Craft White. I just love the way the colors blend together creating a third color! The image piece is layered onto Dusty Durango and all the edges are sponged with Dusty Durango ink.

Today is also the last chance to order the Definitely Decorative Growth Chart.

This special offer growth chart is $24.99. It goes up in a jiffy on a wall, door, or if you think you might move you can apply it to a board that can move with you!

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And now for the last question...but first I want to thank everyone who has participated! It is so fun to hear about what you are doing and find out your view on things!!

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Do you usually have trick-or-treaters come to your house?

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Have a great day! I'll post the winner tomorrow!

Tasha

• The 12 Weeks of Christmas started today! If you're on my mailing/newsletter list you should have received a Christmas card idea this morning. The upcoming weeks will include cards, gifts, and tags/wrapping projects. Not on the list? Sign up in the upper left corner of my blog.
• click here to place an order

2 Days Left To Enter

Well, today and tomorrow are the last 2 chances to win the rubber stamper's Halloween Pack.

Today's question:

Do your kids' celebrate Halloween at school? No kids in school? Then let me know if the leaves are starting to turn colors where you live.

Here are a couple samples from the Stampin' Up! idea book and catalog. I just love that skeleton!

Have a great day!

Tasha

My First Time

This is it! I am sharing with you the first project I made with My Digital Designer. This is soooo handy! In the time that it would take to get out stamps, paper, etc. I had the page done.

• in order to make it super-quick I opted for a pre-designed page
• the pre-designed page is just a starting point, you can still move, resize, delete, and add images, colors, accessories, and text
• the finished layout is based on today's Unscripted Sketch 25

Blog Candy Giveaway Question 8:

Have you bought any Halloween/fall candy yet?

Your answer could make you a winner! Giveaway ends at midnight on Sept. 30.

Thanks for stopping in and have a great weekend!

Tasha

Chance To Win, Question 7

Cards of the Month (local club) meets today! Here is one of the cards we will be making--it's a real hoot!

The chipboard owl is a fun element to use. He is part of the On Board So Tweet collection offered in the Stampin' Up! idea book and catalog. This card uses retired fall designer series paper so if you want the look, you'll have to order this month's Cards of the Month Kit.

A little Shimmer Paint sponged on the eyes after the crushed curry gives just the right touch of glisten. And sponging the edges of the owl himself in chocolate chip finishes him off nicely.

It's a lot of fun to get together and stamp, but even better for me because it's my "job". I am always looking to grow and willing to train so if you would like to join my team let me know! Guess what? With today's technology you don't even have to be within driving distance!

An email today, and you could be ready to roll in a week. And you can decide how much you want to earn. Yes, most earn a little money to put in their pocket and cover their expenses. But you can also be a stamping demonstrator earning a full-time salary.

Now on to another fun part of my job!

Blog Candy Giveaway Question:

Do you prefer traditional Halloween costumes (witch, ghost, fairy) or the character costumes (Star Wars, Buzz Lightyear, Cpt. Jack Sparrow)?

Your answer could win you this fabulous rubber stampers Halloween pack.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Tasha

Get Ready For The 12 Weeks of Christmas!

I promised that I would get you ready for the holidays and help alleviate the last minute scramble. And here's how it works...starting next Wednesday, Sept. 28, I will have 12 fantastic holiday projects to make the season brighter. There will be cards, gifts, and wrapping/tags.

The project pictures, ingredient list, and details will be sent directly to you each week. Only people on my mailing list will get this, so if you're not signed up for the newsletter--sign up now!


(Giveaway question at bottom of post)

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Blog Candy Giveaway Question 7
Do you send Halloween cards?

I do not send a lot of Halloween cards. I do remember my mom making some when I was little. One year stands out in my mind. She used black paper and grease pencils. I remember the yellow writing because she made it squiggly like it was scared and it was so cool!! ;) In those days it was a lot harder to make neat cards! We are so lucky to be able to open a catalog and have a world of ideas and supplies at our fingertips.

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to get on the mailing list if you're not already (yes, it's all free).

Tasha

Completely Unscripted Wednesday

The card for today is made possible by my daughter who is home sick, thereby giving me time to stay home and stamp! Since my plans have all changed for the day I thought it was only appropriate to do an Unscripted sketch. :)

stamps: two that I've had for years. Bought the skeleton to stamp on kids' hands at a preschool party 9 years ago and the face I actually bought to use as coffee beans for a project a couple years ago!

cardstock: Stampin' Up!s basic black, rich razzleberry, crushed curry, and whisper white

ink: rich razzleberry (pad and marker*), basic black

accessory: crushed curry polka-dot grosgrain ribbon

• A little "connect the dots" doodling adds just enough detail to the background. Using the rich razzleberry marker on the same color cardstock keeps it from standing out too much.
• the face is popped up on Stampin' dimensionals for extra emphasis
• the card is 5-5/8"x5-1/2", nearly square!

Blog Candy** Question:

Which is your favorite Stampin' Up! halloween set? They are in the catalog and idea book pages 20-26. Click here to see the catalog in pdf form.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tasha

• *this is the first time Stampin' Up! has offered markers in the In Colors, it is so handy to have them along with the pad, cardstock, and ribbon
• **click here to see the giveaway details!

Mojo and Giveaway Question 5

When I said the blog candy giveaway questions would be posted randomly, I had no idea HOW much that was true! The question is below, but first a card idea for you today. Honestly, I don't like this card but I thought it was only fair to share it anyway! Somehow the idea was prettier in my head! lolIf you check out the sketch at www.mojomonday.com maybe you can make a better one!

stamp set: Full of Life

colors: bashful blue, gable green, regal rose, whisper white

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And now for the question. Your answer could win you this fantastic Rubber Stamper's Halloween Pack. Drawing is Oct. 1, details can be seen here.

Do you let your kids eat all the candy/treats they get throughout the Halloween season? No kids? That's okay, just leave any old comment to get an entry.

Hope you had a great weekend. Ours was full but fun! Thanks for stopping in, Tasha

• 3 more days to sign up for October Cards of the Month
• 3 more days to sign up for Die Cutting Day (see right side bar)
• click here to order supplies right now from my online store!
  

Blog Candy Giveaway Question 4

Where did Thursday go? I finished this card to show you about 24 hours ago but never got back to my computer! Just for fun I used this week's color challenge and the sketch challenge both from splitcoaststampers.

A quick and simple card that would bring a smile to the recipient's face! Both the bird and flower are paper-pieced by stamping the image on pattern paper, cutting it out and glueing directly onto the image that was stamped on white. The card is a standard 4-1/4"x5-1/2" size.

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To create this card you will need the following Stampin' Up! supplies:

stamp set--Fun and Fast Notes

cardstock--whisper white base, soft suede, pretty in pink, pink pattern paper

ink--StazOn jet black

accessory--clear crystal brad, small

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Don't forget you can enter to win this Rubber Stamper's Halloween Pack by answering the questions until Sept. 30. Tip: sign up as a follower (on the left side) and you'll know each time I post a question!

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Do you prefer to make cards for Halloween or Christmas?

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Find out the rest of the ways to enter by clicking here.

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Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Tasha

• Need supplies right now? Click here to order from my online store

Blog Candy Giveaway Question 3

Do/did you let your kids trick-or-treat? No kids? That's okay, just leave any old comment so you get an entry!

Click here for the giveaway details and how to win!

Good luck--and thanks for stopping in!
Tasha

October Cards of the Month!

It's official! Cards of the Month for October has been released! You can sign up from now until Sept. 23 to take part locally or for the mail option you can sign up through Oct. 10.

Click on the picture for all the details!

Another Chance To Win

To get another entry for the Rubber Stamping Halloween Blog Candy just answer the following question today.

What is your favorite Halloween candy?

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Being a traditional kind of girl, mine is candy corn. Especially if they're in a dish mixed with dry roasted peanuts. My great aunt used to have that out every fall so that combo instantly brings back fond memories of being at her house. Due to a nut allergy in my own home, we do not have this in our house! And my kids would probably think it was gross. ;)

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I look forward to hearing your favorite! Thanks for stopping by today, Tasha

• watch for Cards of the Month release later today

Halloween mojo

I have so much mojo I can hardly sit in my chair! This is my third post today so be sure to check the one before because it's the start of my September blog candy!

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Today's card idea uses the wonderful Wide Oval Punch from Stampin' Up! I love the versatility of the punch. It is not too large, but big enough for images and to make this fun (and easy) pumpkin. The stem is punched with the Modern Label Punch

• The layout is from today's mojomonday 104 sketch. It's a great one for round objects.

This is a 5-1/2"x4-1/4" card with the fold along the top.

• the background was created by randomly inking the diamond Texturz plate before running it in the Big Shot
• each piece of the pumpkin is sponged around the edge before assembling
• ink: basic black, old olive, pumpkin pie
• stamp sets: Sweet Centers (holiday mini catalog), Teeny Tiny Wishes
• cardstock: kraft, whisper white, pumpin pie, old olive
• accessories: 5/8" old olive ribbon (a must have), 1/2" striped grosgrain in pumpkin pie

That's it for me today! Be sure to check out that Halloween theme blog candy.

Need to order rubber stamping supplies? Click here to head over to my online store or email me.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tasha

• Cards of the Month for October releases tomorrow!

September Blog Candy

This is it! You can win this rubber stamper's Halloween pack in September.What's included:

• 1 definitely decorative Spooky Spider small size
• 2 treat holder cards, ready to be filled with your favorite treat
• 1 Build-A-Bear gift sack kit
• 3 yds. of fall polka dot ribbon (1 yd. each of dusty durango, crushed curry, and soft suede)
• Holiday Best stamp set
  

So here's how it works:
I will be posting random Blog Candy Trick-or-Treat Questions starting today Monday, Sept. 14. You can answer the question/post a comment any time THE DAY the question is posted. Only one entry per person per day via comments.

*This blog candy is limited to US addresses--sorry to my international friends.

Other ways to enter:

• link this giveaway on your blog, let me know, and you get another entry!
• place an order (through me) from the main Stampin' Up! catalog or the holiday mini Sept. 14-Sept. 30 and you get 5 entries! place 2 different orders, get 10 entries!

First Blog Candy Question:

How old were you the last time you trick-or-treated?

I have a terrible memory so there won't be a lot of thinking back questions--lol. But I'm pretty sure I was in ninth grade, or maybe I was a sophomore. Anyway, that's pretty old!!! My friend and I covered a LOT of town that night.

Good luck to everyone!

Tasha

State Fair Update: Personal Post

I usually don't have a lot of personal info. here but the state fair is a big deal in our family so here's a little bit about how the weekend turned out. Don't worry, I have a mojo card to share, the blog candy preview, and the first chance to win all coming later today.

My oldest won 2nd in the Curley's bbq sauce competition! That was his only entry.



My younger son won 7 ribbons for entries in the scout building! But he was completely bummed that he didn't win the Spam jr. chef yesterday.





My daughter got a first on her cinnamon rolls and second for the oatmeal cookies. However, that was eclipsed by her big win as Spam Jr. Chef! For those of you close enough to get the Wichita channels, she will make her recipe on the Noon Show on Sept. 29. (Ironically, this airs at 11 am)

Oh, and I'll be on there with her since I placed 3rd in the Spam Champion adult competition. That was my only fair entry since I was so busy helping the kids prepare.

In case you are wondering, YES, this takes a big toll on the home life. Here is what my kitchen looked like this morning. It actually looked like this everyday this week and I would clean it all up (sometimes twice) but last night I was just too tired!

Tomorrow is the Extra Special cookie contest for kids sponsored by King Arthur Flour. Their prize is pretty good but guess what? I think we're going to pass. :) Today is dollar day for the rides so we will take the younger two right after school. Somehow, I think they'll like that better than cooking!

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WHY I DON'T GET A DAY OFF!

Last night, after getting home about 5:30, I decided I was too tired to cook dinner. None of the kids seemed hungry and the husband was at work so I thought I would just let them eat cookies!!! And let me say, these are cookies that I am baking up because the dough is in the fridge. They are hot, fresh chocolate chip and also molasses cookies. About 6 this conversation took place with my middle child.

child: what's for dinner mom

me: just eat some cookies

child: what?

me: just eat some cookies

child: okay, can I have two?

me: yes, but have a glass of milk too (and then feeling guilty) and here eat some of this (leftover meat stuffed bread--2nd place winner)

So then about 6:30 he comes to me and this coversation takes place:

child: Mom, what's for dinner

me: I told you--cookies

child: no, seriously

me: (thinking ugh! seriously, you expect me to cook something?) well...I guess I could make milkshakes (thinking the only fruit I have in the house are bananas that are too ripe to be eaten but would make a great milkshake)

child: but then what would we have for dessert?

me: (about to die laughing) fine! I just remembered we have bacon, I will make bacon and eggs

child: so then we can have cookies for dessert?

I realize I should be happy that my children know that cookies aren't a meal. But last night I simply found it irritating!

Thanks for stopping by! I will have the stamping post up by afternoon.

Tasha

An Unscripted Stamping Break

Since it is Saturday, I had to take a break from fair baking with the kids to visit Unscripted Sketches. Today's card idea uses their sketch #23.

This is a quick card to put together. It is the standard A2 size (4-1/2"x5-1/2") with the fold on the top.

stamp set: Christmas Punch (you can get this free as a hostess)

ink: close to cocoa, ruby red

accessories: Sleigh Bells ribbon (116795 in the mini-catalog), gold brads, hemp twine

All supplies are Stampin' Up! Need something? You can order directly through my online store, or email me for a catalog.

Have you started thinking about those holiday cards? I will start The 12 Weeks of Christmas on Oct. 6 to help you get everything ready without the last minute rush!

Have a great weekend!

Tasha

Blog Candy

Blog Candy Announcement: I am giving away a rubber stamping Halloween package and I will show some of it on Monday. This giveaway will be limited to US addresses because another way to enter is by ordering!

So here's how it works:

I will be posting random Blog Candy Trick-or-Treat Questions starting Monday, Sept. 14. You can answer the question/post a comment any time THE DAY the question is posted. Only one entry per person per day via comments.

Other ways to enter:

• link this giveaway on your blog, let me know, and you get another entry!
• place an order Sept. 14-Sept. 30 and you get 5 entries! place 2 different orders, get 10 entries!

So good luck to everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Tasha

Oct. Sneak Peek

It's time for Cards of the Month Sneak Peek! Since the cards are for October, can you guess what the theme is? ...That's right, a little spooky and fun.

Not familiar with Cards of the Month (COTM)? You can get the details by clicking on the COTM picture in the right sidebar. There are 2 September kits left which you can purchase through this weekend.

On a personal note: the State Fair starts Friday!! I delivered entries to the scout building yesterday. It didn't go real smoothly and I was having to play "beat the clock" but they got there!

Part of the reason I was distracted is that I got a call from the hospital that my brother's baby was coming about 10 days early.

But she was over 7lbs. and just perfect so the day ended well!

Have a great day!

Tasha

Classroom treats

Today's rubber stamping idea is a treat--like for Halloween! Using Stampin' Up!'s new Sweet Centers stamp set and sweet treat cups, these go together quickly. And when you need to mass produce a project, quick is a necessity.I've been waiting to show this project thinking I would get some candy to put in the cup but I keep forgetting! The completed size is 3-1/4"x3-1/4" so you can get 3 orange pieces out of a piece of 8-1/2"x11" cardstock.

• cardstock: only orange, whisper white
• ink: basic black, old olive (sponged around the edge)
• accessories: sweet treat cup, black gingham ribbon
• stamp sets: Sweet Centers, All Holidays
• tools: paper cutter, 1-3/4" circle punch

All supplies are from Stampin' Up! and can be ordered right now from my online store or by emailing me.

On the inside, I just used the center of the image that I punched out. These will be great for making 50+.

The Sweet Centers stamp set, sweet treat cups, and 1-3/4" circle punch are all available in the Holiday Mini-Catalog. You can download a copy in the right side bar or email me so I can send one to you! (US addresses please)

Thanks for stopping by!

Tasha

• Cards of the Month Sneak Peek on Thursday
• you can still sign up for Die Cutting Day (right side bar)
• Sweet Centers (#116521) shown below with additional samples

Wild Mojo

This weekend I spent time caring for 2 friends' animals while they got away for the holiday. After getting our own animals down for the night I counted up that I had just finished tending 13 chickens, many fish, 5 cats, 2 bunnies, and 2 dogs. So with animals on the brain, I reached for my Animal Stories stamp set this morning once I checked out mojomonday sketch 103.

I did flip the sketch sideways, but other than that it is straight forward.

• Tall Tales designer series paper helped this card go together quickly


• colors are soft suede, old olive, so saffron, and whisper white


• gold brads anchor the hemp twine on each side


• the spiral punch lends some pizzaz to the paper strip (that punch is a bargain at only $10.95)

It's hard to see, but I did use the Shimmer Paint (yes, I am still loving it) on the giraffe.

Sponging the stamp with the shimmer paint, then inking it in soft suede, gives a shimmery --almost embossed-- look!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

Tasha

• click here to order supplies from my online store 24/7!


• 3 days to the COTM sneak peek


• watch for Friday's BLOG CANDY announcement!
  

Labor Day (or...er...life!)

It's been a busy weekend so far! We had our first football game on Thursday and Marlin's parents drove out here to see it. We had a nice, although short, visit since they had to leave this morning.

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For today's papercraft idea, I have some gift containers to share.

• A friend of mine is looking for something that she can fill with candy to give as thank yous for co-workers who help her out. So I made a few options for her to look at.
• All but the matchbox use the window sheets which are so cool! Tip: be sure to use permanent ink such as StazOn when stamping on the window sheet.
• Below you can see the basket style with it's matching card.

I'll be back later in the week with some dimensions/tutorial for making these!

Thanks for stopping by!

Tasha

• Cards of the Month Sneek Peek is Thursday!
• Times still open for Die Cut Day (see right side bar)
• Looking for a local fundraiser? email me!
  

Halloween Treat Sack

Today's project is a cute little bag for a special spook this Halloween! I just love the Build-A-Bear Kooky Spooky die. Isn't this bear adorable?

This is super-quick to put together if you have some of the bears pre-cut. Notice the shimmery gold leaves?! I just couldn't pass up trying Stampin' Up!'s new Shimmer Paint on the black. Love it! Simply dab a little on the stamp with a sponge and stamp.

The sign is made from the Modern Label Punch and a greeting from the stamp set All Holidays.

The base is a brown sack, the size that is smaller than lunch size. Usually found at craft stores in the wrapping paper area. I cut it down to 5" tall.

A short piece of the Pumpkin Pie 1-1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon closes the top while adding a touch of color.

You can make 2 of these bags along with other great projects at my Build-A-Bear Workshop on Oct. 17. Or take part in Die Cut Day on Sept. 26 and cut some bears to have on hand. Email me for details.

Or if you just want to order your own dies or supplies you can do that right now at my online store!

Have a great day!

Tasha

Commission Work

Today's card idea is a card that I made for a client. Occasionally, my upline/neighbor/friend along with another sideline and I work together as a group called Dazzling Diamonds Design Team to do custom order work. These cards are for a church to send on birthdays.

Because many people will need to sign them this card is actually a large 5-1/2"x8" size which was hard for me!

• colors: whisper white, orchid opulence, certainly celery, so saffron
• the background is embossed with the Big Shot and the exclusive Stampin' Up! Backgrounds 1 texturz plate
• the sentiment is from the Special Blessing stamp set heat embossed in black
• the flower images are part of the Eastern Blooms stamp set
• glitter is that fabulously fine Cosmo glittler in purple
• the ribbon is 5/8" grosgrain, unfortunately the so saffron color is no longer available but you can still get 9 other colors (and they are a bargain in 15yd. spools!)

In case you've been hiding under a rock, I better let you know that the Holiday Mini-Catalog is official today. Yes, you can now order the fantastic items available. Except for My Digital Studio which will not be available until Oct. 1.

And there is a hostess special. Any workshop that has $250 in product orders, earns the hostess the opportunity to order any item* from the mini-catalog for only $10. That is in addition to the already generous hostess benenfits. I also lhave an additional offer that I mentioned in my September newsletter. So email me to get on the schedule!

Thanks for stopping by!

Tasha

• don't have a mini? email me with your name, mailing address and phone so I can send one to you!

*excludes My Digital Studio and hostess sets