November Make & Take

The background of this simple Thanksgiving card is embossed with a Cuttlebug folder. The pumpkin is a Cuttlebug duo with the matching die and embossing folder (last fall's release-not sure if they're still available). The stamped saying is from a Hero Arts Thanksgiving set (and another saying from the set was used inside the card). The tiny turkey is by Stampendous. The label die cut the turkey is on is a Spellbinders Nestabilities.

October Make and Take

I meant to post this before Halloween, but October was a busy month. This was the October 2009 monthly Make & Take project I designed for the scrapbook store.

The stamps I used were by Hampton Arts (Trick or Treat) and Snag 'Em (Happy Halloween with spider). The other sides were also stamped with Art Warehouse (pumpkins, costumes, candy) and another "Happy Halloween" stamp (unknown manufacturer). I used a Nestabilities scalloped circle for the top, and the embossed "Scary" is a punched circle embossed in a seasonal Cuttlebug folder. The box itself, and the scalloped top, were cut with Accu-Cut dies.

Scraplifted Sympathy Card

I don't usually copy someone else's cards or layouts. However, I needed a sympathy card quickly, and I found a beautiful one at SplitcoastStampers that was perfect for what I wanted. Here is a link to the original (which is a little more elegant than mine shown above):

Sympathy card by Lynda Benden at SplitcoastStampers

Christmas Advent Calendar tags

Here is a list of the "activities" that I used on each of the tags for the advent calendar in the previous entry:

Bake Christmas cookies and give some away.
Set goals for the new year.
Do something kind for someone from church.
Write a note of appreciation to someone who might not expect to be thanked.
Make a list in your journal of several things you are very thankful for.
Mail a special card to one or more family members who live far away.
Set up a nativity and sing "Away in a Manger."
Give a hug to someone in your family.
Take a treat to a neighbor.
Make an ornament for your tree.
Cut out a snowflake and stick it on the window.
Take a picture today (or pose for one).
Talk to a friend.
Call one of your Parents or your Grandparents.
Sing Christmas carols to your neighbors.
Give food or clothes to someone in need.
Make a stocking for Baby Jesus and think of a gift to give to Him.
Say a prayer for our missionaries and soldiers.
Read a fun story about Christmas.
Read the Christmas story from the scriptures.
Watch a Christmas movie as a family.
Take a treat to your home teacher.
Visit someone who is lonely.
Hang up your stockings.

Christmas Advent Calendar

About three years ago, there was an advent calendar in Paper Crafts. This is based on it. Basically, you just use library pockets in rows on two 12x12 sheets of cardstock. Inside each pocket is a tag with a suggestion of something fun to do that day, in the hopes of encouraging the Christmas spirit in your children. I gave this one to my oldest son's family.

Autumn Blessings Side Step Card

It's probably pretty obvious, but one of my favorite sources for cool stamp projects is SplitcoastStampers (SCS). Sometimes a contributor will put the link to their blog where they have additional information or instructions. I had seen Step Cards several times, but when I came across this Side Step Card posted at SCS, I wanted to try it. I ended up using slightly different measurements, because I wanted my steps more even than the original version, but here is the link to a tutorial for the original Side Step Card:

Side Step Card Template and Instructions by Julie Davison

For what it's worth, I don't know any of the people whose blogs/sites I give links to.

As I said, I adapted the card and used slightly different measurements. If you want your steps a bit more even, use the following measurements. With your cardstock in the portrait position, put it in your paper trimmer--NOT the guillotine kind--and line up the left edge with the 2 inch mark. It should also be pushed up against the top edge. You will NOT cut all the way through the paper, but only from the 3 inch mark down to the 7 & 1/2 inch mark (your cardstock should be 8 & 1/2 inches tall).

Now for the fold lines: On the left side, you score from the left side over to the "middle" cut, at the 4 & 1/4 inch mark from the top & bottom edges. On the right side, you score from the "middle" cut to the right edge--measuring UP from the BOTTOM edge, at the 1", 1 & 3/4", 3 & 1/2", 4", and 5 & 1/2".

They're kind of weird measurements, but it did result in fairly even steps. Sorry I don't have a video to show you. I don't know how clear my written directions are.

Halloween Treat Bag #2

When looking for something else, I came across a couple of older punches that I'd forgotten I had: a bare tree and a ghost. I also had a bunch of new Halloween punches that I'd bought at Michael's recently but hadn't yet used. I decided to make another treat bag. It's a simple project, but it gave me a chance to make at least a little something before I obey my conscience and get back to the things I really should be doing.

The ghost punch is by McGill. I don't know who made the tree punch, since there's no name on it that I could see. The small bats are from an EK Success border punch, and the tombstone & fence are Martha Stewart punches. I used the Stampin' Up Word Window punch to make the opening for the "fun size" (manufacturer's code word meaning extremely small) Twix candy bar.

The design for the treat bag is adapted from this tutorial:

Stampin' Academy treat bag

Although definitely "inspired" by this tutorial, mine isn't quite the same. For one thing, I have only guys in my house these days, so I eliminated the ribbon handle. Secondly, I have an extra fold. You can kind of see from the middle and right images how I did mine. Also, instead of using Velcro to close it, I have a half-circle cut with my Coluzzle to make a slot for the top flap to insert into. The half-circle slot is hidden by the tombstone.

One cool thing about the tombstone is that the RIP is embossed when you punch it. You can probably get a better view if you click on the photo to enlarge it.