October Stamp of the Month Art #30

Art by Traci Pasqualone

Little tiny gifts are so much fun to give away.  And they are easy to make with our Cricut Artiste cartridge.  This one folds over the top, leaving an opening for a handle - adorable!

October Stamp of the Month Art #29

Art by Tina Dupin

Double the ornaments . . . double the color . . . double the fun!  Hemp is added to these ornament tops for a darling finish, as the hanger and the bow.

October Stamp of the Month Art #28

Art by Tracey Pierce

So what are the little sparkles here?  Stars in a night sky?  Ice crystals?  Snowflakes falling?  I wonder . . .

October Stamp of the Month Art #27

Art by Tracey Pierce

This little cutie doesn't even need any patterned paper!  It's simple traditional colors are accented by the chocolate ribbon, wooden button and hemp to give it it simple country feel.

October Stamp of the Month Art #26

Art by Susan Brooks

Here's some thinking outside the Christmas box!  Use the ornament image to create holiday flower petals!  Just check out the close-up details here.  Amazing!

October Stamp of the Month #25

Art by Sue Laufer

Stripes abound on this card from my friend in Hawaii!  Stripes in the paper, stripes on the ribbon, stripes in the knotted Baker's Twine . . . all for a very fun and festive look on this Christmas card.

October Stamp of the Month Art #23

Art by Sheila Lucas

Cupcake boxes are easy to make, with our Cricut Artiste cartridge!  Make the box, the lid, the insert for stabilizing your cupcake and the cupcake paper - all so easy!

October Stamp of the Month Art #24

Art by Sheila Lucas

Everything you need to gift someone with a special cupcake!  The box, the stabilizer inside, the paper cup wrapper and the tag!  All with Cricut Artiste. :-)

October Stamp of the Month Art #22

Art by Nancy Brown

A richness is visible in this card.  It is created by the soft sponging around each element.  The card itself is a cut from our Cricut Artiste.  Don't you just HAVE to have this cartridge??? :-)

October Stamp of the Month Art #21

Art by Michelle Jones

Sometimes I forget that rounding the corners on a card can give it such a different look!  And the simple technique of repeating colors in solid striping reminds me of the basics that bring us back to good, solid artwork.

October Stamp of the Month Art #20

 Art by Michelle Jones

Use this as an ornament OR a gift tag.  Simple, but oh - so cute!

October Stamp of the Month Art #19

Art by Maggie Cameron

Silver Shimmer Trim is one of our fun new embellishments.  It's a roll of sparkly tape!  Just peel off the backing, and it's ready to adhere to your project in a nice straight line . . . no other adhesive necessary!

October Stamp of the Month Art #18

Art by Lisa Sargent

This card reminds me of the way my Mom used to decorate our front door at Christmas, like a great big package!  The bow here is one of my favorite things on the Cricut Artiste cartridge.  I've used it on the tops of boxes, and here it's the perfect touch for the card's wrapping.

October Stamp of the Month Art #17

Art by Lisa Sargent

Folding and layering multi-stamped images creates this lovely ornament.  One of our big Designer Brad Rhinestones is added to the top.

October Stamp of the Month Art #16

Art by Kathryn Wafer

I think my favorite thing about this creative card is the striped border along the bottom!  This is one of my favorite patterns in the "Pear and Partridge" pack, and used in small sections like this, it's especially beautiful!

October Stamp of the Month Art #15

Art by Kathleen

Wow!  Now HERE are some non-traditional holiday colors!  Don't you just love it?  Avonlea papers are featured here, along with a bold (Gypsy?) cardstock to really grab the eye.

October Stamp of the Month Art #14

Art by Julie Reynolds

Same card, different look!  Here, I used the Pear & Partridge papers, which bring tradition right back into place.  I added some Baker's Twine for mitten strings, and this time gave the mittens a sweet touch with Bitty Pearls.

October Stamp of the Month Art #13

Art by Julie Reynolds

La Belle Vie is the paper pack I used here.  I wanted to step out of traditional holiday colors again ........ so these soft shades bring a whole new look.  Black sparkles add a bit of shine to the mittens.

October Stamp of the Month Art #12

Art by Jill Lucas

Blues bring a chilly look to your project!  Don't feel bound by the traditional green and red for your cards or layouts.  Snow scenes are fun in these cool shades!

October Stamp of the Month Art #11

Art by Jeannine Friend

Glitz Glitter Gel adds a quick and sparkly accent to any handiwork.  It's glue and glitter all in one quick step! Just apply and let dry for a fast and fun shine.

October Stamp of the Month Art #10

Art by Janice Hodgkin

One of the MANY creative cards available at the touch of a button on the Cricut Artiste cartridge!

A Feat For Your Feet . . .

I receive weekly emails from this organizational guru, and I love them because they are SIMPLE little one-bite-at-a-time helps. Please visit her website if you'd like more information.

The change in seasons means a change in wardrobe. Sandals move to the back of the closet, shoes and boots move to the front. With that comes daily visits to the sock drawer. What a great opportunity to do some sock wrangling, sorting and purging. I know you've all been practicing Decluttering Rule #5:  Make your bed everyday. So, spill the contents of your sock drawer onto the bed and let's have some fun! Have a trash container and a donation bag standing by. Start by tossing all the single socks in a pile. Next, grab all the pairs you know are too big, too small, too baggy, too tight, too ugly. Add any of them that still show promise to the donation bag. Toss the rest. (Remember to only donate items that are clean and in good condition) Now, ask yourself, "How many is enough?" (Dressy socks, athletic socks, fun or themed socks) Decide on a number or a spatial amount. The drawer one pair deep, so all the socks are visible when you open the drawer with a bit of room still available, is a reasonable goal. With your limit in mind, sort through the remaining socks; choosing your absolute favorites, until you reach the number (or you've filled the space). If among the orphan socks you sorted out at the beginning there is a favorite, and you think its mate is in the current laundry, set that sock aside. If its mate fails to appear at the end of the laundry cycle, send it on to One Sock Heaven. (And no, I don't know where all those single socks hide) Take the bag of trash socks and throw it away, put the bag of donate socks into your car so you'll actually give it away. Open and close the newly organized sock drawer a couple times just to bask in the glow of a task completed.  And know that now, every sock in the drawer fits, has a mate and will give you happy feet while you have them on. (No more exploding drawer when you try to open it, or trying to stuff just one more pair in before four jump out!) Oh, and if the laundry chore of sock matching, folding, pairing up is too tedious or frustrating for you, here's an idea to simplify it:             Get rid of all the socks you now own.             Buy a multi pack of white socks and a multi pack of black socks. When these socks come out of the dryer, toss them into your sock drawer. Grab two whites or two blacks when you get dressed.  You'll always have a matching pair. In a year or so, toss all the socks, buy two more packs and start again. Organizing your sock drawer is a 'little bite' out of the big project of decluttering and organizing your home.  Spending a small amount of concentrated time now will reward you in the future. And you'll be able to find your special Halloween socks, now, instead of in December! Today the socks, tomorrow? Karen www.LifeUnstuffed.com

October Stamp of the Month Art #9

Art by Helen Onulak

On this layout, Helen uses the ornaments beautifully, by mounting them with 3D foam tape, and adding string and ribbon so they absolutely hang off the page!

Cardmaking Kit - Pear & Partridge

A fun class is on the schedule!  Order the "Pear & Partridge" Cardmaking Workshop on the Go Kit (see video below) and then join me for a fun time of creating!

Choose your day and time:

Sunday, November 11, 2 - 5pm
Monday, November 12, 10am - 1pm

Now . . these kits may not take you 3 full hours to complete, but I'm setting aside that much time, so no one feels rushed.  And as always, you are welcome to do as much as you wish with the group (use my inks to stamp, if needed,) and then pack up the rest and take it home to complete at your leisure - because you have EVERYTHING else you need!  How fun.

You can also opt to order the kit and have it delivered directly to you (slightly higher shipping than having it come to me for a class) and then you can make the kit whenever you wish, on your own schedule.

We will want to order these kits for you by Oct. 30, to ensure they are here in plenty of time. (I'll be away from my office in there for a few days.)  So be sure to email me so we can arrange for your lovely Christmas Card kit!

Kits JUST PERFECT for Cardmakers!

October Stamp of the Month Art #8

Art by Erin

There is a great variety of boxes and other 3-D items to make, using our Cricut Artiste cartridge.  Start to play, and it's hard to stop!

October Stamp of the Month Art #7

Art by Elizabeth Hawley

Our Burlap Ribbon is a VERY fun item to use in your papercrafting.  Whether it's on a scrapbook layout or a card, it brings a unique texture to your creation.  Here, Elizabeth used a couple fibers from the ribbon to attach the mittens to the burlap "faux bow."

October Stamp of the Month Art #6

Art by Debi Gardner

Clean and crisp!  That's the look of this card, but it has a surprise element - -  the gathered ribbon from our Red Collection Designer Ribbon.  This makes a wonderful contrast to the sharp edges and clean design of the card.

October Stamp of the Month Art #5

Art by Darlys Recker

Red sparkles embellish the mittens here.  Cutting out the mittens before they are even stamped is one of the EASY things about our Cricut Artiste cartridge!  This makes creating many of the same card a breeze.

October Stamp of the Month Art #4

Art by Cathy Stai

Who would have thought that a BT paper from a very "Western" themed pack (Dakota) would be perfect with a Christmas mittens card?  It reminds me of a little wool jacket I had when I was little!

October Stamp of the Month Art #3

Art by Angel Sawyer

Background stamping is the key to this airy background.  Then add a splash of bright red ribbon, and it's a striking look.

October Stamp of the Month Art #2

Art by Amy Raimy

On this 6 x 6 card, Amy uses two colors of Baker's twine, twisted together to make a pretty border across the top.

October Stamp of the Month Art #1

Art by Allisa Chilton

A pretty little square card, featuring our Pear & Partridge paper pack.  Allisa uses lots of layering for a beautiful effect.

Organize Your Crafting Booty!

I just ordered my organizers last night and can't WAIT to get them, just in time for my Scrapbook Retreat this month.  I love that they're clear, so you can see where all your goodies are.

They are so very reasonably priced - The Small Organizer is only $12.95 (with three  3 x 3 craft boxes for only $6.95) and the Medium Organizer is a great value at just $16.95.  This one includes removable dividers so you can customize your fit!