Happy Halloween!

Hello, friends!  Happy Halloween to anyone who celebrates the holiday!  I am stopping by to share my final Halloween card as they have now all been mailed off to my little nieces and nephews.

I have loved Halloween ever since I was a child.  There is something so exciting about dressing up, walking around town as the darkness falls and the air cools and the leaves crunch beneath the feet of groups of excited kids going door-to-door!  Watching my own kids repeat this tradition made me happy, too!  Strange, this year none of my kids will be trick-or-treating and I have to admit I'm a bit sad to see it end.  Last year my husband and I wound up home alone on Halloween and practically knocked each other over to answer the door when tick-or-treaters rang the bell!  Ah, the stages of life.  

On to my last card for Halloween this year.  I am playing along with {PIN}spirational Challenges #177 because the cat and pumpkin reminded me of the stamp I used on my card.

This one-layer card uses an old Penny Black "Dressed to Scare" image and is paired with a Hero Arts sentiment; I colored the image with Copic markers before masking it and inking the sky with various distress inks.

I also spritzed the sky with Perfect Pearls mist for some detail.  Pretty cool effect in the right light!

I must say that it irks me to see the Christmas decorations up and out for several weeks now.  I went to the local bulk shopping store in early October and found aisles of Christmas trees, lights, wrapping paper, ornaments, and toys ready to go!  UGH! Too soon,  too soon.  Can we wait for Halloween and -- even more importantly -- Thanksgiving to arrive?  The materialism of Christmas in the US gets me down, and each year it arrives earlier and earlier.  Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas and I celebrate the birth of Christ...but I do not love the materialism and the fact that it gets pushed on us from every angle months in advance.

Maybe that's why I spend so much time celebrating the preceding holidays and posting cards for them?  Well, whatever the reason, I wish all those celebrating Halloween today a happy day filled with lots of treats and no tricks!    

Thanks for stopping by,
Judy

Precious Remembrance Shop {Inspire Me Friday}

Hi, everyone!  I'm here today with a sneak peek of my final Precious Remembrance Shop {Inspire Me Friday} post using the fun new release stamp set, "Oh Christmas."

This week I made two different projects.  Here is a sneak peek of one of them:

I hope you will head over to the Precious Remembrance Shop blog to see the full post.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

CASology #221: CURE

Hello, friends!  Tuesday has arrived, and so has our next cue card at CASology!

On the heels of last week's cue card, COFFEE, I couldn't help but think of a nice cup as a cure.  A cure for the morning blues?  A cure for mid-day fatigue?  Works for me!

I used a fun digital image and sentiment called "Birdbrain Needs Coffee" by From the Heart digital stamps.  I know I need a little pick me up (in the form of coffee) every morning when I get up and every mid-afternoon so I can make it through the second half of my day!

I printed my image and sentiment directly onto white card stock, and decided it needed a little pop of color.  So, I took a strip of glitter tape and ran it down the edge of the card.  What an easy way to add a little interest to an otherwise one-layer card!

As we end the month of October (and breast cancer awareness month), I look forward to seeing your take on the cue.  Be sure to link up your CURE card by noon on Monday (Central time).  Our design team and guest designer have some very inspiring cards, too, so be sure to visit them!

Ardyth Percy-Robb
Deidre Payne

Hannelie Bester
Hazel Hodgkins
Jacquie Southas
Jen Wills
Joyce Mehrberg
Judy Marino --> that's me!
Kymona Tracey
Melissa Chipperfield
Sherrie Mannion
Tracey McNeely

Guest Designer: Petra

** Our NEW Sponsor This Week:  Birch Press Design
Thank you for sponsoring our challenge this week!

Thanks for visiting,

Judy

The Card Concept #60

Hello, friends!  I'm still on my mission to make enough Halloween cards for all of my neices and nephews, so here is my next project!  This time I'm playing along with the Card Concept #60 {Chevron Pumpkin}.

I stuck with the "Clean and Simple" style by keeping to one layer with one main image and lots of open space.

I was inspired by the pumpkin and the fall leaves in the inspiration photo.  It reminded me of this fun pumpkin stamp by Great Expressions; I stamped it onto watercolor card stock and colored with Copic markers before adding lots of Wink of Stella for some sparkle!

I only have a few more Halloween cards to make and I should be able to send them out to all of the little ones in our lives.  So glad to have a challenge to inspire me!  Thanks for the fun challenge and inspiration at the Card Concept this week!

Thanks for stopping by,
Judy

Another Halloween Card

Hello, friends!  I am back today to share another Halloween card -- this time for no particular challenge, just for fun!

I kept my main image surrounded by white space but mounted it onto a nighttime-themed card base.  No embellishments, white space, one main image...pretty clean and simple!

Stamps:

There She Goes "Bewitched By You"

Can you see the sparkle on the green, bubbly witch's brew?  I used a Sakura gelly roll clear glitter pen!

Thanks for stopping by today...have a great day!
Judy

CASology #220 - COFFEE

Hello, friends!  This is going to be a wonderful week at CASology!

I am a big fan of coffee.  I don't need fancy flavors or creamers, just coffee with some milk and sugar and I'm all set.

STAMPlorations is our sponsor again this week, and they have an entire line of stamps dedicated to a coffee/tea theme.  (You can check it out HERE.)  I made two cards, paper-piecing each mug using "Sketchy Coffee Cups" and a sentiment from "Fond Expressions 2."

I'm also linking these cards up to the following challenges:

(1)  STAMPlorations Never-ending Anything Goes Challenge.

(2) Addicted to CAS Challenge #99: Coffee

(3) STAMPlorations October CAS Card Challenge - not doing the optional color twist this time!

So?  What does COFFEE bring to mind for you?  Be sure to link up your card by noon on Monday (Central time). Check out the amazing cards by the Design Team and our Guest Designer for more inspiration...they make such amazing projects each week!

Ardyth Percy-Robb
Deidre Payne

Hannelie Bester
Hazel Hodgkins
Jacquie Southas
Jen Wills
Joyce Mehrberg
Judy Marino --> that's me!
Kymona Tracey
Melissa Chipperfield
Sherrie Mannion
Tracey McNeely

Guest Designer: Asa

Our Sponsor This Week:  STAMPlorations

Thanks for visiting,

Judy

CAS on Sunday: Halloween

Hello, friends!  I'm here today with a Halloween-themed card for the current CAS on Sunday challenge!

HALLOWEEN

I send Halloween cards to my nieces and nephews every year since we don't get to see them for trick-or-treating.  This one is going to a nephew, for sure.

I kept it clean and simple by using one main image and keeping lots of white space; I dry embossed the card base to give it some texture and to imitate the shape of the lollipop.  my card has limited embellishments and was quick and easy to create.

Stamps:

There She Goes  "No Tricks, Only Treats"

Hero Arts "Trick or Treat Message"

I have a feeling I may be back with another card later this week...I have a few more to make for my stash this year!

Thanks for stopping by,

Judy

Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge #20

Hello, everyone!  I'm here today with my card for the newest Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge #20 #20 using this inspiration board:

For my project today, I chose to work with the bottom row across:
Use Puns/Sweets/Smooshing Technique.

My background is the result of smooshing several distress inks together on an acrylic block, spritzing with water, then stamping.  I wanted the background colors to compliment the colors of Frankie (my nickname for my little Frankenstein image here).

Card Supplies:

Stamps: There She Goes (No Tricks, Only Treats)
Inks: Tim Holtz distress inks (Peeled Paint, Scattered Straw, Spiced Marmalade)
Dies: MFT Die-namics (Stitched Oval STAX)
Other: Distress Stickles (Clear Rock Candy), Copic markers

The punny sentiment is a bit saucy for some of my younger nieces and nephews, but maybe one of the older ones will appreciate it!  ;)

I added Stickles to his sweets (i.e., the lollipop) for some shine and texture.

I am really looking forward to your  take on the inspiration board for Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge #20.  I hope you get a chance to play along!

As always, thank you for stopping by!
Judy

Precious Remembrance Shop {Inspire Me Friday}

Hi, everyone!  I'm here today with a sneak peek of my third Precious Remembrance Shop {Inspire Me Friday} post using the fun new release stamp set, "Oh Christmas."

Here is a sneak peek...

Head over to the Precious Remembrance Shop blog to see the full post!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

CASology #219: SPOOKY

Hello, friends! I'm here with my card for the next cue at CASology!

While Halloween may not be a card-mailing occasion for everyone, I do love making Halloween cards for my nieces and nephews.  They are growing up so fast, it won't be for much longer!  I'm going to have fun making them as long as I have little ones to whom I can mail them.

Plus, I love my Halloween stamps!

This stamp set is from the now-closed There She Goes Stamps.  I love the look of this spooky witch...she is a classic in my book!  She reminds me of the big witch face decoration my mom used to hang on our front door when I was a kid...green face, long nose, wart, wild hair, creepy smile.  (Did anyone else hang Halloween decorations in their windows when they were kids?)

I can't wait to see your SPOOKY cards! Be sure to link up your card by noon on Monday (Central time). Check out the spooky cards shared by our Design Team and Guest Designer, too!

Ardyth Percy-Robb
Deidre Payne

Hannelie Bester -- taking a break this week
Hazel Hodgkins
Jacquie Southas
Jen Wills
Joyce Mehrberg
Judy Marino --> that's me!
Kymona Tracey
Melissa Chipperfield
Sherrie Mannion
Tracey McNeely

Guest Designer: Isabelle

Our Sponsor This Week:  Serendipity Stamps

Thanks for visiting,

Judy

Virginia's View Challenge #24: Focal Point

Hello, friends!  It is a rainy Saturday here in New Jersey.  The east coast of the US is getting hit by Hurricane Matthew right now; luckily we are on the far outer fringes, just expecting rain and clouds today.  My thoughts and prayers to all those, world-wide, who have been affected by this slow-moving, powerful and devastating hurricane.

I wanted to share a birthday card I made for my older brother's 50th birthday.  I think the focal point is pretty clear...I certainly tried to let it take center stage on this clean and simple card!  I am entering this card into the current Virginia's View Challenge #24: Focal Point.

I dry embossed the white card base using a Hero Arts/Sizzix embossing folder.  In the "label" section, I adhered the number 50 (die cut from silver foam paper).  It is very sparkly in real life...especially when the light hits it!  (Not likely happening any time today due to the rain, but I tried!)

I don't think he reads my blog, but just in case...Happy 50th Birthday, Joe!  I hope your birthday is awesome and your year ahead is full of joy!

Thanks for stopping by,
Judy

Tic Tac Toe Challenge #19 Project Inspiration Sneak Peek!

Hello, friends!  Just giving you a little sneak peak at the inspiration project I am sharing today at Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge #19.

Just as a reminder, here is the current challenge board.  For those who are curious, "packaging goods" can include anything you would normally use when packaging items and gifts such as gift wrappers, bubble wrap, twine, tape, etc.  Can you guess what packaging good I used? ;)

You can go HERE to see my post!

Have a great day,
Judy

The Paper Players #315: Happy Halloween!

Hello, friends!  I am just under the wire as I share my first Halloween card of the season.  I was inspired by the current Paper Players Challenge #315 - a Happy Halloween theme challenge from Claire.

For my card, I printed a free digi spiderweb from Gerda Steiner Designs (found HERE).  After I printed and die cut it, I mounted it on some fun patterned paper and then onto a purple card base.  The monster is a 3-D sticker and it adds dimension, color and sparkle to this basic card!

I am also linking my card up to the current Gerda Steiner Designs 25th Share Your Designs Challenge" since I used her free digi image.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Judy

CASology #218: SUPPORT

Hello, friends!  As we usher in the month of October, we also start a new cue card this week at CASology.

Here in the USA, October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease.  I wanted to make a card in support of a friend who is battling some health issues and thought this little image and sentiment would say it all.

Since the image is so small, I used an embossing folder to frame the image and sentiment...that way they don't appear "lost" in all that white space.

Supplies:

Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp (Handwritten Sentiments); Paper Smooches (Knick Knacks)

Inks:  black dye ink; Ranger Adirondack (Red Pepper)

Other: Cuttlebug embossing folder (Rebecca); Glossy Accents

I hope you will play along with us this week!  Be sure to link up your SUPPORT card by noon on Monday (Central time). You will also be inspired by the many ways our Design Team and Guest Designer interpreted the cue this week!

Ardyth Percy-Robb
Deidre Payne

Hannelie Bester
Hazel Hodgkins
Jacquie Southas
Jen Wills
Joyce Mehrberg
Judy Marino --> that's me!
Kymona Tracey
Melissa Chipperfield
Sherrie Mannion
Tracey McNeely

Guest Designer: Anna

** Our NEW Sponsor This Week:  A Jillian Vance Design
Thanks for sponsoring our challenge this week!

Thanks for visiting,

Judy

Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge #19

Hello, everyone!  I'm here today with my card for the newest Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge #19 using this inspiration board:

For my project today, I chose to work with the top row across: Color Inspiration/Polka Dots/Birthday.

My color inspiration came from this fun image found on Pinterest (here):

I love the primary colors of these stacked cups and decided to make a birthday card using polka dot patterned papers and two balloon dies.  I think this one is going to my nephew for his upcoming birthday!

Card Supplies:

Stamps: WPlus9 (Strictly Sentiments)

Inks: Black die ink

Dies: Simon Says Stamps (Balloons)

Other: Black think Sharpie marker

I am really looking forward to your take on the inspiration board for Challenge #19.  I hope you get a chance to play along!

Thank you for stopping by today!
Judy