More Halloween Fun

Jumbo clothespins make perfect little gifts for just about any occasion. I completed a number of similar clothespins for a craft fair that was rained out last weekend. Bummer! Well, I guess I'll just be "forced" to use these to display cut Halloween photos of my own children now.


To make these, I simply paint the wood clothespins with acrylic paint. Strips of patterned paper are trimmed to small rectangles and I round the corners. Ink the edges of the paper and adhere using Tombo Mono Adhesive (my favorite!). Ribbon, flowers, brads, chipboard, vinyl, etc., all make excellent additions!

Supplies used: Patterned Paper (American Crafts: Boogieman and Howl), Chipboard (American Crafts Halloween), Paper Accents (K & Co.), Flower (Prima), Ribbon (Offray and American Crafts).

Halloween Chipboard Album

This new line from American Crafts has been calling my name since it arrived in the mail. I especially love the quirky addition of the pale blue--not often seen in Halloween paper. I am so happy that I was able to steal some time and convince my 3-year-old to join me in my craft room this afternoon.


The black chipboard album is from Cosmo Cricket and one that I have used for a number of different seasonal albums. The black chipboard is fun to play around with--I used my white gel pen for details on many of the layouts.


The coordinating vinyl A.C. embellishments were perfect for this project. I have plenty left over and I cannot wait to use them on my next altered project.



Supplies Used: Patterned Paper (American Crafts), Chipboard Album (Cosmo Cricket), Paper Frills (Doodlebug), Brads (Basic Grey), Ribbon (American Crafts, Offray)

Lovely Ribbon

Who doesn't love ribbon? A good friend of mine is not only addicted to paper crafts, but she also makes the cutest hair bows! Check out these adorable bows using American Crafts Pumpkin Ribbon Spool #2, Spool #5 and yellow ric rac.

Nutmeg from Cosmo Cricket

I need more Cosmo Cricket paper like I need a hole in my head. Do you think that will prevent me from ordering this new line once it is available? Nope!

American Crafts Halloween

I just received my American Crafts order today and I cannot wait to begin creating fun Halloween projects with their new line of paper and embellishments. Since I have not yet had the chance to make anything cute to share, I went searching for some inspiration. Check out these adorable projects created by others.


Never before have I been interested in purchasing one of these ATC holders, but this has changed my mind! I MUST buy one of these! This halloween countdown spinner was created by NAKscrap over at TwoPeas.


I have a collection of unfinished birdhouses from various craft stores and I know that I want to find the time to make at least one spooky house this year. Look at this haunted house from snowballsmom also found at TwoPeas.


I LOVE the use of die cut bats for roof tiles! Genius.


This would make a perfect teacher's gift--these are individual brownies created by danni reid. Too cute!

P.s. All of that fabulous ribbon finally arrived and I'm working on getting it all uploaded to the store.

Thank You Basic Grey

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Basic Grey for this new 2010 Calendar Kit. Without it, I do not think I could guarantee that both my parents and my in-laws will receive a handmade Christmas gift this year. Because of it, I am 100% confident that I will FINALLY be able to complete handmade gifts for both of them in time for the holidays.


The kit is very similar to Basic Grey's wonderful card kits. It includes all of the die cut pieces, chipboard shapes, stickers and rub-ons that you need to complete a beautiful 12-month calendar. Each month's layout includes space for a photo.

I've almost completely sold out of the first round of calendars that I purchased and I'm off to immediately purchase more. Be sure to get your hands on one (or ten) of these as quickly as you can as I am almost positive that they will be hard to come by pretty soon.

Ribbon and LOTS of it!

I just placed an order for over 2,400 yards of ribbon. Yes, you read the correctly. Look for all of this yummy ribbon to show up in my online store in 1-2 weeks once it has arrived.

Thank goodness these are all 15-yard or 25-yard spools of ribbon. I find it particularly difficult to part with portions of those tiny 3-foot spools of ribbon I find at the local craft stores. Now I can set aside a few yards of each new ribbon for myself and still have plenty left over to share with the rest of the world.

Now I must come up with some creative ways to display all of these 25-yard spools of ribbon heading my way. Suggestions are welcome!

Baby Hugs

Look! Another scrapbook layout! I figured I should really start using all of my delightful scrapbooking products that I have on hand instead of saving them for some future layout.

I fell in love with Basic Grey's Lime Rickey as soon as it was released. I used 3 sheets of paper and one sticker element from the 12 X 12 Collection Pack, one sheet from the 6 X 6 Paper Pad as well as embellishments including the Glazed Brads and Chipboard. Purchasing the smaller paper pad was such a great idea, if I do say so myself. It allows me to use additional patterned papers on my layout without cutting in to one of the full 12 X 12 sheets. (This is much less expensive).



The title of this particular layouts says it all. I still need to look up the exact date that these pictures were taken and add that on the orange patterned paper block to complete this layout, but I think you get the idea.

Supplies Used: Patterned Paper (Basic Grey), Textured Cardstock (American Crafts), Chipboard (Basic Grey), Brads (Basic Grey).

This Boy...

I give up! I have really tried to avoid the trend of only scrapbooking one photo on a layout, but I can't do it any longer. I now understand why so many have been scrapbooking this way. You have total freedom to design and decorate your layout almost any way you'd like. Instead of balancing my photos, I strive to balance my fun patterned papers and embellishments in a way that the photo still remains the main focus of the layout. Too fun!


Speaking of patterned paper, the paper used here is from Scenice Route. I used paper from the Metropolis line: Johnson Street, Carter Drive and Main Street. I hand cut all of the little circle embellishments and adhered some with foam pop dots for dimension. Rub-ons provided a quick title and journaling solution. After adding all of these elements I still felt like something was missing. I grabbed my handy Black Precision Pen and drew some quick lines. Complete!

Supplies Used: Textured Cardstock (Bazzill Basics), Patterned Paper (Scenic Route), Rub-ons (Daisy D's), Black Pen (American Crafts).

Lemonade Card Kit

My love of the card kits from Basic Grey continues. Here's just one of the cute cards from the Lemonade Card Kit.



I have been so busy opening new wholesale accounts and ordering lots of new product for the store that I haven't had much time to complete any layouts of my own. I have at least 6 layouts near completion--most are just waiting for journaling. Hopefully I'll be able to steal some time for myself to finish the layouts soon!