Halloween Candy Jar

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog on this 3rd Saturday in September.

 

It's a busy day for me today. Our tomatoes all seemed to ripen quickly over the past few days. So I am going to roast them and freeze them for use this winter. In past years, I used the water bath canning method. But this year I am trying something different. Roasted tomatoes are so delicious.

 

I roast them with onions, garlic, olive oil and a good balsamic vinegar for 30 minutes. When they start to caramelize, I take them from oven and use my food processor to puree. Then simply put them in freezer bags and into the freezer. I have both Roma and Heirloom tomatoes. Sometimes I mix them and sometimes I keep them separate. I think the Heirlooms are my favorite but the Roma's come in at a very close second.

 

So anyway, let's move to my card for today. This one I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog. My card today is using some of the new dies that will be released On September 20th: Halloween Candy Jar and Halloween Phrases & More. So let's get started with some details on how I created my card.

Step 1: I already knew the dies I intended to use for my card so I just needed my layout. Splitcoaststampers had one that I thought would work well with my candy jar image. I substituted the candy jar for the oval in the sketch. And for element #4, I used my word phrase and the spider for element #5. I also added an additional layer.

Step 2: Selected my card colors. I found some double sided designer paper in my stash from an old Stampin'-Up Halloween collection. I decided to use the dotted pattern and paired it up with olive green and  cinnamon cardstocks.

Cajun Craze Card Base: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
Old Olive Green Layer: 4 1/8" x 5 3/8"
Designer Paper Layer: 3 7/8" x 5 1/4"

Step3:  I cut my candy jar and candy in various cardstock. I just used the colors that were shown on the die packaging. So perfect for candy colors. Oh, and check out the eyeballs in the jar and the jar lid is a bat shape. Oh well it's Halloween!!

Step 4: Assembled all the pieces inside the jar. I decided to add a piece of clear acetate over the die cuts. I thought it would give a more realistic look of a glass candy jar. You can't really tell in this photo but the recipient will get the idea. Although when I photographed my card, I noticed that the photo lamp created a slight glare on the acetate.

Step 5: Time to begin the assembly of my card. Since lots of people have Halloween parties, I decided to make this one an invitation. It would be easy enough to reproduce. The phrase I used is part of the Halloween Phrase & More die. It will be available the middle of next week. So look for it in the online store. I cut it in cajun craze and old olive cardstocks to match the patterned paper.

 

I used dimensional adhesive on the candy jar. I like the look of it not being directly against the patterned paper. The little bit of dimension again makes it more like a real candy jar. At least that is my opinion.

Step 6:  To complete my card I secured the image panel to the cajun craze card base. I cut a couple more spiders and added them to the card. The bottom right one is layer 5 of the sketch and to balance the card off I added one to the upper left of my Halloween word. I also used some Wink of Stella on the spiders to give them a little sparkle.

Well that's it for me for this post. I hope I have given you an idea for a way to use this new candy jar die. Remember, to go to the online store on Wednesday, September 20 for ordering. So until next time........ God bless.

 

Dies I used to create card:

 

 

I am also entering:

1.  Scrap & Craft has an autumnal colors challenge.

2.  Crafty Catz has a Halloween challenge.

3.  Fussy and Fancy has a fall colors challenge.

4.  PolkaDoodles has an anything goes challenge.   

Puppy Trick or Treat

Hello Blogger friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog.

Well we are into the 9th day of September. I hope you are making a smooth transition from the hot, humid summer months. Our temperatures have cooled off somewhat rapidly here in Pittsburgh. So fall is coming- maybe a bit sooner than we want (LOL)! With fall comes thoughts of back to school, harvest time, pumpkins, hay rides and of course Halloween.

I don't typically make Halloween cards but CottageCutz introduced this cute puppy die and I thought I would make a card for my daughter-in-law. She will like it because I will send it from their dog.

This is also the card I made for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog. My card today is using some of the new dies: Halloween Pup, Halloween Phrases & More and Halloween Candy Jar. So let's get started with some details on how I created my card.

Step 1: This week I started my card with my layout. Splitcoaststampers had a good one posted for their Wednesday Sketch Challenge #661. I thought it would work great for my card idea. A layout always helps me to jump start my creativity.

Step 2: I looked through my cardstock and patterned papers to see what colors would work best for a fall card. I chose a pumpkin, olive green and purple for the main card colors. I decided to use the patterned paper for the larger part of the background (#2 in above sketch). Embossed the solid colored cardstock with a pumpkin embossing folder.

Background measurements:
patterned paper: 2 1/2" x 5 3/8"
Embossed Pumpkin Cardstock: 1 3/4" x 5 3/8"

I didn't want a seam showing, so I used some ribbon that matched the puppy's hat and my trick or treat words  to cover the seam and also as an accent piece.

Step 3: Time to start the die cutting. I decided to use more bright festive colors for the puppy's hat. He is such a little cutie and I wanted that carried over with the hat as well as the rest of the card. I believe I accomplished that look.

The trick or treat word I wanted placed in the circle element of the sketch. I used the 4th largest die in the CottageCutz circle set. It's approximately 2 1/2" round. This size was a perfect fit.

Step 4: I am ready to start assembly of my card parts. I cut a rectangle (#3) on the sketch. I layered that over a purple panel. It defined the panel a little more. Used the largest pierced rectangle die.

I added a few pumpkin enamel dots on this panel and a spider to the circle panel. The spider is from the new Halloween Candy Jar set. Layered  onto a white cardstock base (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") and my card is complete.

 

CottageCutz has a new release of Halloween & Christmas dies coming on September 20th. Online ordering is not available right now because of a move to a larger warehouse.

Well, that's it for me for today. So until next time .........God bless.

 

Dies I used to create card:

 

 

 

I am also entering:

1.  Crafty Friends Challenge wants us to use dies/punches.

2.  A Bit More Time to Craft has an anything goes challenge.

3.  A Perfect Time to Craft has an anything goes challenge.

4.  Classic Design Team Open Challenge has an anything goes.

Melon kind of day

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog.

Hope you all had a great holiday weekend. We went to my grandson's football game on Friday night.

 

Saturday my hubby and a friend started painting our kitchen and finished up yesterday. We are finally finishing up on a remodel that has been going on way too long. All we have to do now is get a new chandelier and a new area rug and it's done. Yay! I can't wait to finally get this one behind us.

 

And this week Preschool starts up again for me.  We have our welcome night on Wednesday and then Thursday is our first class. Looking forward to a new year with a new group of kiddos.

 

Now onto my card for today. This one I made for another of the DTGD challenges on Splitcoaststampers. Lori was our hostess for DTGD17LMcAree. We aren't supposed to reveal the details of the challenge because they are exclusive for the Splitcoaststampers fan club members.

 

To create my card I used the Stampin'-Up June 2017 Paper Pumpkin Kit. Stamped my melon slices in lemon-lime twist and melon mambo.

The background melon designer paper is actually the paper gift bag that came in this kit. I cut it to create designer paper. To complete this card I added some twine that is also part of this kit.

 

Well that's my card for today. time to dim the lights in Charmed Life land for another day. So until next time..........God bless.

 

Card details:

Stamps: one in a melon (Paper Pumpkin June 2017)  

Paper: lemon lime twist, whisper white

Paper Size: A2  

Ink: emerald envy, lemon lime twist, melon mambo

Accessories: Paper Pumpkin Kit June 2017 

 

I am also entering: 

1.  Lemon Shortbread has an anything goes challenge.

2.  Artistic Inspirations has an anything goes challenge.

3.  Crafting From The Heart has an anything goes challenge.

Grapevine Wreath thanksgiving card

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog. It's the first Saturday in September and there is a fall chill in the air here in Pittsburgh. We were at my grandson's football game last night and a sweatshirt was the gear for the night.

 

So today I am thinking fall. And, with fall comes one of my favorite holidays, and that would be Thanksgiving. This is the card I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog.

I pulled out an older CottageCutz die, Build-A-Grapevine Wreath, to create my card. Also used the Blessings Phrase. So let's get started with some details on how I created my card.

Step 1: Once my dies were selected, I chose my card colors. The fall colors I am using are chocolate chip, curry, cajun (cinnamon color), olive green.

Step 2: Cut the grapevine wreath, leaves and acorns on this next step. I cut the wreath 2x in chocolate chip cardstock. I did that for a bit more dimension. Sponged the leaves with the matching inks. The acorn tops I sponged in chocolate chip ink.

Step 3: I wanted a wood background for the wreath. I used a wood planks embossing folder with kraft cardstock and then sponged on the cajun ink.

Step 4: Cut the Blessings Phrase in chocolate chip ink. Again I cut it 2x. I like the dimension that 2 cuts gives my card. I adhered the 2 pieces together using multi medium matte by Ranger.  I like this adhesive because it dries clear.

Started the assembly of my card. Adhered all the pieces of the grapevine wreath using the same multi medium matte adhesive. I wanted a more weathered look on the wood plank background so I sponged on some curry ink.

Added the Blessings Phrase. I adhered this panel to some cajun cardstock.

Image Panel Size: 3 7/8" x 5 1/8"

Cajun Cardstock Panel: 4 1/8" x 5 3/8"

Step 5: To complete my card,  I stamped the Harvest word on Cajun cardstock in black ink and cut a flag shape. Used some curry bakers twine and made a bow for my wreath. Added a Cajun enamel dot to the center. I layered the panels to my chocolate chip card base. The base is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (A2 size) 

Well friends that's my card for this post. I hope I have given you some inspiration on a way to use the Blessings Phrase for a Thanksgiving card. Until next time......God bless.

Dies I used to complete card:

 

You're Spectacular

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog.

Hope all my Texas readers are safe. the floods and devastation that is going there is terrible. I have family that live in Houston and also in Galveston. They are all fine. My niece in Galveston did not evacuate because she is not in a flood area.

My sister and the rest of her family in Houston are all ok at this point. My nephew may have to evacuate his house but they are waiting to see. He has water up to his front door but it hasn't come inside as yet. I am continuing to pray.

 

Now let's move onto my card for today. This is another one that I created for the DTGD Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. Sandee was the hostess for the DTGD17stampersandeeA challenge.

 

For my card I used the geek is chic stamps and dies from MFT. The layout is one of the Blueprint 18 sketches from MFT. I cased myself on this card. Here is my original. I changed the sentiment and used black rhinestones instead of enamel dots.

On the glasses I added some glossy accents to give the appearance of a plastic frame. Sending this one off to my grandson who I think is pretty spectacular. And, that is my card for today.

 

So until next time.........God bless.

 

card details:

Stamps: geek is chic (MFT)

Paper: marina mist, black, garden green, Santorini Stripe DSP (BoBunny)

Paper Size: A2  

Ink: tuxedo black (Memento)

Accessories: geek is chic glasses, Blueprints 18 dies (MFT), rhinestones (Darice) glossy accents (Ranger)  

 

I am also entering: 

1.  Die Cuttin' Divas has a sequins, gems or pearls challenge. I used black rhinestones.

2.  The Cutie Pie Challenge has a boys will be boys challenge.

3.  heArtful Stamping challenge has anything goes + a stamp

 

Tandem Bike on a Scenic Route

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog on this last Saturday in August. I can't believe that I am even saying that.

 

Where did June, July and August go? I feel like I want to call them back and ask them to stay awhile (LOL). Unfortunately, time waits for no man.

 

I even started to put out some of my fall decorations today. I never do that this early but once I start pre-school my time seems to get limited. Last year I was decorating a couple of days before Thanksgiving and didn't really get to enjoy the fruits of my labor. So over the next week I will add more decorations and then in early October I will add to it my Thanksgiving decorations.

 

Now let's move onto my card for today. This one I made for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog.  Today I am using one of the wedding dies, Tandem Bike, and decided to create a little outdoor scene with it. I am going to send this to a friend to let her know she is being thought of.  We ride bikes together at a local trail. So this die was perfect to use. Let's get started with some details of how I created my card. 

Step 1: For my outdoor scene, I wanted a tree (grass, trees and vine die) a fence (garden accessories die) and the tandem bike. Cut these pieces first and then I chose my card colors of a medium gray and the blue -green based on the color I used on the tandem bike.

 Step 2:  I used a cloud template and sponged Tumbled Glass Distress ink for my clouds. I used a Taupe ink and sponged the ground at the bottom of my card.

Step 3:  I am ready to start assembly of the die cuts in my scene. I used multi matte medium, glue dots and dimensional adhesive to secure. The tandem bike has dimensional adhesive. I wanted it lifted slightly off the card base so it wouldn't be flush against the fence.  It gives it a bit more depth this way.

Step 4:  I wanted a sentiment on the front of my card and I found one in my stash that was ideal for this card. Especially since the bike trail we ride on is very scenic. Decided to stamp it inside a cloud with the blue-green ink that matches the bike and the layering panel. Adhere it with dimensional adhesive. The cloud is part of the clouds & sun die.

 

And that is my card for this post. I hope I have given you some inspiration on another way to use this new wedding die. So until next time........God bless..

Dies I used to create card:

 

 I am also entering:

1.  Challenge Up Your life has a summer challenge.

2.  Creative Fingers has an anything goes challenge.

3.  Making Memories Crafting has an anything goes challenge.