I'm getting ready....STAMPTOBERFEST

I am getting ready for Stamptoberfest at Two Peas in a Bucket. I am hosting a challenge called, "You're Such a Character." Cards made for this challenge will go to Cards for Heroes. We recently had a Snoopy image swap on the 2Peas message board, so I thought this would be a great way to use some of those images.




There are many fun challenges, such as Spiders Galore, Make it Sparkle, Vintage Lace Holiday, Language of Love, and many others. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us for Stamptoberfest! It runs from Oct. 3 - 12, 2008.

Gothic Arch - Favorite Movie Challenge

This week's Gothic Arch challenge was favorite movies. One of my all time favorites is Amelie. This is my first week participating in the challenge. I had a lot of fun with it.

Moos and Inchies and Arches, Oh My!

Just for fun, I decided I want to start participating in some weekly challenges. I will have to veer from my standard cards and scrapbook pages into new territory -- moos, inchies, ATCs, and gothic arches. All are pieces of art but in different size formats. Moos are 1.1" x 2.8" (about the size of a business card). Inchies are 1" squares, and twinchies are 2" squares of art. Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) are 2.5" x 3.5" (about the size of a playing card). These have 'strict rules' where they can be traded but never sold. And gothic arches, are, well, arch shaped, but the size may vary. All of these can be used on cards (or you can make arch shaped cards like Kristin).

I am hoping to get some done and posted soon. This week's Gothic Arch Challenge is your favorite movie (also hosted by Kristin). I'm not going to tell you which movie, but I will give you a hint - there is a gnome. :)

And the Winner Is....

Using random.org, the winning poster is poster #1. Congratulations Sandy, you are the winner of the blog candy!

I am amused - Sarah Palin Baby Name Generator

I'm not sure why I am so amused by this, but I am. There is a blog that has a Sarah Palin Baby Name Generator. She has such unusual names for her kids, and this site will tell you what your name would have been if she was your mother.

http://politsk.blogspot.com/2008/09/sarah_13.html

My name is Filter Skate Palin. :)

No Cuttlebug, but you still want to use the embossing folders?

I have not tried this myself, but...I have heard that some people use a rolling pin with their embossing folder. Yes, a rolling pin, the long round wooden thing in your kitchen collecting dust. Now you can finally put it to good use. Place the paper/cardstock in the embossing folder and start rolling over it.

So if you don't have a die cut machine, give it a try!
{or even if you do have a machine, it might be a fun experiment. ;) }

ETA: If you want to see all the folders available, check out the Provo Craft website. I bought my Halloween folders online from Scrapyland.

Cuttlebug & Core'dinations

First post on my blog, and I have decided to jump right in with a little tutorial. No stamping on my examples, but you could easily incorporate stamped images.

I bought a pack of Core'dinations Black Magic cardstock from Joann.com. The cardstock is black, with a colored core. So if you tear it, or sand it, you can see the color inside. When I saw it, I thought it would be great to use with the Cuttlebug embossing folders and sandpaper. I made a few Halloween cards for one of my favorite organizations, Cards for Heroes.

I used a sheet of core-dinations with a purple core and the Cuttlebug Spiderweb embossing folder (sorry, the cardstock looks a little pink in the picture).

I ran it through my Sizzix Big Kick. The black side of the cardstock should be raised or embossed.

Then I sanded it.

Here is an after and before look at the sanded web:

I used the Quickutz Revolution spider die and cut it out with the reverse side of a piece of Core'dinations cardstock.

And here is the final card. I used foam dots behind the spider to give him some lift.

Here is another card I made with the same technique. The ghost & pumkin die is from Bosskut. I used foam dots behind the pumpkin and the ghost's arm.

Thanks for visiting my new blog. I'm offering a little blog candy, a new Cuttlebug Spiderweb embossing plate. Leave a comment (or just say hi) and I will choose one person at random on the evening of Friday, September 19th, 2008.