Best of Intentions

I intended to have this layout done months ago, but I completed it last week...I intended to post this layout last Friday, but the lighting just wasn't cooperating... Sometimes I have the best of intentions, but it just doesn't work out. Well, here it is, just a few days late, a fun layout with some pictures from this summer.My parents bought my boys a Gator, and they loved speeding around in it this summer. When I saw the Just Chillin' Boy line from Making Memories, I knew it was perfect for my gator pictures. I used just about every tool in my arsenal for this layout. Below is a close up of a brad I made using my new I-top tool (Imaginisce). The other brads in this picture are from Sassafrass. They were an add on to the December Scraptivity kit. The frame around the large 5x7 photo was cut using my Silhouette.I also used my Silhouette to cut the "GO GO GO" and the sign in the bottom right hand corner. To add to some of the rough quality of this paper, I sanded my card stock a bit and also tore the corners off of some of my layering pieces. Additionally, I inked the edge of the layout in brown ink. Finally, I added the tire tracks on the paper by inking up the wheels of my son's Hotwheels monster truck with brown ink and running it over the paper (my husband actually came up with that idea when I said I wished I had a tire tread stamp).

Halloween Week

Get out your ghosts and goblins, it's Halloween week! It's been a truly busy few weeks for me, and I really haven't even thought about making Halloween cards. Then, last week, my redemption came in the mail. I won a Making Memories Vintage Findings Halloween Kit from the Making Memories blog! Not only is this kit gorgeous, fun, and spooky, it also comes with everything I needed (minus a few base pieces of card stock) to make a few fun Halloween cards. I've got 2 for you today, and am hoping to post 1 or 2 more this week.
First up is a fun Halloween Damask print that I covered in stickles. I think the glitter really makes it pop. I also used a Fiskars Pearls of Wisdom Corner Squeeze punch (also a blog prize from the wonderful ladies over at Fiskateers).Second is a sparkly (and spooky) witch. I love the paper in the background, and don't you just love those black, sparkly brads?The only non-kit items here are the ribbon and the thread.

Tuesday's Terrific Techniques and Tips: Punch Care

Today I thought I'd share a tip instead of a technique. I love using punches on my cards. Lately I've been getting a lot of questions about sharpening punches. I have good news, you probably have everything you need to clean and lubricate your punches right in your kitchen!
To sharpen a dull punch, just punch through a piece of tinfoil folded in half (creating a double layer of tinfoil). Repeat this a few times, and you should have a much sharper punch.
To lubricate a stiff or sticky punch, just punch it through a piece of wax paper folded in half (creating a double layer of wax paper). Repeat this a punch a few times and you should have a more lubricated punch. You may want to punch through some scrap paper a few times before you use it on nice paper as sometimes the wax paper leaves a residue on the punch.

Finally, I'll leave you today with a card made using Stampin' Up!'s curly label punch, word window punch, and large oval punch.

One of these things is not like the other...

Wow, it sure was a windy day today. Guess that means fall is here and winter is just around the corner. With the wind and the gloomy skies this afternoon I had to scan my cards instead of photographing them. Oh well you can still play a game with me. Here it is:
There's just one little difference in these 2 cards. Can you spot it?
Check out the circle in the bottom right hand corner. In the first picture it says happy Holidays and in the second it's shows 3 snowflakes. It's the same card, but the circle tag is suspended on some floss so the tag can rotate. The hole is punched all the way through the top of the card so it can be seen on the inside too. Just in case that wasn't the clearest explanation, here's what the card looks like when fully opened to the inside:
It's an easy supply list today. The paper is all from Making Memories' Mistletoe line. It's a really versatile and gorgeous Christmas line. The colors and patterns are traditional with a little bit of a retro edge. The only extra embellishments are 3 candy dots from Pebbles Inc. The only special tools used are a few circle punches.
Thanks for stopping by!

A Final Noel

Well, here it is on the last day, my 5th and final entry for Moxie Fab World's "Stretch Your Style" challenge. Today's style is Fun and Cute. I've been planning this as my last project all week, so it's great to finally have it done.

This was a lot of fun, and not so hard to do. I found my local scrapbook store owner unpacking the great new Mistletoe Line from Making Memories on Friday. I snatched up the paper immediately for use on this project. All of the letters and images (star, Holy Family, Christmas ornament, etc.) were cut on Quickutz vinyl using my Silhouette. In the middle of the star is an American Craft's rhinestone brad. You can't see it in the picture but the Christmas ornament has some sparkly detailing. I used Stickles for that. Finally green ribbon is from American Crafts and my red ribbon is from Stampin' Up! Thanks for having a little early Christmas fun with me this week!
***I forgot to mention that these are on wooden blocks. I know you can pick these up at a lot of scrapbook and craft stores. I cheated (or maybe I was recycling). I had some blocks that spelled "BELIEVE" that I no longer liked. I papered over the BELIEVE to change the blocks into something I wanted to use again. The best part was that they were already painted a nice deep red!

Great Dads

I feel so blessed some days. I am surrounded by more great dads than anyone should be allowed. My husband, of course is an amazing dad. My father is fantastic. My father-in-law is truly wonderful. Even my grandpa is great! So here's a card I made for one of the wonderful fathers in my life as we're getting ready to celebrate Father's Day. The "Happy Father's Day" was created by coloring directly on the stamp with my markers.

Recipe:
Patterned Paper: Citrus Stack - DCWV
Cardstock : Whisper White - SU!
Stamps: All Holidays - SU!
Markers: Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, Apricot Appeal - SU!
Circle Brad - Making Memories
Ribbon: Certainly Celery - SU!
Punch: Spiral - SU!