Halloween layout for Get Picky

I know, I know! Spring is just around the corner so why am I scrapping Halloween? Because I can!! LOL!
Actually, it wasn't on my table to scrap. I did not wake up yesterday and say "I've got to get those Halloween pictures down on paper today!" But ... somehow it happened anyway!

I am a couple days behind with LOAD so I was working on the prompt for Day 22 which was "holidays". Our LOAD Scrapper on the Street, Dani did a layout about Halloween and I felt the pieces of my layout fall into place. Thanks Dani!! I was also able to combine a couple other challenges into it, namely Apron Strings Bake Your Cake challenge and Get Picky's sketch challenge.

Here's the sketch I used (loosely!)

And here's my layout.

I thought I'd use some leftover Halloween papers but I couldn't find any - I guess I used them up already. What I do have plenty of (kind of hording it 'cus I love it so much!) is the Spice Cake DSP from the Holiday mini (discontinued now - I checked the Clearance Rack of my On-line store but it's not there ... yet?) 

To create the title I used 3 different stamp sets - Jayne's Type Alphabet, Just Perfect Alphabet and Calendar Alphabet & Numbers. I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to get them perfectly aligned. (I totally meant to do that! Sigh. Clearly I need some practice!) The leaves were stamped using the Gently Falling stamp set (also from the Holiday mini so now discontinued - hopefully they bring it back for next year as it is a great set!) 

To add some distinctly Halloween elements I used 4 stamps from the Out on a Limb stamp set. This pumpkin one - 3 goofy pumpkins for my 3 goofy girls!

This little black cat for my little kitty.

And this little witch for my little witch. The broom and the witch are two different stamps - having the clear mount stamps means you can line them up to create a scene with ease (no Stamp-a-ma-jig required!)

Oh, and a quick comment on the jagged trim piece anchoring my pictures. This is an example of why I never throw anything away. This was a scrap that was created when I made the giant rosette for this layout. I saw it in my scrap bag and felt the jaggedness complimented my layouts theme.

I added bling in several locations in the form of Basic Rhinestones. I scattered some of the large ones in among the leaves and then used the small rope rhinestones two ways. One was under the kitty, in a straight line. The other you can see here - I curved it as I was sticking it down to create glittery swirls. The organic shape compliments the leaf cluster. 

My Apron Strings cake had bling as one of my ingredients (Sprinkles) so I was glad to incorporate it so cleverly here.

Finally, an apology. For using so many discontinued items. It was totally not my intention and to be honest I didn't even notice until I was writing this post and trying to link to the products. I am sure that all scrappers out there can attest to having older product in their stashes so please forgive me for trying to use mine up. I think a good take away tip for you is that products that are non-themed can still be used effectively on a themed layout. The Spice Cake DSP and the Gently Falling stamp set are most definitely NOT Halloween themed but the colours are a good match and when mixed with few Halloween stamps and some great pictures of kids in costume, they work well for this kind of layout.

Thanks for stopping by. Happy Stamping Everyone!

Hallowe'en Treats

Just a quick post to show you my kidlets and a little something we cooked up together for their classmates yesterday.

Starting with the cutest (read: youngest) - this is Christine (aged 2.5), my Kitty Cat.

Next is Paige (aged 5.5) my Angel (?) - actually she's a Fairy.

And last but not least, Marley (aged 7.5) my Wicked Witch (how true, how true! LOL!)

All ready to raid the neighbours candy stashes!

3 little pumpkins for my 3 little cuties!

And these are the treats we made. These are Paige's batch and I'll be honest, the only reason I have photos of them is because she forgot to hand them out on Monday. Yup, we slaved over these and then I forgot to take pictures to show you all. Doh! Forgetfulness must run in the family, eh?

Paige stamped the image of her choice from the Batty for You stamp set onto her choice of card stock (Basic Grey and Always Artichoke) and then I punched them out using my 1 3/4" circle punch. They were then layered onto a piece of Frightful Sight DSP (her choice again) which I punched out with the scallop circle punch. 

I let her do all the stamping and gluing and I did all the punching. Marley got to do the stamping, punching and gluing as she's that bit older. Some of theirs were a bit off but ... it's supposed to be from them so I think it should actually BE from them! 

I did take charge of attaching the embellishments to the bag toppers - another piece of Frightful Sight DSP cut to 1 1/2" x 4" and folded in half. The girls tried to stuff the cellophane bags (the 1"x8" ones) with the licorice but found it a bit tough so I took over that eventually.

Anyway, that's it for tonight. Take a look at the new buttons on my sidebar. Stampin' Up! has got a new promotion that runs until Dec 15th. It offers our wonderful Hostesses the opportunity to get more FREE PRODUCTS if their workshops have high enough sales. I know I'm excited to share this with my November Hostesses - if you want to be one of them, click on the Email Me button and we'll set something up.

Thanks everyone. Hope your Hallowe'en was as fun and fright-less as ours was. Now, where's that chocolate? :)

See you soon!

Simply Sent Promotion and a Little Something Sweetly Wicked!

Ages ago, I promised you something Hallowe'en themed. Um ... sorry for the long delay. This whole juggling family, kids activities, and new business thing is all a bit overwhelming. Plus I am finding it hard to get some actual crafting into the schedule! So, here is something I made at my Upline meeting a few weeks ago.

These are the new 1" x 8" cellophane bags from the Holiday Mini catalogue. I have purchased enough of these that Marley and Paige's classes will be getting little treats in them!

The great thing about them is that you can put anything in them! Not just candy, but pencils, rolled up colouring sheets, glitter (don't worry Moms of my kids classmates - I will not inflict a house full of glitter on you but ... could be fun as a wedding favour!) and all sorts of things.

The spider is a bit too creepy for my taste but hey, if you can't creep out your kids on Hallowe'en, when can you?!

Now for something completely different.

This is another of the fabulous Stampin' Up! promotions going on this month.

Promotion Details:  Buy two Simply Sent Kits and get a FREE coordinating stamp set! Our Simply Sent Kits are the ideal choice for the beginning crafter. The card kits offer a variety of basic themes, so it's easy to create cards for any occasion.

Buy any two of the following Simply Sent Kits:

Page	Item	Description	Price
192	122375	Simply Sent Great Day	$15.95
193	122377	Simply Sent Everyday Elegance	$14.95
193	122376	Simply Sent Sweet Moments	$16.95

And get a FREE coordinating stamp set:

Page	Item	Description	Price
192	123682	It's Your Day	$10.95
192	124685	Es tu día (Spanish It's Your day)	$10.95
192	124800	C'est ta fête (French It's Your Day)	$10.95
193	123686	Everyday Wishes	$11.95
193	123684	You're Cherished	$10.95
193	124865	Chérissons les anges (French You're Cherished)	$10.95

Follow the links above to see the products in my online store. These kits make things so easy. If you are at all under the impression that you aren't crafty (say what?!), this is what you need to get started. I'll be sharing them in my workshops this month so if you want to host a workshop and find out about these, now is the time!

Okay, off to make lunch for me and the 2 year old then it's early dismissal, Hallowe'en costume shopping, ballet class, shove dinner into the younger ones (and me!), soccer practice, feed the athletes, home reading, bedtime, soccer practice for Greg and then maybe, maybe do some crafting before passing out for the night! Whew! Have a great Wednesday everyone.