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Just a quick post--today's not "just" Halloween--it's the Mister's birthday, too!
It's hard to come up with a birthday card for a Halloween baby that isn't a lame play on words. So, I just go with lame plays on words. BAH HAHAHA!!!
Inside: "Now THAT's scary!!! Happy Boo-th Day!"
Stamp Credits: Paper Smooches "Halloweenies"
I adore Letterpress, how 'bout you? I did a video tutorial on a technique over in the CLASSroom that I think you'll love--it's a great way to get the look, and well, you just might flip over how easy it is, too! Lots of monkey clappin' goin' on . . .
Seriously, I never get tired of trees. They're all around us, and let's face it: They are one of nature's greatest gifts. I also love them because they give me a reason to use my favorite shades of green. 
This pretty Christmas Paper Tape by 7 Gypsies was something I snapped up last year, but neglected to use. It's like a textured masking tape--a little thicker than Washi Tape, and a subtle texture to it. It also has a liner paper so you can tear off strips of it and have them at the ready without having to stick them down right away. Cool stuff!
Anyhoo, I just knew it would compliment this elegant Merry Christmas Trees set by Hero Arts beautifully--you'd almost think they were made with each other in mind! Aren't they just perfectly GAAAAW-JUS together?! Eep!
I clear embossed the tree and star onto a piece of Neenah Natural White and then sponged Lettuce dye ink, and then Meadow dye ink over the top (resist method) to get the different tones of green and make the tree almost "glow". By sponging the darker color around the outer edges, it draws the eye in towards the focal image.
This would be an awesome design for mass producing--minimal layers, but lots of color and punch to it with such an easy technique.
I used a sponge I had on hand, but I've been thinking about getting one of these, for sponging ink: Ranger Ink Blending Tool
Do you have one? What do you think? I want something that lays down water-based dye ink super, super smoothly, no splotches or lines.
Someone asked me about Neenah Natural White Card Stock and what my feeling was. Um, OK, here's what I feel:
LOL! OK, seriously, Natural White is LOVERLY! If you're looking for a hue that is not as buttery as cream, but not as stark as white, this is an EXCELLENT in-betweener! Very soft, subtle, sophisticated look!
Thank you for all the sweet comments on my Wednesday post about the video I did for Hero Arts! So much fun!
Have a fab weekend, my friends!
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via heroarts.com
I did a video for Hero Arts, and it's appearing on their blog today! Click on the Hero Arts link just under the picture above and you'll be right on your way! I hope you like it--it was a lot of fun for me to do!
So, when I die cut the butterflies in this project (Hero Arts Antique Flowers & Butterflies Stamp/Die Set), the negative sat on my desk for a few days . . . and then I decided this would be fun:
And, it was! *cheeky grin*
I tapped some Adirondack dye inks onto an acrylic block, and loaded up the brush of my water-brush with color, and then squeezed the handle a little to let water-droplets form on the end of the brush and drop down onto the paper here and there. If they were really huge, I took a tissue and just touched a corner of it to "wick up" the excess water; otherwise, it would have taken forever to dry. Then, I tapped the handle of the brush against my hand over top of the paper to get finer spatters. As the ink intensity fades, the droplets become lighter so it looks like I may have used more colors, but I actually only used Stream and Terra Cotta. Stamped the sentiment in black ink.
I trimmed out a piece of Kraft Core Card Stock that coordinated with the Stream ink, and sanded it to reveal the kraft core underneath and amp up the texture/pattern a little more and then 3D mounted it behind the butterflies. Then I 3D mounted the entire panel to a Kraft card front.
I might have added more. I could have added more. But, I just *really* liked it as it was, and there was a considerable amount of monkey clapping going on, so I decided to let it ride. 
Happy Mundane!
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I fell. Hard. When my eyes first beheld this Hero Stamp & Die Combo Set. It is just SO SO pretty! I didn't use any fancy techniques on this design, but I did make my own kraft tag. Cuz I like them. And, I have none. So, a girl's gotta do, what a girl's gotta do. *wink*
The ivory card stock is some I've had for years in my stash--it has a speckle texture embedded into it that reminds me of stoneware. Stoneware paper. Yeah. Only not break-able. LOL! Anyway, I've always loved it and hadn't used it in forever, so out it came for this project! The ribbon was from my stash, as well. I think it's by May Arts.
Made a video, since so many of you have mentioned how much you like videos.
You can watch it here, or on YouTube.
Enjoy!
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Ellen Hutson has so many of my favoritest punches on sale right now! When they're gone, they're gone . . . *sob* 
Of course, that means more warehouse space for new goodies, tho. So . . . I'm not sobbing too hard.
Heh, heh, heh!
If you're goin' for punches, you should also check out the Christmas Sale, too--today's the last day!!!
Dunno what you're waitin' fer--go score some sweet deals!!!
I'm particular about my snow-peeps, and I just love this Snow Dude from the Paper Smooches Swanky Snow Dudes set!
Know what I love about snow men? It doesn't take a lot of time to color them! *chuckle*
Are you gearing up to do your holiday cards?
I use a LOT of Neenah, so now is a great time to stock up, too!
And, to inspire you, I did a fun video on this guy above! Watch it here, or on YouTube!
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My goodness, is school ever in session, eh?!
That's a good thing, tho. I've always thought if I could be a "professional" student, how lovely that would be, UKWIM? Never stop learning!
I just wanted to post a reminder about the spot I'm giving away in:
Holiday Impressions Boxes, Bags & Tags, oh my!
For more information on these, please see THIS POST. < Yes, click on that.
Lotta prep work goin' on. But, ooooh, is it ever FUN!!!
I'm hoping I'll be able to squeeze in a 5MQ ( 
Hey, now. I'm talkin' about the stampin' kind.)
In the meantime . . . Happy Friday to ya'!
Have you taken a peek at your calendar recently? The holidays are just around the corner! We're here to help you check hand crafted holiday cards off your to-do list!
Join Jennifer McGuire, Kristina Werner and 12 of their most talented friends as they walk you through how to create your own 2011 holiday card in Holiday Card Boot Camp. Whether you're hoping to create a card that includes photos, a newsletter, a gift card or more - you're sure to be inspired. This class includes easy to mass-produce cards, 16 videos, card sketches, and stamping and cardmaking techniques.
Holiday Card Boot Camp runs November 7-21, but all content will always be available after signing up! This fabulous class is only $29 and includes many prizes, along with discount codes to favorite online stores.
For more class information or to register, click here.
One of the fun things for me, in being a guest designer for this class, is that I get to give away a seat in the class!
So, leave a comment here on this post by 8pm PST Friday, 10.14.2011, and I'll draw a random winner for a spot in the class! Winner will be announced shortly after!
