Happy Boo Day!

It's early Halloween night. Candles are lit and the treats are ready by the door. My daughter and her husband have arrived with Baxter. He was not in the pumpkin for long because they had to finish carving it before they came for supper. Don't let Baxter's friendly smile fool you - he is a vampire at heart and loves to bite!

Can you tell who we are rooting for in the World Series?

In The Pink........PPA14........

The Pals Paper Arts Challenge this week encourages you to think pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I am honored to be the Featured Artist for this challenge which is also a tribute to fellow Pal and PPA Design Team Member Kris Kilcoyne and her mom Karol. Karol is bravely battling breast cancer and in her own way so is Kris. I thought pink and used Pink Pirouette and Chocolate Chip along with Bella Birds designer paper. An image and sentiment from Friends 24/7 send a message of support. Join us by thinking pink! Post your creation to help spread the word and to recognize those whose lives have been affected by this dreadful disease. I have learned over the past few months that having friends in the virtual world has many similarities to having friends in the real world. We cheer each other on when life is good and we support each other when life throws a curve. And together we are stronger than standing alone........

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch..............

This week's OCC Challenge was to create a card using your favorite holiday movie as an inspiration. I love the Grinch - my favorite version is the original narrated by Boris Karloff - a true classic! I stamped empty ornament hangers from Tree Trimmings on Merry Moments designer paper and also used an ornament from Delightful Decorations. A little free hand drawing - very primitive to say the least - and the scene was set. Some days I just entertain myself with this stuff...................

........Last he went up the chimney himself the old liar,

Leaving nothing behind but hooks and some wire........

Different but All the Same..............PPA13.....

Halloween is quite the event in our neighborhood. We often have over 100 trick or treaters! I try to make a few special treats for our closest neighbors. These little pockets will hold a treat or two and some Halloween stickers. They are a snap to make and happen to qualify for Pals Paper Arts Challenge 13 - Anything but a Card. I used a friendly mix of last year's and this year's Halloween designer paper. I cut out 2 top notes for each pocket, folded down a flap and tied a ribbon. Then I got busy with the Spooky Treats rub-on set. They are all different but really all the same. I made two more for my grown-up kids. (No stickers for them - they prefer lottery tickets!) Next I think I will make some for my co-workers at the library - they like treats too. Seems that saying applies to people as well - we are different but really all the same.................

Derailed..........Mojo 109......

Sometimes things derail in life. Last night my husband asked me to make a get well card for a co-worker. No problem I thought as I headed to my craft room - I'll follow the Mojo Monday sketch. I decided to pick a DSP that I have never used so I pulled out Nouveau Chic and Jackpot. Hmm, nothing too get-wellish about Jackpot - better focus on Nouveau Chic. I reached for the Kind and Caring Thoughts stamp set, a very get-wellish set, and some lovely So Saffron card stock. Darned if I know what happened next but the flower became a spider and Nouveau Chic turned to the dark side. Totally off the track...........

A Warm Welcome.............PPA12......

Nothing says welcome like a wreath on the front door - well except maybe a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies. When I saw this week's PPA sketch done by the talented Margaret Moody I immediately thought of a wreath. I made one using bits and pieces of stamps from Priceless, Holiday Best, Elegant Thank You, Pocket Silhouettes and Short and Sweet. I inked them with Pumpkin Pie, Purely Pomegranate, Soft Suede or Ruby Red. Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry Paper add to the fall color line-up. There is a beautiful old Colonial home on our block in need of some TLC. To my delight it has been bought by a young couple who have already started to fix it up. The house is not yet livable but when I walked by the other morning a wreath had been hung on the front door - a perfect hello to the neighborhood. I will be taking this card to welcome our new neighbors - along with a plate of those cookies!

Holiday Hop .......All's Not What it Seems on Halloween.....

Welcome to the Holiday Hop! If you have landed here from Carla's blog you are doing great. If you are starting here - no problem - just follow the arrows at the end of the post to stay on track. Hope you enjoy your tour - leave us notes and let us know what you think. But beware my pretties - all's not what it seems on Halloween!

These little ghosts seem awfully happy to see you today. Don't be fooled by that - I think they are just delighted to be so near a Giardelli dark chocolate treat tucked into that scalloped note!

Uh oh - looks like someone is trying to sneak out of the back door of the house with all of the treats. Not to worry, the treats are still safe inside the house............which really isn't a house you know. It is actually Stampin' Up's #2 Box - cut out on the Big Shot and turned upside down. The flaps make a great roof line.

So enjoy the rest of the hop - but keep your wits about you! This happy little pumpkin fellow was just taking it easy in the patch one night when he was struck by forked lightning......you can see what happened next..........ribbit, ribbit..........All's not what it seems on Halloween!











Kris (Kween Bee Kreations)
Carla (Carla's Scraps)
Linda (Stampin' Seasons)
Melanie (Oops a Daisy)
Mary (Stampin' Pretty)
Trish (Soul Stamper)
Jill (Stamping Heart)
Liz (DIY Paper Creations)
Kim (Stamp, Scrap, Get Kreative)
Kalshelia (Stampin' Fabulousity)
Regina (The Stampin' Bean)
Margaret (Margaret Moody)
Debbie (Stampin' Sunshine)
Ann (The Stampin' Schach)
Gina (Cards by Gina)
Lourdes (Cozy Crafty Corner)

Holiday Hop.......

Are you ready for a "ribbiting" adventure? Then join us tomorrow, October 13th, for a Holiday Hop! A group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators will be providing inspiration for Halloween. The sites listed below will be showcasing all that Stampin' Up! has to offer from stamps to designer paper to embellishments. So hop on over to our pads and let us know what you think!

Kris (Kween Bee Kreations)
Carla (Carla's Scraps)
Linda (Stampin' Seasons)

Melanie (Oops a Daisy)
Mary (Stampin' Pretty)
Trish (Soul Stamper)
Jill (Stamping Heart)
Liz (DIY Paper Creations)
Kim (Stamp, Scrap, Get Kreative)
Kalshelia (Stampin' Fabulousity)
Regina (The Stampin' Bean)
Margaret (Margaret Moody)
Debbie (Stampin' Sunshine)
Ann (The Stampin' Schach)
Gina (Cards by Gina)
Lourdes (Cozy Crafty Corner)

Mark your calendar as well for November 10th and December 1st for our Thanksgiving and Christmas Hops!

It was a dark and stormy night.......PPA11.....

Pals Paper Arts wasn't the only one sending out a challenge this week. Mother Nature sent out a challenge of her own yesterday. Last night the wind just roared and down came branches, trees and power lines. Being powerless is not fun! Dogs however always have fun - and always need to be walked no matter what the weather. So out we went into a very eerie neighborhood - pitch black, howling wind, snapping branches and sirens everywhere. I was prepared though - I had a mini flashlight and a mini poodle! Clouds were just rolling across the sky - amazing how you could see them in the darkness. In the light of day this morning with power restored, those clouds were my inspiration. I sponged clouds with Perfect Plum, inked just the branch from Embrace Life and used Old Olive textured paper as a backdrop. With a spot of Pumpkin Pie, Halloween rub-ons and some designer paper, my challenge was done. Wishing you power always.............

Sweet Baby Mojo 107.......

I am headed to a baby shower this weekend and I had a recent OCC one color challenge in mind when I started this card. I followed the Mojo Monday sketch but used only So Saffron ink, card stock, ribbon and designer paper. I get great inspiration from my virtual pal Melissa Young who designs for the OCC team - check her out - she is Fabulous! But then I remembered another inspirational pal Ann Schach - check her out - she is Fanshcachstic! When Ann did the OCC challenge she just had to sneak in a wee bit of a second color. So I thought maybe I can sneak in a wee bit of a third color. The parents-to-be have decided not to find out if it is a boy or a girl ahead of time. That's why you see a sliver of Bashful Blue and Blush Blossom!

Thanksmas........PPA10.....

Is that Santa flying through swirling leaves and chocolate snowflakes? It certainly is and he is headed our way - for Thanksmas! This card, made on a base of More Mustard mixed with layers of Autumn Traditions and Merry Moments, will be sent to tell my sister-in-law Joan that we will be there for Thanksmas. It used to be easy to get together when our children were young, but children grow, move away and start their own families. Life isn't quite so simple but all of us still gather on Thanksgiving. We start with a traditional turkey dinner at a beautifully set fall table. Then Joan jingles bells and leads us into a living room decked out for Christmas. There are packages, ribbon candy, glowing candles and the excitement of seeing the next generation of little ones enjoy it all. (Joan has also been known to squeeze in a baby shower or engagement party between courses if need be!) It's a wonderful start to the holiday season and everyone gets to spend Christmas at home - no worries about traveling in bad weather - let it snow! In response to PPA's challenge this week I would like to say I am thankful for a wonderfully spirited family that created its own holiday............Happy Thanksmas everyone!