For Love of Paper

Thrifty Thursday: 3D Halloween Invitation

What is Thrifty Thursday?

With the economy still on the rebound we all need to get as much bang for our buck as possible. So each Thursday I'll show you inexpensive ways to use your paper crafting supplies.

Todays Project

If you received an invitation that looked like this you're not likely to forget the party! With just a little cardstock and candy you're guests will be so excited they'll arrive early.

While this invitation does need to be hand delivered it's totally worth it.

How To

• Cut a box and lid using the Sizzix Matchbox Die from Basic Gray Cardstock. 
• Stamp the swirly bat image from the From the Crypt stamp set using Basic Black Classic Ink
• Stamp the tombstone from Graveyard Gala using Basic Black Classic Ink onto Basic Gray Cardstock. Cut out leaving 3/4" of cardstock on the bottom. You'll also want to cut away the right "side" of the tombstone.
• Sponge edges of everything using Basic Black Classic Ink
• Assemble the matchbox
• Cut a strip of Basic Gray cardstock 1/2" x 3" and score at 1/2" and 2 1/2"
• Add Sticky Strip across the entire strip.
• Attach 1/2" Strip to the bottom of the tombstone and then to the inside of the box slider/lid/cover.
• Cut four strips of Rich Razzleberry cardstock 3 1/4" x 1".
• Stamp crow from Graveyard Gala on each and adhere around four Hershey Nugget Chocolates.

Note: You may have to fidget with the box to get it inserted the first time because it runs into the extra 1/2" strip of cardstock holding everything together.

How much does each invitation cost?

1 Sheet Basic Gray Cardstock    $ .29

Hershey Nuggets                     $ .40

Rich Razzleberry Scraps            FREE

Total Cost                                   $ .69

Supplies

Stamps: Graveyard Gala and From the Crypt

Inks: Basic Black Classic Ink

Paper: Basic Gray and Rich Razzleberry Cardstock

Other: Sizzix Big Shot, Matchbox Die, Stamping Sponge and Sticky Strip

Super Simple Saturday: Sparkly Spook Halloween Card

I wish I could take credit for this gorgeously simple Halloween card but I cannot. It was created by one of my fellow demonstrators and given to me as part of the card swap at last Saturday's Stampin' Up! Regional Convention in Ft. Worth.

I also have to say the photo of this card does not do it justice. It is so sparkly!

This would be a terrific card to use as an invitation to a Halloween party.

Just score and fold a piece of 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" Basic Black cardstock in half, then run the front through the Sizzix Big Shot with the Spider Web Embossing Folder. Next spritz it with the sparkly secret potion. Stamp "spooky" from the Wicked Cool stamp set onto a scrap of Rich Razzleberry cardstock then punch with the Designer Label Punch. Then punch another from Perfect Plum cardstock. The plum one cut in half and adhere to the back of the Razzleberry one. Add a black brad and adhere to the card. To make life simple type up your invitation on white cardstock and adhere it to the inside of the black card.

If you love sparkle, shimmer and shine be sure to keep your eyes posted for my upcoming holiday class schedule. You won't want to miss the Shimmer, Smooch and Spritz oh my! class. You'll learn the recipe for my "secret potion" and lots more.

Supplies

Stamps: Wicked Cool

Inks: Basic Black Classic Ink

Paper: Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry and Perfect Plum

Other: Sizzix Big Shot with Spider Web Embossing Folder, Designer Label Punch, Platinum Shimmer Paint and Neutrals Brads

Girly Boo Halloween Card, Perfect for crafting with your kids.

I don't think Stampin' Up! stampers will ever stop finding new uses for the Top Note Sizzix Die (this die isexclusive to Stampin' Up!). Once again I'm amazed and at the same time have wondered to myself, "why didn't I think of that?" lol Unfortunately I don't have the name of the demonstrator that created this little gem of a card. What I really like are the style of the eyes and mouth.

This card is so simple you could easily create this with your kids, even 3 and 4 year olds. My son loves punches and glueing.

Just imagine how much fun your kiddos would have making them and the smile they'd have from ear to ear when they got to give out Halloween cards they had made themselves.

For those of you planning to make Halloween goodies NOW is the time to get your supplies. You can click here to order anytime or contact me directly.

Supplies

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Inks: Basic Black Classic Ink

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Basic Black and Basic Gray

Other: Sizzix Big Shot with Top Note Die, 1/4", 1/2", 3/4" and 1" Circle Punches, Large Oval Punch and 1/4" Rich Razzleberry Grosgrain Ribbon

Simple and Spooky Halloween Card

First if you are wondering where Thrifty Thursday is it will be back next week. This week I am helping with a huge children's consignment sale here in Austin called MamaCents. If you have small children I highly suggest you find the time to get down there this weekend. With all my time being taken up with the sale I decided this was a terrific time to share some of the awesome swaps I received at Stampin' Up! Regional Convention last weekend in Ft. Worth.

At the beginning of the day everyone had the opportunity to turn in one card they made and then Shelli Gardner our co-founder and CEO judged the entries and picked three favorites. This card was one of the winners. Unfortunately I don't have the name of the demonstrator who created it.

Shelli said what she liked was how much punch this card had while still being clean and simple. I couldn't agree more. I love this card too. If you're not a Halloween fan there is always a tid bit to take from any card. I will surely be using the ribbon style used on this card in the future.

I'll post another sample tomorrow so be sure to stop back.

If you need any of the supplies used in this card remember you can order them online anytime 24/7. Just click here!

Supplies

Stamps: Wicked Cool

Inks: Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink

Paper: Basic Black and Whisper White

Other: Sizzix Big Shot with Spider Web Embossing Folder, 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Pumpkin Pie and Bitty Bat Punch

Halloween Joy Fold Card

This was the first card I swapped for last weekend at the Ft. Worth Regional Convention. I was so excited. It is a gorgeously spooky Halloween card and I love Halloween. It was made by Kathy Silvernail of Plano, Texas.

Even better . . . take a look at how this opens.

This type of card is called a joy fold card. Hmm, I'm thinking this might be a good topic for my next Watch It Wednesday. Speaking of Watch It Wednesday, my regularly scheduled blog posts will return next week. I'm living, I mean working, at the MamaCents Children's Consignment Sale this weekend.

I'll see if I can't add to this post later all of the supplies she used.

Stop by for another Halloween swap tomorrow.

Supplies

Stamps: House of Haunts and Teeny Tiny Wishes

Inks: Basic Black Classic and CRAFT Ink

Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive and Wicked Fun Specialty DSP

Other: Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Modern Label Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Bitty Bat Punch, Sizzix Big Shot with Spider Web Embossing Folder and Stampin' Dimensionals

August and September Workshop Projects

Here is a sneak peak at the projects my August and September Workshop Hostesses and their guests will be making. The first project is a 3-D Witches Hat Treat Holder. If you have small children you won't want to miss this project. It is super simple and very fast for a hand made treat holder. You're friends will thank you for showing them such a useful project. Or if Halloween isn't your thing there are more choices below.

Two fairly simple cards both featuring the Tearing Edge Ruler, one of my favorite tools. August and September are a great time to get your creative juices flowing again just in time for Christmas crafting.

Even better all hostesses in the month of August will receive an additional $25 SU! Shopping Spree with a qualifying workshop. Click here to read more.

Be sure to contact me today, my calendar will fill very quickly with a special like this. You can call me at 512-259-5575 or email me at chris@forloveofpaper.com.

Spooky Haunted House Card

Hmm, what to say about this card? It's Halloween, which I love. It uses the Top Note Sizzix Die, which I love and also uses the awesome 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, which I love. So . . .  I'm loving this card and it is simple to make. I know because I had first time stampers make this card at a recent workshop I conducted near here in Cedar Park.

Want to give it a try?

Here's what you'll need:

Stamps: House of Haunts and Sanded

Inks: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Summer Sun Classic Inks

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie Cardstock

Other: Stampin' Dimensionals, Aqua Painter, 1 1/4" Old Olive Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Sizzix Big Shot with Top Note Die, 2 Stampin' Sponges and Stamp-a-ma-jig (optional)

1. Begin by cutting the following pieces.

• Whisper White Card 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and a Top Note
• Pumpkin Pie Card Front 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
• Basic Black 2 1/4" x 5 1/2"
• 7" length of 1 1/4" Old Olive Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

2. Stamp the Sanded Background stamp onto the Pumpkin Pie CS using Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink. Then sponge the edges using more Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink.

3. Adhere the Basic Black strip of cardstock onto the Pumpkin Pie Card Front about 3/4" up from the bottom.

4. Adhere the Old Olive Striped Ribbon over the Basic Black CS and adhere the ends to the back of the card front.

5. Stamp the haunted house and Happy Halloween onto the Whisper White Top Note using Basic Black Classic Ink.

6. Using the squeeze technique with an Aqua Painter, first color Summer Sun Classic Ink onto the top portion of the moon, windows and doors. Then repeat the technique with Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink on the lower portion of the moon, windows and door, blending the two colors where they meet.

7. Sponge Old Olive Classic Ink on the edges of the Top Note and adhere over the ribbon using Stampin' Dimensionals.

8. Adhere finished card front to Whisper White Card Base.

Remember you can order your supplies anytime 24/7 online, by email or over the phone. Get your supplies today and make your own spooky creations.

Click Here to Order Online

Email me at chris@forloveofpaper.com

Call me at 512-259-5575

Boo Crew Layout

First, let me tell you why I've been MIA for a week. I spent the entire weekend in downtown Austin at the Mama Cents Children's Consignment Sale. It was awesome! I highly recommend shopping here if you have kids. I was able to get my son, Jack, a ton of clothes and a few toys for very little money. Don't feel bad if you missed this sale there will be another one in March so we can all get our little ones outfitted for the spring and summer.

Not only did I shop at Mama Cents I also was a volunteer for their VIP Baby Shower and a vendor. What can I say? I was busy!

So back to the land of paper. This layout is one I designed for a recent workshop (hello Cynthia and friends). Lately I've been drawn to pages that have a few accents of patterned paper and a stamp here or there with the focus on the photos. Really shouldn't the scrapbooking part of it be there to enhance your photos rather than distract from them? It's very much like what mom always said about make-up . . . it's there to bring out your natural beauty, not cover it up.

While it may look like I have a 12x12 printer, I don't. I just printed my journaling on regular size Whisper White CS, cut it to the appropriate size and adhered it onto my page. You could also do hand journaling right on the page, just be sure to use an acid free marker or pen such as a Stampin' Write Marker. These are great because they come in all of the SU! colors and have two ends, one a brush marker and the other a fine tip, great for journaling.

You can get a complete list of supplies and instructions for this page by clicking the link below.

Boo Crew 12x12 Layout Instructions

(And a special thanks to Becky for providing the adorable pumpkin in the photos.)

These days we are all so busy, give simple, photocentric, scrapbooking a try again and see how much fun it is all over again.

Pillow Box Pumpkin Tutorial

As promised here are the instructions to make this super cute little spook.

Pillow Box Pumpkin Instructions

Don't have the Sizzix Pillow Box Die or any of the other supplies you'll need to create this cute little spook? Remember you can shop online 24/7 or contact me today to be sure you get your supplies in plenty of time for Halloween.

Too Cute to Spook

As I was perusing the online world of paper crafting I came across this "too cute to spook" pumpkin basket. He would make a wonderful piece of home decor or would be great to fill with treats for the kiddos, though I don't recommend anything heavy.

What makes this even more amazing is when you find out what he's made of. Any guesses? Pillow Boxes cut from the Pillow Box Sizzix Die!

Stay tuned over the next couple days for complete instructions on how to make your own Pillow Box Pumpkin!