Caramel Apple Kits

A few years ago, I made witches' shoes for my students. I filled them with witches' toes (cheese puffs), and they were a huge hit...especially because of my thing for shoes! I didn't think I could top that, but I did last Valentine's Day with the iHeartpods. They're still talking about them.

Let me tell you - having the same students year after year can be wonderful. You see them grow up and accomplish so much. But it's a pain when it comes to gifts!! There's so much pressure.

While this little treat may not be super impressive, it did get some ooooh's and aaaahh's (thanks Glossy Accents!). I had lots of questions about how I got the "caramel on the apple" - here take a looksie:

I made these fun caramel apple tags to attach to a caramel apple kit - a cellophane bag with apple, tongue depressor, and individually wrapped caramels. I created the template and hand cut the apples and drippy caramel. Squirting Glossy Accents on 12 of these puppies sure did hurt my hand, so please excuse the air bubbles - at that point I just wanted to get them done :)

The kids liked them; and for those who insisted on eating the apple & caramels right away, they wanted to keep the tag. I guess that shows their approval. When they brought up the iHeartpods & Witches' Shoes, I knew that I didn't get there yet. And the fact that they didn't mention their owl treat bags from last year, I know I was off the mark a bit then too. Well, at least I can repeat projects every 6 years :)

Hootie (minus the Blowfish)

couldn't resist the title :) - I remember sitting in the cafeteria as a college freshman watching this new band called Hootie and the Blowfish....I wonder if the lead singer regrets that band name since most of us only know him as Hootie :)

Here's another Halloween card with some more of my Imaginisce paper...I'm not sure if I'll make any more - it'll depend on time. I've already cut out a bunch of images that I love. It's also a matter of taking those images and translating them into cards - which isn't always the easiest thing after a long day at school. I've been bouncing from science fair projects to Quiz Bowl practice to Greek mythology to math dictionaries (which my 4th graders begged me to allow them to make....oh my word!!) and around 5 other topics. Crafting is definitely stress relieving, but I wish my brain was more productive by the time I get out the paper & glue!

Did you notice all of that stitching? I added it all by hand. I would have preferred to break out the Singer, but my mom is borrowing my sewing machine right now to make a new Christmas tree skirt. She's had it for over a month and a half - and I left word that I wanted it by the weekend :) It's so funny how I don't ever think of using something when it's here, but the moment someone borrows it I need it desperately! The stitching is perfect for the current challenge over at the CARDS blog.

I finally got a new calendar and began to write down all the due dates of challenges & submissions that I hope to participate in. I've wanted to do this for awhile, so hopefully now that I have I can stay on top of things better! Hope you're all enjoying the beautiful fall weather!


Details:
Stamps - none
Ink - none
Paper - Spooky Town (Imaginisce), Bitty Star Basics (PTI)
Accessories - embroidery floss, dimensionals

Trick or Tree

Just a quick post.

On Saturday, at my Copic class/stamping get-together, I picked up a bunch of the SpookyTown line paper by Imaginisce. I love the funky images and decided to cut some out. Here's one of the cards I created using the tree image:

I did a lot of distressing on this card - I think it looks great with the Halloween theme. Can't wait to show you some more of the Halloween cards, but I'm heading to bed - my allergies got the best of me today and I'm awfully tired :(



Details:
Stamps - none
Paper - kraft, Bitty Star Basics (PTI - Thanks again, Kelley), gold (DCWV), Monster Mash (Imaginisce Spooky Town)
Ink - Tea Dye Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories - circle punch, ribbon

Free Broom Rides

I won this adorable set by Pink Cat Studios on World Card Making Day through the Limelight design team challenges. I couldn't wait to ink it up.

It's just a simple card - perfect for mailing & not upseting the post office with a bumpy envelope ;) I stamped the sentiment "Scary, Scary, Screamy, Screamy. Happy, Happy, Halloweenie" on the inside of the card - this may be my favorite part of the stamp set.

I have to finish up a few more Halloween cards this week - I bought some new Imaginisce paper on Saturday, so I can't wait to use it :)



Details:
Stamps - Itty Bitty Halloween Stamps (Pink Cat Studio)
Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento); Copics
Paper - kraft, black; dp - Paper Pizazz & Imaginisce
Accessories - gemstones, embossed curve punch, black felt pen

Best Witches

I'm still working on the tags for the swap I'm participating in, and I thought I'd share the Halloween tag I came up with. I still need to create adult birthday tags and kid birthday tags then I'll be all set to send them out!

I used one of my favorite Halloween images from my collection - Witches' Shoes (Stampendous). I've always loved this stamp, and finally bought it last year. It's so much fun! Especially for a shoe lover like me. In fact, I've been choosing my shoes then my outfit for school in the morning to try to wear more of my shoes rather than my favorites :) - I told my students that I was trying to wear a different pair everyday; and they reacted, "You have 180 pairs of shoes?" I don't know what's more alarming - they are so aware of how many days of school we have or they think 180 pairs of shoes is too many :)

Even though this image is one of my fav's, it was tricky to use on the tag. I wanted to make a vertical tag, but the image was too large. After a bit of playing around, I'm happy with how it turned out. I popped up the main image and added a typed sentiment (font: Digs My Hart) to the bottom of the tag.

Details:
Stamps - Witches' Shoes (Stampendous)
Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento); Copics - 100, Y17, Y02, YG06, YR04, V09
Paper - Eggplant Envy, white, orange, black, dp (from stash)
Accessories - black grosgrain ribbon (Offray), white cording, Digs My Hart font, dimensionals

Button Inspiration

My blog pal, Kelley, has been on a button whirlwind lately making sooo many awesome cards featuring buttons - check out my favs: her Tic Tac Toe card, Button Snowman card (wait til you see his scarf!!), and Button Jar card inspired by a button jar from her grandma. Kelley is so talented and super sweet, so I hope you stop by her blog and leave her some well deserved love!

With all those button creations, I was inspired to create another one of my own. My inspiration for this card (beside the PTI Everday Button Bits set) came from the shimmery slate grey buttons I came across when I was organizing my stash last week. I knew I wanted to use these for a Halloween card.

I love how Halloweeny (<-my favorite non-word!!) this looks. I sponged some burnt orange craft ink on Summer Sun cardstock before stamping the tree trunks with black. Someone gave me the little ink cube, so I'm glad I found a great use for it!! I hand cut the clouds and added a large yellow button for the moon. I also stitched the ground which you can see better by clicking on the photo. The sentiment was printed on my computer (Jane Austen font) and some embroidery floss was tied on for a finishing touch.


Details:
Stamps - Everyday Button Bits (PTI)
Ink - StazOn black, Autumn Leaf (Fabrico)
Paper - kraft, black, Eggplant Envy, Summer Sun
Accessories - Jane Austen font (dafont.com), black embroidery floss

Bye, Bye Cupcake

So...I got started on my third Taylored Expressions challenge based on the sketch by Donna with full intentions to use my cupcake stamp that I challenged myself to. This sketch involved a patchwork background. I chose my DP, cut out inch squares, and adhered them to the card. Then it struck me - I've created a great background for a Halloween card.



Details:
Stamps - Stampendous Changito Mummy and Bugs & Hisses
Paper - Cricut DP and cardstock
Ink - Basic Black
Accessories - purple brads, Brushables markers, SU punch

Completion of all nine challenges is not looking good. My eyelids are awfully heavy, and I doubt I'll have another cancellation tomorrow.

Off the Ground and Wasting Time

Well, I got the blog off the ground and running. I'm wasting tons of time with cutesy add-ons - don't ask how long I spent creating the playlist!

I'm going to log off shortly to make a thinking of you card. I'm planning on using Imeldabella with the saying 'You can deal with anything if you have the right shoes.' I need a card to send to a student's parent who's had it rough over the last few weeks. It should bring a good laugh - she knows about my shoe obsession. Watch for photos!

Speaking of shoe obsession, here's a photo of the witch's shoes I made my students this Halloween. I placed 'witches' toes' (cheese curls) inside the shoes - the kids loved them!