'Sweater Weather' indeed...

Hellooooo!!! Sweater weather indeed!! Even though it is pretty mild today~ it has gotten chilly here in Virginia, the leaves have all changed and fallen...only a few remain on the trees. My morning runs have gotten a little scary because of the damp leaves on the paths~ they are slick!! Some mornings it feels as though it will snow...I am looking forward to seeing the first flakes but not until Decemberrrrrrrr!

Today I have some goodies to share with you that I made recently to decorate the house for Fall and Thanksgiving. I'll be cooking the big ol' bird this year and celebrating with friends and family. It was pretty simple to create a few decorative pieces with the help of the Thankful Tablescape Simply Created Kit (133463) found in the current Holiday Catalog. It's a great kit~ but since I have decided to use it for other things...my table/place settings will be a wee bit different~ I'll share those in tomorrow's post.

The Designer Series Paper that coordinates with the kit is called 'Sweater Weather' (132184) and I love the plaids, warm colors and it's a great masculine print too! It's often hard to find stamps or paper that scream 'MAN'! Speaking of which... here is a card I made using one of the die-cut leaves from the kit.

Supplies
Stamp Set: Truly Grateful (131733 C),Sassy Salutations (126707 C)
Card Stock: Crushed Curry, Whisper White, Vellum, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Whisper White Craft, Versamark, Chocolate Chip
Access: linen thread (104199), retired button, pewter embossing powder (124114), heat tool (129053), Big Shot (113439), Woodgrain embossing folder (127821)

I also made a set of 4 birch coasters that were stamped with Staz-On ink using the Magnificent Maple stamp (131868 W).

From the kit I took some pieces and made a 'Fall' banner:

Here is a closer view:

And even closer....

Notice the bubbling on the letter 'l'?? I am not sure why...I used the Gold Metallic Encore ink (132141) and non-SU! brand gold embossing powder (Shhhhh!). I didn't have any~ and I wanted it gold! It's on my next order though..(lol). I actually ended up liking the texture...but I am not sure if it's because of the paper that was being used...it's the chalkboard labels from the kit. Anyway...this idea came (CASED) from Janet Wakeland. Thanks Janet!!

Did you notice my flowers above the shelf??

Here is a close-up:

These were simple to make too~ click here for tutorial.

Next is a wreath I made using the 1 1/4" Burlap Ribbon (132140)...I love this stuff!! I die-cut the leaves using the Big Shot & Autumn Accents Bigz Die (127812) and Gold Foil Sheets (132622)...love this stuff too!!

Close-up:

Oh...another favorite thing?? The birch paper that comes in the kit~ it is meant to be used around candles along with a belly band as part of a centerpiece...so I did! These are battery operated candles that I have had for a few years now...can't even tell you how many times they have been dressed up for the holidays!!

Here is a closer view:

I also wanted to make some paper pumpkins...Dawn Griffith has an easy tutorial. I just added a 'gratitude' tag from the  Harvest of Thanks stamp set (131739 C). 

Close-up:

Tip: On several of the items that use our linen thread...you'll see that the ends are curly? To achieve this, just dampen and wrap around a dowel and heat set..Voila!

Off to finish my place settings and another gift~ see you back here tomorrow!!

Let me just add one more thing~ I haven't been stamping much over the last few months. But WOW it feels good to be back!! Please let me know if you have any questions on anything you see~ I hope you leave (get it...leave?) inspired and maybe you too have lost your Stampin' Mojo~ not to worry..it will return!!

Warm hugs,
Erin

August 1, 2013

August 1, 2013~ you know what that means?? School will be starting before we know it (here in VA anyway!!). I saw this cute commercial the other day where the mom was sitting in her living room enjoying the silence...she called it the 'sound' of September. I thought it was cute...and can relate!

I am SO excited for the upcoming cool months and the holidays...is it too soon to start decorating??


The Holiday catalog went live today~ yay!!  It's packed with things to make it easy to decorate, celebrate and give gifts and cards – from fall through the new year!  You can view it by clicking here – but if you would like a hard copy contact me and I'll send one right out, just let me know!

There is also a new product line that was unveiled at Convention. It's AMAZING!! So if you don't have a Big Shot yet...what are you waiting for? This will put you over the edge and convince you in a second! It's Thinlits Card Dies.  You can make a “flip flop card” with your Sizzix Big Shot in just a few minutes.  Check it out!

Click here to order and see more details!

There are so many new things available today from Stampin’ Up!~ hard to choose what to get first? Perhaps you should consider signing up to become a demonstrator?? Enjoy the discount while you build your collection! There is a great promotion going on right now where you can choose a FREE project kit in addition to the Starter Kit! Click here for more information.

There is also the monthly subscription to Paper Pumpkin, have you joined that yet?? Click here for more details on that~ Be sure to enter Promo Code: PUMPKINDEAL to enjoy the discount for two months!! 

Lastly is also the latest addition of the “Best of 25 Years”. This set is called "Best of Halloween" Item # 134381 $ 14.95

 Click here to order today and get started on some cute Halloween crafts/projects!! 

Heading to the beach tomorrow for a much needed family vacation...then when I return I will be diving in to play with my new goodies. I received an order today with lots of new Holiday goodies...maybe I won't go to the beach!(LOL) If you are needing anything during the next week. I will be checking e-mails~ feel free to contact me! Take care and have a fabulous week!!
BIG hugs,
Erin