Paper Popsicles: Freebie Friday!

Here it is!! The last October Freebie Friday from Paper Popsicles! A terrific Awareness Ribbon Shaped card!

To get your free file, which can be printed and cut by hand or converted to a .scut (or similar) file and cut using your favorite electronic cutting machine and its compatible software, run over to the Paper Popsicles online store and "purchase" it today only with the $0.00 pricetag. Tomorrow, it will be a wee bit more expensive but probably only $1. (Don't quote me on that, but that has been my experience with the other shaped cards.)

You'll find the card in the Shaped Card Templates section of the store under Miscellaneous - Awareness Ribbon. (The items are in alphabetical order. I found it at the bottom of page 3. Or you can just click on the link.)

I'm out the door to celebrate my 20th anniversary with my hubby. You won't see me much here over the next week. Hope you all have a wonderful Halloween.

Pop Up Snowman

JoanneH from the Cricut message board asked if I could make this fun 3D snowman. I had a few minutes... and I was in need of a good challenge.

You'll have to check HERE to see how he turned out!

THANKS JoanneH for the challenge and for posting your results. He looks great!

Paper Popsicles: Monday Madness Show-n-Tell

Hey everyone,
Thanks to the Friday Freebie from Paper Popsicles last Friday I was able to get started on some Thanksgiving items.
My little family is ... well... little. Just three of us. Me, my hubby and my son. Our family lives out of state and we don't always have the ability to travel home for Thanksgiving. This year is one of those years. So, in an attempt to make our quiet little dinner something special I put together some fun napkin rings and coordinated name plates using the pumpkin as an embellishment.

I took the Paper Popsicles pumpkin shaped card and edited to be a single element which I cut in both the patterned paper and also a "shadow" layer in white for both the napkin rings and the name plates.

I'm pleased with how they turned out and how simple they were to make. Should our plans for our small dinner change I could easily make additional place settings.

Details:

• Napkin ring base only: Cricut and Design Studio with Plantin Schoolbook
• Pumpkin Shaped Card; Pumpkin detail created using SCAL and Inkscape
• Patterened Paper: Seasonal-Summer Surprise (Cherry Arte), Seasonal-Raindrops (Cherry Arte)
• White cardstock (Georgia Pacific)
• Kraft Cardstock (PaperTreyInk)
• Font: Passion_Conflict_Robb

One more thing.... Diane and I have classes set up for this Wed and Thu and we have several open spots available if you are interested in joining us. We would love to see you!! Information about the classes are found on the LetMeShowYou blog.

Paper Popsicles: Freebie Friday!

Wow! I just realized I haven't posted anything to my blog since last Friday! Sorry about that. I need to get back into updating my blog more regularly...

So, what brought me to my blog this morning? It's another Paper Popsicles Freebie Friday! :) Today, Paper Popsicles is offering up their Holiday Pumpkin shaped card:


With Halloween almost here and Thanksgiving just around the corner, pumpkins are a terrific shape for cards or as embellishments for your crafty creations. I used this pumpkin file recently to accent my Halloween banner.


All I had to do was take the digital file and alter it from a shaped card to a single shaped element and then shrink it down to the size I needed it to be. You don't need to have some super expensive editing software to do this either. You can easily do this in Inkscape (free program!). I'll have to put together a tutorial for you one of these days.

Well, it's time for me to get my son out the door to school. Have a wonderful Friday! And remember, the freebie is only available for free today. Tomorrow you'll have to pay full price.

Paper Popsicles: Freebie Friday!

Hey everyone,
Sorry this post is so late. I took my son on a spontaneous trip to Disneyland the last few days just arriving home about a half-hour ago. Thank goodness he is such a good car traveler. I just plug in a dvd and away we go. It's about a six hour drive for us to the "Happiest Place on Earth." And with a fantastic winning bid on Priceline at a hotel across the street I just couldn't resist.

But, that is not the important info you are here for. This is what you need to know: TODAY is Freebie Friday at Paper Popsicles. If you remembered, GREAT! If you are just now finding out, run over to Paper Popsicles now and get the freebie! It's the ever-fab Witch's Shoe shape card!


You can order the freebie from the Paper Popsicles Store, in the Shaped Card Templates area. The name is "Halloween - Witch shoe" (<--- click here for a direct link)

Some of you may remember the card I made a few weeks ago using the template. It turned out so cute! (I may be a little biased.)


Anyway, Run don't walk cuz this freebie is only free until midnight tonight (Chicago time - Central Standard Time).
Hope you all are having a nice Friday!!

Paper Popsicles: Monday Madness Show-n-Tell

Howdy Cowboys and Cowgirls,
For those of you who snatched up the Freebie Friday from the Paper Popsicles Blog last Friday, today is Monday Madness Show-n-Tell to show off your creations. :)

I decided to take a little artist's license and change up the digital freebie a bit. As you can see here, from the original digital stamp, Little Oliver didn't make the cut. That's what I love about digital stamps. You can change the size, alter the contents, and make it fit your need! And once you buy, for a nominal cost, you can print it as many times as you want.

After making my alterations to the Oliver the Cowboy file, I colored the hat and cut it out.

I mounted the hat on a couple layers of foam adhesive to add dimension.

It's hard to tell, but I embossed the striped paper with the Floral Fantasy embossing folder. To me the pattern reminds me of a bandanna print. The small antiqued gold brads and the ribbon with the stitched detail really brought the whole thing together. The band on the hat looks more pink in the picture but in person it's as deep red as the stripe on the picture.

I hope you all had a great day today. Tomorrow we're going to the zoo. It's fall break for my son. And with the weather finally in the 80's during the day the zoo is a great place to spend some outdoor time.

If you have the Freebie Friday from last week, I hope you'll consider playing along with the Show-n-Tell. It's a lot of fun!! And you could win some fun prizes from Paper Popsicles.

Details:

• Digital Stamp: Kids - Oliver the Cowboy (Cheeky Radish)
  
• Patterned papers: Howdy Paper Stack Pack (Carolee's); Cold Raspberry Cinnamon Stick (Jillibean)
• Ink: Chestnut Roan (Colorbox); Burlap (Tim Holtz)
• Markers: Honey Brown, Tiki Hut Tan, Prairie Berry, Moonstone Yellow (Bic Mark It)
  
• Cuttlebug and Floral Fantasy embossing folder (Provo Craft)
• Brads (MakingMemories)
• Ribbon (Michael's)

Paper Popsicles: Creepy Crawly Blog Stomp

Welcome to Paper Popsicles' second blog hop, our CREEPY, CRAWLY, Blog STOMP! Today, we hope that as you go around to each of our creative team member blogs, you will find inspiration, some tricks, and perhaps some TREATS!

If you stumbled upon my blog from Amy GREAT!!! You are on the right track! If you stumbled upon my blog and wish to play along, please start at the Paper Popsicles' blog.

Our porch lights are now on! As you move from one blog to the next, you will collect a TREAT (a word). Gather all the treats to make a ghoulish saying and email your phrase to Melissa at melissa@paperpopsicles.com. For your efforts, you will be entered into a RAK to win a fantastic prize—THE LOUD TALKER KIT!


Please leave a comment on EVERY blog during our stomp....otherwise you might miss out on some other free treats!!!!

Now, on with the show! Here is MY ghoulish surprise: A Hauntingly Festive Banner!


I've mentioned before about how I love the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. Well, I decided to use it as the theme for my Halloween banner. The main word across the banner reads "999 Happy Haunts." When you enter the amusement ride the Caretaker starts to speak. He tells of the ghostly occupants and how there are is always room for one more. (*wink*)


On each of the panels is found a fun Halloween shape decorated with either glittery goodness or embossed with a silvery inked design.


Each of these little icons started out as one of the digital shaped cards available in the Paper Popsicles store, which I altered to be a digital stamp. That's the beauty of digital files. They can be changed in size and color to fit your needs. :) Some of the shapes (like the bats and ghost) were then mounted on coiled wire so that they could 'fly.'


While the non-flying objects like shoe and hat were mounted using foam to lift them off the panels for added dimension.


The witch is flying on a wire but it's hard to tell from the angle I took the pic. She is also painted with Shimmerz Spritz and then outlined with a 'black magic' glitter glue that I found at a local craft store.


The pumpkin was painted with Shimmerz and outlined with glittery glue also as well as his fangy grin. Glittery glue and stamped images were added to some of the background papers as well to give more interest.


To put the banner together, each panel was mounted on a long strip of ribbon with some space left in between. Buttons were stacked up and tied on to the ribbon with some brown twine.


The words from the cemetery ghosts' song was typed up, printed on to paper and turned into a funky, aged paper ribbon which runs across the top of each panel. Gathered crepe paper, accordion pleated rosettes and zigzag stitching adds to the details.


Here's a close up of one of the bats which was stamped and embossed with silver embossing powder. Two bats were mounted back to back on a black coiled wire so that the adhesive won't be exposed regardless which angle you look at it.

The folded medallions in the center of each panel give such a cool texture and then all the little patterns and details really make this banner come to life. Every time my son walks past the window where it's hanging he yells (yes, YELLS!) "Hey mom! Halloween day!" He is so excited for it to be October. It's too cute.

Ok enough of me going on and on....
I guess you want your other treat too? The treat on my blog is BREWING AT

Now that you have been scared into the season, don’t forget to leave a comment, then head over to Robyn’s blog next!

In case you were curious.... Here is the list of blogs in the stomp:

1. Tricia www.triciastreasures.blogspot.com
2. Lynda www.positive-force.blogspot.com
3. Cassie www.fortheartofit.blogspot.com
4. Valerie www.allmyscrappin.blogspot.com
5. Lora www.singingsquirrel.blogspot.com
6. Carol www.crazyforcrafting.blogspot.com
7. Amy www.papertrailsleaver.blogspot.com
8. Jen www.jensbrainthings.blogspot.com <---- YOU ARE HERE
9. Robyn www.dreaminginscraps.blogspot.com <---- GO HERE NEXT

Don't forget - Paper Popsicles is screaming with great deals today. 25% off everything in the store and 50% off all clearance! October 10th only. www.paperpopsicles.com/store

Thanks for stopping by. If you're read this far you get a special Trick-or-Treat prize! A fun Halloween themed digital design from PaperPopsicles. Click on the image to get the full size. Then you can right click to save:

Happy Stomping!

Details:

• Patterned Papers: Haunted Eerie, Haunted Macabre, Haunted Nevermore, Haunted Ominous, and Haunted Them Bones (Cosmo Cricket); All Fall Penmanship (Fancy Pants);
• Digital shapes: Witch, Witch's hat, Witch's shoe, Ghost, Pumpkin, Bat
• Shimmerz Paint and Spritz
• Stamps: witch, spider, swirl, bat, (WaltzingMouse); Damask Designs (PaperTreyInk); swirl (Autumn Leaves)
• Hardware: Cricut, sewing machine, Scor-Pal
• Software: Illustrator, SCAL
• Fonts: Storybook, Addams
• Other items from my craft closet: black cardstock, white paper, gems, Stickles, glitter glue, ink pads in black, olive, burlap and silver, silver embossing powder, black wire, ribbon, buttons, twine, thread, crepe paper, adhesive

I'm pretty certain I've forgotten something I used on this lil'lovely. If I remember anything else I'll come back and update with the info.

Special THANKS to my sis who came to town to visit and ended up being enlisted to help me make this. I'm fairly sure I wouldn't have finished it in time for the stomp if she hadn't offered to help. Thanks girlie!

Halloween Treat Idea and some Reminders

Hey everyone,
I've got LOTS to tell you today so keep scrolling because you won't want to miss out on the information.

First up, I've been busy creating a couple fun Halloween projects. The first one I'm posting for you today.

The idea started when I was wandering the isles at Walgreen's and found this cool little can of cookies. Can you believe it? A $1 for the can and the cookies inside. What a bargain! (There were originally more than six of the cookies but a few were sacrificed for quality control purposes. *wink*)


I wrapped it in black cardstock and then added my Gooey border and created a wordart tag to go with it.


To create the individual pockets, I cut down strips of wax paper

Each strip was folded nearly in half


Then I unfolded them and folded in 1/2" along each of the long ends

Then, where the side fold lines cross the middle fold line I cut a slight diagonal and then trimmed along the 1/2" fold line to cut the strip off on both sides.


Here's a picture which should better explain what I just tried to say (I just reread what I typed and was totally confused! Good thing I took pics, huh?)

I put super sticky (red lined) tape which was about 3/8" wide along the folded in "tabs"


and refolded the pocket in half to adhere.


I just used my scissors to round the corners of the top edge of the pocket and inserted the broomstick cookie.

I don't remember where I saw this idea. I think my sister may have been the one that told me about it. You take these "stick" style cookies and wrap a piece of fruit roll or similar type product around the base to make these cute little brooms. Perfect for the little witches and wizards on Halloween. An additional tiny strip of fruit strip (or you could use licorice shoestrings) is wrapped over the top of the base piece to finish it off.

I hope you like it. The details will be at the end of this post.

Next up, I wanted to remind you all that tomorrow is Freebie Friday at the Paper Popsicles blog. You'll be able to see the digital stamp freebie at the blog tomorrow. If you like it you will be able to go to the store and "purchase" it for $0 on Friday only. After that it will still be available in the store but it will have a slightly larger price tag on it. I'll be back tomorrow with the direct link to the item to help you find it faster.

Now I know I said at the beginning of this post that I have been working on a couple Halloween projects and you've only seen one. Well, you'll have to wait until Saturday to see the second one. It was created for Paper Popsicles' Creepy Crawly Blog Stomp!

Several of the Paper Popsicles designers have been busy creating Halloween themed projects for our Blog hop which is this Saturday!! You will NOT want to miss it. Each of the blogs will have some sort of freebie or giveaway. And you will want to make sure you post comments on each blog so that you will be included in the drawings. I hope you'll make time to join us. The fun begins at the Paper Popsicles blog at 6am Pacific time (9am Eastern).

I think that's everything. Have a great night!

Details:

• Witch (shaped card digital file was altered to make a digital stamp)
• Patterned paper: Haunted Nevermore (Cosmo Cricket)
• Word art font: Addams
• Gooey border: Cricut and DesignStudio with George cartridge
• Other items from my crafty closet: black and white cardstock, Stickles, ribbon, adhesive

Paper Popsicles: Monday Madness Show-n-Tell

Hey everyone!
I have family in town so I've been super busy. I think I will just get this card up on my blog in time to have it count towards Paper Popsicles' Monday Madness Show N Tell.

If you remember last Friday, I mentioned that PaperPopsicles was going to be doing Freebie Fridays again during October. This last Friday they shared a cute little cottage image. Since I'm in Halloween mode I decorated my house with holiday flare.

Here is a close up of the pocket that the invite is delivered in:

Details:

• Digital Image: Little House [Cheeky Radish]
• Font: LD Adornment
• Markers: Bic Mark-It!
• All items from my stash: Black Cardstock, Black Crepe paper, Ribbon, Purple gem, Glue
  

Anyone interested in UGGs?

Sarah from WhoogaBoots emailed me today and wanted me to help her spread the word. She is having a contest to give away a pair of UGG boots.



Now, I've been hearing for weeks about how many of you are having "crisp, fall weather" where you live, which can only mean that winter is going to be here soon. We had 90 degree temps here today (near Phoenix, AZ) so we're not quite ready for UGG boot weather but I have faith that it will be here soon enough :)

Maybe UGGs aren't your thing. No problem. They are available in kids and adult sizes. And in loads of different colors! I'll bet you know someone that would like them as a holiday gift (hint hint.... Can you believe Christmas decorations are already in the stores?) Come on, you know you want to give it a try (*wink*) Just click HERE to enter.

Oh, and don't worry. Sarah might be in the UK, but the contest is open to everyone worldwide. You can click HERE for more information and to sign up for your chance to win.

Go for it! Can't win if you don't try (*wink*)

Paper Popsicles: Freebie Friday!

Hey everyone,
Just a quick post before I run out the door to take my son to school... Wanted to remind you all that today, Friday, October 2nd (and today only) is Freebie Friday!

Paper Popsicles is giving away a cute digital stamp today. To get the digital stamp you need to order it from their online store. (If you haven't registered for an account you will need to do that first) then you will find all of their digital stamps in the "Digital Stamps" area (See the menu on the left side). Go through the process of ordering the Freebie. You'll know it's the freebie because today its cost will say $0.00. Complete the order process and then the file will be emailed to you.

Here is a picture of today's freebie. It's called Little House but you'll find it in the Digital Stamp area in alphabetical order under "Miscellaneous-House". (I found it on page 10)
Then, don't forget that Monday is when we want everyone to show off what they created with their Freebie :) Monday on the Paper Popsicles blog will be Monday Madness Show-n-Tell. Take some time over the next day or two to create something fun and post it (to your blog or a gallery or somewhere) then you can link your picture of your creation to the blog post on Monday on the Paper Popsicles blog.

Ok... lots to do today! My sis and her kiddies are coming for a visit.
Have a wonderful day!

Workbox giveaway

How cool is this???? My friend Diane just posted on her blog this morning that The Original Scrapbox company ... you know the people that create this beauty.... The Workbox....


.... is hosting a giveaway. You can enter on her blog. They are giving away a Workbox. Whoa!

I don't know about you, but when we moved into the house we live in now we lost our unfurnished basement which we used for all of our storage. Every closet we have in our current house is loaded. One of these Workboxes would go a LONG way in helping me reorganize and make my closets back into closets and not into craft storage.

And, you can also take advantage of a coupon that they have offered up to anyone that is interested in purchasing their products. You can get $100 off of your shipping costs by using code 100Writes. Enter this code when you place your order to get $100 off your shipping: 100Writes

So, run over to Diane's blog and enter for your chance to win. And take advantage of the shipping discount with the coupon code listed above.
Have a great day!

Oh... and there are several other blogs that you can also enter the same contest at!! Ten blogs in total all. Here are the nine other blogs where you can enter for more chances to win:

1) Make It and Love It

2) Rachelle's Writing Spot

3) Vanilla Joy

4) The Mommy Files

5) My Organized Chaos

6) Life as Lou

7) Priscilla Styles

8) Cricut Christmas

9) Auntie Thesis

Friday Freebies and Monday Madness ... starting Oct 2!

I just received word from Paper Popsicles that they are going to have their Freebie Friday giveaways again during the month of October, starting this Friday, October 2nd!!

They will be offering a FREE digital stamp -or- FREE shaped card template on Friday's ONLY during October. You will be able to see the freebie on the blog each Friday along with the directions where to "purchase" it in the store. Please note: Once Friday is over so is the FREE part, but you will be able to purchase the design in the store.

After you have your Freebie Friday, show us what you can do with it during our New Monday Madness Show N Tell starting October 5!! That's right, we want to see what you did with your freebie. Link it from your blog to the Monday Madness Show N Tell post that will be posted on the PaperPopsicles blog. Participate every week and get your name included in our MONTHLY RAK drawing!

That's right! Those that play along in the Monday Madness Show N Tell will get their names put into a drawing for a fun RAK drawing from Paper Popsicles!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

And there's more .... Paper Popsicles is going to have another blog hop :) We need your help in spreading the word.



By doing so, you could get a chance to enter to win this fun little Blog Candy that they are giving away. It's packed with miscellaneous goodies including rub-ons, ribbon, brads, stickers, paper, tags, brads, buttons, ink, glaze pens, chipboard book....... YUMMY!!


To be included in the drawing, which will be on OCTOBER 10th, you need to do the following:

1. Post on your blog the info for the October 1oth Creepy Crawly Blog Stomp and add their Purple Witch's Stomping Boot to your blog.
2. Become a follower of the PaperPopsicles blog.
3. Add their blog to your list of blog favorites and link to their blog.
4. Don't forget to comment on the Sept 25th post at Paper Popsicles to let them know you are entered. Please add your email address to the post so they can contact you.

Hope you're all having a great weekend!!

Gypsy Giveaway!

Hey everyone,
I just found out about another Provo Craft Gypsy Giveaway!


Cricut Cartridges Helper is hosting their own giveaway. You can enter by going to their site and commenting on their post and blogging about it on your own blog or telling your online friends about it on a message board.

Check it out here! You can enter until October 15th, 2009. Still lots of time to get into the contest. Hopefully YOU will be the next new owner of a Gypsy!!
Good luck!!

Paper Popsicles: How To - Glass Etching

You know I love it when a plan comes together. ... Well, another fun creation was born today when a friend asked if I would show her how to etch glass. She is having a Bunco group party on Saturday and was still in the process of collecting her prizes. I mentioned how cute it would be to create some personalized glass jars. She flipped for it.

We're actually not getting together until tomorrow, but after opening my big mouth I thought I'd better come home and make sure I know what I'm doing. I gathered my supplies.... what you don't see here is my Cricut and my laptop which I used to help with the cutting. Also, a foam brush for applying the etching cream.


For more information on what I did to this little jar, you'll need to head over to the Paper Popsicles How To section and check out the tutorial. :)

Details:

• Cricut machine, Sure Cuts A Lot (but you could use one of your Cricut font carts and Design Studio)
  
• Jar: Ikea
• Font: Pharmacy
• Contact Paper - I found mine at Walmart for around $5
• Etching cream: I got mine years ago .... it's so old it's not brown instead of its original white but it still worked! [phew!]

**Edited to note: Unfortunately, we got chatting and before I knew it the clock read 9pm and I had to get home. So, sadly I have no pictures of the fun glass jars and platter that we created. :(

Such a proud teacher...

Before you go thinking "JenC did it again" I have to tell you, I didn't make these little beauties...

Picture posted with permission from DebiW.

My friend DebiW saw the tutorial on how I made my magnets and gave it a try. I'm such a proud teacher! Didn't she do a great job??
Thanks so much for sharing Debi!

May we never forget....

Long may she wave "O'er the land of the FREE and the home of the BRAVE"!

Special thanks to 3Dflags.com for the waving flag :)

Kickin' Up My Heels!

Have you visited PaperPopsicles lately?? They have some fun new Halloween themed Shaped Card templates. I immediately fell in love with the Witch's Shoe. I played with the template a bit in Inkscape to get it the right size for an A2 card. When I was happy... I cut it out with SCAL.

The orange skittles make for fun buttons, huh?


I cut a second layer in a really fun Cosmo Cricket Halloween themed paper. It was all very cute but something was missing. I sprayed some Spritz on the sock to give it a bit of shimmer. Then I decided to heat emboss the patterned paper to give it some shine.


There are a lot of fun designs in the Shaped Card template area. Even if you don't have SCAL you can purchase the templates as an outline and hand cut them. Just let them know when you purchase.

Hope you all have a great night!

Also.... we've had to postpone the FP-4 class because only a couple people signed up (didn't meet the minimum). We have a few more spots available in our Creating with Shapes class and the evening Basic Cards class on Thursday.

Details:

• Shaped Card: Halloween Witch's Shoe card template
• Patterned paper: Cosmo Cricket - Haunted: Nevermore
• white cardstock: Georgia Pacific
  
• Glitter spray: Purple Passion Shimmerz Spritz
• Other: Orange skittles, UTEE, Versamark ink pad, heat gun, Crystal Effects, Sharpie
  

**No DS or SCAL file available.**

Paper Popsicles: Create some Shimmery Magnets

Along with the big reveal of the Design Team's Shimmerz Projects today, I have also posted a new How To on the Paper Popsicles message board.

Hmmm... what could be inside this cute little tin???

I hope you'll come over to the message board and check it out. Let me know what you think.
Have a great day!!

Paper Popsicles: Shimmerz Paints Projects!

Hey all! Remember this picture? (It was first teased on this post.)

Well, Tuesday is the day! Several of the Paper Popsicles girls were asked to create some fun projects using Shimmerz Paints. Now we all get to show off our creations! I try not to procrastinate so I created most of mine a few weeks ago and have been hiding them until now.

Originally, one of my projects was the layout I created for Stacey when Paper Popsicles had the virtual baby shower. But since our project reveal was delayed by a couple weeks I had to create a new project.

You can see the full picture of each one in the Paper Popsicles Gallery. (NOTE: You have to register for it separately from the Paper Popsicles message board - you can use the same login name, but it's a completely separate login.)

Once you've logged in, look for the Design Team area then find the Shimmerz Project folder.

You will see small thumbnail pictures of each project. Just click on the first one. A larger version will open up. You can make comments, rate them (click on the stars), and then use the arrow at the top of the screen to move through the whole album. Hopefully you'll have time to not only look at the creations but you'll share the love too. :)

Have a great night!