ATCs!

The ATCs are finished! After a slight mix-up with the due date, I was up until 1:30am finishing them. Nonetheless, I think they turned out all right. I did two swaps this time for the first time, which I think also threw me off. Nonetheless, I like how they both turned out.













This first one was for the Cat's Pajamas swap group. I used my fabulous new Spica pens on the sword, and copper brads down the side. This ATC took me forever to design, mostly because I couldn't decide on the layout. I had the phrase "Ahoy there, matey!" also by the Cat's Pajamas, but I couldn't figure out how to fit it or how to stamp it onto the black patterned paper. On the other hand, I know I'll have lots of ways to stamp the two together on a card front. Oh, I can't wait until I have time to stamp some more cards!


















This next card was for my Amuse swap group. The images are from Amuse's Party Time clear set. The utensils were really what sold me on the set, and I've used them a ton so far. I used my Spica silver pen to color in the utensils. The background plaid is actually a sticker I got from a Mrs. Grossman's sale. I have to say, living so close to Mrs. Grossman's Sticker Factory definitely has its perks. I got a whole roll of those stickers (in an even bigger size) for $3. Love those!

Now I'm down to one more assignment. My Secret Sister on Amuse Addicts is desperately in need of some treats. Once I finish that, I'm on to holiday craftiness!

The Holidays Are Here

Well, not here as in my house, but here in general. (Our decorations have yet to go up--oops!). Anyway, I've been in a holiday mood. I've pulled out my Christmas albums, uploaded them to iTunes, and I'm even playing them in my car. Bring on the holidays!
This year, I'm actually not that worried. I've got a few crucial gifts already out of the way, but the elusive significant other gift is still stumping me. Why are guys so darn hard to shop for!
Anyway, I've already done my first holiday tradition. My LSS does a tag swap every year, and I've been doing it for about three years now. You make 25 tags and get 25 different ones back. It's fun and it's easy. Well, the envelope went to the Post Office tonight, so that can be crossed off the holiday list. You wanna see them?














The reindeer was a freebie I got from Amuse at their anniversary party. For some reason, I'm smitten with him! Anyway, he's accented with Stickles, and the To: From: is from a set by Hero Arts. Very simple, but I think it's cute nonetheless. Now, I'm off to finish my two ATCs for Tracy's swap. Wish me luck!

To the Cards I Make and Never Send

I'm sorry. Really, I am. Somehow, I feel so accomplished in creating you that I forget that there's still that pesky step that involves addressing and affixing postage to you. The next thing I know, the event is over.

Namely, I apologize to this Thanksgiving card:














which was intended for my relatives on the East Coast, but I was still staring at it on November 21st, cringing. I guess there's always next year, right?

I also managed to make this card:













But, this one I think managed to make its way to the recipient in time to celebrate a birthday tomorrow. We'll see!

I Cut My Hair!

Oh yes I did. I cut ten inches off of it and donated it to Locks for Love. It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be, in fact Jeff my hairstylist did it so quick I didn't even know it was coming. He put it into a ponytail and then snip! snip! it was gone!

Last weekend flew by. Friday night we went to see Tainted Love, this rockin' 80s cover band that played in San Francisco, and on Saturday, I went to a wedding (where my haircut picture was taken). A super fun and super-quick weekend.

Bad Blogger!

Okay, so I really stink at blogging. How about I make it up to you with one amazing post? (You gotta start somewhere, right?) So, between October 12th and now, I bet you're wondering what I was doing. Let's start at the beginning, shall we?














Right after I disappeared, Phil and I hosted a kickass pumpkin carving party, complete with decorations (see above). We also did deviled egg eyeballs, complete with olive pupils:


















Although they looked completely gross, they were actually delicious!


















We then went down to our local pumpkin patch and got very lost in their corn maze. Man, I never knew how hard those things were to get out of!


















Anyway, after the maze we picked out pumpkins. Here's Phil lugging around his ginormous pumpkin. It was so hard to pick just one!













Then we came back to the house and carved 'em up!

After the pumpkin carving party, I got to work on Halloween treats for my friends. I wrapped some candy bars (a la Martha Stewart), which turned out like this:













And of course, I had to make some broomsticks. (The tag sticking out says, "Have a FRIGHTFULLY Happy Halloween!") These ones were made with paper bags and weighed down with candy corn. Yum!



















To finish out October, I got down to some card-making. I had a couple of birthdays, which I approached in two different ways:


















This one was for my friend Teri, who's fun and bright. And the next one was for my friend Pete, whose family celebrates every occasion with fondue:














We for our part had to celebrate Pete's birthday in our own way, so we made the trek into San Francisco to go to dinner at the House of Prime Rib. Let me tell you, that prime rib was AMAZING. The dessert was pretty good too though:













Lately, I've been making birthday cards, with more to come. Here are a couple I did quickly over the weekend:



































Lastly, I did one more crazy thing while on hiatus from the blog.
Before:

















And the after picture is coming soon! Can you guess what I did?

World Card Making Day--Celebrated!

So, this past Saturday was World Card Making Day, and it was great! We went up to Seattle to go to the Amuse one year anniversary party. The night before, we made a few cards to donate to the Cards for a Cause program sponsored by Amuse.

This first one used stamps I purchased at Impress in Seattle. It was my first time at that store, and man, I just fell in love. They have some really cute stuff, including some great alterables. I ended up getting some blank matchboxes and a couple of tins. Impress was in University Village, and right down the way was another cute store called The Confectionery. They had some amazing candies, and my mom and I both picked up some cute candy toppers for Halloween cupcakes. Can't wait to use those!

This next card uses all Amuse stamps. I love my little bee guy and this sentiment. The card is simple, but I especially like doing doodles and things as part of a border.

On Saturday morning, my mom and I were out in front of the Amuse store by 9:50am, and we weren't even the first ones there! When the doors opened at 10am, I was practically giddy. I picked up some great stamps for $1 on the clearance table, and Novell was hosting a great Make and Take treat bag. I even made another card for Cards for a Cause. It was a great event and a great day!

OMG! Julie HRR Mentioned Me!

So, I realize that this is only exciting to people that read crafty blogs, but I just have to share: Julie (HRR) mentioned me! Granted, it was only for figuring out how she stamped something, but still! I'm honored to have my name anywhere near her blog! You can read about it here:

http://papertrufflez.typepad.com/paper_trufflez/2007/10/paper-trufflez-.html

Yay me!