A Ghoulish Caribbean Party!

Happy TGIFriday!  I am so happy to see the weekend arrive, the past 10 days have been rough with being sick and deadlines and meetings.  I feel that I may be able to breathe a little again LOL.  But we are painting and putting in floors in the basement this weekend so no rest for the weary.   For anyone who is impressed with what I get done...please don't be...I'm no superwoman or energizer bunny trust me.  I simply am someone with an overactive brain and a never-ending to-do list LOL..ask my hubby.  He is NOT always on board with my projects but he know's I will take matters into my own hands and he will admit he likes to be "involved"...so I gotta keep him rolling when I can ;)  Anyone who has a creative mind or just likes to be busy understands me...if you prefer to NOT be busy all the time, well then I can't help you .  I think the universe's way of slowing me down is giving me sickie germs...gets me to take at least 1 day off.  So I had my one day off and now its back to business for the next month or so :)

I have sooooo much to share with you today!  A HUGE photo shoot, party set up I did featuring SCACD stamps and other goodies.  So after you are done reading thru this post, hop over to my OTHER BLOG HERE and see the details and photos of the rest of the party stuff ok?  I promise it will be a good time ;)....and no sadly I'm not serving any alcoholic drinks !

Hope you have a wonderful weekend & I'll see you back here next week...that's right I'm posting and crafting again folks.  So you gotta put up with me and my monologues for a few more years hahahaha!

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Ghoulish Caribbean Halloween Party!

I love Halloween...every bit of it...the creepy, the cute, the elegant, the scary...I've always loved it.

That being said I have two teenagers now who aren't real "into" it anymore...so that means I don't decorate the outside in haunted house fashion much anymore.  But I'm dying to have an Adult Ghoulish Party at some point...ahem...so I dreamed up these things for the future party I will have...ya feelin' me? LOL!

And I've combined it with the awesome NEW SCACD Releases today!

I'm only sharing details and pics of the SCACD release items today on this blog..but no worries...

hop over to my other blog when you are DONE here to see the rest of the goodies & photos 

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SCACD RELEASE & BLOG HOP

Today Susana Loves Stamps is releasing another new round of these unique, fresh and edgy rubber stamps due to the response we got to the premier MechAnimals stamps.  Along with the new MechAnimals there are some fabulous new Far East and floral inspired rubber stamps being released today as well.  So go check them all out!!

 SCACD Digital is also releasing today a fun little gaggle of digital ghoulies that scream fun and sweetness!  You can check them out HERE! 

For those overseas you can purchase all the rubber stamps at Quixotic Paperie

A few of the items I made for the "party"!

When you are DONE hopping & reading this post pop over to my

other BLOG HERE to see the rest of the party setup and details :)

If you want of course..I'm not forcing your hand..but yeah go check it out LOL!

For the party I created a Halloween Bash Invite (more on that below), hand stamped matching paper napkins and two luminaries.

I used the new Jellyfish Dreams from the "MechAnimals" Collection and embossed it on vellum with black Stewart Superior Detail embossing powder (that stuff is great for real detailed stamps like this)  To this stamp spoke of Pirates of the Caribbean.  It's my favorite Disney World ride and one of my fave movie series (let's all think of Johnny Depp for a brief moment yesssss...ahhh much better now)...so I totally went with elegant, ghoulish, creepy, grungy party theme all mixed in one...and I think it worked.  Papers are by Authentique "Irresistible" (15% off now, I need more).  I distressed all the papers and inked them well.

And yes those pearls are supposed to be crooked, they actually are pearl brads to hold vellum on and I wanted it to be a bit haphazard to go with the grunge/antique theme.  Then some twine on the top to tie it off.

This envelope invite is actually a Silhouette Cut file for the Cameo...real easy to cut and put together especially if you had to do a ton of them.  I used Scor-Tape to hold it all together.  The inside got more distressed papers and then I typed up my invite info on my computer and printed it on vellum.  Then stamped some spider & cobwebs over it after distressing.  

I love luminaries...they are fun and easy to make and so many varieties you can create. 

I went with simple and easy but graphic so it makes a huge impact.  I used two of the new SCACD Susana Loves Stamps "Sugar Skull" and "Zen Skull" stamps, embossed in black again right on sheets of 8.5x11" vellum.

These stamps are a great size...they'd be great on cards, scrapbooks, make pictures, door hangers, t-shirts...all kinds of fun things..don't limit to using them just on paper!  

The skulls come with accessory stamps that can go in their ole' eyeballs to make them more fun too :)

And if you buy both skulls you get the sentiment free!!

I grunged them up a bit and then added some fun details...the bottom trim I made by using a Memory Box border die to cut the middle of strips of black card stock so you get one solid piece of trim to attach.  Then tied twine around the middle.  Now do NOT USE CANDLES in these...I use battery operated tea lights or battery pillar candles...you do not want a fire people..so use caution!

Then I bought simple white paper napkins, chose a soft gray ink and stamped the "Jellyfish Dreams" stamp again on each one.  Simple and easy to do and personalizes your napkins for your party.

An evening view!

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And my last project is from the Far East & Floral Release by Susana Loves Stamps.  This dragon is called "Creative Sparks".

I based my project on Oriental hand painted art...bright, brilliant colors and lots of pretty shine.

I embossed the stamp with black embossing powder (Stewart Superior Fine Detail).

After embossing I painted it with different colors of Smooch...smooch bottles have those tiny, pointy brushes that are perfect for fine detail work like this.  And its metallic so it really POPS!  I matted it on black cardstock and royal blue foil card stock...then popped it in a black frame (left off the glass insert for photographing purposes).

Ok everyone, I'm last on the hop today...but if you missed anyone or would like to start from the beginning of the hop, go on over to 

Alex's Blog Here!!

Silhouette Art!

Happy Friday folks...I love Fridays!!  We have a busy home-improvement weekend that includes painting Alexa's room, putting up her shelves and finishing her new desk from Ikea.  Also visiting the flooring store to pick new carpet for upstairs bedrooms & basement rec-rm and bedroom and tile for lower foyer.  And I have to fit in a few projects as well LOL..so not much sitting for this gal.  I leave next Friday for a weekend away with my Mom & Alexa to see my Luke Bryan and Florida-Georgia-Line...whoot!  We have pit tix...that means SUZANNE WILL BE UP CLOSE & PERSONAL with my Lukey...sooooo excited!!  Then next Sunday we leave for SC and Alabama for college tours thru Wed for Alexa (SC Univ and Auburn Univ)...then finish up with 5 days in Hilton Head, SC.  We love it there...SC is my future home one day soon :)  So anywho, that leaves just a few days next week to get projects done and stuffs...not much time! So tomorrow starts a whirlwind of activity...can you hear my hubby sighing already???? heeheehee

I will have my FL pics and stories on my post on Sunday for you all ok?  New project too!  Have a great weekend everyone!!

I have new posts on the "Bitz of Me" Blog too if you wanna scoot-a-loo over & see!  More fun stuff to come after this weekend when I actually get some half-finished projects DONE LOL!

 

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Silhouettes!!

Today is a NEW SCACD release..whoot!  I'm so excited to share my projects...as they will be on the walls of my new office soon!  Following on the fantastic Blank Canvas Collection, we are excited to present the SCACD Blank Canvas Collection #2 & Natures Direction Set. Building on the original release (recently featured in Craft Stamper Magazine), this new collection will take you on further creative adventures as you mix and match the stamps and use a variety of techniques. Perfect for beginners and seasoned mixed media enthusiasts alike, these stamps will grace cards and paper-crafting projects as beautifully as they will altered canvases and other mixed media projects. 

Also 4 new SCACD Dies released today here! 

Check out the yummy 6x6 paper pads on sale HERE too! 

International friends can get the stamps/dies at Quixotic Paperie.

I LOVE Silhouette Art...so pretty and elegant and I knew I wanted some for my office but man its PRICEY to purchase.  Well I have all the tools to make my own so that's what I set out to do with these stamps!  Simple black frames I got at Michaels and they were on clearance too + coupon so they each cost $4 and the smaller one was $2...so $10 for frames.  The background papers are from an older 12x12 MME collection I had....FREE.  So for $10 I had art for my office...it doesn't get much better than that huh?

The two images above are from the "Blank Canvas Collection #2"...there are many different versions of stamps for all kinds of art in this set.  The dancer/leaper "Leap of Faith" comes in line art also so you could paper piece her, paint her, etc (the women stamps are sold in pairs). So many options with this set of images so make sure to check them all out! I embossed the images with Stewart Fine Detail Embossing Powder in black...I love the coverage of this powder.  I emboss with Versamark pads (I have it in the Dazzle color too)...I'm old school and it works good so why change right?  I embossed on shiny-coated white cardstock...I like the gleam of the paper with the images.

Can you tell how much I love these...squeal!! LOL!  And so easy to make as well!

This Inspire Stamp is FREE with the purchase of both the "Blank Canvas Set #2 AND Nature's Direction" Sets.  I love it, perfect for my office!  I embossed it as well but changed the background paper to a darker version so it would coordinate but stand out as well! (It would great colored too)

Now I am the last stop on the hop...but you can start at the beginning at Elaine's Blog Here to see everyone's fabulous projects!! 

Memories That Last!!

Happy TGIFriday!  As I’m typing this I am just getting home from a Zac Brown Band concert which was excellent and of course we had a bunch of whack-a-doodles in front of us LOL…it never ceases to amaze me that there are a WHOLE ‘nother group of peeps out there weirder than me…hahahahaha!  So I’m pretty tired out and still recovering from my awesome Montreal trip (waving hi to all the lovely ladies up north).  My mom is here visiting so today we are to lunch and to shop for a dress for me for a wedding I have to go later this month of June.  We are supposed to have terrible weather here but I’m hoping the storms hold out till we get home…I’m not a fan of driving in thunderstorms/tornado type of weather KWIM.

So not a lot of chatter from me today….I will be back next week with Gina K releases and some stories (yep you KNOW I got travel stories LOL) from my trip to Montreal!  So check out today’s post and then I’ll see you back here on Monday!

NewsBitz:

-Remember all CMC Classroom classes are on SALE thru Aug 24th…including my Copic classes and the other instructors classes.  So if you want to take something register now while they are on sale…you can always save the class to start in fall if you’d like!

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New Memories!

Here at SCACD we've been "die"ing to mix things up! So, this month we have the launch of two awesome new Collections.  First is a fantastic new line of dies. Susana has collaborated on a collection of dies with a timeless, classic feel. Delicate and beautiful, the diecuts from these high quality wafer thin metal dies will be featured on your projects for years to come!

Second is a wonderful new direction for SCACD. Susana is following her heart with a new line of Mixed Media stamps. For those of you who are new to the concept, Mixed Media is a style that embraces creativity and experimentation. Let SCACD take you on a new creative adventure with the Blank Canvas Collection. From the beginner to the mixed media enthusiast, these stamps will have the creative juices well and truly flowing!

Each set in the collection comprises three looks, perfect for mixing it up with different techniques. Use the elements set to enhance the blank canvas silhouettes, or use them on their own for gorgeous effects.  In addition there is a fabulous set of word outlines, ready to be customized however you like! Color them in, doodle, zentangle, paper piece - go wherever your creativity takes you.

Today the DT for Susana’s Custom Art & Card Design (SCACD) is showcasing a new line of stamps and dies for you!  The new line of stamps is called “Mixed Media Blank Canvas Collection” and there is a good mix of images to play with and add to all your paper projects whether they are mixed-media or not! Do you like mixed media?  Are you like me and you love to SEE mixed media but AFRAID to try it…LOL?  Yeah I was too but I always like a good challenge and I tend to jump in with both feet…why not right? I always say we ONLY work with paper, paints and colors…not like we are saving lives or curing life-threatening illnesses here.  Embrace the fear people, embrace it like me hahahahaha!  Make sure to hop along with the DT to see their take on these stamps and dies….sure to inspire you in many ways!

I decided to go with a mixed-media, collage, vintage memories frame.  I approached it like both a card and a scrapbook page…that made it a bit easier for me.  The main project is on a 6 x 6 pc of cardstock and then I went from there adding, subtracting and playing with some new projects.  I printed out a few pictures of my trip to Carmel and Monterey California that I went on with Alexa…changed the colors a bit and distressed them and then added them to the collage mix.  This frame will go in my bedroom by my bed! ;)

I used the new stamp “Solid Blank Canvas Woman” and stamped her in Versamark ink and then embossed with those fabulous Stampendous Frantage Embossing powders, micas and cystal chunks.  I had seen them at CHA in January and loved the look…so I bought the whole darn line (umm yeah I did lol)…but this is the first time I broke ‘em out and used them LOL.  Key tip:  Heat from the bottom of your paper so they don’t blow around and add chunks while embossing powder is puddling and still liquid so they stick.  The swirls are from a Magnolia die, the Memories is from my Silhouette Cameo and then I used a mix of Primas & Petaloo flowers (layered them).  The sparkly mists around the edges of the frame and on some of the swirls was done with Maya Mist in “Metallic Latte”.  The gadget clock stamped on the patterned paper and the sunrays/starbursts on the Tim Holtz tickets are from the same line of stamps at SCACD…see HERE.

The frame I got at AC Moore (40% off all frames now…go stock up…lol) and I loved that it had a vintage feel but also a metallic-copper like shimmer…goes fab with this project.  I took the glass out for pictures so it didn’t reflect but I may leave it off entirely..not sure.  I added a few large pearl buttons from Kaisercraft to the bottom.  The keys are Magnolia dies but Tim Holtz has some cool ones HERE.  Hope you liked this and maybe got you thinking outside the box a little too.

The second card uses those fabulous new Dies by SCACD…they cut beautifully and they are so intricate and delicate…really add to your projects!  I decided to create a more CAS (clean & simple) card to really showcase them.  I kept the color scheme to black, white and teal.   The black cs was embossed and the beautiful vase was cut out on teal cs and then I glued it over white cs and trimmed…in the holes I added some black Spica pen for more detail.  Those beautiful corner dies are to DIE for aren’t they?  I absolutely adore them and love the way they pop off the black cs!

That’s all for me today, hope you enjoyed my projects and your visit!

I’m the last on the blog hop so to keep on hopping if you have started with me…

go to Danni’s Blog Here!