The neighborhood is already buzzing with the kids getting ready for trick or treating tonight.  Many of them had parties at school and I'm certain most of them have already had more sugar today than they do in a week.  For some parents it's going to be a very long night.

To celebrate tonight's big event, I made candy pouches for a few of the neighbors.  These are also referred to as "diaper fold" pouches because the are assembled similarly to securing a diaper.  These are so simple and so quick to make.  So easy in fact, I am adding a quick, step-by-step tutorial so you can make them too.  The best thing about these is that no adhesive is required!  If you have any questions, please contact me.  You can click on the pictures below to view a larger image.  Here we go...

Step 1.

Start with a 6"x6" piece of paper.  This is double-sided designer paper from Stampin' Up! called Creepy Crawly.  Using paper with print on both sides works nicely for the project because both patterns are exposed.

Step 2.

Fold paper in half on the diagonal to form a triangle.  Use a bone folder to make crisp edges.

Step 3.

Fold the right edge of the diagonal to the left edge.

Step 4.

Take the left edge of the diagonal and fold it over to the right edge.  This starts to create the pouch.

Step 5.

The 5th and final step is to fold one of the top pieces down so that it overlaps the folds created in steps 3 and 4.  Crease this fold.  By doing so it creates the pouch the candy will be placed in.  That's it!  Once the pouch is complete you can embellish the front to your liking.

Enjoy!

Happy Haunting!

I'm taking an exception to my post today.  This will be a bit of a non-traditional stamping post.  Today is a special day and it is important for me to acknowledge it as such.  Today would have been my brother's 50th birthday.  My brother, Robert, passed away in March 1999 very suddenly and, might I say, tragically.  He is deeply missed.  Despite his passing, his life is celebrated every time you walk into my home or the home of my parents and siblings.  Robert was an artist - a phenomenal artist - and his art graced the walls of the finest galleries in Memphis, Tennessee.  Many of his pieces are permanent fixtures in our homes.   

It is not my intention to make this a sad or depressing post, just the opposite, in fact.  Today I am celebrating my brother's life.  I will celebrate him as a brother, a son, a husband and a father.  So many people have been touched by his life, I am no exception.  We can never underestimate the number of lives we affect in this world, and what a difference each of us makes.  Quite simply, today I am going to transcend beyond any sadness I may feel and simply tell those special people in my life that I love them.  I encourage you to do the same. Isn't that what it's really all about anyway?

I am constantly reminded how life's simple things can bring so much joy.  I am surrounded by a family I love, a husband I adore, and friends that make my life sweet.  I am so grateful for them all.

This card was inspired by a Random Act of Kindness (RAK) that I received today.  My sweet and awesome friend, Debby, made me and my family the most incredible (and delicious) sour cream apple pie.  It was completely unexpected and was given to us "just because".  Get this...she even delivered it to us while it was still HOT!  She literally took it out of the oven, put on some hot mitts and brought it over.  Deb, thank you!  It was incredible.

Apples, Autumn, piping hot pies...you see the correlation, right?  This card uses the stamp set, Give Thanks and is a great set for any Fall project.  Each image in this set is perfect for watercoloring, which I did using Stampin' Up! Watercolor Crayons.  I also used the background stamp, Flannel Plaid for some texture in the background.  For the final touch, I added three jumbo eyelets to anchor the card.  And, that was it - a quick and simple card.

Don't let today go by without being grateful for the simple things that touch your life.

Thank you for stopping by!

This is one of several cards I did with my Stamp Club last week.  When designing this card, it felt appropriate for the season.  After all, it is Fall, right?  Well, maybe on the calendar, but if you live in Central Florida, it feels like anything but Fall.  In fact, we tied the record for 90 degrees today.  We are unseasonably warm and can't seem to get below 85 degrees on any given day.  It's certainly putting a damper on the spirits of those of us who enjoy cooler temperatures.  But, for those of you elsewhere in the country where the weather is actually condusive to what the calendar states, perhaps this is a card you can relate to.  This was very simple and a lot of fun since it uses Stampin' Up!'s small and large Oval Punches.  Isn't that clever?  I added a bit of ink along the edges for definition.  These pumpkins are a great addition to the designer paper.  I'll be adding another card from the Stamp Club later this week.  Maybe by then it will feel like Autumn around here!

I was recently asked to make a few baby shower samples for a friend.  This was the card she ultimately picked.  I just love the little bear from the Soft and Sweet set (retired).  I colored him with watercolor crayons and the Aquapainters on Shimmer white paper.  I was reluctant to couple the Pretty in Pink paper with Chocolate Chip paper for a baby shower, but those two colors look SO good together - besides, the bear himself was pink and brown so I really couldn't resist. 

Have a good day!

Over 20 years after the fact, I find myself living within 30 minutes of one of my dearest college roommates, Paula.  This may not be unusual for many people, but we grew up and went to school over 1300 miles from where we live now.  Paula was the last of our group of 6 to turn 40 this year and this is the card I gave her to commemorate this milestone event.  Happy Birthday, Paula!

This is a file folder card with an insert that pulls up by the tab (click on the photo to enlarge).  The main body of the card uses Bashful Blue cardstock and is covered with one of Stampin' Up!'s new designer paper series, Le Jardin.  The colors in this designer paper are so soothing.  To compliment the designer paper, I also used River Rock and Very Vanilla cardstock.  The "pull tab" is one of Stampin' Up!'s new punches called, appropriately enough, the Round Tab punch.  Accenting the round tag are mini flowers from the Three For You Punch Box.  These small flowers are great way to add a little dimension to any project.  Holding the card closed is our new Very Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon.  For more added dimension, I added 3 eyelets and a scalloped edge.  The scalloped edge was created with a corner rounder punch, not scalloped scissors.  In the near future I will post a tutorial on how that was done.  Be sure to check back regularly for more updates.

Thanks for stopping by!

I’ve been thinking about starting a blog for awhile.  Up to now I hadn’t done anything about it except think about it.  Today I am making the leap forward.  I’m impressed with other blogs I have come across and have often thought how “forward thinking” these people are.  The truth is, blogs have been around for awhile I’ve just been slow to jump on the bandwagon.  Learning how to set up and manage a blog is what has held me back, but I’m learning...slowly, but I am learning.  Please be patient with me as I learn the in and outs of the blogging world.  My goal is to share with my passion and excitement for rubber stamping on an on-going basis.  Check back tomorrow to view my first project!