The Play Date Cafe 151 and a new file

Hello again!
Can you believe it?  I just posted yesterday and here I am back again!  I am going to try really hard to post on my blog more regularly...as long as life doesn't throw me any more curve balls I should be able to make that goal!

I decided to participate in The Play Date Cafe's color challenge.

Aren't those colors wonderful!  I just love Autumn colors.  I actually like these cooler temps too.  Granted I'm not ready for Winter coats but I am ready for snuggling under a warm blanket and drinking hot cocoa!
Here is what I came up with for the challenge.

This card base file will be in my store next month.  I used my Build a Jack-o-lantern file for the pumpkin.  I do have other pumpkins in my store but I like the details of this one.  In order to cut it at a small size and still preserve the details I used vinyl.    I didn't have any organge or green vinyl so I colored white vinyl with Copics after cutting.  It didn't blend well but that is okay...I think it gives it an artsy look.  I probably should have airbrushed the Copics on the vinyl.  I bet that would have produced a more even coloring.  I'll have to make a mental note for next time.  If you would like to purchase my pumpkin file please click on the preview below.

I managed to get some new files into my store.  As I mentioned yesterday it's nice to have some sympathy and get well cards on hand just in case you have to give one on the spur of the moment.  Thus I have created a file that will easily allow you to give some sunshine to friends and family.  It's called Sunny Day Card.

I gave this card to a friend of mine who was in the hospital and she just loved it.  It looks better in real life as I added glitter to the clouds and sun.  I have never been able to get glitter to photograph well.  I also embossed the cloud with a swirl pattern.  I am soo used to using clear stamps.  I pulled out a rubber stamp to do the greeting since the scale of it fit well with the sun.  But..since it was rubber and wood mounted I couldn't see where the stamp was positioned.  Ahh well I think my friend could still read it crooked or not!
The sun ray background is actually one piece that you layer over a rectangle thus making the two colored background.  Easy Peasy!  I think that background would look great with two different patterned papers and a scallop circle added to the middle.  Ohh wouldn't that be great for Christmas!  I need to make another mental note!  Hmm I'd better make a list...don't think I can rely on my brain that much!  LOL! If you would like to purchase my file please click on the preview below:

The file is also available in digital format.  It comes as a layered PSD or individual PNGs which ever you prefer to use you simply download that version immediately after purchase.

Well once again it's time to make supper!  Gee sometimes I wish we live like the Jetson's did.  Just push a button and instant food!  Wouldn't that be great!?!  Thanks for stopping by and have a marvelous weekend!

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My son started 1st grade today and calendar pages.

Boo hoo...sniff sniff!  My son started 1st grade today.  I can't believe he is a 1st grader!  I miss him!  Shhhh do you hear that!  It's called no fighting!  I am amazed at how well Adoree is playing by herself...and she is being quiet!  I am totally astonished!  Right now she is sniffing play-doh!  No harm in that right?  Adoree is loving hanging out with me in the craft room/play room.  She doesn't have to share toys!  Yipeee!  Ohhh I hope this trend continues and I can get some new files in the store for you all!

I think it was on the Creating Keepsakes website that I saw photos fo the kids 1st day of school where they put letter stickers depicting the grade the child was entering on an apple.  I loved it and just had to try it!  This was a last minute thing as I should have probably used bigger letter stickers or cut some out but it's a cute idea and I think I'll do it every year that my kids let me!

I know I have a tut somewhere that tells me how to get rid of distracting background objects like hubby's truck...guess I'll have to find it! 

I also wanted to share with you some great calendar pages Sue did with my Jack-o-lantern card file.  This was one of the first files I ever put in my corner of the Paperthreads store but I still like it.  I guess it's a oldie but goodie huh!  It was brilliant of Sue to see this card as a Calendar page.  Don't ya think!

I am ready for Fall and am done with all this heat!  It's great to see the Fall colors in Sue's project.  I just love those colors and that time of year!  I'm ready to pick pumpkins!  Anyway, if you'd like to make a project just like Sue's you can purchase the file in my store by clicking the words above the preview.

Jack-O-Lantern Card

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great rest of the week!
Shelly

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Witch hat cookies, jack o lanterns, and freebie!

Howdy everyone,
I'm sorry I told you I would share the witch hat cookie yesterday but I was in charge of taking photos of all the Kindergarten kids in their costumes, helped with the school's parade and at my son's Halloween party. I started coming down with a cold and after all that activity I crashed last night. I went to bed at 8:30 and didn't get up again until my daughter woke me up around 7:00. Gee I usually only sleep about 4 hours a night...you would think after all that sleep I would feel refreshed but I'm still tired! Hope I'm not catching that Swine Flu my son had. I don't have time to be sick! LOL! We still have to carve pumpkins and do trick or treating tonight!

Okay now on to the witch hats. These were a big hit at my son's party and they were soo easy to do..if you need a quick treat for tonight yet these can be made in minutes. I have also seen them done with peanut butter cups on top (instead of the kisses) to make pilgrim hats for Thanksgiving.





As you can see my son had fun making these! I have a feeling we'll be making the pilgrim hats for Thanksgiving too! Someone suggested trying to do elf hats for Christmas...hmmmm we shall see!

I have a few wonderful layouts and even some creative wall art to share with you using my build a jack-o-lantern file.





I just love how Caz and Games incorporated my file into their layouts. I love seeing layouts...it seem we are all soo busy now a days...we can barely make a card!



Isn't this Wall Art by Jinkies just grand? I am totally in awe at this. She placed the items in a frame and used great black and white colors. Looks like something that just jumped out of a home interiors magazine. I bet you could do this with many of the cutter files you are collecting. Be inspired by Jinkies..stop hoarding and use your files to decorate your house!



We haven't carved out pumpkins yet...that is my goal after lunch to get them DONE! But this was one I carved last year. I used my build a jack-o-lantern file as a stencil so I knew where to carve. Since my kids are still pretty young these simple faces are fine for them. You can even cut the faces out of vinyl and apply them to the front of a pumpkin so you don't have to deal with the messy cleaning out and all that.

If you think you'd like to purchase my build a jack-o-lantern file click on the preview below. Hurry if you buy it quick you can get it for $1.49 but only until midnight CST tonight.






Above is the first file in my quarterly membership club. It starts tomorrow! It's a great deal as you get at least 20 files for only $10.00. I promise you a variety of files including boxes, cards, and home decor items. Click on the preview below to purchase the membership.



Okay now to reward you for making through this long post I am going to give you a freebie. This little spider decided to dress up as a vampire for Halloween. I hope you'll all find a use for him in your paper crafting projects. The zip file will include, AI, GSD, KNK, SVG, and WPC formats along with instructions. This file will remain free for 24 hours and after that it will be for sale in my store. So hurry and grab it! Please keep in mind even though it is free you may not share this file...send them to my blog here to download it themselves instead!

Sorry this is no longer a freebie...link removed..check for it in my store soon!
Happy Halloween!
Shelly

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Blog Candy Winner and spider boxes.

Hello!
I'd like to thank everyone who joined in on the Paperthreads blog hop. I hope you picked up some great files and had fun along the way. It was wonderful hearing all your glorious comments! I thought it was quite interesting to see what files you liked best. It's very hard as a designer to know what people will like so hearing from you was very helpful.

In case you are curious the most frequent file picked as a fav is my new spider box. I really like this file too! In fact a few of you purchased it on Sat and sent me your versions of it right away. Speedy crafters are you. I'd like to share the cute little spider boxes that crawled into my e-mail.

First up is Elizabeth's version. She is a great member of my creative design team. I just love the doubled sided paper she used...a perfect match! Love the glitter too!


















Next up, Aussie Caz did a great job too. The paper she used made the box look wonderfully whimsical!








Lastly, Nikki played with my box too. She made a cutie girly version complete with purple glitter, google eyes and a flower! She even used flocking on the spider's legs to make them fuzzy...great idea!






I need to make a few more of these boxes for my friends....I will definitely be incorporating some of your ideas when I make any more. Great job ladies..thanks for the inspiration!

If you missed out on the sale Sat don't worry you can still purchase the spider box at 40% off for the whole month of Oct 2009. Click the preview below to get it.














I'd also like to share with you a cute little card wonderful CDT member Kelly made using my jack-o-lantern card. She is the queen of embossing! I love the pattern she chose for the pumpkin and the glittered facial features.




If you'd like to make your own card like Kelly did...click on the preview below to purchase the file at 40% the whole month of Oct 2009. The great thing about this card is if you aren't into Halloween you can just leave the card with just the pumpkin and no facial features.



In case you are curious....these butterflies were the second most popular file. Click on preview to purchase.

Okay now I know you really...really...really want to know who won the blog candy. Hmmm maybe I should wait until tomorrow to tell you! Just kidding! First, I'd like to say thanks to everyone who entered and to those who sent lovely projects to my e-mail. Now the winner thanks to random.org is.....



Congrats Rhonda! Please e-mail me (shellysart@verizon.net)with your full name and address so I can get the package to you soon. Hope you enjoy your goodies!

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Happy Halloween!

I just love this pumpkin! I don't know what happened but this little guy has eyes! See the black holes. My son picked out the face he liked. I used my build a jack o lantern file and my pen tool in my digital cutter to draw the face before carving. If you haven't carved yours yet there is still time. Just click on the photo of my file below. If you e-mail me with proof of purchase I'd be glad to send you a layered psd file for all you digital scrappers.

Look at this cool window decoration Laury did using my jack-o-lantern file. I just love this unique way to use my file. I also love the way she toppled some of the pumpkins over!

I also got some cute trick or treat bags ready using a file that should be in the store soon.


It went together so quick just used my file (see sneak preview below), stickles and a brown paper lunch bag. I punched two holes in the top of the bag after folding down and threaded the ribbon through. TaDa a great inexpensive goodie bag!



I hope to share some photos of my kids in their costumes soon! Don't eat too much candy!
Stay safe!
Shelly

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Sat night Scrapbook Cafe's challenge and Free scrapbooking and cardmaking goodies!

Here is what I made for the Sat night Scrapbook cafe challenge. I designed the card file so my Silhouette could cut this pumpkin in black all one piece then I placed patterned paper behind the black outline to color the pumpkin. The face is placed on top of the orange paper. I thought he still looked a little bland so I applied a stickles border the whole way around and in the center of the eyes. I got this bottle of stickles for FREE! Want to know how scroll down!




Look at all that amazing scrapbook and cardmaking supplies. Want to know how I got this great package in the mail for free?! It's easy just sign up for a chance to be the Scrapbook Cafe's Artist of the month. I got this in the mail for being chosen for the August artist. It has some wonderful things. I've only used the stickles so far but I absolutely love them and wish I had more colors. Now to find some time to play with the rest of the stuff. What are you waiting for...go sign up!


Thanks for reading and looking!
Shelly

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