For the stylish witch

How cute is this?!

I'm going to fill this little witch shoe with Halloween candy and bring it to my hairdresser on Friday. Then I need to make at least one more to give to an unnamed friend who looooves shoes. You can download the pattern here: http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/10/28/paper-witch-shoes/

Tips: Use double-sided paper and you won't have to line the shoe.

Paper clips or mini clothespins work well to hold the shoe together while the glue dries.

I used Beacon 3 in 1 glue. It worked great and holds quickly.

Wouldn't these make adorable favors at a princess birthday party or a bridal shower?

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things I Love About October:

1. Halloween

2. A hint of fall in the air -- no more 90-degree days

3. Sweaters

4. Mini Milky Way bars

5. Pumpkins at the farm stand and grocery store

6. Witches

7. Bats

8. Black cats

9. Red and yellow leaves

10. Shopping for winter clothes

11. Being able to work on my pink afghan without sweating to death

12. Taco Soup

13. My birthday

Digi-scrapping

I've been dabbling with digital scrapbooking for a couple of years now ever since Creative Memories came out with their Storybook Creator software. I find it more user-friendly than Photoshop Elements. There isn't the same tactile satisfaction of playing with paper and glue that you get with traditional scrapbooking, but I like having an alternative.

I was struggling with how to do our family album for 2008. I haven't kept up with my scrapbooking the way I used to and we also don't have as many pictures as we used to now that we are empty-nesters. So, I created a "year in review" photo book using the information from my daily planner as an integral part of the layouts. These are the pages from February and September:

Early next year, Close to My Heart will introduce their free online design software called Studio J™. There is no software to purchase and install; instead, you'll simply log in to Studio J from my CTMH website and start designing your layouts! All Studio J patterns are two-page layouts, chosen from Cherish™ and Imagine™, with additional combinations forthcoming from Reflections®. The initial launch of Studio J will include 25 layout patterns that can be swapped and rotated for even more variety. The paper and embellishments will be digital versions of the CTMH products we all love! I'm looking forward to trying it out!

September's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

I think these are so much fun and a great way to find creative ideas for the current stamp of the month from Close to My Heart. There are almost 70 consultants participating this month which features September's stamp called "Treasures." Feel free to hop on and off the trail as time allows. Here's where you start: September Blog Hop.

New Card Workshop

We're back from our cruise of Russia and the Baltic and mostly recovered from the jet lag, so it's time to get back to making some cards and scrapbook pages. I can't wait to play with the products in the new Idea Book, but first I needed to prepare for a card workshop at the end of the month. Here are the cards we'll be making:

Thank U and Happy birthday card are based on sketches in Wishes. These use the "solo" alphabet stamps.

These two use the August Stamp of the Month and were "cased" from consultants on the blog hop I told you about earlier this month. I love this stamp!

Here's another one from Wishes. It's definitely a must-have book.

Now that these are done, I can play with "Twitterpated." What's that, you say? You'll have to wait until September 1 to find out!!

We're here!

Blog Hop!

There are 64 Close to My Heart consultants participating in the August Stamp of the Month blog hop! This month's stamp is called "It's Your Day" (D1352). It's full of fun party images: cakes, candles and gifts plus a few festive sentiments. This set is perfect to have on hand for all your birthday needs! It is only available August 1-31st so get it before it's gone. Contact me right away to get your set at a discount or even for FREE during the month of August.

To start at the beginning of the hop,visit Jena's blog first. Then just click on the link at the end of each blog post to go to the next stop. It's a great way to see some creative artwork and get some new ideas for your cardmaking.

Let me know if you participate. Maybe I'll join in next time.