How Did We Get to Thursday?

How did we get to Thursday already??
I am in disbelief at how time is zooooooming along!  Whoooooooosh!

It's past time to share ... so share I will!
Since Fall has officially arrived this week, it's time for my Thank You's to reflect a more seasonal approach.  Here's the latest:

Even though I don't generally send 'Halloween' cards, I do send cards with a Fall or seasonal theme of sorts ... and I absolutely 'had' to have this year's Happy Haunting DSP.  Whether you like Halloween itself, or just enjoy the seasonal fun + colors, this paper is for you ... and for me!  I love the non-imaged sides of every sheet of the papers as well as the Halloweeny sides for treat bags and fun creations.  The page featured on this card coordinates perfectly with the Boho Chic Textured Impressions embossing folder too, for super-simple theme carryover.

The sentiment banner is easily created by cutting a 1"-wide strip of Very Vanilla C/S, then punching each end with the Banner Triple punch ... Yeah ... I do adore that punch!  I stamped with a small branch stamp from the Thankful Forest Friends set, then wrapped a strip of Happy Haunting Designer Washi Tape around one end before adding a cut "thanks" in Basic Black using the Greetings Thinlits. Try the new Fine-Tip Glue Pen next time you're adhering a thin-lined item such as the Greetings Thinlits or other word-style die cuts.  The ultra-thin point of delivery is terrific, and it's non-clogging via a splendid feature within the lid.  Yay!  Naturally ... Stampin' Dimensionals are lifting up the sentiment banner ... (Perhaps you already know that I consider them as a "must".)   All products will be listed as a group below for your convenience.  

Tex's Special Note!

Would you like to stamp with us in Dallas??  

Check out the possibility right here and join us for 

Dallas UNWIND Mini Retreat OnStage Live!  

(Just click the colored text/link above!)

Inky (((hugs))),

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Grateful Owl 'n' His Bag ** with OnStage News!, too!

I've got another treat bag to share with you!  I haven't decided whether this one will be part of a door prize during a studio class, or whether it will become a gift at an upcoming larger event.

No matter ... I can tell you that I'm tickled with the Gift Bag Punch Board in this year's catalog!  3 basic sizes of bags from which to choose, and like all the other punch boards, the measurements are right there on the front so you can't lose them ... errrr ... uhhhmmm ... misplace them.  Today's example features the medium sizing:

This darling little owl is from the new Howl-o-ween Treat stamp set.  I don't send cards for Halloween, but I do like to create with the fun and whimsical goodies that pop up this time of year.  Besides, this guy is an all-year-round little dude.  His "tree trunk" bag is from the new "Into the Woods" designer series paper.

This cute little tag greeting is in the A Little Something stamp set.  I simply die cut it out with the Tags +Labels Framelits ...  Pssst!  Those are becoming such a handy-dandy set to have available, with layering sizes and two choices for shapes ... just sayin'!    I'll link up everything below the post, so you won't have to wonder which catalog to use.  In general, all of the Fall-themed items today are found in the Holiday Catalog.  The Treat Bag Board Punch, Circle Punch, Bird Builder Punch (for the owl's little branches), and the Tags + Labels Framelits are all in the big annual catalog.  The other goodies are in the Holiday Catalog.

So there you have it, m'friends!  Time for me to get back to class prep work for Saturday's studio class.  If you're local, and have a "wish" to gather with sweet peeps for a 3-project class, just let me know.  If you can't make it to this one, ask to be put on my mailing list for invitations!  I'll hope to stamp with you sooner than later!   ;)

Tex's News Flash:   OnStage Live is coming to Dallas, TX in November!  Are you?  Lydia Fiedler and I are happy to present a mini-retreat on the Friday before Stampin' Up!'s OnStage SU event.  If you are coming to the Dallas OnStage event, or if you're in the N. Texas area and would like to stamp with us, please join us via this registration link!  Register soon to save your spot!

Inky (((hugs))),

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Spooky Little Treat!

Hey m'friends!   A little unexpected stuff has jumped into this week's schedule ... just now sharing what I wanted to coincide with the latest Weekly Deals ... phooey on "stuff", huh?!

It's time to start thinking about cute little giftables, and for paper crafters like us .. that means stampin' zone f-u-n!  Take a look:

These treat bags are not only fun to make, but they're super easy!  Use Stampin' Up!'s Mini Treat Bag Thinlits to cut 2 coordinating pieces, adhere them together in 2 places, and crisp up those folds with your bone folder .... ready to decorate!

It's extra fun to use a great double-sided paper for these, since the "inside" of the treat bag peeks up at the top to reveal another fun design from the inside of the bag.  My bags today feature the delightful Happy Haunting Designer Series Paper from the Holiday Catalog.

You'll find a wonderful selection of Fall stamps and accessories in the Holiday Catalog.  I adore this paper.  It even includes a dots, stripes, plus orange + black plaid designs!  I chose the "spookiest" designs on purpose for these fun little bags.    Be sure to check out this week's Weekly Deals, because the daring Mini Treat Bag Thinlits are included in the bargains this week!  (The Weekly Deals are scrolling in the right-side column of the blog.)

Let's get ready to treat some little costumed cutie-pies with the cutest goodies they'll remember for a long, long time!  I'd love to see what you create too, so you're welcome to share a link in the comments ... ooooh fun!

Inky (((hugs))),

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Water & Ink Splatters * Challenge Chicks!

It's time for the Challenge Chicks' September challenge! 

Jeanne has challenge us with "Splat!"  Use watery color splatters on your creation!

I'm not much of a mixed media stamper ... but I definitely enjoy using water stamping techniques from time to time.   If you haven't given water + ink a try ... maybe this challenge will be just the little seed you've been needing to check it out this month!  If you do, please do share your creation and your thoughts with us on the Challenge Chicks FB page!  Use the keyword, CHXSEP15, when you upload your creation at Splitcoaststampers ... ... We wanna see!

My background layer was created by sponging Crushed Curry, Tangelo Twist, and Cajun Craze inks onto the raised surfaces of my Mosaic Textured Impressions embossing folder.  Then I use my Stampin' Spritzer to spritz water onto the ink.  I laid Very Vanilla card stock into the folder and closed it, but did not roll it through my Big Shot for this creation.  Essentially I used the embossing folder as a "stamp".

Although it may look as though I used a colored card stock for the leaf, I began by sponging a piece of Very Vanilla card stock with Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, and a little Blackberry Bliss ink.  Next, I used my wet fingers to flick water onto the inked card stock while holding it over the sink.  (I adore having a sink in my studio ... and it's times like these that it comes in oh so handy!)

 Just to be different, I added random splats of gold embossing powder as the last step and heated that to melt.  Once all of the splattering & heat drying was finished, I inked the leaf stamp with Cajun Craze, stamped the custom paper, and die cut with the Leaflets Framelits ... an excellent coordinating product for the Vintage Leaves stamps!  After die cutting the leaf, I sponged the edges a bit with Blackberry Bliss ink, since that color had faded so much during the water splattering.

Are you thinking about playing along with us this month?  We'd love to have you share in the fun!   Be sure to treat yourself to even more inky "Splat" inspiration from the following Challenge Chicks ... I'm pretty sure you'll be tempted to get inky once you've savored the splattered fun shared throughout our talented Chicks!  Have a sweet & inky day, y'all!

Diane Zechman @ Paper Cookies

Jeanne Streiff @ Inky Paws

Kelly Schirmer @ Gingham Girl

Bev Gerard @ Texas Rubber + Ink  (Here you are!)

Anna Wight @ Sassy + Sweet

Kittie Caracciolo @ KittieKraft

Lydia Fielder @ Understand Blue

Holly McMillen @ Toyz Haven

Deb Felts @ With a Stamp and a Song

Vicki Gee @ Vicki G Stamps

My product list is available below for your shopping convenience.

Inky (((hugs))), 

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Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Latest Weekly Deals! September 8 - September 14, 2015

Sweeeet!   If you attended Christmas Stamp-A-Stack #1, you'll be happy to see the Metallics Sequins, the Confetti Hearts Punch, and the Silver Glimmer Paper are all included in this latest collection of brand new Weekly Deals!  I'm tickled for you and tickled for me too!

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