Friday...

Been quite busy creating things for two big upcoming classes next weekend and a fun all-day crop to boot! For those of you coming, you will just LOVE the 7Gypsies ATC holders!! I have big plans on making at least 2 more for Christmas gifts, and they're completely addictive (fair warning!)

Here is a sneak of a layout I did last night using the November WIP kit. These layered flowers are so fun, and with the fabric and wool, I'm having a BLAST! Wait til you see the stuff the design team has put together--prepare to have your mind blown! Seriously--way more creative than even I got! Love those girls!And this is one more little Halloween goodie we gave to the bus driver yesterday. These mini jars are found at Michael's for a dollar--and the 7Gypsies 97% Complete stickers fit the jars perfectly. Add a bow and a tag, and you're set!
Off to an annual hayride this evening with a huge group of friends. I hope you're enjoying the season as well!

Happy weekend!

A sneak peek at the Recipe Kit...

This is what I've been working on for the past 2 evenings. And I have to say, it has been such a mindless task--and I LOVE that! Simple strips and blocks of paper, with recipes and photographs, and that is it. Now, I may go back and add flowers and brads and personalize it a bit, but for the most part, it is pretty complete.The Step Up album is from Target, and it cost $12.99. Right away, I knew the green would work--and it also coordinated perfectly with the colors I used in the kit. And you know what I love about it? There is enough space to expand and add more recipes! There are several pages that are blank so I can add as I find more favorites...
It took a long time to make all these dishes, photograph them and then match up the corresponding recipes to the photos, but I've done this as a class so many times, I know several of the recipes by heart! These are what I say they are--my tried and true favorites.

And as some of you who live nearby know, you have had many of these at my past crops or classes. Some of you have been kind enough to share yours with me as well--and I appreciate that too!

There are still a few of these kits available, and they come with 40 photographs and recipes, along with the paper used in these samples. Also not pictured are the 6 divider pages, separating the categories for the book (they will be in the newsletter for the kit which is set to be emailed to customers on October 15th.) And as a bonus, the lovely and talented Janelle Richmond is also going to be a guest designer for this kit! Can't wait to show you what she has come up with using this one!

These kits are currently shipping, so if you would like to order one, please email me at Turay413@gmail.com, or order directly on the site itself.

Have a great night!

Inspirational Fall Quotes...

I did a mini book of fall quotes along with mini photos of the season last year, and I thought I'd share some of my favorites to inspire you today...

Enjoy!
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A wind has blown the rain away and blown the sky away and all the leaves away, and the trees stand. I think, I too, have known autumn too long. --e.e. cummings.

And leaf subsides to leaf,
As Eden sank to grief,
And dawn turns into day,
Nothing gold can stay.
--robert frost

Every leaf speaks bliss to me,
falling from the autumn tree.
--unknown

By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
with summers best of weather
and autumn's best of cheer.
--helen hunt jackson

The greatest oak was once a little nut that simply held its ground.
--unknown

No man can taste the fruits of autumn while he is delighting his scent with the flowers of spring.
--samuel johnson

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
--albert camus

It is the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the spring, who reaps a harvest in the autumn.
b.c. forbes

Autumn wins you best by this its mute appeal to sympathy for its decay.
--robert browning

Fall Card Ideas

Just a little inspiration for those of you who love to make cards and tags...I went through my idea file and pulled these out from my stash. So I thought I'd share in hopes to jog your mind with ideas this season!

The above tags and cards were either make & takes I attended or taught. My favorite is using Versamark ink and chalk with a dauber (the leaf card at the lower right of the picture.) Simple and quick!
Why not take a photograph and use them on cards? It is a fun way to incorporate your love of photography into play as well. Pumpkins, gourds, haystacks and cornstalks are among my favorites to photograph for good general season shots.
Don't forget about your handy dandy die cut machines. Try folding elements of the images for dimension, like the above bat.
The next two photos are of cards that were made entirely with punches or Quickutz. A bit of time is involved (along with a good glue and a pair of tweezers!), but if you have these on hand, why not make one for that special person in your life.
And this one opens from the middle--like a box you're folding. Fun!
Don't forget to use your rubber stamp stash either. Those are always fun to play with--especially if you get the kids involved!

Enjoy your Tuesday!

A Clean Little Treat...

I made up a bunch of these last night and I thought I'd share!

Go to your local grocery store and buy white or clear handsoap in the pump container. Be sure the label can be removed easily and that the plastic isn't embossed, but has a smooth front. Peel the front label off when you get home (and if some remains, clean the container with goo-gone). Use a holiday rub on for the front, and embellish with a simple ribbon and a tag with a small embellie on it. I love having these around during the holidays--and at Christmas it is fun to make extras for the people who stop by.

Have a great weekend!

Candy Containers

Okay, these are the easiest and most adorable candy containers! I'll show you step by step how to make these little "sour cream containers" filled with your favorite candy for the holiday...

First, take a decorative 12x12 sheet of paper and cut six 4x6 rectangles like so:Next, glue the short ends, to model a toilet paper roll. Use wet glue, but not too much so the paper doesn't warp. Let it dry.
Next, pinch one end and glue with wet glue together. I always put the seem in the middle.
Now, crimp the ends just 3-4 crimps, and then back out of it and release.
It should look like this:
Fill the container with candy (m&m's or candy corn is my favorite!) Do not overfill the containers--they'll bust open.
The container will naturally fold the opposite way of the bottom. Don't force it--it is supposed to work this way.
Now, pinch the top together and glue the inside just like the bottom.
Crimp the top just like the bottom.
And there you have it! I always punch a hole and add ribbon and a tag at the top for just a little something extra. The kids love them. Note: Don't use heavy cardstock or double sided paper--you want a lighter weight. They are great for any holiday--just use seasonal paper. Same thing holds true for showers as well.
Now get moving!

Two More Fun Fall Projects...

I taught a class last year where we created a bunch of fun fall projects, and I thought I'd share!This frame was purchased at Michael's. It had a cork board/memo side and a place for a photo. So we embellished it with a MM chipboard bat (covered in that heavy glitter) and KI paper for the To Boo List. Add the photo and there you have it!

And this banner was created with the Cricut. I made a ton of these and gave them as gifts. In less than an hour, it was ready to hang. I love quickie projects like this!

More to come! Stay tuned!

I seriously just can't stop!

I had to do another layout with the October kit, it was just calling to me! :D This is a layout I did of my oldest and myself, called 'First One'. I am loving the colors in this kit, if you can't tell, and was able to use the flowers on a boy layout with no problem whatsoever. :D Again, Trish, you have outdone yourself! I so can not wait to see what next month holds! :D

A Little Update...

Isn't this yummy? The November kit is jam packed with 7Gypsies Zanzibar, American Crafts and Imagination Project goodness. And for the first time ever, I am including fabric and wool felt in chunk form--FUN! I can't wait to tear into this one myself! And I know the design team will come up with amazing layouts with this kit. Want to know my favorite part? The highly sought after white sharpie ultra fine point paint pen!

The November kit is available for pre-order, and those of you who have signed up for the autoship option will be contacted within the next 2 days with a paypal invoice. If you are interested in pre-ordering the November kit or the add on (not pictured yet), please email me at Turay413@gmail.com.

I also wanted to congratulate two of our design team members--Anilu and Nicole. Anilu Magloire is a talented jewelry designer and after much prodding, was convinced to open a shop on etsy.com. You can check the link to the right to see her amazing creations. I am the proud owner of several of these gems, and can verify her attention to detail and quality--simply impeccable. Check out her shop--she'll be updating it often! I've already started shopping for Christmas! Congratulations on your success, Anilu! So happy for you!

Nicole Eshelman also deserves a huge congrats as well! She submitted her "Blink" layout to Scenic Route for their September Product Challenge using the Asheville Collection, and her layout was chosen! You can view that layout and the other winners here, then select Designer Last Name under the ‘Search Layouts By’ field, then under Designer Name, select Product Challenge – Ashville, then hit GO. Congrats, Nicole!

More Treats!

I got some adorable emails yesterday, and wanted to share two of them today.This centerpiece was done by Paula Thompson. She got the supplies from Michael's and used the October WIP kit to embellish. Cute idea!
The next 3 submissions came from Tina Zarlenga. She painted cans as pumpkin faces. My kids would totally go nuts over this! (And if you want to check out Tina's adorable house that is fully decorated for fall, check out her blog!)


And aren't these felt pumpkin faces cute? They have pockets at the tops of their heads to slip in treats. And if you like felt, you'll love the upcoming November kit. I finished photographing it today, and will have sneaks available very soon. Stay tuned!

I'd still love to post any cute Halloween ideas you have to share--be sure to forward them (or links if you find any others!) Thanks Paula and Tina!