Hi, I'm glad you stopped by.  This is the third post in my series, The 10 Days of November. 
You can access previous posts here, and here.

As I was planning this series, I knew I wanted to include a few handmade journaling and filler cards.

For these cards, I primarily used  Papertrey Ink stamps and dies.  I love the new Monthly Moments-November stamp set.  I might have to go back and take another look at previous Monthly Moments stamp sets! 

I made 4 of the journaling card below, and will place them at each place setting on our Thanksgiving table.  Every year as we lounge around the table, we take turns sharing what we are thankful for.  This year, I decided to have those thoughts documented (in their own handwriting), and include them in The 10 Days of November album.

Tomorrow, I'll share the foundation pages for The 10 Days of November. 

More Halloween Cards and a Question

Do you ever feel like you are cheating when you've made a card with no stamping?  I actually thought that as I was finishing up these cards.  When I came to my senses, I realized these cards came together quickly, and I was pleased with the results. So, what more could I possibly want?  In the end, I just needed a few more cards to hand deliver to a few neighbors (along with some goodies, of course).  I achieved that. 

My thoughts: not every card has to be labor intensive, loaded with layers and bling, or hand stamped. There is a place for cards that can be assembled easily.  For example, if you are making more than three or four cards, that’s mass production (in my opinion).  You need a design that comes together quickly.  No frills!

So what are your thoughts on "non-stamped" cards?  How often do you create them?

The trick or treat dies are from a 2013 Papertrey Ink release.  They're not retired, thank goodness! Last Halloween I used these dies to create some cute packaging. 

With the second card, I did some spatter on the inside.  I wish I would have taken a picture to show you.  It was just around the edges to decorate the inside.  I hope the spatter trend sticks around for awhile.  I'm having fun with it.

Packaging...

I love pretty packaging. I'm always on the lookout for pretty packaging ideas (Hello Pinterest)!  When I discovered a die cut for a pillow box, I did a little happy dance. Using up my supplies and pretty packaging all in one easy step.

Recently, I sent my daughter, her roommate and two other freshman (in my daughter's dorm) a Halloween care package.  Included were these pillow boxes filled with candy. 

 

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These were all made from the same die cut along with various embellishments and designer paper.  The die cut I used is from Papertrey Ink.  I know My Favorite Things also has a pillow die cut that's square, and a bit smaller.  I'm thinking I probably need both, right?  Now, I'm sure there are other pillow dies out there, however these are the two that I'm familiar with.

Okay, in an effort to provide full disclosure, I do not work for, or receive gifts from either company, however a girl can wish!

As I mentioned, these pillow boxes were filled with Halloween candy, but just think of the possibilities.  You can use these for any holiday, birthday or gift giving occasion, and aside from packaging for a small gift, they can be used as gift card holders too. 

I hope you don't mind if I share one other item in the Halloween care package.

The girls needed something "Halloween" in their dorm so I made these pillowcases.

I hope you'll visit again because I have a "gift card packaging" series planned for early November.
 

One-Layer Wednesday 147, Use-Your-Stamps Challenge, Never Before Used Stamps (NBUS), And a Christmas Card...

*An interruption in my regularly scheduled blog post... In an effort to post my Wednesday or One-Layer Wednesday post, I ran out of time.  Time being after midnight, tomorrow, the next day.  It's now Thursday, the 4th of July.  I would be horribly remiss if I didn't wish all of you a very happy 4th of July! 

God bless our military and their families. Along with all of our veterans and retires.  Thank you for all you've done in the name of peace.
 
                                                   *************

On to today's post.  Yes, I really did say Christmas and I know, it's only the beginning of July...! I'm sure you've all heard the old "Christmas in July" saying, right?

Before I go any further, I should mention this is a rather lengthy. I'll be glad to wait if you need to grab a cup of coffee, iced tea, or sweet tea (for those of you who live in the south). 

So, this week's One-Layer Wednesday host is Susan.  Her challenge is to use glitter or something shimmery on a one-layer Christmas/holiday card.  You can see Susan's post here. 

So here's my sparkle.

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I thought I would play around with some non-traditional colors.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm all about tradition.  I love the traditional reds and greens of Christmas, but I have to admit when the Christmas displays go up, I can't wait to see what's new and trending. What do you think the trends will be this Christmas season?    

Here's a peek at the inside of my card. I like the way the gray Washi Tape coordinates so well with the silver embossing. 

Earlier I mentioned the Use-Your-Stamps Challenge.  Susan, (the creator of the OLW Challenge) recently started her Use-Your-Stamps Challenge. You can see the rules here.  Really, the rules are very simple!  Please don't let the word rules scare you off.  Just think of the gratification you'll receive in knowing that you really did use all your stamps.  Then you can purged the ones that are outdated, overused, or you just don't care for anymore.  This of course, makes room for more stamps.  Did I hear a YES?  I thought I did. After reading Susan's challenge, I knew I needed to participate!  So this is my first post using my never before used stamps. 

Now, the Never Before Used Stamps (NBUS) is another stamp challenge that the very funny, and oh so adorable, Darnell also started recently.  This is another challenge involving your neglected stamps.  I think I'm seeing a trend here.  I hope you'll visit both sites and join in.

The Stamps used in today's card all fall under the Use-Your-Stamps Challenge and the Never Before Used Stamps Challenge (NBUS). I'm still searching for an accounting system that will help me track these challenges!

And finally, Susan's Christmas card challenge falls perfectly in line with my blog plan for July.  This month, my focus is on Christmas.  I'll be featuring a different category (cards, tags, packaging, etc.) each week this month.  My hope is to motivate you to start early this year.  My personal goal is to start earlier this year.  This all falls under the category of better planning.


OLW147 Rules

1. A one-layer card is defined as a single layer of card stock folded in half. No other layers of paper allowed.

2. Make a sparkly card using glitter, glitter embossing powder, or some other shimmery substance (Brilliance, Smooch, Glimmer Mist, Twinkling H2Os, etc.). You can even use a card base of shimmer cardstock! The key is to get sparkly. Remember to keep the embellishments to a minimum.

3. Post your card somewhere online and link back to Susan's blog using the InLinkz button on the sidebar. If linking to a blog post, please be sure to link to the specific post and not your blog's home page.

4. The most important thing is to...HAVE FUN!

Supplies:

Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Vintage Ornaments & Gina K Designs - Sentiment
Paper: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Papertrey Ink - Hibiscus Burst & VersaMark
Accessories: Silver Embossing Powder, Stamp Positioner, Silver Cording, & Washi Tape

More Washi Tape Fun and a Mini Tutorial

Before I get to today's post, please note this week's One-Layer Wednesday host is Ardyth.  She has a great challenge for us! I hope you'll check it out.

Okay, now for more Washi Tape Fun.  This month the focuses of my posts are "all things Washi Tape". Today I have some envelopes to share with you.  We decorate the inside of our cards.  Why not decorate our envelopes?   It's fun and easy, and a great way to justify that stash (of Washi Tape, I mean).  Also, it's another way to carry out the theme of your card.

  Here is a mini tutorial for mitering the corners of your Washi Tape (see the green stripe tape above). 

First, cut two pieces of Washi Tape and lay them on your work table creating an "L" shape. 

Next, lift up the connected corner and cut at a diagonal (starting at the bottom right corner and cutting up to the top left corner).

Then, pull the two pieces of tape apart and place.

 
Here is the end result. 

I hope you'll find this helpful.  Please, feel free to email me with any questions.  Also, look for more Washi Tape posts later this week.  I have more ideas to use your Washi Tape collection.

Supplies:

Stamps: (Sentiments) Papertrey Ink, A Muse (Retired), and My Favorite Things
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug
Paper: A4 Envelopes - Stampin' Up  White
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-Jig

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"Show Your Colors" Post #2

Here's another card for this weeks One-Layer Wednesday Challenge, (Show Your Colors...Red, White, and Blue, of Course).

This 4th of July card defiantly falls into the non-traditional category, wouldn't you say?  In fact, I think I've thrown tradition to the wind and jumped right on the "trendy" train!  

If you would like to play along this week, please refer to this post to link up your creations.

Supplies:

Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Background Basics Chevron Stripes & Close to my Heart - (Sentiment) American Celebration
Ink: Memento - Nautical Blue, and Lady Bug
Paper: Stampin' Up Whisper White
Accessories: Bling, Sequins, and a Glue Pen.