CTMH November Stamp of the Month "Around the Block" Blog Hop - Gingerbread House Treat Boxes with Tutorial!

Welcome to the November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop featuring the limited edition "Around the Block" acrylix stamp set from Close to my Heart! This is a circular hop so keep clicking on the link at the end of each post to get to the full circle (complete listing is a separate post following this one).

Several weeks ago I was inspired by a post from a fellow CTMH consultant who used this set to create a gingerbread house on a card. I was immediately inspired to take the idea and transform it into an actual gingerbread house! I love to give little sweets, treats and cookies at the holidays but so often the boxes or treat holders you can buy at the store are HUGE leaving you too much space to fill to make the box look presentable. This little house is just perfect for a small bag of chocolates, a couple of envelopes of gourmet cocoa, some spiced cider, some special soaps or anything else you want to present that would fit! Finished size is 2.5" square with 5.5" height.

Cost of project: 40 cents in Cardstock and 17 cents of Cranberry grosgrain ribbon per house!

Paper Dimensions you'll need:
4x4" Colonial White Cardstock
6x12" Brown Bag Cardstock
4.75"X4.75" Brown Bag Cardstock
1. Create the box base with the 4x4" Colonial White cardstock.
- Score .75" in at all sides
- Cut slit on ONE side of each of the scored squares in the corner
- Use HEAVY DUTY adhesive like Tombow Power Bond or Sticky Tape in the corners to adhere.

2. Score your 6x12" at the following dimensions:

- 2.5", 5", 7.5", 10"

- ADDITIONAL SCORE NOT SHOWN - score .5" along the top edge (you will fold this down and adhere after you've embossed to make the top edge of your box sturdier!)

3. Emboss your house design in White Daisy. Note that the "front" of the house should be on the second panel - this will keep the seam away from the front of your house!

4. Add your adhesive!

- NOT SHOWN - fold down your .5" lip at the top of the house panel and adhere now. This will give the top of your box a sturdier edge.

- To build the box put adhesive on the bottom and on the side that is the last panel of your house (the smaller 2" blank edge will be folded inside).

5. Roll your box bottom along the bottom edge of your house lining things up!

- Make sure your box is squared up as you adhere your long house edge.

- When you have everything adhered gently place your hand inside and press all the edges to make sure things are stuck down good and tight!

6. Make your roof lid with your 4.75"x4.75" Brown Bag Carstock piece.

- Score at 1" on all sides and then do your embossing.

7. This is how your embossed lid will look.

- Now cut one slit at each of the corner squares and assemble exactly as you did your box base!

8. Optional - add a bit of Chocolate ink to distress and "bake" your gingerbread.

9. Add a pretty ribbon around the whole box and you are ready for the holiday gift giving season!

Materials Used:

Stamps: "Around the Block" CTMH November Stamp of the Month

Paper: Brown Bag Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock

Ink: Versamark, Chocolate for distressing

Other: White Daisy Embossing Powder, Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon, Tombow Power Bond (red tape will also work)

Now put back on your frog feet and hop on over to Shannon's site for some more artwork and fun!

Don't forget November is also my STAMPAGANZA event - Buy 2 acrylix stamp sets and Get 1 FREE! From November 3-30th simply stop by my site at paige.myctmh.com and place an order! This promotion will automatically be added to your cart AND any order of $100 or more in product ALSO gets "Around the Block" for FREE - an extra $22.95 bonus! Click HERE for more information on STAMPAGANZA and get a free HOLIDAY WISH LIST you can copy and print out! Give it to your hubby to make his shopping easier and less expensive so that YOU'LL get all your wishes fulfilled under the tree this year!

CTMH November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop Listing

If you've gotten lost along the way
These are the consultants who've decided to play.
Check them out, each and every one
To see all our artwork fun!

We've had a blast with our Blog Hop Extravaganza
Now don't forget November 3 to 30 is STAMPAGANZA!
Buy two stamps and Get one FREE!
Lots of happiness under our Christmas tree!

Stop by my website paige.myctmh.com to place an order
We even sell across the border!
I hope you've enjoyed our bloggin' hop,
Come back each month - our fun doesn't stop!

http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com
http://www.hookedonstamping.com
http://www.carlacreates.blogspot.com
http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com
http://www.creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com
http://kristaritskes-simplycreating.blogspot.com/
http://bowlofstamps.blogspot.com/
http://www.paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com
http://www.mycolorfulworldinvt.blogspot.com
http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com
http://www.thecroppersconnection.blogspot.com
http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com
http://www.savingmine.blogspot.com
http://www.flowerfoot.blogspot.com
http://www.scrappycaren.blogspot.com
http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com
http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com
http://www.maricarharris.blogspot.com http://www.papermadnessinc.blogspot.com
http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/
http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com http://www.scramperscorner.blogspot.com
http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com
http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com http://PaisleysPlayhouse.blogspot.com
http://www.pinkcloudscrappers.blogspot.com
http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com http://scrapwench.blogspot.com
http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com http://Michellenist.blogspot.com
http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com
http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/
http://www.stampingintheopen.blogspot.com
http://www.blessedscrapper.blogspot.com
http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com
www.mestamp2.blogspot.com
http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com
http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com http://verykimberry.blogspot.com/
http://barbraotten.blogspot.com/
http://mycreativeclubhouse.blogspot.com
http://www.creativelyartsygallery.blogspot.com http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com
http://makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com/
http://stampinsylvia.blogspot.com/ http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com
http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com
http://www.GodblessyourART.blogspot.com
http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com/
http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com
http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com http://www.bethscreativeblock.blogspot.com
http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com
http://keepsakeswithheart.blogspot.com http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com
http://www.awesomememories.blogspot.com
http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com
http://eimmap.blogspot.com/ http://michellescreativeconnections.blogspot.com/
http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com
http://www.creatingwithwanda.blogspot.com
http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com
http://craftycarol55.blogspot.com
http://www.mamaolie.blogspot.com

Halloween Boo Bag

Here are two of my kids getting ready to hit some of our friends and neighbors with "Boo Bags". I grew up in the boonies so this custom was totally new to me when we moved into our house out here. Each Halloween someone in the neighborhood will leave a package of goodies on your doorstep about a week or so before Halloween. In it there are some tasty treats along with a poem about Boo-ing (the regulations so to speak) and a paper ghost to paste to your door to let everyone know you've been Boo-ed. You are then to pass on the tradition by Boo-ing one or two of your neighbors. The person in our neighborhood who used to Boo us each year has since moved away so I decided to make up a couple of these bags to treat some of our friends and neighbors and get the ball rolling again.

These bags are made out of our 9x9 page protectors, some cardstock and a bit of bulk ribbon I've had for ages. My kids and I had so much fun putting these together for our friends - and my two little spooky helpers loved ding-dong-ditching the bags on the porch for our friends! If you've never made one of these, give it a try this Halloween!

CTMH Buy 2 Get 1 Free Acrylix Stamps - Stampganza in November 2009

Christmas shopping just became a whole lot easier and cheaper! I'm so excited to announce that Close to my Heart is bringing back its rockin' promotion - Stampaganza - from November 3-30th 2009! This Buy 2, Get 1 FREE promotion is a fabulous way to stock up on the stamps you need for your holiday card making AND get a bunch of those sets you've had your eye on! To get your hands on this promotion simply visit my website paige.myctmh.com between November 3-30th 2009 and the promotion will automatically be calculated in your order! Don't forget that ANY order of $100 or more will ALSO get a FREE $22.95 Stamp of the Month - talk about raking in the savings! Want to make things easy for your hubby this year? Print out and fill out the Stampaganza Wish List attached to this post and make his job easier and more affordable!

The last time this promotion was offered (June 2008) I completed my Alphabet Solos and Number Solos collection! I love having these wonderful B size ($13.95) stamps that focus on a single number or letter and a whole bunch of wonderful words that begin with that letter. I use the numbers all the time for personalized birthday cards and crown for the kids, gift wrap, tissue, party goods, etc. This is also a great time to finish off any Monthly Word Puzzle collections you started as they are retiring at the end of this year! (See a previous post for the full listing of 2009 Retiring Close to my Heart items)

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Stampaganza Holiday Wish List!

November 3-30th 2009 Buy 2, Get 1 FREE on acrylix stamp sets from Close to my Heart! Remember – every $100 order is also eligible for a FREE Stamp of the Month – an extra $22.95 bonus! Visit my website at paige.myctmh.com and this promotion will automatically be put in your cart and our high quality USA made stamps will be shipped directly to your door! Fill out this list and give it to your hubby to make his shopping task easier and more affordable. Contact me directly at paigedolecki@yahoo.com if you have any questions!

Item # Description Page Price
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Paige Dolecki
Independent Consultant
paige.myctmh.com
paigedolecki@yahoo.com
(425) 260-6965 Cell

CTMH December 2009 Retiring List

Retiring List 2009

The following items are available while supplies last until they are retired on December 31, 2009.

Take advantage of our upcoming Stampganza promotion (November 3-30th) to get the retiring stamps and more on your wish list at a great price! Buy 2, Get 1 FREE Acrylix Stamp Sets!

Albums
Z1190 Barn Red 12 x 12 Linen Album
Z1180 Amethyst 12 x 12 Linen Album
Z1181 Heavenly Blue 12 x 12 Linen Album
Z1185 New England Ivy 12 x 12 Linen Album
Z1186 Baby Pink 12 x 12 Linen Album
Z1187 Indian Corn Blue 12 x 12 Linen Album
Z1189 Bamboo 12 x 12 Linen Album

Z1174 Amethyst 9 x 9 Linen Album
Z1175 Indian Corn Blue 9 x 9 Linen Album
Z1176 Cranberry 9 x 9 Linen Album
Z1177 Garden Green 9 x 9 Linen Album
Z1178 Outdoor Denim 9 x 9 Linen Album
Z1202 Hollyhock 9 x 9 Linen Album

Z1168 Amethyst 6 x 6 Linen Album
Z1169 Indian Corn Blue 6 x 6 Linen Album
Z1170 Cranberry 6 x 6 Linen Album
Z1171 Garden Green 6 x 6 Linen Album
Z1172 Outdoor Denim 6 x 6 Linen Album
Z1203 Hollyhock 6 x 6 Linen Album

Accessories
Z1133 White Daisy Ricrac

X287 Square Metal-Rimmed Tags
Z825 Clear Inspirations Friendship Dangles
Z1083 Amethyst Waxy Flax
Z1084 Olive Waxy Flax
Z820 Window Charms Squares

Z817 Just Blooms Autumn Daisy
Z818 Just Blooms Sunflower
Z1304 Just Blooms Autumn Leaves

Z4128 Foundry Frames
Z4129 Foundry Plates
Z1010 Colored Staples
1757 Eyelet Kit
Z330 Eyelet Setter
Z331 Eyelet Mat
Z336 Exchangeable Head/hole punch
Z135 Baby Pink Eyelets
Z136 Heavenly Blue Eyelets
Z149 Garden Green Eyelets
Z150 Autumn Terracotta Eyelets
Z151 Outdoor Denim Eyelets
Z153 Indian Corn Blue Eyelets
Z157 Cranberry Eyelets
Z159 Buttercup Eyelets
Z165 New England Ivy Eyelets
Z168 White Daisy Eyelets
Z169 Black Eyelets
Z171 Pewter Eyelets
Z179 Chocolate Eyelets
Z182 Bamboo Eyelets

Z1051 Bitty Brads
Z1137 Spring Harmony Brads
Z1110 Spring Blossom Brads
Z1111 Summer Carnival Brads
Z1112 Autumn Harvest Brads
Z1113 Winter Cozy Brads
Z1040 Antiqued Copper Brads
Z1107 Black Brads
Z1108 Chocolate Brads
Z1106 Colonial White Brads
Z1109 Cranberry Brads
1758 Gold Brads
1759 Silver Brads
Z199 Pewter Brads
Z1105 White Daisy Brads
Z295 Bigger Brads Spring Harmony
Z296 Bigger Brads Summer Carnival
Z297 Bigger Brads Autumn Harvest
Z298 Bigger Brads Winter Classic
Z299 Bigger Brads Basic
Z292 Photo Clips

Z1037 Mini-Medley Shades of Chocolate

Z1043 Dimensional Elements Bookplates

Z1017 My Creations Circle Album
Z1012 My Creations Braggin' Tags
Z1199 Life Delights Memory Showcase
Z9071 Magic Moments Scrapbook Kit

1394 Vellum Paper 12 x 12
X1400 Stickstock Twill
X1401 Stickstock Linen
X277 Cello Envelopes 5 x 5 1/2
X278 Cello Envelopes 6 1/4 x 6 1/4

Z920 Earth Coloring Pencils
Z921 Primary Coloring Pencils
Z922 Pastel Coloring Pencils

4206 My Legacy Writer Pen Set-- Color
Z1049 Photo Marker
1762 Write 'n Rub Pen
Z268 3-D Foam Squares

Z261 Double Scrubber
Z533 Cutting Knife

Z309 Sculpting Foam
Z657 Vineyard Berry Embossing Powder

Z1293 Delta Paint
Z1295 Paint Brushes

Coluzzle
Z368 Cutting Mat
Z369 Swivel Knife
Z370 Refill Blades
Z374 Oval
Z500 File Folder
Z375 Tags
Z371 Circle
Z1144 Big Circle

1776 Long Reach Punch 1/8"
1777 Long Reach Punch 1/4"

1012 Eyelet organizer
1505 Memorabilia Pockets
1011 1" posts & screws
Z4126 1/2" posts & screws

Z4201 Shoulder Tote

Z1134 Holiday Fabric Tags


Z400 Sassy Strands White Daisy
Z401 Sassy Strands Autumn Harvest
Z402 Sassy Strands Winter Classic
Z463 Sassy Strands Spring Harmony
Z464 Sassy Strands Summer Carnival
Z465 Sassy Strands Winter Cozy
Z466 Sassy Strands Autumn Garden
Z468 Sassy Strands Summer Celebration

Creative Basics
X5802 Creative Basics Everlasting
X5803 Creative Basics Silhouette
X5804 Creative Basics Boom-Di-Ada


My Reflections Level 1 Kits, Level 2 Paper Packets, and My Stickease
X7045A Vintage Travel
X7045B Vintage Travel
X7045C Vintage Travel
X7079A Rough 'N' Tumble
X7079B Rough 'N' Tumble
X7079C Rough 'N' Tumble
X7080A Route 66
X7080B Route 66
X7080C Route 66
X7082A Expedition
X7082B Expedition
X7082C Expedition
X7083A Let's Get Together
X7083B Let's Get Together
X7083C Let's Get Together
X7084A Floral Tapestry
X7084B Floral Tapestry
X7084C Floral Tapestry
X7085A Everlasting
X7085B Everlasting
X7085C Everlasting
X7086A Caprice
X7086B Caprice
X7086C Caprice
X7088A Free Spirit
X7088B Free Spirit
X7088C Free Spirit
X7087A Enchanted
X7087B Enchanted
X7087C Enchanted
X7089A Life Delights
X7089B Life Delights
X7089C Life Delights
X7093A Sweet Pea
X7093B Sweet Pea
X7093C Sweet Pea
X7094A Paper Garden
X7094B Paper Garden
X7094C Paper Garden
X7099A Whoops-A-Daisy
X7099B Whoops-A-Daisy
X7099C Whoops-A-Daisy

X8608 My Originals Groovy Blossoms Card Kit
X8611 My Originals Pretty Purses Card Kit
X8615 My Originals From the Heart Card Kit
X8617 My Originals Holiday Wishes Card Kit
X8620 My Originals Merry & Bright Card Kit

X8524 Simply Snapshots Rough 'N' Tumble Album Pages
X8525 Simply Snapshots Let's Get Together Album Pages
X8527 Simply Snapshots Free Spirit Album Pages
X8529 Simply Snapshots Silhouette Album Pages
X8530 Simply Snapshots Sweet Pea Album Pages
X8531 Simply Snapshots Boom-Di-Ada Album Pages
X8532 Simply Snapshots Perfect Day Album Pages

Stamps
A1083 WHIMSY NUMBERS
A1090 SUMMER'S WAVE
A1094 MAKE MY DAY
A1097 NO GREATER LOVE
A1100 Boo-tiful
B1210 FLUTTER
B1213 LITTLE ANGEL
B1256 ALFRESCO
B1265 WONDERFUL CHARMS
B1270 BELOVED BLOSSOMS
B1271 SUMMER PICNIC
B1274 CELEBRATION BLOCKS
B1276 DINO ROAR
B1279 LIFE IS A PARTY
B1280 BEST OF TIMES
B1281 HALLOW SCREAM
B1282 SENSATIONAL SEALS
B1283 LITTLE SPOOKS
B1299 SPRING EQUINOX
B1300 LUCKY YOU
B1301 SOFTBALL
B1303 GOLDEN YEARS
B1304 GYMNASTICS
B1310 Volleyball
B1312 Make A Wish
B1317 Shalom
C1190 Believe Lowercase
C1191 CALENDAR
C1205 WHIMSY CAPS
C1206 WHIMSY LOWERCASE
C1247 SIMPLE BLOSSOMS
C1256 LITTLE BOYS
C1259 BECAUSE I LOVE YOU
C1263 CHARM UPPERCASE
C1265 CHARM LOWERCASE & NUMBERS
C1267 EASTER EXCITEMENT
C1268 VALENTINE EXCHANGE
C1269 FABRIC FINISHES
C1270 PURE LOVE
C1271 TREASURES OF THE HEART
C1273 AHOY MATEY
C1274 NATURE WALK
C1275 SAFARI
C1276 ADVENTURE
C1279 ROUGHIN' IT
C1280 OUT WEST
C1281 CARD COMMENTARY
C1283 DANCING DREAMS
C1284 WILD THING
C1285 VICTORIAN SNOW FLAKE
C1286 GOODNESS OF LIFE
C1287 CELEBRATE LIFE
C1289 WARM MEMORIES
C1290 MEMORY LABELS
C1294 SWEET TREATS
C1295 WINTER PLAY
C1296 COLOR MY WORLD
C1298 PARTY INVITATION
C1301 THING OF BEAUTY
C1302 BOUTIQUE NUMBERS
C1303 PLACEMENT GUIDE
C1306 Genuine Country
C1309 Decorative Dainties
C1312 United We Stand
C1314 Tool Time
C1319 Laughter
C1320 Just Arrived
C1321 Solos Punctuation
C1325 Wonderful Holiday
C1327 Snowflake Kisses
C1329 Homeward Bound
C1330 Winter Fun
C1331 Santa's Flight
C1332 Merry Wishes
C1334 The Season Defined
C1335 Ring in the New Year
D1063 SWEET TALK
D1082 MADE BY ME
D1083 Believe Caps
D1085 HAPPY EASTER
D1110 GIVE THANKS
D1131 RITZY RIBBON
D1139 SMALL PLEASURES
D1141 SO SWEET SEASONS
D1151 OFF ROAD
D1154 LOVE IN BLOOM
D1160 FRIENDSHIP FLOWERS
D1164 THE GOOD LIFE
D1167 Halloween Parade
D1168 SCHOOL ZONE
D1169 BIRTHDAY SURPRISE
D1178 CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
D1181 AUTUMN SPLENDOR
D1182 IT'S A PARTY
D1183 ADORABLE
D1184 FLYIN' HIGH
D1186 RUSTIC FLOWERS
D1189 FLORAL DELIGHTS
D1192 NOW AND FOREVER
D1193 VINTAGE VALENTINES
D1199 COME UNTO ME
D1205 NEW HORIZONS
D1209 LOVE FLOURISHES
D1210 MOMENTS
D1213 HUNTING
D1215 GAME NIGHT
D1216 FINISH LINE
D1218 SUMMERTIME
D1220 TYPEWRITER KEYS
D1223 FAIR BLOSSOMS
D1228 CHILLIN'
D1229 FABULOUS FALL
D1230 CELEBRATION FEAST
D1231 LOVELY BUCKLES
D1232 NATURE'S VEIN
D1233 POWER PLAY
D1234 TAKE FLIGHT
D1235 TICKET FOR ALL SEASONS
D1236 NURSERY BASH
D1238 A BIRTHDAY WISH
D1240 DOODLE ART
D1241 WINTER WONDER
D1246 SWEET LOVE
D1253 FRIENDSHIP'S FLIGHT
D1256 ALL STAR
D1264 ANGEL WHISPERS
D1268 JANUARY WORD PUZZLE
D1269 FEBRUARY WORD PUZZLE
D1270 MARCH WORD PUZZLE
D1271 APRIL WORD PUZZLE
D1272 SLUMBER PARTY
D1273 TEE TIME
D1274 BELIEVE IN ME
D1277 Touchdown
D1278 Best Shot
D1279 Shootin' Hoops
D1282 He Said, She Said
D1287 May Word Puzzle
D1288 June Word Puzzle
D1289 July Word Puzzle
D1290 August Word Puzzle
D1291 Celebrate Canada
D1295 Vintage Canada
D1310 September Word Puzzle
D1311 October Word Puzzle
D1312 November Word Puzzle
D1313 December Word Puzzle
D1314 Friendship Patch
D1318 Uniquely You
D1321 Festivities
D1323 Happy Christmas
D1325 Argyle Backgrounds
D1328 Post Marked
E1001 Essential Alphabet
E1003 BOUTIQUE ALPHABET
E1004 COBBLESTONE ALPHABET
E1007 HOMESTEAD ALPHABET

Chenille Pipe Cleaner Spiders Tutorial

I saw these cute and fuzzy little guys at a Halloween craft day at my kids school a couple of years ago. They are so easy to make!

What you need:

5 chenille pipe cleaners

2 beads with holes through

To make:

1. Put the beads through one pipe cleaner and center them in the middle and twist the two end behind this to make the beads in the front and the cleaners dangling in the back.

2. Wrap the chenille ends around the middle of the other 4 pipe cleaners making a nice fat spider body.

3. Shape the spider legs.

4. Have fun placing these lightweight decorations all around - they're great dangling off of things!

CTMH Boo Banner with CTMH October Word Puzzle

This adorable Boo Banner was made using 4x4" square coasters, some White Daisy Dazzling Diecuts (a promotion CTMH had several month's ago) and a bit of stamping and cutting out. It took me an evening to create this fun banner to hang from my china hutch (there is a loop on the back for hanging so you could also use it as wall decor)

The ribbon is sandwiched between two coasters to make sure everything stays together but you could easily make a lighter weight version with just 4 coasters.

Materials Used:

Paper: Black Cardstock, White Daisy Dazzling Diecuts for letters, White Daisy for stamped accents

Stamps: October Word Puzzle (all monthly word puzzles are retiring unfortunately so get them while you still can!), retired haunted house stamp set for the cobweb

Inks: Hydrangea, Orange, Sunny Yellow, Citrus Leaf

Other: Black Embossing Powder, Black Designer Ribbon rounds, Watercolor pencils for some details, 4x4 square coasters, ribbon (from Costco in bulk)

Headless Horseman Rides Again - Faux Pumpkin Carving

I have a confession - I LOVE PUMPKINS. When I was growing up my father was what is known as a "gentleman farmer". He grew up on a farm and wanted to give us the same kinds of experiences but he also had a full time job as an insurance agent. So what we did was part-time farming. Each year we planted several acres of pumpkins for wholesale and retail sales. My parents would track our planting and hoeing hours and pay us an hourly rate plus we made a commission on our retail sales. I almost always had a couple of hundred dollars for Christmas shopping each year - and it was well earned. Hoeing row after row of pumpkins in the burning hot and muggy New York State summer heat while getting bitten by black flies the size of quarters is no fun at all.

This is one of the "faux" pumpkins you can buy at any craft store. They are made from a foam like substance and can be carved like a regular pumpkin. Here I've used one of the pumpkin carving patterns from the books you see everywhere. The one note of caution - the little bits of foam will get ALL over you when you are doing this. After I was done I added a little electric light (DON'T use a real candle as your pumpkin will melt) from the craft store and Voila! a reusable indoor decoration!

Have you gotten your spooky on today?

Welcome to my Halloween Bat Cave - Paper Silhouettes

A couple of years ago I spent several nights cutting out about 350 bats from black posterboard and about 18 mice in various poses. It was a labor of love to create a Halloween Bat Cave for my kids. To put them on the walls and ceiling (very important to achieve that cave-like appearance) I use painter's blue tape. The nice thing is that these are re-usable if you take the tape off the back with just a little care. They are in their third year of use and still looking good.

I made these from a template found on Martha Stewart's site - both mice and bats. The bats I've enlarged to make three different sizes. To get the template click HERE.

I'll be posting some more of my Halloween home decor projects over the next few days (the flu is slowly working its way out of our family - I have one kid back at school today and two more to go). I hope you enjoy getting your spooky on!

The gift that keeps on giving - the flu...

My birthday was wonderful - up until just after supper when we realized we were all feeling cruddy. After watching Wolverine with the kids (a pretty cool family action movie) we were all feeling pretty loopy so we took temperatures and ALL 5 of us were running a fever. Tonight we're tucked in for the long haul with some kind of flu bug so I probably won't be feeling up for creativity - or having time seeing as how I think I went up and down our stairs 8,000 times today waiting on ONE very sick kid. Hoping this will pass over us soon...

Stay healthy and get those flu shots as soon as you can. We'll be getting ours as soon as the swine flu vaccine is available for non-medical in our area. Might be shutting the barn door after the horse is already out though...

You can teach an old dog some new tricks!

Tomorrow is a big day here in the Dolecki household - I'm turning 39. You'd think it would have a pretty big impact to be edging in on 40 but I'm actually feeling pretty good about the whole thing. I think the last several years of life have taught me the most important thing of all - how to keep all things in perspective. So as I edge into the "old dog" category - or at least the "middle dog" area - I'd like to share my new trick!

Over on the right hand side I've added a new feature to my blog - an email subscription signup! If you'd like to get my artwork delivered to your mailbox whenever there is a new post, simply signup via Google's free Feedburner. I hope you'll take a moment to sign up or add yourself as a follower and give me a great birthday gift!

Thanks so much!