Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

I made my snowman out of 3 paperbacks that I carved into half circles.

You have to leave the top and bottom edges of the book flat so that you can stack them. 

I made a half circle template of poster board for each book, sizing down for each. 

I removed the front and back covers for each book, and drew my template on the front page (remember to leave some of the top and bottom flat!) Using scissors, I cut about 6 or 7 pages at a time. Then I repeated drawing and cutting until I was finished with the book. You can cut more at a time with a craft knife, but I found I got jagged pages and it really dulls your blade quickly.  The pages sometimes didn't come out the same size because of how the book lays, so I would just trim to match the others as needed.

When you're finished cutting, fold the book back to bend the spine. First halfway, then each half to loosen up the spine. Then I used Scoretape (or any heavy duty double sided adhesive) to adhere the spine to itself when folded back. After that, glue the front and back pages together using a glue stick.

You'll need to "fluff" your book out by turning several pages and and running your hand down the crease like you do when your reading.

I didn't attach my books to each other for storage reasons, but it would be more stable if you hot glued them in the center at the spines. I hot glued some twigs for arms and added a hat and scarf!

Boo Box of Goodies

I made this box of goodies for the kids of a coworker. 

The box is a drink carrier from Sonic. I covered the bottom portion with paper and added some ribbon and other embellishments cut from the paper. I added gatorade with "poison" labels, microwave popcorn that I wrapped with paper, and cellophane tubes of "dehydrated newt eyes"(chocolate eyeballs) and "tooth of wolf" (candy corn). All the paper was from the Wicked Merchant collection by My Mind's Eye.

M&M matchbook

I made some Halloween matchbook treats for coworkers and my Lifegroup ladies. 

I was able to get 3 out of an 8 1/2' x 11" piece of cardstock. Cut the cardstock in strips measuring 2 7/8" x 8 1/2". Then score them at 3/4", 4 1/2" and 5 1/4". Fold up the 3/4" score and place the edge of the candy wrapper in and secure with a staple. Then fold along your other score lines and fold over and tuck in just above the staple to secure. You can decorate them with paper, ribbons, stickers or embellishments. 

I used the Batty for You set from Stampin' Up! to stamp my pumpkin stamp that says "You light up the place with that smile on your face". I then used my circle punches to punch out the stamped image, punch a bigger black circle for contrast, and layered them on an orange scallop circle that I placed over a strip of patterned paper.

Every time I see M&M's, I think about a funny story when I was working with kindergarten students. At the beginning of the year, I was testing the students to see which letters of the alphabet they knew. Sadly, one little girl didn't know any of the letters. But when I pointed to "m" she said "they're on M&M's!" I told her that indeed they were on "M" and "M's", so what letter did she think it was. She said, "I don't know. I just know they're on M&M's!"

Fall Leaves

I was in the mood to do a little crafting, so I made this leaf card. I don't seem to find the time to craft like I used to. I guess, like everybody, I've just got too much going on. It's always fun to steal a little time to be creative and it seems like it's easier to find time in the fall and winter. 

The stamps are from the Many Thanks set from Close to My Heart and the ink is Autumn Leaves Kaleidacolor. It's been a long time since I used a spectrum pad. The colors blend better when you use a brayer to pick up from the ink pad and apply to your stamps, but I didn't bother with that. I placed my leaves on a swatch of burlap to add a little texture.

Oh, the HORROR!

I finally finished my Halloween Horror Book Library Display! I included the old dictionary that I cut the ghost face from. That was easy, but a little labor intensive.

I drew the face on card stock and cut it out to use as a stencil. I traced the pattern on the page I wanted (that had the entry for poltergeist) and cut through several pages of the book with a craft knife. After that, I glued the top 2 face pages together, then added my card stock stencil behind them (basically building a sandwich.) Then I added some thin, flexible wire to the card stock face and extending it down to where the neck of the face would be. That will give it the ability to stand on it's own, or you can fold it down for storage. After that, I glued the rest of my dictionary "face pages" to the back of my cardstock face to cover the back. The bottom, right of the page kept flipping up from the weight, so I added 3 mini staples right at the bottom of the face, above the "neck". That gave it the weight it needed and also helped secure my wire in place. Sorry, I didn't think to take pics as I was making it!

In addition to the dictionary, I included some books on Potions and Poisons and Curses and Spells. I found the printable book covers on Pinterest. Then I added some old spice bottles with labels from scrapbook paper that I had at home. 

I made an "Oh, the Horror" banner from some Halloween scrapbook paper and finished it off with some creepy cloth, spiderwebs, rats, birds, a skull, and this candelabra, which I added battery powered tea lights to. I think it came out great, and hopefully, it will entice some students to read a great horror story!

Pennant Birthday

This is a great way to use up paper scraps. I made several of these pennant cards to have on hand. 

You can also use washi tape to make the pennants. Just fold it over the bakers twine and cut into banners or pennants. 

Cupcake flip card.

I made this flip card using the Label Thinlits die from Stampin' Up! It's really cool because you can use the Label Framelits to cut out your sentiment and it fits perfectly inside. 

The dies and stamps are from Stampin' Up! and the patterned paper is from Basic Grey.

Love You a Latte!

I got this idea, and the mini espresso cups (they're 2 3/4" tall), from my Stampin' Up! demonstrator 

Christi Beck. She used a different stamp on hers, but I knew immediately that I would use this "Love you a latte" stamp. I'm going to put some chocolates inside and give them to my Life Group ladies. They're going to love them!

Stamps, ink and paper from Stampin' Up!

I've got a CRUSH on you!

I had seen this idea in a Paper Crafts magazine and thought it was so cute. Well, when digging through my Valentine's clearance stash, I found this little tag that said "I've got a Crush on you!" I made a mad dash to Walmart to find some Strawberry Crush in a bottle so I could make this. I have no idea what I'll do with it, but isn't it cute?!

Take it for a spin!

I bought some K & Company paper and embellishments a couple of years ago on clearance and recently dug them out. I thought this little spinner was so cute and couldn't wait to make a card with it. 

It takes me back to my childhood and how much I loved playing board games!

Winter Wonderland

I finally got around to changing my wall hanging out from Christmas to Winter. I have to say this is one of my favorites! The paper is from the Snowfall Collection by Bo Bunny. The paper is just beautiful! It has blue glitter on some of the pages and when I walk into the room, I can see it sparkle in the light. It just makes me happy!!

Brrr!

It seems like we've been able to wear those cozy sweaters more this year than previous winters. 

I made this card with an old set from Stampin' Up! called Bundle Up. It was one of those sets that I thought was so cute at the time and had to have. Then years later, I realized I had never used it! The paper is also a blast from the past from Stampin' Up!

Baby it's cold outside!

I made this card last year during a cold-snap, but I thought it would be fitting for today. Who else is up for another ice day vacation from school? I don't want another 4 days of not being able to get out and go anywhere, but a 3-day weekend would be nice! Even with all my wishing, I don't think it will happen...

The paper and stamps are from the Midnight Frost collection by Bo Bunny.

Prince of Peace

This is one of the Christmas cards I made when I was crafting during the ice storm. It turned out to be one of my favorites, but considering I had already made multiples of 3 different Christmas cards (more to come later), I only made a few of these.

The Prince of Peace stamp is from Stampin' Up!, as well as, the cardstock and Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.