Got Paper Issues?

I certainly do! And I'm so excited to be joining the Creative Team over at Paper Issues!! Go check out this fabulous network of paper artists...and join in on the fun! The current 'Issue' is 'Save Thanksgiving'. You can find all the details on this post. Link up ANY of your Fall/Thanksgiving themed projects there...have you created a 'thank you' card, layout about someone or something you're thankful about or some festive fall decor? Well, go there & get to linkin'! Would love to see your projects.
And in the spirit of Thanksgiving...I am TOTALLY thankful for my blog followers and the creative peeps around the globe - the ones I know personally & the ones I have yet to meet in person! Networks of amazing, talented people. You inspire me everyday with your creativity. I am so grateful for your kind comments, encouragement and the ideas you share. I'm so very, very thankful for YOU!
xoBC
ps...As soon as I finished this post, I ran across this quote...
At times, our own light goes out, and is rekindled by a spark from another person. {Albert Schweitzer}
How true is that?! Love that.

Hip Kit October Projects

When my October Hip Kit and Add On kits arrived from Hip 2B Square, I was amazed at how much product there was. Tons of Fall and Halloween themed goodness! (Be sure to go warm up your coffee now, because there are a load of photos on this post!) Here's what I came up with using the October kits...

This next layout was based on a sketch by our DT Coordinator, Melanie Jarocki. Here's the sketch...

 And here's what I came up with...

For the leaves, I roughly traced a leaf from our yard, cut several out of cardstock from the kit, inked the edges & stitched them to my page for some added texture. These October Afternoon cardstock alphabet stickers are great I've used them on many projects. I do love the Robin's egg blue and orange color combo!

The ribbon kit had this cool black & white striped crepe paper in it. To make the lollipop on this next card, I rolled the crepe paper ribbon into a spiral circle and used Glossy Accents on it. I cut down a BBQ skewer for the stick and voila...

Besides the layouts and cards, I was inspired to create a few other projects with the goodies from the kit. I embellished a bottle and a couple of jars for some Halloween decor...

On the jar to the right, I used one of the Pink Paislee Hocus Pocus rub ons . A neon yellow candle looks perfect burning in the jar...and ironically is a 'Hocus Pocus' candle from PartyLite! The tall jar in the middle is wrapped with the Pink Paislee Hocus Pocus paper & I added a little dark brown glitter to embellish it. The little vintage bottle to the left is embellished with one of the tags from the Graphic 45 Hallo'ween in Wonderland collection, black & white bakers twine and some cute little buttons...

And the last project I created with this kit is a Mad Hatter's paper chain...it looks super cute hanging in one of our bathrooms against the wall that is painted 'Dill Pickle'. The strips & tags come on a couple of 12x12 sheets...you just have to punch them out. I stapled the strips together into a chain & embellished with bits of ribbon, buttons & the tags. Super simple & fun!

 

And that's all, friends! Thanks for stopping in and sticking with me through this photo heavy post. I had a lot to share and hope you've had fun looking! For more inspiration, visit the Hip 2B Square blog here to check out what the other DT members created with the October kit!

xoBC

Meet my Sketch...

Hello my friends! Wanted to share one more layout I created using the Citrus Tree Studio 'Something to Celebrate' kit...

 

Based on my layout, I created this sketch for the CTS November sketch challenge...

Five new challenges kick-off today over at the CTS site. Go check 'em out & play along!

xoBC

I really can't believe...

...that November is already here! AND it's already the 5th day of the month!  Over at Citrus Tree Studio, the 5th of the month is kit reveal day...and I am a lucky girl to be their Guest Designer for November! I've had such fun playing with the 'Something to Celebrate' kit. There is so much goodness in this kit...which means I have TONS of pics to share today! This kit features paper from the Echo Park 'Life is Good' collection.
I created a couple of layouts...

...several cards (I just couldn't stop...there's so much fun product in this kit!)

 

...and a gift bag topper!

This is a really fun & simple way to dress up a plain gift bag. I used a little crepe paper & a Basic Grey brad from my stash, along with the cute Echo Park papers in the kit.

To see more...go here. So much creative inspiration can be found in the CTS Design Team & Member galleries!
Wishing you a happy & creative weekend my friends! TGIF!!
xoBC

Getting in the spirit...

I know that it's only November 2nd, but I'm starting to feel that buzz...that energy that starts to inspire me to get working on Christmas projects. Like this AMAZING Junk Drawer Advent Calendar over on One Lucky Day...

How cool is that?!?!!

And these glittered jingle bells...love, love, LOVE! Especially with the vintage sheet music.

I ordered these new Christmas stamps from 7 Gypsies...

And now I think I need their cool 12 Days of Christmas ATC kit. Maybe then I'd actually do something with the empty 7Gypsies Artist Printers Tray I have!

I've been making a list of all the projects I want to work on between now & Christmas...the list just keeps getting longer and longer and longer! Guess I getter get busy!

xoBC