Before I left for vacation I couldn't stop making Halloween stuff.  It's just so fun to make.  Tonight's card I played with lots of fun products!  This card made my creative space a beautiful MESS! You know what I'm talking about.  I ended up with piles of stamp sets, punches, tools and inks everywhere.  When I finished this card I felt pretty darn satisfied.  Not so much because of the card but because of all the fun things I used.  LOL! 

Let me show you the Supah Spooky Card!

As you can see, LOTS of products. Some new, some old.  All together… they make a fun Halloween card.  Below is a list of supplies!

Stamps: From the Crypt (115460), Style Beautiful (120483), Seasonal Sentiments (121130)

Cardstock: Basic Black, Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Basic Black Striped Grosgrain ribbon (ribbon cut in half), Nite Owl DSP (123012), Cutter Kit (SERIOUSLY, favorite tool!), Distressing Essentials (118762), Rhinestones, Vintage Trinkets

Now, I have to just add one thing.  You NEED the Distressing Essentials.  Super great tool for your stamping needs.  It's like Sugar in your kitchen.  It's a staple product, right? Well, this Distressing Essentials is just that too.  Staple in your stamp room.  Gotta have it!  Add it to your order this month using my Online Shopping button and I will send you a card made using this GREAT tool!

Our vacations continues but only for a few short days.  <sigh>  I think we've packed in more fun this last week than ever.  I know my kids are starting to get wrinkles at a young age from too much smiling. Or, could it be prolonged time in a pool? Either way it's been great watching two very happy chicks play! Today was supah amazing.  We went on my parents boat and fished.  I personally did not touch a pole.  I was there for shooting the pics.  Little did I know Brandon wasn't keen on fishing either.  Let me set the story straight.  This child has a heart for animals.  We caught little minnows early this morning to have bait for fishing.  Once Brandon caught those minnows it was all downhill. They were now his FRIENDS and there was no way we were using them for bait.  Everyone had to be very strategic when baiting their hook.  Anyways, the kids both caught fish.  We threw them back in the ocean and Brandon said a prayer tonight that the fish were okay.  <sigh>  It was an awesome day with AWESOME memories!

Here are TWO happy Kids!

And you know how much I love chubby birds? This one below is one of my favorite photos!

I hope you have great plans for the weekend.  We have one more great day to spend here and then we are back to reality.  I'm hoping our new friend "Hurricane Earl" doesn't decide to stay too close to the coast.  It could make getting home a little nuts. 

We're still busy with family here in Florida.  Gradually some of the family members have been going back home and now it's just my little family left of the outta towners.  I could get use to being lazy.  After a hectic few months of moving into the house it's been nice to really sit back and do nothing.  Although the kids have been going strong, Russ and I move in slow motion.  Today my mom and I ventured to the mall.  I was able to visit some stores that are not in Virginia.  We then came home and jumped into the pool which is where the water gun fight happened.  Again, I would show you pictures but "SHE" would kill me.  Let's just say she had a few hairs out of place. 

Tonight I want to share a simple Halloween card with you. It's made with just a few layers. 

I really wanted to make the bat layers with Basic Black cardstock but you couldn't see it.  SO I decided to keep with the Basic Gray bat.  I love that Bat Punch! 

Here is a list of supplies I used on this card:

Stamps: Wicked Cool (118738)

  Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Basic Gray

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Wicked Fun DSP, Bat punch, Neutrals Buttons, Linen Thread, Rhinestone Gems,Corner Rounder

Hope your Thursday is FABULOUS! I'm going fishing.  This could be another GREAT adventure.  I'm not keen on putting a worm on a fishing pole.  Wish me luck!!

The sun finally came out here in Pensacola and we were so HAPPY!  We spent the day at the beach and enjoyed so much of what Pensacola brings.  We enjoyed the beautiful white sands, the gorgeous ocean water, and the Blue Angels (Flight Demonstration Team) flying over our heads. Hearing the Blue Angels was just the top of the cake for me.  It really is the beautiful sound of FREEDOM!  Yesterday we toured the Naval Aviation Museum.  It had been almost 9 years since we had been there.  Brandon was just a baby.  Lots of memories inside that building for Russ and I. 

I decided to put together a simple layout using My Digital Studio showing a few pics of our day.  I don't use My Digital Studio as often as I should.  The program is quite easy.  Honestly, if I can use it… anyone can.  Stampin' Up! has added lots of new digital downloads recently!  If you are interested in these, please email me.  I can send you a document of the recent downloads. 

Here is my simple layout:

The layout makes me happy because it sums up the entire day.  I think Brandon will wear the face mask home with him.  He hasn't had it off his face for longer than a couple of hours since he got off the plane.  It's so funny! I have lots more pics to share but my Mother threatened she would not feed me the rest of my vacation if I posted a shot of her in her bikini.  <sigh>  A girl does have to eat!

Moving onto crafty things…

September 1st is a BIG day!  The Holiday Mini is going LIVE and it's one of the best in my book with so many beautiful products.  My card tonight has a few products I think you will enjoy!!!

The Designer Series paper is called Candy Cane Christmas.  It's such a fun designer paper with such a great color combination.  You have Garden Green, Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride and Real Red.  Awesome.  I used the stamp set called Merry Crittermas.  It's loaded with all kinds of cute animals.  I used my Blender Pen and ink pads to color the little guy in on Whisper White paper.  He was punched out using the Extra Large 2 1/2" Circle Punch.  Now that is ONE big CIRCLE punch! Woot! I also used the new Glitter Brads on it.  These are so fun.  Lastly, I used the Glass Glitter in Silver on his hat.  So fun. 

I hope you are enjoying your week.  We're not sure what our plan for tomorrow is but I know it will be fun.  Just being with my family is so worth it. 

XOXOXO

Hello from not so sunny Florida!  We arrived late Friday night and it's been raining since!  While the rain really stinks it hasn't stopped our family from having a good time.  The kids spent 3 hours in the pool yesterday and enjoyed every minute of it.  It was pouring and they were splashing. 

Yesterday we had our entire family at my mom's house and it was CRAZY!  There were dogs, kids and then the CRAZY adults.  Throughout the day I just kept thinking how happy I was to be around all these CRAZY people.  It's rare to have the entire family around these days. 

Already we've had a few adventures.  Adventures in my family always=chaos.  We went to breakfast this morning after church and my mom decided to make a scene by falling out of my dads truck with a dress on.  She landed gracefully and nothing is broke.  She did receive lots of help and her grandkids thought she did an amazing job of getting back up and in the truck.  Luckly, the dress stayed intact and only got wet.  We are taking pity on her today and thanking our lucky stars she didn't break something.  Phew! Chaos—->SERIOULSY!

I'll leave you with a cute card I made before I left.  I love the new Designer Papers in the Mini and this one is my favorite.

You'll notice it's just patterns of paper cut and then a white gel pen made squiggles around each piece.  I added a few buttons and that completed the card.

I hope you are drier than we are.  We are off to the movies today.  I'll share more of our adventures as they happen!!

Although you cannot physically see my excitement… I am so excited I couldn't sleep! I am SOOOOOOO excited because my family and I are flying out to Florida today!  Yippie! Everyone is packed except for me of course.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  I'll be doing the FAST pack this morning.  It's going to be a big reunion as many of my family members come together.  My brother, Aunt and Uncles… So AWESOME. It's also our last summer hoo-rah before the kids start school. 

Last night I made something special for my mom.  Check it out…

The big question on my mind- "How will I get this on the plane without a wrinkle.  I'm flying with two kids, a dog, the prince and now the box.  Oh jeez.  This sounds like a blog post all by itself. 

Back to the box- The box was made from the Box #2 Die Cut.  This has always been one of my favorite box Sizzix Die Cuts because I can cut the top off and make the box all my own.  Very versatile box.  There are a few Holiday Mini products on the box too.  You can see the supplies I used below.  All products of course Stampin' Up! They are so fantabulous!

Stamps: Messages from Mom, Artistic Etchings, Style Beautiful

Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake

Ink: Early Espresso

Accessories: Rhinestone Gems, Box #2 SIzzix Die Cut, Big Shot, Large Label punch, Early Espresso Taffeta ribbon, Neutral Buttons, Cutter Tool Kit, Linen Thread. 1 3/4 Circle Punch, Spritzer Tool, Self adhesive Pearls, Vintage Trinkets

*The Big Scallop around the edge of the box is a new die cut coming out in the Holiday Mini. WOW!!!

I'll keep you posted on the family affairs and hopefully show you my favorite White Sandy Beaches. It's never a dull moment when we travel either.   Stay tuned.