Spiders Hate Orange

There's a new blog challenge happening over on the Paper Traders blog.  The theme this time is "Spiders Hate Orange" and it was a fun excuse to play with my new MyMemories digital scrapbooking software again.  I made this page using various elements from many sources (itkupilli, House of 3, etc.)  You can get $10 off your own copy of MyMemories Suite v2 Software plus $10 in free products from MyMemories.com if you use my Promo Code: STMMMS53179

I'm excited for Halloween coming up because it's such a fun holiday!  I've already purchased my Caramel Apple Pops and if I don't get many door ringers, there will be leftovers for me  =)

Jump on over to Paper Traders to get in the Halloween spirit and play along.  Happy haunting everyone!

Halloween Flip Book

Connie is hosting a Halloween Flip Book swap over at Paper Traders.  We made a twinchie (2" square) page for each section of the body: head, middle, feet.  For the middle, she asked us to put some kind of Halloween image instead of a torso.  I used vintage paper dolls for mine and added spooky features - blackened eyes, witch hats, etc.  For the center piece, I used the MyMemories digital scrapbooking software to collage a little Halloween image.

When Connie receives all the pages from the other participating artists, she will bind one page from each into a fun little flip book!

P.S.  There's still time to save $10 off your own copy of the MyMemories Suite -PLUS- get an extra $10 credit toward any purchase... that's a $20 savings!  Just use my promo code: STMMMS53179

Catching up on the past six months...

Moving back to San Diego has been terrific although I still feel like I'm in my adjustment period.  It took me several weeks to find a new home and even longer to get unpacked... I still am not completely settled in but I'm getting there.  I found a cute duplex in the suburbs and am blessed to have a nice landlord, a friendly neighbor, my own laundry room, a garage, a yard, and the best part - a whole room to dedicate to my art studio/office!

I used my birthday gift cards to buy shelving for the studio and I am almost done getting everything put in its place.  I would have been done ages ago if I didn't keep hauling stuff out and making messes (along with art) along the way.

Shortly after moving into my new home, I discovered this nest of baby birds right outside my window.

I've really enjoyed catching up with old friends and making new ones since coming back to San Diego. 

Sadly, my best friends relocated to the Monterey Bay area shortly after I arrived.  I was lucky enough to get to spend a long weekend with them over Halloween.  On the way home, I took the scenic route down the famous Highway 1...

Being back in Southern California gave me the opportunity to attend one of my online artist friend's art showing... and to finally meet her in person.  Kate Carvellas was as sweet in person as I'd come to know her online and a talented artist too!

Although I went home for Thanksgiving, I spent a lovely quiet Christmas at home this year.

I'm looking forward to the new year and good things  =)

Creepy Cottages

For Halloween, our Paper Traders group had a Creepy Cottages swap.  This is my creation, featuring a cute birdie from ArtChix.

Spooky Halloween Moo Card

I'm hosting my own Halloween-themed swap on Paper Traders. These cards are mini-moo size. I used some spooky scrapbook paper then heat embossed the tree background. I rubber-stamped the spooky house, cut it out, then put yellow cardstock behind to light up the windows. The moon, bats, and cat are all punched out of textured paper - the moon is a gray marbled paper, the bats are shiny, and the cat (my favorite) is velvety soft!

Illustrated Poe

I made these cards for Teri's Illustrated Poe swap on Paper Traders. The images of all the ladies came from magazine ads. This swap was quite challenging for me mostly in the way of resources - I just could not seem to find images that would fit the theme. All things considered, I'm pretty pleased with the final results.

My Scared Lady

I made these ATC's for Teri's "Something Witchy This Way Comes" swap on Paper Traders. The object was to take a song title and change it to something spooky. I used songs and images from My Fair Lady and I call this set "My Scared Lady" instead.

Halloween Giveaway

Paper Imagery Designs has a fun blog giveaway for Halloween (one of my favorite holidays!) They have some cute stuff up for grabs so go check it out: Paper Imagery Designs