Happy Halloween!!

EEKK!!  It's Halloween!  How do you plan to spend the evening?

I want to take a moment to share a few treats with you.  First is a CUTE candy bar holder I created for some of my sons Teachers and office staff...Inside each is tucked a Hershey bar.

These were super simple to make and much quicker than the next little treat box I created.  I am not sure what I was thinking when I chose to make these for my sons class of 23 but I am certain that after about 12 my hands were wishing I had started on them sooner...LOL!!  Anyway I am happy that I got them all made and that the class seems to have enjoyed them.  What do you think??

Here is a view of what was found inside this crypt...I made ghosts from Tootsie Roll Pops.

 And a few other candies, an Eyeball bouncy ball and a box of tats finish off this package.  

 I am pleased with the outcome of these Coffin Treats.  If you would like to make some coffins for your next party here is a TEMPLATE to get you started.

Now it is time to pass out some candy and see what ghosts and goblins show up at my door tonight.  Hopefully it will not be too late a night since the kids have school tomorrow.

Happy Halloween!!  JennK

A few bits of different..

I Love all types of art.  I can remember when I was young and I would spend summers at my Nana's house.  She loved to paint with oils and was really great at it.  I will never forget the summer she pulled out her wooden easel and a fresh canvas.  This time though it was for me.  The first time I dabbed a little paint onto the wooden palette and she talked to me about the brushes and how to flow with the paint.  It was really a magical moment for me.  I still remember what I painted and may have a picture of it somewhere (I need to find it).  Sadly though I do not have the actual painting.  The painting was a summer scene with an arched entry complete with flowers and greenery growing lusciously on it.  I can remember what I wanted it to be like and how it didn't quite come through on the canvas, but I was still proud of my first painting.  And even still today I remember most the moment it all happened and how it helped to mold my love of art.

So today I would love to share a simple watercolor painting of a flower I recently did on some scrap watercolor paper.  I enjoy playing around with the paint. Just to see what happens...

I also took a moment to create a page in my art journal.  So far my journal has been a combination of art and self discovery.  It has been a wonderful experience and I would recommend it to everyone.

I used a picture of my eyes.  It really is a window into ourselves, and so I thought it to be very appropriate for this page.  Some days I need to remind myself to just be ME.  And this page helps me remember that.  

Also a page I completed when I got back from vacation this summer.  

I watercolored the page first then stamped a few images and a perfect sentiment for this picture.  

I know this post has been long winded and if you made it this far you are a trooper.  Thanks for stopping by today and be on the lookout for a few projects tomorrow for Halloween. 

Happy Craftin'! and stay true to yourself!  

JennK

A Little Fall Inspiration...

I have noticed lately around my house that it is finally beginning to feel and look like fall. I really have been enjoying the nice cooler weather and the colors around are amazing!  So this  recent change has inspired my project today and my color choice.  It really reminds me of what I am seeing around me right now.  The Creative Inspirations colors I used are Beige, Green Olive and Buttercup.

 I decided to stamp with the paints for this project.  Then while they were still wet I applied clear embossing powder and heated for a raised effect.  It really brings out the already wonderfully sparkling color of the paint. I also applied the beige paint to the embossed card base.

A close up. I just love this Fall butterfly image too by Artful Inkables.

I hope you have enjoyed my project and are inspired to try out the Creative Inspirations paints on your next project.  And if you are looking for more ways to use them stop by the Blog.  There are tons of great projects and also a new tutorial every Saturday too! 

  Happy Craftin'! JennK

Wild Flower Wednesday Challenge

Hello Happy Wednesday!  I hope your week is going great and that you will join us over on The Wild Flower Patch.  This week is about spooky, ghosts, goblins or anything Halloween related.  I was excited to use a great template from Leigh Ann for this cute Treat box.  The template is called gift to go.

 I used the Swirly Tree digital image.  It is all painted up with Creative Inspirations paint.  The box is created from some Nikki Sivilis paper and so are the little ghosts.

Here you can see a closer look at the painted tree,  I wish the sparkle of the paint showed up better.

I hope to see you over on The Wild Flower Patch.  This week is the LAST challenge till the new year!!  So in honor of that Jen is giving away one BIG-OLE' PRIZE!!  You don't want to miss out on this one!!  Check it out.

 Happy Craftin'!  JennK

Coaster Re-do

Hiya!!  Thanks for stopping by today.  I recently decided that our coasters needed some revamping.  So after a little paper and Mod Podge..Here is what I created.

Now for a little peek at how I got this look.

I started with these...

Next for some paper...I cut out a circle just big enough to cover the original pattern on the coaster.

 Combine that with some Mod Podge magic...So easy.  I just applied a thin coat to the coaster with a foam brush.  Then add the paper and cover with a little more Mod Podge.

 And this is what happens!!  YES!  After the first coat of Mod Podge dried I applied a second thicker coat that I dabbed with a towel for a little texture. Let this dry.

I am hoping you may be able to see the texture here..

I LOVE the end result.  What do you think??  Do you like the original or the altered version better?

Happy Craftin', JennK

Treats for Class

Hello!  Hope you are having a wonderful Friday!!  Today I would love to share some treat boxes I created for my sons Preschool class.  They are complete with stretchy skeletons, kaleidoscopes, temporary tattoos and of course CANDY!!  YAY!!
The box is from a template created by Leigh Ann Baird.  You can find it HERE for FREE it called a Goody bag.

I used a stamp set from Stampin' Up called Trick or Treat.  It is one of my all time favorites to stamp all over the outside and inside of the box.  I used black Momento ink.  I also inked up all the edges of the box.

The tags are circles punched from left over paper and inked up all along the edges. Punch a hole in the top and attached with some twine.  I hand wrote Happy Halloween on each tag and from Zak.

Here you can see the front and the back of the box.  Each box has 2 colors.  

A small sampling of the box of boxes I made for my sons class.  I hope they really enjoy getting them.  I know my son enjoyed helping me fill them up.  Next my 10 year olds class...Yikes!  I better get busy.

 Happy Craftin'!  Thanks for stopping by, JennK

Another Wild Flower Wednesday Challenge!

Hello, did you enjoy last weeks color challenge??  I know I had a blast with it!  This week the challenge is all about Twine!  All you have to do is use some twine in your project somewhere...Fun and easy right?!!

I created a card using the No Girls allowed set.  I colored up this guy in fall inspired colors and added my twine to the side.  I love the slider with HEY DUDE stamped on it.  It just makes the whole card so much fun.

Here is the inside of the card.  I left it blank so I could use this for a birthday or just a casual hello, how ya doing? card.  I love using up scrap I have lying around but the bad thing is I sometimes forget the manufacturer...sorry :-(  If ya remember let me know please.

Thanks for stopping by today.  If you haven't been by the Wild Flower Patch blog stop by and take a look around.  It will inspire you to create something today.  Happy Craftin', JennK

Layout with Creative Inspirations paints

Hello!  It is Friday already!!  I am excited to be posting a new project that I created using Creative Inspirations paints.  WOW, do they have shimmer!

So this week on the Creative Inspirations blog the theme for the challenge is "Little Things".  It got me thinking about all the little things that I LOVE and so I decided to create this page using some recent photos of a trip to my sisters over the summer.

The butterflies I created with a Spellbinders die.  I used the Creative Inspirations paints on the embossed portions of the butterflies and on the edges of all the squares and the photos.

The color paints I used are Turquoise, Canary and Rose Quartz.

  

As you can see I used a foam brush and dabbed the paint on the butterflies and the edges of the squares.  

Here are some close ups.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you get a chance to try out these lovely paints for yourself.  I really love the smooth texture and the shimmer is amazing!  They come in so many colors too!  Also you still have time to play along in this weeks challenge. What little things are you inspired to create? Link up your creation, we would love to see it. Till next time....Happy Craftin'! Jennk

Wildflower Challenge Wednesday!!

Here we are again...the start of another fun Wild Flower Wednesday!  I hope you were able to play along with us last week and got your free digi too!!  This week the challenge is to use the colors Orange, Green and Black. Makes me think of Halloween.  Course that could be because Halloween is on my mind..hehehee..candy...costumes...parties...YAY!  Anyway, back to the challenge.  I created a card this week using Thistle.  She is just screaming to be dark and mysterious.

I used Copics to color her in and chalk to color around her.  The frame is a spellbinders die that I inked up to distress it a bit.  I also added a few Dew Drops.  The cord I inked orange to match and the button was one I found in my moms stash (thanks mom).  I also inked up the background paper too.  I just love inking things lately...heheee.  

Here is the inside of this card.  The green cardstock is the rectangle left over from the Spellbinders frame all inked up as well.  :-)

I really enjoyed playing with this weeks color challenge.  I hope you can stop by the Wild Flower Patch and play too.  Be sure to take a look at the rest of the design teams work.  The gals really do great work every week!  I am always so impressed and inspired by their creations.  

That is all I have today.  Be sure to stop by on Friday for my first Creative Inspirations post!!  Can't wait to show you my project.  Happy Craftin'!  JennK

A meaningful endeavour

This post will stay up top for awhile to help spread the word....for new posts please scroll down.

I want to share a great way to not only craft but do something very meaningful.  I came across this on a fellow artists blog (thanks SUZI).  As soon as I read about this project I KNEW I had to create something for this.  I also KNEW I had to get my kids involved.  I am even in the process of getting our school involved.  This project struck a cord with me.  It definitely pulled on my heart and soul and it is something I HAVE to do. I wanted to share this with YOU..all my crafty friends.  To learn more about this just click on the picture above. 

Now go get crafty.  Hugs, JennK 

Cosmo Cricket is looking for a Guest!!

WOW!!  So Cosmo Cricket is not only showing off a new line of goodies today but they also announced that they are taking nominations for a guest designer!!!!  How exciting!  So, here comes the shameless plug, could you please, please nominate this paper junkie?  I absolutely LOVE Cosmo Cricket (Who doesn't) and would be so honored and thrilled to be a guest on their team!!  If you want to nominate me just click on the photo below and leave a comment on the post.  Thanks so much and don't forget to take a look at the new line!!  SWOON!

Thank you!!  JennK

Wednesday Challenge

Hello friends.  Today marks the start of another Wild Flower challenge.  I am excited to say that today ANYTHING goes!  That is right, you heard me.  The challenge this week is....ANYTHING GOES.  Do what your heart desires with the freebie image on the blog.  Just join us for some FUN!  The freebie will only be available during this weeks challenge so get it while you can!!

I decided to create a card for the upcoming holiday season.  It could be used for a Thanksgiving day card or really an any day card for the Fall season.

Isn't this little scarecrow guy cute?!  He was a blast to color with my Copic markers.

Here you can see a closeup of the image.

So what are you gonna make to join in the fun?  I can't wait to see.  Be sure to take a look at the rest of the design teams creations for this week too.  Think link up your creation to The Wild Flower Patch blog.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  JennK

An announcement...

Hello friends....I am excited to share some news tonight.  I am so honored to be one of the new design team members for an amazing paint company called Creative Inspirations.  They make some really beautiful paints that you can use for so many different craft projects.  Take a look at all the colors HERE.  I will be posting some new creations every other week on Friday's at the very least.  I gotta tell ya I got the paints just a few days ago and WOW!!  They really are amazing!!  I can't believe the price either.

Each week starting on Sunday the Creative Inspirations blog has a new challenge.  This weeks challenge is inspired by bedtime stories.  How fun!!  So to start things off and because I just couldn't wait to play with these amazing paints I created something well actually 2 cards inspired by this theme.  My inspiration piece is a sweet story book called I Like Pumpkins by Jerry Smath

And here is my first card.

I painted the paints right onto the stamp and stamped the image on some watercolor paper.  LOVE this effect!!  

Here hopefully you can see some of the shimmer and the beautiful colors.  I used Mango and Evergreen on this stamp by Unity.  

My next card........

I used the same stamp by this time I stamped the image with Momento ink and then painted on the colors.  The colors I used are Mango, Buttercup and green olive.  I cut the image out and then attached it to a background made with my Spellbinders Fair Isle pendant.  Everything is inked up.  The sentiment is by Unity also.  

Here you can see a close up of the YUMMY paints.  

Look at the shimmer and the beautiful color!  I am telling ya, these are some awesome paints!!

Well, that's all I have for tonight.  I will be back on Wednesday with another Wild Flower Challenge creation.  

Thanks for stopping by! JennK

  

Oct 1st!?

Well, it is a quick slid to the finish line from here....before ya know it we will be ringing in the new year.  But until then How about a cute little card for Halloween festivities?!  

So I am Rockin the Nikki Sivilis papers again!!  I just LOVE this stack!  The stamp is by QKR Stampede, Jack o lantern. I paper pieced him with more Nikki Sivilis paper.  The letter stickers are yummy Thickers.

What to see a few close ups??

I colored on the patterned paper piece to add some depth.

And finally the inside of the card.  

Well, that is all I have for today.  Thanks for stopping by.  JennK