Third Thursdays Blog Hop - Halloween/Harvest

Welcome once again to our Third Thursdays Blog Hop! This month our theme for the hop is Halloween/Harvest! Posts will feature Stampin' Up! products or projects with a Halloween or Harvest theme. For my project today, I am finishing up a 13 Days of All Hallows' Eve advent! The coffins are actually going to be attached to paper covered chipboard from the Monster Bash Designer Series Paper, and the whole thing will tilt back slightly on easel legs made from chipboard in the Coffin Boxes package...it's kind of a "reuse-recycle" project in that respect. And yes, the boxes will sort of hang off the sides and top, it looks a little more creepy that way!
{you'll find Product Purchase Links for current items I've used, below the Blog Roll}

The orange underneath the 12x12 base is a piece of felt that I was using to try to get a little better contrast for my picture. Now, as you can see, this project is not quite finished yet. Health and technology issues have been slowing me down. But, I already showed you how to create all the little coffins that open at the top, on THIS POST. The Stampin' Supplies at the end of this blog post will assume that you want to recreate all the little coffins for your advent in that manner. (Note: if you want to create the candy wrappers featured in THIS POST, for tucking inside your coffins, you'll also want to purchase the Monster Bash BUNDLE and the other supplies listed on that post!)

The picture above shows a peek under the large custom coffin box that I made - the lid is coffin shaped but the box underneath is rectangular. I am carefully walking through the rest of the project, because I am trying to make it easy for you to recreate with just the few Stampin' Supplies below. To facilitate this, I will need to make PDF for you with the numbers and the "Trick or Treat" greeting and the "title" corner, so you can just punch or cut those out. I'll also include a template of my large coffin box lid for you, and instructions on how to make the rectangular box. Then, I'd like to run through the steps for you in a video. I'll be spending the rest of my afternoon working this out for you, and will hopefully have the printable file, and all the pieces and steps laid out for you to follow in the easiest way possible by tomorrow.

Stampin' Supplies: Monster Bash Designer Series Paper, Coffin Boxes,
Basic Black Cardstock, Basic Black 3/8" Scalloped Edge Ribbon, 1" Circle Punch (if you'd like to punch the numbers out), 1-1/2" Circle Punch (to punch out the number 31), Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Black Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips, Grid Paper, Stampin' Trimmer (RETIRED - for cutting & scoring). {optional: stapler to attach ribbon loop to coffin}

October 2019 Third Thursdays Blog Roll: Halloween/Harvest
Kimberley Morris
Tatiana Tobin
Jan Musselman
Anne Marie Hile
Sarah Fleming
Angie McKenzie
Kim Fee

Stampin' Supplies Product Purchase Links:

Monster Bash Designer Series Paper	Coffin Boxes	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock	Basic Black 3/8" (1 Cm) Scalloped Edge Ribbon
1" (2.5 Cm) Circle Punch	1-1/2" (3.8 Cm) Circle Punch	Multipurpose Liquid Glue	Black Stampin' Dimensionals Combo Pack
Paper Snips	Grid Paper

OCTOBER Monthly Perks Code: 3EYU6Q7P
(if your order total equals or exceeds $150, please do NOT use the Monthly Perks Host Code...you will have earned Stampin' Rewards of your own!)

Get your Stampin' Supplies in my ONLINE STORE, and Be sure to check out these Deals:
CLEARANCE RACK (Up to 60% OFF Retired Product)
BUNDLE & SAVE!!! (Annual Catalog Product Bundles at 10% OFF Everyday!)
BUNDLE & SAVE!!! (NEW HOLIDAY Catalog Product Bundles at 10% OFF Everyday!)
BEGINNER STAMPER?? (Click the link and Choose a PROJECT to BEGIN!)

~Kimberley Morris Colorado Springs, CO
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator since 1994
procrastistamper@gmail.com
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Advent Pocket Calendar Tutorial

NEWS FLASH: The Petite Pocket Bigz XL Die, and Rhinestone Basic Jewels are LOW STOCK, plus the sale on these items, as well as the 25 & Counting stamp set, Decorative Label Punch, and the 1" Square Punch (all used on this project) ends TOMORROW so go NOW and SHOP THE ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA IN MY ONLINE STORE!

This picture tutorial will show how to assemble 24 Petite Pockets, similar to the one pictured below, for a countdown to Christmas. You can display the pockets however you like, but the flap on each is Velcro® and designed to be closed over a string, to hang in a clothesline fashion. You can put string (or Baker's Twine) across a wall with temporary 3M Command hooks, or grab a large frame at a second-hand store and string a few rows from side to side, for display.

Step 1.) Stamp number images 1 through 24 from the 25 & Counting stamp set, onto Whisper White card stock, in Marina Mist, Gumball Green, and Cherry Cobbler, as shown below. Punch each number image out with the 1" Square Punch. Eight of the number images will stamped in each color, as follows:

Marina Mist - 1, 3, 6, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20
Gumball Green - 2, 4, 8, 12, 14, 18, 21, 23
Cherry Cobbler - 5, 7, 9, 11, 16, 19, 22, 24

Step 2.) Cut 12 sheets of Crumb Cake card stock in half, so you end up with 24 pieces at 4-1/4"x11". Run each sheet through the Big Shot, using the Petite Pocket Bigz XL Die. You will need to use Extended Cutting Pads for this, and I highly recommend using the Extended Crease Pad on top instead of one of the Cutting Pads. I find that a card stock shim under my die makes the cuts & scores perfect.

Step 3.) To prepare each of the pockets, first fold up the bottom long flap and burnish with bone folder. Then trim just a bit off each of the side flaps, at an angle, at the bottom. This removes some bulk, so you can adhere the flap smooth and flat. See the pictures below for a visual. [click on image to see it larger]

Step 4.) Open bottom flap, and burnish sides in towards center with bone folder. Apply very small stripes of Tombow Multipurpose Glue on side flaps, near the inside edge of each flap. Apply very small stripes of Tombow Multipurpose Glue on each side of bottom flap, near outside edge. [click on image to see it larger]

Step 5.) Hold pocket so that the bottom flap is flat on your work area. Then, fold the body of the pocket (with side flaps held in) over onto the flap. Press firmly to adhere. This is the easiest way to close/adhere the pocket in one simple move. [click on image to see it larger]

Step 6.) Punch (8) Decorative Label Punch pieces out of each color of card stock: Marina Mist, Gumball Green, and Cherry Cobbler. Take up one of your punches, and a coordinating Baker's Twine: Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade or Cherry Cobbler. Cut a 15" length of the Baker's Twine. Hold your punch at the edge of a ruler, and put the twine behind it, leaving a 3-1/2" trailing edge to the right of the punch, as shown below. [click on image to see it larger]

Step 7.) Holding the trailing 3-1/2" edge of twine firmly in place, wrap the left side of twine over the Decorative Punch Label twice, and bring it to the front. You should end up with the leftover bit of twine on top of the label, at approximately the same length as your 3-1/2" trailing edge. [click on image to see it larger]

Step 8.) Tie the two ends in a bow, trim ends if uneven. Add a Basic Rhinestone Jewel to the top of the tag. I used the largest size Rhinestone in the package. [click on image to see it larger]

Step 9.) Place two dimensionals on the back of the Decorative Label Punch, one at top and one at bottom. Place one dimensional in center back of coordinating color stamped number image. Adhere number image and Decorative Label Punch to pocket, as shown below. [click on image to see it larger]

Step 10.) If desired, apply self-adhesive Velcro® dots to flap for closure. Whenever I use these, I try to put the soft side on the flap, so you don't scratch your hand or the treat/enclosure when you slide it past the flap to put it inside the pocket. [click on image to see it larger]

That's really all there is to this project. It's just doing the same thing 24 times...which, if you are like me...can be very challenging to sit still long enough to accomplish! Small treats that aren't very bulky work best in these pockets. If you want to include a scripture in each pocket, here are some suggested passages:

http://www.catholic.org/clife/advent/advent.php?id=18
http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=32879&columnid=3881
http://www.crivoice.org/advent1.html
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/holidays/making-meaningful-christmas-memories/celebrate-advent.aspx

Stampin' Supplies: 25 & Counting stamp set, Petite Pocket Bigz XL Die (use with Big Shot, Extended Cutting Pads, Extended Crease Pad), Decorative Label Punch, 1" Square Punch, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Crumb Cake card stock, Whisper White card stock, Marina Mist card stock & ink, Gumball Green card stock & ink, Cherry Cobbler card stock & ink, Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Stampin' Dimensionals, Bone Folder, Tombow Multipurpose Glue.

~Kimberley Morris Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator since 1994
Colorado Springs, CO
procrastistamper@gmail.com
http://kimberley.stampinup.net (SHOP ONLINE)
BECOME A DEMONSTRATOR

Advent Pocket Calendar Sneak Peek 2

So sorry, I gave you a little tease about a project I am working on (advent envelopes) and told you I'd have the directions for you the next day...and that was on MONDAY! My kids are home for their Thanksgiving break, and we ended up having some last-minute medical appointments, which shifted things a couple of days. Then Thanksgiving was yesterday, and we cooked up a storm :-) And, unfortunately, I woke up a bit under the weather today. BUT--I'm feeling better, and hoping that after we run pick up a couple things from the store (wish us luck with Black Friday traffic), maybe I'll still have the energy to finish my project. It really is a simple project, I just need a little chunk of time to wrap it up.

In the meantime, here's another picture I managed to snap of my project in process:

If you want to get your supplies together, just check out THIS POST for the complete list of what you'll need. You're basically making 24 countdown envelopes. If you want to work ahead, take note: there are 8 pockets each of three colors, and the stamped color of the number image is the same color as the Decorative Label Punch on the front of the envelope. You can put whatever little treats or cards in your pockets that you want. Tiny chocolates like Dove squares or Hershey mini bars work great, and here are several sites with suggested advent scripture readings:

http://www.catholic.org/clife/advent/advent.php?id=18
http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=32879&columnid=3881
http://www.crivoice.org/advent1.html
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/holidays/making-meaningful-christmas-memories/celebrate-advent.aspx

~Kimberley Morris
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator since 1994
Colorado Springs, CO
procrastistamper@gmail.com
http://kimberley.stampinup.net (SHOP ONLINE)
BECOME A DEMONSTRATOR

Advent Pocket Calendar Sneak Peek

If you don't have a Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, you need to get one TODAY (Nov 19th, 2012) before 11:50pm MT, while it's still $20 OFF...and add a few more ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA SALE items to your order, to make a set of these cuties:

I'm hoping to show you the finished project tomorrow, and provide you some directions--they are really super simple. The sale items I'm going to use on this project are:

123794 25 & Counting stamp set CLEAR $32.95(reg) $16.48(sale) 50% OFF
-OR- 123792 25 & Counting stamp set WOOD $44.95(reg) $22.48(sale) 50% OFF
123131 Petite Pocket Bigz XL Die $42.95(reg) $30.07(sale) 30% OFF
124094 1" Square Punch $15.95(reg) $11.17(sale) 30% OFF
120907 Decorative Label Punch $16.95(reg) $11.87(sale) 30% OFF
119246 Rhinestone Basic Jewels $4.95(reg) $3.47(sale) 30% OFF

If you order your Big Shot at the sale price of $79.99 before the deadline tonight, and add on the items above, you will get $25 in Stampin' Rewards. To get you farther with this project, I suggest ordering some of the supplies from the remainder of the list:

Big Shot Extended Cutting Pads (if you don't have them)
Big Shot Extended Premium Crease pad (optional-but you will want it for this project)
Crumb Cake cardstock (1 pkg should make 2 calendars)
Whisper White cardstock
Marina Mist cardstock, and ink pad OR marker
Gumball Green cardstock, and ink pad OR marker
Cherry Cobbler cardstock, and ink pad OR marker
Island Indigo Baker's Twine
Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine
Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine
Stampin' Dimensionals
Tombow Multipurpose Glue

The only other thing you might want for this project, that you can't get from me, are some self-adhesive Velcro® dots. Stay tuned for the rest of the project--and especially if you don't already have a Big Shot, GET YOUR ORDER IN NOW, or you'll kick yourself in the morning (and I don't want you to do that)!

~Kimberley Morris
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator since 1994
Colorado Springs, CO
procrastistamper@gmail.com
http://kimberley.stampinup.net (SHOP ONLINE)
BECOME A DEMONSTRATOR

Advent Candy Wrappers

I told you a while back that I would post some info on assembling Advent Candy Wrappers, so here it comes!

CLICK HERE to download a PDF Tutorial.

In the tutorial, you will find reference to a YouTube video on folding these little treasures. I just want to thank Kirsteen for taking the time to make a video of the process. She uses almost exactly the same method I use, so there was no need for me to reinvent the wheel...plus, I LOVE listening to her accent and I'm sure you will, too ;-)

String 24 of these together in a garland and hang on a tree, or down a banister. Or, put magnets on the back and display them on a magnetic surface in the shape of a tree or wreath. Or, attach them to another project, like the frame of a Christmas Countdown.  Put treats in them, and/or little gifts or scripture verses for each day.

They are reusable, and they store flat, so once you've made them, they'll be around for a while. Be Warned: when your kids see these they might force you to make a separate set for each of them!!! Seriously, my son is 17 and not at all into my paper crafting, but he thinks these are SO cool.

Here is another shot of the Advent Candy Wrappers, without numbers, and blinged up a bit as favors.

FYI: Tonight is the last night to Become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator (enter my Recruiter Authorization Password: newdemonstrator) and get your Starter Kit at 50% OFF! That's only $87.50 for over $310 worth of stuff--even if you're just buying it to make holiday cards and projects, or as a crafting gift, it's an absolute STEAL.

Tonight is also the last night to Shop the Online Spectacular and enjoy up to 50% OFF and qualify for FREE SHIPPING.

The deadline is 11:50pm Mountain Time.

~Kimberley Morris
Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator since 1994
Colorado Springs, CO
procrastistamper@gmail.com
http://kimberley.stampinup.net (SHOP ONLINE)
BECOME A DEMONSTRATOR (my Recruiting Auth. Password is newdemonstrator)