Halloween Goodies

I took a couple of days off work to do stuff around the house such as clearing out my closet, pantry, organizing my crafting supplies and doing some major overhaul of clutter. Well, guess what I have been up to? I put together all these Halloween goodies for my kids and nieces and nephew. My daughter loves those Starbucks Mocha drinks and I have been hoarding the empty bottles hoping I could one day turn them into something...up-cycling, you know? Well, once I got started I could not stop. So, here they are. Aren't they so cute? I found the Dove Eye Balls Milk Chocolates from Target. I used my stash of retired Designer Series Paper and retired Halloween stamps. 

The Mini Treat Bag Frame lits are so amazing and easy to use. 

Well, that is all for today. I am going to try and do something from my check list and stop playing hooky. Have a great weekend, everyone! 

Some of the current items I used are below. 

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October 2015 Paper Pumpkin

I am so excited about this month's Paper Pumpkin kit. It is such an amazing kit and knowing in some small way I am able to contribute towards the fight against breast cancer just makes this kit even more special. I think I need to write "kit" one more time. Haha!

I hope you are already a Paper Pumpkin subscriber. If not, it is never too late to join the fun and creativity in a box. 

Please subscribe by November 10th in order to receive next month's kit by going to mypaperpumpkin.com and please remember to choose me as your Demonstrator: Melinda Pascual.

Versatile Hardwood

One of the things I love about rubber stamps is its ability to alter a piece of plain paper or fabric and transform it into something completely different. Background stamping is absolutely one of the easiest ways to start if you're new to card making or paper crafting. Lately, I find myself a little obsessed over this single stamp called, Hardwood (Wood 133032 Clear 133035). 

I love old-fashioned things made of wood. I would like to attribute this to my father's business in the Philippines when I was growing-up. This was way back when furnitures took weeks to build. My father used to custom draw each piece according to his client's wishes. Then, he and his team would create these amazingly beautiful furnitures all individually handcrafted, elaborately hand-carved and hand varnished. I grew up hearing Narra this, Narra that. That was how most of the high quality ones were made out of - Narra trees. I can still smell the sweetness of its wood shavings, which my younger sister and I used to collect to fire-up our stove for cooking. I used to also help around the "shop" sanding, sweeping or serving the guys bland coffee in recycled Nescafe jars.  I have many memories of just hanging-out with my father's crew aka "trabajadors" majority of them were relatives and watching them work. I remember being in awe to witness pieces of wood come in and slowly be transformed into beautiful masterpieces. Oh, and when they put in those "imbute" or Carabao bone inlay and turn penciled sketches on wood into amazing designs? It was pure talent. The process of it all was just magic to a little girl like me. Perhaps that is why I like arts & crafts and anything handmade. 

Anyway, check out below these two different cards with the same Hardwood background. What a versatile stamp and a must have to add to your collection. It is also perfect to use on masculine cards. 

To order products used to create the adorable card above, please click below. You can even print-out the supply list simply by clicking the Supply List on the bottom left corner. Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

To order products used to create the adorable card above, please click below. You can even print-out the supply list simply by clicking the Supply List on the bottom left corner. 

That's all for now. Thank you for stopping by.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Sheltering Tree

It just occurred to me that today marks our 26th year here in the United States. Coincidentally, today is also my 10th year anniversary as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. It's a special day to celebrate and also to give thanks. If there's anything I have learned in my 26 years here in United States, it's to be grateful and to always remember my blessings. Our first ten to fifteen years here were very challenging, and that's putting it mildly. There were many times I seriously thought going back to the Philippines would have been easier. As I am typing this while recalling our past experiences, I am giving myself a high five because I did not quit. I did not give-up trying and I did not stop believing that life does get better. There are so many things I am thankful for. Really, it would take all day. However, today I am truly thankful for the US of America - what a beautiful and generous country! It's been an honor to be here. Someday, when I am old and gray, I will be proud to say that I did not waste the opportunities United States graciously tossed my way.  I am also thankful for Stampin' Up! I remember ten years ago when we had just moved to California from Alaska and I was so lonely here. I didn't know anyone other than a few people from the office. Then my co-worker Emily showed me her Stampin' Up! catalog and introduced me to my upline, Karen Flores - my life changed just like that. It was love at first sight of the catalog. Smile. Stampin' Up! helped me cope, it kept me busy and gave me this wonderful world of rubber stamps, ink and paper. Creativity has been a healing tool for me, my escape or refuge for when life gets stressful and overwhelming. I am so thankful today and I love this life.  

I love all the colors of fall, don't you? 

Well, that's all for today. Have an awesome Tuesday, everyone!

To order products used to create the adorable card above, please click below. You can even print-out the supply list simply by clicking the Supply List on the bottom left corner. 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog