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. 

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Autumn Gift Set

Happy Friday, everyone! I meant to post this last Wednesday to welcome the autumn season, but you know how it is. Oh well, I want to share with you what I made for my mom on her birthday. Her birthday almost always fall on the first day of fall, so I thought I'd use fall colors. 

The Designer Series Paper I used was from last year and has been retired. Sorry :-( 

I just love the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits. I put two pieces of fun size candy bars in it.

CASEd from a demo (Linda Persoon) swap I received at Convention. Isn't that Ronald McDonald's stamp set, Sprinkles of Life just too darn cute...and versatile? I am loving the Fringe Scissors.

I got the idea to create this adorable mini coffee cup (with Hershey kisses) in it from my upline, Karen Flores. I am really liking that Ronald McDonald's Sprinkles of Life stamp set.  

Corner Bookmark

Back of the Corner Bookmark

Make a Difference and buy Sprinkles of Life stamp set to support Ronald McDonald's House Charities

The coordinating Tree Builder Punch (138295) makes it all easy to create.  

I had so much fun creating all of the above. I think I will incorporate them in my upcoming Christmas/Holiday Giftables in November. I hope you can join us. 

Thank you for stopping by. Have a nice weekend, everyone!

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September 2015 Paper Pumpkin

I can't wait to play with my September Paper Pumpkin kit. I am set for my Halloween goodies. What an awesome idea to have Stampin' Up! do all the hard work and I just watch the video and put everything together. 

I hope you are already a Paper Pumpkin subscriber. If not, you can participate by supporting a very good cause.

Stamp Out Breast Cancer with Paper Pumpkin.

Stampin' Up! is showing their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, they are going PINK . . . or at least their October Paper Pumpkin boxes are! And because they know subscribers want to share the love too, they will be making a donation on your behalf to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

Stampin' Up! will donate $1 for every active Paper Pumpkin subscriber. Plus, an additional $1 for every new subscriber.
Together, we will make a difference!

Here's how you can help: 

Subscribe by October 10! If you're new to Paper Pumpkin, go to paperpumpkin.com and click join to get started. Please remember to choose me as your demonstrator: Melinda Pascual.

Your first kit will arrive in a limited-edition pink box that you'll want to hold onto forever-and we'll donate $2 because you're new!

Stay active if you're a subscriber so we can donate $1 for you. Only those who receive the October shipment will be counted for the donation.

Spread the word! Help us get as many new subscribers as possible. Every current subscriber adds $1 and for new subscribers it's doubled, so let's get the word out and raise as much as possible.

Remember, those who get the October kit will not only be donating to a good cause, but they will also get a one-time only, pretty pink Paper Pumpkin box! No one will want to miss it. Promise.

Thank you and have a wonderful week, everyone. 

Haunt Ya Later

I am going to take a break from Christmas cards to share with you my first Halloween card of the year! As soon as I saw this stamp set, Haunt Ya Later in the 2015 Holiday Catalog, I knew I had to have it. I couldn't resist and CASEd the card straight out of the catalog. It is so darn cute and any opportunity to watercolor? Yes, please! This cute little Dracula reminded me of my nephew, Max. He is the only kid I know who could totally pull-off a handsome Dracula. Another item I am crazy about recently is the Handheld Stapler. I just love how it's so efficient and easy to hold. 

CASEd directly from the Holiday Catalog

Haunt Ya Later (Wood 139696) Clear (139699)

Handheld Stapler (139083) Silver Mini Staples (135847)

Well, that is all I have for today. My chores await. 

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