Late Summer Outdoor Photos- Stan Hywet

Some photos I took while visiting Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron, Ohio

Birch lined pathway

water lilies

flowers in front of birches

bee

Halloween Treat Bags

I made these quick, easy, and inexpensive Halloween gift bags for my daughters. I love to give Halloween goodies. I soon will be doing this for my grandson. Although, I got him a Halloween book and pumpkin hat and booties, I just laid the hat and booties on the board book and wrapped with ribbon. It was the perfect little presentation. 

These easy and inexpensive bags can also be used for "Boo Bags". Have you been "Booed"? I have been "Booed" several times through the years and this years they even had it going at the school I mainly work in. Its fun- a nice way to do random acts of kindness and surprise someone with goodies. 

I found these adorable polka dot bags at Hobby Lobby (large lunch bag size- package of 10) for less than $4. I simply placed some Washi Tape on a wide black clothes pin (Target $1 spot). I used EK success bat punch and adhered to the front of the clothes pins. The clothes pins hold the tag on the front of the bags. I colored the cute owl images with Copic Markers. Man, I struggled with this, I have not colored with these in so long and am slightly out of touch. The stamp is from outlinerubberstamps.com. I picked this up many years ago at a local convention.

I often do gifts this way. These bags are perfect for smaller gifts and are so much more inexpensive. I can get a package of tissue paper at Dollar Tree and a package of these bags at Hobby Lobby  and have enough to do 10 gifts for $5. Once you add a unique and colorful tag to the front, its more special than the store bought image front bags. 

Halloween Mini Sanitizer Holders

 Hello blogging friends. Its been a major long time since I last posted. I apologize for that. Gosh, life gets in the way a lot the time, doesn't it? A lot has been happening in my life- My oldest daughter got married last fall. That same daughter has given my first grandchild ( boy) and I couldn't be more happy.  I have had some family members with illness/ injuries and making strides in recovery. I have been dabbling in photography (something I have always wanted to do more with) and am loving it.  I have been working on a 3 year project with some colleagues, through a Grant from Ohio Dept. of Education, that is finally up and running as of 3 weeks ago. I have to admit, I have done very little crafting and wow..., did my life feel busy, chaotic, stressful and lopsided without crafting. I did some crafting last winter, this summer, and recently but, not enough to keep me from stress and provide balance.

  I decided to make some of these mini hand sanitizer holders that I found on Erica Cerwin's Pink Buckaroo SU! blog and FB page (the YouTube video tutorial can be found in the link). She is so talented and creative, love following her. Since I have not stamped in so long, I found it difficult to get into the groove and was not happy with anything I stamped and layered to make accent on front. I decided stickers and punches would satisfy for now. It may take me a while to get back into the groove... I hate when I feel this way.

Holder #1: I used Martha Stewart's jack-o-lantern punch, SU wiggly eyes, along with Recollections (Hobby Lobby) jack-o-lantern puffy stickers for the first couple (left). Ultra fine glitter added to further accent the nose. 

Holder #2: I used the same Recollections (Hobby Lobby) jack-o-lantern puffy stickers,  Recollections (Hobby Lobby) glitter foam bat stickers,  SU! fringe scissors (grass), and SU! 'eek' stamp. Misc. decorative papers. Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla,  SU! card stock.

Holder #3: I used Recollections ( Hobby Lobby) bat stickers and SU! 'spooky' stamp. 

Holder #4: SU! 'boo' stamp, Recollections (Hobby Lobby) witch leg stickers. Misc decorative papers. SU! Pumpkin Pie, and Old Olive card stock.  

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to add more crafts more regularly.