CHALK COUTURE FALL DECOR

I recently signed up to sell for Chalk Couture. This is a fairly new company that is taking the craft world by storm. Their chalkboards range from 8x12" to 24x36" and are magnetic and high quality.  You can also chalk various other surfaces like; glass, wood, metal, paper, plastic. You spread a chalk paste over unique transfer stencils to make wonderfully unique designs. 

The pastes are temporary if you choose them to be. Just wipe the surface clean and do something else when ready for a change. If you love it, you can also keep the design and make things more permanent- possibly seal it. 

I had some chalkboards cut to 8x10" at the hardware store. I bought a rustic frame to fit around my chalkboard at Hobby Lobby for 50% off. After waxing the chalk surface and allowing to set for 24 hours, I chalked various leaves from the Sept Chalk Special set. 

The leaf framed chalkboard uses 6 colors that are the October Special (buy 6 chalk pastes for the price of 5). I love the vibrancy of the colored chalk. I love the way it turned out. I will wipe it clean and do something else for winter when I redecorate the entryway table for the Holidays. 

Using the brick and mustard chalk pastes, I added design to a decorative piece I bought at Target (minus the bottles). I finally found some bottles that fit at Hobby Lobby. Yes! I can finally use this for decoration. I held onto it for a long time because eI really liked it. 

Fall White Chocolate Snack Mix

INGREDIENTS

1/2 of 10 oz bag of mini pretzels

2 1/2 Cups of Honey Nut Cheerios

2 1/2 Cups Wheat Chex cereal

1 Cup dry roasted peanuts

1 ( 12 oz) pkg Fall colored M & Ms

2 Cups candy corn

1 (12 oz) package white chocolate melting chips

1 1/2 T vegetable oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1) combine the cereals, nuts, and candies in an extra large bowl. Set aside. 

2) In a microwave safe bowl, heat white chips and vegetable oil on high for 60- 80 seconds. Stir until completely melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat. your chocolate will get grainy and be ruined. 

3) Pour melted chocolate over everything in the bowl and mix thoroughly until all dry ingredients are  coated with white chocolate.

4) Spread the mix out onto parchment paper, wax paper, or foil on counter top. Allow to cool for 30-60 mins. 

5) Break apart and place in individual cello or plastic bags or into large bowl with airtight seal. 

ENJOY! 

*NOTE*

I had nearly 1/2 can of dry roasted peanuts left and nearly1/3 bag of candy corn left after making this yummy snack mix. I mixed the nuts and candy corn together in a bowl and poured back into the peanut jar to make another 'salty and sweet' snack mix (see pictured above in peanut jar). This mix tastes just like a Payday candy bar. So easy! So quick! My kind of snacks. 

"Bring on the Trick-or-Treaters"!!!!!

Trick or Treat Bags

Ghost stamp- Doodle Factory

Jack-o-lantern stamp- Martha Stewart

Black cat stamp- Target $ 1 spot-  manufacturer unknown

skull stamp- Archiver's $1 spot ( years ago)- Manufacturer unknown

I found these adorable treat bags at Target this season. I knew when I saw the patterns on the bags, that I had stamps that would coordinate. I used some tags that I had in a drawer  from past seasons (Making Memories). I stamped the coordinating images using Momento Black ink onto SU! very vanilla card stock. I colored or added shadowing to each image using Copic Markers. I  cut each image and attached to the tag using pop dots. I love the way they turned out.  Simple. Cute. 

We don't get many trick- or- treaters anymore on our street so I made these for the few that do come. I filled each 4.5"x 7" bag with pencils, erasers, chocolate, vampire teeth, trinket toys, and min memo pad all coordinating with the bag extras pattern. I think our older trick- or- treaters will love them! I will have them on my buffet table on my front porch and each kiddo can pick the one they like. 

Blue China Gift Ensembles

I used E6000 adhesive to make these blue china pedestal dishes using a plate and bowl. I found the china plates at Home Goods and the bowls at an antique store last summer. I knew the blue floral pattern around the plate edge would match great with the recipe boxes and all the paper patterns on the cards inside the recipe boxes. I wrapped each package in a cellophane basket bag (Dollar Tree),  attached a tag along with 2 blue ornaments,  and then tied a seam binding navy ribbon bow. I love the way these turned out. I am excited to give them as Christmas/ Birthday gifts to a few special ladies in my family in the coming months. 

Each recipe box contains 24  handmade cards and a book of stamps

 (specific details and images of cards are on yesterdays blog post) 

 

Blue ornaments and Copic colored tags. Thanks of stopping by. Come again soon. 

Cards, Cards, and More Cards

I created 96 cards coordinating with the boxes for Christmas gifts for some of the women in my family. Each box contains 24 cards and a book of postage stamps. I completed the near 100 cards in 5 days (vacation time).  I used a 4"x6" pad of blue patterned paper (purchased at Hobby Lobby) that matched the recipe boxes I found on clearance. I used pre folded cards with envelopes also purchased at Hobby Lobby. 

I completed all these cards for less than $20 (not including adhesive or the books of stamps). Not bad for 4 gifts. I then went further in packaging them in a unique way  (tomorrow's blog post). The entire purchase costs $48 for 4 lovely handmade gifts. 

Copic coloring 

Gamsol/ Prismacolor pencil coloring

paper piecing and Copic coloring

Copic coloring and dew drops

Chalk/ pastel coloring 

Paper piecing and Copic coloring 

Not Quite Navy ink used

Copic coloring 

Not Quite Navy ink used

Another glimpse of the variety of cards made for gift boxes. 

In Everything Give Thanks

Another glimpse into some more Home decor items  made with vinyl using my circuit. Available for sale in my Etsy store. 

PAPERCUTIESworkshop

Stamp & Scrapbook Expo Card Swap

I joined a card swap (first time in many years) at a local Scrapbook/ Stamp Convention. This is my submission. Stamp: Impression Obsession, Welcome mat. I stamped image with Momento Black ink. Used a sponge dauber to add color to the wood brain throughout the image. I used Copics to color bold parts of image. I added orange dew drops, vintage twine, and wooden pumpkin embellishment (Darice). Hand doodling done with brown Zig Memory System Writer. I love how it turns out. 

4.25" x 5.5" card (A1 size) 

Halloween Decor Using Vinyl and Cricut Machine

Some more items I made using vinyl and my Cricut machine. All available in my Easy shop. 

PAPERCUTIESworkshop

                                   

Blue Apron

I started using this home deliver meal service about 6 mos. ago and I really have enjoyed the meals and the meal prep. I love that it is all pre-measured, pre-packaged, and fresh.  It is also good portion control. 

Although it averages about $20 a meal, it is still cheaper than ordering or eating out in which, I was doing a lot of.  I have learned several cooking tricks. I also have used ingredients that I've never heard of and/or used before. Its been fun. It has definitely fed my desire to go to cooking school. 

 Here are photos of a few of my favorite meals I have made using their recipes and ingredients. 

Cajun catfish with collard greens and dirty rice. 

Cheddar Cheese Burgers with Tossed salad. 

Grilled plantain panini torts with oaxaca cheese

Lamb, beef, and mushroom stew with parmesan potatoes

Chicken Yakiniku with sesame marinated carrots 

Falafel Pitas with garlic  Sweet potatoes

Smoky seared cod with roasted potatoes and dates

Spinach and mozzerella pizza

Mushroom and Goat cheese quiche with arugula salad

Seared chicken with tomatillo salsa

Chicken meatballs and fregola sarda

Honey Rhubarb Chicken with fingerling potatoes

Copper and Black Halloween Decor

I have been playing around with cutting vinyl on my Cricut machine for the first time. Its so fun! I love all the things I can use vinyl on. I attached the copper jack-o-lantern and/ or owl to a wood block shelf, a mason jar candle holder, and a ceramic mug. I love how they all turn out. All are available for sale in my Easy store located here:  PAPERCUTIESworkshop