Halloween Countdown Magnetic Board - Dyspeptic Acres

Tin pail with magnetic spiders

Magnetic Board Decorated for Halloween Count-up

Spiders on Magnetic Board

On Wall

While I was working on the Countdown to Halloween Activity jar posted here and here, I started thinking about a simpler countdown project.  This is the brainchild I created.

This is one of my favorite home decor items that I have made.  It was easy, and a tiny bit time consuming, but loads of fun. My husband said it really should be called a Halloween Countup rather than a countdown because the spiders are added instead of taken away. Each day a new spider is placed onto the board in numerical order. Here is a video explaining it a little bit further:

However you use it, I hope you have a good time with this project.

"Dyspeptic Acres" Magnet Board for Halloween Countdown

Artiste Cricut Cartridge

Materials and Cricut Cuts:

Red Magnetic Chalkboard

Artbooking Cricut Cartridge

Artistry Cricut Collection

Black Cardstock

Slate Cardstock

Whisper Cardstock

White Daisy Pigment Ink

Embossing Powder

Artiste page 76  Web is Accent 4 - Slate fit to page = 10 3/4

Artiste page 76 Cat is Card Shift - Black 2"

Artiste page 77 Spiders are Accent 4 Shift - Black 1 1/2" (Autofill cuts 42 pieces)

Artiste letters are Caps cut at 2 1/4" 

Artistry page 43 Bats are Shift key - Black 1" cut qty 3

Artistry page 43 Bat border is Background Shift - Black fit to page = 1"

Artbooking page 54 Owl is Border Shift - Slate fit to page = 35 1/2"

Artbooking page 54 Spiders are Overlay Shift keys - Black 6" and 7" 

Artbooking page 55 "Halloween"  is Title Shift - Black fit to page = 12 1/2"

Artbooking page 55 Rat is Overlay Shift - Black 

Artbooking page 71 Big Bat on wall is Icon Shift - Black fit to page = 38 1/2"

Artbooking page 71 Haunted House is Border Shift - Whisper fit to page = 15 1/4"

Little Monsters Stamp Set  C1630 and Etched Alphabet Set A1182 (available after September 1, 2015) stamped with archival black ink. Monsters colored/shaded with watercolor pencils. Alphabet was used to make sign for haunted house on scrap paper.

Thank you for stopping by today!

Bev

Countdown to Halloween with CTMH's Cricut Artistry - Part 2

*** This is the second of a two-part post.  The list of 50 Halloween activites is in the previous post  here. ***

It is really rewarding to make something that your kids enjoy.  My 10 year old thinks it will be fun to select one of the die-cut activity - suggestions I made with the Artistry Cricut cartridge as a countdown to Halloween. She is still at an age that it is ok to think that something is cute and fun, even if her mom had something to do with it.  

If your family isn't into doing the types of activities that were posted on the post immediately preceding this one, maybe they would enjoy having you make the die cuts into little note cards to tuck into their lunch box or place on their pillow.  You could write funny or scary Halloween jokes or quotes.  Or maybe lines from a poem; after a few days, there might be enough lines combined to recite the entire poem.  Or that same idea could be used for a Halloween song, Thriller maybe? Or you could write affirmations. Or inspiring or loving thoughts.  Or make a Halloween Tree and use them as ornaments and skip the word-part altogether.  However you use the Artistry cartridge, I know you will enjoy your creations!

Here is a video that shows a little more detail about the cuts.

The cardstock colors and cuts are as follows:
Artistry Page 43 -  Hlloween key for activity/ornament shapes

• White Daisy ghosts -  @ 3 1/2", 9 will fit on a 12 x 12 page using the autofill function

• Black bats - Shift @ 1" nets a bat with a wingspan just over 3 1/4"

• White Daisy ghost costumes for monsters - Icon 1 Shift @ 3 1/2", 6 will fit on 12 x 12 page, @ 3 1/4" 9 cuts fit on page with autofill

• Hydrangea and Citrus Leaf monsters (under ghost costumes) - Icon 1 @ 3 1/2" and @ 3 1/4" to layer under ghost costume cuts

• Canary or Buttercup pumpkin (bottom layer) of jack-o-lantern - Icon 2 @ 3 1/4", 9 will fit on a 12 x 12 page

• Orange jack-o-lantern face - Icon 2 Shift @ 3 1/4"

• Whisper and White Daisy circles - Shape @ 3 1/2", autofill = 9 cuts on 12 x 12 paper

• Eggplant EEK! - Shape Shift @ 3 1/2"

• Eggplant Bats in circle - Layer @ 3 1/2"

• White Daisy circle that looks sort of like the Underground symbol - Layer Shift @ 3 1/2"

• Eggplant banner bottom layer - Banner @ 3 1/2"

• White Daisy banner top layer - Banner Shift @ 3 1/2"

CTMH Cricut Artistry Jack O Lantern

Artistry Page 43 - Hlloween key for decorative accents

• Black bat border used to go around large vase holding "Halloween Tree" - Background Shift @ 1" which is the same as if using Fit to Page function

Artistry Page 44 - Fall  key for activity/ornament shapes

• Creme brulee pumpkin with stem - Icon 2 @ 3 1/2", 6 cuts using autofill

• Sunset top layer of pumpkin - Icon 2 Shift @ 3 1/2"

Artbooking Page 54 - U key for activity/ornament shapes

• Black spiders - Overlay Shift @ 2" and 3"

Artbooking Page 55 - I key for decorative accents

• Black rat by vase and pumpkin on left - Overlay Shift @ Fit To Page

• Orange Trick or Treat hanging on wall - Title @ 17 1/4" which is what appears on screen when using Fit To Page

Artbooking Page 70  - C key for decorative accents

• Black bird perched on Halloween Tree - Icon @ 50 1/2" which is what appears on screen when using Fit To Page

• Black spider hanging over Trick or Treat sign - Border Shift @ 39" which is what appears on screen when using Fit To Page

Artiste Page 77 - Hallween key for decorative accents

• Black spiders on top of pumpkin jar lid - Accent 4 Shift @ 1 1/2"

I hope that you enjoy this project and make lots of fun memories doing some of the activities.

Thank you so much for visiting!

Beverly

CTMH Cricut Artistry Collection - Gift With Purchase!

Happy August 1st!  Yes, this is my third and final post for today!  The first one has the links to the select new CTMH products that are available one month earlier than the launch date of the new catalog. You can find that post here.  

The second one showcases the new Zoe paper packet that I used for a cute Owl Mini-Album. 

You can find that post here. 

Which brings me to the really important part of this post....  How to receive free stuff when you order the new CTMH/Cricut Artistry Cartridge Collection! (Click here to see all the images.)

CTMH Artistry Cartridge Collection

The newest cartridge includes shapes spanning a wide variety of themes, holidays, and seasons to add some visual spice to any project you create. Get back to basics with the unique font, banners, layered shapes, borders, backgrounds, and other fun icons you'll find on this cartridge. All of the designs are a must for any crafter!

Collection includes:

1 – Cartridge (700 images: Shapes, Layers, Banners, Borders, Backgrounds, and Font)

3 – My Acrylix® D-size Stamp Sets

1 – Enchantment Cardstock Combo Pack

When you place your order through my website you will also receive FREE Stuff from me! You do not need to put these items in your shopping cart because they will be sent directly to you from me in Arizona. The Artistry Cricut Collection will be shipped from CTMH in Utah.  If you wish to purchase the August SOTM or any other items from my website, please do so!  They will be shipped from CTMH with your Cricut cartridge.

CTMH August SOTM $5 with qualifying purchase

With every CTMH/Cricut Cartridge Collection purchase I will automatically send the following items to you:

1 - 2015/2016 Idea Book and Catalog ($6 value)

1 - Holiday Expressions Supplement 2015 ($1 value)

1 - Owl #1 Chipboard Book kit (8 1/2" x 5 3/4") - this post has the photos of the unfinished book, which is how it will arrive.  It has 17 pieces of kraft chipboard die-cuts for pages, covers and an owl to decorate and bind as you desire. ($4.95 value plus the postage = $10.70 value)

And for those of you who would prefer to buy the Artistry Digital Collection, I am offering the same great gift!

Cricut Artistry Digital Collection

Contains the same shapes, stamp sets, and cardstock as the cartridge collection. The only difference is the 700 images are accessed using an online code rather than a physical cartridge.*

*Available only for use with Cricut® Explore™ and Cricut® Explore Air™.

With every CTMH/Cricut Cartridge Collection purchase from my CTMH website, I will automatically send the following items to you:

1 - 2015/2016 Idea Book and Catalog ($6 value)

1 - Holiday Expressions Supplement 2015 ($1 value)

1 - Owl #1 Chipboard Book kit - this post has the photos of the unfinished book, which is how it will arrive.  It consists of a 17 piece kraft chipboard die-cut kit - pages, covers and an owl to decorate. ($4.95 value plus the postage = $10.70 value)

Any of the CTMH/Cricut Collections purchased from my website will receive this special, limited time offer.

At the beginning of the check-out process, a "Join One of Beverly's Gatherings" prompt appears.  Please Join the "Artistry Celebration" Gathering.

Thank you very much for your business. I appreciate it.

Beverly

Advent Cookie Calendar With Artiste Noel Bags

CTMH Seaside Paper and Magical Days Stamp

This year's Advent Calendar is a little different than the ones I've done in the past, here, here, and here.  It seemed like a fun idea to combine a few of our favorite things - paper crafting, cookies and the Christmas tree.  I wanted to use non-traditional paper so I chose paper that went with our family room's decor. This would be a great project to use up lots of different papers from one's stash.

Sugar Cookies Cut from 1.5" Wilton Cookie Cutters

Having gifts hanging from the tree branches seems to fit with my sense of nostalgia this year.  Doing the assembling seemed to be a perfect fit for my ten year old's idle time over Thanksgiving Break, too. Lately, I've been under the weather and she was a big help and the motivator for getting this project done. She also was the one to choose the Cricut diecut.

Tree decorated with lights and Advent gifts

The Noel Bag on page 79 in the Artiste booklet lists the cut size as 5".  The cookies are very small and didn't require that large of a container. Also, I wanted to get two bags from each 12 x 12 paper, so we cut them at 3.25".  Pictured below is a snack size package of M & M's in front of the bag cut at 5". The little wrapped angel cookie peaking out of the smaller bag is a perfect fit.  The bag on the right is not stamped because I decided to use only the Seaside paper for this countdown to Christmas project.

Realizing that the cookies were likely to be inedible on Day 24, I had to revise my plan a wee bit.  The cookies could be frozen and added to the bags as needed.  Or new cookie creations could be added as they are made during the month.  Or the one that made it possible for me to fill all of the bags at one time and works well for my family was plan C. (Or maybe it is Plan D?) Darling Daughter loved having activities instead of treats in her Advent calendar in past years, so we opted for some of the weekend days and Winter Break days to have family activities instead of stale cookies.

Here is a list of Christmas Countdown activities that I posted three years ago from one of the previous Advent projects:

Countdown to Christmas Activities:

Check out the weather at the North Pole

Play Christmas Tic Tac Toe or Checkers

Track Santa’s flight with NORAD (on Christmas Eve)

Prepare milk, cookies and carrots for Santa and the Reindeer tonight!

Listen to Christmas music while making a Christmas treat

Go to Zoo Lights and see Christmas lights
Take an evening stroll to look at holiday lights
Write a letter to Santa Claus
Visit Santa Claus at Daddy’s work
Go to Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Botanical Garden

Make an ornament
Help decorate the Christmas tree
Buy a new ornament for the Christmas tree
Cuddle by the fireplace or Christmas tree and listen to Christmas music or read holiday stories
Decorate the house
Put up Christmas lights
Make Christmas M & M Pretzels

Set up the Nativity creche
String popcorn and cranberries
Make gift tags
Make a handcrafted gift
Watch a holiday movie, and eat popcorn
Sing along with holiday music or the karaoke
Read a holiday book
Research holiday customs in a country where you have an interest

Buy and deliver Toys For Tots

Bake and decorate sugar cookies
Decorate a gingerbread house
Read the Christmas story
Share Christmas memories over hot cocoa with marshmallows
Make Peanut Butter Blossoms

Take cookies to the neighbors
Go caroling
Take a drive to find snow
Play in the snow  (We can't do this in Phoenix!)
Make and address Christmas cards
Make a Christmas craft
Get a plain stocking and decorate it
Make a paper Christmas chain
Cut out paper snowflakes
Make edible ornaments for birds
Wear your new Christmas pajamas
Take a family photo
Visit someone who needs cheering up
Volunteer where there is a need in your community

Wrap presents
Go Christmas shopping for a shut-in
Shop for stocking stuffers
Donate food to a local food bank
Play a board game
Make a special meal

Some of the days I put an activity and a treat in the bag.  There are lots of other treats that will fit in these sweet little all-occasion bags. These would look adorable hanging from a garland. Or if they were cut smaller, they would be so cute used on a wreath.

CTMH Yuletide Carol Paper

List of supplies:
CTMH Artiste Cartridge
Magical Days Stamp Set
Seaside Paper
Liquid Glass
Yuletide Carol Paper Packet
Wilton Cookie Cutters
Sugar Cookie Dough and Royal Icing
Assorted Candies

Thank you for visiting today!
Beverly

Cyber Monday - Just Announced! 20% Off Cricut Collections!

 

For the first time ever, Close To My Heart is offering a Cyber Monday Sale on Monday, December 1, 2014. There has never been a better time to buy Close To My Heart’s exclusive Cricut® Collections for 20% off the retail price. Whether you love scrapbooking, cardmaking, or creating 3-D projects, our four exclusive Cricut® collections make the perfect addition to any craft room! Sale starts at midnight (MST) on December 1 and ends at 11:59 pm Monday night.  Please visit my website here to take advantage of this ONE Day Only discount.

You will be able to take advantage of this special deal as long as it is submitted between 12:00 am and 11:59 pm (MST) on Monday, December 1. Enjoy extra savings on Close To My Heart's exclusive Cricut® collections this Cyber Monday!

Also, with any Cricut Collection purchase you will automatically qualify for the Deal of the Decade! C and D size stamps for $10 each!  Details about this promotion are posted below.

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Close To My Heart’s revolutionary My Acrylix® clear polymer stamps—and we can’t wait for you to celebrate with us! With a qualifying purchase of $50 during the month of December, you will be eligible to purchase ANY C- or D-size stamps from the Annual Inspirations 2014–2015 idea book for only $10. That’s up to $7.95 USD/$9.75 CAD of savings on a single stamp set! Plus, once you achieve the qualifying order total, there is no limit to the number of eligible stamp sets you can purchase at this discounted price. A purchase of $50 will also qualify you to receive the December Stamp of the Month for only $5, so if you purchase both the discounted Stamp of the Month and additional stamps at this special campaign pricing your savings will compound! It is truly the deal of the decade.

*Deal of the Decade Offer valid December 1, 2014 (9:00 am MST)–December 31, 2014 (11:59 pm MST). Shipping/handling is calculated based on the full retail price of the discounted items (C-size stamp set: $13.95 USD/$15.25 CAD; D-size stamp set: $17.95 USD/$19.75 CAD).

Just a reminder that today is the last day of the Lucky Five Studio J Sale.

Thank you for your business.  I hope you are able to take advantage of some of the amazing discounts that CTMH is offering this holiday season.

Beverly

"I Want to Earn Some Money, Mom" - Odd Jobs for Kids Board

Work For Hire - Odd Jobs Pockets

Hello!  This project came about because I wanted to make something attractive and interactive for my daughter, who was looking for a way to earn a little cash.... And I didn't want to have any nagging or whining from either of us.

CTMH Designed Decor Frame

By listing the potential tasks and combining them with the 'going rate' (at my house,) she can choose what extra chore she wants to perform in order to get a little extra money.  She is very excited by the prospect of being in control of her choices. It is a Win-Win situation because these tasks should get done, but are not high on my priority list right now.

 Pockets and Tags Cut With Artiste Cartridge

Double-Side Seaside B & T Duos Paper Pockets

This short video explains my work-for-hire-system.

Here is the supply list:

CTMH Designed Decor Colonial White Frame

Cricut Artiste Collection

Seaside Paper Packet











Colonial White Cardstock
Mini Clothespins
Gold Polka Dot Washi Tape
Sewing Machine/Thread
Masking tape to adhere the thread to back of frame
Printer/Copy Paper
Dollar Bills (or fives or tens or twenties - depending on the task and your level of generosity)

Here is the list of jobs formatted in three columns on two pages:

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you for visiting today!
Beverly

Free CTMH Cricut Collection for New Consultants in April

Join Close To My Heart as an Independent Consultant April 1–30, 2014, and receive your favorite "art-full" Close To My Heart Cricut^® collection FREE! Our New Consultant Kit is just $99 and comes packed with nearly triple the retail value in products and supplies to help you succeed. 
Plus, when you qualify for the Straight To The Top program, you will be refunded the price of your New Consultant Kit. Select your FREE Cricut^® collection—retail priced at $99—when you order your New Consultant Kit and watch your new business soar!

Art Philosophy

Artbooking

Artiste

If you have thought about becoming a consultant, April is the month to do it!

Please email me at Stampinbev@msn.com if you have any questions.
Beverly