"I Love" Sunday's v.81

Hello Dreamers! 

I hope this Sunday finds you very well.

** October Daily has definitely started! For which I am super stoked. I've shared some pictures on my IG account and I shared a video yesterday on my YouTube channel of my first week's flip through. I got a completely new album, which is discussed in the video, and I love it SO MUCH MORE!

** My mini pocket letter from Eny came in and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! She is super sweet and I love everything that she sent me!

** Wednesday I shared with you all a look at my first ever flip book inspired by Sam of Halloween Happy.

** My kit came in from Serena Bee and I am super stoked! I bought her stamp set from last year because I just couldn't resist. The first thing that I did? Use the stamps in my planner. I'll share a picture of this on my IG tomorrow!

** This week is the last week of my Introduction to Human Services class (it was only an 8 week class). For this I am thankful because while I like the subject matter, the teacher left something to be desired and everything was crammed into a short period of time. Tuesday was my last day in class, which is where we presented our power points about our service learning projects and Thursday was the actual last day, where we just stayed home and took our last test. I think I would have liked the class more if we had more time and a different teacher.

** Lee had 24 hour duty Wednesday but has been off since Thursday at 0900.... and doesn't go back to work until Tuesday morning. That's a lot of time off. Haha. We went out and he bought a new video game that he has been obsessed with and played non-stop.

** Since I didn't have class Thursday (just tests), Lee and I decided to go to Red Lobster because his mother sent us a $25 gift card for no reason. It was very sweet of her and the food was amazing! It was nice to have a mini date night together!

** Hurricane Matthew hit North Carolina early yesterday morning and it has been one hell of an adventure. Our city wasn't quite prepared for the flooding that would happen, but that is mostly just because of the flooding from last week's storm. There were a LOT of rescues that day (around 700) and FEMA from NYPD and FDNY, NJ, OH, and Charlotte, NC came to help out, which makes my heart happy. I don't know if there were many (or any) casualties here in Fayetteville, but it is going to take us a while to recover. There are still a lot of areas that are flooded, schools are still shut down, and now we're having water problems. Fayetteville, being the military town that it is, will persevere.

The photo on the left is the two houses across the street as it started flooding. By the time it was all said and done the flooding had reached our driveway, but we got lucky that we didn't have any damage. The house on the right of that picture had sand bags in front of their garage door and the water over ran the sand bags. They didn't appear to have much damage (we went around the neighborhood today to see the damage and there wasn't much to people's homes).

The picture on the right was where the road was washed away right down the road from me. My nephew took that photo right after it happened because they heard it fall apart. It's a main road in our neighborhood so it's going to be interesting to see how this affects us in the long run. The guard rail and part of the road is now gone. The picture below is what it looked like from a better angle.

** We had my classmate Jakki and her husband over for dinner last night because they had no water and no power. We had a blast because we decided to crack open my new Cards Against Humanity box that I just bought from Target. It was hysterical and I can't wait to do it again. It was kind of hard to get all of us in the picture... that's part of Lee's face at the bottom. It's a weird photo, but I definitely kind of like it. My friend's husband always makes funny faces in pictures as you can see below.

.: Little Loves :.

|| All the Halloween movies that we've been watching | Extra time with Lee | October Daily videos on YouTube | Gatorade | No school | Dr. Pepper ||

What are you loving from this past week?

October Daily 2016: Days 1-4

Hello Ghoulish Dreamers!

Sorry.... I can't help myself. October really is my favorite month out of the year (followed closely by December) so I am having way too much fun with this.

Today I wanted to share with you a look at Days 1-4 of my October Daily. You can watch the video here, but for those of you that want more information about the spreads, this is definitely the right place for you!

This is the new album that I bought from Hobby Lobby. Originally the heart was pink and glittery, but I took some purple spray paint and changed the color of the heart. The October stickers are from Crate Paper from last year and the numbers are Fancy thickers from American Crafts.

Once you open my album, this is the first thing that you see. I bought the plaid paper from Hobby Lobby and just mounted it on some black card stock. On top of that I mounted a cupcake liner embellishment that I created. The witch is a Crafty Paws digital stamp and the Happy Halloween comes from a K & Company ephemera pack.

This is the flip side of the front page. The prompts came from Serena from last year that can be found here. I love the star background paper, which I found in my stash. These thickers are some that I bought from Hobby Lobby.

Day 1 is back to back. The top left photo is just of me in my new shirt that I bought from Target. The card next to it is part of a cut apart sheet that I cut out and wrote on, I used some black Wink of Stella on the cat to make it a little glittery. The 1 is from a glow in the dark thickers from America Crafts that I bought at Tuesday Morning.

The second part of day 1. The "This is Halloween" card is from Serena's new kit called October Nights. The white card is just from a Project Life 3X4 pack with some skull washi tape on top. The pumpkin stamp is from Hampton Arts and I stamped it in some purple Distress Ink and my black Versafine Ink. The purple pumpkin card also came from Serena and her Spooky Pastel collection. 

The picture is from the show my boyfriend played that night (I run their merch table for them). Behind that I just put in a plain white tag where I did my journaling at. On top of that is just some card stock that I punched out using my banner punch a skull from Serena's collection that I fussy cut out. The heart at the bottom of the picture of my boyfriend and I just says true love and is from some Valentine's Day sticker sheet I have.

This is day 2 part 1. I took a black envelope and card that I got at Michael's and covered them with scrapbook paper. The paper on the left is from scrapbook.com and the thickers are the same ones from above that glow in the dark. 

This is the inside of the card for day 2. Lee and I went to Red Lobster (his mother sent us a gift card that we used) and then we started the month long routine of watching Halloween movies with Trick or Treat, which is a movie that neither one of us has ever seen before. It's a good movie... but Sam is kind of creepy without the mask on.... just saying. 

The pictures are just backed from scrapbook paper I have in my stash, and I used the banner punch again as well as some rhinestones I bought at Michael's.

Day 3 took us a few different sheets. It was all about the decorations inside my office as well as the tree that I bought from Michael's (thanks to Sabrina talking about it in one of her videos). That night we watched Rob Zombie's version of Halloween, which I had never seen before. Now we're on the hunt for Halloween II so we can finish watching it!

The 31 is from Target, the tree is from Michael's, the purple pumpkin (I painted it that way), the candlestick holder, the black skull (also painted by me), and the two skeleton hands are from Michael's (inspired by Sabrina). The Jack mug in the tiny picture is from Disney World that I got last Christmas, and the purple gauze skull thing (it's actually white with a purple string light set inside) is from A.C. Moore. In the last picture (underneath the Halloween movie poster) the Skull mason jar is from A.C. Moore, and the flowers are from various places throughout the years. 

This spread had a lot of pictures!

This is the last day of the video and it is incredibly short! All we really did that day was watch Nightmare on Elm Street (the first one) because I was working on school stuff all day. I just embellished the journaling card with a piece of white washi tape with black polka dots and white rhinestones.

Welp, this is just days 1-4, the video is linked above! Are you doing October Daily? Do you have pictures or videos? If so, link them below so I can check them out! 

Until next time!

Craft It Halloween 2K16: My First Flip book

Hello Dearest Dreamers!

I hope this post finds you well!

Since the start of September I have been watching a LOT of Halloween craft videos! Channels like Serena Bee, Sabrina Ann, Halloween Happy, and Eny Dunn, just to name a few (seriously though... check them all out!!!!!!)

Today, I wanted to share with you a new project that I created, inspired by Sam at Halloween Happy! It's a flip book!

For this being my first attempt at a flip book, I am super proud of myself! I made it incredibly simple because I am keeping this one in my October Daily album this year to show off my skills. Haha.

This is when you first open the flip book. On the left is a glassine bag that I picked up from the Target Dollar Spot. I filled it with some free printable cards that I got here. On the right side I took an orange doily from Michael's and put it under a black little bag that I also picked up from Michaels. I took some white chalk ink and stamped the Sugar Skull image on the front of the bag. Inside the bag I included a Frankenstein tag that I've made, which you can see here.

These are the last two pages of my little album. On the left I made a little pocket from some scrapbook paper and some orange polka dotted wash tape. Inside of that there are a handful of tags that I have made as well as a free digital stamp that I have.

On the right side I just used some ephemera pieces from a K & Company ephemera kit. The "Double Double Toil & Trouble" cut out came from a Tim Holtz ephemera pack that I picked up from Michaels 

It is short and simple because it was a prototype for me. I actually like how this came out and am thinking I might make something like this for my trip to Disney later on this month to document all of the memories that will come from there. What do you guys think?

Sam from Halloween Happy: Halloween Flip Book <-- this is the tutorial that I used!

What do you think of my first flip book?

"I Love" Sundays v.80

Hello friends and Happy Sunday!

It's the 2nd day of October and I am beyond stoked!

** I filmed a video for my YouTube channel about two pocket letters that I received this week! You guys should check it out! Just click on the image below to be taken to the video.

** Lee had to go to the field Tuesday night but he had part of the day off because it was going to be an overnight thing. It was awesome because except for the fact that I had class that evening, we got to spend a lot of time together. I love when we get to do that!

** I created a basic logo for the blog here in Canva.... and I kind of like it ((You can see it in the picture below)). I used the Nightmare Before Christmas font (because I am obsessed of course) and two arrows. I am thinking about a rebranding of my blog by the start of the new year and this is a start. I think I have been talking about it for a while, but it's finally time to get started on it!

** I spent Thursday painting these items after I saw Sabrina Ann's video on her Raskog cart. Mine are obviously different colors because I did not want to copy her completely, but she definitely inspires me!

** Since Ikea is over 2 hours away from me, it's a little difficult to go shopping there.... and I am not paying for shipping from there either! Which means so shopping at Ikea for me. I've wanted my own Raskog cart from there since I lived in Germany but it was too expensive (it was like 50 euro and the conversion rate is ridiculous) so I never bought one. I decided this year that I needed some kind of cart while I am doing my October Daily just to keep my desk at least somewhat organized. So while I was at Target I decided to check their home storage section and came across this cart that is a perfect substitute for the Raskog until I find my way there some day.

** Lee and I went to dinner Wednesday night after he came out of the field. We went to this Japanese hibachi and steak house that we love and it was crazy! There was just so much food! 

While we were there it started pouring.... and it didn't stop for 14 hours.... and it was LOUD and crazy. I accidentally left my two back windows cracked, but it was a blessing that my car wasn't flooded. At least it didn't appear to be flooded Thursday morning when I had to leave for an appointment. Our town isn't used to a rain like this so the schools were closed on Thursday (and Friday which we found out later) and Lee got out of work early on Thursday and a late work call on Friday. There was actually some flooding and some sink holes appeared throughout town. That part is crappy!

** I am just happy that October is finally here and we can start celebrating my favorite time of year!

** I recorded another video yesterday about the start of my October Daily, a quick look at my craft space and my supplies for the month, as well as a look at my October Daily Cart. You can watch the video by clicking on the photo below.

** We had a show last night back at our usual spot. The headlining band was interesting because they are a metal-ish band from Brazil.... it was an interesting band. We've become friends with the promoters girlfriend (he's been on tour driving a bus for some Magic mike kind of thing so she runs his shows for him) and she made the comment that the lead singer looked like a younger Heath Ledger, especially with the jacket that he was wearing at the time. It was quite comical. The boys made friends with their band and we will probably see them again.

.: Little Loves :.

|| Home Free | Michaels | stamps | friends at school | Dr. Pepper | Asian food | being inspired ||

What are you loving this past week?

Craft It Halloween 2K15: Cupcake Liner Embellishments

Hey Dreamers!

Today I have another crafty post for you. 

I am sharing a pile of cupcake liners I've created inspired by the usual crafty ladies! I'll share their videos below. These things are so incredibly easy to make and I am thinking about making my own video to share with you all, mostly because everyone has a different style of how they make theirs.... and I am working on recording more videos for you guys. :)

These are just random ones that I have made using things in my stash.

1. Happy Halloween: Is made of 3 full sized cupcake liners with two emoji candy corn added that I bought at Michael's

2. Witch hat: made with a regular sized one and a small purple lined. The witch hat is a sticker and the crafty witch is from the Papercake's Spooky Pastel Collection Sticker Sheet from Serena Bee.

3. Ghosty- This is a regular sized ghost cupcake liner, a smaller black one. The purple ghost and the "Boo" conversation heart is also from Spooky Pastel while the yellow ghost tape behind is from Papercakes October Nights collection sticker sheet. The little ghost sticker below that is from Rory's Sweet Addictions from Etsy.

4. Spider: That is just a regular sized cupcake liner, the Eek! is a piece of ephemera from K& Company, and there is a small spider sticker from my stash.

This is the front sheet inside my October Daily album. The plaid paper is from Hobby Lobby (I LOVE IT) and then I used a regular sized cupcake liner underneath a small black one (random side note: small black cupcake liners are super hard to find right now), the witch is a digital stamp that I bought from CraftyPaws and colored in, the Happy Halloween is a die cut from K & Company, and the bat is from a Recollections set I picked up at Michael's. The orange bling are just from a Recollections set I picked up as well.

Here are some videos that inspired me to make these. :) You should check these ladies out and leave them some love!

Serena Bee: Halloween Banner Tutorial  and DIY Embellishments Using Cupcake Liners

Eny Dunn: Cupcake Liner Embellishments Pt 1 and Cupcake Liner Embellishment Pt 2

Little Hot Tomale: Cupcake Liner Rosette Tutorial

If you don't use cupcake liners, here is another type of Rosette tutorial: 

I Am A Cool Mom: Halloween Rosette Embellishments

Eny Dunn (@doodlechips): Halloween Tri-Color Rosette Tutorial

Have you made any cupcake liner embellishments? Share a link below!

"I Love" Sundays v.79

Hello Dreamers!!

Happy Sunday to you all.

** I finished 3 pocket letters this week while Lee was gone. Now I just need to write the letters and then mail them off. I am pretty excited about swapping pocket letters with some of the most creative ladies I have the fortune of "knowing" through the internet.

Random question:  are you guys enjoying my crafting posts here on the blog? 

** Lee came home from the field on Thursday (yay!). It was a super rainy week where we live so I felt really bad for him having to be out in the field all week.

** I started and pretty much finished the show Quantico on Netflix! While the show is a little confusing because it switches between the two timelines, I still really liked it. I can't wait to finish watching it!

** Lee and I bought a new tv yesterday! I am super excited about the new tv. I've had our old one since 2012 and it survived the move to/from Germany. During the move to Germany, because it didn't have an actual shipping box (the movers made one out of cardboard) it was damaged and it had two white lines running down the screen. Lately it has really started to bother us when we're watching tv so we decided to get a new one. Let me just say that this new tv is cheaper then the tv it's replacing.... and it's a 4K tv. It's an off brand, but the quality and sound is amazing. We're pretty sure that we aren't going to need a sound bar like we originally thought.

** We have band practice today, which is something we haven't had in over a month or so. We've had a lot of back to back shows and no time for practice (especially because I was so sick last weekend). They really need the practice time and thankfully we're doing it at Roger and Cheyanne's house, where we are more productive vs. doing it at a friend's music shop. It takes wayyyyy too long to get set up at the shop and by then everyone is so annoyed we hardly get anything done. Thankfully today they got quite a bit done, despite the weather making everyone feel a little slow and sleepy. It's nice to have a productive practice. 

** Now that I have a better camera to take videos with I am working on recording some new crafting videos for YouTube. I am pretty excited about that! Speaking of, have you seen my latest video that I posted on YouTube? Where I show off my first pocket letter I've made and show you how I made my favorite card? If not, you should check it out here!

** I talked to one of my clients briefly today about whether or not she wanted to keep using my virtual assistant services and she didn't even hesitate to tell me yes. YAY! We're talking tomorrow to discuss payment and duration of her using my services, plus another task that she wants me to complete. I love the fact that she didn't even hesitate to say that she wanted to use me again. It makes my heart happy!

.: Little Loves :.

|| Gaterade | Dr. Pepper | Arby's | cuddles | sweet texts | candy corn ||

What are you loving from this past week?

P.S. Another question for you: What all do you like about this here blog? What keeps bringing you back to read more? Is there a certain topic that you like reading that I share? Is it the pictures? What is it? 

What would you like to see more of?

Craft It Halloween 2K16: My First Pocket Letters

Hello dearest Dreamers!

Here with another Craft It Halloween 2K16 post. Today is all about pocket letters!

As I've mentioned in my videos and other posts, I am part of Serena Bee's October Daily Inspiration Facebook group, which makes my little heart happy! Last year I was introduced to Pocket Letters but was unable to find the right supplies while I was in Germany, so I just obsessed over everyone's videos and photos.

This year, since I am back in the states and have easy access to a Michael's, Hobby Lobby, and A.C. Moore, I figured that I would give it a try. So far I have made two separate pocket letters to send out to my swap partners.

I created a video on my first pocket letter, which you can watch below.

As I mentioned in the video, that handmade pumpkin card is my favorite card!!! I used Serena's October Nights collection that she released this year. She hand designed all of these cards, and since they are digital cards, you can print them as many times as you want (which I have been).

Since I am using a 6X8 album for my October Daily this year, when I made this pocket letter, the only sheet protectors I had were 6X8, so that is what I used. It is small, but I actually kind of like how this one turned out.

My second pocket letter was made last night! I finally went out and got the right sized sheet protectors from Walmart (they are baseball card protectors). They are smaller then 3X4 (I think they are like 2X3) so you have to make your own cards, and I really loved how this how PL turned out! So much so that I need to duplicate it so I can keep one!

Don't you just love it? Because I absolutely love it!!!

I bought the DCVW paper pack from Joanne's called Spooky Night Mini Stack and cut out my cards from there. It's a double sided paper pack, so I only used like 4 actual sheets of paper (it's 6x6). Some of the ephemera is from K&Company that I had from my stash (and I actually just ordered more because I love it so much) and the other ephemera is from Art C (Halloween ephemera collage kit). 

Some of the paper is gold foiled, which usually I don't like but I actually really like this paper pad. 

So what do you guys think?

Do you like them?

Craft It Halloween 2K16: Halloween Tags #1

Hello Dreamers!

Happy Friday!

As I mentioned yesterday, Halloween has landed here on the blog until the end of next month!

Today I wanted to share some crafts that I have been working on in preparation for October Daily and some swaps with other lovely ladies over on Serena Bee's October Daily group. We are sharing pocket letters, supplies, and just our love for the holiday.

So in preparation for all of this, I started working on some different tags to put in the album.

These two happen to be my most favorite tags that I have made so far! Aren't they cute! I got the idea after watching Serena in one of her pocket letter videos or something like it.

This is the very first tag I made based on watching some other YouTube videos from some awesome ladies. It's not the best... but I'm learning as I do.

These tags are kind of unfinished, but I got the idea from this video by Serena Bee

These tags are so easy to make! Here are some tutorials for you to check out:

Halloween Gift Tags by Eny Dunn

Jumbo Halloween Tag Tutorial by Serena Bee

Have you made any awesome Halloween Tags? Share them below because I would LOVE to see them!