The little things that make me happy here on Bliss Road~~Emily Keaton

Monday, September 26, 2011

Boo! to You

It's Monday, Monday! How did your weekend treat you? It's been warm and muggy here ever since last Friday, but we had a lot going on to take our minds off the less than fall-like weather. On Friday, my kids had an early release day, so we went out to lunch and did a little shopping. We were finally able to celebrate their excellent end-of-{last}-year report cards! With a little help from some coupons and reward bucks, they were each able to pick out a new stuffed animal from Build-A-Bear Workshop, a little something fun from A.C. Moore, and a new long-sleeved T-shirt for fall. (Although that new T-shirt will have to wait a little while longer 'til the autumn weather returns.)

On Saturday and Sunday, our daughter went on a Girl Scout camping outing with her troop. Sounds like they had a super time, including a flying squirrel experience on a high ropes course! On Sunday our son had his first Cub Scout meeting of the year, his first as a newly minted Bear Cub. He is psyched for a good year! And as for me? Well, I enjoyed a phone date getting caught up with my sister on Saturday afternoon, and then met a few friends for dessert at the Cheesecake Factory that evening. It was my first time ever to eat at a Cheesecake Factory! (I know, where have I been?) It was a difficult choice, but I finally indulged in the Chocolate Tuxedo Cream Cheesecake. YumMMMEEE!! But it was so rich that I could only eat half. You can bet your bottom dollar, though, that I brought the rest home with me for a Sunday evening treat. ;)

I'm thinking that our extended summer vacation really kickstarted my mojo!! It was hard to get back in the groove at first after we returned home at the end of August, but once I got going, I just couldn't seem to stop!! Ideas are popping out at me from everywhere, and my mind won't rest until I've created whatever I've been imagining. Here's my latest:

I'm playing along with The Play Date Cafe's terrific color story this week:

That lovable monster is Mr. Smiles from Jane's Doodles. I won him in a giveaway in June and thought he would be perfect for a Halloween card! I colored him by blending colored pencil with odorless mineral spirits.

The patterned paper and "Boo!" sentiment are digital elements from the Haunted Collection by Carina Gardner. I picked up this awesome black/white on kraft collection for just $1 during the One Buck Wednesday sale at Jessica Sprague last week. I just LOVE One Buck Wednesdays! It's a great way to snap up trendy paper collections (think Carina Gardner, Echo Park, and Cosmo Cricket!!!) for a song, and then I just print what I need when I need it. No storing bulky paper pads, no dealing with too pretty/too expensive scraps, no worrying about whether to hoard my favorite prints in the collection. Through the magic of digital, I can print out my favorites again and again without running out. Whoopee!!

I hope you had a great weekend, too!! Thanks for stopping by to check out my little slice of bliss.
Emily

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Mr. Smiles by Jane's Doodles
Paper: The Haunted Collection digital papers and elements by Carina Gardner, snow storm CS, SU tangerine tango CS
Ink: Palette noir black
Accessories: sewing machine, Mandarin baker's twine from The Twinery, colored pencils, odorless mineral spirits, paper blending stumps, foam tape, scissors, 1" and 1.25" circle punches, brads from Making Memories
Techniques: digital papers, machine stitching, Gamsol Magic

22 comments:

Pam said...

Very cute little creature you colored in! A great halloween card! I've been eyeing the 1 buck weds. too, but have been holding back! I haven't used the ones I have but once! Shame on me! Your weekend sounded just perfect!!
Pam

Marisa said...

Cute little critter and card :) Yup, Sept. is a busy month getting back into everyone's schedules. Congrats to your kids on their achievements.

Well done with the digi's :) I've stayed away from them based on the cost of the ink to print them...but since you are a math whiz, I'm sure you've run the numbers and it works. LOVE the fact of not having to have multiple paper pads, they can stack up quickly and take a whole lot of room. Keep using them, loving the cards :)

Lisa Elton said...

This is adorable Emily! Love this fun little Halloweeen monster. Super cute card :)

Linda Beeson said...

Cute use of the color combo.

Benzi said...

Boo to you, Emily! Ooh, that paper is the first thing that caught my eye..except for Mr. Smiles. This is a super, fun Halloween card.

Colleen Dietrich said...

Sounds like you had a marvelous weekend! I LOVE The CHeesecake Factory, and that's where Kerry wants to go for her October birthday. Your dessert sounds fab, and yes, there's usually enough for a second time 'round!

Your card is really cute; I thought that monster might be Paper Smooches, but I see he is Jane's Doodles. He's a friendly monster!

Bonnie said...

That character is perfect for a Halloween card! Love it!

Shelly Schmidt said...

Fun Halloween card- glad you are getting some free time with the kids in their activities, but it ends up being a bit of running around, doesn't it? MMM I love the cheesecake factory- I always bring some home and my hubby eats it- he can eat all day and never gain an ounce!

Emily (stampingout on SCS) said...

This is absolutely adorable! LOVE! :)

Unknown said...

well it does sound like you are pretty busy enjoying life.. Your card is so cute.. That owl is adorable..

Happy Monday my friend..

Hugs, Linda

Anita said...

This is an adorable Halloween card Emily and I love that little monster.

lisa arana said...

eeek, spooky cute! hehe. love it.

Jay Gee said...

Adorable card Emily. Mr Smiles is perfect for a Halloween card and that background paper is gorgeous :)

Kristel Louisa said...

Oh it's such an amazing card! I love the background paper! You really create an awesome character, loving your work :)

I'm hosting my first giveaway from 'My Memories' and it will be so exciting if you would like to join! :) Thank you!

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en la moda
GIVEAWAY!

kristellouisa.blogspot.com

Jessi Fogan said...

This little monster is adorable, and I love the twine & the little brads setting off the sentiment!

Sounds like you had a fabulous weekend, Emily! We're ending up with unseasonably warm September weather too (and muggy, ugh) but since summer was so wet I think we'll enjoy it. Usually we have snow by Halloween, at least a few flurries, so shorts & t-shirts are not what we're usually wearing now!

Kary said...

Hi Emily! What a cute card!! Love the cutie monster, and how everything worked together beautifully on the card.

~amy~ said...

super CUTE halloween card Emily!

Michele Gross said...

Super cute! Totally made me giggle :)Thanks for playing at The Play Date Cafe!

Carol Hurlock said...

Your little monster is so cute. I think he just tickles you with his fun expression. This card is just adorable Emily.

Bear Hugs,
Carol

Stacy said...

What a fun card, love the twine! Thanks for playing with us at The Play Date Cafe!

Auntie Em said...

What a fun weekend with your family! I am sure the long sleeve shirts will be useful soon enough. It's a lot chillier here in NB the last couple days.
Love your monster card. Your pencil colouring is awesome! He looks so cute on the b&w stripes.
Thanks for sharing! :)

Debbie Carriere said...

Adorable!! You are definitely on a roll! Love the paper on this one and that sweet monster!