Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Halloween Smiles and Ribbon Woes

Hello!  I'm here today with my first Halloween card of the season, using a Bugaboo digi called Fall Pumpkin Trio.  It could be that this was meant to be a fall image, rather than Halloween, but I went with it because of the carved pumpkins and because it's so darn cute.  I like friendly Halloween cards.

 

 
I printed it large so the Copic coloring would be easier, and that didn't leave much room for design, but I did try to add a little something for fun.  The "Happy Halloween" was die cut in orange with orange Stickles added, and the die cut spider is hanging from a die cut balloon string (supplies will be listed below).
 
 
The zig zag stitch is a Hero Arts stamp -- much easier than changing the thread in my machine.  I pierced the points of the zig zag, but I'm not sure that made it look anymore realistic.  This is one of those stamps I've had for years, use often, and love it every time.

 
Now I thought I'd share a project that consumed way too much of my time when I'd rather have been stamping, but I got myself into this mess and I had to pay the price.  My stamp room has been closing in on me and I think, more than anything, I'm not feeling good about the excess which I'll never use in a dozen lifetimes.  It's time to clear it out and I've been doing that a little at a time over the summer in preparation for a new, larger window, new paint, a minor remodel -- all planned for this fall and winter.  I need some white space!  I'd love to have room to spread my current project over my work surface without having to hunt for a spot to set something down.  I'm not getting a bigger room, nor do I want one, but I have to clear some space in the room I have.
 
Most recently I focused on the ribbon.  My ribbon situation was appalling.  One might call me a hoarder except for the fact that I saw how bad it was and I was able to let it go.  In the beginning, however, I nearly cried over some of the pretties I was giving up, but as time went on I nearly cried over how in the world I was ever going to organize or, for heaven's sake, use what I was keeping.  This is what I let go:

 

 
The picture doesn't really give you a feel for how much it truly is.
 
Pictured below is what I kept.  I organized this drawer years ago, but it had become piled in layers so I could hardly find what was underneath.  You can't see all the way into the drawer.  There are a few spools beyond sight.
 
 

 
 In the cabinet under the drawer is this:
 
 

 
On a shelf atop of the cabinet is this:
 
 

 
Hey, at least it's all on one side of the room now.  In order to organize this space I had to clear out a shelf of alterables which I'll never alter, plus clear out most of the chunky flowers I'll never use.  I kept a bare minimum of alterables and flowers.
 
It's amazing what I've taken out of that room over the course of the summer, and there's a lot more to go.  No worries about running short of supplies, though.  I'll be keeping plenty -- stamps, dies, embossing folders, embossing powders, papers, inks, buttons and other embellishments, coloring mediums, and way too much ribbon!  See, I used a teensy bit of ribbon on today's card:
 
 
 
 
And by covering the entire card front with designer paper I effectively used a whole sheet from a 6x6 pad.  Yay!  Okay, it's not much, but I'll keep picking away at it.  I'm banning myself from anymore ribbon purchases, but I can't realistically say I won't buy more designer paper.  It's a weakness and I do use it on nearly every card.
 
 
Hopefully I'll be back with more stamping soon (and ribbon).  This project cut into some of my garden time, though, so I'll need to spend some time out there communing with nature.  I feel like I need it.  Have a good day!
 
 
 
Stamps:  Bugaboo Fall Pumpkin Trio digi, Hero Arts zig zag stitch  Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Basic Black, Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie, BasicGrey Eerie designer paper  Ink:  Printer, Wild Wasabi, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, Orange Peel Stickles, Cheery Lynn Spider Net and Happy Halloween Twiggy Wreath dies, Impression Obsession DIE 359-R (balloons - I just used a string), Scotch brand foam mounting tape

 

20 comments:

Joan B said...

that card is adorable!!!! I once made the mistake of going to the offray ribbon outlet store. I got a hefty garbage bag of ribbon for less than $10!! I had so much ribbon that I gave away most of it and then still had so much ribbon. I now have two shoe boxes of ribbon (which for me is still too much!). it is a wonderful feeling to let go and get organized!

Ros Crawford said...

Honey, all of us are hoarders Lol!! I got rid of so much stuff but still have tons ... What the heck? Anyhoo, your card is stunning (as always) I love the fun element, much more my style of Halloween too and I love the way you did that sentiment... Have a beautiful day!

Diane said...

Very cute image and I like it printed big, those pumpkins are so silly and fun with those faces! The sparkly sentiment and spider finish it off perfectly..cute, cute card! Hoarding...well I have to say I watch the hoarders show and it always makes me get in my house and purge, and not just my craft room either..lol! I just recently went through all my ribbons, but ummm, I hate to admit it, but I belong to a monthly ribbon club..gulp!

Tracy said...

Hi Leslie,
I had to thank you for sharing your ribbon woes, I am in the same boat in my crating area, at one point my husband said well you done it, you have effectively boxed yourself in. I looked at the space and said, this looks like a hoarders area, so I am with you, I am starting to clean out, and reorganize, but it is amazing how hard it is to let go of any thing! I told my husband and my daughters, the first step is admitting you have a problem! :)

Yogi said...

cute and spooky... you have more strength than me. I can't get rid of anything, because every time I ever had, I needed something I threw away sigh!! have a great day

Darlene said...

OMG this is such a cute card and your coloring is AMAZING as always! Great job! HEY! I thought that was real stitching until I read your post ... what a clever idea ... I actually think I have a couple of those stamps laying around here ... by crackie I'm going to give that a whirl first chance ... thanks for the tip! HOLY MOLY ... you have a lot of ribbon! I thought Diane and I were bad ... (and we are! tee hee!) I like how you have it organized ... looks so nice!! Enjoy your day ... HUGS

Traci M said...

Leslie, I am totally with you in saying I need some "white space"!! I say that all the time...it frees my mind to create when I am not looking at clutter. I have been doing the same thing, but not nearly done. I have been stamping for at least 13 years...and ribbon is one of my weaknesses. Is that toilet paper tubes you used to roll your ribbon on? I like that idea a lot. Your card is so cute and full of detail...love the cross stitch stamp!!

Kathy Krug said...

Beautuful coloring on the pumpkins leaving the one uncolored really works here. You have inspired me to clean out my ribbon also.

Sherri said...

This card is adorable! LOVE the image and coloring it with one little guy in white was brilliant! It makes all of them stand out! I was just admiring your stitching and wishing my machine would do it, so obviously you fooled me too! I might actually have a stamp like that! As for the ribbon...My stash isn't quite as large as yours, but almost. And sadly, I almost never put ribbon on my cards any more. I need to purge too! You are getting me inspired to close my eyes and let go of things I have been collecting for years!

pam said...

Adorable image on this fabulous card Leslie, you fetch everything to life with your amazing colouring, I have stitched stamps too, ought to use them!.
Well I love my ribbon and I do use it a lot on my cards.. so I`m keeping mine..
Pam x

Pam Sparks said...

and this is one of my favorite ribbons to use! I love the skinny 3/16th in. stuff! :D Darling, super cute, so adorably colored card Leslie!

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, Leslie, I LOVE this adorable card and these pumpkins! How sweet, and I love the two dies you've used. You had me when I read that you stamped the stitching. I thought it was real. I have an OLD Close To My Heart stamp set that has a similar zig-zag stitch, and I've used it numerous times. It's great when you do the piercing. Looks fabulous, and I love that you "finished off" a piece of 6x6 paper! Yay! As to white space, I'm with you! Good for you for getting rid of that ribbon - I need to do the same. I could empty more than that I believe, and I just need the time and energy to do it. But I've been working on weeding out a particular company's stock I have and have already sent a box to a friend. Let's just all keep plugging at it! Hehe! Thanks for sharing and inspiring, my friend! And I hope you enjoyed some garden time! Hugs!

Pauline said...

Leslie, your card is so adorable! Love the faux stitching - I have this HA stamp set too, I haven't used it in so long!. Your colouring always wows me. Love your glittered sentiment and the dangling spider - so sweet. I hear you about the ribbon - I have so much I'll never use in a life time as well as paper. But I'm with you, I can refrain from buying more ribbon, but it's so hard not to buy paper, but I have been good lately at not buying any. Thanks for sharing your card today, you always inspire me in so many ways! I hope your enjoyed your day in the garden.

Donna Ellis said...

This is one of my fave Bugaboo images! She has so many fun images, that it's hard to not say most of their are favorites LOL LOVE the shading, especially the lighter golden hues across their bridge of their eyes. Wonderfully stitched in the green zigzag, and such a delightfully designed card, my sweet friend! Who would not smile at such a sight? It's fun seeing you create a 6x6 card as well - like you, I am trying to use up my designer paper stash, but keep on succumbing to more paper. I'm trying to be good! Honest I am! Love your new ribbon organization. Hope you are enjoying a fantastic week! hugs, de

Pretty Paper Junkie said...

You take a digi or stamp that I would never purchase and make me want it. This is so cute that I could end up loving Halloween! Fun and fantastic card.
(Do you now have enough room to buy a Silhouette?)

Diane said...

What an adorable colored image Leslie. I too finally gave away craft items I have never used nor will I.

Hugs Diane

Stacy Morgan said...

Oh these guys are so fun, what a great Halloween card. So fun and colorful. Ribbon... oh your second favorite thing besides designer paper. hee hee I like that you got it organized and sorted out. My problem is always keeping it straightend out and gave up and its all in a bag. But its organized in the bags for me. ;-)

Conniecrafter said...

That is an adorable card, those expressions on the pumpkins is just too cute, love the sunflowers and little bird with them, your coloring is just fantastic!! the spider is a terrific touch to it!
I know what you mean about needing room to put things while you are working. Good for you to get rid of some of your ribbon, I keep telling myself I don't need anymore but when I see a great deal it is hard to pass it up.
Enjoy the gardening time while the weather is nice :)

Diane McVey said...

I have way too much ribbon, too, so I understand! It's so hard to let it go, though! You did a great job. And I LOVE the sunflower blossom card so much!

Lynette said...

What a cool Halloween card, Leslie! Love the cute pumpkins. How awesome that you are getting rid of "excess!" I really, really, really need to do that. I almost never use ribbon, but I have lots of it, too. And patterned paper - I rarely use it, and I have tons! Lots of purging is necessary for me.