~*~Happy New Year~*~

Hello, all! I'm back from vacation just in time to wish you all the happiest and most productive of new years. I'm spending this night with my family watching movies and snacking on delicious food but don't think I'm slacking off in the scrapping department. I'm working on my DT projects for Scraps of Darkness (remember reveal day is the 15th!), and quite a few projects for challenges and company calls. I will be sharing all I can with you very soon but until then, here's to you all and your families!

~*~Happy Holidays~*~

Hello, all! Just popping in real quick before leaving on a trip to visit family for Christmas! I wanted to wish you all the merriest of holidays and the happiest of new years! Internet access will be limited for me, so I will see you all when I get back in about a week. I just wanted to share this cool version of the traditional Christmas tree, that I found on the internet, before I go. The artist is boredman on DeviantArt.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

~Scraps of Darkness~December Release~

Hello, all! It's that time of month again! The monthly release of the Scraps of Darkness kit and let me tell you, this month's kit is so beautifully elegant! There are wonderfully patterned papers, including some velvet damask, and fun and festive embellishments that will keep you in the spirit of the holidays! But as you know, Scraps of Darkness is not your ordinary kit club and the colors for this kit are anything but traditional!

Here is the kit photo from the SOD site:

And here is this month's sketch designed from Craftysprinkles:

Here are some of the projects I completed with this kit! Hope you like them and that they inspire you!

Alice layout. I created this page using the December Scraps of Darkness sketch. This is my cousin Alice and I created this one to go into my grandmother's heritage album. Alice is one of three granddaughters, the rest of the grandkids are all boys! Can I tell you, I  love this patterned paper and the blue cardstock! And the Dusty Attic chipboard and Prima flower! Okay, I really love it all! lol!

Family Resemblance layout. I made this page for my cousin Alice because she had seen one I made using my grandmother, my mother, and me, and she wanted one for herself. This is our grandmother, her mother (my aunt), and Alice. I did a monochromatic page and chose these papers for their elegance and contrast. The letter stickers are Prima and are sophisticated with a little bling!

Anthony layout. This is one of my male cousins, Anthony. This page is another for my grandmother's heritage album. I kept the design simple, incorporating red, white, and blue and stars to represent his service to this country. I inked everything with Vintage Photo Distress Ink to give it an older feel. Sorry you can't see the title letters to well, the picture didn't come out as well as I thought.

Tree Time layout. I really wanted to use these colors together when I opened my kit! So I took burgundy background paper, inked the clock paper; completely covering it in Dusty Concord Distress Ink and wet distressed it. I inked the mats with Black Soot DI and cut the ornaments with my Cricut Expression. The photos are of my son running through the Christmas tree lot and my hubby holding him after he caught him.

Celina layout. Okay, don't laugh but that was me when I graduated high school. This is for my grandmother's heritage album and this photo was the best one I could find to use. The shiny flourishes are from Clear Snap; a combination of Clear Snap adhesives and Clear Snap foils. They look much better in real life and I plan on buying some in every color and design!

Oh! Christmas Tree layout. I absolutely love the black music paper! Just had to put that out there! lol! Well in our house we decorate for Christmas using Black, Red, and Silver and our Christmas tree is no different. Here is our tree in one photo and my hubby putting up the star in the other. The silver leaves were actually gold but since I wanted to keep my Christmas color scheme, I used Metallic Alcohol Inks in Silver to change them. I also stamped some flourishes on the cream background with Black Soot Distress Ink and inked the edges with it, too.

Heritage Pages

Hello, all! I have a couple of heritage pages to share with you all. They're nothing spectacular but I think they do their job in showcasing the heritage photos I have collected and that I want to add to my grandmother's heritage album; the one I'll be giving to her for Christmas.

Jose Enrique layout. This is my grandmother's one and only son. She still  calls him her baby! lol! I used leftover Co'ordinations embossed paper (I'll share the first layout below) and cut up the scraps into squares and but them on black paper I also had as scraps. The flowers are from my November Scraps of Darkness kit, except for the brown ribbon roses which I made from ribbon I had.

Robert Jr layout. This is one of my many boy cousins. I did the water distressing technique the liberally inked the wrinkles. I also cut stars with my Cricut Expression and used stickles to "paint" grids on the brown stars.Sorry the title is not as visible as I would like.

Time To Meet layout. This page is of a photo of me and an online scrappy friend meeting for the first time. Frances617 from scrapbook.com has family in Dallas and she asked if I'd like to get together and have lunch. I was so excited for this opportunity! We had lunch at Cheddars, I met her wonderful nephew, Kenny, she met my family, and we went Black Friday shopping at Michaels. Used Co'ordinations embossed papers and some Graphic 45, with some Prima flowers to create this page.



*~*Believe*~*

Hello, all. I am not one to usually scrap about Christmas. I do have a few Christmas layouts but for some reason I have neglected most of my Christmas photos. Now, I join in many scrapping challenges over at scrapbook.com and so many are revolving around the holidays and one challenge (the Book of Me Challenge hosted by TinaScraps) asks one to scrap about their most memorable Christmas. For me, my most memorable Christmas was last year's when my husband returned from a deployment in Iraq (for the second time). It was a very special time for my family because it was the first time my 4 yr. old son had ever gone so long without his daddy and so it was all the more moving when we were all finally united again. I took photos of my children in that moment when they saw their dad after a year apart and the photo I use in this page is the one of my daughters. The picture still moves me when I look at it and I used the title Believe because my husband didn't think our teenage daughters would miss him so much. I showed him this photo and he said he believed.

The hidden journaling says: "Believe in the strength of our family's love. This photo of the girls, when we picked Daddy up when he came back from Iraq, says it all."

Believe layout. I used the criteria for many challenges at scrapbook.com on this page: The Monochromatic Challenge - week 3 Christmas Tree Green with 2 twists, "Believe..."  and handmade flowers; the DIY Challenge - Paper Poinsettias by Amarylis and using paint and glitter to make a background, the Military Challenge (I consider this photo military because my daughter's were welcoming their dad back from deployment in the photo) with two twists, using red and green (red is in the photo and the rest of the layout has green in it) and to use a bow or ribbon which is on the hidden journaling tag to the right of the page; and the Book of Me Challenge - To scrap your most memorable Christmas.

From Screen 2 Scrap GDT Layout

Hello, all! I am finally at liberty to post the page I created for my GDT spot at From Screen 2 Scrap! The movie poster inspiration for December is The Nightmare Before Christmas (you can see the poster in the post below this one) and there are seven different criteria you can add to your pages:

1. Pumpkin(s)
2. Large Moon
3. Jack or Skeleton
4. Spooky Tree
5. Fence
6. Yellow/Purple Colors
7. Large Swirl

Here is my entry called 'Jack Obsessed':

Jack Obsessed layout. This poster inspiration was perfect for me because my eldest daughter is obsessed with everything 'Jack'. She loves Jack Skellington and has numerous t-shirts, blankets, stuffed toys, purses, scarves, and hats; all with Jack on them. I used my Cricut Expression to cut out the moon, fence, pumpkins, and tree. The swirl mountain was hand cut and I cut out Jack from a photo I got off the internet.

From Screen 2 Scrap December GDT spot!

Hello, all! I'm so excited to finally tell you that I am guest designing for From Screen 2 Scrap in the month of December! This month's inspiration movie poster is the Nightmare Before Christmas, which is just up my alley! Below you'll find the poster. I will post my layout for this month as soon as Shazza over at From Screen 2 Scrap posts it over there. Hope you'll check back for it!

Tis The Season....

To start on Christmas cards! Hello, all! I had not known until yesterday that I was going to make Christmas cards for everyone. So here are just a few I got done in the past two days. They are simple but I think I'll add more to them as I go. Thanks for stopping by!

Blue Embossed Snowflakes card. I made this one using the Double Distress technique from Tim Holtz's Compendium of Curiosities. I used Faded Jeans and Stormy Sky Distress Inks and Picket Fence Distress Stickles.

Pink Embossed Snowflakes card. I used the same technique as on the above card but substituted the die cut snowflake with an inexpensive ornament.

Masked Trees card. I used a Tattered Angels Glimmer Screen for the mask and Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, and Pine Needles Distress Inks. Stamps, stickers, and Stickles round out the decorations.

Santa Stripes card. Made this out of paper I've had for a long time, added some Stickles, and the sticker Santa.

Peace & Joy card. Used some of my favorite holiday paper this year; Pink Paislee. Added some bling and some Stickles.

Gobble! Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello, all. Just wanted to pop in and wish you all a happy Thankgiving holiday! I hope everyone is spending it with family and friends and has an abundance of food and love! Here is a funny cartoon to get you in a chuckling mood!

1313 Wonderland Lane (and My 100th Post!)

Hello, all! Just wanted to share a little project I was working on. I got this project kit from Scraps of Darkness to create a little house. The papers included were the Graphic 45 Hallowe'en in Wonderland and so all of you who know me would also know that I couldn't pass up anything Wonderland related. So here is my little Wonderland house where the Mad Hatter, March Hare, Door Mouse, a couple of playing cards, and the Tweedles are being visited by Alice for tea. Enjoy!

1313 Wonderland Lane - Front. I actually created shingles for the roof from two different papers, and used the pom pom trim from the kit to trim the roof. I used Distress Crackle Paint in Fired Brick and Black Soot for the door and a shiny little bauble for the door knob. I also created an address plaque for the side of the door and colored Alice with Bic Markers.

1313 Wonderland Lane - Back. I used green rik rak from the kit to simulate grass around the bottom of the house and made window boxes for each side window that include some red roses (and white ones that didn't get painted yet). The chimney is covered in more Fired Brick Crackle paint and the bricks were drawn on with a black Sharpie.

And here are a couple of layouts I was working on as well:

Welcome Home Soldiers layout. I created this one for the From Screen 2 Scrap November Challenge; the inspiration poster for this month was Casablanca and the page had to include planes somewhere on the page, 2 photos or figures, and 2 colors in the title. I am also entering it the Military Challenge at scrapbook.com with the twist of doing something for a soldier. Here we are welcoming them back home.

Family Ties layout. This is for the Monochrome (Purple with twist of "I am blessed...") at scrapbook.com. I am blessed because my children are building strong family ties that I think are so important in life. The photo shows my eldest daughter, my son, and their cousin.

First Scraps of Darkness Design Team Call!

Hello, all! I am excited to pass this information on to you! Scraps of Darkness is having an open call for a Design Team Member. Here are the details for you to apply!

We are having our very first official designer call for the Scraps of Darkness kit club! If you love the alternative side of scrap booking or would love to venture into this realm, then I encourage you to try out!!

Commitment is important, so we want to be straight forward with what we are looking for. We want to see ambitious, outgoing, forum savvy scrappers that share in the same love as we do. The DT position will be from January through June of 2011 and we are looking for one more person for this term. At this time we are only accepting applications from US residents.

Here is what we will need from you:

1. You must complete 4-5 layouts/projects per month which will be ready to go by reveal day, which is the 15th of every month. These layouts need to be placed in the SOD gallery, blogs, scrapbook.com, and any other public galleries.

2. Daily participation on our forums and a daily check in on our Design Team forum as well as keeping up in the galleries is a must. Questions of the week and other DT some responsibilities will be rotated amongst our DT and we would also like you to start new threads that encourage posting.

3. You must complete at least 2 tutorials within the 6 months you are a DT for SOD. These can be either photo or video tutorials.

In return for your commitment, you will receive the entire main kit, as well as, two additional add-ons free of charge!! You will also have first dibs on any other additional add-ons, featured throughout the months you are a DT, at a 50% discount.

Here is how to apply:

Please send all applications and attachments to mandy@scrapsofdarkness.com

Please include the following:

1. Name, Address, Phone Number
 2. Submit three layouts total - Include two layouts that show us your alternative side or the darker side of you. For example: Grunge, Steampunk, Mixed Media, Dark, etc. Then also include a third layout that you would say is your favorite and this can be any style.

3. Tell us why you would like to be on the SOD team

4. Links to blogs, galleries, and any resume you may have

5. List of all current DT commitments

All submissions must be received by December 15th and we will have an official public announcement by December 25th!!

Good luck to all applicants!

November Scraps of Darkness Reveal

Hello, all! As you may know I am the newest member of the Design Team at Scraps of Darkness kit club! This is the first release as a team member. The November kit is called November Rain and as you can see below, it is a beautifully eclectic collection of papers and embellishments.

November Rain kit. So wild and fabulous!

SOD Sketch 105. This is the Scraps of Darkness November sketch.

Here are a few layouts I've come up with using the kit so far and the first is my version of the sketch.

Heart of a Jungle Cat layout. This is one of our cats. She went missing months ago but I miss her so I keep scrapping her photos. She was a lioness at heart and she was protective of her cubs, which were all the members of this family. Anyway...the background is a rich brown I wet distressed. I cut out leaves with my Cricut Expression and the Plantin Schoolbook cart, scored and inked them with Peeled Paint Distress Ink to give them some dimension. I inked the chipboard piece with Tea Dye and Black Soot Distress Inks and filled the inside of the heart with Cinnamon Stickles. I also inked the Thicker fabric alphas to make them a little darker.

Pre Teen layout. This is my oldest daughter before she reached her teen years; before she became moody and too cool to hang out with her family as most teenagers are wont to do. I stamped the LiveLoud impression in Staz-On Black and Broken China Distress Inks and inked the edges of the papers with Broken China as well. I used some ribbon I had in my stash and some rhinestone stars I received from NCYankee and filled them with Turquoise Stickles. I also used Stickles in Lime Green on the flowers next to the bottle caps.

Felicia layout. I created this simple enough layout for my grandmother's heritage album. This is my cousin and her granddaughter Felicia when she was a child. Sorry you can't really see her name in the photo since the Stickles had such a reflection. I used the Shimmerz Mist in Sea Monkey from my kit to color white cardstock and the pleated fabric strip from Pink Paislee. I added assorted flowers, flourishes, and butterflies to complete the page.

Full of Wonder layout. This layout I am especially proud of. Not only did I photo edit the picture but I really focused on the distressing with this page. I love these papers from the Bo Bunny Cambridge Collection and I knew I had to use them for a photo of my son. I stamped on grungepaper to get the wings and crown embellishements and the alphas in the title then inked them with Mustard Seed and Vintage Photo Distress Inks. I used some gruneboard swirls that I had all ready distressed but never used and a bottle cap that I filled with Crackle Accents with heart, key, and clock charms inserted inside. The griffin embellie was a super find at a scrapbook convention and in my stash for just this layout! lol! I also used a lot of Stardust Stickles all over the page!



Compendium of Curiosities Challenge # 21

Hello, all! This week's CCC challenge over at Studio L3 was to use the Perfect Distress technique. To see some amazing examples of this technique from the other participants please visit the Compendium of Curiosities #21 post. Here is my example and just in the nick of time!

Travel Quote Card. The quote says, "The world is a book and those who haven't traveled read only a page." ~St. Augustine. I used burgundy and white cardstock, brown ribbon, a Tattered Angels key and globe stamp, Vintage Photo and Aged Mahogany Distress Inks, and Copper Perfect Pearls.

Halloween Cuteness!

Hello, all! I know, I know, Halloween is over...But since Halloween is my favorite holiday, I tend to do Halloween layouts year round! I'm still in the Halloween mood, so using my Scraps of Darkness October kit, I created two layouts of my son at Halloween. The first is from this Halloween. He was a zombie killin' character named Ellis from the Left 4 Dead video game this year and so I decided to add some cute zombies in there with him. The second page is of his very first costume. Although, he didn't end up wearing the Tigger costume for Halloween that year because it was too cold out for it, I still took pics of him in it! Enjoy!

Zombies!!! layout. This is my son in his zombie survivor outfit. I used my Distress Inks reinker in Fired Brick for the blood on his shirt and Vintage Photo for the dirty smudges! lol! The zombies are from off the internet from a game called Plants Vs. Zombies. Everything else is from my Oct. Scraps of Darkness kit.

1st Costume layout. This is my son in his very first costume. He ended up wearing a different one because it was too cold for him to wear this one that year but I'm glad I got to take pictures of him in it. The papers and flowers are from my Oct. Scraps of Darkness kit. The jack-o-lantern is from my stash and is inked with Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink. The title is Thickers and I added the pom pom fringe, also from my stash. Stickles in Purple and Orange were used for the dots framing the papers.

At this point....

I wish I had a smaller family! Lol! Hello, all! I'm working on a heritage album for my grandmother and I am including all her children and grandchildren in it. That's a lot of people and each one gets their own page.So as I try to get this done in time for Christmas I kind of wish I had less family members to scrap! That's a joke though because I love them all! I just need to get quicker at cranking out these pages! Here are a couple to share with you all. Enjoy!

Rufina layout. This is my beloved great-grandmother, who passed on last year at the age of 94. She was such a serious lady, emotional and devout. This photo is one of the only we have of her when she was younger (her passport photo) and to take some of the seriousness out of it, I softened the exposure. The patterned papers are from DCWV, the aquamarine is Bazzill cardstock from my September Scraps of Darkness kit, the flowers are Prima and the chipboard alphas are Maya Road. I will be entering this page in the Heritage, Challenges, and Colour challenges over at scrapbook.com. 

Thankful... layout. This is a layout including some of the very important ladies in my family, who I am thankful for having in my life. Top row from left to right: My great-grandmother, Rufina; my grandmother, Anselma; and my aunt, Melly. Bottom from left to right: my aunt, Esmer; and my cousin, Alice. I used leftovers from my previous page to create this one. Lots of stickles in Black Diamond and Turquoise and Thickers.

News to Share!

Hello, all! It's been announced and I am so excited! I will be joining Scraps of Darkness as a Design Team Member starting November 15! I have to say this is wonderful news for me because I love this kit club! Each month's kit is always full of awesome and versatile papers and products that spark so much creativity in me! Can't wait to get started and share with you all that can be accomplished with these kits!  Stop by the Scraps of Darkness website or the SOD blog for more information or just inspiration! See you again soon!

November Challenge Examples

Hello, all! Boy, I've been miserable these past few days fighting a sinus infection and the flu. Finally, I've been feeling better and got to scrapping. These are a little late. I should have had these done before the month started but at least they aren't too late. These two pages are my example layouts for the challenges I host at scrapbook.com for November. Hope you like them!

Rose Red layout. I created this layout for the Darker Side Challenge at sb.com. The topic for this month is Fables, Fairy Tales, and Nursery Rhymes. I chose Rose Red and the journaling reads, "Just once... I'd like to have my own story. Just me and not my sister!" This relates to how I always wished they had written a story of Rose Red on her own, without having to share it with Snow White. The photo is of my second daughter, who I think sometimes wishes the same thing. I am also entering this in the D.I.Y. and Monochrome (Week 1 - Red) Challenges at scrapbook.com. I used ribbon for the roses, chipboard flourishes, Stickles in Christmas Red and Black Diamond, Bazzill Glazed Cardstock, and Distress Ink in Black Soot.

All Aboard layout. I created this layout for the Steampunk Challenge for November. The topic for this month is Travel. I chose some photos of my second daughter on her first train trip. I used masks and Distress Ink in Vintage Photo, Stickles in Copper, Tim Holtz Gears and Adage Tickets. I am also entering this challenge in the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge #20 which is using the Industrial Grunge technique (used on the alphas in the title).

Halloween Blog Parties Giveaway Winner

Hello, all. Feeling pretty miserable with the flu right now but had to stop in and let you all know who won the big box of goodies for the Halloween Blog Parties Giveaway!

Drum roll, please.......

.............KIKI..............

Kiki said..."Wow..gorgeous festive post! how dazzling..all your treasures and treats! we even have the same cream and sugar set..beautiful photos..thanks for this lovely post! yay..Thanks for visiting me too! Blessings and sparkles and yes i am a follower..what a super generous giveaway! Have a magical night Victoria~"

Victoria, please email me at forevervampress@aol.com with your address so I can send out your prize!

Thanks to everyone who participated and I hope to see you all around here again soon!

Happy Halloween!

Hello, all! And Happy Halloween! I just wanted to pop in and share a layout I completed for the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge #19! The technique for this week was the Extreme Masking technique and of course the subject for the page was Halloween! Enjoy! And Happy Haunting!

Ooh Spooky. layout. I used Spiced Marmalade, Dusty Concord, and Black Soot Distress Inks, Thickers in Orange Chit Chat, the masks I won from a previous Compendium Challenge, Stickles, and various ribbons and stamps.

Thanks for stopping by! Getting ready for all the trick-pr treaters!

A Scrapping Storm

Hello, all. I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend. These past two days have brought a wealth of creativity for me and I've completed eight, count them, eight layouts in the past three days! I feel like I've accomplished much! lol. The descriptions to each will follow each layout. I hope you enjoy them!

If you would like to enter my Halloween giveaway please scroll down to the post below this one for instructions.

By Moonlight layout. I used a bat stamp, Pearl Dabber, and Distress Inks in Black Soot, Brushed Corduroy, and Vintage Photo for the background. Everything, except the Stickles, Distress Inks, Dabber, and flowers (misted with Maya Road mist from the kit), is from my October Scraps of Darkness kit. I used the Scraps of Darkness October Sketch by Craftysprinkles. Don't you just love that chipboard bat?! This is my daughter, Kassy, as a zombie for last Halloween. AND the layout was created to enter in the Scraps of Darkness October Blog Challenge and the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge #18 over at Studio L3!

I'll Get You My Pretty... layout. This layout was created for the From Screen To Scrap Challenge; this month's movie poster inspiration was My Fair Lady and we had to use shades of pink, a blue title, and a handmade hat. I colored one of my photos green to invoke the Wicked Witch of the West. I infused a bit of steampunk in here for some fun! I will share this in my Steampunk Challenge for Halloween.

Zombie Queen layout. Again I used the Scraps of Darkness Sketch and kit for this layout. The flowers, alphas, and Stickles were from my stash. This is my eldest daughter, Janie, as a zombie prom queen last Halloween.  I will also be sharing this layout in my Darker Side Challenge for villains and monsters.

So much layout. I had wanted to enter the Cosmo Cricket challenge over at scrapbook.com but in my forgetfulness I forgot that the challenge was to use multiple photos and created my P.S. I Love You layout. So to fix my little problem I created another page to go along with the previous one. So the 2 pager would become P.S. I Love You So Much.  I used Cosmo Cricket's Halfway Cafe line for this and some Distress Ink in Black Soot.  

Pumpkin Patch Play layout. This layout is for the Monochrome Challenge Week #1 Orange over at scrapbook.com. The twist was to use two separate borders; I used inking and ribbon as the borders. I am also entering this in the Scrap Your Fall Photos Challenge.  

Felipe layout. I created this page for the heritage album I'm creating for my grandmother. This was her husband and my grandfather. He fought in World War II and was a very patriotic man. I will be entering this in the Military and Heritage Challenges at scrapbook.com. 

Fidel layout. Another page for my grandmother's heritage album. This was her brother, Fidel. I am entering this page in the Monochrome Challenge Week #2 Blue with the twist of a fall quote. I used a sketch from the Pagemaps 2 book for this one.  

Golden layout. I created this layout for the Monochrome Challenge Week #4 Gold and for my cousin's wedding album. I decided to combine the two since my cousin's wedding colors were burgundy, gold, and white. I used lots of Gold Stickles and some gold foil paper.

Frosted Petunia's Tea Under The Halloween Moon

Hello, all. It's time for tea! I've been looking forward to this party all week! Thank you to Anna from Frosted Petunias for putting this party together. To visit the rest of the participants in this tea party please visit her at the Frosted Petunias blog. Also, at the bottom of this post you'll find the rules for entering my Halloween giveaway!

I've put together a photo tea party to share with you all including some delicious sweet treats! I hope you'll enjoy the fare and the company!

First, you'll have to find my house. You'll come to this sign and turn left. Don't worry you'll stay well away from the cemetery on your way here.  

Now you'll come to a crossroads with this sign in the middle. Just take a right and you'll be there in no time!

Welcome, welcome! I'm so glad you could make it and celebrate this fine occasion with me! Would you like some tea? Cream? Sugar? One lump or two?  

Please choose a cup for your tea. Would you like the black one?

 Or would you prefer the white one with black polka dots? Whichever you choose, is just fine. I've made some deliciously decadent treats for you all. I hope you'll enjoy them.

First, we have Halloween trifle; made with layers of brownies, chocolate and vanilla puddings, whipped cream, and sliced strawberries. Delectable!

I've made both strawberry muffins and cranberry orange muffins in cute Halloween cupcake wrappers!

Here we have some yummy chocolate and chocolate orange swirl cakes! Mmmm...so moist and chocolaty!

These are some Autumn Splendor individual pudding cups; pumpkin and vanilla.  

For those of you who like fruity desserts, here is an apple pie! Thanks goes to Jaz at October Farm for the recipe. This has become a quick favorite at our house!

I hope you've had a wonderful tea time with me here and that you keep the celebration going by visiting all the other participating blogs! You can find a list of them here (on the right hand side of the page).

Now for the giveaway rules.... I have participated in one other blog party this month, Fanciful Twist's Halloween Party and I decided to have a rather large giveaway to combine it with this one. I will have two posts where you may leave a comment and enter the giveaway; this being one of them and the other will be the post for Halloween party (second post after this one). Become a follower (or let me know if you are all ready a follower), leave a comment on either of the two posts, and you will be entered into a random drawing for the prize below! I will draw the lucky winner on October 31st and announce the winner here on my blog on November 1st! Below is a picture of what you can win. There's a little bit of everything; some handmade flowers, vintage ribbons, paper, and loads of stickers! Good luck!