More Blogtoberfest Highlights

The trick-or-treating is done, and it's all quiet in Candyland. I've finally gotten the Halloween monsters off to bed, so let's wrap up Blogtoberfest!

I've had a great time posting all the tutorials this month, and following along with the other Blogtoberfest participants. Once I get on a creative roll, it's hard to stop, so I'm happy to say that there will be MANY more videos and tutorials coming here at Fabulously Artsy, you won't have to wait until next October. If you've enjoyed my videos and would like to show your support, please subscribe to my youtube channel. It's easy, free, and just takes a minute!

In case you missed these tutorials, more Blogtoberfest highlights from my bloggin' peeps below....


Kathleen at Kathleen's Crafty Creations shows you how to create this clever gift card holder. Time to start the Holiday crafting season, why not make a few?


Emily at Faith Hope & Art was busy with lots of tutorials during Blogtoberfest, make sure you visit her blog and check out her work. I really love the Acrylic Resist technique she showcased using CTMH's Create-a-shade Pearl Paint.


Angela at Leapin' for Stamps was a busy blogger too. She grabbed the Blogtobefest idea and ran with it, posting tutorials on home decor, cooking and papercrafting, it was hard to pick a favorite. Check out her how-to on second generation stamping. Clear, concise, and descriptive, a great tutorial!

Blogtoberfest Highlights, In Case You Missed These...

Check out some of my favorites from Blogtoberfest players:

Kristina at Sunny Day Memories was very busy with lots of tutorials. How cute would these pumpkins look on your Thanksgiving table?


Kristina also created this awesome little bit of recycling, a Spoolie Album! Who knew you could make something so clever from a leftover ribbon spool?



I love the elegant monogram that Shannon at My Colorful World in VT created. Her tutorial on reverse embossing is simply fabulous!



Tracey at Tracey Mason's Studio never ceases to amaze me with her creativity. This paper tree is gorgeous! She's created a how-to that you can print right from her blog. There are four pages, here: one, two, three, four.



Want to learn how these super-realistic leaves were made? Antoinette at God Bless your Art shows you how in her very first video!

Watch the video here:


Don't forget to leave a comment on their blog if you enjoy these blogger's tutorials. Check back here tomorrow for more highlights from Blogtoberfest!

Suspension Card Tutorial

There are lots of other ideas for suspension cards besides Halloween, I just happened to be running with the theme this month. I think a snowflake suspension card would be awesome for Christmas!

Almost Done!

The last week of Blogtoberfest! I've had a great time posting as many tutorials as I can this month. I've learned a few things....
1. No matter how many videos I make, they don't necessarily get faster. I spend about 20-30 hours shooting and editing each video tutorial, and I'm way too much of a perfectionist about my editing for my own good.
2. I didn't manage to post daily, but I'm happy that I've shared so much this month. Life gets in the way of blogging, there's no way around it.
3. I have fabulous readers who've supported me with their comments and visits all month long. Nobody can work in a vaccum and this tutorial blitz would not have been nearly so much fun without the frequent visits and comments. And a special shout-out to the bloggers who played along. Check out the links on the sidebar for those who participated in Blogtoberfest with their own tutorials!

Check back for tomorrow's video release, "Suspension Card".

Rock and Roll!

Computer issues have delayed the release of this video, so I feel like a kid on Christmas morning finally being able to post! All the waiting is finally over.



As you can imagine, my teenager is mortified.

Creative University Update!

Check out the Creative University website, I've been busy updating for 2010. If you're wondering what the heck Creative University is, well it's only the most awesomest retreat you'll ever attend! Check it out!

Glitter, glitter, everywhere!

You may remember this card, a few months ago. Today it's being featured by Amy, over at Mod Podge Rocks. If you love MP as much as I do, check out her blog. Did you know you can Mod Podge SHOES? Oh yeah, I'm all over that one.



Today's Blogtoberfest tutorial is going to be a speedy one. I'm repeating the mantra "I'm not going to get sick" over and over, with 5 out of the 6 members of my household succumbing to a nasty cold after the past two weeks. It's been a long road to recovery, and the job of head nurse has definitely been taking its toll on me. If I can just keep from losing my voice, I'll be happy. 'Cuz how can I keep up on my Fabulous Videos without my voice-over voice? A croaking frog is just not fun to listen to.

So, the tip for the day.... anti-mess glitter! You know you love it, you know you use it. But glitter after the fact isn't always the best thing (ever had a sparkly butt? You know what I'm talking 'bout). I like to mix a bit of Mod Podge with glitter, then "paint" on the mixture. If you use a paintbrush, wash it well afterward. Or use a disposable foam brush. Or a Q-tip. Or your fingers, anything works. Smooth it out flat, or leave it thick, it will dry either way. Store the mixture in an airtight container (those little screw top containers that you get brads in are good, or you can use an empty clam-shell packaging).

Love Liquid Glass? I do too! This tip will work for LG, but it doesn't store well, so only mix up what you need at the moment. It tends to dry out in the container, so you'll end up with a lovely, hard, sparkly container. Pretty, but useless for future projects.

Paper Roses Video Tutorial

How many times have I promised this how-to on paper roses? I'm happy to say it's finally done! It started way back in February, when the Creative University attendees learned how to make this paper rose on their canvas project. Each portion of the video has slowly come together until finally I have a completed tutorial to show you. So, let's see.... over seven months in production. And just as good as those big budget Hollywood blockbusters, right?

Wonderful Weekend, and a Winner!

Just returned from a well deserved weekend away. Just two fabulous friends and myself... here:

Beautiful weather, cold but sunny. Couldn't be better to snuggle in and craft the weekend away!


Now to announce the winner of the Love canvas giveaway! Thanks to all who left comments, became followers and posted on your blogs. I was so excited to return after my weekend away and read everything. I'm so lucky to have such fabulous readers!

Since I've got two kiddos home sick today, I asked them to help out. Printed all the comments and put them into a bowl. A little bit of fighting over who got to smoosh to paper around the most, but since they're both feeling puny, the fighting was only a half-hearted. Here's the winning entry, from Haley D.
Congratulations! Please Email Me with your mailing address so I can send the prize!

Two Pocket Gift Card Holder

For my first "guest blogger" spot, I'm thrilled to bring you a video by my dear friend and fellow CTMH consultant, Nona Davenport. She is not only an amazing artist, but one of the most genuine people I know. Nona touches people's hearts with her artwork and her gentle manner, and obviously I just can't say enough about how much I love her!

This amazing little origami project is so cute, you'll want to make more than one!

Giveaway!

Thanks to all the loyal readers, and new ones too. I'm just about to hit 300 followers, so it's time for some blog candy! I'm giving this 12x12 sized canvas to one lucky reader.

Here's how to enter for your chance to win, just four easy steps:

1. Leave a comment on this post. Tell me something that you'd like to see on the upcoming tutorials.
2. If you have a blog, post something about my blogtoberfest, or my giveaway, or both. Link to my blog.
3. If you're not already, become a follower of my blog. Look in the sidebar on the right side. It's easy, just click on the link!
4. Check back on Monday (Oct. 12) to see if you're the winner!

I'll use random.org to choose a winner from the comments left.

Good luck!

Watercolor Shading for Solid Stamps

Fabulously fast, without the funny business. Learn to use a waterbrush to add a hand-painted look to your solid stamps.

Lots more full-featured videos coming soon, this is my "low-carb" video style (all the meat, none of the fillers). Enjoy!



Make sure you check out my sidebar for the Blogtoberfest blogroll. Lots of great ideas from my bloggin' peeps!

Want to join in the Blogtoberfest? It's easy! Read about it here.

Blogtoberfest Q&A

What is Blogtoberfest?
A month-long celebration of sharing and teaching. I am challenging myself and others to share as often as possible throughout the month of October with tips, techniques and tutorials.

What will you be sharing during Blogtoberfest?
Anything and everything that strikes my fancy! I'm a spur of the moment kind of gal, so a schedule doesn't really work for me. And I am a jack-of-all-trades (yet master of none) so there might be a card one day, an organizing tip the next, and a home decor project the next. I might even throw in a recipe or sewing project, you never know!

How often will you be posting?
I am aiming for daily posts, but I'm not making any promises, I might skip a day here and there. Real life sometimes interrupts my blogging pursuits. Coming from someone who generally posts once a week, this is a big challenge for me!

Will all the tutorials you post be your own?
Most, but not all. I'll have a few guest bloggers featured during the month.

Can I join Blogtoberfest?
Yes! Let's make this a world-wide event! Just post your blog addy in my comments, I'll add you to the blogroll in the sidebar. Please add a link for my blog onto yours too. Then, get busy posting your tutorials on your blog. Have fun with it!

Do I have to make a video to join in Blogtoberfest?
No, not at all. Photos, slideshows, text, whatever format you like. Videos are welcome too, and if you've been meaning to try one out, now's a good time.

If I join Blogtoberfest, do I have to post daily?
No. Post as often as you can. This is a challenge, so if you can step it up, do what's comfortable for you. The blogroll on the sidebar will show the most recent posts at the top, so if you post often you'll stay at the top.

Halloween How-To

I love Halloween decorations. Especially the fact that you can use cheap junk and it looks great. I loved this creation by Pink and Polka Dot, so I pretty much CASED it (Copy And Steal Exactly). I'm not even going to pretend that I can arrange anything floral, so dead twigs are right up my alley.
Below are my step-by-steps. Please pardon my pine needles, we have evil trees that dump masses of pine needles whenever the wind blows, or as soon as you finish mowing the lawn, or sweep the porch. I swear I can hear them cackling at night as they plot against us.
I just happened to have a vase that looked similar to the inspiration piece. I purchased it at Michael's a few years ago and it's been hiding under my bathroom sink, waiting for something to do.

I filled it with branches, cut from my backyard. My branches are a little straight, but I had to make do. They'd be more awesome if they were a bit more twisted. To make the branches stay where you want them, you can use florist foam or styrofoam. Or if you don't have those around you can substitute some old rice that's probably gone stale anyway, so why not put it to good use.

Stuff spanish moss around the base of the branches. This stuff is a MESS! Work outside, or have a broom handy if you're inside. But it's oh so perfect for this creepy look. You could also use bagged raffia.

Now it's time to add the birds. These are from the dollar store. A buck, can you believe it? I almost bought mine at the big-box craft store, thinking that was my only resource. They had one lone little crow, and it was $10! Know how many crows I can buy from the dollar store for that amount? I'm thinkin' 10, but I could be wrong.

Before you are allowed to create your project, it's polite to allow your children to play with the crows. Dress them up with silly putty necklaces and boots. Give them names like Hoppy and Blacky. It's only fair that you share your playthings.


Once you've picked all the putty bits off the crows, you can wire them into your branches. Try not to think of the Hitchcock movie "The Birds". Betcha can't.

Add fake spiderwebs. Did you know that I'm that odd person who actually reads directions on packages? I'm glad I did on this stuff. There's a trick to making it look like spiderwebs and not like a stuffed animal came apart on your project.

Lastly, dress it up with a black ribbon and rose. You can use a black silk rose, or create one from cardstock like I've done here. Yes, yes, yes, there WILL be a tutorial this month on the cardstock roses!

I'm hoping to have a few more Halloween decor tutorials this month, so you'll see more of this piece once I get it set up on my mantel with the other projects.
Once I got into the Halloween groove, and had all this darned spanish moss to use up, I plugged in my hot glue gun and got busy. Here's the next project I whipped up. Dollar store skeletons this time, with one lonely crow and a red cardstock rose. Look how awesome this is on my newly painted black door.

I love the skeletons nestled into the spanish moss. A creepy little close-up surprise. Can you spot all three?

Gotta love that Martha Stewart glitter!

Clear Top Mini Gift Box

Need a quick, easy and adorable party favor? How about this mini gift box? You can make four from one 12x12 piece of cardstock, plus acetate sheets for the top. Customize them with your choice of stamps, colors and embellishments. How about wedding favors with an elegant damask patterned stamp, or a teacher's gift with bright primary colors and fun polka dots? The box is 2"x2", perfect for a single chocolate truffle (yum!) or pastel mints, even a small piece of jewelry. Use your imagination and have fun!

World Card Making Day

Welcome to the Close To My Heart 2009 World Card Making Day Blog Hop! Join me and other CTMH consultants as we share our card creations with you. If you've come from Antoinette's blog then you're hopping right along. After you've had a chance to look around my blog, continue the fun and hop on to Debra's blog from here. This is a "round robin" hop so just keep hopping.



This interactive card has a peek-a-boo window with the spooky bat suspended by a string. When you open the card, the bat doesn't seem to know which way to turn.... back and forth it spins. I used the new stamp set Beware and paired it with the Damask Tiles set for an elegantly ghoulish look. Martha Stewart black glitter gives the embossing some glam, on both the bat and the vine background.



And in case you're wondering, yes, there WILL be a tutorial on this card for my Blogtoberfest! How-to's all month long. Come back to my blog on Sunday for a mini gift box video tutorial.

Now hop on over to Debra's blog and check out what she's made for World Card Making Day!

BLOGTOBERFEST!

I had this crazy idea to share with the world..... Join me in October for tutorials, tips and prizes, all month long! I'll be posting video and slideshow tutorials plus sharing tips for Stamping, Scrapbooking and more. Putting the HOW into how-to!

Gel Card.... So Squishy!

Click the arrow below to watch the tutorial. Visit the video on Youtube by double clicking. And while you're there, become a subscriber.... it only takes a minute and I LUV my subscribers!