Wordless Thursday...'cause I'm a slacker...lol

Carving Pumpkins...TIPS

I read many, many blogs each day and SO ENJOY doing it...the hazard is that I often run across something that "sticks" in my head and by the time I get around to create something using their inspiration or post hints and tips (which it is in this case), I forget where I saw it....if you know where I got the following pumpkin carving tips...PLEASE let me know so I can link to their blog!

TIPS FOR CARVING A PUMPKIN:

• Instead of removing the top for the lid, try cutting around the bottom...it makes it much easier to light the candle (yes, we still use a candle) and then place the pumpkin over the bottom (who would've thought)
• If you're working with stencils to draw your image, use masking tape...it sticks better
• When cutting intricate designs, start with the most detailed parts first
• "THIN" the side you're carving before cutting by taking a spoon and scraping some of the 'meat' from the inside....you have to be careful because if it's too thin, the pumpkin might break but if it's too thick, it makes it hard to cut
• If you're carving several days in advance, place the CARVED pumpkins in a bathtub full of ice water and they won't "shrivel" and will be good as new when you're ready for them (this locks in the moisture)
• Rub Vaseline on the carved portions (i.e. inside the holes for eyes, etc.) to keep the moisture in which will make them last longer

Aren't those WONDERFUL tips!!!  We're painting pumpkins this year using glow-in-the-dark paint but next year, I think I'm going to try these tips!!!  Knowing me, though, I'll probably go ahead and carve one THIS YEAR just because I'm curious...lol!

Simple Halloween....

I've seen these cards all over the blogs I read...and by "these cards" I mean SIMPLE.  I've tried to do simple before and I usually fall back into the elaborate ones that take hours to make and are too pretty to give to just anyone or too dimensional to mail out.  These are PERFECT for giving and mailing....AND, since I used liquid glass on the eyes, they should fare well in the postal service!

Card size is 4x4 (you know how I love my SQUARES)...lol 

Products used are all CTMH except when noted:
Cardstock: White Daisy
Stamp Set: The Boo Crew
Ink: Black, Gypsy, Pear and Sunset
Licorice Opaques (eyes for the Sunset Pumpkin)

My Legacy Writers

Wiggly Eyes (Michael's)

Happy Haunting - sPookY.....

Here's a card I made this weekend using Captured Moments stamp set, Hooligans Paper Packet, Olivia Paper Packet (the flower), Purple Sparkles, Black Glitter (Michael's) and an altered version of the Recessed Window Card I found at SCS...I kinda regret not making my moon a little "moonier"...it kinda looks like a sun...lol.  This card also qualifies for H2H's challenge of something "Halloween" so be sure to go over there and see what other "Halloween" projects have been linked up.

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I'm love with this part of the card...not sure why but I am...I drew the little spider by hand...hehehehe

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I'm hoping with these next 2 pictures you can tell that the window is recessed and adds such dimension to the card...

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And....here's the inside of the card...SIMPLE but cute!

Thank You God - You Have Been So Good To Me...

In honor of my Grand-daddy who would've been 89 yesterday, I'm posting the poem he wrote, and that I read at his funeral 12 years ago...I can't believe it's been that long.

My Grand-daddy was a Baptist Preacher, WWII B1 Bomber Pilot, High School Football Coach and Science Teacher...he loved his Country, sports, teaching and traveling but most of all, he loved his family with all his heart and God with all that he had!

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Here is the layout I did many, many years ago as a tribute to him and this poem (you can read the full poem below the pictures) that he wrote shortly before his death.  I printed the poem on Vellum and then adhered over one of my favorite photos of him.  He's smiling ear to ear which was how he was 95% of the time!

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Title: Thank You God - You have been so good to me
Written by: N.T. Gault

Sometimes I visit small country cemeteries and look at names and dates on the stones.  So many are children who lived only a day or two.  I bow my head and say - Thank you, God, you have been so good to me.

Sometimes I look at my parents' wedding picture and think of all the things they taught us, and took us to Sunday School and Church each week.  I bow my head and say - Thank you, God, you have been so good to me.

When my war experiences were over and I stood safe on America's shore, I looked up and saw the Stars and Stripes.  I bowed my head and said - Thank you, God, you have been so good to me.

At Christmas time when we celebrate our Savior's Birth, I look at my wife and our family of three children and seven grandchildren and one great-grandson gathered 'round the Christmas tree.  I bow my head and say - Thank you, God, you have been so good to me.

And when life on Earth is over and I meet my Savior face to face, I will bow my head and say - Thank you,

God, you have been so good to me.