To start this post I am warning you…YOU ARE GOING TO SMILE…and if you are brave enough to read the entire post than you will just see how my SIMPLE MIND works as the way I roll is like a math problem so to SUM it up…we need to look at this equation….(School is in session!)

Monday’s FUN Post + Wednesday’s Shop your STASH Post = Today’s HAPPY DANCE

I am using MONDAYS POST (click here for  refresher) and WEDNESDAY’S CONCEPT of Shopping your Stash (click here for a refresher) to show you how making fun, festive and SUPER CUTE projects does not have to be stressful or hard!

I am just THRILLED that you all enjoyed Will’s card and the post concept of SHOPPING YOUR STASH….and today I have done the same! I had already shared with you that I did not purchase any new Halloween specific stamps this year. Stampin’ Up! did not let me down with the Paper Pumpkin Kit as I had a hunch that it was going to be Halloween related therefore no reason to get another stamp!

This kind of project is a happy one indeed for me as I just LOVE making little things that make people smile and trust me stampers…this post of inspiration will make you do the “dance” and then you will get another feeling inside when you gift these to friends & family, co-workers, teachers….or ANYONE that needs a smile and trust me….we ALL could have a stash of these in our purse or in our car to give out…..as let’s face it…

Random acts of kindness are the best….

When someone makes you smile and when someone makes you feel that “you matter”….it sure does stick with you for a long, long time! Age simply does not matter with a project like this as everyones inner child and sweet tooth always love the attention! Even though these treats are not hug in value…they ARE HUGE for the recipient as they knew that YOU took the time to create it.

You know that I always talk about the BASICS as I am a FIRM BELIEVER that when we have the BASICS readily available to us, it makes the creating process a fun one each and every time! I have a bunch of pictures for you today and also some tips that will make the process even faster if you are making the super cute clear boxes with tags from the Paper Pumpkin Kit.

I check just before I typed this post and YES, the Paper Pumpkin FULL KIT and also the refills for this kit are STILL AVAILABLE. I am just thrilled with it and remember, I blogged about it on Monday so please refer there for more scoop. I just think that the sweet stamp set that is with this kit will get the job done for many, many Halloweens to come….it is super simple and super sweet!

Last thing before pictures and tips….we need to thank HERSHEY for making the Nuggets that I am using for this project so fun and festive! I usually always put a fun piece of DSP around the Nugget to jazz them up and make them pop but this year, they have done the work for you!

I bought a big bag of these from Sam’s Club and when I saw the colors of the wrappers and also the sweet and festive images on them I immediately thought – now these will save me a bunch of time…..Here is a funny….

When I came home and shared this with John he just smiled at me and then I looked at him with that “WHAT LOOK” and  then he just laughed and said to me….I am so happy that you can get so easily amused by how HERSHEY wrapped their nuggets this year! HA….MEN – they just don’t get it!!!!

I am traveling a BUNCH in the Month of October, actually 3 times in 3 different time zones so I really needed to get a grip on my Halloween projects. One thing about me is…if there is dark chocolate out that I can get to…..IT IS GONE! I can let Milk Chocolate sit there naked in front of me (ha-ha….the wrapper off) but if that Dark Chocolate one is there….I’m DONE! I am proud to say that all of the Dark Chocolate is well wrapped in treats so it is away from temptation!

LET’S GO! The secret is to have the product on hand so when you want or need to make something….YOU HAVE IT and the scrambling around is not an issue. I ask you…

Why do we create stress in thinking we have to come up with something NEW each time we play with paper? As the saying goes…oldies are goodies!

Two of these examples I have blogged about for years…and guess what – I loved the concept/technique then and I still love them now! If it works for you ….ROLL WITH IT….but make sure that you are prepared! These clear tiny treat boxes are an item that is a keeper/basic and I would put them on your next order to have them when you need them. I often think we overlook simple packaging that Stampin’ Up! offers!

Just look at these….just adorable! Many of you purchased the DSP Product Share from me (thank you!)….therefore you have the Toil & Trouble DSP  – all of these projects that I am showing you today can be used with paper from your share. In the below…I have used the same paper, just flipped it over so this IS the perfect time to SHOP YOUR STASH and see how you can add odds and ends of ribbon to make it festive!

My hunch is that we all have some sort of Fall/Halloween paper in our stash and if not….I say WAY TO GO as you have either just started with this addiction or you have a tremendous willpower!

All I did was use a combination of the DSP and then the adorable tag that was in the Paper Pumpkin!

Here are some tips….

• For the paper insert…simply take a 2″ X 8″ piece of DSP and score it at 2″, 4″ & 6″ and then simply place it in the clear box…fill with TREATS…etc…

• IF YOU ONLY HAVE A 6″ width of paper…NO WORRIES – just cut it to a 2″ X 6″ and score at 2″ & 4″ and then simply put a 2″ X 2″ piece on top!

• For the tag (these work PERFECTLY!) take the tag and score it at 1/2″ and then at 2 1/2″ as this is the perfect score to wrap neatly on your box. I did use tear and tape to hold it in place!

• SHOP YOUR STASH for ribbon…I know you have it…so LET’S USE IT!

Above is another example of the fun DSP with another look. I admit, I went SHELF SHOPPING and found the Labels to Love Stamp Set….NEVER USED (shame on me) and I ask myself why did I never use this gem??? You betcha that you will be seeing this one again…as just LOOK AT IT – it is filled with some super cute images!

It does have a coordinating punch and YEP…I would definitely add that to your stash as this is another thing that Stampin’ up! does very well…their punches! I am sure that even though I have not used this stamp set before today, I am sure that I have used this punch. To me, punches are a SPEED TOOL that are practical and also time saver.

Now to some super cute alternatives to the clear boxes…Below, on the left is 3 mini DARK Kit-Kat Bars that I had to figure out what to do with so I would stop eatting them and I think I accomplished it!

All I did was wrap a piece of fun paper around and then added a simple “knot’ of fun ribbon with the paper fru-fru’s! TOO darn stinkin’ cute! I stamped a simple BOO from that paper pumpkin kit and presto….another smile maker!

Here is the “aerial view” of the goodies….these paper fru-frus are so easy to make and they always add a bunch! In the below picture you will see is all I did was tale a wee sliver of paper…wrapped it around something thin (I used a handy paint brush) and then adhered it with a glue dot, another essential basic that needs to live with you!

I know that sometimes we get short of ribbon in specific colors so this little trick does the job. The adorable project on the right…that is an oldie but goodie and you can CLICK HERE to see that…..it still makes me smile!

To see the post that I made the origami super easy fold treat that is in one of the above pictures…you can CLICK HERE to see that.

I make these all of the time and they are another great one to do for many seasons. I used the Seasonal Chums Stamp…that really got a WORKOUT last year and I am THRILLED that it was carried over! You will see me showcase this on a future post that will be making you run to the grocery store for something….keep checking back – you will SMILE!

There you go….I do hope that I sparked your attention and I know that I have said this earlier this week…I would hit that PAW PRINT below and sign up for Paper Pumpkin….even if it is just for 1 month. This way you can get this sweet kit and YES, I would also get a refill as why not….for just $9.00 you will be set for Halloween for years!

You can cancel your Paper Pumpkin the very next month if you want ….that is the beauty of it if you are not one that likes this program. Do what makes you roll! I just know that these next couple of months are going to be like a huge Steam Train coming right at me…..Holiday after Holiday and if you are like me…you love to have those little “something…somethings” ready!

For me, this Halloween one did it for me! Many thanks for all of the fabulous comments about Will’s card….he loved it and YEP, I made him laugh and then he said….I still am not a fan of that pig of yours!!! He is feeling great and is getting more mobility in his elbow! Please feel free to leave a comment about these cute Halloween goodies…..we have such a fun community of positiveness, great ideas and giggles!

Let’s have a great weekend and I hope that even if the weather is icky where you are…that you are shining inside! My TO-DO list is huge today as I leave with the chickens in the morning….but first – me time at Yoga in a couple of hours!