I did it!

Updated:
I added some details and a supply
list for all you curious cats out there
....namely Marnie :)

November Hazzard County Card Challenge...CHECK!!
Unbelievable, people. I truly can't believe it.
The fact that I actually got it completed before the
end of the month is unreal. The fact that I actually
completed this challenge is even more amazing.
Did you check it out?
Marnie brought out the big guns for this one.
Seriously? Stinkin' hard!
I would have never, in a million years!, picked out this
colour combo: black, blue, grey/silver and white.
I can't remember the last time I used black on
a card...so I was totally stumped when it came to
this one. For the life of me I couldn't come up with
anything. And then, it hit me!! I was practicing
some Christmas songs with my little girl for
the Sunday School Christmas program when
I realized that sheet music is white and BLACK!
And it's beautiful.
Suddenly, I couldn't wait to make this card.
So, after that incredibly long introduction...
November's Challenge Card!

Totally. in. love.
Marn, I can't thank you enough for pushing
me outside of my comfort zone. So glad
for these challenges because they
a) get me into the scrapyard
b)force me to try things I wouldn't on my own

To make the sheet music I used this stamp
that I just got at Unity (thanks to a 40% off sale
and free shipping - love a good deal!) which
I think is going to be my new favorite.
I stamped it in black on Whisper White
card stock and then distressed the edges
with my distressing tool and Old Paper
distress ink. I love the aged look it gave it.
The black fibre was from my 'stash'.

The center panel is Whisper White, layered on
Basic Gray, stamped in Baja Breeze
which I embossed with clear e.p. just to make
it 'pop' a bit. It wasn't quite snazzy enough for
me so I stamped the snowflake a second time,
cut out the center, covered it with Crystal Effects
and then went to town with the Dazzling Diamonds.
Topped it off with a Baja Breeze button tied with
a bit of twine and 'Wah-lah!' Lovin' it!

Thanks for an awesome challenge, Marnie!
One Christmas card down, 74 to go...

Our Fall Mantel

I always like to do a seasonal decoration on our mantel
and when I saw this idea on the Hero Arts blog, I knew
exactly what I would do for this fall. I'm already starting
to think about switching it up for winter and Christmas,
so I thought I'd better share this with you quickly
before I take on a whole new season!

I found this frame (with a kitschy oil painting in it) for a
couple bucks at a thrift store. I just popped out the canvas
and stapled a string across the back of the frame.

I embossed the 'thankful' sentiment (Unity's September kit of
the month) with gold embossing powder and the leaves from
SU!'s new French Foliage set (such a BEAUTIFUL set!) onto
more mustard, riding hood red and pumpkin pie cardstock.
Then I used some baker's twine and mini clothespins to attach
everything to the string. Easy-peasy!! I can't tell you how
much I love this. Every time I look at it, it just makes me smile.
We've had a lot of ups and downs this past month, and having
this frame sitting up on our mantel has been a wonderful
reminder for me of how blessed we are, and to keep a
grateful heart in all situations.

But, the snow started falling this week and so I'm already
dreaming of how I'm going to switch this up for winter...
Stay tuned!

Thanks for popping by!

October's Challenge card

Well, I'm a bit late posting this, but I did get it done on time!!

It was my Mother-in-law's birthday on Monday, and I knew the
colours in October's inspiration picture were something she would
like. I used a sketch from an old Papercraft's magazine and put
together a little something that seemed just right for her.

Although it's a bit busy, I do like all the layers and
dimension on this card.

I used Crumb Cake, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White and
Garden Green (first time I've used this colour...have had it
for 2 years?...teehee!) cardstock and some Basic Grey patterned
paper. The stitching stamp along the bottom is from Unity (another
freebie!!) and the sentiment is from Verve. Loving the Circular
Sayings set...so versatile! The buttons and twine are PTI, punches
and ribbon are SU!, the rhinestones are from Kaiser Craft and
the doily is from a Dollar Store pack. Phew!

I'm still working on my September challenge...{sheepish grin}
but I haven't given up. Hopefully I can show it to you soon!
Until then, I'm eagerly anticipating November's challenge!
Thanks for visiting and make sure to check out Marnie's
October card - it's FANTABULOUS!!!