SIMPLE GRATITUDE

I love fall.  It's my favorite time of the year.  I especially love the changing of the leaves from lush green to beautiful jewel tone colors.  Although this card is more simplistic in nature, it just speaks "fall" to me.

This card is one of my rejects for my October card class.  When I say "rejects", I mean that it did not make it to the final four cards that were presented in class.  The only patterned paper on the card is directly behind the greeting.  It is from Stampin' Up!'s Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series Paper.  The texture and weight of the papers in this collection are heavenly.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.  Mine has started out a little rough.  My son is sick again with the yucky virus.  Once again, my OCD has kicked in and I'm a Lysol cleaning machine.  I've been scrubbing, wiping and spraying for the last 24 hours.  I managed to escape the last round of the yucky virus.  I just hope I'm able to escape it again!

Thanks for peeking in on me today!  Your visits mean so much to me.

Supplies:  All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless noted.  Stamps - Day of Gratitude; Paper - Autumn Spice DSP, Old Olive, Poppy Parade, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Whisper White; Ink - Poppy Parade, More Mustard, Old Olive,  Stampin' Write Markers- Early Espresso, Poppy Parade, Old Olive; Accessories - Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Lots of Tags Dies, Extra Large Oval Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Dimensionals

You can purchase any of the supplies listed above as well as other great Stampin' Up! supplies 24/7 here.  Yes, you can even shop in your jammies!

WATERCOLOR DAISIES

October is a big birthday month in my family.  My aunt, cousin, my father and I all celebrate October birthdays.  My father and I celebrate our birthdays a day apart.  My father actually had the courage to ask my mother to wait a few more hours so I could be born on his birthday.  (Smile.)  I can only imagine the conversation that transpired after that remark : )  Of course, neither she nor I waited.

I'm not sure what the name of this technique is called.  I saw the technique at the Cincinnati Stampin' Up! Regional last year.  I used markers to color in the image and then doused my stamp with a good dose of water from a spray bottle.  This gives the image a muted, water colored look.  If you happen to be looking for a tutorial on how to make a nice bow, you have to check out this video tutorial by Ann Schach.  It is an awesome tutorial and it really works. 

ETA:  My image was stamped on Whisper White card stock.  The "wet" stamp did not buckle my paper.  I haven't tried this technique on Watercolor Paper, but I'm sure it would work nicely.

STAMPIN' UP! HOLIDAY BUNDLES PROMOTION

Want to purchase select Stampin' Up! products at a 20 percent discount?  Starting October 19 - December 16, 2010 you can purchase select product bundles to create Amazing cards, Beautiful packaging and Cherished gifts!  Check out the bundle flyer below.

 

Things to Remember: 

• This offer is available on all order types (customer, demonstrator, workshop and online.)  Additional products from current catalogs may be purchased on the same order.
• There is no minimum purchase required to participate in this promotion.
• You must use the bundle item codes provided.  The 20 percent discount will not be applied if individual bundle item numbers are entered separately.

If you have any questions, you can contact me at l_burkitt@yahoo.com.  If you'd like to place an online order on my Stampin' Up! website, click here.

WHOOOO'S HAVING A BIRTHDAY

I created this card for my cousin, Brent.  It will be a little late getting to him, but it's the thought that counts.  Right?

 I saw this cute idea for a shadow box card on Dawn Griffith's blog and knew that I wanted to try it.  I love her video tutorials.  She makes it so easy for the visual crafter like me.

I really like how my card came together.  Look at that sweet little owl.  This was actually the first time I'd used my Two-Step Owl Punch.  Why I waited so long to use it I'll never know. He reminds of the owl on the Tootsie Roll Pop commercial.  You know the one.  "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?"  I know I'm corny.  Believe me when I say I get it honest.  I also really like Stampin' Up!'s Woodgrain stamp.  Doesn't my card look like the actual grain on a tree?  To create the moon I used the 2 1/2 inch circle punch and also the branch from the Two-Step Bird punch to create the tree branch.  Over all, I was pretty happy with the results of this card.  Looking back I think I would have moved my buttons up a little to hide the edge of my "Happy Birthday" banner.  Looks like I need to pay a little more attention to details.  

I hope your week is sailing along smoothly.  I can't complain too much as I enjoyed a three day weekend with fantastic weather.  Thanks for taking time out of your day to peek in on me.  It really does mean so much to me.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION..........

Just wanted to let you all know that I'm still here.  My husband has been assembling two awesome workstations for my craft area.  We ordered cabinets some time ago and he built the counter tops for me.  He finally got them finished and I'm in heaven!  So, I've been rearranging and reorganizing this week.  I was, however,  able to make a card last night and hope to share it with you soon!