Nightingale Birthday

We have sunshine today! We've had several days of rain due to Hurricane Jova which hit the west coast of Mexico near the Puerto Vallarta area. There are mountains between the coast and Chapala so we are pretty well protected from hurricanes (PTL!) but we did get lots of rain (which was needed, by the way, because our normal rainfall for the year was about 8 inches low).

The colors on my card didn't photograph well -- what looks to be blue is actually a sage green. The papers that I have used come from an older Stampin' Up Designers Paper pack titled Autumn Vine. Card stock is also from SU, More Mustard and Really Rust.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Dutch Dare Card Challenges #134 - Sketch
AnnaBelle Stamps - Say It With Embellished Corners
MelJens Designs #80 - Use a Ribbon
Stampin' B's - Use a Bird
Papertake Weekly - Use 3 Shapes (rectangles, ovals, circles)
Fussy and Fancy Friday - Fall or Halloween
Delightful Challenges - Fall Colours

Stamps: See D's Nightingale & Gina K. Designs Fanciful Tags

Dies: ProvoCraft Corner Die and Spellbinders Large Classic Ovals

Embellishments: Metal Stickers Nailheads, Ribbon, and Buttons

Didn't get out a whole lot this week due to the rain but I was able to follow along with the Flourishes new releases and play in their challenges. I'll do a post tomorrow and show you what I created; keeping my fingers crossed to win a new stamp set!!

Betty

Fall Challenges

Well, I started off making this card for Jennie Harper's Mix It Up Monday challenge over at stamp TV for Fall Foliage. I also found some other challenge sites that  had Fall/Autumn Colors as their theme. 
Fussy & Fancy -- Fall or Halloween
Stampin For the Weekend -- Colors of Autumn
Paper Play Challenge -- Autumnal Colours
Stamps R Us -- Autumn/Fall

My papers and stamps are from Stampin' Up. I tried a new technique that I saw on Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday #36 video -- Faux Watercoloring. I stamped my leaves and then used my Stampin' Up water brush to blend the color into the white areas of the leaves. The leaves on my card were stamped on plain white cardstock and it's a little hard to see the watercolor effect;  although, if you look closely you may be able to see that the color is darker right at the edges of the leaves. I did try some different leaves on watercolor paper and the effect is much more obvious.

Thinking of all of you, my blogging friends,
Betty

A Fall Card For Y'all

The layout for my card today comes from a card that I have CASEd by Patti J. at Cherish Each Precious Day.

Case Patti J.

Cupcake Inspirations #130

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #132

I have used inspiration photos from the following challenges:

Cupcake Inspirations #130

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #132

And here's my card:

I will also be entering this card in the following challenges:

Mix It Up Monday challenge at stampTV to make a card and a matching decorative envelope.

Challenge at Speedy the Cat's Friends to use polka dots on a card.

Challenge at Friends of SpeedyTV to make a masculine card.

I made my leaves by using a video that has been posted at SpeedyTV by MariLynn DeGroot that shows a tutorial for Burned Paper Bag Leaves. Thanks to MariLynn, I can also enter the followoing challenges:

For Fun Challenges to use leaves on your project.
Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge to use a new technique.

Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up, Autumn Vine 12x12
Cardstock SU More Mustard and Really Rust
Sentiment is from AnnaBelle Stamps, Sentimental Bluebells

I'm not sure where the image of the pears came from. I found it, already matted in a shoebox full of things that I had punched out, cut out and never used. I've got to wittle down all the stuff in that box!

One more picture this morning, if you're up to it -- Sunrise Over Lake Chapala (taken this morning).

Betty

P.S. I have no idea why my post looks so different from the "compose" feature on Blogger. Everything is in strange locations! (the ghosts and goblins may be up and around getting ready for Halloween!)