I have two cards tonight for two separate challenges - as I write this, it comes to mind that perhaps I should have combined them but I had started the Mojo Monday card a few days earlier and, well, I had time to play - so two cards it was :) My first card is for a My Time To Create Color Challenge from Lauren Meader. I absolutely love the inspiration colors she chose!!! So pretty - I may go back and do a few more cards in these colors. I used the rock and roll technique on the pumpkins. I'd seen a few people use this technique and I love the dimensional effect it creates. My second card is for Mojo Monday #104, I went with a Christmas card, 'cause, let's face it - you can never have enough... I struggled a bit with this card after I decided the colors and theme. It was one of those times I had an image of what I wanted in my head but it didn't translate to paper. In the end, I think it's missing something - as I was looking at my pics of the card, distressing the edges of the DP might have been a nice touch to give it a bit more umph... I also altered the design a little due to technical difficulties :) Ah, well.... Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a look! TTFN, ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ingredients (all PTI unless otherwise stated) MTTCCC card: Stamps: Autumn tags Paper: Sei DP, dark chocolate, ripe avacado, rustic white, DCWAV textured cardstock Ink: ripe avacado, dark chocolate, memento dye ink (potters clay), colorbox pigment ink Other: dimensionals, nesties, twine, swiss dots cuttlebug folder, Sei tag, friskars border punch Mojo Monday card: Stamps: Snowfall, Snowflake serenade Paper: New leaf, enchanted evening, DCWAV DP, White Ink: New leaf, enchanted evening, platinum and white colorbox pigment ink Other: Nesties, copic airbrush system, Martha Stewart glitter, palatte glue pad, new leaf buttons, twine, crystal stickles, enchanted evening and new leaf ribbon

Had a weird situation arise today... went to Joanne's and as I was checking out, my credit card was declined. My DH and I are careful to pay it off every month and we had also checked the balance days previously so I knew it hadn't exceeded the limit. Weird.... So I call the credit card company and find out that my DH was 5 days late with the payment (a busy weekend and hectic week for him so it's understandable) and they froze our card!!! Only five days - crazy.... Anyway, we had made the payment 2 days prior but it hadn't gone through yet, so hopefully tomorrow. I mean, it's our fault completely but I'd never had that happen - maybe there's too many people with outstanding balances and payments due. Hard economic times... This policy was news to me but good to know from now on out... Anyway, I bought some new DP and a few other supplies such as Perfect Pearls (Aged Patina) while on vacation in VA Labor Day weekend. I couldn't wait to use both and I've got more plans for the Perfect Pearls (plus I'd love to buy a few more colors) :) I just love them - so pretty and a little certainly goes a long way. So I put them to use on a sketch challenge from Lauren Meader. On to my card.... The sketch with the frame screamed vellum window to me. I actually ened up doubling the vellum as one layer was too transparent. I stamped a flower from "Life" on the vellum in versamark then covered with the perfect pearls. I curved the sentiment (love that!) and stamped in scarlet jewel. The rest was pretty simple. It was a fun card to make and I love that new DP :) It's also preview time over at Papertrey ink - some seasonal stamp sets coming up. So exciting :) As always, thanks so much for stopping by! TTFN, -------------------------------------------- Ingredients.... (all PTI unless otherwise stated) Stamps: Life, Scattered showers (sentiment) Paper: Patterned paper (sorry, can't remember and is all the way up in my craftroom :)), ripe avacado, scarlet jewel, DCWAV textured blue cardstock, clear vellum Ink: Scarlet jewel, versamark Other: scarlet jewel buttons, nesties, green perfect pearls, gold brads, green saddle stitch ribbon (Michael's), twine

I'm off work today - my back decided to give out yesterday - with little prompting, I might add. It's a bit better today but still quite sore. I guess it could be much worse so I'm done complaining... It's time to create again! Yep, Lauren Meader has another challenge on her blog --> My Time to Create #5. My card was created a day ago, prior to my back giving out. I had my husband take a few pics and hand me the camera for uploading :) He's such a wonderful guy :) For some reason I had a lot of trouble with this challenge... just getting the color combo to work. I must have colored 6 of the images trying to come up with a combo liked. I guess that's why it's called a challenge :) I used CC Designs digi stamp from All That Scraps and colored her with my copics. Well, here's my entry this week...

On another note - it's also the best time of the month - Papertrey Ink release time!!! Their stamps and other products are incredible - I really enjoy seeing what the design team members come up with during the 5 days before the release. They're such a talented bunch of gals! Wish I could have traveled to CHA in Orlando to meet the team... Anyway, still so excited... it's like Christmas every month! And who doesn't love Christmas? As part of the Papertrey release, Lauren is releasing two new timeless templates. Fold 'n Go and Tucked Away are previewed on her blog ---> here. She's got a giveaway as well - leave a comment for a chance to win her templates on the 15th. I can't wait for this to be released! I'm in the process of making a number of Get a Handle on It templates to give a Christmas favors at work - I'll share those later. I don't know how she does it every month - nothing short of amazing! Thanks for stopping by! Comments or suggestions are always appreciated :) TTFN, Andrea -------------------------- Materials (all PTI unless otherwise stated) Stamps: CC Designs digi stamp, Scattered showers Paper: Sweet blush, spring moss, raspberry fizz, select white Ink: Color box harbor, versamark Other: Offray ribbon, nestabilities labels, crystal stickles, dew drops, fiskars embossing plate, copics and airbrush system

Hello all :) Quickie post - Lauren Meader has a sketch challenge on her blog. And, here is my card. So sorry for the crappy pics. I was in a bit of a hurry... Fun challenge though. I really liked the sketch. I took a few creative liberties... :) Thanks for looking! As always, thanks for any comments. TTFN, Andrea Addendum 8/7/09: Hopefully this won't be a habit :) I just had to try a few more pics - the others were awful. Here they are :) Again, thanks for looking :) Andrea