Finally Feeling Autumn

What a beautiful Autumn day here in Las Vegas.  The temperature has finally dipped down, and I'm wrapped in a blanket sipping my morning coffee as I make this post.  The temps are supposed to go back up into the 80s this weekend, but for now - I will take this.  It feels like Autumn. . . . .finally.

I'm having a little issue with my crummy camera.  It's wanting to take all these blurry pictures.  It may be time to invest in a better camera - if any of you have suggestions as what to purchase, I could use the input.  But for now, here are some of the various shots of a project I worked on late last night.  I wanted some close-ups as well as the picture of the entire project.

I used a sweet little glassine bag and prettied it up a bit.  I fell in love with this Unity Stamp Company bicycle stamp when I saw it on Melissa Bove's blog here:  http://www.keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/ and had to order it from http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/

I added some flower soft (sweet pea) that I also ordered from the awesome Simon Says Stamp Store.

I also wanted to get a quick photo of the cards tucked inside the glassine bag.

And finally, this shot:

I'm entering this project in the following fun and awesome challenges:
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/simon-says-anything-goes.html - Anything Goes
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/pile-it-on-43-be-happy.html - #43 Be Happy
http://scrapbooksisters.blogspot.com/2011/10/card-challenge-number-58.html - #58 Anything Goes
http://ccmonthlychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-17.html - #17 Pink & Green
http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-89-layer-upon-layer.html - #89 Layer Upon Layer
http://sendasmile4kidschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/for-girls-challenge-at-sas4kids.html - For the Girls
http://bythecuteandgirly.blogspot.com/2011/10/2nd-year-birthday-challenge-and-blog.html - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for putting up with my blurry photos, and please don't hesitate to share your camera thoughts and suggestions with me.  I always appreciate your comments, and I always head right over and check out others' blogs when you comment (as well as following others when I am followed).  I appreciate all of you out there sharing your creativeness with me.  You all inspire me SO much.

Have a blessed Autumn day, and may God bless you all.

Karen

Caleb David Falk

I got a call the other day from my a woman I have known all my life.  Her name is Vera, and she was a childhood friend of my mother's who has remained her dear friend all these years.  She and her husband are now great-grandparents, and she asked me to make a paper bag album for her precious new great-grandson, Caleb David.  I was honored and excited to do it for her.  Vera and her husband, Dave, have been close to me throughout my entire life, and they are awesome Christian people.  Their oldest son, David, has had major medical problems.  He had strokes, heart surgeries, paralysis, and a long list of medical issues.  Yet, all of them remain so strong in their faith.  It is quite a testimony.  This new baby, Caleb David, is David's son's son.  Confusing, right?  Dave (David) and Vera have a son named David, and he has a son named David, and he has a son named Caleb David.  Whew!  Anyway, I wanted to quickly share just a glimpse of that paper bag album.  I need to pop it in the mail this afternoon so it will get to Minnesota by week's end.

I used six paper bags, so it would be too much to show it all.  I used Making Memories Animal Crackers line, lots of buttons, strings, stickers, journaling spots, photo tags in every pocket, and lots of room for memories to be stored.  Vera wants to write her precious great-grandson a letter to tuck inside.  How sweet is that?  It makes me excited to have grandchildren.

Thanks for taking a peek, and thank you for your sweet comments.  By the way, I added a give-away on my sidebar that Lora is having over at her blog.  You can enter to win a $50 Simon Says Stamp gift certificate by following her blog.  You might want to check it out - WOW - what a prize.

Have a blessed day.

Karen

My Favorite Nursery Rhyme - Winnie the Pooh

Over the years, Winnie the Pooh has taken on many different faces.  But my favorite, by far, is classic Pooh.  As he would say, "Oh, Bother!  What's all the fuss"?  I just love the classic look.  So, when I saw this adorable challenge at http://www.simonssaysstampblog.blogspot.com/ where we were asked to come up with a creation using our favorite Fairy Tale or Nursery Rhyme, I immediately thought of Classic Pooh.  I have a vintage copy of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne which I absolutely cherish, although it's falling apart at the seams.  It's been read hundreds of times, and the new ones are cute, but just cannot compare with the original.  I adore Classic Pooh.  So, I decided to use some nursery rhyme patterned paper, and then used a vintage Winnie the Pooh image and double matted it on two shades of matching Bazzill cardstock to compliment the vintage Winnie the Pooh ribbons I had in my stash.  I knew they would come in handy some day.  I printed the quote on the computer, inked everything, added a button with Baker's Twine, some sticker gems, and that's about it.  It's a very simple card - but I think it fits the challenge.  You can read all about, and even enter, this amazingly fun challenge by clicking on this easy link:  http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/simon-says-be-inspired-by-nursery.html

This is my absolute favorite challenge every week, and I DREAM each and every week of winning this challenge.  So, why not match it up with my favorite nursery rhyme.  A great combination - just like Pooh and Piglet.  I would be more than thrilled to win this challenge.  You can win one of these generous $50 gift certificates if you are drawn - to spend at their AWESOME on-line store.  Check out the goood here:  http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/ which I would have NO problem spending.

Here is my Nursery Rhyme card.  I hope that it brings someone on a trip down memory lane.  It's up for grabs for a lucky person who: 1) becomes a follower of my blog, and 2) leaves a comment about this card/challenge.  I love hearing your comments.

I appreciate you stopping by to take a peek, and really hope you will follow and leave a comment.  When the challenge at Simon Says Stamp ends, I will draw a winner and send out the card.  Thanks so much.

Today is mid-week, and I hope everyone is having a great week, and that the remainder of your week will be filled with blessings that abound beyond your wildest expectations,.  Thanks for looking.

God bless your day, and the rest of your week.

My Cup Runneth Over,

Karen

The Apple of My Eye

For those of you who don't know yet, I have recently accepted a position as a new Design Team Member at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges.  You can check out the challenge blog here at:  pennyschallenges.blogspot.com and this week, we are having a super fun challenge that's all about "Apples".  The sponsor is Karen's Doodles.  Her website is here at:  http://www.karensdoodles.blogspot.com/ and she (Karen Johnson) has so many fun and beautiful images in a wide variety of categories for your crafting needs.  Check it out.  You can enter the "Apple Challenge" at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges by clicking on this link:  http://www.pennyschallenges.blogspot.com/ and entering any creation with an apple (or apples) on the project.  You will win free images from Karen's Doodles if you are the lucky winner.  I really hope you will play along.

This is the card I made for the Design Team Challenge:

I used Cosmo Cricket Early Bird patterned papers, tags, stickers and embellishments along with the "Apple of my Eye" digital image from Karen's Doodles.  I machine stitched it, added some buttons and rick rack - pretty simple really.  You can own this digital image for only $3 (I believe).  She has so many cute images that are worth checking out.  Super cute for every occasion.

I hope you will play along at Penny's Challenges.  So far, there aren't a lot of entries, so your odds are really good, and you will have SO much fun with the challenge.  Pop on over and check it out.

Thanks for taking a peek.  I appreciate your sweet comments.

Karen

Autumn Blessings

I'm so grateful for my followers.  You give me encouragement and inspiration.  I'm also grateful for all the other bloggers out there who put their creations up for everyone to enjoy, and I gain so many creative ideas from watching their blogs.  It makes creating SO much more fun.  Thanks to everyone for their part in crafting.

I found this card challenge through one of my follower's blogs.  I haven't played along at My Mind's Eye in a while, and it was fun to use some of my MME items that have been sitting around unused for far too long.  All the patterned papers are MME, as well as the three punch-out die-cut elements, and the vintage metal button.  The only things I used that are not MME are my hand-made scrunched seam binding, two K & Co. decorative brads, and the rub-on, jute and leaves.  I machine stitched along the outside of the MME background paper and inked the edges.  My Mind's Eye products are simply awesome.

You can read all about this card challenge by clicking on the following link:
http://mymindseye.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/blog-challenge-28-card.html
There are several beautiful entries you will want to view.  There's just so much talent out there - take it all in, and gain inspiration from every possible source.

I'm also entering this Autumn Blessings card in the following challenges.  I hope you will check out the awesome work shown on each of these amazing challenge blogs:
http://citycrafter.blogspot.com/2011/10/city-crafter-challenge-blog-week-79.html - Harvest Festival
http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/week-153-halloween.html - #153 Halloween
http://ribboncarouselchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/rcc25-picture-this-with-laurel-seabrook.html - Picture This:  Halloween Theme
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/pile-it-on-42-fall-is-for-fun.html - Fall is For Fun
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2011/10/spooooooky-hues.html - Spooooooky Hues
http://flourishes.org/2011/10/4715/ - Time Tuesday #140 Halloween Theme

Thanks so much for your sweet comments, and for all the inspiration I gain from visiting your blogs.  I spend a lot of time visiting everyone's blogs, and I want you to know that anyone who chooses to follow my blog will get the same in return from me - I will rush right on over and follow you, too.  I love finding new friends to visit.

Hope to see you all visit again soon.  Autumn Blessings to you all.

Karen

Antique Floral Frog Lucky Winner

Good morning everyone.  It's been an incredible weekend.  I got to visit my dear friend, Lynn, down at the hospital.  Her daughter, Rebecca, is the one who fell from a second-story window this past Tuesday, and was left paralyzed.  Well, Rebecca is doing as well as can be expected (maybe even better than that) because God is in control, prayers are being said for her, and we all trust that God has great plans for her life.  Thanks for your prayers, and for those of you who have offered to send her a card.  Please let me know if you would like the address to send her a get well card.

Today is the big day for my antique floral frog drawing.  I used Random.org to do the draw, and couldn't figure out how to copy and paste the entire box, but I did the best I could.

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 36

The lucky winner is CraftyShana (Shana Walker) who said......"I really like your blog, and just became a new follower.  I've been wanting a floral frog for a long time.  Thanks for a chance to win.  I will be back to check your blog all the time - it's great.  Thanks, Shana."
Congratulations, Shana.  Please contact me with your mailing address by the end of October, and I will mail you the antique floral frog.  I hope you will love it as much as I love using mine.

I made this little birthday card for a friend of mine, and I wanted to share it with all of you.  I'm entering it in the challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ.  I absolutely LOVE their blog and challenges.  Each week, they give a brief devotional about the challenge.  This week it speaks about our burdens.  We all have them; but what a tremendous blessing to know that Jesus has told us to cast our burdens upon Him because He cares for us.  We aren't expected to carry them on our own.  What a relief.

http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-111-matt-1128-30.html - TWOS

This challenge asked us to do everything in TWOS - to used TWO of everything.  I used two patterned papers, two vintage items, two chipboard elements, two ribbons/trims, two sticker elements, two rub-ons, and two flowers.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you all have a blessed week.

Karen

Visiting Rebecca Today

I will be visiting Rebecca today.  Her mom is a dear friend of mine, and she has asked me to come by the hospital for a visit.  I am bringing her a favorite treat - an XXL iced Dr. Pepper.  I can't even imagine the stress she is experiencing.  And yet, she has seen God's hand of protection over Rebecca.  My heart is both heavy and grateful (that she is still alive and hanging in there).

I saw this sketch last night at Sweet Sketch Wednesday's Blog and made this little card.  I also wanted to enter something Tree-Mendous in the challenge at Cute Card Thursday.  This card just happened to also fit the challenge at Stamping With the Dragon's Blog.  Here is the card.

These are the challenges, and I hope you will check them out - they're a lot of fun:

http://sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/ - Sketch
http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-186-tree-mendous.html - Tree-Mendous
http://stampingwithdragon.blogspot.com/2011/10/buttons-and-bows.html - Buttons & Bows

Again, thank you so much for praying for Rebecca.  She is still heavily sedated, and doesn't know yet how severe her injuries are (or the fact that she is paralyzed), but she is doing well.  Please let me know if you wish to send her a card.

Thanks for stopping by my little blog to take a peek.  Have a blessed day.

Karen

Spooky Stuff

For those of you following Rebecca's story.  She had two surgeries, and is paralyzed from the chest down.  She will require further surgery, and is still heavily sedated because of the extreme pain, but she is holding on and we are trusting God for her future.  Please continue to pray for this precious young girl and her family.

I must admit that Halloween is not my most favorite holiday.  I don't love the evil under-tones of the holiday, but there are a lot of fun parts to Halloween also.  One is handing out candy and gospel tracts to the 100+ kids that come to our door each year.  Another fun activity is making "spooky" little cards for challenges.  I really had to get creative with what I had to come up with this card.  I hope someone likes it.

I am entering this spooky little card in the following fun challenges:

http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/simon-says-halloweengoth.html - Halloween/Goth
http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/2011/10/spooky-fun.html - Spooky Fun
http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-110-mark-1027.html - Anything Goes
http://scrap-creations1.blogspot.com/2011/10/going-grey-with-scrap-creations_11.html - Halloween

Thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek, and thank you SO MUCH for those of you who have prayed for Rebecca.  I always trust that God is in control.

Bless you, and have a wonderful day.

Karen

Praying for Rebecca

My Bible reading this morning took me to Psalm 61:1-2 "Hear my cry, O Lord.  Attend unto my prayer.  From the end of the earth will I cry out to Thee.  And when my heart is overwhelmed:  lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."

I am SO thankful that God hears my cries, my prayers, my petitions on behalf of others, and myself.  I am lifting up a young lady in prayer - her name is Rebecca.  She is 18 years old, and she nearly died yesterday.  She fell from a second story window, and she went through surgeries yesterday.  Rebecca, who is a brilliant, vibrant, beautiful girl, will never walk again.  Her spine has been broken.  She is lucky to be alive.  If you think of it, please pray for her.  When she wakes up today, she will have A LOT to deal with.  She needs the comfort of our precious Lord.  If anyone wants to mail her a card (here in Las Vegas at the hospital), please let me know and I will provide you with an address.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

http://citycrafter.blogspot.com/2011/10/city-crafter-challenge-78-boo-tiful.html - Boo-Tiful Color Challenge
http://thesecretcraftersaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-155.html - Anything Goes As Long As It Sparkles
http://anythingchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-51-die-cuts-punches-or-both.html - Die Cuts/Punches
http://ribboncarouselchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/rcc24-sparkle-and-bling-with-sparkle.html - Sparkle and Bling
http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/week-152-anything-goes.html - Anything Goes
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/pile-it-on-41-just-because.html - Just Because
http://scrapbooksisters.blogspot.com/2011/10/card-challenge-56.html - Anything Goes

You can win an AWESOME prize from Tim Holtz.  Enter by clicking on the following link:
http://pages.exacttarget.com/raf3a/?eKey=Bl1c4XEjSq21q44cueg8c1djleggXSgE


Thank you for stopping by to take a peek.  I am grateful for your comments.

Karen

The Family That Prays Together

We had such a wonderful weekend in California visiting our daughter at Bible College.  She is doing SO well, and maturing into such a beautiful young woman with a heart for the Lord.  It makes me so grateful to God for allowing me to have these wonderful children in my life.  I know she is the happy and God-fearing young lady she is today because of God's goodness, and the fact that we have prayed for her since long before she was even born.  We truly believe in that saying, "The Family That Prays Together, Stays Together".  Not only that, but the family (or individual) that prays, sees Gods hand of blessing and provision on their life.  God answers prayer.


This is the front of a little mini album made from October Afternoon cards.  I will post the inside (each page) of the book.  I need to pop some photos from our trip in this little book and send it to her.

OK, so can you tell I shot these photos on my stairs?  LOL

I'm entering this little mini album in the following challenges:

http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-110-mark-1027.html - Anything Goes
http://bythecuteandgirly.blogspot.com/2011/10/2nd-year-birthday-challenge-and-blog.html - Anything Goes
http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/abc-challenge-anything-goes-were-back.html - Anything Goes
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2011/10/get-in-shape.html - Get in Shape
http://theprettylittleribbonshop.blogspot.com/2011/10/october-challenge-anything-goes.html - Anything Goes
http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/2011/10/were-back-challenge-53-anything-goes.html - Anything Goes

I have LOTS of work to do today.  Besides my real job (homeschooling my son), I need to get busy creating some cards for upcoming Design Team assignments.  I love being busy.  Time to get started with my day.

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek.  I hope you all have an absolutely wonderful day, and I encourage you to stop and pray, right now, for someone you love -whether it's your child(ren), your husband, a friend, etc.  There's always someone who will be blessed because you took the time to talk to God on their behalf.

Have a Blessed Day,

Karen

Sparkle & Bling

Happy Friday, bloggers.  This will be my last post until Tuesday, because we are heading to California for the weekend to visit our daughter at college.  We miss her SO much, and haven't seen her (other than on Skype) since we took her to college in late August.  It's going to be a wonderful weekend.  I can't wait.

But first, I wanted to post this little card I made for the weekly challenge at Simon Says Stamp.  Each week, they give away one of these:

The challenge this week is to use sparkle and bling, so I did a soft toned Anniversary card and I added glitter to my Prima flower, and a Maya Road gem pin.  I hope that's "blingy and sparkly" enough.  This is the one I really want to win because their store is AMAZING.  You can check it out here:  http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/

You can read about, and even enter, the challenge by clicking on the following link:
http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/ - Use Sparkle & Bling

I hope that each of you has a wonderful and blessed weekend.  I will see you all next week.  Thanks for stopping by.

Blessing to you all,

Karen

Happy Thursday

Happy Thursday, everyone.  I hope your week is going well, and that you've all been busy making beautiful cards, scrapbook pages, baking/cooking, enjoying friends and family, and spending time with the Lord.  What could be better?  Today, my husband, my son and I plan to go for a long walk.  I feel so blessed.

I made this card for a few different challenges.  I really like the way it turned out.  I haven't used this line in a while.  It's the Crate Paper Restorations line, and it is absolutely beautiful.  I love the rich, vintage colors.

These are the challenges in which I have entered this card.  I hope you will stop by each blog, enter a creation of your own, and take a peek at all the awesome entries from other talented scrappers.

http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/ - Sketch #122
http://thekraftjournal.blogspot.com/2011/10/make-it-monday-with-kraft-outlet-lavish.html - Lavish Layers
http://craftysentiments.blogspot.com/2011/10/pearls-flowers-and-pins.html - Pins, Flowers and Pearls
http://citycrafter.blogspot.com/2011/10/city-crafter-challenge-blog-week-77-we.html - We're Going 3-D
http://flourishes.org/category/timeless-tuesday/ - Timeless Tuesday Inspiration

Have a great day,and thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek.  I appreciate you all more than you possibly know.

Blessings to you,

Karen

The Fruit of the Spirit

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there is no law."  Galatians 5:22-23

This was the weekly theme at Stampin' Sisters in Christ.  The challenge is to create something with fruit on it to represent the Fruit of the Spirit.  It's a little weird making a "summery" watermelon card in Autumn, but I just think of it like this. . . . the Fruit of the Spirit is singular (fruit) meaning they are "one crop" of qualities produced by having the Holy Spirit in your life.  It speaks of the attributes that Jesus posessed, and that we obtain when He lives in us.  I strive to show the fruit (these nine qualities) in my life.  So, perhaps being called "a fruit" isn't such a bad thing.

You can read about, and enter, the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge by clicking on the following link:  http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-109-gal-522-23a.html

So, take a peek.  And thanks for stopping by.

Karen

Autumn Blessings

Today is the first day that it has truly felt like "Autumn" here in Las Vegas.  It is 60 degrees today.  I love it.  And, Autumn is proving to be full of blessings.  My husband returned safely home from his first (of two) hunting trip last night, and then this morning - I got a BIG blessing.  I was notified that I have been chosen to be a part of the Design Team at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog.  I am SO super excited, and I am going to ROCK this opportunity.  I hope you will check out their blog today - they are having an "Anything Goes" challenge this week, so why not enter one of your lovely creations.  Here is the link: http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.com/

When I got up this morning, my husband had already gone to get me my morning coffee.  So, as I sipped on it, I made this little card for a challenge at The Ribbon Reel Challenge.  Here is the link to that awesome challenge.  http://theribbonreelchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-12-autumn-elegance.html - Autumn Elegance

I have SO MUCH for which to give thanks to God.  I recognize that ALL my blessings come from Him, and I am so very grateful for the wonderful life He has given me.  Let's all take time today to "Give Thanks" to God for His many blessings upon us.  I hope you are experiencing your Autumn Blessings.

Thanks for stopping by.  I always appreciate your sweet comments, and after I've read them, I go directly to your blog to see what you've created, and I try (still having some problems) to leave a comment.  You are all such a blessing and encouragement to me.

My Cup Runneth Over,

Karen

Card Patterns Fun and BUTTONS GALORE

I have a couple of pictures I want to share with you.  First is this photo I took showing my awesome score from the Goodwill this morning.  I had another lady who saw the huge bag in my cart, and felt I should have to share them with her.  Sorry, but this was my glorious SCORE.  I paid $4 for this beautiful load.

I also wanted to share this next photo.  I've mentioned before that I am a "ribbon addict", but I don't think people realize just how bad this fixation of mine truly is.  I have these plastic ribbon boxes that were sold at Target several years ago.  They are four wide and fifteen boxes high (that's 60 boxes).  Each box has six holes with about six different yardages of ribbon coming out of each hole.  I LOVE RIBBON.

Now, on to the important stuff.  This card was made based on a sketch over at Card Patterns Challenge Weekly Sketch Blog.  It is based on their sketch #135.

You can see this darling sketch, and even enter the challenge, by clicking on the following link:

http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2011/10/sketch-135.html - Sketch #135

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek.  I always appreciate your sweet comments, and I want you all to know that I've been having trouble posting comments on many blogs.  So, if I don't post a comment, please understand that I AM visiting your blogs.  I just need to figure out what it going wrong, and if you are familiar with this problem - please let me know.

Blessings to you,

Karen

Banners and Beauty

It's Sunday, and that means it's a busy day.  In an effort to get to church on time, I've combined two different cards in this one blog post.  I sure hope that's OK, because I'm really excited about both of these challenges.

First, this little October Afternoon card for a "Banners/Flags" challenge at Crafty Sentiments.  I had so much fun making this card.  I just love the banners.  You can read about, and enter, the challenge by clicking here:

http://craftysentiments.blogspot.com/2011/09/bannersflags-challenge-and-new-release.html - Banners/Flags and Guest Design Team Entry

http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/happy-world-card-making-day-october.html - Anything Goes

Next:

This second card is being entered in the following challenges:

http://sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/2011/09/sketch-121-with-meljens-designs.html - Challenge #121  - I Love This Sketch

http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/week-123-5-flowers.html - Flowers
http://simplycreatechallenges.blogspot.com/2011/09/53-challenge-older-than-6-mos.html - #53 Older Than 6 Months

These two cards are very different, but I had such fun with both of them.  These are awesome challenge blogs with fun challenges and awesome entries.  Take a moment to check it out, and enter something for yourself.  The more, the merrier.  Right?

Have a wonderful Sunday, everyone.  I'm so glad you stopped by.

Blessings,

Karen

Going "Batty" and Still Rejoicing

Have any of you heard that expression before?  ("I'm Going Batty"?  Meaning, you're overloaded and perhaps "losing it" a bit.)  Well, I was making this Autumn card this morning, and I decided that I needed my morning coffee.  So, I grabbed my purse and headed out.  The moment I opened my front door, a tiny little BAT flew away.  It freaked me out for a moment, and then it hit me - I really am going "batty", literally.  Too funny.  So, I got my coffee, came home, and finished this card.

I used an older line of Melissa Frances patterned paper and sticker, Bazzil cardstock, a Martha Stewart border punch, flowers, four brads, ribbons, an October Afternoon sentiment, and machine stitching.  My card has four brads (thought I'd mention that for the gals at Friday Mash-Up), and I followed a darling little sketch found at Just Us Girls, oh - and for the gals at Scrapbook Sisters, my card has four leaves.  Can you find them?

I'm entering this card in the following FUN and fabulous challenges.  You will most definitely want to visit each of these awesome blog challenges to see the amazing entries from all the talented artists who have entered their creations.

http://www.fridaymashup.com/2011/09/fm26-lisas-our-fan-favorite.html - FM26 Autumn/Brads
http://justusgirlschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/happy-anniversary-jugs-sketch-challenge.html - Sketch Challenge
http://scrapbooksisters.blogspot.com/2011/09/card-challenge-54.html - Challenge #54 - Leaves
http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/paper-pretties-wednesday-challenge_28.html - PWC173 - Sentiment
http://4craftychicks.blogspot.com/2011/09/challenge-57-crazy-egg-anything-goes.html - #57 Anything Goes
http://stampingwithdragon.blogspot.com/2011/09/fall-into-color.html - Fall Into Color
http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com/2011/09/challenge-86-autumn.html - Autumn

I'm not usually real big on doing "Halloween themed" cards, but this is more of an Autumn card.  I love the little sentiment that says "Beautiful Fall Days".  I miss my hometown this time of the year because I know the leaves are changing, and Fall in truly in the air.  See, I'm from Duluth, Minnesota, and the weather there is vastly different from the weather here, in Las Vegas, Nevada.  But, I try to remember this verse:  "This is the day that the Lord hath made; we will be rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 144:24

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to enter to win the antique floral frog I am giving away this month.  Click on the photo of the floral frog at the top right side bar of my blog to enter.

Have a blessed day,

Karen