You are everything to me...

Hello, stampers! I want to start with some good news: yesterday I found out that I was chosen as a winner in Shelli Gardner's blog challenge. (This is my winning card.) I was so honored to be chosen, and I want to take the opportunity to wish Shelli continued good recovery from her recent horseback-riding accident, and to say welcome to anyone who might be new to my blog. I'm so happy to have you here, whether you are a new subscriber, a longtime fan, or just stopping by!

Today's card is for my husband - our 13th wedding anniversary is on Monday. Hey, the last-minute queen actually got something done three days early! The layout for the card came from Create with Connie and Mary, and I also made this card for the SUO Challenges blog (use your favorite technique: I chose fussy cutting) and CAS-ual Fridays (use fall colors and at least one leaf). I think Todd will like this fall-themed card - I was inspired by the row of maple trees we have in our back yard. If we are lucky to have a beautiful fall season, the leaves turn the most gorgeous colors of red, orange and yellow. While we wait for all the leaves to turn, we can imagine what they might look like in a couple weeks, and that's what was in my mind as I made this card.

I started out with a retired paper panel in Cajun Craze and stamped the Magnificent Maple single stamp (second generation) with Early Espresso and sponged the edges. For the main leaf I used the same stamp, inked with daubers in Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso. Behind it I put a cherry leaf from the Autumn Accents die, embossed with the woodgrain folder and sponged. The espresso banner was embossed with the square lattice folder, then I added the sentiment from Petite Pairs and the Cajun Craze button tied with linen thread. I fiddled with the sketch a little - sometimes you just need to give an element a little tilt!

I am still catching up with life but I'm hopeful this is finally the start of more frequent posts from me. At least, I'm going to try - so many of my favorite challenges have been passing me by for too long! Thanks again for visiting and have a wonderful day!