It's Thursday and time for a new challenge over at TicTacToe! It's the turn of Team X to host this week and the lovely Felicita is our featured designer this week. This is the fun board that we are playing along with: 

I have been having a lot of fun with my Cottage Wreaths bundle so decided to take the right hand column and use any shape die, wreath and gold foil/glitter for my card today - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

I love the sketch over at TGIF Challenges this week and decided that it would be perfect for a little of 'something old, something new' - I layered a stamped and diecut wreath from the Cottage Wreaths bundle over a panel of Soft Sea Foam. embossed with the retired but gorgeous Seasonal Wreath embossing folder. This has so much detail and dimension yet makes a pretty, subtle background. I also added some stamped and diecut holly leaves, red rhinestones and an antique gold foiled bow to my Christmassy Cottage Wreath, along with a fussy cut sentiment:

All of this was against a background of the returning favourite, painted Christmas Designer Series Paper, with a couple of red glimmer borders thrown in. The prettiness doesn't stop there though - I also decorated both the inside of my card, and the envelope - no naked envelopes here:

I'll be sharing this with the lovely ladies over at Just Us Girls where it's trend week and this is the trend Lisa has chosen. I love to decorate an envelope and the inside of my card to co-ordinate with the card front; I think it's a great way to add a finishing detail and I like to think that a patterned envelope makes the recipient smile before they've even opened it. 

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

A tictactoe board offers so many creative possibilities - how does this week's board inspire you? Why not have a go? We would love to see you in the gallery and who knows - you might be selected for Designer's Choice and be eligible to be a guest designer on a future challenge. 

Enjoy your day; I am heading out to Sixth Form Options Evening with the youngest of the James Juniors at school this evening; this does at least mean dinner out, due to the logistics of trying to get everywhere on time - what a treat! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

COTTAGE WREATHS BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (49.50)	PAINTED CHRISTMAS 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (11.25)	REAL RED & WHITE 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) GLIMMER PAPER (4.75)	MERRIEST MOMENTS PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (21.00)	SOFT SEA FOAM A4 CARDSTOCK (8.75)	REAL RED CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (7.50)
SHADED SPRUCE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (7.50)	EVENING EVERGREEN CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (7.50)	DISTRESSED GOLD 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) SPECIALTY PAPER (4.75)	RED RHINESTONE BASIC JEWELS (6.75)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (8.25)

Today I'm sharing my design team card for our new challenge over at As you See It where it's time for a seasonal 'fill in the blank' challenge:

I used Jacqui's sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches for my layout this week - can you guess how I filled in the blank? Here's my card:

 Here's the low-down on today's card:

For Me The Spookiest Thing on Halloween Is Always - .. the fact that there are even more spiders than usual! I'm all for appreciating all creatures great and small, but I draw the line at spiders and wasps! I've been stung by a wasp on three separate occasions - each of them memorable and none of them pleasant and as for spiders, well they just give me the heebie-jeebies, especially furry ones or ones with the long, spindly legs!! So today's card had to feature spiders! It actually started with the stamped one, which comes from the Cottage Wreaths stamp set. Ironically, one of the reasons I bought this set was for the spider and the 'boo' greeting, as it allowed for versatility given that I didn't want to buy lots of Halloween sets but I honestly haven't been able to bring myself to create a Halloween wreath featuring this particular arachnid - every time I go to visit another blog to leave a comment and I see this spider featured on a card, it literally makes my skin creep!

I decided to pair both the spider and greeting with some (retired - Happy Hauntings) designer paper squares, also featuring a similar spider, and create a simple feature where this one looks like he's escaping the paper via his 'web' line of pierced dots courtesy of my Take Your Pick Tool. I also added an embossed spider's web to the black mat layer, although this is difficult to see in the photos and I embossed the envelope flap too for additional spooky effect. Against my better judgement, here's a close-up of the escapee:

Whilst I actually like the finished card, I have absolutely no idea who to send it too - does anyone out there actually like spiders?! Answers below please - I will happily send this card your way! I am also going to share the loveliness of today's Halloween creation with the ladies over at SUO Challenges where they are all about Halloween for a second entry.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Here's a summary of our challenge rules:

• Create any card, scrapbooking page, 3D project or packaging project that fits the challenge.
• Please include the challenge graphic and link back to the challenge in your blog post. Turn off word verification so we can leave you lots of lovely comments. Make sure you link the post not the whole blog to the Linky. Use #AYSIXXX when uploading to a public gallery.
• If you’re unsure about ‘the rules’, check the details under the Challenge Guidelines tab on the As You See It Challenge homepage.
• In a Fill in the Blank challenge, complete the sentence in the Challenge Banner with the phrase that is true for you and create your project using the words you used. Tell us what you said in your blog or on your site.

Enjoy your day - it's Friday so my cleaning day and the housework beckons - off to do battle with the real-life spiders and their cobwebs, which are always more prevalent at this time of year as they come indoors to escape the chillier autumn weather. Wish me luck! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

COTTAGE WREATHS PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (£18.00)

STYLISH SHAPES DIES (£28.00)

TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (£5.75)

VERY VANILLA A4 CARDSTOCK (£9.75)

BASIC BLACK A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)

TAKE YOUR PICK (£9.50)

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. Michal is hosting this month and it's time for our second colour challenge: 

 For my card today I used the sketch layout over at Try Stamping on Tuesday and used my Country Wreaths bundle to create a thank you card that is great for using up scraps - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

A Colour Confession - First up - a colour confession! I was feeling totally pleased with myself for having made my card for this challenge much earlier than I usually do, until I went to upload it and realised I had used the wrong colours - I made a card using Pumpkin Pie instead of Michal's chosen Pale Papaya!! So I quickly went and made a duplicate in the correct colours. I had already worked up all my photos though, so I am sharing both with you here. On the upside - you get a two for one and we can have a debate on white card you like best!!

A Liberal Sketch Interpretation - I often get asked how I go about interpreting a sketch when I make a card and today's card is a good example of a less than literal one, so worthy of some explanation! I really liked the offset layers of the TSOT sketch but decided to make both my base and first mat white, so as not to detract from the clean and simple feel of my card. For the third 'layer', I added a selection of strips in the challenge colours and staggered their lengths to add interest; this is a great way to incorporate blocks of colour in a small area and it uses up scraps too, so win-win! I used this as the basis for my neutral-toned wreath, stamped with the 'Cottage Wreaths' set, with white diecut detail behind. I added some additional leaf sprigs and a gingham bow focal point. Finally, those three dots? I added three sequins on my initial card and a trio of gems on my remake but scattered them around my wreath.

This is a stretch from the sketch - but the elements of the sketch are all there. I love sketches - they are a great jumping-off point for a card.

This or That? - Here's a photo of both of my cards - one slightly bolder than the other. Which one is your favourite?

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

As a reminder, for our colour challenges, you must use all of the stated challenge colours. You may also use neutral colours; however, the challenge colours should be the most noticeable ones featured on your card. We use Stampin' Up! color names for reference, but you are welcome to use any other companies' products as long as you match the challenge colours as closely as possible.

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

COTTAGE WREATHS BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (£49.50)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (£8.25)	SAHARA SAND CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	SAHARA SAND A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	PACIFIC POINT CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	PACIFIC POINT A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)
PALE PAPAYA CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	PALE PAPAYA A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	PUMPKIN PIE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	PUMPKIN PIE A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	ADHESIVE BACKED SEASONAL SEQUINS (£6.75)	BRIGHTS 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (£11.25)

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's my turn to host this week and I have a timely theme challenge for you to work with:

I chose Changing Seasons and the arrival of Autumn as my theme this week. With cooler temperatures and shorter days already making an appearance here in the UK, it seems appropriate. When I think of Autumn, I think of the changing colours of the leaves and that was the inspiration for my card today - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

I went with a square card for a change and inspired by a similar layout I'd seen on Pinterest, I created a series of layered circles with my changing colours below and a circle of Crumb Cake above that had a leaf shape cut out with the oak leaf in the Country Wreaths die set, so that the colour showed through the negative space:

My ninth and final circle was  where I stamped my simple sentiment, adding one of the die cut leaves, along with a twine bow and enamel dot as a final embellishment.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

I love the range of colours, from greens through to yellows, oranges red and rust - a great showcase of Stampin' Up! cardstock too! What do you think of today's card and what does Autumn mean to you? Do leave me a comment below, as always I'd love you to share your thoughts. Or you could even play along with this week's challenge!

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

Enjoy your day; I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

COTTAGE WREATHS BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (£49.50)	STYLISH SHAPES DIES (£28.00)	GARDEN GREEN A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	OLD OLIVE A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	CRUSHED CURRY A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	MANGO MELODY A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)
PUMPKIN PIE A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	REAL RED A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	CHERRY COBBLER A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	CAJUN CRAZE A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	CRUMB CAKE A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	EARLY ESPRESSO A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)
EARLY ESPRESSO CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	BRUSHED METALLIC ADHESIVE BACKED DOTS (£8.50)	VERY VANILLA A4 CARDSTOCK (£9.75)

Today I have my card for the new challenge over at Festive Friday. 

The challenge that we are celebrating this week is 'Farmer's Day' which is on October 12th. Remember the fun thing is that at Festive Friday you do not need to actually celebrate the occasion; your goal is to simply use three or more items from the inspiration list on your project. This week I used gingham, die cut, kraft card and a thank you sentiment, along with the sketch layout over at Hand Stamped Sentiments and the colour palette over at Color Throwdown this week and this is what I came up with:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

Timber Texture - For my base layer, I added some texture to my kraft 'frame' using the Timber 3D embossing folder. I really like the effect of the added texture, which adds to the rudtic feel of my card. 

Cottage Wreath - The star of today's card is the autumn wreath, decorated with acorns (and pumpkins) courtesy of the Cottage Wreaths bundle. There are some great standalone wreath dies in this set, but today I chose to diecut one of the stamped versions, full of leaves. I went neutral and decorated my wreath, before finishing with a gingham bow cut from the Country Gingham DSP pack:

A Throwback Trio - I did use a trio of retired products on today's card - did you spot them all? They were Misty Moonlight cardstock for my layers, a piece of Harvest Meadow DSP for the central panel as the blue design coordinated perfectly and finally my pumpkins were cut using the retired Seasonal Swirls Dies, which I rediscovered when I was hinting for retired pumpkin goodies for the pumpkin speed stamping challenge a couple of weeks ago! Some things will always have a use in the craft space, right?! 

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

How does our board inspire you? I can’t wait to see what YOU create! For more inspiration, be sure to visit the rest of the  Festive Friday Challenge Design team:

Ann Schach
Beth McCullough
Sharon Hashimoto Burkert
Melanie Hungerford
Helen Jennings
Melva Peters
Jaydee
Diane Evans
Joanne James

Enjoy your day; mine is going to be a busy one and it includes a visit to the hairdressers for an overdue colour. I might be happy to grow old(er) gracefully but go grey in the process - I'm afraid not! I'll be back tomorrow with another quick project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

COTTAGE WREATHS BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (£49.50)	TIMBER 3D EMBOSSING FOLDER (£9.50)	STYLISH SHAPES DIES (£28.00)	KRAFT 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) PAPER PACK (£5.75)	VERY VANILLA A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (£8.25)	LINEN THREAD (£4.75)
PUMPKIN PIE A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.75)	GINGHAM COTTAGE 12" X 12" (30,5 X 30,5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (£28.00)	SOFT SUEDE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)	CRUMB CAKE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.50)