12 Kits of Occasions: October (and a BIG Surprise)

Hi!  It's time to share this month's 12 Kits of Occasions cards...yay!  I'm still so excited to be part of this group.  These kits really are like Christmas to me.  I love them for many reasons, but one is that  I get to try out lots of brands and products that I don't own.  This kit was full of fabulous things, and I have sketches galore on how I was going to use the fun items in it, but alas, I didn't really get much beyond the sketching.  I promise I have a good reason...  

Surprise! :) We're feeling blessed and happy and tired and a little out of sorts as we adjust, but mostly blessed.  Luckily the four of us have really been the five of us as my mom has been here off and on the last little bit.  She's incredible.  

Okay, now that I've totally sidetracked you (and myself)...back to cards. :) You should definitely visit the 12 Kits of Occasions blog to see how all the other ladies used this wonderful kit from Jessica (thank you!) and to check out the supply list, especially since my brief post does not even begin to do it justice. 

This super simple card was made by trimming out some branches from one of the patterned papers in the kit.  The brads in the centers I have had for ages, but were a pretty close match to the beautiful rich purple that was part of the kit.  And I have to admit, I was quite proud of myself for actually using them, you know, since they've been sitting in my craft supplies for almost a decade.

The rest of my cards are pretty self-explanatory.  I didn't add much to the kit at all, so make sure you check the 12 Kits of Occasions blog for the supply list.

The only thing in the kit I added to the above card was the sentiment from Simon Says Stamp's Thanks set.  I'm linking it up to this week's Simon Says..Anything Goes challenge and The Card Concept's Thank "Fall" Challenge.  I was inspired by the cluster of fall goodies in the wheelbarrow.  I wanted to do a freestyle collage, but I don't think I really achieved it...I kept pulling stuff off.  So...

I'm also linking up this next one to the Thank "Fall" Card Concept Challenge in the Clean & Simple category.  The multi-colored leaves in the sentiment reminded me a ton of the leaves in the photo.  I even tried to mimic the layout of the photo a bit.

And I'll leave you with one last picture of another cutie patootie.  As I was finishing things up today, he discovered that punches and a bone folder make a great drum set and drum stick.  He cracked me up because every time he'd start to play he'd say "One, a two, a one two three four!"  It was a cute moment that I just had to document.  Okay, I'm off to hopefully catch a bit of sleep tonight.  Have a happy weekend!

PTI October Blog Hop

Hello!  Boy...it's been a while.  I hope you are all happy and well!  I'm happy to share a card I made today for Papertrey's October Blog Hop.  Nichole provided so many fun inspiration photos/color schemes.  I'll definitely be saving them for future reference.  I chose the scheme below and was inspired by the hanging ornaments in the photo. I love how just a little masking when you stamp can add depth. And I know the stamping of the buildings isn't pristine, but I kind of like it. It almost looks like there is a crack, and I thought it added character. I would have never put together this color scheme, but I think they are beautiful together, which is one of the reasons I love these hops.  Have a wonderful weekend!  Thanks for stopping by. :)

Supplies (all PTI unless otherwise noted)

Stamps: Sparkle & Shine Holiday Addition (tiny snowflakes), Star of Wonder, Think Big Favorites #19

Ink: Fog (Simon Says Stamp), Enchanted Evening, Raspberry Fizz, Royal Velvet

Other: Tag Sale #4 die, twine (Pick Your Plum)