Two Halloween Cards and a Whole Lotta Challenges

It's been a busy week, so last night I sat down to look at current challenges.  They started melding together in my head (as they often do) and this CAS card was the result.  The neutral colors (which are my very favorite autumn color combination at the moment) and theme were inspired by The Card Concept #41 Autumn Neutrals and the sketch was inspired by CAS(E) This Sketch #145.   The idea for the sentiment was sparked by CASology Week 168: You, so I wanted to make sure that the "you" was highlighted.  I decided that the little ghost holding a sign with "you" on it would do just that, so I trimmed his arm out and reattached it, so he he could do so.

Next I wanted to play along with Papertrey's Create Along With Us: October Release Week Challenge.  Believe it or not, my card was inspired by this beauty made by the oh-so-talented Betsy Veldman.

Betsy's Card

And here is my simplified take:

I wasn't quite ready to jump completely to Christmas projects, so I used the color scheme from the Simon Says Color Inspiration Challenge.  I wanted to highlight the house like Betsy did, but I off centered my focus and instead of trees in neutrals, I stamped other houses in neutrals.  The twine was supposed to mimic the plaid strip across the bottom of Betsy's card, and I swapped little bat silhouettes for the sleigh silhouette because I liked the bats flying in the Simon inspiration photo.

Simon Says Color Inspiration Board

**Just to let you know, I'll be gone for a little while.  Had I not prepared this post ahead of time, I probably wouldn't have shared these cards.  My grandfather passed away today.  I believe firmly that families are forever, but our hearts are broken.