Embrace Happiness!

Penny Black is hosting a color combo challenge on their blog through tomorrow, September 26. There are five different combinations and the designers have put together some amazing creations using these colors. The challenge for Day One begins here. I am also entering my card in the Casology challenge for Autumn and the CAS-ual Fridays challenge to use a fall color palette and at least one leaf. Again, the designers on each of these challenge sites have some wonderful creations - be sure to take a look!

I was immediately drawn to the Penny Black color combo from day two for a fall card that is all about having fun and being happy. These beautiful rich colors are so perfect for this time of the year, and I'm looking forward to trying this combo for a Christmas design, too. Just look at the teal and plum - oh, how they make my heart sing!

Miss Kitty (from the Penny Black set, Christmas Critters), has traded in her holly garland for some brightly colored fall leaves. The sparkle on her garland is from a Wink of Stella brush - oh, how Abbey and I love the sparkle without the real glitter challenge we experience here in the attic! 

The leaves were punched with a Recollection small Maple Leaf punch from watercolor paper inked with markers or distress ink and then spritzed with Perfect Pearls and water to add a bit more glisten. The back of the paper was also inked so the leaves would be colored on both sides when they were curled. The blue strip of paper on the edge is actually the same teal as the leaves - no idea why it is photographing blue instead of teal.

This card has lots of dimension so it's one I'll definitely be hand delivering or mailing in a box. Ms. Kitty just loves her new extra long tail extension that lends itself to lots of flopping and a bit of tail chasing in the leaf pile.

Here's a peak at the finished inside - the Penny Black Eloquence stamp set is one I reach for often, and this is my favorite sentiment.

I like to think Abbey, aka Helper Cat, was admiring this new kitty card, but I have a feeling she was just warming herself under the photo lamp since it was a cloudy, cool day when we were taking photos. She loves being part of the action! Amazing how many photos I found with just a few whiskers peeking in at the edge! Thank goodness for digital photos...

Embrace happiness! And everyday, your heart will sing!

Blessings,

Materials: Cardstock: Archivers Watercolor Paper, Kraft; Patterned Paper: MME Stella Rose-Mabel; Doodlebug Happy Harvest; Stamps: Penny Black Christmas Critters 30-006; Friendship 30-160; Eloquence 30-162; Tree-mendous 30-165; Ink: Hero Hues Black Dye; Hero Arts Raspberry Jam Mid-Tone; Distress Inks Tea Dye, Spiced Marmalade; Distress Markers Tea Dye, Spiced Marmalade, Spun Sugar; Markers: Marvy Crimson Lake, Tombow Teal; Other: Recollections Maple Leaf Punch; Zing Clear Embossing Powder; Perfect Pearls; Wink of Stella Brush Clear