Less Challenged . . .

For my card for Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #37, I played it smart and selected my papers first, choosing four coordinating prints from CTMH's Abundance paper packet. Then, I figured out how big to cut my circles. Before adhering them, I inked the edges to give the different patterns a little added definition. I 'tried on' a couple of stamp sets before selecting CTMH's new Four Seasons set. I inked the image with markers. In keeping with the Thanksgiving theme I seem have going on this weekend (perhaps in honor of our Canadian friends!), I stamped the 'Blessings' sentiment directly on the patterned paper. Embellishments include one of the fun Edge Anchors and a paper leaf from the Just Blooms® Autumn Leaves collection that I changed up a bit with a sponge dauber and ink from a couple of ink pads. When I first saw this sketch, it scared me. As it turned out, it was fun!

Materials & Tools: Colonial White and Chocolate cardstock; Abundance paper packet; Chocolate, Orange, and Autumn Terracotta ink pads; Chocolate, Autumn Terracotta, and Sunflower markers; Four Seasons and Friendship Blessings stamp sets; Just Blooms® Autumn Leaves; Rustic Edge Anchors; Cuttlebug w/Nestabilities Classic Circles set; Sponge daubers.

The apartment complex we manage recently provided a Nintendo Wii for our tenants, which Cameron and Dusty hooked up the other night. Marv introduced it to some of the residents today, and I was just downstairs and watched a couple of elderly ladies bowl. They seemed to catch on quick to the controller thing and appeared to be having the time of their lives. I suppose I'll have to try it out myself one of these days and see if I bowl electronically the same I do at the bowling alley - inconsistently!

Having pretty much accomplished what I set out to do this weekend, I'm going to spend the evening going through some paperwork I brought home from work. It's early to bed tonight, too, because I really do need to go in early tomorrow and get a report ready that I didn't get to last week. Besides work, I have a few things to do this week, including coming up with projects for my stamp club that meets next weekend. Cameron has been asked to take care of the boys' Halloween costumes and has enlisted my help. I understand they both want to be pirates, so I will have to take a look at what's available locally. I know what's available online - a mind-boggling amount of stuff and some of it very spendy. Grandma might just end up dusting off her sewing machine for this one. I sewed Bjorn's first Halloween costume - a lion suit made with fake fur. As it turned out, that particular costume would have been cheaper to buy. Leave it to me.

I hope everyone has a great week. I'll be talking to you . . .