Welcome to the CardMaker Magazine Blog's Graceful Leaves Blog Hop!

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Hi everyone! 

I welcome you to my blog, and another CardMaker hop, as enthusiastically as I welcome the first signs of Fall!

It's my very favorite season. I don't know what I love more...the cool crisp air, the sounds and rich aroma of fallen leaves crunching under my feet, or the beautiful foliage as it turns it's many shades of splendor.

I can't share the feel or the smell of Fall with you but I can share some of the colors of God's paintbrush!

The CardMaker girls have all created cards for you today inspired by Fall leaves to herald in the new season.

Here is mine.

Right now, the leaves on our Flaming Maple are just starting to turn from green to a burt orange color and I tried to capture that on my card since we are celebrating the first day of Autumn. In a few weeks, I will be able to break out with vibrant oranges and unbelievably beautiful reds. :)

Here's a shot of the inside.

This was a fun and simple card to create so I thought I would share some of the creative process with you.

First I stamped the beautiful #9902F "Every Leaf Fluttering" sentiment from Inky Antics onto a 5"x3 3/4" piece of Brilliant White cardstock.
Then I took some leaf dies and cut out stencils from scrap cardstock.  I placed the leaf stencils over my card front and spritzed them with assorted colors of mists.

After I have done all of the leaves, I placed a scalloped circle over the sentiment and misted the entire card front with Perfect Pearls Sunflower Sparkle mist to give the entire card some shimmer and shine.

The leaves I punched out to make my stencils, were still laying on my table, so I thought I would incorporate them into my card as well. I sprayed them with pretty heavily with mists.

I hate wasting all of the mist that is left laying on my non-stick craft mat, so I took a piece of scrap paper and soaked it all up. There were a few white spots on the paper after I turned it over so I added just a bit more mist to fill in the bare spots.

I let all of the pieces dry, used the color matched paper that I created with the left over mist for the second layer of the card, and the trimmed off scrap pieces to accent the inside. Then I add the leaves that had started out as scrap pieces from my stencil making step with foam dots.

This card really just evolved into what it is by me using what I had on hand. I had originally planned on it being a simple white card with a few misted leaves and a bow when I started out :)

~~UPDATE~~
Once again, I used another byproduct for crafting. I had picked some leaves from our Maple tree for the photo shots of my card. They were very pretty and I hated to waste them, so I used some Mod Podge and a canning jar to create a coordinating Fall candle. :)

CARD RECIPE
#9902F "Every Leaf Fluttering" from Inky Antics
Gold Ore Metallic, Brilliant White, and Midnight Black cardstocks from Discount Card Stock
Gold seam binding from Really Reasonable Ribbon
Provo Craft Cuttlebug 2x2 Fall leaf die set
Ranger Ink: Butterscotch and Meadow Color Wash sprays, and Sunflower Sparkle Perfect Pearls Mist.
Mod Podge

Thanks so much for dropping by!
I hope you take time to enjoy the beauty of the ever changing colors of Fall.
I would love to know what your favorite thing about Fall is!  
Pop it in a comment below before you go. :)


Here are the links to the rest of the CardMaker girls blogs so you can hop by and check out the stunning projects they have prepared for your viewing pleasure.

Anya
Carolyn
Colleen
Glenda
Jennie
Kimberly
Brooke (CardMaker blog)

God Sure Knows How To Rock The Color Wheel! :)

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Hi Everyone!

Just a quick post to share some beautiful leaves that I shot of our pear trees this afternoon.

The beauty took my breath away!

I am thankful that God has blessed us with so much beauty. We just have to stop and take the time to see it.

I hope you all will look for beauty in something simple today!

Hugs,

True :D

Check Out My New Digi Cupcake Wrappers and a YUMMY Recipe for Pumpkin Walnut Cupcakes With Orange Cream Cheese Frosting!

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Good morning everyone!

Today, I have something a little different to share.

I have created some digital Fall Cupcake Wrappers that are available for instant download, starting today for just $3.00 at Clear Dollar Stamps!

Hubby really likes this set. Not because he is into pretty cupcake wrappers, but because he is into yummy cupcakes! :) Oh the sacrifices we crafters make for photo shoots! :)

Here is what I whipped up....

This is what the set looks like. Simply print, cut, decorate if you would like, and viola...you have a beautiful Fall cupcake presentation!

I used both regular and scalloped scissors to cut the top edges and decorated with Stickles and Perfect Pearls.

Here is a close up shot of the scrumptious cupcakes that I made for the photos.

They are super moist and sooooo delicious!

Is your mouth watering yet? :)

Here's the recipe.

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Pumpkin Walnut Cupcakes with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1/4 lb.) butter, at room temperature 
• 1 cup sugar 
• 2 large eggs 
• 1 cup canned pumpkin 
• 1 tablespoon vanilla 
• 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 cup milk 
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
• Orange cream cheese frosting (recipe follows)
• Candy sprinkles (optional)

Preparation

• 1. In a bowl, with a mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add pumpkin and vanilla and beat until well blended (mixture will look separated at this point).
• 2. In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Stir half the flour mixture into pumpkin mixture. Stir in milk just until blended. Add remaining flour mixture and stir just until incorporated. Spoon batter equally into 12 muffin cups (1/3-cup capacity; cups should be about 3/4 full) lined with paper baking cups.
• 3. Bake in a 350° regular or convection oven until tops spring back when lightly pressed in the center and a wooden skewer inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool in pans on racks for 5 minutes; remove cupcakes from pans and set on racks to cool completely, at least 30 minutes.
• 4. Spoon orange cream cheese frosting into a pastry bag fitted with a 3/4-inch star tip and pipe onto tops of cupcakes, or spread on cupcakes with a knife. Decorate with candy sprinkles, if desired.
• Orange cream cheese frosting: In a bowl, with a mixer on low speed, beat 4 ounces cream cheese and 6 tablespoons butter, both at room temperature, until well blended. Beat in 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon finely minced orange peel, and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon orange extract until smooth.
• ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
• Hope you have enjoyed my post today!
• I would love to know what you think about my cupcake wrappers.
• Also let me know if you will be using the recipe and if you would like more like them.
• I have lots! Years and years ago, I was a baker by trade! :)
• Click HERE to go get your own cupcake wrappers.
• They are super quick to make and a lot of fun to embellish. The kids would love to help too!
• I have a super quick tutorial over @ the Clearly iStamps blog showing how easy these are to make.
• Now....if you will please excuse me...I have a cupcake to finish eating!  :)

If you liked this recipe post, please become a Follower. I plan on adding lots of crafty things combined with yummy recipes in the near future. Look for more cupcake ring designs too! :)

Hugs,

True :D

Super Quick and Easy Fall "Thank You" Card

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Hello Everyone!

I made a quick and simple card to play along with the girls in today's "Ways To Use It" #WT346 challenge over at Split Coast Stampers. We were simply asked to use leaves.

Here is my card...

 I bought these fun sparkly leaves from the Fall department at Hobby Lobby awhile back without even knowing what I was going to do with them. I just bought them because they were pretty! As soon as I saw today's challenge, a light bulb went off!

The corrugated cardboard was salvaged from some packaging material hubby was just going to throw away! *GASP!*

The cardstock is Wheat from Discount Card Stock and the pretty Brown Glitz ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

The sentiment is from Clear Dollar Stamps "Heartfelt Sentiments" set.

See the links below for other products used on this card.

This was a super quick and easy card to make but I think it turned out kind of nice! :)

Time For Another Inky Antics Blog Hop!

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Hi Everyone!

Welcome to Inky's Autumn Critters Blog Hop!

Hope you are all enjoying this lovely Fall weather!

Today, the Inky Girls have a quick little hop for you to enjoy. There are only 6 stops so set down, rest your feet for a little while and check out the inspirational projects that were created just for your viewing pleasure! :)

If you came here from Michelle's adorable blog, you are in the right place! If you just happened on to my blog, please head back to the Inky blog where it all starts. Jackie will be giving away both clear sets that you have seen on this hop to one lucky commentor. Make sure and leave some love on all of the girl's posts! The more you comment the better your chances! (limit one comment per blog please).

For my card today, I used Inky's #11064MC Autumn Dogs Clear Set.

The richly colored Spice Cardstock is from Discount Cardstock.
The designer papers are from an older Debbie Mumm Harvest set.
That pretty orange ribbon is from  last month's Ribbon Club Kit over at Really Reasonable Ribbon.
Many of the ribbons Bonnie puts in the kits are only available in the kits. Check out this month's kit HERE.
To see a list of other products used on this card, see links below.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The blog hop ends on Sunday, November 30^th at midnight Central time. One person’s name will be drawn at random to receive both of the clear sets used in this hop. The winner’s name will be announced on the Inky Antics  blog next Monday, so remember to stop back and see if you’ve won.

You have almost reached the end of the line. Told ya it wouldn't take long!

Head on back to the Inky blog and let us know what you think about the new stamp sets and the projects you saw along your hop!

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Hugs,

True :D

Picadilly Paper Pieced Pumpkin

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Hi Everyone!

I dare ya to say the title 5 times fast!  ;)

I'm playing along with the girls in today's F4A81 challenge over @ Split Coast Stampers.

We were asked to paper piece our image. I used the "Autumn Blessings" stamp set that I illustrated for Clear Dollar Stamps and some Basic Grey "Picadilly" paper.

I stamped the image on Brilliant White cardstock from Discount Card Stock, then again on the Picadilly paper form their Card Kit. I then shaded the pumpkin with Prismacolor watercolor pencils then colored the rest of the image.

I used the "Autumn Blessings" clear stamp because I had it handy, but this image is also available for instant download! Why wait? ;)

Buy "Autumn Blessings" digi for just $2.50!

 

 I used lots of Ranger Ink, Really Reasonable Ribbon, Helmar, and other company's products to create my card.
Click on the links below for more information on where to buy.

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Hugs,

True :D

"Autumn Blessings" from CDS	Picadilly Card Kit from Basic Grey	Brilliant White Cardstock from DCS	Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils	California Poppy H/D Silk from RRR	Bow-Easy	D'vine Swirl EF from Provo Craft	Cuttlebug from Provo Craft
Perfect Medium from Ranger Ink	Perfect Pearls Pigment from Ranger Ink	Clear Embossing Powder by Ranger	Heat It Tool by Ranger	Archival Inks by Ranger	Helmar Craft Glue	Zap Dots from Helmar	Fiskars Paper Trimmer
Titanium Micro Sissors from Fiskars	Scor-pal

InLinkz.com

More Cards From The September Issue of CardMaker!

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Hi Everyone!

Today is the third and final week that CardMaker is featuring me on their Facebook page as the September issue's "Featured Designer".

Because they have been doing that, I have been able to share the cards that I created for that issue!

I showed you one last week and one the week before and I have 2 left. Both of them are simple cards that would be easy for even the newest card make to recreate.

The first is "Autumn Blessings". It can be found on page 6 (the Editor's Notes page) and page 49 of the September issue of CardMaker.

I used a digital stamp that I illustrated for Clear Dollar Stamps called "Autumn Blessings". It is available for instant download  for just $2.50!

 Why not get a jump on your Fall and Thanksgiving projects? ;)

My last card is called "Fall Thank You" and can be found on the upper right hand corner of the cover and on page 53.

I can't share my card recipe because of publication rights but you can find all of the details for these and my 2 other cards in the September issue of CardMaker. 

Did you know you can also buy the digital version of CardMaker? It is awesome!

Look for more of my projects in the November issue that's coming out soon!

Thanks for dropping by!

Hugs,

True :D

PS...I would love it if you headed over to CardMaker's Facebook page, like them and tell them Trudy sent ya!  :)

My Papertake Weekly Special Guest DT challenge card.

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Hello All!
I am very excited!

I was asked to join the girls over @ Papertake Weekly Challenge blog as their special Guest Designer for a month!

This is the first card I did for their challenges, one of which starts today, and is "Autumn Skies" theme.
Use autumn colors...gold, reds, browns etc.

I used the digi stamp that I illustrated for Clear Dollar Stamps called "Autumn Blessings" to create this card.

It is so fun and easy to color, I find myself using it often!
One of the many awesome things about digis is you can get them instantly! You would still have tons of time to whip up some Thanksgiving place cards or napkin rings and wow your guests!
See my napkin ring sample HERE.

You can download the set instantly for just $2.50 by clicking the picture below. :)

I used Moss Swirls, one of my all time favorite ribbons from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

I also used Sage Green Vintage Brads and Amber Gem Stickers from Creative Charm's ~ "Fabulous Fall" Kit of the Month set.

BTW...If you have not signed up for my birthday blog candy, sponsored by Wild Orchid Crafts, CLICK HERE to go to that post. Candy entries close at midnight Central Time on Nov. 17th...my birthday!  ;)

I hope you will head on over to Papertake Weekly and have a peek at the fabulous projects the other girls have prepared for you. Who knows....you just might be inspired to join us! :)

Hugs,

True :D

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Card Recipe:
CDS STAMPS USED: "Autumn Blessings" digi and clear stamp set
CS/PAPERS: watercolor paper, Bazzill, Debbie Mumm's ~ "Holliday and Harvest" stack
INK: Ink jet printer and Staz-On ~ Jet Black (sentiment and corner leaves)
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Creative Charms ~ Vintage Brads and Gem Stickers, Really Reasonable Ribbon's ~ Moss Swirls ribbon, a silk leaf, sewing machine and green thread, Wizard, round and scalloped round Nestabilities, water brush, Scor-Tape
COLORING: watercolors