PTI September Blog Hop

Hi all! Hope you had a good weekend! :)

I'm joining in the Papertrey Ink monthly blog hop today. This is one that I'd like to participate in more frequently. They always pick the most gorgeous inspiration photos and colors for us. This month's picture is no exception...

I love the combination here of white, black, gold, kraft, and green. All of them could really be used as neutrals on a card, and they look beautiful together. There's also a slight hint of Christmas with the pine cones and greenery, so that gave me the idea for a card. I was inspired by Betsy Veldman and this week's Make it Monday (check it out here - I am always SO impressed with her and ideas), and I used her sketch for my own card.

Now, it's no Betsy Veldman card, but I really loved the way this turned out. The color combination is just so elegant and rich, and there are so many different sentiments I could have included here. This is maybe the 3rd or 4th Christmas card I've made so far this year, and it's my favorite! Still deciding what my card is going to look like, but this one will also be going out to someone this holiday season! Have you started your Christmas cards yet?

Have a great week!


Stamps - PTI (wreath and gold branches), Paper Smooches (sentiment)
Paper - Simon Says Stamp (black), Studio Calico (brown and white patterned paper)
Leaf die - Simon Says Stamp 
Black twine - Hobby Lobby
Versamark ink - Hobby Lobby
Gold & white embossing powder - Hobby Lobby
Gold ink - Michael's
Dark green paper - Stampin' Up
Powder tool - Amazon 

SIP Challenge #64

Hi all! Summer is coming to a close... at least, I thought it was until the temperatures around here went back up into the 90s again this week! Ugh. Last week was cooler, and I got a taste of fall goodness. And now we're back to hot, hot, hot summer. Bring back fall! It's my favorite time of year, so I'm ready for these hot days to depart, and the cool, comfy fall weather to stay for good.

And speaking of fall, the reds and yellows of the season were the springboard for the card I made for this week's SIP Challenge: clean and simple!

I made a simple thank you note with fall colors, nature, and leaves.

For me, the biggest challenge with "clean and simple" is stopping. Just adding a few things and then letting it be. I feel like there's a lot of empty space on this card, but I resisted the urge to fill it up! I do think one of the best parts about this card being simple is that that yellow-gold leaf really pops out!

What do you think? Too simple? Just right? Is clean and simple easy for you, or do you have to remind yourself to keep it simple??

Have a great week!

Materials
Leaf punch - Hobby Lobby
Red marker - gift
Black wood rings stamp - Concord and Ninth
Red enamel dots - Simon Says Stamp
Baker's twine - Hobby Lobby
Red cardstock - Stampin' Up
Yellow cardstock - Stampin' Up