Boots, a Cat and Leaves

My entry into Fifth Annual Month of Holiday Cards Challenge at Beccy's Place for the letter "R" is "Rustic." I made this gatefold card in honor of my father-in-law Gene Escher, who passed away last fall just a few days before his 99^th birthday. He was an amazing man, who raised Arabian horses for many years before becoming a successful stockbroker. I loved going to rodeos with him, as he would explain all the intricacies of techniques as we watched roping, cutting and barrel racing. He lived in cowboy boots most of his life, and wore them up to his final days on this earth! Will send this to my MIL this Christmas, as I think it will bless her heart. PS The cowboy boot stamp is from Commotion. The stamp for the inside greeting has no name on it. 

Entered into:

Beccy’s Place Challenge- November                                      (beccysplace.blogspot.com)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- Anything Goes   (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)

Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge2- Extra for Nov   (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.com)

Penny Black stamps makes some awfully cute kittens! Here is proof of that fact. I made second impressions of her cute little paws and mounted them with a bit of foam tape so that they pop out of the bird bath. Not sure that the birds wanted to share their birdbath… but doesn't look like the kitty is planning to leave anytime soon! Am entering this in several challenges that focus on furry friends and things with wings.

Entered into:

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Furry Friends          (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)

Deep Ocean Challenge- Things with Wings                      (deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com.au)

Cute Card Thursday- #504 Birds/Animals                       (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com) 

Artistic Inspirations Challenge-Challenge 190                 (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)
                             

Used my favorite leaf stamp from Stampendous to create this card. To make the background I used a brayer brush and a rainbow ink pad to lay down a bit of color before stamping the leaf repeatedly in various shades of autumn colors. I gave the center leaf center stage by sponging a square of white cardstock with the autumn colors. After the inks were dry (I used a heat gun to hasten that) I stamped the leaf with clear embossing powder, then brayered the image with black ink. (You can find tutorials on this technique by searching "Jacobs Coat Stamping Technique" on youtube or Pinterest.) I usually do one final step that I've not seen in the tutorials. To give an added orange peel like texture, I generously sponge embossing ink over the finished image, cover with embossing powder, remove excess powder, and swipe over it with my heat gun. Because I am entering this card into the Simon Says Monday Challenge entitled "Tear it up" I tore the edges of the background and the centerpiece. I especially like the way the torn edge on the centerpiece brings the original white cardstock out, creating a natural frame for the leaf. Am also entering it into QKRs "Give Thanks" Challenge, and CAS-ual Fridays Gratitude and Attitude Challenge (because I love that the Thanksgiving holiday reminds us to share our thanks and gratitude for the many blessings we enjoy!

Entered into: 

Simon Says Monday Challenge- Tear It Up                  (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)

QKR Stampede- Anything Goes  (Give Thanks)          (qkrstampede.blogspot.com)

CAS-ual Fridays- Gratitude & Attitude                          (CAS-ualfridays.blogspot.com)