Oct 15, 2011

It's Dueling Time!

Hello Darlings!  It's the 15th and you know what that means!  Yes, it's time for the October Round of the Dueling Darlings.  We are a group of card makers who duel it out each month with a card kit, posting our creations on the 15th.

We all take turns creating the kit for our team, and this month is hosted by Tami and I.  We started planning this back in July (thankfully Tami wanted to get a real head start!)  I can hardly wait to be DAZZLED by their creations!
My October Card
The stamp we chose is from Stampin Up, it's been retired some time now.  The set was called "Sweet Seasons" and has long been a favorite of mine. This little guy pulling the wagon just brings back so many fun memories of the Fall: pumpkins and apples, making a Halloween costume, carving the enormous pumpkins we used to grow, and so on!

A  Close Up Showing the Image
The base card stock is a burnt orange, textured paper from DCWV.  The DPs are from their "All Seasons I & II and The Naturals" packs.  

I've painted SU's "Crystal Effects" onto his hair, the leaves and the pumpkins to make them pop a bit, but it doesn't photograph well. After cutting the image with a Nesties die, I outlined with a gold metallic marker to give it some emphasis.

Below you can see my initial attempt was going in a totally different direction, which I abandoned and opted for a Joy Fold instead.  I thought it gave more opportunity to showcase the image and DP's. 

      
Here's a view with the card partially open.  "Happiness" is stamped with Staz On Pumpkin onto an oval piece of Balsa wood.  I stained the wood by sponging brown Staz On and then rubbing the edges onto the stamp pad to make them darker.  When dry, I coated it with Crystal Effects to give it a glossy finish.  It is mounted with foam dots to provide a method of keeping the front flap closed-just tuck the corner under the balsa wood.  I added a little sparkle onto the leaves with some glitter glue.

The inside panels are shown here.  The left and most of the center are blank for a message, and the right panel is decorated with a glittery pumpkin and fall leaf.  I really thought the squirrel added another fun touch!

Well, that's it for my October Duel.  Thank you for looking!  Be sure to visit the other Dueling Darlings and admire their cards.  Links are posted in the right column of my blog.

We asked the Divas & Dazzlers to post a favorite Fall recipe.  I think my favorite memory of Fall are the pumpkin cookies that my Mom used to make, but she probably never wrote the recipe down, so my submission may seem plain to you, but I love it:
Acorn Squash!!
Yes, I love Acorn Squash, always have!  It's not a complicated recipe:

Halve the squash lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and rinse.  Place in a baking dish with about 1/4 inch of water in the bottom of the dish.  Prick the surface of the squash with a fork and place 1-2 pats of butter in the cavity.  Sprinkle on ground Nutmeg, Cinnamon and brown sugar.  Cover and bake at 350 degrees until squash is tender.

Hmmm...I think I'll have to make some this weekend!

12 comments:

April said...

WOW!
I can't even tell you how much I loved this kit!! I hope I somehow showed you in my post!

Your card is MAGNIFICENT and I adore how you used your wood piece!

I will cook acorn squash (well, any winter squash), but I don't care for the consistency of it!! Mike, though, loves it!!

Terry Ladwig said...

Love it Darlene! I love the fold, the colors and everything about this card!!

I feel like I should have used the wood pieces but I am just not as creative as some of you ladies and I drew a blank.

Thank you for a wonderful kit for of some really cool things!! Thank you for being part of the Dazzlers!!!

Melina said...

Oh my goodness Darlene! All the elements of this card! Wow! Wow! Wow! Gorgeous! love the layout and fold! :)
This was a wonderful kit Darlene! Thank you so so much

MiamiKel said...

Just BIJOU-tiful!! That's my word for you from now now! :) and WOW! Is the word for the day here! Just beautiful! Your coloring is spot on - so bright and festive and I'm diggin' this fold on your card! LOVE IT!!! Really really super - how fun you girls picked the same immie, lol! Love all the Fall leaves and embellies to match - the acorn squash sounds yummy!!! x0x0

:: BlueInks :: said...

Darlene, I loved working with you on our hosting month! You made the process fun and funny too!

Your card turned out just perfect. I so love that you have the extra fold and the Nestie shape makes the card.

Your details are not missed on this one! Great job.

Barb said...

Oh My Darlene--Your Card ROCKS! This card is just stunning--I love the colors and the joy fold is perfect! The leaves are great on the card and this card just shouts FALL COLORS!

Thanks for sharing such a cute image with the Divas too--I have never seen this cutie before and I LOVE it!

Carol W said...

Holy Hanna girlfriend...my mouth is still on the floor...what a jaw dropping beauty this is...I barely got through with reading the fact that you traced the border with gold (I honestly thought it was a gold piece of paper cut from another nestie--perfect...wow), then I see the rest of your masterpiece...wow, wow, wow...this is absolutely stunning, I love, love, love this card!! Well done my sweet friend, well done...WOW!!!
(I love squash too, thanks for the recipe.)

~Paola~ said...

OHMYGOODNESS!!!! what DAZZLING cards Darlene!! I absolutly love them all...All are sooo vibrant and ooze the Fall season from all corners....you fully rocked this challenge with your own amazzzzzzzing kit my dahlin!!
Totally SUPAH-DUPAH fantastic!!*tfs* xox

Jamie Sanchez said...

Oh my gosh! You and April both were super busy with your kits! All the different things you made with it. I so love the image and paper and everything, you and Tami did a fantastic job! Thank you! Love all your cards!! :D

Judy McMullen said...

Wowzer! This is one fantastic card, Darlene!! Love the Joy Fold, all the Fall images,especially that darling SU "Sweet Seasons" one, and the awesome pumpkin leaves!!! Great job!

My DH would really love your Acorn Squash recipe.

Jeanette (Forest Ranger) said...

Darlene, first let me say... I loved your kit! I loved your theme! You and Tami did such a fabulous job! THANK YOU!!!

And your card... oh my goodness! It is gorgeous! I love the shape you used on the image and all the wonderful details! Very very nice!

Yum! I like acorn squash, too! ;)

Laura said...

Darlene this card is super cute. I love all the fall colors. Looking forward to see more of your crafty ideas.TFS