SPELLBINDERS Autumn Greetings Wreath die set is ADORABLE, and a crafty GIVEAWAY!

Hi all!

I am attempting to engage in some crafty therapy to help with the chaos happening around here... it's been a rollercoaster for the last month. If you are interested in the update with our Goddaughter after the court date in August I'll add it at the end of this post....it has our head spinning for sure! With that, the time in the studio is very scarce, but VERY needed!

Today, I pulled out a die set from Spellbinders called Autumn Greetings Wreath Etched die set. It's so adorable! The little leaves, pumpkins, and gourds are so ADORABLE!!! The set includes branches to create a base wreath for the adorable little elements and script sentiments to complete the most adorable cards! Did I mention, this set is adorable?

The branch dies are separate, and layering multiple pieces helps to create a full, lush grapevine on which to decorate with the elements. A little bit of ink blending using Altenew's Ruby Red, Grapevine, Raw Amber, Autumn Blaze, Firebrick, Mossy Meadow, Green Opal, Deep Iris, Midnight Violet, Espresso, Purple Wine, and Cosmic Berry on all the die cuts really creates interest and dimension. Yes.... I went overboard on my inks. No....it's not too much. Yes....it looks ADORABLE!

After inking the elements, it was time to assemble them on the card panel, which was embossed with the Spellbinders Wicker Basket folder. Adding some texture or tone-on-tone stamping to your backgrounds steps up your creations to the next level. Try it on your next card...you won't be sorry.

Anyhoo...the layout of the elements is really like creating a wreath for your front door. A circle seemed too predictable, so an asymmetrical placement of the branches to build from has much better interest to the eye. Tucking in the adorable leaves, pumpkins, and gourds was too fun and brought me back to my florist days of making wreaths and garlands for holidays. Adding the sentiment in the void completes a circle, so the eye is led around the arrangement of the elements. Does that make sense? I have my art teacher hat on today.... The panel was completed by adding some sparkle with some of Altenew's Metallic Watercolors....it's a must-have in my book!

So that's it on this creation, but since I've been gone for so long, I've decided to have a GIVEAWAY! Nothing helps with more with crafty therapy than giving something to someone... These items will help you get started on those winter holiday cards for sure!

• Spellbinders Holiday Besties stamp & coordinating die set - $22 value

• Altenew Zanzibar Dual Tip Pens - $10

• Altenew Zip & Keep pouch - $4 value

This is a $36 value...just for counting the word 'adorable'....easy peezy!

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

1. FOLLOW this website!

2. COMMENT BELOW how many times I used the word ADORABLE in this post. There are some sneaky ones in there...find them all!

3. That's it...I just wanted an odd number of rules...

I will pick a winner on Tuesday, September 23rd, from all the CORRECT answers.

GODDAUGHTER CHAOS UPDATE

For those of you who read my last update, here is what has happened since.

We were told on August 12th that at the court date on August 18th, her mother would be awarded custody with provisional supervision from the county. During the hearing, the court-appointed guardian (CASA) contested the county's findings as a stall tactic. Ultimately, they don't trust Genny's mom. She continually lies and makes unwise choices about whom she hangs out with, especially when Genny is there. We know this because Genny tells us of all the new and old "daddies" her mom brings into her life...the kid's an open book with us. Her mom denies these men are around, but has been caught up in her multiple lies. These men, including Genny's father, are felons of the worst kind. Using and selling drugs, domestic violence, child abuse, and endangerment, just to name a few of the convictions. Her father's rap sheet alone is 6 pages long. These are not people you want around yourself, let alone your daughter. Her mom can't make those distinctions.

So...long story short....at the court hearing, the CASA guardian contested the re-unification, and a new court date was set for October 8th. They are requiring her mother to have supervised parenting classes....two-way mirror spy stuff....and will make surprise visits to her home when Genny is there in an attempt to catch these men at her home. If she passes the class and no men are found at her home with Genny before October 8th, she will go back.

In the meantime, Genny now spends 3.5 days a week at her mom's house. Her behavior is spiraling out of control at home and at school, but her sweet nature is still there. While at our home, we pray and love her constantly, provide her with structure, positive discipline, and a healthy environment. The rollercoaster has been difficult for us, but Genny's health and well-being are most important at this time.

That's it. Keep praying for Genny. Thanks for letting me share...

Have a colorful day!