Sweet Autumn and A Confession

My Sweet Autumn clematis paniculata is in full bloom, and it smells just as beautiful as it looks. I went out this morning to take some photos.



Maggie managed to get in the shot..she's such a ham. When you look as fancy as she does wearing a pink and black leopard print bandanna, then I guess you deserve to get your photo taken.




I tried to get the vines to climb the fishing line and grow over the arbor, but they were not cooperating this year. The vines decided to grow along the fence instead. I think they did it just to vex my husband.



Speaking of flowers, I found these adorable notepads and note cards at the dollar spot at Michael's. My mom told me about these, and she gave me a notepad in red...super cute! Thanks, Mom! (And Happy Belated Birthday, you sweet thing!) I try to avoid the craft stores because they always tempt me into buying stuff I don't need. I do like their cheap note pads, though! I bought these for my s.m.i.l. (step mom-in-law) Shirley Ann, who is recovering from an accident. She loves hollyhocks, so I know she will likes these, too.



I decided to make a card to send with this little gift. I took my color inspiration from those note pads.

{recipe: all products from SU!, Nature Walk stamp set, basic black ink and card stock, more mustard ink/card stock/ designer paper, always artichoke ink and ribbon, First Edition designer paper}

So here's my confession: I have spent an entire month of paper crafting using only Stampin' Up products. I decided to give it a try after a discussion on the forums at Splitcoast Stampers. I thought it might be difficult, but it was actually very easy! After being an SU demo for more than seven years and stamping for more than twelve years, I've accumulated quite a lot of product. I would say that more than 75 % of my craft supplies come from SU. Here are a few things I learned:

* Coordinating is easy when you use products from one company line.
* Single stamps may be cheaper, but stamp sets give a lot more flexibility. This card used three stamps from one set!
* Setting limitations can actually be quite freeing!
* Setting limitations can force you to be more creative.
* There may be a lot of companies out there, but SU was my first love, and I still get excited about their products.

After the August experiment, I've even been considering becoming an SU demo again. I'm not really sure if the world needs another SU demo, and I'm not certain that I can be a demo and be frugal at the same time. It is something to think about. But I do enjoy creating with their products, and I'm super excited about a few items in that Holiday mini!

I think I may put together a little SU giveaway this weekend! Stop back for some blog candy!