The theme is “Fall or Back to School”.  I went with a simple card and gift for a teacher.  As I type this blog entry, the stamp/die set I used,  the Stampin’ Up! exclusive, limited time bundle “Thoughtful Branches” (144328) is still available “while supplies last”.  This set will not be appearing in any upcoming catalog … so if you want it … get it sooner than later!!  The Stamp set, by itself, has sold out.  My fingers are crossed it will still be available when this blog goes live!

If you have arrived from , Andrea Tracy-Tucker‘s amazing blog … welcome.  You can get back to her via the “previous button” or just keep on hopping and you will get to her soon.

Be sure to continue on though the hop until you get back to where you started.  If you take the time to comment on each blog with “#SFSeptHop” as you travel through, you will be entered to win a prize from each of us … One lucky winner gets LOTS of surprises in the mail.  Details are below.

As usual, this month we have three talented Guest Hoppers joining us.  Be sure to say hello to them as you travel through the hop.

 Here are my projects.  Everything I used is from Stampin’ Up!  

It’s September and it is back to school!  My grandson, Miles, started 1st grade a couple of weeks ago … maybe I’ll give this to him to take into his teacher … then again my granddaughter, Sophia who started preschool will want it, too!  I may have to just hang onto to it to avoid an argument!

This card is very straight forward this month.  Nothing fancy here.  I used the soon to be unavailable “Thoughtful Branches” bundle (144328).  I stamped the tree trunk in soft suede and leaves in Old Olive on a piece of Very Vanilla, then ran it through the Big Shot using the Petal Burst Embossing Folder (141493) for dimension.  I then stamped the apples in Real Red and used the apple die from the Beautiful Branches Thinlets Die set.  I used my Soft Suede Stampin’ Write marker to color over the stem.  I adhered the apples with glue dots.

The card base is Old Olive with Old Olive leaves stamped all over for added interest.  There is a skinny layer of Real Red to make the card “pop” a bit.  Tags & Labels Framelits (138282) was used for the sentiment.  A piece of Real Red 3/8″ Stitched Satin Ribbon adds a nice touch. 

I didn’t want to neglect the inside of the card.  I always like to do something to dress it up a bit … yet still leave plenty of space for a note to the teacher.

Here is my quick and easy pencil holder.  My Popcorn Box Thinlets (141473) have finally seen the light of day!  It’s so easy to assemble.

After I cut out the Old Olive parts, I ran them through the Petal Burst embossing folder so it would match the card.  You can see that better in the last photo.

This time I stamped the leaves and trunk and die cut them.  The leaves require the precision base plate (139684).

I did add weight to the bottom of the pencil holder so it would stand up without tipping under the weight of the pencils … I had these heavy-ish flat glass gems left over from another project .. they work perfectly.

I hope you enjoyed my post …. now for prizes.  Please comment on each blog in the hop, using #SFSeptHop along with your comment by midnight on September 18th.  (Please note … the prizes pictured are NOT what the winner will receive.)  The winner will receive a prize from each of the bloggers in this hop!

Thank you for visiting.  Click on the “next” button to continue on through the hop to check out Melanie Coverston and her fabulous contributions.

1. Kathie Rotti – You are HERE!
2. Melanie Coverston
3. Melissa Thomas
4. Elizabeth Jeanne
5. Mandy Reedyk
6. Barbara Welch
7. Steph Jandrow
8. Kristal Bell
9. Yolanda Nixon
10. Carolina Evans 
11. Christine Pennington
12. Leanne Johnson
13. Kirsteen Gill
14. Cindy Waldroff
15. Andrea Tracy-Tucker