Ikebana

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for the new challenge at ATCAS, hosted by the very talented Sylvia (Poppy's Papercraft Patch).

Sylvia chose this word ...

This challenge's sponsor is

Prize:  5 digital images

I decided to go with a card featuring the art of Ikebana --- Japanese floral arranging. I've done cards like this in the past and I love the delicate look of the shallow vase with the simple, yet striking floral design.  I used a corner die for the background, which to me looks like a Japanese screen.  I glued a couple of layers of each for the two squares to make them thicker and then mounted them onto my card front.

The vase is actually an ornament punch I bought from SU!, cutting off a small part of the top, a large part of the bottom and then turning it upside-down.  I added a branch from brown card stock and then cut out two blossoms from a pink metal sheet that I had pounced with a little bit of red alcohol ink.  I used the same pink metal to add a decorative strip to the vase.  A simple sentiment finishes the card.

I hope you'll check out the challenge (ATCAS#47 - Oriental) and take a look at the amazing cards by the rest of the DT.  We also have a wonderful Guest Designer joining us for September.  Please welcome Tenia (Jazzy Paper Designs) ... check out her wonderful blog which is filled of creative and fun cards.

This challenge is open for two weeks, so there's lots of time to play along.  Hope to see you in the gallery.

Stamps:  Thoughts of You (Rubber-Art Stamps)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Black, Early Espresso (SU!)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Poppyfield (Ranger Alcohol ink)
Accessories & Tools:  Corner die (Cuttlebug), Ornament punch (SU!), Grove Branch die (Memory Box), Hydrangea punch (Martha Stewart), pink metal sheet (Add A Little Dazzle)

Delphiniums and Bamboo

I will be holding a workshop with my Crafty Girls in the next few weeks, to show them how to use blender pens ... even though I'm just a beginner :)  I have already made a few cards with these pens using pinks and oranges, but wanted to have more colors for them to try, so made two more using blues and greens.

I know there are lots of different ways to use blender pens, but I'm fairly new to this product and have only tried two so far.  One technique is marker layering (tutorial on SCS here).  Ink is added to watercolor paper using Stampin' Write markers and then blended with the pens to create layers of shading.  Another I've tried is using ink from the stamp pads and the blender pen to add to watercolor paper ... more subtle look than marker layering.  The first card uses a combination of both of those techniques and I experimented by using Whisper White cardstock instead of watercolor paper.  It turned out great and I will probably experiment with other papers to see how they work.  The watercolor paper is the best, though and I will definitely use it the most often.

"Blue Delphiniums"

Stamps:  Echoes of Kindness, Field Flowers (SU!)
Paper:  Whisper White, Certainly Celery (SU!)
Ink:  StazOn black, Marina Mist, Pacific Point, Certainly Celery, Basic Black (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  blender pen, white gel pen, Stamp-a-ma-jig, post-it note for masking, adhesives, and dimensionals

I stamped a stem of delphiniums in the center of my card front with StazOn black ink.  I stamped the image again onto a post-it note, cut around the outline of the flowers (generally - not to picky) and then used the post-it note to mask my first stamping.  I stamped the image twice more, one on either side of the first stamping.  I removed the post-it note.

I "squished" the Marina Mist stamp pad and then opened it (this leaves some ink on the lid).  I used my blender pen to pick up the ink and color in the flowers.  I did a second coating to intensify the color (deeper color in the middle of the flower and lighter towards the edges).  I alway try to leave a little white space on the flower - it makes it see more realistic.  Next I used my Pacific Point Stampin' Write marker to add color to the centers of the flowers (or base depending on how the flower is facing) and then used the blender pen to blend the color outwards.

I used the Certainly Celery Stampin' Write marker to outline the stems and around the outside of each flower.

I added some white dots in the flower centers using the gel pen.

I stamped the sentiment in Basic Black ink using the Stamp-a-ma-jig for positioning.

I mounted all the layers, popping up the main framed panel with dimensionals.  I also added one stem of delphiniums to the inside of the card, using the same process as above to color in the flowers.

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This card is a CASE of one from shellied at SCS (click here).  I just love the design and layout she used to create a wonderful asian-style card.  I changed only a few small things, but basically this is totally shellied's card.  Hope you like.

"Bamboo For You"

Stamps:  Embrace Life (SU!); For You (Rubber-Art Stamps)
Paper:  River Rock, Early Espresso (SU!); watercolor paper, green mulberry paper ($1 store!)
Ink:  StazOn black, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand, River Rock (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  blender pen, Big Shot, Floral Screen embossing folder (Cuttlebug), rubber brayer, medium oval punch, scalloped oval punch, adhesives, and dimensionals

I stamped the image onto watercolor paper using StazOn black ink.  I "squished" my Old Olive ink pad (leaving ink in the lid) and then used the blender pen to pick up the ink and color in the leaves of the bamboo.  I repeated this with the Always Artichoke ink, adding the color mostly at the base of the leaves.  I used the Sahara Sand Stampin' Write marker to outline the stems and leaves.

I used my rubber brayer to add River Rock ink to the inside of my embossing folder, added a piece of River Rock cardstock, and ran it through the Big Shot (faux letterpress technique).  I framed all the pieces for the card with Early Espresso cardstock.

I mounted all the layers as shown in the photo above, popping up the main framed image with dimensionals as well as the sentiment.

For the inside of the card, I added another piece of the green mulberry paper (framed in Early Espresso) to the bottom of the card.

Cherry Blossoms Thank You

Happy Easter everyone!

OK, so I just had to make another card for Friday's "Free For All" Challenge (F4A111 - Celebrate the Dragon - make an asian-themed card).  I just loved making the cherry blossoms card yesterday using the marker layering technique, so I made some more and just changed up the layout.  Hope you like this CAS card ...

"Cherry Blossoms Thank You"

Stamps:  Embrace Life, Short & Sweet (SU!)
Paper:  Watercolor paper, Soft Suede striped DP (SU!)
Ink:  StazOn black, Soft Suede, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Sahara Sand (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Nestabilities Square die-cuts, blender pen, sponge, white gel pen, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sticky strips, adhesives, and dimensionals

I stamped the cherry blossom branch three times in StazOn black ink onto watercolor paper.  I used the marker layering technique to add the Regal Rose and Rose Red inks to the blossoms, using the blender pen.  I went over the stems with Soft Suede Stampin' Write marker and then used my Sahara Sand marker to add a shadow all around the stems and blossoms.  I added dots of white gel pen to the blossoms.

I ran the images through my Big Shot with a 1 1/2" square die-cut.  Leaving the cut-out in the die, I sponged Soft Suede ink around the edges (this leaves the very outside edges the original color to create a frame).

I mounted a 1 1/4" strip of Soft Suede Striped DP onto my watercolor paper card front.  I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement, and stamped the sentiment in Soft Suede ink.  I took the Sahara Sand marker and went over the sentiment to create a shadow so it matched the cherry blossoms.

I mounted the three panels onto the strip, popping them up with dimensionals to add depth.  I mounted the card front onto a card base of Soft Suede.

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Using the digital image I purchased from Whimsie Doodles a couple of days ago, I made bag toppers for treat bags.  The bag in the middle is for my grand-doggie Penny ... doggie cookies shaped like ducks - they are so adorable!

Oh, and here's the latest picture of Penny ... sorry for the poor quality, my son used his phone camera.  She's got it pretty soft!  :)

Cherry Blossoms for you ...

Today I made a second card for yesterday's "Free For All" Challenge (F4A111 - Celebrate the Dragon - make an asian-themed card).  I was inspired by this card from the challenge gallery, posted yesterday by Lois (Clownmom on SCS).  I used the Marker Layering technique for the cherry blossoms.  Hope you like this CAS card.

"Cherry Blossoms for You" 

Stamps:  Embrace Life (SU!), For You (Rubber-Art Stamps)
Paper:  Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Basic Black, watercolor paper (SU!)
Ink:  Soft Suede, Always Artichoke, StazOn black, Regal Rose, Rose Red (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big shot, Ornament punch, Crackle embossing paste (Dreamweaver), palette knife, Grove branch die-cut (Memory Box), blender pen, Tombow glue, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge, glue dots, and dimensionals

I started by making the "vase" last night.  I punched out the ornament from Basic Black cardstock and trimmed off the bottom to make a vase shape.  I spread an even layer of crackle embossing paste on top using the palette knife ... or as even as I could get :)  I let it dry overnight - it probably only takes a couple of hours to set, but it was late so I decided to finish the card today.

Once the vase was dry, I sponged Soft Sued ink over top, adding more to the outer edges to darken them (I got a little carried away and got it too dark so I tried to remove some of the ink with the blender pen ... I guess the paste doesn't like whatever is in the blender pen, because it went a little white (right hand side of the vase).  Anyways, it just gives it more character, right??!! :)

I stamped a vine onto the vase with Always Artichoke ink (sorry, don't know the name of the stamp).  I went over the stamping with my Always Artichoke Stampin' Write marker to darken it.

I ran the branch die-cut through my Big Shot with Soft Suede cardstock, and then sponged more Soft Suede ink on top to darken the branch a little.  I trimmed the ends of the branch so that it was proportional to the vase and then glued the base of the branch to the front of my Sahara Sand card base.

I used the Cherry Blossoms from embrace life and stamped them in StazOn black onto watercolor paper.  Used the marker layering technique (click to see tutorial here) to color the blossoms in Regal Rose and Rose Red.  I cut out the blossoms.

I used rolled glue dots to attached the blossoms to the branch which gives them dimension.

I added the vase at the base of the branch, popping it up with dimensionals to add more depth.

Bamboo

Headed off to get groceries this morning without Hubby.  He's still not feeling great - 12 days and counting!  Bad cold, but the worst part is the coughing and so not much sleep which, I'm sure, is the reason this illness is been hanging on for so long.  Hopefully he'll be able to get some more sleep soon!

On to the card for today.  Quick and easy Asian-themed CAS card today!  Wanted to use my new bamboo stamp from Rubbernecker Stamps (KK Original Stamps).  Added some texture to the card by using the Square Lattice embossing folder for the dark green background of the square die-cuts.  Used the "thumping" technique to add some interest to the stamped image.  Hope you like.

"Bamboo"

Stamp:  Bamboo (KK Original Stamps - Rubbernecker)

Paper:  Whisper White, Old Olive, Always Artichoke (SU!)

Ink:  Old Olive; Stampin' Write marker Always Artichoke (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Corner die-cut (Cuttlebug), Square Lattice embossing folder (Sizzix), Tombow glue, adhesives and dimensionals

Inked the stamp with Old Olive and then used the Always Artichoke marker to "thump" some color along each of the leaves and along the indented part of the stalks - stamped onto Whisper White card front.

Ran the corner die-cut through my Big Shot with Old Olive cardstock three times.  Ran a piece of Always Artichoke cardstock through my Big Shot with the Square Lattice embossing folder.  Cut the embossed cardstock to size and then used Tombow glue to add the square Old Olive die-cuts on top.

Add the embossed strip to the card front, popping it up with dimensionals to add depth.

Mounted the card front onto a card base of Old Olive.

Japanese Screen

Last night we had our friends Lance, Lili and Natasha over for dinner.  It was so great to spend an evening with them!  This afternoon we're heading to a family dinner with my nieces and nephews (and my kids, mom and SIL).  Kevin and Sarah will be hosting the dinner at their house ... and Adrienne and David will be the cooks for today.  I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone!

But before I go, I needed to get this write up done for today's card for Monday's CAS Challenge (CAS152) - Die-cuts!  I made an Asian-themed card, creating a flower arrangement and a screen.  I cut a rectangle "window" on the front panel of the card and lined it with vellum so it has a slightly transparent appearance (the picture doesn't show that ... much better in real life).  I used three die-cut squares to create a "screen" that I placed on top of the vellum.  And I randomly sponged a darker brown over the entire front of the card to give it an aged look.  Hope you like.

"Japanese Screen"

Stamps:  Silhouette Sentiments (SU!)

Paper:  Crumb Cake (Kraft), Basic Black (SU!); vellum, red swirl DP (unknown)

Ink:  Real Red, Old Olive, Soft Suede (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Cuttlebug Corners Die (squares), Big Shot, ornament punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge, mini half-pearls, Tombow glue, adhesives and dimensionals

* * * * *

I made the card base from Crumb Cake and cut a window 4" x 1 1/4".  I randomly sponged Soft Suede ink all over the card front to create an aged look.  I used sticky strips to attach a slightly larger piece of vellum behind the cut-out.

  

I ran the Cuttlebug die-cut through my Big Shot three times with Basic Black cardstock to create the three squares.  I mounted the squares to the front of the card overtop the vellum, using Tombow glue to secure.

Using my Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement, I stamped the flowers using Red Red and Old Olive Stampin' Write markers.  I went over the stamping again (free-hand) with the Stampin' Write markers to make the image darker and I also enlarged the flowers.  I place mini half-pearls in the center of each flower.

I punched the ornament from Basic Black cardstock and trimmed the bottom slightly and then cut the whole piece so it was only 1/2" deep, creating a dish for my flower arrangement.  I cut a thin (1/16") strip of red swirl DP and mounted it on top of the dish to create interest.

I mounted the dish on top on the card front so that the bottom lined up with bottom of the screen, popping it up with dimensionals to add depth.

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A second card for CAS Challenge - Die-cuts (CAS152).  This time I made a baby card using my new purchase of the Top Note die ... I've been wanting it for a long time!  Another card for my upcoming twine workshop with my crafty girls next weekend.  Hope you like!

"It's a boy"

Stamps:  Baby (Heidi Grace)

Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Whisper White (SU!); stars and swirls DP (unknown)

Ink:  Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Top Note die-cut, Big Shot, Lemon Drop and Caribbean Twine (the Twinery), More Mustard button, adhesives and dimensionals

* * * * *

I ran a large piece of Whisper White cardstock through my Big Shot with the Top Note die-cut.  I used a Basic Black Stampin' Write marker to go over the stitched line of the die-cut.  I stamped the main image and sentiment in Basic Black ink and then colored in the birds beak with Daffodil Delight and the baby bundle with Tempting Turquoise.

I wrapped Lemon Drop Twine and Caribbean Twine around the Top Note and tied a bow.  I added a small More Mustard button on top of the bow.

I mounted a large piece of the stars and swirls DP onto a Daffodil Delight card base.  I mounted the main panel on top, popping it up with dimensionals to add depth.

Haiku Leaf Sprig

Today's CAS (clean & simple) card challenge from Splitcoaststampers is "Paper Piecing".  Doing my first iris fold card this past Saturday (see below), I was thinking of other possibilities for that technique and thought I could adapt it for today's challenge.  I love the Haiku papers from SU! from a couple of years ago.  Such beautiful designs and colors.  My first card uses those papers to give the card an Asian feel.  Of course, I'm a little obsessed with making Christmas cards right now, so I had to make one of those as well and it's the second card for today, using the same paper piecing idea.  The wonderful side benefit to paper piecing is that I use up some of the paper scraps that I've been collecting :)  Hope you like.

"Haiku Leaf Sprig"

Stamps:  Fabulous Florets, Just Believe (SU!)

Paper:  Old Olive, Whisper White, Haiku DP (retired) (SU!)

Ink:  Old Olive

Accessories & Tools:  Nestabilities Labels Two (Spellbinders), Big Shot, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sticky strips and dimensionals

* * * * *

I ran a large piece of Whisper White cardstock through my Big Shot with the Labels Two die-cut.  I placed sticky strips on the back, outlining the die-cut.  I cut the Haiku DP into 1/2" strips and starting at the top, layered them down the die-cut, overlapping them slightly.  I trimmed the main panel to size.  Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement, I stamped the sentiment in Old Olive ink.

I inked the leaf stamp from Fabulous Florets in Old Olive ink, stamped onto Whisper White cardstock and then cut it out.  I used a sponge to add more ink to darken the main image.

I mounted the paper pieced main panel onto a card base of Old Olive and added the leaf image, popping it up with dimensionals to add depth.

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Second card for today's paper piecing challenge from SCS.  Hope you like.

"Christmas Stocking"

Stamps:  Merriment (SU!)

Paper:  Real Red, Whisper White, Merry Moments DP (retired) (SU!)

Ink:  Real Red (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Sizzix Christmas stocking die-cut, Big Shot, Stamp-a-ma-jig, 1/4" Real Red grosgrain ribbon, sticky strips and glue dot

* * * * *

I ran a large piece of Whisper White cardstock through my Big Shot with the stocking die-cut.  I placed sticky strips on the back, outlining the die-cut.  I cut the Merry Moments DP into 1/2" strips and starting at the top on an angle, layered them down the die-cut, overlapping them slightly.  I trimmed the main panel to size.  Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement, I stamped the sentiment in Real Red ink.

I tied the Real Red ribbon around the top of the main panel, adding a knot slightly off-center.  I used a glue dot to secure the knot in place.

Using the corner rounder, I rounded the bottom of both the main panel and the Real Red card base.  I used sticky strips to adhere the main panel to the card base.

Asian style card and Brayered card ...

I didn't get to spend too much time in my art studio today, but I did work on a card for an upcoming class (the same Japanese Elegance card I made Aug. 30, but in different colors).  I'll include a picture so you can see the difference ... I really like the black, red and gold combination.  I'm planning on trying a few different colors and then letting my "students" pick their favorite to make.

"Japanese Elegance - Part 2"

Please see Aug. 30 for full instructions on how I constructed this card.  The only changes from the original are:  Silhouette Sentiments flower stamp, Gold cardstock and Cherry Cobbler cardstock (SU!).

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Tonight I found some time to get back into the studio and make a brayered card.  I have surfed the internet and found numerous sites with beautiful photography that I use for my inspiration.

Hope you like.

"Meadow Grass"

Stamps:  Silhouette Grass (Hero Arts)

Paper:  Always Artichoke, Barely Banana, Glossy White (SU!)

Ink:  So Saffron, Old Olive, Always Artichoke; Stampin' Write marker: Always Artichoke (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Speedball rubber brayer, temporary adhesive, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge, dark green suede strips and beads ($1 Store), adhesives, glue dot and dimensionals

* * * * *

I used temporary adhesive to attach the Glossy White cardstock to some scratch paper.  I brayered So Saffron ink over the entire surface.

Starting at the bottom of the image, I brayered Old Olive ink about 1/3 way up from the bottom and then brayered Old Olive ink about 1/2 way down from the top, leaving a small space in-between with mostly just So Saffron ink showing.

Starting at the bottom of the image again, I brayered Always Artichoke ink over top of the Old Olive, making sure to NOT completely cover the Old Olive ink.  I brayered Always Artichoke ink from the top of the image, over the Old Olive ink, making sure to NOT completely cover the Old Olive.  This allows for a graduation of colors.

Using the Always Artichoke Stampin' Write marker, I inked only three pieces of the grass and stamped it on top of the brayering, using the Stamp-a-ma-jig to help with the positioning.  I mounted the image onto a frame of Barely Banana and then tied two strands of suede around and knotted them, adding two beads.  I secured the knot in place with a glue dot.

I sponged Always Artichoke ink around the outside edges of the Always Artichoke card base, giving it a bit of a distressed look.

I mounted the main image onto the card base, popping it up with dimensions to add depth.

Japanese Elegance

Today I CASE'd a card from SCS website.  Click here to see the beautiful, original card made by Lynda Lee.  I love her soft colors and was planning on using mostly soft colors as well, but I used part of a Japanese seal that my friend Deb gave me as the decorative strip on the bowl and that influenced the turquoise flowers.  Hope you like.

"Japanese Elegance"

Stamps:  Just Believe (SU!)

Paper:  Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, Basic Black, Whisper White (SU!)

Ink:  Stampin' Write markers:  Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  ornament punch, Japanese seal (stamp), Big Shot, Cuttlebug Corners die-cut, Sizzix Square Lattice embossing folder

* * * * *

I punched the ornament from Basic Black cardstock and then cut off the top, leaving a small piece which is the stand for the bowl.  I cut off the majority of the bottom part of the ornament, leaving a very shallow dish.  I cut a thin piece from the Japanese seal and used it as the decorative strip on the bowl.

I inked the stamp with Tempting Turquoise and Certainly Celery and stamped onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  I adhered the stamped image on a larger (1/16") frame of Certainly Celery cardstock and then placed that on another larger (3/8") frame of Barely Banana cardstock.

I used my Big Shot to cut out three of the Cuttlebug corner die-cuts from Basic Black cardstock.   I ran a piece of Barely Banana cardstock through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice embossing folder.  I mounted the black die-cut corners in a row, about 1/4" from the bottom of the embossed cardstock.

I mounted all the pieces as shown in the picture above, popping up the main image with dimensionals to add depth.

Crackled Ginger Jar

Another quiet day at home.  Lots of time to experiment in my art studio - yah!!  I made another crackle die-cut piece today (well, actually I started it yesterday and finished it today).  I'm going to keep experimenting ... I'm hoping that I can use my heat tool or maybe a hair dryer to speed up the drying process because waiting is the hardest part with this technique!! :)

Today's card is for the sketch challenge at SCS.  I did an Asian-themed card and I just love how the ginger jar turned out.  I found the image on Google, downloaded it, resized it and printed it off.  I cut it out and used it as a template for my cardstock.  It worked really well.  Hope you like.

"Ginger Jar"

Stamps:  Of the Earth & Just Believe (SU!); For You (Rubber-Art Stamps)

Paper:  Basic Black, Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler (SU!)

Ink:  Basic Black, Soft Suede, River Rock, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke

Accessories & Tools:  Dreamweaver Matte Black embossing paste & Crackle embossing paste (2-step), palette knife, sponges, Cuttlebug "Floral Screen" embossing folder, medium oval punch, temporary adhesive, sticky strips and dimensionals

* * * * *

I printed off the image that I found on the internet and cut it out to use as a template.  I traced it onto Basic Black cardstock and cut it out.  I used lots of temporary adhesive on the back to stick my ginger jar pieces onto a scrap piece of paper and then used the palette knife to slather on a coat of Matte Black embossing paste.  Once it had set up a little (not completely dry), I removed it from the scrap paper and let it dry completely (approx. one hour).  I again used temporary adhesive to stick the coated ginger jar pieces onto an new scrap piece of paper and used the palette knife to slather on a thin coat of Crackle embossing paste.  This time I removed the pieces right away from the scrap paper and let them dry (approx. one hour).  Once the pieces were dry, they had curled a little, so I straightened them out with my fingers and then placed them under a heavy book and left them overnight. 

I then sponged the jar first with River Rock ink and then around the outside edges with Soft Suede ink.  I inked the flower stem with Stampin' Write markers Cherry Cobbler and Always Artichoke and stamped on top of the jar.  The crackle prevents the stamp from being really clear, so I went over the image with my markers to fill in any gaps.  I inked the leaf sprig from Just Believe with Always Artichoke ink and stamped it three times along the left side of the jar (again, filling any gaps with the marker).  I used sticky strips to adhere the jar pieces to the background Basic Black cardstock.

I ran the Soft Suede cardstock through my Big Shot with the Cuttlebug Floral Screen embossing folder and then sponged lightly with Soft Suede ink to highlight the embossing.  I also sponged more Soft Suede ink around the outside edges of the piece and also around the outside of the medium oval which has been stamped with the sentiment in Basic Black ink.  I sponged the Cherry Cobbler cardstock strip with Cherry Cobbler ink (dark around the outside edges and randomly on the piece).

I mounted all the pieces as shown in the picture above, popping up the main panel with dimensionals to add depth.

Bamboo

 

Here's today's Sketch Challenge at Splitcoaststampers.

SCS Sketch 336:

Stamps:  Embrace Life (SU!); For You (Rubber-Art Stamps)

Paper:  Basic Black, Garden Green, Whisper White (SU!)

Ink:  Certainly Celery, Garden Green, Always Artichoke, Basic Black; Garden Green Stampin' Write marker (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Cuttlebug "Forest Branches" embossing folder, Big Shot, sponges, Stamp-a-ma-jig and adhesives

 

* * * * *

 
I sponged the background of the Whisper White cardstock randomly with Certainly Celery and Garden Green ink.  I stamped the image twice in Always Artichoke and colored in the leaves with a Garden Green Stampin' Write marker.  I cut the images to size and sponged around the edges with Garden Green.

I dry-fit the stamped image pieces on the Garden Green background paper, used my Stamp-a-ma-jig for the placement of the sentiment, and stamped it in Basic Black ink.  I then ran the Garden Green background paper through the Big Shot with the Forest Branches embossing folder.  I lightly sponged Certainly Celery ink on top to highlight the branches.

I mounted all the pieces as per the picture above.