A Touch of Nature with a Watercolor Wash.....

After I've been gone for a weekend or more, I always have a craving to get back to my craft desk.

Today, I separated all of my stamps by company and put the retired sets that I've kept for personal use in their own bin. I reorganized all of my stamps. It feels like a new beginning and I even have some extra room in some of my bins that I was able to put some accessories into. It feels really nice to have reorganized everything. Now I know how my mom felt when I was growing up and she needed a change and moved the furniture around in the living room.

I wanted to do something a little different today and use a set that I haven't used in a little while. I took out the Touch of Nature set and decided to make a masculine card. Funny how it ended up NOT being a masculine card. Just goes to show that anything is possible when you open up your creative mind.

I just couldn't tear myself away from the So Saffron cardstock. I also decided on using Old Olive, Ruby Red and More Mustard and wanted to make something very fall looking and warm. Well, I ended up with something warm, but not QUITE as warm as I had originally intended. I love the way it came out, even though it wasn't what I had first envisioned.

I used a watercolor wash over my embossed flower and blended some colors together to create what you see here. I remember seeing a card about 5 years ago, when I went to my first Stampin' UP Regional seminar that I just LOVED. It was More Mustard paper stamped with a Ruby Red design and sponged around the edges with Ruby Red ink. I tried it on the So Saffron cardstock and it gave it such a nice, warm look.

The brown ribbon was something that I didn't think would look right with the colors at first, but wow.....it was JUST what the card needed. It tied in well with the antique brass mini brads I used in each corner of the focal image.

This card was very simple to put together but it packs a punch.

Have a lovely evening!

Happy Creating!

-Stampin' Mama

PS> Make sure you stop on over to GinaK's Blog ....she's having an AMAZING give-away of a $100 gift certificate to spend in her store: Stamping Freak ....plus, there's a link to her daughter's new blog, where there's ANOTHER awesome give-away going on!

And Gina has a great announcement hitting the website at midnight....she's debuting her newest Stamps for a Cause stamp set. You're gonna LOVE it!

Supplies:
Stamps: Touch of Nature set (Stampin' UP); Cardstock: So Saffron, Old Olive, Confetti White; Ink: VersaMark, Ruby Red, More Mustard, Old Olive; Ruby Red Stampin' Write Marker; Crystal Clear Embossing Powder; embossing gun; paint brush; water; stamping sponge; antique brass mini brads; stitched brown grosgrain ribbon; 1/16 inch hole punch (for brads)

Comments

[Adrienne]

Your cards are beautiful!!!

[Allison]

You have been tagged (sorry!): http://stampinwhenican.blogspot.com/2007/08/i-forgot-this-tag.html

Great card...love the color combo!

[Jana]

VERY pretty card! I like the white embossing!!

[MMonika/buzsy]

Great colors... love the simple lay-out and the sponging around the card base. TFS!

[Kathy W]

What a pretty card; love the colors and soft effect.

[thedvinemissm]

Beautiful! I love the colors and the gentle feeling. Thanks for sharing :O)

[Lourin]

I love the colors you choose on this card.. its very soft yet vibrant at the same time. Hugs, Lourin

[Carol B]

Gorgeous card, as always! :) You provide SO much inspiration...thanks! And thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment...that was a kick in the pants! :)

[Teresa]

Love this card Erika! It's soft and simple and just lovely!

[Daine McKissick]

Hi,
My name is Diane. I love your blog and cards. You are so creative. Better yet, I looooooooove Paper Crafts magazine. I get so many ideas from it. I'm in a small group at church with a Stampin Up demostrator and I've had so much fun in her techniques class. I'd love to start a blog now that my last child moved out but it's a little intiminating. Oh well... maybe one day. Thanks for your contest and fun blog. I found your blog from Diaries of a Stamper's link. Keep up the great inspirations.
D