One Touch of Nature

Right now my Grandkids and I are reading Shakespeare, so guess this card is right on target. There is a wonderful Random House Book of Shakespeare Stories that even I can understand! My daughter finds the most greatest books for her nieces and nephews that I get to enjoy too. Back to the card.........this was another of this month's techniques called tissue tie-dying that we mounted on Barely Banana cardstock and then I used Outlaw double sided designer paper under that. The butterfly and words are stamped with Basic Brown and the apricot grosgrain ribbon held on with aged copper hardware. I'm really doing well on NOT stashing my papers aren't I. I just love using them now that I know how to cut into them!! Thanks Debbie for getting me to use them, my Mother's "saving everything" for later on is working off...........sometimes. Check in tomorrow!

Wasabi Garden Whimsey

Well, well, good morning. If the rest of the day goes like the beginning, I'm in trouble! My blog sign -in didn't recognize me etc, etc. OK, I'm on now (with the same username and password) so maybe the day won't be so bad. Again I'm using the Wild Wasabi, my least favorite color in the New In Colors this year and it is growing on me. It will be especially great for the Christmas season. The Designer paper is Porcelain Prints from the piece that was left here. I think I have about used it up now and mine is on order. Everything here on today's card is Wild Wasabi, ribbon, cardstock, and ink. The butterfly is from Garden Whimsey and the bling is a brad from the Ice series. A little ripping and roughing up with my trusty little scoring tool and there you are........pretty simple, but effective I think. Busy day ahead, check in tomorrow.

Wanted- Noble Deer

Good morning..........this surely isn't a card I would usually choose to make, but I'm trying to use this new Wanted card! Again some designer paper, actually a piece that was left here from the day Lyn and I made frames with Virginia. Now, I have ordered it......Porcelain Prints with the Bayou Blue cardstock and ink. The double sided ribbon was what it needed. Isn't it pretty? The Noble Deer is another set that is not exactly my style, but I find that when I order a stamp set that is unusual for me it often becomes a favorite! Thanks for checking in today.

Slitpunch Flower Frame

Hey there.....nice morning here in Central New York. I do feel Autumn in the air,though. I love the closing in feeling we get about now.........better than the snow that really closes us in a little later, much later I hope! The card today is from an inspiration I found a long time ago. I think the blog was from Marie Bell with a tutorial on using the slit punch from Stampin' Up and I think it's pretty clever. Instead of punching close together to cut out the scallops, you first coluzzle the circle, then slit punch a bit away from each one and just pull them forward a little. I should have taken a digital picture instead to the scanner, because that flattened them a little. They are suppose to stand out! I used So Saffron ,white and a little Choc Chip paper. I didn't get this centered as well as I might, but this is the first attempt.........give me a break! Serene Sunflower in Saffron, More Mustard, Always Artichoke and Choc Chip for ink Dots of Choc Chip marker on the punches. Black fly of course. Wish Big is from Short and Sweet and the bling is a Fire brad. Can you tell it is covering a little blob of ink? Here is the link to her tutorial, hope you enjoy! http://stampinupcardinspired.com/SlitFlowerFrame.html Thank you, Marie!

August Technique Sample

Such a busy week-end and always to the rescue when you are in a hurry is the beautiful double sided Designer paper from Stampin' Up. I just love the papers in the Outlaw group, especially for the Autumn colors that we used in the Shaving Cream technique this month. One of the very first techniques I learned from my upline many years ago was the real shaving cream one, and it still is one of my favorites. It's kind of messy, but so much fun and the results are always a surprise. Here we used only two inkers, Really Rust and Wild Wasabi and then stamped the leaves with Rust and Choc Chip. The ribbon is the new width of Choc Chip and the hardware is Aged Copper. The Designer paper Outlaw provides the interesting background so simply. I really like working with fall colors. Stop by again soon.

Rolling Marbles!

Good Saturday morning..........we surely had a loud thunder boomer again last night. The lights went out three times, but fortunately didn't stay out. Anyway, it looks like everything got a good wash and I'm glad I got the lawn mowed yesterday afternoon in that terrible heat! My card today is one from the Technique class this month. I have asked everyone to bring a sample of one of the techniques we did this month to our class in September, so thought I better " practice what I preach." This is the marble technique that is a fun one . Place some marbles in a plastic box with a few drops of reinkers, roll around and then tape your cardstock to the top, turn over and you have a nice background. Too many colors and too much rolling makes it muddy so you really don't have to use much ink. I used a few drops of Blue Bayou and River Rock on the white cardstock. Blue Bayou is the cardstock under as is the double stitched ribbon. I stamped the horse and stars from Wanted stamp set in Basic Gray. The words are from Stem Sayings. I'm surprised how much I use those words other than on a flower as they were meant to be! They seem to fit in lots of spots and are such nice sayings. Thanks for looking!

Heartfelt Thanks!

Good morning.......looks like my blog is working better today! I just gave up yesterday, thank heavens the rest of the day improved. August Technique classes continued at my house and they went so well. Great groups, both of them. We did Magic Layers, Rolling Marbles, the real shaving cream, Faux Leather and tie-dying Tissue. Now it's time to get my Christmas Stamp a Stack cards going. I'm a last minute Christmas shopper, so doing cards in September is really good for me! Of course I'll have a "Lovely as a Tree" card, that is my trademark and my all time favorite stamp set! About today's card.........another new technique called Faux tags. I used vellum, metallic cardstock, markers and square punches to create this pretty card. The background cardstock is Lovely Lilac, flowers from Heartfelt Thanks, and the words are from Sincere Salutations. I will be using a version of this technique at the September Stamp 10 meeting. We invite others to join us the second Tuesday of each month at my piano studio in Tully. This coming month will be our first addition of some scrapping. The hostess decides each time whether we include scrapbooking and Barb Hamlin has chosen to do some this coming meeting. It is a great group and we enjoy new faces. Thanks for stopping by this morning.

August 23

This is not my morning, I guess. First I couldn't bring up my blog on the computer, then the scanner didn't scan my picture, then the camera wasn't working and now I can't bring the picture to my blog. Sorry, I'll blame the computer, but it is probably ME! Oh well, a good time to remind you about upcoming events in my Stampin' world. Tonight is Technique Class at my house 5:30 to 8, but the big news is the Christmas Stamp a Stack coming in October. It will be Thurday evening October 11 and Saturday morning October 13. These workshops will be held at my Studio in Tully. Mark your calendars and watch for more information soon. Shoud I go back to bed??? Maybe if I get up and start over things will work for me! I'll try later to upload the card I have ready to show you!

Happy Birthday, Georgia

I don't think my special sister-in-law checks my blog, so I'm showing the card I made her before I send it. Debbie sent this inspiration to MaryKay, and I'm running with it in completely different colors and sentiment. Isn't it cute? Not sure you can tell, but the card is cut 41/4" x 81/2", scored at 1/2" and 3". The half inch is folded back and tied with the grosgrain ribbon. Not a lot of room to write inside, but enough for a quick note. I chose Pretty in Pink cardstock with Regal Rose flowers, words and Print Pattern background. Just a touch of Uniball pen on the right sides of the diamonds. The flowers are from Garden Silhouettes and words from Sincere Salutations. The crop-a-dile popped those holes in a second! I need to go get ready for my Technique class this morning. A special thanks to Virginia for teaching the Watercolor class at my studio last night..........the results were absolutely beautiful and I'm sure you will get to see some of them soon. Keep track of her blog, she has some stunning posts!

Double Sided Paper

Okay, I'm not going to buy more paper, I'm not going to buy more paper............well, just this one package of Apple Cider! Mary Kay sent me this card and of course I'll now have to add this to my next already large order of neccessities. She mounted the paper on Groovy Guava and yes those medallions are just circles punched out of that nice paper.........I had a hard time figuring out what stamp set she used and it was just another part of that beautiful paper, clever huh? A bit of River Rock double stitched ribbon and the larger oval, then Groovy Guava with the Short and Sweet words on the smaller oval. This is a quick and simple card but it is so striking, thanks MaryKay. And thanks to both MaryKay and Valerie for giving me the inspiration to do some scrapbooking yesterday. I put the finishing touches on my two pages at ten after ten last night! Now I know why I make cards and not scrapbooks........I just can't make up my mind what I really like on a page! Of course if my pictures weren't strewn all over the house in dresser drawers, baskets, and plastic bags, it would be much simpler when it is time to put them in a scrapbook. From now on I'll be more organized. Seems like I've said that before! Oh well, I love looking through boxes of pictures and just wait until you see my finished scrapbook..........don't ask me WHEN!

Autumn Harvest

These chilly nights make me think of getting out those Autumn stamp sets! Tomatoes ripening on the vines are a sure sign of Fall, and the real indication is that my Grandkids are going to State Fair this week with their animals. We always consider fair time the end of summer! Oh well, I have some wonderful stamp sets for the occasion and again I used some of the old Tissue Tie-dye backgrounds that I found in my stash last week. This time I decided it was Garden Green and Really Rust that I had used so I picked up those two colors with cardstock and got out my watercolor crayons to paint my pumkins and squash. I actually took the crayons out of the box, a rarity for me because I usually just leave them in the box and touch the aquapainter to them. They are the greatest for coloring, but as I said this time I colored around the edges of the objects and then pulled the color to the inside with my aquapainter. Someone told us that technique a while ago, and I like it! As you can see I used the crimper on the Really Rust. There is room for some words above the pumpkins, but not sure yet what I will use the card for, so I'll wait to add words later. I try to have cards ready for any occasion.........add the sentiment when I need the card. By the way, there is still room in the Frame class tomorrow night if anyone is interested. E-mail either Virginia or myself, LauraCrr@aol.com

Absolutely Fabulous!

Good morning.....I don't usually post on Sunday morning, but I couldn't wait to share this card that Debbie sent me! Of course she used all the sets I don't have....and now want! It amazes me that we are such good friends and have completely different tastes in color and cards, I say hers are the Florida colors. I just love this combination and would never choose it myself. Tempting Turquoise and Lovely Lilac in both cardstock and inks. She also added a bit of maybe apricot on the one flower and I'm guessing some Gable Green on the stems. Oh, I do have Canvas background that she used on the cross piece with a few holes punched. The sets are Sassy Stems and Absolutely Fabulous. Thanks Deb, this is a beauty, especially with a little dry embossing on the top and bottom. Now I need to order these sets!! Today is my Downline meeting, always learn more from them than they do from me!! Catch you later.

Technique Classes

Well, I said I might get some serious stamping done yesterday morning, and I had a great time! One of the techniques we are doing this week is called Tissue Tie -Dying, so here is a sample on this background. I was looking for something else the other day, seems like I'm always trying to find something that I just had in my hand, when I ran across a bunch of background cards that I made in Florida three years ago!! I knew I had read about this technique in a stamping magazine, but never wrote down the directions. I made several different combinations at the time and loved the results, but where and how did I do it?? Well, sometimes it's best NOT to throw away magazines, even if they pile up! I went through a box of them that were around that date and of course it was the last of the bunch!! But, I found it and now the directions will be in my little 6 x 6" scrapbook! In this particular combination I used Lovely Lilac, Always Artichoke and Blush Blossom. Or at least those are the colors that coordinate now. I'm not sure that Artichoke was even out at the time I did these! Anyway, I used Glossy White cardstock and those colors to watercolor the Oh So Lovely flowers. A touch of Mellow Moss gingham ribbon helped tie it together. Come to the Technique class this week and find out how to make this pretty background!! Wednesday AM or Thursday evening we will be doing this technique and four others. Give me a shout...........

Happy for you

These smiling monkeys are quite a greeting on this Friday morning, don't you think? Zoofari. Baroque Motif and Happy Everything sets do the trick on this one. River rock, Choc Chip and Always Artichoke inks, markers with a touch of red and white uniball pen on the faces. I remember seeing someone using dazzling diamonds on the teeth and so I cased that idea.........they really sparkle in real life!! This Zoofari set has so many possiblities, I enjoy using it and not just for cards for kids. Hope to do lots of stamping today, I've been getting ready for the Technique classes this week, so I'll be using some of those ideas. Stop by again soon.

Stamp 10 Card #2

Here is a card using the Three for You Punch set that is our August Special at Stampin' Up. It is not original, but kind of a combination of all the cards I've seen before with this set! Baroque Motif flourishes done in Wasabi on River Rock background and then on the White. The flowers I stamped in Pomegranate on Pretty in Pink cardstock, then punched them out with that nice punch and dotted the center with my trusty little Uniball white gel pen. Love that pen that just keeps going and going! The flower in the lower right hand corner is punched first with the Spring Bouquet punch and then topped with the Three for You punch. The ribbon is double stitched Pomegranate........ ticket corner punch on both the white and Pom CS. The little word in the corner is from the same set........NINE die cut stamps and three Ink Spots along with the great punch itself in this Three for You set. And with it you get 30 Love Notes for FREE in this month's special.........check it out!!

August Stamp 10 Party

What a good time we had at Carolyn's party last night! We did miss some of our "regulars," but with good reason. Sue Knickerbocker is recovering from hip surgery, Valerie is having fun with grandchildren in Connecticut, and others had commitments beyond their control, but.........we still had a good turnout with some extra friends joining us. We always love to have others join in. This is only one of the cards we made.....thanks to Debbie Moczek for the inspiration. I won't give away all the secrets, but of course I used double sided Designer paper in Groovy Guava and Soft Sky on top of Bayou Blue. A little bling added in the middle with the Ice brad. On the lower part we used the jumbo So Swirly wheel in Craft White ink and then used Short and Sweet words on white inside the two ovals. That ink is the Bayou Blue also. Very simple card..........come join us and I'll show you how easily this is done. We meet on the second Tuesday of every month at my piano studio! Next week is the Watercolor, picture frame class on Tuesday Aug. 21 taught by Virginia Killmore at my studio. It will be starting at 6:00 and we still have room for a few more people, so better get signed up soon. Either sign up on Virginia's website shown on the right, or give me a shout. You will be glad you did! She makes watercoloring so easy and beautiful. Also, next week is TECHNIQUE WEEK here at my house. It doesn't seem possible that it will be the fourth week of the month already! Five new techniques to add to your book, or if you are new, the start of a book!! Let me know if you are interested in joining............the cost is $25 for the first class which includes the 6 x 6 scrapbook, and $10 for each class the following months. We meet either Wednesday AM 9 - noon (doesn't take that long) or Thursday PM, 5:30 - 8:30. Come on along!

Thank you, True Friend!

I can't say who I'm sending this card to, because it's out in my mailbox ready to be picked up. She'll know when she gets it!! Can you believe I'm so into this Groovy Guava....the In Color that I didn't think I would like. Here is another "flip card" (they make life so easy) using the Designer paper and some cut out medallions from True Friend stamp set. A bit of double stitched ribbon and my good old oval punches to hold the words from Short and Sweet. I knew I would like those little words, they fit in small places. I used Basic Gray ink for the words because it was sitting on my table at the moment. A Quick card for a special person to thank her for something useful she gave me. Hope she likes the card, she is very special!

Lyn's Flip card

Isn't this a beauty? Lyn made this for her si ster's birthday this week and I'm so happy to post it on my blog. I'm busy getting ready for my Stamp 10 meeting tomorrow night, but I'm keeping those cards a secret until after the gathering at my studio. For those who may be reading, the group meets at 6:30 Tuesday at my studio for Carolyn Couch's party. We always invite anyone else to join us, no charge for the workshop. We will be making three cards, but you will have to wait and see what!! Textured paper, punches and lots of new In Colors this time..........come and see!!

Lyn's card: SS:True Friend, Short and Sassy, Baroque Motifs (center of medallion)

CS: Blue Bayou, Wild Wasabi, Groovy Guava, Designer Series Paper Fall Flowers

Ink: Blue Bayou, Wild Wasabi , Groovy Guava

Accessories: Small and large oval, scallop circle and Ticket corner punch,paper snips,sponges, Stampin dimentionals between layers on the medallion and ovals, Blue Bayou Double stitched ribbon. Wow, that is a gorgeous card, thanks for sharing it with us Lyn. And thanks to all who stop by my blog.........I'd love to hear from you.

Thank you, Mary Kay!

Sometimes people don't realize what a few words they say to someone makes such a difference. Last night Mary Kay told me she checked my blog every morning............so, I came home after the doings at the Fairgrounds, opened the new set called True Friend and made this card for morning. Groovy Guave with a touch of Always Artichoke on the stem and leaves and Wild Wasabi ribbon. Background is one of my favorites, Fine Lace. So glad they didn't retire that one! Thanks, Mary Kay for keeping me inpired to do my blog every morning, it's nice to know someone is reading it!!

Three for You Punch

It's a rainy morning here in Central New York , but we need it. Always the farmer talking huh? On to the card, rainy days are really good for stamping. This card is using this month's special Punch Box from Stampin' Up. If you buy this punch which comes with the three flower punch, three stampin spots (Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate, and Basic Black) and a nine piece stamp set all die-cut in a nice metal box, but wait............the special this month is when you buy the punch set you also get 30 - 3"x3" textured Love Notes (a $12.95 value) FREE!!

I cased this card from Debbie Moczek, but changed the black she used to Choc Chip........should have stayed with the black, her words and flowers along the scallops show up much better! Do I ever learn it is hard to improve Debbie's cards? Anyway I used Wild Wasabi, Groovy Guava and Choc Chip in both the cardstock and the inks. I do like the Groovy Guava double stitched ribbon, though instead of the Black Gingham she used. The scallop is using the slit punch across and then just turning it back under to make the round effect............clever isn't it? Thanks Debbie for letting me share your idea with everyone here.

Lyn's Quick card

Well, my computer is fixed and running much faster........I have sound back and everything seems to be in order. Whew, it took most all day in Syracuse, but it is accomplished. Today's card is one from Lyn Karpick which she called her "simple card", for me and most of my customers, simple is by far the best! She used Priceless and Sincere Salutations stamp sets, River Rock, Purely Pomegranate and prints Designer paper Blue Bayou. Ink: River Rock and Purely Pomegranate. For accessories: Cutter Kit to rough up edges on Pom Cardstock, double stitched ribbon and stampin dimentionals behind the greeting set. All Stampin' Up products of course! Thanks Lyn for sharing this great quick card. I'm surprised I was able to get it from your e-mail to my blog..............actually it was pretty easy. I'll probably be giving computer lessons soon, don't sign up yet!!

Make My Day Petals

Hi there....hope this mornings post doesn't give me a day's work! Yesterday I just couldn't get my post to publish until I changed the template again last night about 9 PM. I'm thinking the computer may need some attention when I go shopping in Syracuse today. I can't stand to be without it, but the sound isn't working again and now I can't read my CD drive. All the nice pictures that Stewart took of the kids and the farm aren't readable! So........I may not be on line for a few days. Today's card: I bought the Stem Sayings for just this purpose and have used it everywhere else because it fits on the narrowest little spots. The petals are just punched with the large oval on double sided paper again, the centers are punched with the Spring Flower punch and placed a gold brad in the middle. The leaves are from Pick a Petal. Lyn, I'm using my favorite Old Olive ink and cardstock in the back I'm sure you notice! It matches nicely with the designer paper doesn't it? I'll be back in a few days when my computer is working perfectly!!

Quick Flip Card

I have posted this card and the details at least three times today and my computer says it was published..........however it never comes up. I won't bore you all with all the details..........just a quick double sided paper card with some added frills. Now I'll try to publish again and see what happens. Maybe tomorrow will be better!

Quick Flip

Hey there...........not long ago, before my last trip to Sarasota and spending time with my stamping friends, I bought designer paper that just sat in my stamping room. No more!! My favorite way to use it is what I call the "Quick Flip" which can be dressed up or down.......whatever. All you do (and this was what really got me using the pretty paper) is cut a piece of two sided paper 51/4" x 4" and then cut again down 2" and flip. From here you can do sooooo many things with it. I usually cover the seam with contrasting color matching the background paper. In this instance I used the slit punch on the Chocolate chip paper and topped that with the Apricot Grosgrain ribbon. The designer paper is So Saffron. I stamped the Pick a Petals with Choc. Chip and cut those out. A couple of circle punches in the center held with dimentionals, and then I used the Pricless set for the flourishes and word. A quick card don't you think? I often tell my customers that I tend to make a card the day it should be in the mail......or the day after, so this is a great "last minute" card! Now I can't believe that I hoarded the beautiful designer papers for such a long time, they certainly simplify life!

Salty Whale Wishes

Good Monday morning.............this is a card I made to send to Debbie to thank her for the nice unexpected gift certificate for Stampin' Up products. Deb is my upline in Florida, everyone should have one just half as nice! And now to explain the card. This is one of the samples we did in my Technique classes this month with the salt background. We spritzed the white glossy cardstock with water, dropped a little inker on it and quickly spread it around with the aquapainter (one of my favorite tools). Before it dried we sprinkled salt on and then left it to dry. That took quite a while! When dry, we brushed off the salt with a stipple brush and stamped on top of it with Stazon. The inker color was Bordering Blue, as is the background cardstock behind the salt sample. I just love the seaweed in the Whale Wishes stamp set! Black gingham ribbon is threaded through the slots from the slit punch and the words are from

Priceless stamped on a piece of salted background punched with the large oval punch. Itty Bitty background of course on the sides. Everytime I use that set, I think about my telling Debbie that set certainly wasn't necessary.....only dots! I use it everyday and hope they never retire it. Thanks for peeking in............

Birthday Bag of Cards

Oh, I wish I could be more computer/digital camera savvy!!I have spent almost an hour getting this picture from my camera to this spot, now I'm not sure I could do it again. I need lessons!! Anyway I promised I'd show you the gift for my 85 year old friend today and here it is. I read the directions on Leslie Miller's blog (Running With Scissors) and it will hold up to six cards, a gift I often give. Most people are so delighted with cards to send. Leslie has a great Tutorial on her site which is a form of the 2-4-6-8 box with different dimentions. If I can, and don't hold your breath, I'll add her to my favorites. Anyway the box is River Rock cardstock and Brocade Designer paper with the Baroque Motif stamp set of course, I love that set!! I embossed the gold first then stamped Groovy Guava on White and brushed the edges with the GG. The center of the medallion is filled with my gold Zig Painty pen and then I added the green Ice Brad. The handles are held on with gold brads. The words are from Happy Everything and are embossed in gold. They don't show up very well in the picture but look nice in real life. Hope she likes it! Thanks for stopping by.

Birthday Frame

This is a birthday present for our little neighbor Jonathan, who will be one year old tomorrow. I'll suggest that a nice picture of him will be great to use in the frame. I'm not even sure I spelled his name the way they do, but I think they should like the frame!! Of course I used my Soft Sky Designer paper, Bayou Blue ribbon, the chipboard letters and Bundle of Joy stamp set. The most fun was sharing the morning with Virginia and Lyn. Lyn's Mom and sister joined us and I was surely impressed with the watercolor and frames they made........beautiful, thanks to Virginia and her expertise. She makes it so easy! Again I remind you that she will do this class at my studio Aug. 21. They do make wonderful gifts. Two birthday parties this week-end........a one year old and a lovely lady who will turn 85! Tomorrow I'll show you what I have made for her............see you then.

Lyn's Medallion

Oh my gosh, Lyn and I had such a good time yesterday!! We stamped, we laughed, we hashed over Stampin' Up ideas, we laughed, we both ordered BIG TIME, and some more laughing. It was so good to see her again. It was so much like the week we spent in Florida, except of course Debbie wasn't here. Lyn Karpick is my downline from West Virginia who has the greatest ideas and color sense.........and also my cousin a bit removed! We are like two peas in a pod, especially when it comes to the ordering part. Now on to this card. I had the card made without the medallion and it surely needed something more. Lyn to the rescue........the medallion that she had done on one of her pretty cards just seemed the right thing, don't you think? Oh, oh, I'm back to the Soft Sky and Bayou Blue colors again and I do like them. I had some strips of Bayou Designer paper that I couldn't throw away that was the beginning of the card. I added the Priceless swirl background and little flower with white craft ink to the Bayou strip, and the words from Stem Sayings and then I was stuck. Now for the medallion..........Baroque Motifs was the answer. I stamped two of the square stamps on white and cut them out. Thank heavens for the paper snips! The center medallion is stamped in Soft Sky and brushed with a sponge in Bayou on the edges. Some more snips around the little pointed star in the middle and of course an Ice Brad to give it the bling. It is held on to the card with tape and a mini glue dot. Whew! That is a lot of stamp sets for a make and take at a workshop, but it surely turned out nice, I think! Can't wait to see Virginia this morning, just back from Convention! Lyn, Virginia and I will be getting together to exchange ideas and do some watercoloring..........wherever you are you will probably hear us laughing! Three peas in a pod today!!! Thanks for listening to my chatter, happy stamping.

Tent Card

My first tent card and it is so fun! Start with a piece of cardstock 41/4 x 81/2" and fold in half. Then you can add what you want on top, actually I could have gone a little higher with this one, but I didn't! I used the new With Gratitude stamp set and had been playing with the wet watercolor method, which is......spritz cardstock with water and stamp with Pumpkin Patch Spectrum Pad. Let this dry and then stamp over it again to define the lines. I used Vanilla Cardstock for the square "tent" the Hope is stamped with Old Olive and mounted on Pumpkin Pie. Pumpkin Pie ribbon across the top of some Brocade Background Designer Paper and then I cut out some leaves to spread on top. You can't really see it well, but I did use some Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds on the extra leaves. Not sure I like that but it needed something to spark it up a bit. I'll try to think of something else another time, any suggestions? I love feedback, stampers! This is a fun card and I'm sure I'll make some more.