Oak Leaf for Nancy

Today's card is in honor of Nancy Littrell ... my new friend at Splitcoaststampers.  Nancy and I are just becoming acquainted now that we are both on the CAS Design Team for this winter (along with Charlene ...aka LilLuvsStampin).

Nancy was picked as "Queen for the Day" (QFTD90) last Friday and I really wanted to honor her and used this card from Nancy's incredible gallery on SCS for inspiration.  Hope you like (and hope Nancy likes it too!).

"Oak Leaf for Queen Nancy"

Stamps:  Gently Falling, On the Grow (SU!)

Paper:  River Rock, Early Espresso, watercolor paper (SU!)

Ink:  Early Espresso, River Rock, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Stamp-a-ma-jig, acrylic block, Cuttlebug "Forest Branches" embossing folder, Big Shot, small oval punch, medium oval punch, hemp twine, small eye make-up applicator sponge, sticky strips, Tombow glue and dimensionals

* * * * *

I ran a large piece of River Rock cardstock through my Big Shot with the Forest Branches embossing folder.  I mounted the embossed card front onto a card base of River Rock cardstock and set aside.

The oak leaf is a two-part stamp set.  Using Stampin' Write markers, I inked the inside stamp randomly with Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Cajun Craze.  I misted the oak leaf lightly with water and stamped onto watercolor paper.  After it was dry, I inked the outline stamp in Early Espresso ink and stamped it on top (using the Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement).  I cut the leaf out and then used a small eye make-up applicator sponge to add Soft Suede ink along the edges of the leaf, giving it an aged look.

I inked the acrylic block with River Rock ink and misted it lightly with water, then stamped it onto watercolor paper.  I repeated it for a second stamping.  I cut out the first stamping, leaving a 3/8" border around it and then framed it with Early Espresso cardstock.  I mounted the framed block onto the front of my card, popping it up with dimensionals to add depth.  I glued the watercolored leaf on top and then glued a small hemp twine bow on the stem.

I stamped the sentiment in Early Espresso ink onto the second acrylic block stamping of River Rock.  I punched out the sentiment with the small oval punch and then framed it on a medium oval of Early Espresso cardstock.  I mounted the sentiment onto the front of the card.