Another challenge ...

... the colours at The Play Date Cafe this week are just wonderful.  They've gone for a lovely fresh green, with silver and gold.  The inspiration picture is fantastic.

While I was tidying yesterday, I came across a piece of paper (well lots actually), but this one was just right for the challenge.  A great background paper with diamonds in shades of grees and a slightly distressed look to the edge of the paper.  I don't know who designed the paper as it came free with one of the magazines I buy.

I decided to get out an old stamp (I didn't make New Year Resolutions, but I do want to try and use old stamps) featuring an antique map of Europe.  I stamped the image with Versamark and then added two shades of embossing powder - silver and gold - naturally!  I painted the image using distress inks - giving a lovely soft image.  I did the same to this lovely maple leaf which I found in my stash.  The vellum greeting, which I think is lovely, also came from a paper set free with a magazine.  Out came my Spellbinders dies so that I could find an appropriate backing for the map image - I think it's the large scalloped rectangles.  I put the card (A5 silver card from stash) together, but it wasn't quite there and then I decided to add an ornate flourish, again embossed with both silver and gold.  The final touch was a pice of gold ribbon.  Really pleased with how this turned out.

Stamps:  Hero Arts - Vintage Map; Personal Impressions - Maple Leaf; Flourish from a QVC set
Inks:  Distress - Tattered Rose, Weathered Wood, Antique Linen, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint
Spellbinders: Large scalloped rectangles
Accessories:  Card, paper, ribbon and vellum greeting - from stash

We've woken to a wonderful day here in Wales - the sun is shining and the skies are blue - it's just really cold!!  It's always nice when it's like this - I feel full of energy and ready to go - which is fortunate as there's lots to do!  I want to finish the craft room - and make a few cards, of course!  There's the never ending pile of washing and ironing.  And I've got to make a start on my Open University assignment for my planets course - S196 - Planets: An Introduction.  It's interesting, but I've not given it the attention I should - I've been playing with cards instead :)

That's all for now - I hope to get back a bit later, but if not, I'll see you tomorrow.