Inspired Birthday

First off, I have to say how utterly chuffed I was to find my "Blowing Kisses" bunny baby card was selected by Nance as a "Cut Above" in last week's Paper Players challenge!  Thank you so much, Nance!  It's been so long since I've stamped or entered a challenge and to have my card selected was such a delightful surprise!

So, I needed a birthday card for Brien's grandma's husband (B's step-grandpa?) and had no idea what I wanted to do.  Masculine cards are a HUGE challenge for me (and I have to say, this one is most likely still a little to fru fru for a "guy card"), so I thought I'd see what the Paper Players were up to this week in an attempt to find some inspiration.

I was inspired, all right...it was a sketch challenge and I really struggled with it.  But, that's the point of challenges, right? To oh, I don't know, challenge yourself?? Hm.

Looking at the sketch, I saw the "Inspired by Nature" stamp set in my mind's eye and decided to see how I could make it work. 

This is the sketch. 

I turned it on its side and used the sentiment (and the scoring on the Chocolate Chip card base) as the vertical element.  Can you still see the bones of the sketch in the bones?

I have always loved using Summer Sun on the cone flowers, but it was a bit intense for this card.  So, I used More Mustard, then stamped off, then went over the flowers again with the Summer Sun marker, thereby toning down the intensity somewhat. Then, I stamped off the main image to make it softer. 

It's a sunny, happy card and I hope it makes Bill smile when he sees it. :o)

--Rach

This card uses:

*Stamp Sets: "Inspired by Nature", "Wonderful Words"
*Paper: Crushed Curry textured card stock, Whisper White, Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, vellum
*Inks: More Mustard, Summer Sun, Garden Green and Chocolate Chip Markers