If I were stranded on a deserted island.....

On a rubber stamping email list I am on, RST! (Rubber Stamping Together) we have discussed what 3 stamping things we would take or would have to have. While making these cards, I realized how very versatile and amazing 3 of my tools are. I realized with my Ranger Distress Inks, Cuttlebug and Cricut I could make tons of great stuff. I am pretty sure they would be the first things that go with me!

I really loved the colors from the star card in my last post, but I didn't have any more of that background paper. I decided to try and recreate it with my Distress Inks. I used Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, and Fired Brick..and I smooshed. :o) I actually started with a piece of colored card stock, it was a darker gold color. I smooshed the Mustard seed first...pretty random and using a Cut 'n Dry felt pad (Ranger). Then I added the Spiced Marmalade, also very random, then topped it off with the Fired Brick. Some people may get hung up on trying to make those colors look perfect, I know I used to. But the key is to just smoosh...don't worry about what it looks like right now...once you add stamps and/or embossing, they will blend those sharp edges and make the colors flow. I was amazed at how I was able to recreate that background so easily. That would be one reason why they are in my top 3. The other reasons are because they can be used with embossing powders, they blend amazingly, they do great and wondrous things when water is added to them (you will see in another post coming soon) and I love the way they can bring out the dry embossing from an embossing folder or age the edges of a piece so wonderfully.
Once I made the background, I used the Leafy Branch embossing folder to emboss. (I love leaves!) I grabbed my Walnut Stain and Black Soot Distressing inks to make the embossing pop and age the edges. I am still in love with my new Cherry Pie stamps so I used that for the phrase. I matted everything with black. Then I was stuck. I couldn't decide if I wanted to embellish it with the Dew Drops or with this great leaf from the Graphically Speaking Cricut cartridge.

Since I had such a hard time deciding, I decided to do both!

I did the dew drops on the first one and then added the black leaf on the other. I had purchased a set of pretty bird stamps at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago, and decided that would be a great match with the Leafy Branch for the second card. The stamp is from the Birds Galore set from The Paper Studio. Of course I had to age all the edges because I love that look.

I love all the space on the first one, but think that bird is a better fit with the Leafy Branch. I also think I would want to make that bird piece a little smaller and then see if I could fit the Dew Drops in somewhere just for a punch of fun.

I love creating with my Distress Inks, Cricut and Cuttlebug. The possibilities are just endless!