Stamp Simply - Back To Nature!

Hi all! TGIF! I have no idea where this week went! No idea! So, needless to say, I am looking forward to a little down time!

Enough about me-- it's Stamp Simply time! This week's challenge is all about getting in touch with nature. Basically, we had to go on a treasure hunt for natural elements to include in our cardmaking-- twigs, leaves, flowers, sand, grains, you name it! There is a twist to the challenge if you don't have access to natural elements - so be sure to take a trip over to Sharon's Place HERE for all the official details!

Well, I didn't search outside - but I did use a natural leaf skeleton for my card. Here's a peek at the finished card before I tell you how I did it!
I actually used the leaf skeleton, held it in place over my paper and used a stipple brush to add color through the skeleton. After I had the outline of my leaf, I actually used my leaf to stamp with! I used a paper towel to prevent my hand from being covered in ink, placed the leaf on the pad and then put it directly on my paper over the shape of the leaf so that it almost looked kind of like a fossil imprint. Add some more ink around the edges , sew an edge, and then add a matted piece with my stamped leaves and a saying (both Impression Obsession). Put on some Hodgepodge Hardware and some coordinating ribbon and you're done! I used Lettuce and Pesto Adirondack inks. The saying was done with Eggplant Adirondack.

Here's a look at the stipple brush I used so you can get an idea of what I did along with a peek at my leaf skeleton. (You can find these at Michaels)

This is a super close up so you can see the definition....Kind of cool- huh?

I have to thank Sharon for really pushing me to think out of my comfort zone! It's safe to say, without this challenge, I wouldn't have been stamping with leaves!! LOL!

We have some goodbyes and a few hellos this week! After spending a month with us, we say goodbye to Darlene Pavlick who was a guest designer for October. It was a ton of fun having her around. She truly is a sweetie!

November ushers in a new guest designer and this lady is uber talented! Cathy Tidwell, known as Cathy, or just CAT, or catdidit on SCS will be with us for the next month!

We also have a brand new face to the Stamp Simply team! AJ Otto — better known as just AJ, or willosmama at SCS is going to be hanging with us gals each week. What fun!

So, without further ado..... here's a peek at what everyone cooked up this week as we went back to naure!

Check out Cathy Tidwell’s sample here
Check out Dee Jackson’s sample here
Check out Jennifer Buck’s sample here
Check out Janine Orchard’s sample here
Tammy Hershberger is taking the day off -back next week!
Check out Becky Oehlers’ sample here
Check out AJ Otto’s sample here

Hope you make time for play time! I'll see you back here Sunday with a big ole howdy from Montana! :-) Until then, have a good start to your weekend!