Sheltering Tree for FMS259

My dear friend, Linda Callahan, is hosting this week’s sketch challenge at Freshly Made Sketches.  While I already played along with her sketch challenge with a sweet Christmas card – you can see that project here –  I wanted to play along again.  This time, I took a more sophisticated approach to her sketch and used rich colors to make a sweet card with beautiful Fall colors.  Here’s my card:

And here’s the banner for the challenge that inspired my card:

Tips, Tricks and Reminders

• Cropping the Tree.  The collection of leaves that accompany the Sheltering Tree set create a broad cover (in the form of a large oval) over the tree trunk and branches.  You can see the way these images work together on this card from a couple of weeks ago:  For today’s project, though, I wanted the leaves to play an important (but less important) role in the image.  I simply stamped the leaves a bit to the side.  While it might look a bit silly pre-crop, you can see the difference once the excess leaves are cropped away with the Layering Circle Framelits Die.
• Take it to the Limit.  Linda’s sketch contains two bands behind the focal circle.  I like bands – there are so many ways to showcase them.  For my card on Friday, I showed the bands the way they are presented in the sketch.  For today’s project, I decided to create the same bands but to extend them to the edges of the gorgeous piece of Moroccan Designer Series Paper.
  Quick Tip:  Glue down strips that are a little longer than the panel and snip the edges along the panel BEFORE you glue the panel to the card base.  You’re welcome.
• Sophisticated, Solemn Colors.  As I completed my card, I was pretty certain that this is the first time I’ve used this combination of colors.  They are so sophisticated and such a great combination for this time of year.  I also used them on this card

Stamp Sets:  Sheltering Tree, Jar of Love  Papers:  Moroccan Designer Series Paper, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla  Inks:  Early Espresso, Cajun Craze  Accessories:  Layering Circles Framelits Dies, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Sheltering Tree Photopolymer Stamp Set – 137163

Price: $25.00

Jar Of Love Photopolymer Stamp Set – 141587

Price: $27.00

Moroccan Designer Series Paper – 141645

Price: $11.00

Layering Circle Framelits Dies – 141705

Price: $35.00

Cajun Craze 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock – 119684

Price: $8.00

Early Espresso 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock – 119686

Price: $8.00

Very Vanilla 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock – 101650

Price: $9.00

Jar Of Love Photopolymer Bundle – 142342

Price: $54.00

Supply List

I hope you’ll pop over to Freshly Made Sketches to see the cards by the design team members and to play along with this week’s challenge.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Brian