Serenity

Managed to sneak in another post here whilst in the middle of my samples for the gorgeous new Polka Doodles CD which is on Create and Craft on 20 September.
I already had the elements of this card but hadn't assembled it as I've been really busy. When I saw that it fitted 2 current challenges, I decided to finish it off.
The challenges are Pile It On which requires Layers on your creation. There are lots on mine from layered stamping on my background papers to layers of contrast matting.
The other challenge is the Alphabet Challenge and this week's theme is T for Trees. As I've used part of the gorgeous Serenity set by Artistic Outpost, I think this fits perfectly.

Apologies for the slightly wonky photo, I'm not drunk honest!
I made the main background paper using my Distress Ink Grunge Background technique (see side bar Tutorial list) with Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint and Pine Needles Distress inks. I stamped the flourishes from the Elusive Images Spring plate first in Crushed Olive, then in Pine Needles.
The border strip was made by stamping the flourish with the same 2 shades on cream card. This technique produces a good mix and match look which is really easy to do. I then inked a further strip of card along the edges with the Pine Needles ink and trimmed both long edges with a Martha Stewart punch.
I stamped the main image on cream card and added a little colour with Luminance pencils. I then cut it out and mounted on 2 contrasting shades of card.