Browned off?

Now what's wrong with brown flowers? Don't be put off by brown - it's the colour of chocolate, after all! Here are two cards in shades of brown and cream. Very similar designs but with a few variations.

The stamp set is Heartfelt, which is a Level 3 Hostess set which you can earn for free by hosting a qualifying workshop in your home. I've used two-step stamping to create the flowers. For the solid image, I stamped off with Close to Cocoa. There are more details about stamping off, and other techniques used on these cards, here.

Landscape card
To add depth to the background of this card, I used the Direct to Paper technique, applying the ink pad onto the edges and corners of the card. If you've never tried this method, be warned; the first time you do it you'll hate it and think it looks like a mess. You'll look at other people's efforts and love them but think your own aren't up to scratch. (Ask me how I know!) You'll get over this eventually... unless you're a Virgo or a similarly-minded neat and tidy person, in which case you'll probably never embrace this Shabby Chic look!

Stamps: Heartfelt (p20), Birthday Best (p34) - I inked part of the greeting with a marker
Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Paper: Brocade Background (p72)
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Chocolate Chip marker (p70), Twill tape (p87)

Portrait card
You'll no doubt notice that this card has a wonky layer... I like to call that "endearing" rather than faulty! To create a "tone on tone" background, I used the Close to Cocoa inkpad on cardstock of the same colour. To make it a little more subdued, I stamped off on scrap paper first.

The patterned paper is from the Prints Designer Series Papers - you get 12 sheets in six patterns, all in one shade. I bought the Certainly Celery but have swapped some of it with Alison - this is a useful way of making your budget give you more variety.

Stamps: Heartfelt (p20)
Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Confetti White
Paper: Prints Designer Series Papers - Close to Cocoa (p72)
Ink: Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Gingham ribbon - caramel (p86), Crafters' Tool Kit (p85)

All products are by Stampin' Up! Please email me to request a catalogue, or see right for a link to the online version.