Fall card again

Yup.  Two Fall-themed cards in a row.  I certainly like yesterday's card but I like today's card just as much.

Let's first take a look at the sketch.  It is one from Sketchbook Saturday Challenge:

And you really need to check out Iwona's card here.  Her card is awesome.  I really appreciate her use of colors, something I am always struggling with.  I would have never thought of using a bright blue for a solid bird image, nor would I tried a light, sky blue for a feather.  These unconventional colors bring lots of fun to her card and I like it A LOT.  The next thing on my wish list is the feather die.  Shhhh~~  don't tell my dies in my drawers......

Onto my fall card.  This year for whatever reason I have been having a lot of fun making them.  My favorite is usually Christmas cards but Fall-themed cards are gaining popularity.  I am making more and more of them. 

The patterned paper, Dreamin', came from the 2011 Close to My Heart catalog.  Don't ask me why I have never let the paper pack see any light.  But if you do ask me, I will briefly tell you that I have this disease of holding onto pretty paper for a long time before I can break the package open to use it.  The cause of the disease is the fear that the pretty paper will be ruined by an unsuccessful attempt to make a card, a layout, or any project.  My disease was diagnosed back in the stone age, but unfortunately there is no cure for the disease, at least no medication works for me thus far. 

I am glad that I've finally overcome the fear and used the paper on this card.  In fact, I'm starting a layout with this paper pack.  The layout was a happy day I spent with my cousin when she visited me in Fall 2011, the birth date of this paper pack.  What a coincidence!

My flowers were stamped using rock and roll technique.  The outer edges have darker colors than then center of the flowers.  This is my favorite stamping technique!  Just a quick and easy way to add color and depth to any image.  I've also used masking technique on the sentiment.  The sentiment reads "Give Thanks for all you have" but I masked off everything but "Thanks".  Masking is also one of my favorite stamping techniques and it could give an image a totally different look.

My card is also entering the following challenges:
Clear it out challenge - Thank you card, and the Dreamin' paper pack that I have been holding onto
Tuesday Throwdown challenge - Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash - Favorite stamping technique
Just Inspirational Challenge - Flowers
The Perfect Sentiment - Thank you
Pollycraft challenges - Harvest Colors
Crafting By Designs - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!