More Autumn Inspiration

The layout for today's card was inspired by this gorgeous card by Karin. It's also found on Pinterest. I obviously went with more autumnal colors, though.

A few facts about this card. 

First, the script stamp is from Very Versailles (StampinUp) and it's really the whole reason I bought that set. 

Second, my original plan for the card was all oranges, but apparently I put the leaf stamp away without cleaning it, so when I inked it up with the dried marigold (Distress ink), dabbed a bit of rusty hinge (also Distress ink), and spritzed with water, what appears to be old olive (StampinUp) transferred as well. 

The results look awesome! Much better than my monochromatic version would have been. That happens so rarely, I thought I should celebrate! 

Third, my original plan was to follow Karin's layout and put a sentiment on the bottom. I die cut a thanks word, painted it to match the leaves, and discovered there simply wasn't enough space for it on the card. So no sentiment. 

Fourth, to make the soft, textured paper, I used Hero Arts handmade paper, ran it through the Subtle Textile embossing folder (StampinUp) several times. One natural edge comes with the paper, but to get the other, I painted plain water along the line I wanted to tear, let it seep into the paper, and then tore it. This will fray the paper nicely. 

Fifth, I really, really love this card and am so very, very grateful to Karin for inspiring it!

Hope you all are doing well. A line from a prayer by St. Francis comes to mind in these tumultuous times: ...where there is hatred, let me sow love." Let's all sow a little love, shall we?

Mercy, grace, peace, love, and kindness,

Susan