A Beginning

I made this card for a coworker whose birthday is on Saturday. I followed Beate's Weekend Sketch Cahallenge 31 http://beate.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2008/01/18/weekend-sketch-challenge-31/
Sorry, I haven't figured out how to post a link with just a neat little word yet!

It is my first time participating in her sketch challenge. I had to make a larger card to allow for more room for good wishes, since several people will be signing it. The card is 5"x 7". I used the large flower from SU's Embrace Life for my focal point and the sentiment is from Sincere Salutations. I stamped the flower in Stazon black and water colored it with my WWC. I sponged around the flower with More Mustard ink, but I thought it was a tad too dark. So I took a wet paper towel and removed some of the ink to lighten it a bit. I doubled matted it with Rose Red and Regal Rose. The final touch is a pink rhinestone from K and Co. in the center. The River Rock flowers are punched with the Three for You punch and are embellished with Orchid Dew Drops. They are attached to a Regal Rose panel that I embossed with my Cuttlebug. The patterned paper is from an Old World Mat Stack by DCWV. The paper was only 6" wide and my card is 7", so I cut it and separated it underneath the Rose panel. The sentiment was punched with the SU Key Tag punch and matted with Rose Red. I used the horizontal slot punch on the sides of the tag to make a slider for the ribbon. I was pleased with how this came out. I don't have much experience with using DP.
I hope Bharti enjoys her card, and I hope you do too. Thanks for looking! I am working tomorrow, and the weekend too, but I am hoping to post some projects we did in my after school class that I am teaching at my sister's school. Happy Birthday Bharti!