Really Rustic

Sorry about falling behind with the text!
In an attempt to be consistent with a rustic theme, I chose elements that I thought were complimentary. I embossed the Cor'dinations cardstock with a Tim Holtz embossing folder and found the results very defined. Sanding the raised parts of the paper let the design show well. The mulberry paper framed the stamped and ink distressed stamped image.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Hero Arts
Papers: yellow cardstock (Cor'dinations) white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), mulberry (stash)
Inks: black (Versafine), Distress--Aged Mahogany, Bundled Safe & Wild Honey
Accessories: wood grain embossing folder (Tim Holtz), button & embroidery thread (stash)

Softening Edges

I found Distress Inks are a great product to use for softening the edges of bold, patterned papers.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: blue cardstock (stash), patterned paper (Daisy D's), mulberry paper (stash)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Broken China
Accessories: My Little Shoebox Tiny Alpha Stickers, Spellbinder Scalloped Circles, brads (stash), ribbon (stash)

A Paper Ribbon

Rather than stamp a sentiment in a rectangle, square or oval, I thought I would try something different and stamped Happy Birthday on a ribbon shaped piece of cardstock. I thought this also added "movement" to the card.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Stampin' Up
Papers: off white and pink cardstock (stash), patterned papers (stash), mulberry (stash)
Inks: sentiment (Staz On Timber Brown), paper ribbon (Distress Antique Linen)
Accessories: pearls (Kaiser), Martha Stewart Border Punch

Flowers from Mulberry

Apologies for the poor scan. The bulk of the mulberry flower distorts the focus of the card front. It was made from 8 scalloped circles of the same size. I adhered them together with a brad and scrunched one layer at a time. Afterwards, I pulled apart the layers as desired. Though it is difficult to see, I complimented the mulberry flower with a pearl and crystal stick pin. Thought this balanced the framed sentiment.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Verve
Ink: Staz On
Papers: pink cardstock (stash), patterned paper (stash), mulberry (stash), white cardstock (Georgia Pacific)
Accessories: Spellbinder Dies, Quickutz Embossing Folder, pink gros grain ribbon (stash), stick pin (Jenni Bowlin), distressing tool