Vertical Greetings and the Create with Connie & Mary Challenge

This week the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge is a sketch.   I like this sketch a lot especially once I turned it.

I am using this rich color combination of Merry Merlot and Mossy Meadow.  Both of these colors are now part of the Stampin' Up! Color Collections.  Merry Merlot is a Neutral and Mossy Meadow (a returning In Color) is a Regal.  

The stamp set I used is Vertical Greetings.  This is a great set to have in your collection as it is one of the few that have well, vertical greetings.  I also like topiaries and think they can also be used for a masculine card.   

Here's how I inked up the topiary.  I inked the whole image up in Mossy Meadow and then wiped off the stem parts with a swab and then used an Early Espresso marker to color in the stem parts.  If the green I am using for the greenery is fairly light I don't wipe it off and simply marker over it.   I punched out a pot from the 6" x 6"  Neutrals DSP pack using the Tailored Tag punch.  

I used the Subtle embossing folder on the Merry Merlot layer.  This folder is another must have. It really adds just a little texture  to the card.  Doesn't it look like I used textured paper?  

Be sure to go to the Create with Connie & Mary blog and check out what the other members of the design team created.  While you are there be sure to read all about how you too can play in the challenge!  I would love to see how this sketch inspired you.