Happily Ever Challenged #6

Ted at Happily Ever Crafter has a challenge this month that I just couldn't resist. It's a Menu Challenge--literally. You choose from a menu of options based on the last number in the year you were born, and have to create a card putting all of them together. Since I was born in an "8" year, my menu looks like this:

Appetizer (Base Color)--Purple
Main Course (Technique)--Sewing
Dessert (Primary Embellishment)--Ric Rac
Tip (Main Image)--Tree

I had a ball creating a card that ended up being very out of the box for me. I just don't *do* whimsical, but that's how my "meal" turned out! The first thing I did was pick out a tree image. I wasn't sure I had one (Through the Trees is on my PTI wishlist), but then I found this image from Kim Hughes. I'm not into cutesy, but I do love Kim's style, and somewhere along the line, I had bought this stamp from CHF. Unfortunately, the impression of it is doing something funky in the photo lighting . . . in person it's not so uneven and splotchy! Next, I chose some dark purple cardstock and PP (I think I've had this PP--no joke--since college!), a border stamp, teeny flowers & rhinestone centers, and some lovely velvet ric rac I've been hoarding. Oh, and stitched across the top. I forgot to photograph the inside, but I did decorate it and add a "Just Because" sentiment. BTW, the ric rac bow *isn't* falling off--it's nice and centered, really! :-D This was really fun--you should hop over to Ted's blog and create your own menu!

Supplies
Stamps: CHF--Kissable Tree by Kim Hughes Collection; PTI--Vintage Picnic Sentiments (inside)
Paper: PTI--Ripe Avocado, Stamper's Select White; stash
Ink: Tsukineko--Versacolor Bamboo
Flowers: Prima
Rhinestones: Recollections
Border Punch: Fiskars
Copic: N0 (the letter "N", the number zero, LOL!)
Ric Rac: Stash
Other: Sewing Machine