"Faux Tile" technique meets Lovely as a Tree!

For my stampers' club this coming Sunday, I wanted to show the "faux tile" technique.  Believe it or not, I have never done this technique before.  It is fun and actually pretty easy!

I started with a Very Vanilla 3 1/2 x 4" rectangle.  I then scored it diagonally every 1 1/2" to create 1 1/2" blocks, using the diagonal score plate that fits over the SU score board.  Next, I stamped the new Hardwood background stamp in Sahara Sand ink onto the "valley side" of the grid.  Then, stamped the trees in Espresso ink on top.  Finally, I used the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set and added a little "splatters" in Old Olive ink.  Sponged the edges in Early Espresso ink and added a sponged a little ink over the panel to make the grid stand out even more.  Finally, I applied Versamark to the entire panel and embossed it with clear embossing powder.  It is such a cool look, and not that hard to do.  Those cool little wood greeting pieces are from the Occasions catalog -- Essentials Wooden Elements.  There are a lot of little wood pieces in this pack, that are perfect for stamping on, sponging, etc.  LOVE these little things! and a lot of embellishing for $4.95!  Of course, some neutral candy dots, striped grosgrain ribbon, and linen thread finish off this manly card quite nicely.

Hope you'll feel inspired to try your hand at a masculine card or two!  They are always my hardest cards to create, but definitely a necessity! :)

Happy Wed to each of you!