Friends with Arty Flair

Usually, I set out to make a card with a fairly clear picture in my mind of what I'm going to do. Not that the finished product always turns out according to plan. :P Occasionally, though, I'll start out just with the stamps I want to use, and see where they take me. That was the case with this card. 

I really like this bird from the October 2011 Kit of the Month, "Faith, Hope, Love... Live By It". I got him in a Friends with Flair goody bag, along with several others from the kit, including the sentiment and leaves that I just by chance decided to use as well. They were obviously meant to be together. I stamped, embossed, sponged and cut out the bird and leaves. Then I spent a lot of time figuring out what the background would be, finally deciding on these two patterned papers. I love how the little strip of map paper just happens to say "adore" along the bottom, just from the way I cut it. And yes, I underlined "fly" with one of the leaves on purpose. ;) Altogether a smidge artier than my average card, and I like it! 
Today is Friday (yay!) and that means this card is off to play along with Unity Friends with Flair. It's also going into Simon Says Stamp's latest "Anything Goes" challenge, as well as Moxie Fab World's Assymetry challenge. Just being inspired by the sentiment I used. ☺

Supplies: Stampin' Up kraft & bravo burgundy (I think) cardstock, Stampin' Up newsprint & Gartner Studios bon voyage-world map patterned paper, Unity October 2011 Kit of the Month "Faith, Hope, Love... Live By It" stamps, vintage photo, antique linen, peeled paint & bundled sage distress inks, clear embossing powder