All the layers and textures on this card combine to give it a deep richness.

I used Early Espresso as my card base, then matted it on Petal Pink card 14.4 x 10 cm. I next added a 13.9 x 9.5 cm layer of Pecan Pie which I embossed with the timeworn type embossing folder.

Now it was time to decorate… I added distressed gold card diecut leaves. A few stamped leaves and stamped tree rings, and some diecut acorns. One of the tree rings, I mounted on a foam adhesive sheet and coloured the white foam with a blend pen so it gives the appearance of a wooden shape. I also used the small ball embossing tip on my Take your Pick tool to draw in deep grooves in between the stamped ring lines. This all added more texture. I sponged the edges of my tree rings with Crumb Cake ink.

I stamped my sentiment on Ribbon using Black Staz on ink. I think the Saddle brown Staz on would have worked even better. The ribbon looked lost on the brown background so I mounted it on to a piece of Very Vanilla card.

You may notice the burlap ribbon (this comes in a combo pack with real red), frays on the edges. In my sample, I used a thin smear of tombow glue to seal the edges but it did stain the ribbon, so when I taught this in class, I held a flame by the edges of the ribbon and this melted and sealed of the ends nicely.

I used 2.5 cm strips of Earthen Elegance DSP to give a rich background for the tree rings and foliage. It came together well and would be suitable for a male or female birthday or thank you, or a sympathy card if you changed out the words.