Knowledge is the key - 2 challenges

Hello, it's Saturday and we have beautiful weather...in the mid 70's.  What a blessing! 
I'm sharing a card today that I made for a co-worker.  She's leaving to go back to school.  So, I wanted make a card and a bit of a gift, too.

I'm playing along in two challenges today.
The Play Date Cafe Challenge #145.  I loved these colors as soon as I saw the graphic, below.  And, seeing the book & that heart garland made with book print?  Yeah, that sealed the deal for me.  You'll see why.

RetroSketches rs#25.  I play along with their sketches every chance I get, because they're just fun!

I created these ~

A card and 2 coordinating bookmarks.  I already knew that I wanted to use my book print impression plate for this set...that's just one of the reasons that the PDCC graphic caught my eye.  I used the impression plate on both the card and the bookmarks.
If you click on any of the photos, I think you'll be able to see the words from the impression plate.  It's subtle, but really adds so much texture.
For the stamped keys behind the sentiment, I stamped off onto scratch paper once before stamping onto my panel.  On my first try it was just too dark.  I wanted a softer look, so that the sentiment wouldn't be overpowered. 
Oh, by the way, I used one end of a Spellbinder die to cut the top of my bookmarks.  It took a little experimenting, since I couldn't remember exactly how I've seen it done on a other blogs.  It wasn't too hard to figure out and I really like the results. 
I'll list my supplies below, but if you have any questions...let me know.

Thanks for taking a look!

Supplies:

card stock: white (PTI), really rust, going gray, more mustard (SU)

ink: more mustard, really rust, going gray (SU), onyx black (Versafine)

stamps: lock & key (PTI)

other: more mustard grosgrain ribbon (SU), lock & key dies, book print impression plate (PTI), labels six die (Spellbinders), vintage button, twine (from my stash)

Sweet Sunday sketch challenge 71

I've been busy today...this is my second post of the day. After my first post I got to work in our flower beds.  I still had some planting to do, and the time is getting away from me.  And so are the weeds!  There were a few sprinkles of rain, and a lot of thunder (in the distance) while I was outdoors.  But, thankfully, the storms missed us.  Well, that work is done, for now at least.
Now back to what is really important...stamping!
I was browsing the challenge blogs this morning a saw this great sketch on Karen Giron's blog...here.  I had already planned to use a stamp from the Inspired By Nature set from Stampin' Up.  By the way...I like the name of that set...obviously!
Anyway, I love this grassy image from the set.  It's SO versatile, I love to use it as a background stamp.  This card will be going to my father-in-law, so I tried not to get too "flower-y".   I didn't exactly succeed, did I?  But, that's ok...he won't mind.  I think the silver brads toned it down a bit...maybe???

 For some un-known reason, my oval die-cuts appear to be round in this photo.  I took several pics but, the result was always the same.  I guess you'll have to use your imagination a little  :)





To see a larger version of the pic, just click on it.






Please come back again, soon!
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My card recipe ---
Stamp sets: wonderful words, inspired by nature (SU)
Card stock: mellow moss, night of navy, whisper white (SU)
Designer paper: patterns pack III (SU)
Ink: night of navy, mellow moss, sage shadow (SU)
Ribbon: navy (SU)
Brads: small silver (Recollections)
Tools: large oval, large scalloped oval (Spellbinders Nestabilities)
Other: pop dots, mono adhesive, tacky tape