Mary....

....in love.

I have had this idea in my head for a while - to create a textured/paper pieced dress for Mary the Bridal Fairy and have her set against a black/vanilla/tan setting with just a pop of color. I FINALLY decided to bring my idea to fruition today after being inspired by the Splitcoast Ways To Use It Challenge (to use *2* of something) and the My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge.

I could NOT be more pleased with how this came out!

I started off with a basic black base and then added a layer of Very Vanilla. I cut some textured River Rock and stamped it with my Paisley background in black ink. Since the cardstock is textured, it came out darker in some places and not so defined, which was JUST the look I was going for. I sponged up the edges very lightly with black ink but did a heavier finish on the corners.
I was really inspired by the patterned paper I used. It's double sided and although I used both sides, you can juuuust see the lady pattern peeking through, as I used it for a panel (layered with Creamy Caramel and Basic Black). The card is resting on a piece so you can see what it looks like.

Next came Mary herself. I stamped her out and colored the parts that would show. I really wanted some *POP* colors so I went with Taken with Teal, Regal Rose and some brighter flower colors. Her wings *had* to be pink :o)
To paper pierce her textured dress, I stamped my Paisley background once more - this time using River Rock ink onto the matching textured cardstock. I then stamped Mary once more onto the same piece and went over the lines I would cut out with my Basic Black marker. I had to do that because as I said before, the cardstock is textured so the stamped image doesn't come out so defined. I then just cut out the pieces (veeeery carefully) and adhered them down in the proper spots. The end result is a beautiful *lace* dress. I *SO* achieved the classic look I was going for!

I added some Basic Black ribbon (per the sketch) and the "love" Scrabble-type pieces. Then came my *two* things to add...the flowers. I created "leaves" out of some scrap ribbon.

I love-love-love this card!!!