Lovely as a Tree Sponged

Along with brayering, I also taught sponging at my Technique Class. We sponged a sunset sky, and I pulled out my well-used Lovely as a Tree stamp set to provide the focal point. Here's what I came up with:

I stamped and embossed the tree using Early Espresso embossing powder, and sponged in More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze and Baja Breeze for the sky. The grass and leaves are Always Artichoke.
I've been loving the new Paper Piercing tool, mat and templates. I've been piercing everything in sight! I pierced around the Early Espresso Window Framelit, and it added just the right textural finish...it's all about those little details on a handmade card, right?
Speaking of details, how gorgeous are those Bronzed Buttons from the Holiday Catalogue? They look solid and weighty, but are actually very light. They work really well on a masculine card.