Die-namite dies

A few weeks ago I was a lucky winner of a $10 gift certificate to Die-namite Dies.  I chose several and they've arrived.  Oh my gosh...the details in these are just awesome!  And then I saw on Lynne Forsythe's blog that there was a challenge using a sketch and a dare (ribbon).  I thought, why not?  And so I did.  A random winner will be chosen to win a $25 gift certificate at Die-namite Dies.  I still have some dies on my wish list...hint hint! 

Die-namite dies:  Leafy Branch, Knobby Branch, Leafy Flourish (thank you, Lynne, for encouraging me to see the forest beyond the trees and tell me to cut these dies apart for more versatility!)

I started out with a piece of corrugated cardboard and slapped some Liquitex Ceramic Stucco on it.  Once dry I smeared Claudine Hellmuth studio paints until I was happy with the result.  I cut a piece of burlap to fit on the board and glued it down with Multi Medium. 

The patterned card stock is from My Mind's Eye (Mischievous) and the blue cardstock is from a core-dinations pack.  It was run through Tim's Halloween background embossing folder, sanded and smudged with brown inks.  The edges were tattered with the distress tool.

From more core-dinations kraft core I die cut the pumpkin and tattered leaves (Tim's movers & shapers).  I cut the mini bottle (new movers & shapers die) from cardboard and smeared Antique Linen Distress Crackle Paint over it.  Let it dry then smudged brown inks into the cracks.  I created a faux label by blocking the area off and smearing more brown ink off the edges.  On the label is a small skull & crossbones remnant rub.  The pumpkin has a bit of raffia tied around the stem and a small leaf added from the leafy branch die.  The bottle also has a bit of raffia tied around the neck.  It's supposed to look as if the branch is holding the bottle.

The leaves and branches were sanded and scrunched for dimension. 

Idea-ology time piece, game spinner, long fastener and ornate corners finish off the piece.  I did treat the corners to black soot distress paint, a bit of sanding and Caramel alcohol ink.  You'll see Tim's on-the-edge die (Iron Gate) cut from black kraft core-dinations and used at the top.  A few strands of burlap and a ribbon were added to the upper right hand corner.

The finished piece is about 7" x 8" and has an easel on the back.

I wonder what other dies can I cut apart for more versatility??????