Happy Birthday - 2 challenges

I had to force myself to stamp today.  Ha..just kidding :)
My stash of birthday cards was gone.  So, it was time to play along in a challenge or two.

This card is going into The Paper Players Challenge #62 - Birthdays

And - The Lawnscaping Challenge #17 - Embossing Extravaganza
This is my first time playing along with them!

And, my card ~

This style is a little out of my comfort zone.  I really like those "cute" cards that I see so many people create.  But, they're difficult for me.  So...I decided to push myself to use some of those cute stamps that haven't seen much ink.  Once I finally came up with an idea, I enjoyed making this card.  I sponged some Bashful Blue ink onto the white cardstock, using a scalloped oval piece of cs as a mask.  For the grassy hills, I used a woodgrain embossing folder to add some texture.  I wasn't sure how that would look...but I'm liking it!
The larger bird was colored with markers and popped up on dimensional adhesive.  I also stamped and cut out a few extra tail feathers for him, and layered them underneath.
I think I still some practice with this style of card.  But, that just gives me more excuses to stamp...doesn't it?
Thanks for popping in to take a look!

Supplies:

Ink: basic black, close to cocoa, basic gray, summer sun, marina mist, certainly celery, bashful blue (SU)

Card stock: garden green, close to cocoa, whisper white

Stamps: hang ups, sentiment sampler (Paper Smooches)

Other: woodgrain embossing folder (Tim Holtz by Sizzix), blue gem (the Paper Studio), glossy accents (Ranger), scor-tape, white signo gel pen