Postcard from Italy

For this card I have chosen my products first (the ones I wanted to play with!), added scraps to my craft table and set about coming up with something!

I chose the stamp because I love photo realistic stamps and this is one I don't get to use often, it's one of a full sheet from Katzelkraft (KTZ55).
Then I wanted to play with the new (to me) embossing folder (Eiffel Tower-Tim Holtz), and selected the Harlequin motif from one side. I was thinking of adding an embossed "postcard" motif, also by TH but run out of space.
For patterned paper I wanted to use the cardboard from a Gü dessert package. They often have lovely patterns inside and it's not the first time I use them in projects...
Do I eat dessert because I want to craft, or am I justifying my dessert purchases with crafting? No comment!
Finally I had to break into a pack of Lutradur bought for me by my OH who knows I am always looking for new materials. I decided to use it to make flowers with the Sizzix Tattered Flowers die as it has been a long time since I haven't used it.

I inked my patterned paper with Distress Inks in Chipped Sapphire and then with a white gel pen went over the motifs.
After die-cutting my flowers I coloured them with lime acrylic paint and over-stamped using Versacraft ink in red with another Katzelkraft stamp this time from an older Christmas set (2008), which may be retired, it's meant to be "falling snow" but worked as my dotty pattern! The ink has sunk a bit in the Lutradur but I don't mind, the effect is softer.
Then I used my heat gun to mould the petals and this worked well except for my fingers!

I am entering my postcard from Italy inspired by Tim Holtz's products in the following challenges Katzelkraft, Pan Pastel UK, Wedodoobadoo and Artful Times challenges.

Thanks for coming by,