Sympathy Card using CTMH's La Belle Vie

I had a few minutes to spare before I went to work today, so I thought I would make a card for this week's Heart 2 Heart challenge....make a sympathy card. 

I wanted to "play" with my new Close To My Heart Alcohol markers and La Belle Vie.  After studying the papers I came up with this card.

I wasn't sure, at first, if I liked La Belle Vie.  After looking at the papers, I decided that the only way to tell if I really liked it was to use it.  And, now I can tell you that I do like it!  The back mat of this card features one of the special papers that is included only in the paper packet called "La Belle Vie Mauve."  The 2 small pieces of pattern paper are from the kit also.

I still only have the new markers that I got at Convention.  :o(  I am eagerly awaiting my order.  The rose (from Card Word Puzzle) has been colored with the Cotton Candy markers that I received.  A number of people have commented and asked about the "hows and whys" of these markers and I will delve into that when I get a larger complement of the pens, but I will tell you that you can blend, add shading and give a more realistic look to your coloring than with water based markers.  As a side bar, the leaves were stamped using the Olive pigment ink on Sweet Leaf card stock.  I like how the pigment ink gives a more textured look to stamped images.

By the way, I should give credit where credit is due....the sketch is from Mojo Monday's challenge this week. 

It's a nice sketch, don't you think?  I learned today, that I do like the La Belle Vie papers.  They will be much more useful that I originally thought.  For Now, Happy Crafting!