One Layer Cards

Hello!
Hero Arts is having a great challenge over on their blog - to create a one layer card!  I have two cards to share today that I am entering in their challenge.

On the first card I white embossed the Leafy Vines background stamp and then added some distress ink with my waterbrush over the top.  I love the emboss resist technique.  It's like magic when the image appears!  I used salty ocean, broken china, peacock feathers and mowed lawn distress inks.  I really like the softness of the card.  I debated adding some sequins, but finally decided against it.   What do you think?  Would it be better with them?

My second card uses a technique I saw on the wonderful Jennifer McGuire's blog.  You stamp your image in white ink on kraft cardstock, then color over it with pigment inks.  The colored inks are vibrant and soft at the same time.  (is that possible?)  I white embossed the greeting from the HA set Made with Love.  The small flower images are the 'extras' in a friendship greeting set I got at Micheals.  I colored over the white ink with colorbox pigment inks using a Fantastix.  A simple twine bow finished off the card.  I really like the way it turned out and I will be using this technique again!

Have a great week everyone!!
-Laura