I have always had a great fondness (putting it mildly) for western themed everything. Horses, cowboys, rodeos, cowboys, western decor, cowboys... well, you get the idea.
Hi Alan! 
When I saw that Stampin' Up was releasing western themed stamps and paper with the new catalog, my wallet felt a pain. But it was a GOOD pain! I couldn't WAIT to place my order! As I flipped through my catalog, I said "I'll take one of those, and one of those, and one of those, and oooh two of those, and one of those..."
My good friend Lindsey (Jacksonbelle) shares my fondness for western themed goods. Her love for cowboys is real -- she's even a real life Willie Nelson groupie! She ordered the western sets too, so I challenged her to a Stampin' Showdown. The challenge: a card with Bronc Buster; all other details up to the stamper.
This is my showdown card. The light brown paper is from the 6x6 Basic Grey Infuse paper pad. I stamped the bronc rider in a mix of Not Quite Navy and Timber Brown Stazon ink. I sponged the edges of the layer with Walnut Ink and Black Soot by Ranger. For the faint swirls in the background I used the swirl stamp from Baroque Motifs in once-stamped-off Close to Cocoa ink. I distressed the edges with scissors -- love that kind of texture!
The blue and dark plum colored patterned paper is from the Signature Life series by My Minds Eye. They have a fantastic series of both masculine and feminine papers in a western-looking theme. I sponged the edges with Walnut Ink and Black Soot by Ranger and added the accent swirl stamp from the Bronc Buster set in Timber Brown Stazon ink. All of the layers are popped up on dimensionals. There's double-lined faux stitching around every layer. I added antique copper brads and brown hemp cord for accents. The horseshoe charm is from a Karen Foster set of mini charms called Cowboy. I wish I could buy them in bulk. 
You'll want to check out Lindsey's card on her blog, Embellished. Her card is brilliant! Kind of funny we both created square cards for this challenge!! That wasn't even mentioned! And we both used non-SU paper! We're steppin' out, I tell ya!! Haa!
So, Lindsey... whatdayasay... are you up for another Stampin' Showdown?
Awesome!!! I love how the brads seem somewhat randomly placed.
Posted by: Bethany Paull | August 03, 2007 at 07:51 AM
Oh! Get out! There's no way this card is made with paper! It looks like hand tooled leather! With maybe a little worn out fabric thrown in. Okay, well, I've looked at this for a loooooonnnnnng time now and I have to go do other things. I'm in awe, though, and I'll be walking around all star struck. Thanks a lot, Anna!
Posted by: Leslie Miller | August 02, 2007 at 08:40 AM
I love this card. It looks so rustic.
Posted by: Susan Daly | August 02, 2007 at 05:46 AM
Wowzers, Anna!! You did a bang-up job on this card. So different from your usual style, and I like it too. I love everything about it.
Posted by: Beth Norman | August 02, 2007 at 04:43 AM
This is fabulous! Love the dangly horseshoe.
Posted by: lacyquilter | August 01, 2007 at 06:57 PM
Oh man....I just have to get this set! Love this card! You and Lindsey have been rockin it!
Posted by: Julia Stainton | August 01, 2007 at 04:21 PM
Anna, Thanks for commenting on my card using the Bronc Buster set. I just posted my 2nd card using this set and a link to yours & Lindsay's cards as well.
Also I wanted to let you know that I received your Blog Candy (Smile) stamp. Thanks so much!!! Hugs, Ida
Posted by: ipkstampshappy | August 01, 2007 at 02:54 PM
LOVE IT! - I got this set 2 and have made a couple of cards with it already, it's really fun to use. Love the background paper & that cute Horseshoe charm! Ida
Posted by: ipkstampshappy | August 01, 2007 at 02:06 PM
AHHHHH, a man in boots...i {heart} cowboys....signed, droolin' in missouri
Posted by: Lori Craig | August 01, 2007 at 01:15 PM
Holy smokin' cowboy, Anna!!!! This is incredible! The texture...the hardware....shading....fantastic!!!
Posted by: Shel9999 | August 01, 2007 at 10:13 AM
Incredible card and it really doesn't get any better than cowboys. Keep up the challenges I love 'em!
Posted by: Cathy Whiteman | August 01, 2007 at 09:21 AM
Holy Cowboy card! This is G*O*R*G*E*O*U*S!!!!
Posted by: Novell | August 01, 2007 at 09:09 AM
WOW! This card is total perfection! I love every single detail!
Posted by: Michelle R | August 01, 2007 at 08:20 AM
Holy cow, holy crap, holy...I dunno! This is totally awesome, Anna!
Posted by: Sherri | August 01, 2007 at 08:17 AM
Well you know how much I LOVE THIS girlfriend!! When I saw the catty I new you would be all over it like white on rice. :P
Posted by: Mona Lisa | August 01, 2007 at 07:36 AM
Magnificent! Best cowboy card I've ever seen....except maybe for the first one you did on SCS!!! Beautiful work, Anna!
Posted by: broni (waterchild12) | August 01, 2007 at 06:52 AM
Amazing! I love your style...this card is brilliant!
Posted by: Kim | August 01, 2007 at 06:47 AM
OMG,this card is awesome, love it.
Posted by: florence | August 01, 2007 at 06:42 AM
It's perfect! Love all the details you put into this! You done good, girl! ;)
Posted by: diane (cookiestamper) | August 01, 2007 at 06:41 AM
WOW!!! I know not to challenge you, that really got your creative juices going. I love the color and texture. Perfect!
Posted by: CindyLouWho2 | August 01, 2007 at 05:23 AM
OMG Anna! It's just GORGEOUS! I love the deep colors you used. Both of you made beautiful cards but... ;-)
Posted by: Joanne Johnson | August 01, 2007 at 04:11 AM
Gasp!!!! Anna, this is simply gorgeous! I love it, love it, love it!!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | August 01, 2007 at 04:10 AM
Absolutely Awesome! So rugged looking--perfect western card styling!
Posted by: sherri | August 01, 2007 at 01:44 AM
generally, I'm not a western person but after seeing your card...I've converted! Anna, it's so abFAB!!! ~Aileen
Posted by: aileen (inkydiva cards) | July 31, 2007 at 10:03 PM
Another jaw dropping awesome moment
Posted by: ~liz | July 31, 2007 at 09:47 PM
You're ON, Lindsey!! You pick the time and set! =)
Posted by: Anna Wight (SweetMissDaisy) | July 31, 2007 at 09:44 PM
HOLY CRAPSTICKS! **THUD**
Posted by: trudee | July 31, 2007 at 09:43 PM
Breath in...breath out....OMGOSH this is spectacular!!!!!!!!! I LOVE the layout, colors, background, charm...WOW ANNA!!! I am so glad you suggested this! I am totally up for another! :D
Posted by: Lindsey (jacksonbelle) | July 31, 2007 at 09:37 PM