Pastel hugs ....

... my plans for yesterday underwent a rather radical change.  I had planned to spend the day in my craft room playing with my new Waltzingmouse Stamps.  But I ended up having a major sort out in our family room - I can almost see the top of the Pool Table now!!  I've sorted all the old magazines, newspapers and cardboard into the recycling boxes - looks great.  I even got around to doing some filing which I'd been putting off.  The upshot being I was tired!!

However, I have been playing this morning.  My card is based on two challenges. The first is the sketch layout from Clean & Simple - FTL146 and the second is this week's colour challenge from The Play Date Cafe - PDCC89.

I've played about a little bit with the layout sketch - but not much!  My card is a DL - I've made a few this size recently - quite like it!!  The colours are just gorgeous, soft, subtle pastel colours - mint, buttercream and taupe - yum!  I started off by cutting the mint and taupe card to fit across the centre of my card.  I then used my new flourish stamps from WMS - they're fab!!  I inked them up with Versamark and heat embossed with clear powder to give a tone-on-tone effect - looks fab with the flourishes.  Next I paper pierced above and below the central panel - I used the mat pat that I got from Stampin' Up! - worked a treat.  Next I stamped a couple of the mini doilies - again using the tone-on-tone technique and cut them out with punches.  I made contrasting mats for both doilies.  I found a lovely big flower in my stash and coloured it with shimmer chalks to give a buttercream finish and topped it with this lovely rosebud.  The coloured the leaves with a Versamark pen and applied shimmer chalk.  Finally, I added a simple sentiment. And here's my card - I'm really pleased with this.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Roses in Bloom, Say It Loud, Dainty Doilies Large, Fancy Flourishes, Scallops & Dots
Inks:  Versamark; Stampin' Up! - Sahara Sand
Card:  Stampin' Up! - Sahara Sand; Mint from stash
Accessories:  Clear embossing powder, card from stash; Mat Pack, Circular punches

I am now officially fed up with the rain - we've had it for three days now.  I'm sure that my garden is well watered and would now benefit from some hot summer sun!!  I know that Mum and I would enjoy it much more :) 

I'm back to Scouts this evening - my knee is much better now and I think I really ought to be there for our penulitmate meeting of the term.  Provided the weather is reasonable tonight, we're going to have a BBQ and games.  The kids will cook their own burgers and run around like mad things - heaven!!  Bye for now.