It's Thursday and that means another color challenge! The colors for this week with the Pals Paper Art Challenge are Pool Party, Summer Starfruit and Old Olive! I think that this is a fun and fresh card….keeping it to the minimal…just like I like it!

I had something in mind with pool party and when I went to pull out a sheet of Pool Party…..my folder was EMPTY!!! I thought – how in the world could that happen…..PLAN B to the rescue  – use the Pool Party Designer Series Paper! WOOT-WOOT!!!!

You have heard me say before…I love color challenges…and what I usually do is pull out the 3 colors and then stand back and look at them…letting my mind wander! When I put these together, I could not imagine or should I say, I did not have a vision as to what to do….so….

Simple works for me….I know that there are times that I use many different punches and framelits so today I wanted to challenge myself to just use one set of framelits….so the circle framelits it is!

TIP: When I talk about #'s of frames….the smallest is #1…..to #9 the largest and then I refer the scallop just as it is! Take a sharpie marker and write the numbers on your framelits….makes it super fast to grab the one you need etc…..

• The card base is the good old A-2 card base and then I cut and adhered a piece of Pool Party DSP from the Subtles Designer Series Paper Pack….LOVE THEM! This is just 1/4" smaller = 4" X 5 1/4"

• Opening up the card and placing the #7 Template on the front of the card…I did a quick run through with Mr. Big Shot!  –

Basically, you are cutting through 2 layers…the base of the card and the DSP that has been adhered! (Save this for another project….we would not want to waste this perfect circle!!!)

•  Pulling out a scrap piece of Summer Starfruit Card Stock, I made a ring using the #7 & #8 Circle Framelit! The magnetic Platform is a H U G E help when making rings etc….I adhered it using the mono glue…works like a charm to wiggle it in perfect placement! This lays flat on the front of the card!

• Again….pulling out some scraps…I cut the circles out using the #1 & # 2 circle template. I adhered them with the "green glue" and then for the little ones, I folded them in half and then gave them a good cease!

TIP: This flower is in the INSIDE of the card….it was easy to center the flower but if you want….trace a pencil line of the circle…adhere the "flower" you make and then erase the pencil lines if you feel more comfrtable!

• I made a little "puddle" of the "green glue" and then dipped the edges where they are folded/creased and lightly dappled the edge in….(remember – a little goes a L O N G way)…and pressed it down using the stylus… Doesn't it look super fun!

• Popping out a small flower from the punch pack and adhering it to the middle was the icing on the cake….well – kind of – the icing is really the simple and elegant pearl in the middle! The White Gel Pen was the perfect "dash  – Susan  – touch" to the outer edge….again, less is best!

TIP : Store your pens on the side…I get asked this all the time "how do you keep yours from clogging?" I honestly have never had a problem….I probably have 3 of them for when I do events…before I start to use them…I get the white flowing by squiggling a circle on scrap and then off to dsah away!

 The below picture appears that I have used dimensionals but I did not at all with this card (surprising…right????)  – it is just the front of the card "up" a little bit……the flower is on the INSIDE of the card….I should have taken more pictures….!!!!!

• Last…the envelope! Because the card was so fun…I wanted to keep the liner very simple and classic so I was able to "squeak" out a liner in pool party from scrap! To me…less is best on this one as I really wanted the focal part to be the fun card!

That's it! Super easy and a bit different but still allowing it to be clean and simple! True you could add a sentiment to the card…but I liked it just the way it is!

Think about how you could use up "left over" Designer Series Paper and scraps with this layout! I sent one to my friend to see how "crunched" it would get in the mail and she said it was not bad at all. Because you have a good crease in the small circles…they tend to "bounce" back to life just fine…..

I hope that you check out the other designers interpretations of this color challenge and then I hope that you play as well!! Click here to the website!

I am SUPER proud of 2 of my downline that have been doing these challenges…I know that people think it is hard…but just keep saying to yourself – WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE….NOTHING!

I am excited with the cards that have been coming in for the Spring Card Swap! You will be smiling when you see them!

Guess where I am going in one week from today….ARIZONA!!!! I have never been there and I am super excited to go to a Stampin' Up! training with Ink Big Academy…it will be a very short trip but I am eager to be a sponge and take it all in! Being with Mary, Patsy and many of the PALS that I have never met is going to be a huge treat!

Brian King and I together….watch out – fun times ahead! I have rented a "compact" card and get to go to the airport to get Brian…I already can imagine that….he is SOOOOOO tall! We are doing a swap as well…so I need to put my thinking cap on as to what to do!

Thanks for popping by…we are all so blessed to love what we do with paper crafting…my "feel good" evening last night reconfirms why I do what I do…we do make a difference!!!

Stampin' hugs and until tomorrow!!!