Today I'm sharing a card that I made for the inspiration challenge over at SUO Challenges using the Sketch Saturday layout:

I took my inspiration from the cream flowers on the seat of the chair, the straw hat and that lovely green background of the SUOC photo. I grabbed my Beautiful Gallery papers as I wanted to make a feature of one of the pages featuring some pretty cream florals - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

First things first: yes, I did take some liberties with that sketch! All of the elements are there, albeit in different proportions. I really wanted to use the Impressions Abloom frame to showcase as much of that pretty paper as possible and whilst I first made the elements proportional, that rectangle behind didn't look right. So I removed the ribbon border that I had added and replaced with a smaller rectangle with border detailing, which I embossed with my (retired) Subtles embossing folder for some added texture, inspired by that straw hat in the picture. The elements of the sketch are still there, but with a wider interpretation than usual:

A simple thank you sentiment and a few brass enamel dots complete today's card.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your day; it's still roasting here in the UK so whilst I'm enjoying the warm weather, I'll be keeping out of the sun! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

NESTED ESSENTIALS DIES (£32.00)	IMPRESSIONS ABLOOM DIES (£32.00)	BEAUTIFUL GALLERY 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (£11.75)	FRIENDS FOR LIFE PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (£9.60)	MOSSY MEADOW A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)	BASIC BEIGE A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)
MOSSY MEADOW CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£8.50)	BASIC WHITE A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)

Firstly, apologies to anyone who struggled to link their project to our last challenge over at As You See It; we experienced some challenging IT issues that took a while to put right. All sorted now though and today I'm sharing my design team card for our new challenge over at As you See It where Jan is hosting and it's time for a fun theme challenge:

Spots or stripes - how fun! I added flowers to my choice so that I can also play along in the current challenge over at The Flower Challenge and grabbed the pretty colours over at Hand Stamped Sentiments and the layout at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge, along with some new goodies and set to work. Take a look at what i came up with:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

Embossed Spots - I went with spots as opposed to stripes, and in a nod to Jan's love of all things embossed I decided that I would make a bold feature of mine by embossing my base layer with one of the (retired) 3D Basics Embossing Folders that has a raised spot design. This was the only EF in this trio I have never used, but I really don't know why as I really love the finished effect - especially in that vibrant Summer Splash colour. 

Impressions Abloom - I paired my embossed base with an aperture and flowers from the Impressions Abloom bundle - one of this month's Online Exclusives. The dies have a fabulous embossed diecut detail and I love that the aperture comes with a beautiful framed edge too; you can see both in more detail on the close up below:

I inked my flowers for added depth and added lots of tiny Fresh Freesia enamel dots to my sprays of white blossoms for a little added sparkle.

Finishing Touches - There isn't much in the way of stamping on today's card; just the sentiment on the front, which I paired with another in the set, along with a stamped flower, on the inside of my card:

The Impressions Abloom bundle, along with the rest of this month's release, is available now in my online store - definitely worth a second look. Click on the link on the table at the end of the post to go and take a closer look.

I wasn't sure about this colour combination when I first saw it, with two pastels and the bold aqua, but I love how it turned out! It really makes me want to use Summer Splash more - I just love the vibrancy of this colour. 

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Here's a summary of our challenge rules:

• Create any card, scrapbooking page, 3D or packaging project that fits the challenge.
• Please include the challenge graphic and link back to the challenge in your post.
• Make sure you link the specific post and not the whole blog to the Linky. Use AYSI#(insert challenge number) when uploading to a public gallery
• Please turn off word verification so that we can send you lots of feedback.
• You can combine our challenge with up to 3 other compatible challenges. 
• We do reserve the right to delete, or not consider for Top Pick and Featured Artist, entries that do not comply with these guidelines.

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

IMPRESSIONS ABLOOM BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (£45.75)	SUMMER SPLASH A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)	SUMMER SPLASH CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£8.50)	FRESH FREESIA A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)	FRESH FREESIA CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£8.50)	BLENDING BRUSHES (£14.00)
BASIC WHITE A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)	SOFT SEA FOAM A4 CARDSTOCK (£14.00)