Words of Beauty Meets Wildflower Birthday PP773

by Joanne James15. February 2026 08:00

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the fabulous Stef to host this week and she has a fun theme for this week's clean and simple challenge for us to work with:

    

I was considering how to tackle Stef's challenge this week and had been perusing my shelves for balloon-themed supplies, then I saw Verena's layout over at Freshly Made Sketches this week and I knew exactly where I was headed - I love it when that happens! Another combination of old and new for you today with a simple balloon-filled birthday card - take a look:

 

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

I turned Verena's layout through 90 degrees and went for a large card (it measures 21cm x 14.9cm) to accommodate my diecut bunch of balloons that I found in my Wildflower Birthday designer series paper stash that works perfectly for the ellipse in the sketch. I added a panel of pink gingham check and another sentiment combination from Words of Beauty - this bundle is never off my desk at the moment! 

 

A thin strip of gold foil to join the panels and a trio of gold enamel dots to tie in with the gold detailing complete my card - with lots of white space to preserve the clean and simple feel. 

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 Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

The Paper Players Design Team

 
Here's a quick recap of our challenge rules:
 
1.  Create a new paper project
2.  Upload your creation to your blog with a link back to us and provide a direct link to the post featuring your challenge submission.
3.  Please link your card to no more than four challenges, TOTAL.
4.  Have FUN!

Enjoy your day; I'm out walking today, weather permitting, with an organised group - and I'm bringing along my vegan brownie that I was experimenting with last week - it was a great success!

 

Leave me a comment below if you'd like me to email you the recipe - anything with chocolate is a winner in my book but this one really did surprise me! Who knew baking without dairy could taste so good?! I'll be back soon with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Table built using Product Table Builder by The Crafty Owl - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

 

 

Comments (12) -

Pam Droll
Pam DrollUnited States
2/15/2026 7:55:59 PM #

Cute card--thanks for sharing. And
I would love your brownie recipe. Thanks!

Reply

Ann Schach
Ann SchachUnited States
2/15/2026 8:51:43 PM #

What a sweet and lovely birthday card, Joanne! This is a wonderful layout, with the strip of pink gingham paper. I am a fan of gingham and a fan of pink, so this is a win-win for me. Add in the touches of gold and bling, and the result is clean and simple perfection! Have a wonderful week!

Reply

Jan Clothier
Jan ClothierNew Zealand
2/15/2026 8:53:53 PM #

I read your comment about inspiration to use the Wildflower DSP - very funny. I resisted using that balloon bunch because of the size but you were very inventive in your solution. It's a great set of DSP and we've both made some super cards with it. And yes please to that delicious looking brownie. I have couple of friends who are dairy free so this would be great for them. Smile

Reply

Stef Perry
Stef PerryUnited States
2/15/2026 11:22:10 PM #

Such a smart take of Verena's sketch and great way to incorporate the bunch of balloons, Joanne! The pink gingham goes perfectly.  I can see why you continue to use that stamp and die set - the die size is wonderful and pairs beautifully with a smaller sentiment.  

I was scrolling down to comment and of COURSE I had to stop and look at your yummy brownie.  My husband is the cook in the family and rarely makes anything close to vegan, even with my "encouragement" lol!  But it sure looks scrumptious, Joanne!

Reply

Verena
VerenaCanada
2/16/2026 2:37:34 PM #

You combined the two challenges perfectly, Joanne! So sweet and beautifully CAS. I share your love of the Words of Beauty bundle. Thanks for playing along with us at FMS.

Reply

LeAnne Pugliese
LeAnne PuglieseUnited States
2/16/2026 3:14:05 PM #

Both the card AND the brownies look amazing! How fun to use some of your retired products, especially with the gingham panel and that awesome sentiment!

Reply

Michele Ferguson
Michele FergusonUnited States
2/16/2026 5:10:20 PM #

Joanne, you found a great way to represent that ellipse, and I always admire your fussy-cutting skills! Do they teach this in SU! school? Such a beautiful way to celebrate a special birthday!
Finding you in our gallery is something else to celebrate!  We appreciate you so much!
=]

Reply

Kim S
Kim SUnited States
2/16/2026 7:57:45 PM #

What a sweet bouquet of balloons! I love the golden accents in the balloons and sentiment. Thank you for playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches.

Reply

Cécile RIBON
Cécile RIBONFrance
2/16/2026 11:28:02 PM #

Such a super sweet birthday card, Joanne! Thanks for joining us at FMS this week.

Reply

Christy Stanford
Christy StanfordUnited States
2/17/2026 5:20:08 PM #

Your card is adorable, Joanne!  That balloon bouquet is perfect for this challenge and I love the pink gingham.  You're really making me think about getting that wordy stamp bundle too ; )  Your brownies also look amazing!  I was baking this weekend as well, I made a strawberry cake with strawberry frosting for the hubs' Valentine's Day birthday : )

Reply

Claire Broadwater
Claire BroadwaterUnited States
2/20/2026 12:25:01 PM #

What a special birthday card!  Love the pink gingham strip and the colorful balloons!  The sentiment is just so fabulous!  I would love to taste those brownies.  YUM!  Have a lovely weekend, My Friend!

Reply

jaydee
jaydeeUnited States
2/20/2026 9:12:41 PM #

OK... you had me at vegan brownie - that looks absolutely yummy and this vegan would love the recipe!  Now on to your card.  Your pink and white check reminds me of my summer school uniform dress.  We could wear either pink check, blue check or yellow check.  Even though I never chose to wear pink, lots of girls in our school did and your card took me right back to the school halls in summer! Smile. I love that you paired the check with those fabulous balloons.  Great challenge this week
hugs
jaydee

Reply

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