Cute As A Bug Ladybird PP778

by Joanne James22. March 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 Claire to host this week and she has my favourite, a sketch challenge for us to work with:

    

I'm also playing along with the team over at Just Add Ink where their current challenge is to 'Just Add Wings' - I'm featuring a cute bookish ladybird on today's card :

 

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

Cute As A Bug - Given that I am really trying to ration my purchase of new papers, I didn't get this paper on my iniitial catalogue pre-order. Big mistake! My PP teamie Ann has been making fabulous cards with it and she convinced me I 'needed' it in my collection, only for me to have to settle in for a long wait, as it's been out of stock here in the UK for absolutely ages! I finally managed to get my hands on some, so I had to cut into it for Claire's sketch challenge today! 

I chose a bold toadstool pattern for the background and then diecut a circle out of another design, before fussy-cutting my cute book-reading ladybird to sit on top:

I allowed my diecut circle to overhang the left-hand side edge of my card, as I needed to allow space for my sentiment on the right and I didn't want to use a smaller circle and risk cropping out that ginormous todastool!

I paired my new paper with a bunch of retired bits and pieces - Layered Circles Framelits, Layered Leaves Dynamic Embossing Folder and the Brilliant Rainbow Dies for the scalloped borders - and a sentiment from the current 'Nature's Symphony' stamp set, as it seemed to fit my sweet ladybird perfectly.

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 for a family brunch this morning and then will be enjoying a later dinner with the youngest of the James Juniors as he is home from university for a few days enjoying a weekend of back-to-back hockey, amongst other things! I'll be back later this week with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

 

Comments (11) -

Claire Broadwater
Claire BroadwaterUnited States
3/22/2026 1:16:10 PM #

This adorable ladybug steals the show!  This DSP is perfect to create a cozy setting for all nature.  I love how she is sitting on the mushroom reading her book.  SMILE!  The embossed panel adds so much texture.  Your horizontal panel draws the eye right to the sweet sentiment! Thank you for making my sketch shine!  Have a great week, My Friend!   Have a great time with your son coming home to visit!  

Reply

marlene kiley
marlene kileyCanada
3/22/2026 1:42:16 PM #

This stamp set is so darn cute and makes for cheery looking cards. Love your layout as well.

Reply

LeAnne Pugliese
LeAnne PuglieseUnited States
3/22/2026 6:59:16 PM #

This is adorable!  All the papers work together perfectly, and that little lady bug is the cutest! The embossing on the vertical panel though...what a cool little extra touch!

Reply

Ann Schach
Ann SchachUnited States
3/23/2026 2:16:02 AM #

Love, love, love this card, Joanne! You have showcased this amazing paper perfectly. I am so glad you were able to finally get a package of it. The scene you have created with the ladybug on the toadstool is as cute as can be.  Who wouldn't love receiving this adorable card in the mail! Have a wonderful week!

Reply

Christy Stanford
Christy StanfordUnited States
3/23/2026 3:47:51 PM #

I am NOT going to let you talk me into buying that DSP, Joanne, but you're sure making it difficult to resist!  Your ladybug reader is adorable and I really like the fun scalloped borders on the horizontal strip too.  Have a great week!

Reply

Jan Clothier
Jan ClothierNew Zealand
3/23/2026 8:23:58 PM #

Well, you had me at the book-reading ladybird! I like that the circle overhangs the card - nice design feature even if you did it for practical reasons. The scallop edges are really pretty and the embossed banner has just the perfect pattern for the rest of the scene. This card is a lot of fun and will make someone smile. Smile

Reply

Lou Kitzelman
Lou KitzelmanAustralia
3/24/2026 3:27:19 AM #

That is just so adorable Joanne. I love this fun layout. Thanks for joining in with us at Just Add Ink.

Reply

Chantell Randall
Chantell RandallAustralia
3/24/2026 9:33:37 AM #

Oh this is so adorable......just like your card - it totally made me smile!   Love it!   Chantell Just Add Ink

Reply

elisa
elisaSpain
3/25/2026 8:18:39 PM #

Absolubtly cute card💐☺️ congrats

Reply

Stef Perry
Stef PerryUnited States
3/27/2026 6:58:20 PM #

You had me at toadstools but that little bookish ladybug is simply adorable, Joanne!  Those papers are really pretty, I can see why you had to have them.  Love the background and the scallop vertical element too.  Your card certainly made me smile!

Reply

jaydee
jaydeeUnited States
3/29/2026 6:57:41 PM #

Joanne, I just love your little ladybug on her toadstool!  What a wonderful card.  I love the whimsical DSP, but the ladybug with her book just steals the show.  Fabulous card
hugs
jaydee

Reply

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