Pretty Little Beach ~ CCMC428, NAC182

Hey stampers!  Look at this gorgeous color combination we've go for you at Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge this week!  So fun!  I also used the sketch from Nacho Average Challenge 182 to help me along with my design.

I SOOOO wanted to go Christmas with these colors like a few of my fellow designers did (and all their cards are gorgeous, BTW!) but I was itching to use the palm tree out of the new {Totally Trees} set.  I must confess that this tree is the one and only reason I wanted this set.  The other images are fantastic, but the palm tree stood out to me right away.  I don't believe I have any other sets in my possession that include a palm tree.  

I figured these colors would lend themselves nicely to a beach scene.  Who doesn't love a pink sunset, right?  Gorgeous!  Someday I'm actually going to see a beach sunset in person.  For now, I'll settle for looking at them in pictures and keep dreaming!

I sponged the colors on for the sky and water, using a circle mask to make the setting sun.  I also used the long "ground" image from the tree set to add waves into the water.  I really love the way it looks, too!  For the sand, I punched an oval out of Crumb Cake cardstock, crumpled it up and distressed it until the layers of cardstock started to come apart.  I carefully peeled them apart and what was left was a smoother side and a textured side that looks a little like suede.  I sponged some Crumb Cake ink onto the suede side, which I thought nicely reassembled sand.

I stamped the tree in Chocolate Chip ink and the leaves in Pear Pizzazz.  I fussy cut it out and gently bent the trunk of the tree as the image is pretty straight up and down.  I like the slightly bent look.  

I layered on some Botanical Builder framelits flowers in the coordinating colors to add to the tropical feel.  

for the vertical panel I finally got a chance to use my Irresistibly Floral Specialty DSP!  I sponged some pool party onto the paper and magically watched the flowers appear!  How fun is that?!?!!

Lastly, I layered the whole thing on a base of white cardstock that I embossed with my Petal Burst EF.  The petals kind of mimic the leaves of the palm tree.  

Here's a list of my supplies....

Stamps: Totally Trees

Ink: Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, Sweet Sugarplum, Chocolate Chip, and Crumb Cake

Paper: Irresistibly Floral DSP, Pear Pizzazz, Sweet Sugarplum, Crumb Cake, Pool Party

Accessories: Botanical Builder Framelits, Petal Burst EF, Rhinestones, Oval punch

Thanks for taking a peek and have a blessed day!

Jenny