Summer Soiree IG Card Hop - Week 1

Hello friends; we've made it to the middle of the week *yay*.  I hope the weather is good where you are; it's really sunny and warm here in South Wales for a change.  Let's hope we can string a few days together!  

Before we get to the card I wanted to share a pic of our new puppy Wesley, he is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and he is 9 weeks old.  We picked him up last week but I forgot how much time they take up; it's like having a baby in the house again lol!  It is seriously affecting my crafting time and I literally finished today's card about 20 minutes before I was due to post it.  He is totally worth it though. 

So onto the card making.  Today is the start of the Summer Soiree IG Card Hop, which has been organised by my lovely friend Kelly.  Week 1 is 'itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dots' - isn't that such a fun theme?

I soon as I saw the theme I obviously went for yellow polka dot bikini and thought I would create a beach scene.  I actually used a digital image for the first time in years.  I really do prefer stamping my images but I had the perfect image to use although sadly the store closed many years ago.  

Here is my card:

A close up of the image:

I decorated the inside:

I began by printing out my image onto smooth white card and coloured it with my Promarkers.  I fussy cut it out and then moved onto creating my background.  I cut a white panel 4" x 5 1/4" and masking off the bottom third and ink blended sandy beach ink to create my sand.  I also went over my ink blending with a drifts & hills stencil.  for the middle third of my panel I created my sea using turquoise sea ink and then stencilled over that with tranquil teal using a make waves stencil.  For the sky I used sea glass ink and a mini cloud edges stencil.  To add a little interest I stamped 2 silhouette birds in the sky and a silhouette boat on the horizon.  I die cut a beach umbrella and added it to the left side of the sand with liquid glue.  I then added my image towards the right side with foam squares.  I stamped and die cut a sentiment and added it to the upper right of the panel with foam squares.  The panel was then added to my card base with foam tape.  There were a few things I would have done differently if time hadn't been so tight but overall I'm really happy with the finished result.  For the inside I cut another white panel and created a mini scene to match the front of the card.  I stamped a sentiment in black ink into the centre and then added the panel to the card base with double sided tape.  

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Addicted to Stamps & More challenge - die cuts and/or stencils

Aud Sentiments challenge - shaker card and/or summer + sentiment

Cardz for Galz challenge - summer fun

Daisy Chain challenge - birthdays

Dream Valley challenge - summer colours

Halloween & Other Occasions challenge - always birthday

I Love Promarkers challenge - ATG/use sepia colours

Inkspirational challenge - mood board (I was inspired by the colours)

Little Red Wagon challenge - women

Make My Monday challenge - outdoor summer fun

Pearly Sparkles challenge - one for the girls

Stencil Fun challenge - use stencils option birthdays

The Four Seasons challenge - anything goes summer 

If you would like to follow the hop over on Instagram please use the hashtag #summersoireecardmakinghop2024 to find us or alternatively visit my profile and you will find the list of participants on my post.  We would love it if you would give the summer soiree challenges a try and again use the hashtag and we will find your projects.  I'm excited this hop has begun and I'm hoping to use some more of my neglected stash.  

I'll be back tomorrow with my card for the Krafty Chicks challenge but until then enjoy the rest of your day and thank you for stopping by. 

Love and hugs,

Card ingredients:

Sassy Studio Designs - polka dot bikini (sadly the store closed many years ago)

Gina K Designs - ocean silhouettes stamp set (for silhouette images and sentiments)

Gina K Designs - ink pads - sandy beach, sea glass, turquoise sea, tranquil teal

Gina K Designs - at the beach die set (for umbrella)

MFT - blueprints 27 (for banner die)

MFT - mini cloud edges stencil

MFT - make waves stencil

MFT - drifts and hills stencil

Limetree Crafts - 250gsm silky smooth white card

yellow card & silver mirri card from scraps box

Versafine - onyx black ink pad