Die Layered Flower #6 for Paper Players #686

Happy Sunday and greetings from off the coast of Senegal.  It's my turn to host our Paper Players challenge this week and it's Clean and Simple Week.  And, for once, I actually remembered it was CAS week when I made my card!

For the challenge I choose a CAS theme and that gave me the opportunity to break out a die set I bought from Alexandra Renke called Die Layered Flowered #6.  Not an original name, but I guess it is descriptive :-)  Here's a sneak peek:

Oh… and here's our theme for this week:

I die-cut my flower and then than the petal pieces through some watercolors that I mixed on my glass craft mat.  I popped up two of the petals to give a little lift from the other petals.  I needed something to anchor my flower so brought out an old stencil and added a little detail.  I also added some splatters with the same color I used for the flowers.   I created the little tag – also from Alexandra Renke and added that to the flower.  This card needed a full sized slimline to allow the flower the space it deserved.

I don't know about you, but I am dying to see some spring flowers.  Here's my full card:

As always, the design team have some fabulous inspiration for you:

• Ann
• Claire
• Joanne
• Laurie
• LeAnne
• Anne Marie
• Cynthia
• Jolanda

On a personal note:

Well, it is hard to believe but in just 14 days I will be back on US soil and making my way back to Minnesota.  I cannot tell you how quickly this time has gone.  It has been incredibly relaxing and I have seen some wonderful sights – including the Orangutan's and long tailed Macaques – more about that this week.  Some of the places I went were such a surprise to me – in a really good way – like Vietnam.  I got to visit with little Baby E and her Mom and Dad, and spend time with L and S in Sydney – making wonderful memories in both places.  Lou and I got to spend 3 fabulous nights up in the Blue Mountains of Australia relaxing and eating wonderful food with a room that provided views that went on forever.  Sadly I missed Petra and spending the night in the Arabian desert but, overall it was the perfect way to break from the incredible stress and daily grind of my job to full-time retirement.  However, I can't wait to get back to my craft room and to spend time cooking and, I might even try some baking when I get home. 

I'm currently in the middle of writing up a couple of travel updates and will be sharing those over the next couple of days.  On Tuesday we are are Las Palmas, Gran Canaria and then we are in Lisbon on Thursday.  Lisbon will be the penultimate stop prior to docking in New York.  I've never visited Lisbon so am looking forward to seeing what I am told is a beautiful city.  In the meantime, warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight and a VERY happy birthday to my beloved bestie, Pammie!  I hope your day was everything you could have wished for.

Hugs

Jaydee