Project: CAS project at Moving Along With the Times

Hello and welcome to another challenge at Moving Along with the Times. The challenge for the next two weeks is Clean And Simples (CAS) and this is one of my favourite themes, thanks Sue!

I spent a long time crafting my card - it might not look it but I conceived the idea and then spent three attempts trying to get it right. Like Goldilocks - this one feels just right! 

I masked off the edge of my card and used Cracked Pistachio, Peacock Feathers and Salty Ocean to blend the margin. The balloon is from Balloon Celebration by Stampin' Up. I heat embossed it using gold shimmer embossing powder - this was a second attempt but I'm pleased with it. 

One of my earlier attempts had a greeting that didn't use the space as it should have. So I had an idea; what if I introduced a big block of color to serve as my greeting? I added a little Happy Birthday from a Creative Stamping magazine freebie set (maybe from June this year?) and then I die cut out the letters of my buddy Nick who turns 30-something in a few weeks. I needed a short name and he was the next in line that met my requirements! I chose corrugated orange card from Claire - a previous attempt had this in yellow but it was too flimsy. Another lesson learned. Corrugated card is a joy to die-cut, by the way. So clean! So sharp! 

All in all I am super happy with it and how bold and clean it is. 

Can't wait to see what you come up with, you have until the 31st of August to enter!