Less is More challenge 5 - using the Neighborhood wheel

I have really enjoyed the challenges on the fresh, new Less is More site  and was eager to see what Chrissie and Mandi would set for challenge 5. It's all about colour this week - we are asked to make a card using pastel shades. So, here's what I came up with:

I couldn't put my Neighborhood wheel down now I've rediscovered it, and anyway I thought that ice-cream coloured houses would definitely fit the bill. Out came my trusty aqua painter and my beautiful water colour paper! If you haven't tried these items yet - go on! Treat yourself! They have brought me hours of pleasure. They'd make a perfect gift too...

I planned a garland of spring blossom to add the finishing touch but, as you can see, I let my imagination run away with me a bit... I mean, who ever saw blue blossom?!! Never mind, you get the idea I'm sure! The garland is made from flowers cut out of the circle image in the Just Believe stamp set and leaves cut with the 2-step bird punch. You could also use a punch to make flowers if you wanted a quicker card. The Happy Birthday sentiment is from Party This Way and I love it - it has such a happy feel!

Here's how to make this card:

• Score and fold an A5 piece of Crumb Cake card stock in half to make a card base. Mask off the top 7cm of the card front with post-it notes and sponge the bottom of the card with Crumb Cake ink to darken it a little.
• Stamp the Neighborhood wheel onto water colour paper using Basic Grey ink. (I don't find it necessary to use Stazon as long as I'm careful when watercolouring.)
• Select three houses  and paint them in ice cream colours. The technique I use is to colour round the edges with markers and then draw the colour in with an aqua painter. Use colours from the Subtles family plus Basic Grey for the roofs and the steps. Leave to dry for a few minutes and then cut the houses out using sharp paper snips. Glue them to the card front, using the darker section as an anchor.
• Stamp a sentiment in Basic Black ink, using a stamp-a-majig to make sure it's straight.
• Stamp the floral circle image from Just Believe ten times onto Whisper White card stock, using pinks and mauves (and blues if you're feeling a bit wacky!) Cut the flowers out using paper snips, leaving a border of the colour round their edges. Define the seeds in their centres with a Basic Black marker.
• Cut three leaves from Certainly Celery card stock, using the 2-step bird punch. Add definition to them with a Certainly Celery marker.
• Use the flowers and leaves to make a garland under the houses, using dimensionals to pop some of the flowers up.

Supplies
Stamps: Neighborhood wheel
Ink: Basic Black, Basic Grey, Subtles inks and markers
Card stock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Water colour paper
Other: 2-step bird punch, Basic Black marker

Do you ever dream of a day where only amazingly brilliant things happen? Of course, days like that never, ever happen - right? Wrong! Yesterday, my youngest son had a day like that! He was just getting ready for a humdrum day when I got a text from his school saying it was having to close due to a power failure - his face was a picture when I told him! While I was suggesting we use the time to get him some new school shoes (boring!) the phone rang - it was a friend inviting him for lunch and a play in the park. I told him we'd get home in time for that but, before we could leave, another friend phoned and asked him round for the morning! The impromptu day off could have been a cold, rainy one - but no! To make it even more of a miracle the sun was shining in a cloudless blue sky, so he and his friends spent the day romping around in the sunshine. When I tucked him up in bed last night, I asked him if he'd had a good day. He gave me a huge smile. "It was perfect!" he said.

Thank you for your company today and I hope you've enjoyed your visit here. I shall be back tomorrow with a gift idea made with the Neighborhood wheel and I hope you'll come and see it. Until then I wish you a 'perfect day'!