Clean and Simple for the Paper Players

If you've been following my blog for a while, you likely know that I don't do simple very well.  I find it very difficult to create a clean and simple card without layers and embellishments.  This week's challenge over at the Paper Players was REALLY tough for me, but I wanted to give it a go and come up with another make-n-take for my hostess appreciation night on Friday.  So here is the sketch:

...and here is my card...

CAS card for PP52 using the new Faith in Nature hostess set.

Close up of the focal image...sentiment is from Pocket Silhouettes

Sooooo...not sure I like this clean and simple thing.  I miss my embellishments!!  No ribbon???  No buttons or brads???  I feel naked!!!  You'll notice I couldn't resist adding just a touch of bling to the centre of the flower...a girl's gotta be able to live with herself, you know??
So what do you think of the new in-colours?  I am IN LOVE with pool party, which is what I used in this card.  I paired it with concord crush and a touch of lucky limeade for the stem.  I watercoloured the whole image with my aquapainter...I hate to say it but my blender pens are feeling neglected!   I just love how easy it is to get great colour effects with the aquapainter.  I'll have to show my blender pens some love soon...stay tuned.  There isn't much more to say about this card other than it took me a lot longer than one would think.  I did a lot of trial-and-error stuff before I got the finished product.  The good news is, my hostesses will love it and it will be a quick and easy card for them to make.
On a completely different note, I FINALLY started my swaps for convention.  I have 200 to make for various organized swaps I'm in and just tonight got going on them.  I knocked off 50 for a pre-convention event...I'd love to show them to you but don't want to ruin the surprise for anyone out there who may also be in the same swap.  I will take photos and post them for you the day of the swap.  In fact, I plan to post every day I'm at convention...I'm sure there will be a ton to blog about!  In the meantime, I need to go put my son to bed.  Be back tomorrow...