Today's CAS (Clean and Simple) card was inspired by two things: firstly, my promise to a fellow Pal that I would step up and try my hand at watercoloring; and secondly by a delightful layout sketch over at Create with Connie and Mary.

Why does trying something new always feel like such a challenge? My personal excuse is that I am self-taught. I have been to exactly TWO group stamping experiences in my lifetime. Everything I have learned, I have learned by visual aid, either picture tutorials or online videos. Thank heavens there are demonstrators out there who share their knowledge! So, back to my card...trying new things takes me out of my comfort zone and requires that I research each new technique before trying it. Add to that serious issues with perfection and it's a wonder I try anything new at all!

Honestly, this was so easy I can't believe how much I built it up! I stamped the image with Staz-On Ink, then dabbed a Blender Pen directly onto my Pink Pirouette Classic Ink Pad, scribbled away just a bit of the color onto scratch paper, and added ink to the image. Ink and Repeat. Then with the same technique I added a bit of Crumb Cake ink to the stems. That's it! So ezpeasy!

The color scheme here was chosen from my Color Coach: Crumb Cake, Pool Party, and Pink Pirouette. How dainty and pretty and a perfect compliment to the delicate images in Stampin' Up!'s new hostess set Simply Sketched and this pattern from the Quatrefancy Specialty Designer Series Paper.

Jewelry? Of course! I tried VERY hard to add some ribbon but it just seemed to overpower the layout so I opted to leave it off and add some Candy Dots instead. I knew I loved them at first sight but tonight when I realized I had a Candy Dot in EVERY SHADE, my love for them notched up even higher. And all for $5.95 per color family! What a deal I tell you!

Today's project took about 15 minutes to complete, next time it will take less since I won't be so nervous to watercolor!

I hope I have inspired you to try something new and thank you to Windy for inspiring me!

Stampin Supplies:

Crumb Cake	Pink Pirouette	Whisper White	Quatrefancy Specialty Designer Series Paper	Jet Black Stazon Pad
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad	Pink Pirouette Classic Stampin' Pad	Stampin' Trimmer	Blender Pens	Scallop Oval Punch
Large Oval Punch	Subtles Candy Dots