Watercolored Carousel

So funny to read so many bloggers saying today that they were taking down Christmas decorations, catching up on laundry, and tidying/organizing. That's just what we've been doing here on Bliss Road today, too! We were relatively efficient with our chores, though, so I was able to get in a little paper therapy this afternoon.

I used some of my Christmas money last week and took advantage of a fantastic year-end sale at I {heart} Papers, treating myself to my very first Lawn Fawn, Paper Smooches, and Market Street Stamps. Finally! I've been waiting months {and months} to add some of these to my stamp collection. Now that my new goodies have arrived, the big question was where to start? I got some much-needed direction after reading about the Lawn Fawn CHA Winter 2012 Challenge. Without further ado, here is my card:

All images plus sentiment come from Lawn Fawn's Admit One stamp set. I embossed the images on watercolor paper and watercolor painted them using dye inks. There was a restriction for this challenge to use no patterned paper, so I kept it simple by sponging on some white pigment ink to make my own subtle cloudy sky background. The "sun" is part of the award ribbon image from the set. And the grass? So easy to make with some embroidery floss. (You can find instructions HERE.) I love that "Enjoy the ride" sentiment--it's so flexible. I could send this for a birthday, anniversary, even as a congrats card or just because!

I'm also playing along with Paper Sundaes Challenge #101: Out with the Old, In with the New (I used my brand new Lawn Fawn stamp set and some very, VERY old embroidery floss for my grass), The Kraft Outlet's Anything Goes Challenge (using kraft cardstock), and the Simon Says Anything Goes Challenge.

We really had a fabulous holiday this year. My hubby had a three-day weekend for Christmas and a four-day weekend for New Year's. He heads back to work tomorrow (boo-hoo!), but I have the kids with me for another day: their first day back won't be until Wednesday. They've been keeping busy building with Legos and K'nex, playing new Wii games, reading new books, and writing their thank you notes. And we have seen so many movies (here at home) together as family during their vacation! At last count, I believe it was nine: A Christmas Story, Judy Moody and the Not-Bummer Summer, The Santa Clause, Santa Clause 2, Santa Clause 3, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Gnomeo and Juliet, National Treasure, and National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Needless to say, we've been plowing our way through lots of popcorn, too. Fun!

Thanks for dropping by to check out my little slice of bliss!
Emily