Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Back to School

This week's challenge over on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog is "Back to School".   I initially had a little trouble coming up with a back to school idea at all until I remembered this printed paper.  I've been wanting to send my three sweet grandsons who live in Texas a card marking their return to school this week.  Simon's Challenge was just the incentive I needed to get my creative juices going.

I used a white A2 card base with a side fold for this card.  The decorative printed paper is from Close To My Heart's "Chalk It Up" collection.  Most of this collection was sent to a friend for her high school boys scrapbook pages, but I did keep this sheet for myself.  The stamp came from another Close To My Heart set called "Special Care" which was a past Stamp Of The Month.  Boys pick up all kinds of stuff on their way home from school even though it's only a few blocks. You know-- rocks, sticks, critters etc.  I stamped the sentiment using Versamark Ink and heat embossed in Calypso Coral embossing Powder from SU!

The background coral panel was cut using a scalloped, stitched rectangle from the WPLUS9 Sunshine Layers set.  I trimmed the scallops off since I was sending it to boys.  Next I cut a panel of the printed paper, rounded the corners and inked the edges up using the DTP method in some teal ink for a slightly distressed look.

I wanted a secondary focal point behind the stamped image since the printed paper is busy, so I cut the star in SU! Brown Sugar using some Quickutz dies that I've had for a number of years.  I attached the embossed piece with some tape runner and then topped it with the geometric self adhesive embellishment from my supplies.  The Chalk It Up Collection came with the puffy stickers in the coordinating shapes.    I'm not much for stickers usually, but these are cute and match perfectly.  A super quick and easy card!