Pals Paper Arts Challenge

I am playing along with the Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge today:-)

This card is very special... I made this for my 9 year old niece, back where I am originally from, Japan. She joined the school orchestra when school started in April, and this past Sunday, her school won the first place at the contest, which thousands of schools from all over the country entered! 

What a fun sketch with a lot of layers by my fellow pal, fabulous Margaret Moody!

I had wanted this set, Storybook Friends, ever since the annual catalog came out back in June, but was afraid of watercoloring so it took me this long to finally get it. And you know what, I am so happy I got it, look how adorable these animals are! All you need is Stampin' Write Markers and the Blender Pen:-) A little star and You did it! are from the retired set, Sprinkled Expressions.  

A shinny number one for my number one niece:-) Not everyone can say, "I am number one in the country". She and her friends practice early in the morning and late after school everyday, and I am just so very proud of her:-) 

If you like the look of stitches but are not a seamstress like me, you probably shy away from needles and threads. Well, with the Paper-Piercing Tool and the Essential Paper-Piercing Pack, you can pre-poke a straight line and make this process a WHOLE LOT easier! No need for a fancy sewing machine;-) 

I wanted to use the Music Notes Wheel Stamp since this is going to my little violinist, but it really couldn't fit in my design on the front, so here it is, on the inside;-)

I honestly struggled with this card. I had the animal parade and the blue ribbon with the details in my head, but to decide what was going behind them really took some brainstorming! I wanted this card to be bright and cheery, but not childish (9 year olds these days are so grown-up!).  I think I picked the right colors, what do you think?

My Recipe for This Card

Stamp set: Storybook Friends, A fitting Occasion, Sprinkled Expressions (Retired), Music Notes Standard Wheel

Paper: Soft Suede, More Mustard, Pool Party, Whisper White, Watercolor Paper, Champagne Glimmer Paper, Howlstooth and Scaringbone DSP, Sweetshop Specialty DSP

Ink: Jet Black StazOn, More Mustard, Soft Suede, River Rock, and Pool Party Stampin' Write Markers, Blender Pen

Accessory: Pool Party 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Soft Suede 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon

Tool: 1-1/4" and 1-3/8" Circle, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punches, Little Labels Punch Pack, Typeset Alphabet Bigz Die, Bitty Banners Framelits Dies, Paper-Piercing Tool, Essential Paper-Piercing Pack, Stampin' Dimensionals, Needle and Thread

Secret Ingredient: Fabulous Sketch, Fabulous Occasion:-)

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Hope you enjoyed it!