The challenge this week at The Paper Players is a theme challenge, and one that's hard to go past: Beside the Seaside. Well, the beach is my Happy Place and I've many happy memories of being at the beach with the children. Two of our favourite things from when they were small were picking up shells and interesting bits from the shore and popping them into the sand castle buckets, and paddling our feet in the water. The whimsical images from Beautiful Moments fitted the bill perfectly, especially the one of the two small girls with their buckets. Having given them some beach and sky, colouring and then paper-piecing their dresses, the card still seemed to be missing something. So I got out Friends are Like Seashells to add in some extra beachiness... plus it gave me a good excuse for some theraputic colouring. I chose the Painted Textures 3D Embossing Folder for the background because it seemed to me to be like the ripples of sea water when the waves wash to the shore. I've partially coloured this with Pool Party ink and a blending brush. Once I did that, I realised this card was turning out to be a close sister of this one. Update: Delighted to be A Cut Above at The Paper Players. If you live in New Zealand and don't have a Stampin' Up Demonstrator, I'd love to be yours. I can help you with ideas, get you catalogues and provide you with Stampin' Up products. You can leave a message in the comments or contact me using any of the methods listed in the Contact Me tab at the top of the page. You can shop with me from anywhere in New Zealand by clicking on the SHOP NOW button in the sidebar or clicking on any of products below. Product List Beautiful Moments Cling Stamp Set [151677] $48.00 Friends Are Like Seashells Photopolymer Stamp Set [154368] $55.00 Pool Party A4 Card Stock [124391] $18.50 Basic White A4 Cardstock [159228] $20.50 Subtles 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [153072] $24.25 Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $12.00 Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [147107] $15.75 So Saffron Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154905] $19.00 Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154882] $19.00 Pool Party Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154894] $19.00 Bronze & Ivory Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154922] $19.00 Balmy Blue Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154830] $19.00 Gray Granite Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154886] $19.00 Painted Texture 3 D Embossing Folder [154317] $19.00 Opal Rounds [154289] $15.75 Stitched Rectangle Dies [148551] $74.00 Blending Brushes [153611] $25.25 Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $7.25