Today’s card project comes to you courtesy of another design challenge. This time it was the Hand Stamped Sentiment Color Challenge that inspired me with a combination of three blues. Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay and Pacific Point would normally result a sea-themed project, and I have to admit it did cross my mind. However in the end I decided to go with something much more geometric. It was only later that I thought of embossing the background. So that’s when the Brick & Mortar 3D Embossing Folder got a workout.

THREE BLUES
With the colour challenge as my inspiration it made sense to start there. So I went to my scrap card tin and found the pockets for the three blues. Unfortunately I have no large pieces of Pacific Point Card so had to choose from the other two for the card base. In the end I went with the darker Bermuda Bay.
From among the scraps I found three different sized strips to fit across the width of the card. After playing with various options I decided to use one of each. Then to make organising the layout easier I fixed them together with some sellotape. So far, so good.
The sentiment came next, a simple “happy birthday” from the Sentimental Swirls Stamp Set. To coordinate with the card base I used Bermuda Bay ink and stamped onto some Basic White Card. Then I chose a die from the retiring Tasteful Labels Dies to cut it out. There are a number of dies in the set that fitted the sentiment but in the end I went with a simple rectangle with cut-out corners.
As I put the die back with the others I noticed two circle dies with scalloped edges. So with no real plan in mind I cut one of each from Coastal Cabana and Bermuda Bay Card. I really liked the contrast between the straight strips and the circles but decided to keep just the smaller ones.
Now I began thinking about how to layer the pieces into a pleasing arrangement. First, using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I fixed the Coastal Cabana circle on top of the three strips at the right-hand end. Then I used Stampin’ Dimensionals to attach the sentiment on top. Finally the Bermuda Bay circle was fixed behind the strips and the bottom left corner of the sentiment.
BRICK BACKGROUNDS
All I needed now was a background and I cut a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Basic White Card to add a bright contrast. The only problem was that it seemed rather plain. So that’s when I had the idea to emboss it, just to add some subtle interest. I tried the Timber 3D Embossing Folder first but it was a bit too fussy. Instead I cut another piece of card and tried again with the Brick & Mortar 3D Embossing Folder. That was the missing piece of my puzzle! Almost…

As I was preparing to attach the strips and circle assembly to the card I decided it needed one little tweak. So I went back to the Tasteful Labels Dies and grabbed the larger circle to cut out some Vellum Cardstock. Then using liquid glue I fixed the Vellum behind the Coastal Cabana circle, before adding the whole thing to the brick embossed background layer. With that done I added the completed layers to the card front.
To complete the project I went back to the Brick & Mortar 3D Embossing Folder. First I embossed a 1″ strip down the right-hand side of a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Basic White Card. Then using liquid glue I added a 1/8″ x 4″ strip of Bermuda Bay Card along the left edge of the embossing. This finished it off nicely and I glued the layer inside the card base. Finally after embossing the flap on a Basic White Medium Envelope my project was complete.
I love the way the crisp lines and circles on the card stand out against the more relaxed look of the brick background. I’m so glad I didn’t go with a sea theme for the Hand Stamped Sentiments Color Challenge HSSCC387. What do you think?

PRODUCT LISTS
RETIRING PRODUCTS – only available while stocks last. These dies are discounted at 20% off.
CONTINUING PRODUCTS
Very nice, Tracy – I love the layering of these simple shapes – so dramatic! Thanks so much for playing at Hand Stamped Sentiments!
Thank you Heather
What a gorgeous clean and simple card! The pops of color are just perfect! Great also because it can be sent to man or woman! Thanks for joining the hand stamped sentiments this week!
Thank you Patti.
I love this clean and simple card. You did a nice job with the colour challenge and I love the use of the Brick and Mortar 3D EF for texture. Thanks for joining us at HSS.
Thank you Leah
A great card to use up all those little scraps we have. Love the fresh feel of your card. Thanks for playing along with us at HSS
Thank you Fiona
This is so cool and clean! I love the brick embossed background. Thanks for playing along with us at Hand Stamped Sentiments!
Thank you Jenny
What a very smart card! Love you used the dies from Tasteful Labels dies with the brick embossing folder. Thanks for joining us at Hand Stamped Sentiments,
Thank you Genevieve