My blue dress - 2 challenges

Oh my...what a fun weekend this has been :)  We had a chance to spend some more time with some of my relatives from Texas, today.  You wouldn't believe some of the stories that were told AND some of the topics of conversation.  But...I'd better not tell!

I think I'd better move on to today's card, huh?

I'm playing along in 2 challenges:

Pals Paper Arts #101 - a color challenge "chase away those summertime blues"

CAS-ual Fridays #10 - create a shaped card

It's been quite a while since I created a shaped card.   And, since they're so much fun to make...of course, I had to play along.  And, the color challenge at PPA really called out to me...I love those blues.
So, here is my take on the 2 challenges:

I really enjoyed making this card and it was so easy, too.  I had downloaded this dress template a while back from Paper Crafts magazine's website.  Kim Hughes is the designer. PC has so many cute templates.  This is the first time I've used this one.
I used bashful blue card stock for the card base - or should I say dress?  I stamped the palm leaves in not quite navy and marina mist inks.  The bodice of the dress is made from not quite navy card stock and I sponged around the edges with a little ink, in the same color.  I row of tiny clear gems finishes off my card.
Normally, I would stamp a sentiment on the front of my cards.  But, I felt that even a small sentiment would be too distracting on this card.  I'll add a sentiment to the inside, when I decide who the recipient will be.
I'll be using this template again.  I have so many ideas for colors and prints!
Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you'll leave a comment.

Supplies:

card stock: bashful blue, not quite navy (Stampin' Up!)

ink: not quite navy, marina mist

stamp: the palm leaves from Forever in Our Hearts (Verve)

gems: recollections (Michaels)

And.....a few more pics from my flower gardens :)

Well, this isn't from the flower gardens.  This tiny maple leaf was on the sidewalk.  I thought it looked so pretty with the drops of water and the angle of the sunlight.

A mix of yellow and pink coneflowers.

These golden stargazer lilies are much taller than they've EVER grown before.  I'm 5'5" tall, and they're taller than me!  I included the door in this shot, so that you can see how tall they really are.