Challenge Reminder PS#131 Summer Daze
by Jyoti Adhikari
For the Poppystamps “Summer Daze” Challenge, I wanted to create a scene that felt soft, whimsical, and full of warm-weather charm. I immediately reached for the Nordic Cheerful Lamb die-its sweet folk-art style and cozy sweater gave me the perfect starting point. To capture the essence of a dreamy summer day, I paired the lamb with birds in flight, soft green hills, and a golden sun glowing in the sky. Everything came together to form a storybook-style landscape that’s both calming and playful.
Layered Ink and Pattern Paper for the Scene
To build my background, I started by ink blending the sky with soft blue and green Distress Oxide inks to mimic a grassy hill fading into clear skies. The lower part of the card features a curved piece of pattern paper from the Nutmeg Plaid 6×6 Paper Pack. This subtle plaid pattern brings in texture and warmth, almost like a patchwork quilt beneath the lamb’s feet. I love combining ink and patterned paper-it adds dimension without feeling too busy.
Die-Cutting and Color Details
The Nordic Sweeping Branch die became a stylized tree, cut from brown and green cardstock with extra detailing added using markers and Distress Oxide ink for shading. I used the Flock of Birds die to create five little birds, each inked in soft tones of white, brown, and golden orange to match the natural palette. The sun was created with a stitched circle die in bright yellow cardstock and softly inked with orange for a glowing summer feel. My favorite part was customizing the lamb with peachy-pink and warm orange tones-giving her that cozy, sun-kissed look.
Finishing Touches with Sentiment and Assembly
To complete the card, I used a curved sentiment strip from the Modest Banner Greetings set. I love how the black banner contrasts with the soft pastels and grounds the scene with a heartfelt “Thinking of You Often” message. Everything was adhered with liquid glue and foam tape for added dimension. This card captures the quiet magic of a summer afternoon-perfect for sending love to someone special. I hope it inspires you to join the Summer Daze Challenge and create your own seasonal story!
Supplies
