My first swing fold card and Melonheadz

Today I decided to make a swing card.  The couple of video tutorials that I watched both used a Sizzix Big Shot.  I don't have a Big Shot so I needed a work around.  Enter my old school Creative Memories circle cutting system.  If anyone is interested in the how to's of that, let me know and I'll put together a pic tutorial.

The details of this card make me smile.  Here are some the highlights:

*I used sandpaper for the sand on the beach.  (It's 100 grit in case a certain Master Woodworker to my west is reading this.)

*The trunks of the palm trees were hand embossed using a stylus on the reverse side of the paper.  Then they were lightly inked with Tim Holtz walnut stain distress ink.  I started with kraft cardstock so there would be lots of shading.

*The fronds of the palm tree were given veins, again using my stylus.  They were inked using TH forest moss distress ink.  I cut 2 layers for each of the trees so I could layer them.  That cut along with the shells and sandcastle are all from good ol' Create a Critter.

*Also from Create a Critter, I cut one of the clouds and used that as a mask to ink the sky.

*The ocean waves were embossed using the Sizzix Swirls folder in my Textures.  (Probably my most used folder.) I then cut along the swirls to give the appearance of waves.

*Along the top of the sandpaper, I used Marvy's Liquid Applique to give the effect of foam on the beach.  If you're not familiar with Liquid Applique, it's really cool stuff!  A bit like puffy paint except that when you use your heat gun on it, it gets all lumpy and bumpy.  I have grand plans for using it on Christmas cards....lovely piles of snow await.

*The shells and sun were all hand embossed using my stylus to give them some dimension.  

I found the super cute little hula gal at MelonHeadz Illustrating and it was free.  In fact, there are loads of free digis over there and they are fantastic!  Really sweet images!!  Thanks so much to Nikki for so generously sharing.  It's truly appreciated!!

Now, on to the card.

I'm excited to be submitted this card to the following challenges:

Bitten by the Bug 2 -- Let's get wet
Fantabulous Cricut Cuts -- Heat wave
Exploring Cricut -- Cricut Choice: use at least 2 cuts from 1 cartridge
Come and Get It Challenges -- Lets go on holiday
Lacy Sunshine Challenges -- Girls, girls, girls
Die Cuttin' Divas -- Just because
A Gem Of A Challenge -- Anything with a B: beach
Kraftyhands -- Anything goes
Sweet Stampin' -- Journeys, travel or destinations
Daring Cardmarkers -- Just beachy