Clean and Simple Birthday for PP52

I think I mentioned in a previous post how many birthday's and other occasions I have to acknowledge this week...from June 23rd to June 30th there are 4 birthdays, 1 anniversary and 1 retirement!  And because Canada Post has decided to strike (and who can blame them really) that means everything has to be ready tomorrow for when I see everyone : )

I'm really getting into this whole "challenge" thing in the blogging world.  I like that I get a template to work from and that certainly helps get the creative juices flowing.  For tonight's post I've got a really Clean and Simple (CAS) birthday card for my husband's grandfather who turns 85 tomorrow.  I based the design on the Paper Players sketch for the week.  Here's the sketch:

PP52 CAS Challenge

Here's my card:

I began with a piece of Crumb Cake card stock which I sponged in the same colour ink.  I decided to use a cosmetic sponge (one of those triangle sponges one uses to put on foundation) as I find that they give a more defined "print" and it almost makes the paper look like suede.  Thanks to Sue H. for the idea.

Next I layered some Old Olive card stock with some of the Nursery Suite DSP and then used Chocolate Chip and Whisper White card stock for the sentiment which comes from the "Best Dad Ever" stamp set.  Finally, I wrapped some Early Espresso baker's twine around a couple of times to finish it off.  Clean and simple!