Dilo en Español

I don't think I could have had more fun making this card! It started with inspiration from a few challenges:

• Dilo en Español Challenge #1: Kraft Paper
  I've been following Abby's blog for a while, and am very excited about her new challenges inspired by her fab new Dilo en Español stamp sets. I only just bought a set, and I don't think a sentiment in Spanish is a requirement, but I was inspired so I used this cute Feliz Cumpleaños Ticket digi stamp by Marion.
  
  
• Fun with Shapes Challenge #93: Shabby/Vintage
  This challenge blog is new-to-me,  and I love its mission of using "something punched or cut". For this card, I used my Cricut & their "Paper Dolls" cartridge (the circus tent), as well as two Recollections hand-punches. I made the borders with a star punch, and the banners made from the circle punch. For the additional "Shabby/Vintage" theme, I used my Tim Holtz paper distresser on all the edges.
  
  
• Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge Week 75: Use Polka Dots
  Polka dots seemed a perfect fit for the circus theme. I used a scrap of Graphic 45 paper for the tent, but I really tore into my Echo Park Dots & Stripes pack for the rest!
  
  
• Crazy Amigo Challenge: Animals
  This challenge blog is also new-to-me, and it looks like fun! I didn't really have any circus animal stamps, so I used this cutey. I'm not quite sure what circus act this is ... Gassy the Zebra & his Gossipy Canary, I guess!

Originally, this is how the card was to look. But I really wanted to show off the background, so I made the tent fold down to create this sort of tent card:

Here's the card completely open. I stitched the message section with the same hemp rope I used to string the banners.

Update: Wow! This card won Dilo en Español Challenge #1! Muchísimas Gracias!