Hello, Crafters.
Now the new Christmas Mini Catalogue has gone live, I’ve started using some of my new products. I don’t think this will include Christmas products just yet – it’s still a bit too early for me! I chose the squirrels because it’s a two-step stamping set and I love squirrels. We used to get lots of them visiting our garden but they seem to have disappeared!
My first step was to have a look on Pinterest to see what colours crafters had used for the squirrels. Here in the south of the UK, when we do see squirrels they are grey. I believe the further north, especially in Scotland, they get red squirrels. Although there is a great selection of cards on Pinterest, I didn’t see anything that inspired me. I use Pinterest for inspiration, rather than for cards I can Case.
Next, I decided to have a look at my sketch folder and picked out a layout that I thought would work well with the two squirrels. The layout was a 2.5″ square overlapping a 2.5″ circle, plus a banner. My original idea was to have the squirrel with the acorn in the square and the other squirrel in the circle; half hidden behind the square. I wanted it to look like the circle squirrel had his eye on the square squirrel’s acorn! In the end I decided the images were too big for our regular A6 (A2) sized card.
I chose to keep the square squirrel and the banner. My card was looking a bit on the dark side so instead of making a Mossy Meadow Cardstock (CS) Banner, I pulled out thin strips of Old Olive and Mossy Meadow CS from my cardstock scrap wallets. Next I glued them alternately onto a piece of Mossy Meadow CS until I had a strip that was a bit slimmer than the squirrel image. I fishtailed the end and adhered it on my top layer which was a piece of the Beauty of the Earth Designer Series Paper (DSP).
I stamped the squirrel using Black Memento Ink and grounded him with Light Mossy Meadow and painted a Light Pool Party shadow around his body using Blends. For the two-step stamping on the squirrels body I used Grey Granite Ink, Soft Suede Ink for the acorn cup and Crumb Cake for the lower part of the acorn. I used the HAPPY BIRTHDAY sentiment from the same stamp set and stamped it in Grey Granite Ink. I added a bow I’d made with a piece of retired Braided Linen Trim and used a Mini Glue Dot and some Tombow to adhere it in position on the banner.
To decorate the inside of the card, I took a middle layer of Basic White CS and stamped the squirrel with the acorn in the bottom right-hand corner, just coming off the page. I coloured him in the same way as I did the image on the front of the card. My final touch on the front of the card was a Bumblebee Trinket and I adhered it in such a position that it looks as if the squirrel is looking at it! Next time I use this stamp set I’ll probably fussy cut them both – time will tell!
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s card. My first job for today is a trip to the dentist! I’m having a crown made for a tooth I broke on Christmas Day. That’s it from me today. Take care, stay safe and happy crafting.
JanB. xx
Products used for this project: please click on any of the links to be taken to my 24/7 online Stampin’ Up! shop. The Hostess Code for AUGUST 2021 is YHUYPFGY Thank you. xx
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Cardstock Layer Sizes: A4
Card base 8¼” x 5¾” scored and folded at 4 1/8”
Middle layer: 2 pieces 3 7/8” x 5½”
Top layer: 2 pieces 3¾” x 5 3/8”
Cardstock Layer Sizes: Letter-size
Card base 8½” x 5½” scored and folded at 4¼”
Middle layer: 2 pieces 4” x 5¼”
Top layer: 2 pieces 3 7/8” x 5 1/8”
Super cute! I’ve been oogling this stamp set – now seeing it in such good use, makes up my mind to have it! Thanks always for your inspirations…. 6 months seems a long time to wait for a crown!!
Many thanks, Billie. It’s cute and two-step stamping – great combination. It’s six months because we were in lockdown until quite recently! xxx
What a cute card! I love you squirrel.
Many thanks, Lisa. xx
love the layout and the squirrel is way too cute!
Many thanks, D. xx
This is so cute, Jan, I absolutely love it! I also like the way you created the banner, it is a great idea. These squirrels are just too adorable, and *might* get me to fussy cut them. We have mostly gray squirrels, too.
I just put in my last order (probably for the year with maybe the exception of replenishing any essential supplies), and this set definitely made the cut for the order. I ordered all the sets I’d been putting off for a long time that are going to disappear, mostly from the annual catalog and mostly these little cute stamp sets I have wanted (Way to Goat, Back on Your Feet, etc). I think I have quite enough to keep me busy for a long time, now. I wanted the new polar bears, but they just were a step to far in the finances and I had to weigh how often I might use them.
Much love! xx
Hi, Kimy. I hear what you’re saying about the polar bears. I have bought them but I don’t think they’ll be anywhere near as versatile as the other sets you’ve mentioned, i.e. Way to Goat, Back on your Feet! Nor as versatile as the Badger Besties, Peekaboo Farm and Party Puffins! Happy crafting. xxx
Goedemorgen Jan.
Oh dit is ook weer een leuke kaart model
Groetjes Manon
Heel erg bedankt, Manon. Ik ben erg blij dat je dit project leuk vindt. xx