Every time I think the Stampin’ Up! artists can’t get any better they prove me wrong. Today’s project features two new products that I absolutely love. The first is the Rain Or Shine 12” x 12” Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP). I’ve used various patterns from this pack but it was time to finally cut up that large meadow scene. With that amazing background already done for me all I needed was a focal point. That came courtesy of the Adorable Owls Stamp Set that’s available for FREE during Sale-A-Bration.

CUT THE MEADOW

Before getting to my owl I first wanted to prepare the bookmark base. So I began by cutting a 2″ wide strip off the side of the meadow sheet. Having made the cut I decided that I needed to trim 3-1/2″ off the bottom of the strip, and 3″ off the top. This gave me the proportion of flowers and sky on a 5-1/2″ tall strip that I wanted. The pieces that I’d cut off will be used later on other projects.

Next I cut a 2″ x 5-1/2″ strip of Balmy Blue Card and fixed the DSP onto it using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow). Then I punched a hole at the top using the Label Me Fancy Punch.

To finish the bookmark base I cut two 6″ pieces of Gray Granite twine from the Baker’s Twine Essentials Pack. Finally after threading the twine through the hole I tied it in a simple knot.

ADORABLE OWL

Now all I needed was my owl and the Adorable Owls Stamp Set has three to choose from. Having taken care to get the flowers and sky background just right I definitely wanted the flying owl (I have other plans for the other two). So using Tuxedo Black ink I stamped my owl onto a scrap of Basic White Card.

To colour my owl I decided to use a few Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers. First I chose the Gray Granite combo. Using the dark Gray Granite I scribbled a line around the bottom of the owl’s ‘forehead’ and on the tops of his ears. I also used the dark shade to add some shadow to the wings and around his chest. With that done I used the light Gray Granite over all his feathers including his chest and face. Then I went over the area around his eyes with the light Gray Granite a second time just to darken it a little.

That just left a few small areas to colour and I swapped to the light and dark Crumb Cake Stampin’ Blends. This time no blending was needed as I used the light Crumb Cake to colour the owl’s feet and beak. I also used the light Crumb Cake to colour in the tiny circle on each of his eyes. Then with the dark Crumb Cake marker I coloured the rest of the ring around the black pupils.

Now I’d coloured the entire owl except the whites of his eyes, but that stark white bothered me. So taking a leap of faith I reached for the light Balmy Blue Stampin’ Blends. Using the bullet tip of the marker I quickly added some lines from the edge of the irises out towards the outside of the eyes. This pale colour with little areas of white still visible was perfect, and finally I cut out my owl using my trusty Paper Snips.

All that was left was for me to add the owl to the meadow scene with liquid glue and my adorable bookmark was complete.

PRODUCT LIST

FREE STAMP SET – Sadly the Adorable Owls Stamp Set is not available to buy, but you can get it for FREE during the Stampin’ Up! Sale-A-Bration promotion. Simply place an order for at least $60 CAD of Stampin’ Up! products, then during the check out process you’ll be prompted to select your free gift from the Sale-A-Bration Brochure. Just remember that Sale-A-Bration ends on February 28th and products are subject to availabilty.