With all the focus on retiring lists and new catalogues it’s been ages since I’ve joined a design challenge. I like challenges as they often make me think outside the box or encourage me to try new things. This morning I noticed the Just Us Girls Challenge #639. It’s word week, and the word was “mammals”. That gave me just the excuse I needed to pull out the Elephant Parade Stamp Set and start colouring. But as I looked for an interesting background, things became a great deal more colourful.

ONE CUTE ELEPHANT
You all know I love the cute elephants in the Elephant Parade Stamp Set, so I didn’t really need a reason to pick this one up again. Except I was aware that there was still one of the three elephant images I hadn’t yet used. I’ll be honest and say that the looking back pose didn’t excite me and seemed a bit negative, until today.
I began by using Tuxedo Black ink to stamp the elephant onto some Thick Very Vanilla Card. Then I quickly coloured him in using light and dark Gray Granite Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers. Cutting him out was a cinch using the coordinating die from the Elephant Dies set and my Mini Cut & Emboss Machine. Then I set him aside while I thought about the rest of the card.
Going back to the stamp set I decided to use the “I’ll never forget your kindness” sentiment. This was the one that seemed to work best with this elephant. So with Tuxedo Black ink I stamped it onto a narrow strip of Thick Very Vanilla Card.
Now I needed a background, and at first I thought I’d just keep everything very plain and simple. Next I considered creating more of a scene, but that would take time. Finally I went looking for some Designer Series Paper (DSP) and what I found really surprised me.
Landscapes are definitely not what comes to mind when I think of the Hues of Happiness DSP. It’s pretty much all brightly coloured flowers. So why I even thought to look there I will never know, but boy am I glad I did. As I was looking at the rainbow coloured stripes on one sheet a landscape appeared! I saw a twilight sky just changing from blue to purple with a line of green vegetation standing out against the sandy ground. Only the red hues seemed out of place. Well that was all the inspiration I needed.
RAINBOW LANDSCAPE
I cut a 3″ strip of the DSP and trimmed 1/4″ off the purple end. Then I measured 8″ from the purple end and cut. This removed the red part but still left plenty of sandy ground. Next, for added interest, I took the two small grassy images from the Oceanfront Stamp Set. Then using Tuxedo Black ink I stamped these onto the DSP. From there the project came together really quickly.

For my slimline card base I cut a 7″ x 8-1/2″ piece of Mango Melody Card and with the short side at the top I scored it at 3-1/2″. Then I folded along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder.
Next I cut a 3-1/4″ x 8-1/4″ piece of Very Vanilla Card and decorated the bottom edge with a couple of the grassy images. With that done I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue to fix the layer inside the card base.
Now I needed an envelope and I chose a Smoky Slate one from the Slimline Envelopes pack. Then I decorated the bottom edge with some grassy stamping to coordinate with the rest of the project.
I was almost done but I wanted to contrast the DSP. So I cut some Basic Black Card at 3-1/8″ x 8-1/8″ and glued the DSP on top. Then with more liquid glue I fixed the layers to the card front.
At last I was ready for the elephant and I attached him using pieces of Foam Adhesive Strip, which just left the sentiment…
As I considered where to put it I realised I didn’t like the sentiment in a long straight line. So using my Paper Snips I cut it up into five separate words. From there I put Foam Adhesive Strip on the back and spread them out across the darkening sky of my scene. Job done.
This really wasn’t what I thought I was going to make today, however I absolutely love it! But do you see a landscape or a rainbow? Please leave a comment below and let me know if it’s just me…
MAMMAL CHALLENGE
As I mentioned I was prompted to make my elephant kindness card by this week’s Just Us Girls Challenge #639 – Mammals.
Now I just have to upload my card to their website and then I’ll take a look at the other inspiring projects.

Meanwhile for more Elephant Parade fun from me see these earlier blog posts:
PRODUCT LIST
BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Elephant Parade Stamp Set in a bundle with the coordinating Elephant Dies (I’ll always dislike like that name!). By placing my order using the single “bundle” item number I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two products separately. I’ve included links for both options below in case you want to compare them.
Tracy… first, you background was inspired! Your elephant is absolutely adorable… love it. The design worked so well on a slimline… so smart. Thank you so much for joining and sharing at Just Us Girls this week.
Thank you Elizabeth
I love your slimline elephant card and your choice of background. Funny how things transpire the longer you gaze at them. Love the way you did your sentiment too! Thanks for joining us at Just Us Girls.
Thank you Nancy