This past week I’ve started my mornings with a coffee and a look at the Stampin’ Up! Inventory Status Report. Once again I’ve been shocked at how many retiring stamp sets have completely sold out. This makes creating projects a real challenge. Today I’m taking the opportunity to use the Pampered Pets Stamp Set one last time. It’s currently showing as low stock and will likely be gone completely by the end of the weekend. I couldn’t resist creating this sympathy card using the sweet dog image. I’ll miss him.

PETS AND MORE

This project all started with that dog image, one of two dogs and two cats in the Pampered Pets Stamp Set.

First I cut two pieces of Very Vanilla Card; one 2-7/8″ x 2-7/8″ and one 4″ x 5-1/4″. I also grabbed a Very Vanilla Medium Envelope so I could stamp and colour three images all at once.

TIP – Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers are designed to saturate the card with ink. So when colouring on envelopes I always slip a scrap of paper inside to prevent any ink bleeding through to the back.

Using Basic Gray ink I stamped the dog in the bottom left corner of each card piece and the front of the envelope. Then I set to work colouring them in with Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers. For the dog itself I began with a complete layer of light Smoky Slate. This was followed by a few shadows using the dark Smoky Slate. Finally I blended the dark colour with the light marker again by going over it and also slightly into the lighter areas. The dogs’ noses were simply coloured using the dark Smoky Slate.

Next o

On the smaller card piece I stamped the little dog bowl image. On the outside of the bowl I used a dark Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Blends to colour in from the left and right sides, leaving a gap in the middle. Then I went over the dark Pumpkin Pie and across the gap with the light Pumpkin Pie. On the inside of the bowl I began with Ivory before adding some dots of Bronze.

Finally I added some quick scribbles below the dog and bowl with the Ivory Stampin’ Blends.

SIMPLE ASSEMBLY

Now I was ready to start thinking about how the coloured pieces would come together on the finished card.

I began by using my Paper Trimmer to cut and score some Thick Very Vanilla Card. Then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder. Finally using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I fixed the larger of the two Very Vanilla pieces inside the card base.

To really make the colours on the smaller stamped piece pop I decided to mount it onto two mats. First I cut a 3″ x 3″ piece of Basic Gray Card and glued the dog image on top. Then I cut a 3-1/4″ x 3-1/4″ piece of Pumpkin Pie Card and mounted the assembled layers onto that.

Going back to the Pampered Pets Stamp Set I chose my sentiment, “Always in your heart… so sorry for your loss”. By resting the layered image piece on the front of the card base I could see exactly where I wanted to stamp it. As before I used Basic Gray ink, adding it in the bottom right corner of the card front.

Then to finish I simply attached the layered image piece with Stampin’ Dimensionals and my card was complete.

I love how this card turned out. I think that sentiment could be used on any sympathy card, just change up the image as appropriate. What do you think?

For another way to use that sentiment check out my earlier blog post Pets project by special request.

PRODUCT LISTS

RETIRING PRODUCTS – only available while stocks last

Although I didn’t use them today I simply had to provide a link to the coordinating Pets Dies too. These dies are also retiring and are now on sale at an amazing 50% off!

CONTINUING PRODUCTS