A few weeks ago I was challenged to create a project using layout sketch as my inspiration. This was based on the card in the bottom right-hand corner on page 88 of the Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalogue. The original card uses products from the very Christmassy Tidings of Christmas suite so I was determined to make a non-Christmas card. With that in mind I selected the Peekaboo Farm Stamp Set and set to work. It’s only now, weeks later, that I’m struck by a certain irony. What could be more appropriate on Christmas Eve than animals waiting in a stable?

PEEKABOO STABLE

The most obvious part of the catalogue example was three elements running in a diagonal line across the front of the card. There these elements are added onto the background, but I decided to take them away instead.

I began by cutting a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Very Vanilla Card and a wood-grain pattern from the In Good Taste 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack. Using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I mounted the DSP onto the card and let it dry for a minute.

Next, from the Tasteful Labels Dies I chose a small six-sided die which was perfect for my peekaboo animals. After using the die to cut out the three windows I was ready to begin stamping.

I cut another 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Very Vanilla Card and placed my die-cut layer on top. Then using a pencil I very lightly marked the edges of each of the windows on the layer below. After taking away the die-cut piece I could see exactly where to stamp my animals.

From the Peekaboo Farm Stamp Set I chose the three images. I stamped the pig in the lowest window using Flirty Flamingo ink. Then came the cow in the middle with Basic Gray ink. Finally I stamped the horse in the top window using Cinnamon Cider ink.

To colour the images I opted for pencils. First, from the Watercolor Pencils pack I used Basic Black on the cow. Then I chose Early Espresso for the body of the horse. Around the outside of each animal I scribbled a light layer of Basic Gray.

Changing to the Watercolor Pencils Assortment 2 I chose Cajun Craze for the horse’s mane and nose. Then for the blaze on the horse I used Crushed Curry. Finally I coloured the pig in Flirty Flamingo. Then I smoothed out the pencil lines on the animals by going over them with a Blender Pen.

SIMPLE FINISH

For the sentiment I chose “Life is better with you” from the Peekaboo Farm Stamp Set. Using Cinnamon Cider ink I stamped it onto a 1/2″ x 3-1/4″ strip of Very Vanilla Card. Then I shaped the end using the Banners Pick-A-Punch.

By now I was concerned with how flimsy the wood-effect layer would be on the finished card. So I decided that Foam Adhesive Strips would add add strength and support the layer. I used quite a lot, putting them around the edges of the layer and around the three windows too. I also used extra bits behind the larger uncut areas above and below the windows. Once I was happy, I removed the protective backing from the strips and mounted it onto the layer with the animals.

For the card base I used my Paper Trimmer to cut and score some Early Espresso Card. After folding it along the scored line I sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder, then added the assembled layers with liquid glue.

Next I added the sentiment with some Foam Adhesive Strip.

All I needed now was to create a liner for inside the card plus a coordinating envelope. Instead of reusing the animals, I decided to choose the wood-effect DSP. First I cut a 1″ x 4″ strip of DSP and a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Very Vanilla Card. Using liquid glue I added the DSP down the right-hand edge of the card before fixing it inside the card base.

Finally I cut a 2-1/4″ x 6″ piece of DSP and glued it to the flap of a Very Vanilla Medium Envelope. Then with Paper Snips I trimmed off the excess paper using the edge of the flap as a guide. With that my project was complete.

I love how this card turned out and especially the peekaboo windows. This layout could work for lots of different occasions simply by changing the images and/or sentiment. What do you think?

PRODUCT LIST

MULTI-USE PUNCHES – The Banners Pick-A Punch I used today is just one of a number of multi-use punches from Stampin’ Up! This one punches strips of 1/2″, 3/4″ and 1″ wide, with two different end options; a point and a V. For more elaborate end styles check out the Treasured Tags Pick-A-Punch and Lovely Labels Pick-A-Punch. Both of these also punch strips in the three different widths and two end styles.

Another multi-use punch is the Delightful Tag Topper Punch which punches strips in 1″, 1-1/2″ and 2″ widths. Here the shape of the top varies depending on the width chosen. I’ve had this punch for a long time and had forgotten about the three different widths until just recently.

Double-duty punches include the Elegant Tag Punch and Double Oval Punch. Plus of course there’s all the various Builder Punches too.

Finally there’s my favourite, the Detailed Trio Punch. This one has options to punch an oval hole, round a corner and add a petal-effect cut-out to a corner.

If you’re looking for great value for your crafting budget make sure you check these out.